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Singer, S. F.

Publications and source records attributed to Singer, S. F..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

LDEF Interplanetary Dust Experiment (IDE) results

The Interplanetary Dust Experiment (IDE) provided high time resolution detection of microparticle impacts on the Long Duration Exposure Facility satellite. Particles, in the diameter range from 0.2 microns to several hundred microns, were detected impacting on six orthogonal surfaces of the gravity-gradient stabilized LDEF spacecraft. The total sensitive surface area was about one square meter, distributed between LDEF rows 3 (Wake or West), 6 (South), 9 (Ram or East), 12 (North), as well as the Space and Earth ends of LDEF. The time of each impact is known to an accuracy that corresponds to better than one degree in orbital longitude. Because LDEF was gravity-gradient stabilized and magnetically damped, the direction of the normal to each detector panel is precisely known for each impact. The 11 1/2 month tape-recorded data set represents the most extensive record gathered of the number, orbital location, and incidence direction for microparticle impacts in low Earth orbit. Perhaps the most striking result from IDE was the discovery that microparticle impacts, especially on the Ram, South, and North surfaces, were highly episodic. Most such impacts occurred in localized regions of the orbit for dozens or even hundreds of orbits in what we have termed Multiple Orbit Event Sequences (MOES). In addition, more than a dozen intense and short-lived 'spikes' were seen in which impact fluxes exceeded the background by several orders of magnitude. These events were distributed in a highly non-uniform fashion in time and terrestrial longitude and latitude.

Oliver, John P.↗
NASA NTRS1991

LDEF Interplanetary Dust Experiment - Techniques for identification and study of long-lived orbital debris clouds

The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) is a 12-sided, 4.3-m-diameter, 9.1-m-long cylinder designed and built by NASA Langley to carry experiments for extended periods in space. The LDEF was first placed in orbit by the Shuttle Challenger on 7 April 1984 and recovered by the Shuttle Columbia in January 1990, only days before it was expected to burn up in the earth's atmosphere. The Interplanetary Dust Experiment (IDE) was designed to detect impacts of extra-terrestrial particles and orbital debris. The IDE detectors (which covered about 1 sq m of the surface of LDEF) were sensitive to particles ranging in size from about 0.2 to 100 microns. Data were recorded for 11.5 months before the supply of magnetic tape was exhausted. Examination of the LDEF IDE dataset shows that impacts often occurred in 'bursts', during which numerous impacts occurred in a short time (typically 3-5 min) at a rate much greater than the average impact rate. In several cases, such events reoccurred each time the LDEF returned to the same point in its orbit. Such multi-orbit event sequences were found to extend for as many as 25 or more orbits.

Singer, S. F.↗
NASA NTRS1991

First spatio-temporal results from the LDEF Interplanetary Dust Experiment

The LDEF Interplanetary Dust Experiment is unique in providing a time history of impacts of micron-sized particles on six orthogonal faces of the vehicle over a span of nearly a full year. Over 15,000 hits were recorded, representing a mix of zodiacal dust, meteor-stream grains, orbital debris, perhaps beta-meteoroids, and possibly interstellar matter. Although the total number was higher than predicted, the relative panel activity distribution was near expectations. Detailed deconvolution of the impact record with orbital data is underway, to examine each of these populations. Very preliminary results of the fairly crude 'first-look' analysis suggest that debris is the major particle component at 500 km. The data show clear evidence of some known meteor streams as sharp, tightly-focused events, unlike their visible counterparts. Some apparent debris events show similar signatures. Data from the leading and trailing edges suggest a detection of beta-meteoroids, but the analysis is not yet conclusive. