Preparation For Missions Research Articles

Troops Preparation Policy On A World Peace Mission

Indonesia’s involvement in peacekeeping missions has long been a key part of its foreign policy, contributing to world peace as outlined in Republic of Indonesia Law Number 37 of 1999 concerning Foreign Relations. This study aims to analyze the government's policy implementation regarding troop preparation for world peace missions, particularly in relation to Indonesia's role as a Troops Contributing Country (TCC) to the United Nations (UN). The research utilizes a qualitative descriptive approach to understand the intricacies of the troop preparation process through George Edward III's policy implementation model, which emphasizes the importance of disposition, communication, resources, and bureaucracy. Data were collected through document analysis, interviews, and observation of relevant practices in Indonesian military operations. The findings highlight that the personnel selection process for peacekeeping missions is highly structured, requiring compliance with rigorous standards set by both the Indonesian government and the UN. The pre-deployment training, supervised by the TNI (Indonesian National Army) Headquarters, ensures that selected personnel are adequately prepared for their assignments. This comprehensive preparation includes mental and physical readiness, as well as the necessary technical and language skills. The results also emphasize the importance of strong inter-agency coordination, particularly between the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to ensure the success of these missions. Furthermore, the study reveals that budgetary and resource constraints remain significant challenges in sustaining peacekeeping operations. In conclusion, Indonesia's contribution to global peacekeeping missions underscores the nation's commitment

The Influence of Non‐Thermal Collisions in Europa's Atmosphere

AbstractIn this study, we show that non‐thermal collisions can play a significant role in shaping Europa's exospheric structure. Collisions between radiolytically produced and the O produced via electron impact dissociation of affect the exospheric structure and escape rates. Specifically, O + collisions lead to the production of a non‐thermal population, and increase the escape while decreasing the O escape. These collisions are dependent on three specific physical parameters: (a) the density of , (b) the electron impact dissociation rate of , and (c) the O + collision cross section. We demonstrate here that O + collisions affect Europa's atmosphere even in the lowest limits considered. Thus, to more accurately determine the influence O + collisions have on Europa's atmosphere in preparation for the forthcoming spacecraft missions, Europa Clipper and the JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE), these physical parameters need to be better constrained.

Investigating Subsurface Properties of the Shallow Lunar Crust Using Seismic Interferometry on Synthetic and Recorded Data

AbstractIn the past few years, the remarkable progress of commercially operated spacecrafts, the success with reusable rocket engines, as well as the international competition to explore space, has led to a substantial acceleration of activities in the design and preparation of ambitious future lunar missions. In the search for ice and/or cavities imaging the shallow subsurface structure is of vital importance. Hereby, previous studies have shown that seismic interferometry is a promising method to investigate the subsurface properties from passive lunar data. In this study, we want to evaluate the potential of this method further by examining the required duration of seismic measurements and the influence of scattering on the Green's function retrieval. Therefore, we applied seismic interferometry to both measured Apollo 17 data and synthetic data. Our findings indicate that, under optimal conditions, a few hours of data are sufficient when using the method of time‐scaled phase‐weighted stack (ts‐PWS). However, this strongly depends on the inter‐station distance, the orientation toward the principal noise sources, and the timing of the measurement during the lunar cycle. Additionally, we were able to reproduce the measured data using numerical simulations in 2D. The synthetic results show that scattering effects clearly influence the Green's function extraction, especially for larger station distances.

Heart Preparation for Short-Term Missions.

Involvement in short-term missions experiences can be most beneficial when intentional personal and group preparation takes place. Learning about the people and history of the destination, identifying one's purpose in making the trip, asking God for direction and affirmation, meditation on Scripture, and prayer for oneself and for those who will be on the receiving end of care or ministry are wise. Willingness to take a servant's mindset and to give time and goods from a biblical perspective shows respect for those to be served.

