Geologic Remote Sensing Field Experiment (GRSFE)

Approximately 50 scientists from eight universities and three NASA
centers participated in the Geologic Remote Sensing Field Experiment
(GRSFE), which was co-sponsored by the NASA Planetary Geology and
Geophysics Program and the NASA Geology Program. The GRSFE airborne campaign
included data acquisition by several airborne instruments
within a period of a few months, including the Airborne Visible and
Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS; collected September 28, 29 and
October 4, 1989), Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS;
collected July 17 and September 27 and 29, 1989), Advanced Solid-State
Array Spectroradiometer (ASAS; July 17, 1989), and Polarimetric
Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR; September 13 and 14, 1989).

The sites covered were Lunar Crater Volcanic Field in Nevada, and a
number of locations in the Mojave Desert of California. Field
measurements were done at the time of the flights and were
concentrated in the Lunar Lake area. They included meteorological
measurements using a Weather Station (WTHS) and wind speed towers
(AWND), measurements using the Portable Apparatus for Rapid
Acquisition of Bidirectional Observations of the Land and Atmosphere
(PARABOLA), a spectral hygrometer (SHYG), and a Reagan radiometer
(REAG). Visible/near-infrared measurements were made using the Single
Beam Visible/Infrared Intelligent Spectroradiometer (SIRIS), and a
Daedalus Spectrafax AA440 field spectrometer (DAED). Thermal spectral
radiance measurements were made with the Portable Field Emission
Spectrometer (PFES). Surface temperatures were measured using a
Raynger Raytek II Plus Radiometer (RMTR) and arrays of buried
thermistors (THRM) and temperatures were made with these same
instruments in a study of the directional character of emissivity from
various surfaces.

To assist in the calibration of the radar data, corner reflectors were
deployed. Stereo photography (from a helicopter, HSTP) was acquired,
and topographic profiles were constructed. Finally, GPS techniques
were also used to extract topographic profiles. Archive release
version 1.0 of GRSFE consists of a set of 9 CD-ROMs. Complete,
detailed descriptions of the experiment, the sites over which data
were acquired, data processing procedures, and data file formats are
included, in addition to data proper.

GRSFE data will be used in a variety of investigations, including
tests of multispectral radiative transfer models for scattering and
emission from planetary surfaces in support of the Earth Observing
System (EOS), Mars Observer and Magellan Missions. Studies will be
pursued to establish the neotectonic and paleoclimatic history of the
arid southwestern United States. GRSFE data will also be used to
support Mars Rover Sample Return (MRSR) simulation studies. Finally,
this collection of data will be a useful tool for teaching geological
remote sensing.