Helicopter SE-590 Spectrometer Reflectances During the Forest Ecosystem Dynamics - Multisensor Aircraft Campaign

Forest Ecosystem Dynamics Multisensor Airborne Campaign (FED MAC): Helicopter mounted Spectron Engineering (SE)-590 Spectrometer Reflectance Measurements The Biospheric Sciences Branch (formerly Earth Resources Branch) within the Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and associated University investigators are involved in a research program entitled Forest Ecosystem Dynamics (FED) which is fundamentally concerned with vegetation change of forest ecosystems at local to regional spatial scales (100 to 10,000 meters) and temporal scales ranging from monthly to decadal periods (10 to 100 years). The nature and extent of the impacts of these changes, as well as the feedbacks to global climate, may be addressed through modeling the interactions of the vegetation, soil, and energy components of the boreal ecosystem.

The Spectron SE-590 spectral radiometer was used to acquire nadir and off-nadir surface radiation measurements at a relatively high spectral resolution. Within FED, the specific purpose of the SE-590 was to provide measurements of bidirectional reflectance,and to develop a better understanding of the transfer and utilization of radiation in forest canopies. The SE-590 was designed to acquire multispectral radiance data over the visible and near infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The NASA Bell UH-1B helicopter optical remote sensing system supported a data acquisition system consisting of a bore-sighted SE-590; a color video camera; and a 35-mm camera. Controller units for all the optical devices are rack- mounted inside the helicopter and are wired such that a single switch closure triggers all devices. The switch closure also activates an audible tone which is recorded on one of the two audio tracks of a Beta-format video recording system. The other audio track of the VCR was used to record cabin intercom conversations among the helicopter crew. If one desires to examine site conditions in greater detail, the higher resolution 35-mm still photography can be reviewed. Note that the 35-mm camera was not carried during all field campaigns.