Aspekty prawno-ustrojowe unii troistej. Z dziejów federalizmu w Europie Środkowo-Wschodniej w epoce nowożytnej

The history of European federalism, including associations of union in which the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth participated, has recently become particularly topical. Quite a lot was written about it, in particular the Polish-Lithuanian Union linking the two states over several centuries. Whereas relatively little is known about the history of attempts made in the early modern era to create a power in Central and Eastern Europe based on a union of states that were particularly important in the region at the time. This idea of a union was to unite three states: Poland, Lithuania and Russia, hence the name Triple Union (Pol. unia troista), was first outlined in 1572. It was then renewed at three successive elections until 1587. It was also current during the reign of Sigismund III Vasa, until 1613, when Mikhail Romanov ascended the Moscow throne, starting a new dynasty. With the election of Romanov as Tsar, the project of the Triple Union was abandoned, although Vladislav IV still laid claim to the Moscow throne for a dozen or so years (until 1634), but these claims no longer had any great practical significance and were finally abandoned. Plans for a union advanced by the Polish side often referred to the solutions applied in the earlier acts of union between the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. This testifies to a strongly developed federalist practice which was characteristic of the Commonwealth, and was at the same time implemented in its own peculiar way. Undoubtedly, the greatest impact on the negotiations was exerted by the Union of Lublin, which at that time was still quite recent. Its provisions, and at the same time the positive effects that is provided for both nations, likely shaped the consciousness of the nobility during the preparation of subsequent diplomatic missions to Moscow. The idea of a Triple Union was undoubtedly one of the boldest political projects of the era. Although it is true, that the concept of the Triple Union remained only in the sphere of projects, it was nevertheless of great importance in the 16th and 17th centuries. However, no dedicated study has yet appeared that would comprehensively present its development, content and significance. This article is an attempt to even partially fill this gap in Polish historiography.

Assessing and Improving Automated Viewpoint Planning for Static Laser Scanning Using Optimization Methods

Abstract. The preparation of laser scanning missions is important for efficiency and data quality. Furthermore, it is a prerequisite for automated data acquisition, which has numerous applications in the built environment, including autonomous inspections and monitoring of construction progress and quality criteria. The scene and potential scanning locations can be discretized to facilitate the analysis of visibility and quality aspects. The remaining mathematical problem to generate an economic scan strategy is the Viewpoint Planning Problem (VPP), which asks for a minimum number of scanning locations within the given scene to cover the scene under pre-defined requirements. Solutions for this problem are most commonly found using heuristics. While these efficient methods scale well, they cannot generally return globally optimal solutions. This paper investigates the VPP based on a problem description that considers quality-constrained visibility in 3D scenes and suitable overlaps between individual viewpoints for targetless registration of acquired point clouds. The methodology includes the introduction of a preprocessing method designed to simplify the input data without losing information about the problem. The paper details various solution methods for the VPP, encompassing conventional heuristics and a mixed-integer linear programming formulation, which is solved using Benders decomposition. Experiments are carried out on two case study datasets, varying in specifications and sizes, to evaluate these methods. The results show the actual quality of the obtained solutions and their deviation from optimality (in terms of the estimated optimality gap) for instances where exact solutions can not be achieved.

PlatoSim: an end-to-end PLATO camera simulator for modelling high-precision space-based photometry

