It is critically important for the existence of life on Earth to understand and reliably predict how our planet is changing on a long-term basis. Over the past few decades, NASA, and other space agencies, have developed technologies and methodologies to measure Earth science parameters on a global scale with high spatial and temporal resolutions. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has significantly contributed to this cause. In this report, we plan to review the microwave, millimeter wave and optical sensors technology developed, validated, and patented at GSFC for Earth monitoring and analyzing data to create more accurate predictive models. Since its foundation, GSFC has been in the business of launching many spacecraft to explore Earth and the solar system. A number of novel technologies developed at GSFC have been embedded into sensor instruments on these exploring missions. This report will explore some of these innovations, many of which have been patented. GSFC is interested in licensing these patented technologies to U.S. industries and participating in collaborating discussions with global entities.
A light weight, low power instrument called Multi Wavelength Dielectrometer
(MWD) to measure subsurface properties of planetary surfaces is described. The MWD
instrument consists of essential electronics and metallic plates acting as electrodes
attached to the body of space crafts. An electric signal applied to one of the electrodes
acting as a cathode sets up electric field pattern (in the soil medium) between the cathode
and other electrodes acting as anodes. The electrodes are swept through multiple
wavelengths (1Hz-MHz) and the electric current drawn by the electrodes or mutual
capacitances between electrodes is measured at each frequency. The measured
capacitances whose values depend upon electrode spacing, dielectric constant of the
subsurface soil, and the frequency are then used to estimate electrical properties of the
soil.
Conference Committee Involvement (2)
Microwave Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Environment VI
19 November 2008 | Noumea, New Caledonia
Microwave Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Environment V
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