Department of Geological Sciences, NASA Research Grant Reports

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Research Grant (NGR-14-007-027) was a six year project to study the application of statistical techniques to remotely-sensed data for the purposes of lunar mapping. Using statistical analysis, Northwestern geologists profiled the composition, physical properties, and surface configurations of selected test sites in Michigan and California. Due to a variety of difficulties, the project investigators were unable to obtain as much remotely-sensed data as they had wished. Their ability to correlate this data with test site profiles remained necessarily limited.

The director and principal investigator of the Research Grant was E.H. Timothy Whitten of the Department of Geological Sciences. Other members of the Department assisted and consulted on the Grant.

NASA first funded the Grant for a one year term, August 1, 1964 to July 31, 1965. Funding for this term of the Grant equaled $21,469.25. NASA renewed the Grant for a three year period ending on July 31, 1968 and provided additional funds in the amount of $125, 244. NASA later extended the Grant through July 31, 1970 but provided no additional funds.

This series consists of an incomplete run of periodically-issued status and special subject reports as well as a copy of the grant proposal dated July 17, 1964. The status reports document the scope and development of the project. Special subject reports deal with aspects of geological sampling, statistical and computer applications for geological analysis, and profile the geological composition of selected terrestrial sites.