This thesis describes the first calibration of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) on the NOAA-11 satellite. Two methods were used to perform the calibration. Both methods relied on calibrated data from a high resolution sensor that passed over the target site at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, on November 21, 1988. The first approach required ground reflectance and atmospheric optical depth data taken during overpass time. The second method relied on historical ground reflectance data and utilized standard atmospheric models. The calibration gains varied widely depending on which set of calibration offsets were used, but the agreement between the gains computed by the two methods was very close: approximately 1% in channel 1 and 2% in channel 2. This close agreement indicates that Method 2, which does not require the complexity and expense of field work, could be a viable option for future calibration efforts.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. / The Naval Postgraduate School Spacecraft Architecture and Technology Demonstration Satellite, NPSAT1, launching in the fall of 2006, will include a system to measure the performance of new experimental triplejunction solar cells. The measuring circuit in the Solar Cell Measurement System (SMS) is based on a circuit developed at the Naval Postgraduate School many years ago. It will trace the cells' current-voltage (I-V) curves while in orbit. The SMS consists of a radiation-hardened microcontroller that uses a radiation-hardened FPGA to monitor a collection of sensors. A current-sink circuit is used to measure the current and voltage on the test cells. Prior to launch, extensive testing is being performed on the system to ensure proper operation. The tests consist of subjecting solar cells and the measuring circuit electronics under conditions modeling the space environment while taking cell measurements. This thesis presents the mission information, system design, test setup, and test results of the SMS measuring circuit. / Ensign, United States Naval Reserve

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Queensland, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S. in Astronautical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2004. / Thesis advisor(s): I. Michael Ross, Don Danielson. Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-40). Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Supervisor: Byron D. Tapley. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Supervisor: Byron D. Tapley. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 181-197). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Thesis (M.S. in Astronautical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): Roberto Cristi, Brij Agrawal. Includes bibliographical references (p. 53). Also available online.