Understanding Bidirectional Reflectance and Transmission for Space Applications

Applications for optical diffusers in space projects are presented which include the functions of reflection, transmittance, and collection. These modes encompass such diverse uses as temperature regulation and ozone concentration monitors. Discussed is the cooperative aspect of diffuse reflectance and environmental stability. Magnesium oxide, sodium chloride and barium sulphate are evaluated in some detail. The importance of scene scattering behavior to modeling the earth’s radiation budget and in determining thermal inertias of the earth’s surface are discussed, because solar albedo serves as the weighting function in the solar input irradiance. Finally, work in the area of canopy reflectance modeling is reviewed with verification data included whenever available. Some knowledge of the bidirectional reflectance properties of vegetation is necessary for identification, acreage computations, and scene transference.