Context. PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (PLATO) is the ESA M3 space mission dedicated to detect and characterise transiting exoplanets including information from the asteroseismic properties of their stellar hosts. The uninterrupted and high-precision photometry provided by space-borne instruments such as PLATO require long preparatory phases. An exhaustive list of tests are paramount to design a mission that meets the performance requirements and, as such, simulations are an indispensable tool in the mission preparation. Aims. To accommodate PLATO’s need of versatile simulations prior to mission launch that at the same time describe innovative yet complex multi-telescope design accurately, in this work we present the end-to-end PLATO simulator specifically developed for that purpose, namely PlatoSim. We show, step-by-step, the algorithms embedded into the software architecture of PlatoSim that allow the user to simulate photometric time series of charge-coupled device (CCD) images and light curves in accordance to the expected observations of PLATO. Methods. In the context of the PLATO payload, a general formalism of modelling, end-to-end, incoming photons from the sky to the final measurement in digital units is discussed. According to the light path through the instrument, we present an overview of the stellar field and sky background, the short- and long-term barycentric pixel displacement of the stellar sources, the cameras and their optics, the modelling of the CCDs and their electronics, and all main random and systematic noise sources. Results. We show the strong predictive power of PlatoSim through its diverse applicability and contribution to numerous working groups within the PLATO mission consortium. This involves the ongoing mechanical integration and alignment, performance studies of the payload, the pipeline development, and assessments of the scientific goals. Conclusions. PlatoSim is a state-of-the-art simulator that is able to produce the expected photometric observations of PLATO to a high level of accuracy. We demonstrate that PlatoSim is a key software tool for the PLATO mission in the preparatory phases until mission launch and prospectively beyond.

Cratering and Tectonic History of the Largest Uranian Satellite, Titania: New Insights Enabled by Image Reprocessing

From heavily cratered Umbriel to extensively tectonized Miranda, Titania is an intermediary of the Uranian system: heavily cratered, yet tectonically modified. An outstanding mystery in Titania's crater population is its apparent relative lack of large (>30 km) craters. However, progress has been limited by the coverage and quality of images available. Here, we present a new map of Titania enabled by reprocessing Voyager images to reduce the effects of motion blur. Of note, we identify a network of fractures, a set of lineaments that may represent a large multi-ring impact structure, and newly identified catenae. These findings suggest Titania's crater population is missing large craters due to viscous relaxation, tectonic resurfacing, and/or planetocentric debris, and does not necessarily require cryovolcanic resurfacing. In preparation for future missions to the Uranian system, this work presents foundations for identifying imaging targets that can contribute to furthering our understanding of the history and evolution of the Uranian system in a broader context of icy satellite evolution.

Moral Distress, Mental Health, and Risk and Resilience Factors among Canadian Armed Forces Personnel Deployed to Canadian Long-Term Care Facilities during COVID-19 (Operation LASER COVID-19 Response): Research Protocol and Participation Metrics.

The earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada were marked by a significant surge in COVID cases and COVID-related deaths among residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF). As part of Canada's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel were mobilized for an initial emergency domestic deployment to the hardest-hit LTCFs (Operation LASER LTCF) to support the remaining civilian staff in ensuring the continued delivery of care to residents. Akin to what was observed following past CAF international humanitarian missions, there was an expected increased risk of exposure to multiple stressors that may be psychologically traumatic and potentially morally injurious in nature (i.e., related to important values; e.g., witnessing human suffering). The objective of the research study is to identify and quantify the individual-, group-, and organizational-level risk and resilience factors associated with moral distress, moral injury and traditional mental health and well-being outcomes of Operation (Op) LASER LTCF CAF personnel. The objective of this manuscript is to document the methodology, implementation procedures, and participation metrics. A multimethod research initiative was conducted, consisting of two primary data collection studies (a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews). The quantitative arm was a complete enumeration survey with online self-report questionnaires administered at three timepoints (3, 6, and 12 months post-deployment). The qualitative arm consisted of individual interviews conducted virtually, with a focus on understanding the nuanced lived experiences of individuals taking part in the Op LASER LTCF deployment. CAF personnel deployed to Op LASER LTCF (n = 2,595) were invited to participate in the study. Data collection is now complete. Overall, 1,088, 582, and 497 individuals responded to the survey at Time 1 (3 months), Time 2 (6 months), and Time 3 (12 months) post-deployment, providing a participation rate of 41.9%, 22.4%, and 19.2% for Time 1, Time 2, and Time 3, respectively. Data for all three timepoints was obtained from 212 participants (representing 19.5% of all Time 1 responses). Interest in participating in qualitative interviews surpassed expectations with over 200 individuals expressing interest; this allowed for purposive sampling across key characteristics, including gender, rank, Op LASER LTCF role, and province. In total, 53 interviews were conducted. The data generated by this research has the potential to inform and better understand the well-being and mental health of Op LASER LTCF personnel over time, identify general and Op LASER LTCF-specific risk and protective factors, provide necessary supports to the military personnel who served in this mission, and to inform preparation and interventions for future missions, especially those more of a domestic and humanitarian nature. DERR1-10.2196/44299.

