Published By National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
Automation and autonomy are key elements in realizing the vision for space exploration. The NASA Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP) has been developing a procedure representation language (PRL) that both captures the form of traditional procedures and allows for automatic translation into code that can be executed by NASA-developed autonomous executives. However, PRL is in a relative infancy with regard to supporting many of the autonomous software components being developed by NASA, specifically automated planners and schedulers. In this proposal we will design and test additional representations to PRL for resources, inter-procedure constraints and subprocedures so that automated planners can take better advantage of the PRL-generated procedures. The work plan includes developing scenarios and use cases, developing requirements for planning -- both manual and automated -- from the scenarios, developing XML tags for the PRL changes, testing the PRL enhancements in the use cases with robotic and life support simulations, and translating the changes into planning languages with proven semantics.
Published By National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
This proposal is for the development of an innovative compact, high power, and extremely reliable 1.26 micron Ho-doped single frequency fiber laser. The proposed single frequency seeder fiber laser consists of Raman pump laser and single frequency 1.26-micron fiber laser, which will be constructed by using Ho3+-doped fluoride glass fiber. A Raman fiber laser is used as a resonant pump laser source for Ho3+-doped fiber laser. High gain per unit length at 1.26 micron can be achieved in Ho-doped fluoride glass fiber due to the strong pump absorption and strong emission at 1.2 micron transition. 5 W single frequency 1.26-micron MOPA system with high-speed frequency modulation capability will be developed. It consists of a 1.26 micron single frequency seeder fiber laser and a 2-stage fiber amplifier. This type of fiber based seed laser is needed for remote sensing of O and O -N for measuring atmospheric pressure. The single frequency 1.26-micron fiber laser with high-speed frequency modulation capability and electronic control can be used to build coherent laser radar to perform instantaneous measurement. It offers much higher resolution compared to currently existing Raman fiber laser.
Published By US Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
This Comprehensive Conservation Plan CCP was written to guide management on Cameron Prairie NWR for the next 15 years. This plan outlines the Refuge vision and purpose and describes how Cameron Prairie NWR will contribute to the overall mission of the Refuge System. The plan provides an introduction to the Refuge, an overview of the CCP process, and information on the management direction and plan implementation. Key planning issues include: habitat, wildlife, and public use.
Published By National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
This data set, part of the NASA Making Earth System Data Records for Use in Research Environments (MEaSUREs) program, provides a daily record of Arctic sea ice characteristics for the years 1979 through 2012 derived from passive microwave brightness temperatures. Characteristics include the location of sea ice cover, sea ice age, day of melt onset, and status of melt onset. Data are gridded in the 25 km Equal-Area Scalable Earth Grid (EASE-Grid) 2.0 and provided as netCDF files.
Series Information File for the 2014 Cartographic Boundary File, State-State Legislative District (Lower Chamber) , 1:500,000
Published By US Census Bureau, Department of Commerce
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
The 2014 cartographic boundary shapefiles are simplified representations of selected geographic areas from the U.S. Census Bureau's Master Address File / Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER) Database (MTDB). These boundary files are specifically designed for small-scale thematic mapping. When possible, generalization is performed with the intent to maintain the hierarchical relationships among geographies and to maintain the alignment of geographies within a file set for a given year. Geographic areas may not align with the same areas from another year. Some geographies are available as nation-based files while others are available only as state-based files. SLDL stands for State Legislative District Lower Chamber. State Legislative Districts (SLDs) are the areas from which members are elected to State legislatures. The SLDs embody the upper (senate) and lower (house) chambers of the state legislature. Nebraska has a unicameral legislature and the District of Columbia has a single council, both of which the Census Bureau treats as upper-chamber legislative areas for the purpose of data presentation; there are no data by SLDL for either Nebraska or the District of Columbia. A unique three-character census code, identified by State participants, is assigned to each SLD within a state. In Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, and Puerto Rico, the Redistricting Data Program (RDP) participant did not define the SLDs to cover all of the state or state equivalent area. In these areas with no SLDs defined, the code "ZZZ" has been assigned, which is treated as a single SLD for purposes of data presentation. The boundaries of the 2014 State legislative districts were provided by state-level participants through the RDP and reflect the districts used to elect members in or prior to the November 2014 election.
