OVERVIEW

The Autonomous Modular Sensor (AMS) is an airborne scanning spectrometer that acquires high spatial resolution imagery of the Earth's features from its vantage point on-board low and medium altitude research aircraft. Data acquired by AMS is helping to define, develop, and test algorithms for use in a variety of scientific programs that emphasize the use of remotely sensed data to monitor variation in environmental conditions, assess global change, and respond to natural disasters.

The AMS is no longer maintained and operated by the Airborne Sensor Facility.

AMS was transferred to the United States Forest Service (USFS) under a 2012 agreement between NASA and the Department of Agriculture. The USFS plans to use it in operational fire imaging and measurement aboard their Cessna Citation aircraft during the active fire season. AMS will also support other agency objectives, such as vegetation inventory analysis and water resource mapping.

IMAGE GALLERY

Fire Images

Wildland fires captured during various missions aboard a small UAV in the Western US.

• Click to view images

Monterey Bay & Elkhorn Slough

A selection of images from various flights in the Monterey Bay area.

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San Francisco Bay & Sacramento River Delta

A selection of images acquired after the region was inundated with a month of heavy rain.

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SENSOR CONFIGURATIONS

Wild Fire / Land Surface Scanner

IFOV:	1.25 or 2.5 mrad
FOV:	42.5 or 85.9 degrees
Resolution:	3 - 50 meters

• View this configuration

Water Vapor Imager

IFOV:	2.5 mrad
FOV:	85.9 degrees
Resolution:	50 meters (variable)

• View this configuration

Atmospheric Mapping Sensor

IFOV:	2.5 mrad
FOV:	85.9 degrees
Resolution:	50 meters (variable)

• View this configuration

Ocean Color Imager

IFOV:	2.5 mrad
FOV:	85.9 degrees
Resolution:	3 - 50 meters

• View this configuration

SPECIFICATIONS

Interface & Controls

The Interface Control Document (ICD) describes in detail the various AMS characteristics, dimensions, weight and balance, electrical and data interfaces, cabling diagrams, mounting hard points, and operational environment.

• View the ICD (PDF)

RELATED INSTRUMENTS

eMAS

A multispectral scanner which collects 50 meter imagery from 65,000 feet above the Earth.

• Visit the website

MASTER

The sister instrument to eMAS which can be flown much closer to Earth's surface.

• Visit the website

• + National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• + Science Mission Directorate
• + Airborne Science Program
• + Ames Research Center
• + Ames Earth Science Division

• + Office of the Inspector General
• + Freedom of Information Act
• + Privacy Policy and Important Notices
• + E.E.O. Data Posted Pursuant to the No Fear Act
• + Accessibility

• NASA Official: Matt Fladeland
• Project Manager: James Jacobson
• Website Editor: Eric Fraim
• Last Updated: March 19, 2024