Improvements To Satellite-Based Albedo Measurements Using In Situ Robotic Surveying Techniques

Abstract

This work proposes a framework for a robotic surveyor system designed to help Earth scientists address the limitations experienced in current techniques for surface albedo measurement tasks. Presently, high-resolution satellite-based imaging equipment provides extensive coverage globally. A gap remains locally, however, in the finer unexplored areas represented at the pixel level of such imagery. In situ methods, such as Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), are incorporated into this subsystem of Earth-observing instruments, yet their limited placement and individual sensing range result in the need for a more dynamic sensing system. To quantify detailed slope information at a sub-pixel level, a robotic survey system must be capable of collecting orientation information across an area of interest. This work has the potential to be expanded to any task requiring the application of fundamental surveyor principles to unchartered terrain. We present preliminary field experiments to demonstrate the process of extracting and comparing data collected in situ with a professionally generated contour map of a local park.