Author ORCID Identifier:

https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1694-6521

Date of Graduation

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Geography (MS)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Geosciences

Advisor/Mentor

Tullis, Jason

Committee Member

Peter, Brad

Second Committee Member

Holland, Edward

Keywords

radiometric correction; unmanned aircraft systems; atmospheric attenuation

Abstract

The increased usage of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for various applications has broadened access to high-resolution aerial imaging, a field with deep roots in geography, remote sensing, and geospatial science. Radiometric correction in satellite imagery has its origins in the early decades of Earth observation, with foundational work beginning alongside the launch of the first multispectral satellites and evolving through decades of research into atmospheric correction, sensor calibration, and reflectance modelling. As UAS adoption grows, research into atmospheric attenuation effects on UAS imagery becomes necessary. Empirical line calibration converts digital number values to surface reflectance and is used here to assess the spectral accuracy of two UAS platforms. Root mean square error was used to quantitatively measure the spectral accuracy of the captured imagery. Future research should build upon these findings by extending calibration assessments to near-infrared and red-edge spectral bands, comparing performance across overcast and clear-sky conditions, and evaluating fixed-wing platforms, with the broader goal of developing standardized radiometric calibration protocols applicable across the growing and diverse UAS landscape.

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