Real-time navigation solutions of low-cost off-the-shelf GNSS receivers on board the Astrocast constellation satellites

With the ever-increasing number of small satellites launched into space, on-board orbit determination is becoming more and more important. Precise satellite positions are needed for constellation maintenance, formation flying, communication optimization, collision avoidance and Earth observation. In addition, accurate time information is required for the functioning of the instruments on board. Low-cost off-the-shelf Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers and antennas, adapted to the small size and weight of the satellite, allow precise on-board orbit determination and time synchronization for even the smallest satellites.We analysed more than one year of on-board navigation solutions (NAVSOL) from 8 Astrocast CubeSats, which are equipped with our multi-GNSS single-frequency payload. Based on the residuals from a dynamic orbit fitting, we found that the quality of the NAVSOL from the Astrocast satellites varies strongly both over time and between satellites, with an RMS ranging from a few meters to several tens of meters.In this study, we focus on three main effects that influence the quality of the NAVSOL from the Astrocast satellites: (1) The orbit-fit residuals show a positive radial offset in the range of about 6 m to 15 m, which is caused by ionospheric refraction. Our data show that GNSS signals at negative elevations are very strongly affected by the ionospheric refraction and thus account for the major part of the radial offset. (2) Discrepancies between the NAVSOL positions and velocities, and simulations with a GNSS signal generator show a once-per-revolution periodicity in the out-of-plane component, with amplitudes of 2 m and 5 cm/s in position and velocity, respectively. This effect is probably due to an inappropriate dynamic model used in the real-time navigation algorithm of the GNSS receiver. (3) Depending on the location of the GNSS antenna on board the satellite, the noise level varies by a multiple. This is assumed to be due to the antenna orientations, interference of the GNSS signals with electromagnetic waves coming from the satellite platform, signal attenuation during the transmission from the antenna to the receiver and differences in the soldering or tuning of the individual GNSS antennas.These findings help us refine hardware configurations and firmware settings in preparation for future Astrocast satellites or other nanosatellite missions. By eliminating or minimizing the mentioned effects, we expect to consistently achieve an accuracy on the level of a few meters for the real-time navigation solution of commercial off-the-shelf single-frequency GNSS receivers in space.

Application of Data Visualization Interaction Technology in Aerospace Data Processing

A visualization and interactive network topology model are studied based on real-time features generated during spaceflight. Start by establishing a consistent set of data and logical interaction interfaces. This paper presents a method of scenario model construction and application programming based on virtual reality technology. The scene elements are extracted into two types of primitives, namely logical type and simulated object type. This provides a unified architecture for the editing and processing of graphic elements. This system can realize the automatic creation of the scene. Then the point cloud data obtained by sparse reconstruction of SFM is reconstructed to the Poisson surface. You get a dense, uniform grid. Experiments show that the proposed algorithm can realize the 3D reconstruction of non-cooperative objects. The spatial feature points obtained in the spatial positioning of non-cooperative objects can provide necessary technical support for its orbit positioning. The model can quickly generate new model scenario pages according to the characteristics of the task. This method changes the display mode, which can only be static or limited dynamic before. It has also improved the efficiency of space mission preparation.

Human Health on the Moon and Beyond and the Results of the Spaceflight for Everybody Symposium.

