Summary of observations performed and the preliminary findings in the Space Shuttle Polarization Experiment

The Space Shuttle Polarization experiment began in 1984. The first data was collected by the crew of STS-51A during October of that year. Since that time polarization data has been acquired from six additional flights. The objective of the experiment was to test the feasibility of concept and the utility of polarized imagery of solar radiation reflected from Earth as acquired from low earth orbit. While this objective has been met, the preliminary results have been well documented in the open literature, and two Space Shuttle payload bay experiments, based in part on these findings are in the design phase, the data acquired have not been used to their full potential. The users of these data have been limited in number even though the images are inexpensive to acquire and are readily available in the public domain. To broaden their use, this paper summarizes the data available, scene content of the images, procedures used to acquire the experimental data, the attributes and shortcomings of the data and a description of uses to which they appear applicable. A catalog of images is now in preparation that should facilitate the application of these data.