Published By National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
The University of Wyoming has a series of balloonborne radiosonde measurements from all around the world, from the surface to 30 km. This data set contains upper air meteorological profiles from 594 radiosonde launches deployed from sites in South Africa. These sonde launches were made to augment the regional sounding network in the region during the SAFARI 2000 Dry Season Campaign of 2000.Vaisala RS80 sondes were launched from nine sites in South Africa between August 1, 2000 and September 30, 2000. The launch sites were Pietersburg (changed to Polokwane after 2000), Pretoria (Irene), Bethlehem, Springbok, De Aar, Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Gough Island. The parameters measured by the radiosonde instruments include: pressure, air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and wind direction.
Published By Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, Department of Defense
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
The Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise (JALBTCX) has performed a coastal survey along the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The data types collected include bathymetry and topographic lidar point data, true color imagery and hyperspectral imagery. The collection effort follows the coastline and extends 500m inland and 1000m offshore or to laser extinction, whichever comes first. Topographic lidar is collected with 200% coverage, yielding a nominal 1m x 1m post-spacing. Where water conditions permit, the bathymetry lidar data will have a nominal post spacing of 4m x 4m. The true color imagery will have a pixel size approximately 35cm and the hyperspectral imagery will be provided in 1m pixels containing 36 bands between 375 - 1050 nm with 19 nm bandwidth. The final data will be tied to horizontal positions, provided in decimal degrees of latitude and longitude, and are referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). Vertical positions are referenced to the NAD83 ellipsoid and provided in meters. The National Geodetic Survey's (NGS) GEOID03 model is used to transform the vertical positions from ellipsoid to orthometric heights referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88).
Published By US Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
On March 13, 2010 St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge hosted its annual open house. There were a variety of guided walks, a talk on migratory birds, and a number of booths for visitors to explore.
Published By National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
Phase 2 of the VEMAP Project developed historical (1895-1993) gridded data sets of climate (temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, humidity, and wind speed) and projected (1994-2100) gridded annual and monthly climate data sets using output from two climate system models [CCCma (Canadian Centre for Climate Modeling and Analysis) and Hadley Centre models]. Two Phase 2 model experiments were run. First, a set of selected biogeochemical models and coupled biogeochemical-biogeographical models were run from 1895 to 1993 to compare model responses to the historical time series and current ecosystem biogeochemistry. Second, these same models were run on the projected 1994 to 2100 data to compare their ecological responses to transient scenarios of climate and atmospheric CO2 change. Model runs were performed for daily, monthly, and annual gridded data sets. The output of the annual model runs in VEMAP grid format are contained in this data set. The models investigated included five biogeochemical cycling models, which simulate plant production and nutrient cycles.
Published By U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
Marginal abatement curves (MAC) can be downloaded as data annexes to the Global Mitigation of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases report. This data allows for improved understanding of the mitigation potential for non-CO2 sources, as well as inclusion of non-CO2 greenhouse gas mitigation in economic modeling of multigas mitigation strategies. The full report at http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/economics/international.html.
Published By National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
This proposal addresses NASA SBIR topic S1.07 In Situ Sensors for Lunar and Planetary Science, particularly the need for measuring isotopic ratios of the key elements associated with the signs of life (H, C, N, O). We propose a non-contact optical instrument similar to ChemCam that will be capable of measuring not only complete elemental compositions but also isotopic abundances of the key elements in surface materials. We intend to utilize and further develop our recently published technology: Laser Ablation Molecular Isotopic Spectrometry (LAMIS). Our concept is simple, scientifically proven and already endorsed by two innovation awards we received. In Phase I, we concentrate on demonstrating the resolution and sensitivity required to determine these isotopes in synthetic samples and natural minerals relevant to Mars. The immediate focus is on Mars but our concept is also highly germane to future landing missions to the Moon, other planets and their moons, asteroids, and to a broad range of applications in ecology, agronomy, nuclear industry, radio-chemotherapy, forensics, security and other fields. We will advance the development to TRL4 by the end of Phase II with the further aim of integrating our LAMIS detector with a ChemCam-like instrument. The proposed instrument leverages and advances the technology developed for ChemCam. The added strength of measuring isotopes will greatly expand the capabilities of the ChemCam, which is now the most frequently used instrument onboard "Curiosity." In Phase II, we will develop a breadboard prototype of the instrument that can be amended to measure other key isotopes (B, Cl, Mg, Ca, Sr, etc.). We plan further infusion in NASA missions and commercialization in Phases II-Ex and III. Our instrument can be used for stand-alone landing missions or for in situ sample characterization prior to sample return.