INTRODUCTION:In 2022, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) began launching missions to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. One key to success will be maintaining human health. In preparation for longer missions with more diverse crews, the Spaceflight for Everybody Symposium was held to review currently known human spaceflight biomedical knowledge, the future of exploration space medicine, and the ability of NASA to manage the spaceflight human health risks and enable exploration. The symposium highlighted the future of precision health/personalized medicine, the possible spaceflight health acute and lifetime illnesses, and the challenge of identifying appropriate prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and autonomous medical systems for long-duration spaceflight. The symposium was organized to look back at NASA exploration, science, and leadership successes, celebrate NASA women's leadership, and focus on future Artemis activities, including research and development that will benefit both spaceflight and terrestrial life. NASA current preparations for returning to the Moon have led to increased acknowledgment of the importance of workforce diversity, i.e., to use the best candidate in every work position, including the plan for the first woman and person of color to land on the Moon. NASA is developing plans to use commercial spaceflight research opportunities when the International Space Station is no longer available. Astronaut health decisions will consist of individualized health risk determinations and mitigation strategies and increased medical self-care. Research findings include improved exploration cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and radiation risk reduction and improved interpersonal support for both astronaut crews and mission control personnel.Schneider V, Siegel B, Allen JR. Human health on the Moon and beyond and the results of the Spaceflight for Everybody Symposium. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2023; 94(8):634-643.

Project Lyra: Another possible trajectory to 1I/’Oumuamua

The first interstellar object to be discovered, 1I/’Oumuamua, exhibited various unusual properties as it was tracked on its passage through the inner solar system in 2017/2018. In terms of the potential scientific return, a spacecraft mission to intercept and study it in situ would be invaluable. As an extension to previous Project Lyra studies, this paper elaborates an alternative mission to 1I/’Oumuamua, this time also requiring a Jupiter Oberth Manoeuvre (JOM) to accelerate the spacecraft towards its destination. The difference is in the combination of planetary flybys exploited to get to Jupiter, which includes a Mars encounter before proceeding to Jupiter. The trajectory identified is inferior to previous finds in terms of higher ΔV requirement (15.6 kms−1), longer flight duration (29 years) and less mission preparation time (launch 2026), however it benefits from a feature absent from previous JOM candidates, in that there is little or no ΔV en route to Jupiter (i.e. a free ride) which means the spacecraft need not carry a liquid propellant stage. This is marginally offset by the higher ΔV needed at Jupiter, requiring either 2 or 3 staged solid rocket motors. As an example, a Falcon Heavy Expendable with a CASTOR 30B booster followed by a STAR 48B can deliver 102kg to 1I/’Oumuamua by the year 2059. Other scenarios with shorter flight durations and higher payload masses are possible.

The Einstein Elevator

Development of space proven technologies, fundamental research in microgravity and preparation of future space missions all benefit from next generation drop tower facilities like the Einstein-Elevator. The facility is being made available within a DFG core facility center in Hannover.

Fine motor deficits exhibited in rat string-pulling behavior following exposure to sleep fragmentation and deep space radiation.

Deep space flight missions will expose astronauts to multiple stressors, including sleep fragmentation and space radiation. There is debate over whether sleep disruptions are an issue in deep space. While these stressors independently impair sensorimotor function, the combined effects on performance are currently unknown. String-pulling behavior involves highly organized bimanual reach-to-grasp and withdraw movements. This behavior was examined under rested wakeful conditions and immediately following one session of sleep fragmentation in Sham and irradiated rats 3months after exposure (10cGy 4Helium or 5-ion simulated Galactic Cosmic Radiation). Sleep fragmentation disrupted several aspects of string-pulling behavior, such that rats' ability to grasp the string was reduced, reach endpoint concentration was more variable, and distance traveled by the nose increased in the Y-range compared to rested wakeful performance. Overall, irradiated rats missed the string more than Sham rats 3months post-exposure. Irradiated rats also exhibited differential impairments at 3months, with additional deficits unveiled after sleep fragmentation. 4Helium-exposed rats took longer to approach the string after sleep fragmentation. Further, rats exposed to 4Helium traveled shorter withdraw distances 3months after irradiation, while this only emerged in the other irradiated group after sleep fragmentation. These findings identify sleep fragmentation as a risk for fine motor dysfunction in Sham and irradiated conditions, in addition to radiation exposure. There may be complex temporal alterations in performance that are stressor- and ion-dependent. Thus, it is critical to implement appropriate models of multi-flight stressors and performance assessments in preparation for future deep space flight missions.

