Atmospheric correction of TIMS data

The Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) is a unique sensor for two reasons, it is multispectral in the thermal-infrared and it has on board, active calibration sources. The existence of the calibration permits the recorded DNs to be converted unambiguously to absolute energy units. However, to relate the data to energy originating from a target on the ground it is necessary to remove the atmospheric contribution to the signal, specifically its transmittance and emittance. These can be obtained fairly easily by use of the atmospheric model provided by LOWTRAN-6 and the data from the U.S. Weather Service network of bidaily radiosondes. Using these data with the TIMS responsivity curves an equation can be obtained which permits the unambiguous correction of the TIMS data for the atmosphere

Preliminary Measurement of Lunar Particle Shapes.

Particle shape is a basic parameter and essential for many engineering applications. Very little data is published on the shape of lunar particles. An unpublished review found that even where the same samples were studied the results were contradictory, probably because of extremely small sample sizes. Other workers have made fundamental errors in algorithms. There are many ways to measure particle shape. One common approach is to examine the particles as intersected by a plain, such as a thin section. If discrete particles can be segmented from the image, programs such as ImageJ can readily obtain shape measurements for each particle

A superior edge preserving filter with a systematic analysis

A new, adaptive, edge preserving filter for use in image processing is presented. It had superior performance when compared to other filters. Termed the contiguous K-average, it aggregates pixels by examining all pixels contiguous to an existing cluster and adding the pixel closest to the mean of the existing cluster. The process is iterated until K pixels were accumulated. Rather than simply compare the visual results of processing with this operator to other filters, some approaches were developed which allow quantitative evaluation of how well and filter performs. Particular attention is given to the standard deviation of noise within a feature and the stability of imagery under iterative processing. Demonstrations illustrate the performance of several filters to discriminate against noise and retain edges, the effect of filtering as a preprocessing step, and the utility of the contiguous K-average filter when used with remote sensing data

Algorithm for Identifying Erroneous Rain-Gauge Readings

An algorithm analyzes rain-gauge data to identify statistical outliers that could be deemed to be erroneous readings. Heretofore, analyses of this type have been performed in burdensome manual procedures that have involved subjective judgements. Sometimes, the analyses have included computational assistance for detecting values falling outside of arbitrary limits. The analyses have been performed without statistically valid knowledge of the spatial and temporal variations of precipitation within rain events. In contrast, the present algorithm makes it possible to automate such an analysis, makes the analysis objective, takes account of the spatial distribution of rain gauges in conjunction with the statistical nature of spatial variations in rainfall readings, and minimizes the use of arbitrary criteria. The algorithm implements an iterative process that involves nonparametric statistics

Generation of Requirements for Simulant Measurements

This document provides a formal, logical explanation of the parameters selected for the Figure of Merit algorithm used to evaluate lunar regolith simulant. The objectives, requirements, assumptions and analysis behind the parameters is provided. From NASA's objectives for lunar simulants a requirement is derived to verify and validate simulant performance versus lunar regolith. This requirement leads to a specification that comparative measurements be taken the same way on the regolith and the simulant. In turn this leads to a set of 9 criteria with which to evaluate comparative measurement. Many of the potential measurements of interest are not defensible under these criteria, for example many geotechnical properties of interest were not explicitly measured during Apollo and they can only be measured in situ on the Moon. A 2005 workshop identified 32 properties of major interest to users (Sibille Carpenter Schlagheck, and French, 2006). Virtually all of the properties are tightly constrained, though not predictable, if just four parameters are controlled. Three: composition, size and shape, are recognized as being definable at the particle level. The fourth, density, is a bulk property. In recent work a fifth parameter has been identified, which will need to be added to future releases of the Figure of Merit: spectroscopy

Paper Session III-C - The Low Vision Enhancement System: A Decade Long Technology Transfer Project

There are approximately 2 million people in the United States who cannot function normally in society due to vision impairment. Yet, most of these people retain some sight. Until recently available treatments were essentially unchanged from those available 50 years ago. Options included various hand magnifiers, colored lenses, and telescopes mounted to glasses. The one recent innovation was the development of a stand-mounted, closed-circuit television. Collectively, these aids were often of limited utility. For example a hand lens is of little value when walking, watching television or shopping. As the result of a conscience decision the Wilmer Eye Institute, a part of The Johns Hopkins University, contacted NASA. They wished to learn if NASA had new technology that could help low vision patients. As a result in 1985 the two parties began working together, developing an aid for the vision handicapped. Their efforts, along with that of many other organizations that subsequently joined, have created a system of technology that will have impact far beyond the original target population

A Survey of Geologic Resources

This chapter focuses on the resources available from the Moon itself: regolith, geologically concentrated materials, and lunar physical features that will enable habitation and generation of power on the surface. This chapter briefly covers the formation of the Moon and thus the formation of the crust of the Moon, as well as the evolution of the regolith. The characteristics of the regolith are provided in some detail, including its mineralogy and lithology. The location of high concentrations of specific minerals or rocks is noted. Other ideal locations for in situ resource utilization technology and lunar habitation are presented. This chapter is intended to be a brief review of current knowledge, and to serve as a foundational source for further study. Each concept presented here has a wealth of literature associated with it; the reader is therefore directed to that literature with each discussion. With great interest in possible manned lunar landings and continued study of the Moon by multiple satellites, the available information changes regularly

Understanding MSFC/Earth Science Office Within NASA

This slide presentation reviews the role of the Marshal's Earth Science Office (ESO) and the relationship of the office to the NASA administration, the National Research Council and NASA's Science Directorate. The presentation also reviews the strategic goals for Earth Science, and briefly reviews the ESO's international partners that NASA is cooperating with

Figure of Merit Characteristics Compared to Engineering Parameters

Current NASA lunar architecture calls for permanent human habitation of the moon by the year 2020. Due to the expense of delivering materials into orbit, technologies are being developed to use lunar regolith for building and as a material resource for fabrication, oxygen production, and other needs. Additionally, constant exposure to the finest size fraction of lunar regolith may present hazards to human health. Towards developing these technologies and mitigating hazards, lunar regolith simulants are becoming an increasingly important part of the development paradigm

Some Expected Mechanical Characteristics of Lunar Dust: A Geological View

The engineering properties of the lunar regolith reflect aspects of the original parent rock and the consequences of hypervelocity meteor bombardment. Compared to the Earth the geologic nature of the lunar regolith is quite distinct. On scales relevant to machinery, heterogeneity with respect to size and composition is much higher. But the total range in composition is much more restricted. Both facts have implications for predictions of properties, such as abrasion, which will be required by design engineers for constructing equipment for lunar use. Abrasion is related to hardness and hardness is a commonly measured property for both minerals and engineering materials. Although different hardness scales are routinely employed for minerals and engineering materials, a significant amount of literature is available relating the two. In this paper we discuss how to relate hardness to abrasion for the design of lunar equipment. We also indicate how abundant the various mineral phases are and typical size distributions for lunar regolith