Satellite-Based Assessment of Rocket Launch and Coastal Change Impacts on Cape Canaveral Barrier Island, Florida, USA
The Cape Canaveral Barrier Island, home to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Kennedy Space Center and the United States (U.S.) Space Force’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, is situated in a unique ecological transition zone that supports diverse wildlife. This study eval...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/23/4421 |
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| author | Hyun Jung Cho Daniel Burow Kelly M. San Antonio Matthew J. McCarthy Hannah V. Herrero Yao Zhou Stephen C. Medeiros Calvin D. Colbert Craig M. Jones |
| author_facet | Hyun Jung Cho Daniel Burow Kelly M. San Antonio Matthew J. McCarthy Hannah V. Herrero Yao Zhou Stephen C. Medeiros Calvin D. Colbert Craig M. Jones |
| author_sort | Hyun Jung Cho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Cape Canaveral Barrier Island, home to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Kennedy Space Center and the United States (U.S.) Space Force’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, is situated in a unique ecological transition zone that supports diverse wildlife. This study evaluates the recent changes in vegetation cover (2016–2023) and dune elevation (2007–2017) within the Cape Canaveral Barrier Island using high-resolution optical satellite and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data. The study period was chosen to depict the time period of a recent increase in rocket launches. The study objectives include assessing changes in vegetation communities, identifying detectable impacts of liquid propellant launches on nearby vegetation, and evaluating dune elevation and tide level shifts near launchpads. The results indicate vegetation cover changes, including mangrove expansion in wetland areas and the conversion of coastal strands to denser scrubs and hardwood forests, which were likely influenced by mild winters and fire management. While detectable impacts of rocket launches on nearby vegetation were observed, they were less severe than those caused by solid rocket motors. Compounding challenges, such as rising tide levels, beach erosion, and wetland loss, potentially threaten the resilience of launch operations and the surrounding habitats. The volume and scale of launches continue to increase, and a balance between space exploration and ecological conservation is required in this biodiverse region. This study focuses on the assessment of barrier islands’ shorelines. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-06b4af1172f543979f23eeecb5927282 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Remote Sensing |
| spelling | doaj-art-06b4af1172f543979f23eeecb59272822025-08-20T01:55:41ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922024-11-011623442110.3390/rs16234421Satellite-Based Assessment of Rocket Launch and Coastal Change Impacts on Cape Canaveral Barrier Island, Florida, USAHyun Jung Cho0Daniel Burow1Kelly M. San Antonio2Matthew J. McCarthy3Hannah V. Herrero4Yao Zhou5Stephen C. Medeiros6Calvin D. Colbert7Craig M. Jones8Department of Integrated Environmental Science, Bethune-Cookman University, 640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USAMeteorology Program, Applied Aviation Sciences Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 1 Aerospace Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USADepartment of Integrated Environmental Science, Bethune-Cookman University, 640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USARemote Sensing Group, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Geospatial Science and Human Security Division, UT-Battelle, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USADepartment of Geography & Sustainability, University of Tennessee, 1000 Philip Fulmer Way, Knoxville, TN 37996-0925, USAMeteorology Program, Applied Aviation Sciences Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 1 Aerospace Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USADepartment of Civil Engineering, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 1 Aerospace Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USANational Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, 7500 GEOINT Dr., Springfield, VA 22150, USANational Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, 7500 GEOINT Dr., Springfield, VA 22150, USAThe Cape Canaveral Barrier Island, home to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Kennedy Space Center and the United States (U.S.) Space Force’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, is situated in a unique ecological transition zone that supports diverse wildlife. This study evaluates the recent changes in vegetation cover (2016–2023) and dune elevation (2007–2017) within the Cape Canaveral Barrier Island using high-resolution optical satellite and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data. The study period was chosen to depict the time period of a recent increase in rocket launches. The study objectives include assessing changes in vegetation communities, identifying detectable impacts of liquid propellant launches on nearby vegetation, and evaluating dune elevation and tide level shifts near launchpads. The results indicate vegetation cover changes, including mangrove expansion in wetland areas and the conversion of coastal strands to denser scrubs and hardwood forests, which were likely influenced by mild winters and fire management. While detectable impacts of rocket launches on nearby vegetation were observed, they were less severe than those caused by solid rocket motors. Compounding challenges, such as rising tide levels, beach erosion, and wetland loss, potentially threaten the resilience of launch operations and the surrounding habitats. The volume and scale of launches continue to increase, and a balance between space exploration and ecological conservation is required in this biodiverse region. This study focuses on the assessment of barrier islands’ shorelines.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/23/4421Cape Canaveral Barrier Island complexFlorida central east coastcoastal vegetationNDVILiDARrocket launch |
| spellingShingle | Hyun Jung Cho Daniel Burow Kelly M. San Antonio Matthew J. McCarthy Hannah V. Herrero Yao Zhou Stephen C. Medeiros Calvin D. Colbert Craig M. Jones Satellite-Based Assessment of Rocket Launch and Coastal Change Impacts on Cape Canaveral Barrier Island, Florida, USA Remote Sensing Cape Canaveral Barrier Island complex Florida central east coast coastal vegetation NDVI LiDAR rocket launch |
| title | Satellite-Based Assessment of Rocket Launch and Coastal Change Impacts on Cape Canaveral Barrier Island, Florida, USA |
| title_full | Satellite-Based Assessment of Rocket Launch and Coastal Change Impacts on Cape Canaveral Barrier Island, Florida, USA |
| title_fullStr | Satellite-Based Assessment of Rocket Launch and Coastal Change Impacts on Cape Canaveral Barrier Island, Florida, USA |
| title_full_unstemmed | Satellite-Based Assessment of Rocket Launch and Coastal Change Impacts on Cape Canaveral Barrier Island, Florida, USA |
| title_short | Satellite-Based Assessment of Rocket Launch and Coastal Change Impacts on Cape Canaveral Barrier Island, Florida, USA |
| title_sort | satellite based assessment of rocket launch and coastal change impacts on cape canaveral barrier island florida usa |
| topic | Cape Canaveral Barrier Island complex Florida central east coast coastal vegetation NDVI LiDAR rocket launch |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/23/4421 |
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