Print this pageGeologic Applications of Space Shuttle Imagery
MORGAN, KEN M., ARTHUR B. BUSBEY, III, R. NOWELL DONOVAN, GENE WALTON and NEVEN TRENC
Space borne remote sensing data platforms such as the Space Shuttle, provide opportunities for geologic investigations of in a wide range of geologic situations. Space Shuttle imagery has several unique characteristics such as: temporal and seasonal variations in the data sets, multiple solar illumination angles, and low cost. The Space Shuttle imagery database is accessible via several NASA Internet sites. In this study, Internet acquired Space Shuttle imagery obtained through the Johnson Space Flight Center's Earth Observation Lab was utilized in two geologic investigations.
To fully integrate the use of Shuttle imagery, we merged color and CIR photography with Landsat and radar data to analyze fault/fracture patterns of meteorite impact craters in Africa, North America and Korea; and to remove cloud cover from image data in a portion of the East Africa Rift System.
Shuttle photography limitations include resolution, scene quality and coverage. However, the color and CIR imagery proved to be useful in our mapping projects especially when costs are factored in. Shuttle imagery is virtually free and easily obtainable.