Ice Transit and Performance Analysis for Cryorobotic Subglacial Access Missions on Earth and Europa.

Ice-covered ocean worlds, such as the Jovian moon Europa, are some of the prime targets for planetary exploration due to their high astrobiological potential. While upcoming space exploration missions, such as the Europa Clipper and JUICE missions, will give us further insight into the local cryoenvironment, any conclusive life detection investigation requires the capability to penetrate and transit the icy shell and access the subglacial ocean directly. Developing robust, autonomous cryorobotic technology for such a mission constitutes an extremely demanding multistakeholder challenge and requires a concentrated interdisciplinary effort between engineers, geoscientists, and astrobiologists. An important tool with which to foster cross-disciplinary work at an early stage of mission preparation is the virtual testbed. In this article, we report on recent progress in the development of an ice transit and performance model for later integration in such a virtual testbed. We introduce a trajectory model that, for the first time, allows for the evaluation of mission-critical parameters, such as transit time and average/overall power supply. Our workflow is applied to selected, existing cryobot designs while taking into consideration different terrestrial, as well as extraterrestrial, deployment scenarios. Specific analyses presented in this study show the tradeoff minimum transit time and maximum efficiency of a cryobot and allow for quantification of different sources of uncertainty to cryobot's trajectory models.

Modelling Earth’s lithospheric magnetic field using satellites in low-perigee elliptical orbits

SUMMARYThe sensitivity of magnetic measurements taken by satellites in elliptical orbits to the lithospheric magnetic field is studied by comparing the formal error variances of the lithospheric Gauss coefficients for various satellite orbital constellations. Analytical expressions are presented for the variances of the Gauss coefficients when either all three magnetic vector components or only the radial component are used. We compare the results obtained using a satellite in a near-polar circular orbit at 350 km altitude with those from a satellite in an elliptical orbit with perigee at 140 km (and apogee at 1500 km) and find that the latter leads to Gauss coefficient variances at spherical harmonic degree n = 180 (corresponding to a horizontal wavelength of λ = 220 km) that are 104 times smaller compared to those derived from a similar number of data measured at 350 km altitude. The improvements in variance ratio at degree n = 145 (λ = 275 km) and n = 110 (λ = 360 km) are 103 and 102, respectively. These findings are supported by an analysis of synthetic magnetic data along simulated satellite orbits from which the lithospheric Gauss coefficients are estimated and compared with the original ones used to generate the synthetic data. Coefficients at degree n are successfully determined if the power of the difference between retrieved and original coefficients at that degree is smaller than the power of the lithospheric field (i.e. of the input coefficients). Using 3 yr of simulated data we conclude that magnetic measurements from a satellite in an elliptical orbit with perigee at 140 km allow for a reliable determination of the lithospheric field up to spherical harmonic n ≈ 170 while a satellite in a circular orbit at 350 km height only enables lithospheric field modelling up to n ≈ 100. The analysis demonstrates that low-altitude magnetic data collected by satellites in low-perigee elliptical orbits—although only available for a fraction of each orbit—enable improved global lithospheric field modelling at spatial wavelengths well beyond what is currently possible with data from satellites in circular orbits that do not reach such low altitudes. We applied the approach to the orbital configuration proposed for the Daedalus satellite mission (140 km perigee); the method will however also help in the preparation for other satellite missions in near-polar low-perigee elliptical orbits like the Macau Science Satellite pair MSS-2A and MSS-2B (perigee of 200 km or lower).