Published By U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
The Center for Program Analysis maintains information related to RE-Powering America's Land Initiative, which demonstrates the potential that contaminated lands, landfills, and mine sites provide for developing renewable energy in the United States. The Data Asset comprises maps and shape files that show completed installations as well as renewable energy potential. It also includes a feasibility study data set that was completed in cooperation with DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to pair EPA expertise on contaminated sites with the renewable energy expertise of NREL.Data Sets that demonstrate renewable energy potential exist for each EPA region. These Data Sets are not all-inclusive and do not identify best sites, and additional research and site-specific analysis is needed to verify viability for renewable energy potential at each site.
Published By National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
MERIS is a programmable, medium-spectral resolution, imaging spectrometer operating in the solar reflective spectral range. Fifteen spectral bands can be selected by ground command. MERIS is designed so that it can acquire data over the Earth whenever illumination conditions are suitable. The instrument's 68.5\'b0 field of view around nadir covers a swath width of 1150 km. This wide field of view is shared between five identical optical modules arranged in a fan shape configuration. The instrument is capable of 300m resolution delivered via direct broadcast, but collects a reduced resolution (~1.2km) global coverage data set on-board the spacecraft. This product is the calibrated top-of-atmosphere radiances in the 15 spectral bands at this reduced resolution.
Published By National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
In order to safely explore space, humans must be protected from radiation. There are 2 predominant sources of extraterrestrial ionizing radiation, namely, Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) consisting primarily of nuclei of atoms (up to Fe) and Solar Energetic Particles (SEP), which includes mainly high-energy protons. In addition, neutrons that are formed due to breakdown of the incoming radiation flux in the shielding material have to be accounted for. An innovative, castable, boron coated, polyethylene epoxy is potentially a cost-effective lightweight radiation shielding material possessing structural as well as shielding properties. During Phase I, techniques will be evaluated for coating polyethylene particles with boron to prevent sedimentation of the higher density boron in the epoxy. In addition, techniques will be developed to uniformly disperse these particles in an epoxy matrix. Radiation simulations will also be performed. From these simulations it will be determined what parameters, such as volume percent boron coated, polyethylene particles, are necessary for this material to provide optimal protection to humans and electronics in a deep space environment. During Phase II, the fabrication techniques will be optimized. Samples will be produced for extensive mechanical properties testing as well as for radiation testing.
Published By Department of Energy
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
_(Abstract):_ Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data intended for use in the Geospatial toolkit or with any GIS software. _(Purpose):_ The Solar and Wind Energy Resource Assessment (SWERA) Geospatial Toolkit (GsT) is a map-based software application that can be used for decision making and policy analysis in addition to planning for future energy projects. The SWERA application utilizes Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to develop common scenarios to evaluate potential locations for solar or wind energy plants. _(Supplemental Information):_ The zip file contains the available geospatial toolkit data and metadata. Each country's data package depends on the data provided by the SWERA partners. --------------------------------------------------------- The GsT was completely redesigned and re-released in November 2010 to provide a more modern, easier-to-use interface with considerably faster analytical querying capabilities. The revised version of the Geospatial Toolkit for the Hebei region of China is available using the following link: http://www.nrel.gov/international/downloads/gst_hebei.exe _NOTE:_ Please use the provided link to access the most up to date software package and data. The Hebei China GsT data were last updated in January 2011. The attached zip file below is an archive and contains the previous version of the geospatial toolkit executable that has been replaced. Please visit [Geospatial Toolkit](http://en.openei.org/wiki/Geospatial_Toolkit) for additional information about the GsT and updates.
Published By Department of Labor
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
The Current Population Survey (CPS) is a monthly survey of households conducted by the Bureau of Census for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It provides a comprehensive body of data on the labor force, employment, unemployment, persons not in the labor force, hours of work, earnings, and other demographic and labor force characteristics. More information and details about the data provided can be found at http://www.bls.gov/cps
Solar: monthly and annual average direct normal (DNI), global horizontal (GHI), latitude tilt, and diffuse data and GIS data at 40km resolution for Africa from NREL
Published By Department of Energy
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
_(Abstract):_ Monthly Average Solar Resource for horizontal and tilted flat-plates, and 2-axis tracking concentrating collectors. _(Purpose):_ Provide information on the solar resource potential for the data domain. The insolation values represent the average solar energy available to solar collectors. _(Supplemental Information):_ These data provide monthly average and annual average daily total solar resource averaged over surface cells of approximately 40 km by 40 km in size. The solar resource value is represented as watt-hours per square meter per day for each month. The data were developed from [NREL's](http://http://en.openei.org/wiki/NREL "NREL's OpenEI page") Climatological Solar Radiation (CSR) Model. This model uses information on cloud cover, atmospheric water vapor and trace gases, and the amount of aerosols in the atmosphere to calculate the monthly average daily total insolation (sun and sky) falling on a horizontal surface. Existing ground measurement stations are used to validate the data where possible. The modeled values are accurate to approximately 10% of a true measured value within the grid cell due to the uncertainties associated with meteorological input to the model. The local cloud cover can vary significantly even within a single grid cell as a result of terrain effects and other microclimate influences. Furthermore, the uncertainty of the modeled estimates increase with distance from reliable measurement sources and with the complexity of the terrain.
