May 4, 2005
Source:
SpaceRef Interactive Inc.
via
Checkbiotech
Can you see the difference between
traditional corn and bio-engineered corn?
NASA technology is beginning
to provide the answer in a snapshot.
The technology is called
hyperspectral imaging. It uses a special camera to cut one
snapshot into 120 color-specific images. Hyperspectral means
getting many more images within the spectrum of just one
picture. Each image shows a unique characteristic not visible to
the human eye.
The hyperspectral camera and its applications were developed by
the Institute for Technology Development at NASA's Stennis Space
Center, Miss. The Institute is one of several NASA Research
Partnership Centers managed by the agency's Marshall Space
Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
The Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) teamed with NASA to use the technology to ensure
appropriate management practices are used to avoid the
development of resistance in corn pest populations. Pest
resistance could severely limit the continued use of these new
varieties of corn. With more than 25 million acres of corn
planted this year, it is physically and economically infeasible
to sample each one. This new technology seeks to provide an
active monitoring capability to inform the grower of pest
resistance development. Early use of hyperspectral imaging
provides the ability to distinguish between the two types of
corn and identify pest infestation conditions. Bio-engineered
corn has inserted genes to make the plant resistant to insects.
The EPA is using a small hyperspectral camera mounted on an
aircraft. The aircraft flies at approximately 8,000 feet,
imaging the same sites every 10 days during growing season. The
images are put into a computer system, and data-mining
techniques are used to extract information about the corn.
"This effort will enhance NASA's understanding of image
processing techniques to extract knowledge from hyperspectral
data sets," said Brian Mitchell of NASA's Space Partnership
Development Program at Marshall. "The research being conducted
with genetically modified plants and plant growth has the
potential to contribute significantly in our ability to grow
sustainable and nutritional crops in space. This could prove
vital for long duration exploration missions."
The hyperspectral technology supports the Vision for Space
Exploration and long-term spaceflight goals. The Vision calls
for returning the Space Shuttle to safe flight, completing the
International Space Station, human and robotic exploration of
the Solar System.
"This knowledge is vital to future Mars missions," said George
May, director of the Institute for Technology Development. "When
we go to Mars, we will have to grow our own food. This
technology enables early detection of stresses in plants, such
as nutrient problems, so corrective action can be taken to
maintain the food supply."
Hyperspectral imaging may be used to treat crew injuries in
space. The Institute is working on a portable, handheld camera
to take images of a wound site. Using that image to identify
wound severity and healing progress will allow doctors to decide
the best treatment. The imaging could save precious diagnostic
time, which would also improve healing by ensuring timely and
proper treatment.
Hyperspectral imaging will also detect mold and toxins in
spacecraft, a needed tool during long-duration missions to
ensure crews have a clean, healthy environment.
The patented, portable hyperspectral sensor was inducted into
the Space Foundation's Space Technology Hall of Fame in April.
The Space Foundation is one of the world's premier non-profit
organizations supporting space activities, space professionals
and education. The Hall of Fame honors innovative technology,
originally developed for space use, converted for use in
commercial products.
For information about NASA and agency programs on the Web,
visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/home/index.html
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