The Role of Aerospace Technology in Agriculture

270 Pages·2008·24.29 MB·English

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19770026636 2018-01-21T02:52:40+00:00Z
The Role of
Aerospace Technology
in Agriculture
CR-145218
September, 1977
Old Dominion University
NASA
and
Langley Research Center
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration Hampton, Virginia 23665
1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No.
NASA CR-145218
4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date
September 1977
6. Performing Organization Code
7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Report No.
NASA-ASEE 1977 Engineering System Design Fellows
10. Work Unit No.
9. Performing Organization Name and Address
Old Dominion University 11. Contract or Grant No.
Norfolk, Virginia 23508 NGT - 028
13. Type of Report and Period Covered
12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 14. Sponsoring Agency Code
Washington, D.C. 20546
is. supplementary Notes - d summarizes the results of the 1977 NASA-ASEE Summer
Thl s ocurr)ent
Faculty Fellowship Program in Engineering Systems Design conducted at the NASA
Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia during the period June 6-August 19, 1977.
16. Abstract
The report summarizes a study, the goal of which was to improve
productivity of agriculture through aerospace technology. An overview
of agriculture and of the problems of feeding a growing world population
are presented. The present state of agriculture, of plant and animal
culture, and agri-business are reviewed. Also analyzed are the various
systems for remote sensing, particularly applications to agriculture.
The report recommends additional research and technology in the areas of
aerial application of chemicals, of remote sensing systems, of weather
and climate investigations, and of air vehicle design. Also, considered in
detail are the social cultural, legal, economic, and political results of
intensification of technical applications to agriculture.
17. Key Words (Suggested by Author(s)) 18. Distribution Statement
(1) Agriculture; (2) Ag-Aviation;
(3) Remote Sensing; (4) Weather;
(5) Climate; (6) Engineering Systems
Design; (7) Aquaculture
19. Security Oassif. (of this report) 20. Security Classif. (of this page) 21. No. of Pages 22. Price*
Unclassified Unclassified 279 $9.25
* For sale by the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161
THE AUTHORS:
Griffith J. McRee, Ph.D., Project Director
Melvin H. Snyder, Ph.D., Assistant Project Director
D. Jack Bayles, Ph.D.
Reuben Benumof, Ph.D.
William John Boyer, B.S.
Michael S. Dallal, Ph.D.
Victor E. Delnore, Ph.D.
Joe G. Eisley, Ph.D.
Paul C. Heckert, Ph.D.
David T. Higgins, Ph.D.
Don E. Holzhei, M.S.
James Kirkpatrik, M.S.
J. Michael Klosky, Ph.D.
Emmanuel Maier, Ph.D.
Thomas F. Redick, Ph.D.
John B. Render, Ph.D.
Ronald K. Shepler, Ph.D.
Frank M. Slapar, Ph.D.
Ronald D. Sylvia, Ph.D.
John Cook Tredennick, B.A.
Robert T. Tsuchigane, Ph.D.
This report was compiled and written by the authors listed above, each of
whom was a participant in the 1977 NASA-ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program
in Engineering Systems Design. The authors represented sixteen different
colleges and universities, and seventeen different academic disciplines.
11
THE ROLE OF
AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY
IN
1977 SUMMER
FACULTY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IN ENGINEERING SYSTEMS DESIGN
NASA-LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR ENGINEERING EDUCATION
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Intentionally
Left Blank
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Foreword VII
Summary of Recommendations
PART I. DESCRIPTION OF THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEM
Chapter 1. Analysis of the Agricultural Production System 9
Chapter 2. Aerospace Involvement with Agriculture . . . . 15
2.1 History of Agricultural Aviation- ' 17.
2.2 History of Remote Sensing Systems . . . . 23
Chapter 3. Goals and Objectives of the Study . . . . .. 33.