Published By National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
NASA has many needs for maintenance and repair technologies for long-duration human space missions. We propose to continue developing a compact, portable, vacuum-compatible, multi-axis Manipulator/Machining Center (M/MC) to satisfy many of NASA's needs. Our M/MC will provide complex manipulation during: layer-additive manufacturing; collection of geometric data for reverse-engineering; real-time non-destructive evaluation; and non-destructive material property determination. Our M/MC will also finish-machine near-net-shape parts produced using layer-additive manufacturing. Design features of our M/MC will: minimize mass, volume, and power consumption while providing required capabilities; maximize life and reliability; and enable our M/MC to operate in space-based vacuum, microgravity, and partial-gravity environments. In Phase II, we will: generate alternative designs of M/MCs for space-based applications; and design, build, test, and zero-g-flight-test a prototype M/MC. In Phase III, we will design, build, and sell M/MCs to the government and private sector.
Published By U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
A bare earth/first surface elevation map (also known as a Digital Elevation Model, or DEM) of the Fire Island National Seashore in New York was produced from remotely sensed, geographically referenced elevation measurements cooperatively by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the National Park Service (NPS), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Elevation measurements were collected over the area using the NASA Experimental Advanced Airborne Research Lidar (EAARL), a pulsed-laser ranging system mounted onboard an aircraft to measure ground elevation, vegetation canopy, and coastal topography. The system uses high frequency laser beams directed at the Earth's surface through an opening in the bottom of the aircraft's fuselage. The laser system records the time difference between emission of the laser beam and the reception of the reflected laser signal in the aircraft. The plane travels over the target area at approximately 50 meters per second at an elevation of approximately 300 meters. The EAARL, developed by NASA at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, measures ground elevation with a vertical resolution of 15 centimeters. A sampling rate of 3 kilohertz or higher results in an extremely dense spatial elevation dataset. Over 100 kilometers of coastline can be easily surveyed within a 3- to 4-hour mission. When subsequent elevation maps for an area are analyzed, they provide resource managers with a useful tool regarding land development. For more information on Lidar science and the Experimental Advanced Airborne Research Lidar (EAARL) system and surveys, see http://ngom.usgs.gov/dsp/overview/index.php and http://ngom.usgs.gov/dsp/tech/eaarl/index.php .
H11045_GEO1M_WGS84_INV.TIF - 1-meter Composite Mosaic of the Sidescan Sonar Survey National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) H11045 in west-central Long Island Sound off Bridgeport, Connecticut in Geographic
Published By U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, has produced detailed geologic maps of the sea floor in Long Island Sound, a major East Coast estuary surrounded by the most densely populated region of the United States. These studies have built upon cooperative research with the State of Connecticut that was initiated in 1982. The current phase of this research program is directed toward studies of sea-floor sediment distribution, processes that control sediment distribution, nearshore environmental concerns, and the relation of benthic community structures to the sea-floor geology. Anthropogenic wastes, toxic chemicals, and changes in land-use patterns resulting from residential, commercial, and recreational development have stressed the environment of the Sound, causing degradation and potential loss of benthic habitats (Koppelman and others, 1976; Long Island Sound Study, 1994). Detailed maps of the sea floor are needed to help evaluate the extent of adverse impacts and to help manage resources wisely in the future. Therefore, in a continuing effort to better understand Long Island Sound, we have constructed and interpreted sidescan sonar mosaics (complete-coverage acoustic images of the sea floor) within specific areas of special interest. The mosaic presented herein covers a 190.3 km square area of the sea floor in the West-Central Basin of Long Island Sound. The mosaics and their interpretations serve many purposes, including: (1) defining the geological variability of the sea floor, which is one of the primary controls of benthic habitat diversity; (2) improving our understanding of the processes that control the distribution and transport of bottom sediments and the distribution of benthic habitats and associated infaunal community structures; and (3) providing a detailed framework for future research, monitoring, and management activities. The sidescan sonar mosaics also serve as base maps for subsequent sedimentological, geochemical, and biological observations, because precise information on environmental setting is important for selection of sampling sites and for accurate interpretation of point measurements.