Space Habitats Should Be 1 g Shielded Space Platforms, Not on Low Gravity, Radiation Exposed Moon or Mars

AbstractPrevious missions have subjected astronauts to confined space, weightlessness, and increased radiation. These impair astronaut comfort, performance, and future health. The exploration and future settlement of space will depend on the long‐term presence of individual humans. This requires the development of space platforms where humans can work and live in health for many years, perhaps generations. A livable space platform must provide adequate volume, gravity, and radiation shielding. This seems easier to do in deep space or Low Earth Orbit (LEO) than on the surface of the moon or Mars. Permanently habitable deep space platforms will enable scientific and technical research, space tourism, space mission preparation, space industry development, and military surveillance and operations. The first fully habitable space station would probably be in LEO for convenience and lower cost.

Psychological profiles of resilience in extreme environments: Correlating measures of personality and coping and resilience

The presence of psychological resilience appears to confer positive personal benefits, and may be particularly advantageous for individuals working in isolated, confined, and extreme environments. This study aimed to identify contextually adaptive ‘resilient’ personality and coping profiles in such contexts. This was done by correlating scores on measures of resilience with scores on measures of personality and coping, using specialists identified as good adaptors. As resilient profiles may differ across contexts, two highly specific samples were used, namely navy divers and submariners. This paper presents psychometric profiles of contemporary personality and coping styles. Then, using bivariate correlations, resilience-associated, context specific, diver and submariner personality and coping profiles were identified. Their resilient profiles appeared well suited to their respective environments. Some differences were noted between the typical personality descriptions and the resilient profiles identified, with three possible reasons forwarded to understand this. Firstly, there were some concerns regarding the validity of the measures in the local cultural context; secondly, context specific resilience may be expressed differently from resilience in general society; and thirdly, contemporary profiles of specialists may reflect current organisational processes in addition to psychological factors. In terms of practical application, while the identification of resilient profiles may also have value for selection purposes, it could be particularly useful for mission preparation, through the training of context-relevant coping skills.

Prototyping Crop Traits Retrieval Models for CHIME: Dimensionality Reduction Strategies Applied to PRISMA Data.

In preparation for new-generation imaging spectrometer missions and the accompanying unprecedented inflow of hyperspectral data, optimized models are needed to generate vegetation traits routinely. Hybrid models, combining radiative transfer models with machine learning algorithms, are preferred, however, dealing with spectral collinearity imposes an additional challenge. In this study, we analyzed two spectral dimensionality reduction methods: principal component analysis (PCA) and band ranking (BR), embedded in a hybrid workflow for the retrieval of specific leaf area (SLA), leaf area index (LAI), canopy water content (CWC), canopy chlorophyll content (CCC), the fraction of absorbed photosynthetic active radiation (FAPAR), and fractional vegetation cover (FVC). The SCOPE model was used to simulate training data sets, which were optimized with active learning. Gaussian process regression (GPR) algorithms were trained over the simulations to obtain trait-specific models. The inclusion of PCA and BR with 20 features led to the so-called GPR-20PCA and GPR-20BR models. The 20PCA models encompassed over 99.95% cumulative variance of the full spectral data, while the GPR-20BR models were based on the 20 most sensitive bands. Validation against in situ data obtained moderate to optimal results with normalized root mean squared error (NRMSE) from 13.9% (CWC) to 22.3% (CCC) for GPR-20PCA models, and NRMSE from 19.6% (CWC) to 29.1% (SLA) for GPR-20BR models. Overall, the GPR-20PCA slightly outperformed the GPR-20BR models for all six variables. To demonstrate mapping capabilities, both models were tested on a PRecursore IperSpettrale della Missione Applicativa (PRISMA) scene, spectrally resampled to Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment (CHIME), over an agricultural test site (Jolanda di Savoia, Italy). The two strategies obtained plausible spatial patterns, and consistency between the two models was highest for FVC and LAI (R2 = 0.91, R2 = 0.86) and lowest for SLA mapping (R2 = 0.53). From these findings, we recommend implementing GPR-20PCA models as the most efficient strategy for the retrieval of multiple crop traits from hyperspectral data streams. Hence, this workflow will support and facilitate the preparations of traits retrieval models from the next-generation operational CHIME.