Chapter 4. Criteria for Establishing Priorities . . . . , 39
4. Introduction 41
4. Consumption of Energy in Agriculture 41
4. Economics and Cost-Effectiveness . . 51
4. Social and Cultural Impact 53
4. Ecological Considerations 55
4. Demographic Considerations 58
PART II. EXAMINATION AND EVALUATION OF SUBSYSTEMS: THE FRAMEWORK
WITHIN WHICH AGRICULTURE AND AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY OPERATE
AND POSSIBLE MEANS OF OBTAINING OBJECTIVES 61
Chapter 5. Agricultural Aviation 63
5.1 Introduction 65
5.2 Pest Control 65
5.3 Agricultural Chemicals and Biological Control 76
5.4 Dosages and Particle Sizes 83
5.5 Comparisons of Chemical Formulations 86
5.6 Factors Influencing Transport of Chemicals
to Target . 89
5.7 Regulatory Obstacles to Chemical Development . 94
5.8 Seeding, Planting and Fertilizing . . . . .. 95
5.9 Dispersal Systems 99
5.10 Agriculture-Aircraft 112
5.11 Guidance and Control Systems ... 121
Chapter 6. Remote .Sensing , 135
6.1 Remote Sensing Systems 137
6.2 Information Systems Technology and Management 149
6.3 Weather and Climate 157
6.4 Economics of Information Systems 168
Page
Chapter 7. Socio-Cultural Considerations 179
7.'1 Introduction 179
7.2 The Socio-Cultural Context of Technology .... 180
7.3 Demographic Considerations 189
7.4 Obsolete People: A Cost of Mechanized Agriculture 194
7.5 Grain Storage: An Alternative to Famine .... 197
7.6 Chapter Synopsis 202
Chapter 8. Selected Topics . 207
8.1 Introduction 209
8.2 Uses of Airships in Agriculture 210
8.3 Computer Simulation: Operational Analysis of
Aerial Applications 215
8.4 Aquaculture/Mariculture: Agriculture of the Seas 224
8.5 Space Farming: Agriculture in Space 230
8.6 Legal Problems Associated with Aerospace
Technology and Agriculture 231
PART III. APPENDICES 251
Appendix A. Selected Bibliography 253
Appendix B. Faculty Fellows and Associates 259
Appendix C. Guest Lecturers 265
Appendix D. Acknowledgements 267
Appendix E. Organization of the Design Team 269
Appendix F. Selected Units and Conversion Factors 273
VI
FOREWORD
This document summarizes results of the 1977 MASA-ASEE Summer Faculty
Program in Engineering Systems Design conducted at the NASA-Langley Research
Center in Hampton, Virginia during the period June 6 through August 19. The
program was sponsored jointly by the National Aeronautics and Space Administra-
tion and the American Society for Engineering Education through a contract by
NASA (NGT-028) to Old Dominion University Research Foundation of Old Dominion
University.
Included among objectives of this program were (1) provision of a framework
for communication and collaboration between academic personnel, research engi-
neers, and scientists in governmental agencies and private industry, (2) useful
study of a broadly based societal problem requiring coordinated efforts of a
multidisciplinary team, and (3) generation of participant experience and interest
in development of systems design activities and multidisciplinary programs at
the participants' home institutions.
These three objectives were met through a study of one of the most impor-
tant problems confronting the world today, that is, production of a sufficient
supply of food for the growing human population of the Earth.
This problem is a very real and immediate one; the problem, as posed by
Dr. Bruce Holmes is, "Based on current and projected technology, what impact
might NASA have on the entire agriculture system?" A pre-requisite to answering
this question is knowledge of the difficulties encountered in various agricul-
tural processes. The extent to which these difficulties can be alleviated
through use of aerospace technology may then be assessed.
It is highly important to view the agricultural system as broadly as possi-
ble. Technology assessment is meaningful only to the extent that technological
innovations are analyzed in terms of their effects upon society. The problem
of applying aerospace technology to agriculture is marked, not only by the many
technical disciplines involved, such as aeronautics, chemistry, geography, biol-
ogy, engineering, agronomy and physics, but also by social, political, religious
and economic reactions to perturbations in agriculture production which are
global in extent and vitally important.
This report constitutes a broad look at the agricultural system of the
United States in the context of world needs. Difficulties encountered in oper-
ating this system are discussed, and desirable avenues for applying aerospace
technology are suggested. In fact, one may consider this report to be a pre-
liminary design for research and technology needs to improve agriculture pro-
duction.
To assure awareness and testing of many points of view, and to achieve
some convergence of best ideas, a group of 21 investigators was assembled. The
design team represented 16 different colleges and universities, and 17 academic
disciplines - agricultural engineering, aeronautical engineering, chemistry, civil
vn
engineering, economics, electrical engineering, engineering management, geo-
graphy, law, mathematics, mechanical engineering, oceanography, physiology,
physics, political science, sociology, and technical sciences.
Although the presence of a multidisciplinary team has been essential to the
success of this study, the program itself has been enhanced by guest lecturers
and consultants (see Appendices C and D). Additionally, particular appreciation
is expressed for administrative support provided by Co-Directors of the NASA-
ASEE Summer Institutes, Dr. G. L. Goglia of Old Dominion University and
Dr. John E. Duberg of NASA-Langley. The assistance of Mr. John Witherspoon of
the NASA-Langley Personnel Training and Educational Services Branch, Personnel
Division, was indispensable to the functioning of the program.
Dr. Bruce Holmes of NASA-Langley served as technical advisor to the Design
Team. He was a knowledgeable and helpful mentor, and the participants express
their, appreciation of his help.
Griffith J. McRee, Project Director
Melvin H. Snyder, Assistant Project Director
19 August 1977
Vlll
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OF
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