Published By US Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
This map depicts lands owned andor administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge.
Published By US Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
The purpose of this report is to create a baseline inventory of all nonmotorized trails on Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Trails in this inventory are eligible for funding under the Refuge Roads Program SAFETEALU. The report describes all the attributes e.g., location, surface type, condition, distance of trails in the FWS asset inventory.
Published By National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
Developing a next generation high performance solar array with significant reduction in size and weight will result in improved NASA mission capabilities at lower cost. Photovoltaic cell technology is evolving rapidly to the point solar array structural and mechanical systems do not fully optimize system level mass and volume performance potential. MMA Design LLC (MMA) proposes to develop a compact deployable modular solar array concept with next generation cost and performance improvements. A solar array is proposed that is mechanically simple while meeting the support requirements of currently available solar cells, as well as future higher performance cells. The solar array decreases production and system costs through modularity and simplicity, increases the power to stowed volume ratio (W/m3), and increases specific power (W/kg), thus exceeding the performance of the existing state-of-the-art (SOA) systems. MMA proposes to advance the SOA in photovoltaic power systems by developing a Fan Deployed Modular High Watts per Kilogram (FDM-HaWK) advanced solar array consisting of an innovative fan deployed structure. On-going research at MMA in innovative and manufacturable solar array components, mechanisms and deployable structures makes the proposed solar array feasible and lower risk. The proposed FDM-HaWK uses many identical modular solar array panels in two-string configurations to reduce cell stringing and laydown costs. The significance to NASA of our innovative solution is the reduction of solar array costs while producing over 300 watts per kilogram (W/kg) with 32% efficient next generation solar cells in a 5.6 kW solar array wing. Based on current projections for next generation cell performance by Spectrolab, the proposed system will be capable of producing over 350 W/kg by the year 2017. From the perspective of packaging efficiency, the FDM-HaWK will produce 51 kW/m3 with existing qualified triple junction cells and 63 kW/m3 by the year 2017.
Published By National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
As space exploration and hypersonic cruise technologies develop, the focus has shifted towards the development of lightweight, fully reusable and lower cost vehicles. The current state-of-the-art (SOA) is taking an incremental improvement step over the Space Shuttle TPS approach. All-ceramic matrix composite (CMC) body flaps developed for the X-38 vehicle were shown to offer considerable mass savings as well as increased durability and impact resistance. The next step in advancing the state of the art is to increase the confidence in the design and manufacturing quality of a full CMC control surface for hypersonic vehicles. Within this effort, Materials Research & Design (MR&D) is proposing a trade study which will investigate various control surface manufacturing and material options for the ruddervator design of X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle. For the proposed Phase I program, MR&D has chosen an integrally fabricated all-CMC control surface, a mechanically fastened-individually fabricated fully-CMC control surface, and a CMC sandwich structure control surface to be the three candidate design structures in a trade study. Potential material candidates include, but may not be limited to, CVI C/SiC, C-C with 1-2 SiC cycles for oxidation protection, S200 Nicalon/SiNC from ATK COIC, and SiC/SiC.
Published By National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
A launch vehicle and its launch facilities are subjected to intense acoustic loads generated by the vehicle's propulsion system. The vehicle, its payload, and facilities must be designed to withstand these loads to ensure mission safety and success. Accurately accounting for the acoustic environment early in the design phase of a new launch vehicle is a high priority. Governments and aerospace entities expend significant resources investigating launch acoustics using a combination of predictive models, full-scale and subscale tests, and test flights. Sensors that acquire acoustic data are deployed over a limited geometry and do not sample the full three-dimensional volume exposed to the acoustic field. Launch imagery samples that three-dimensional volume. Under appropriate conditions, rapidly varying condensation features are generated by the lift-off acoustic field. A software tool will be developed to determine the three-dimensional structure of the field from imagery of these acoustically-induced features. This unique data will be compared to model predictions and will serve to either validate those models or inspire modifications to those models. Improving predictive models contributes to a more reliable and efficient design process for new launch vehicle propulsion systems, and thus reduces associated design costs.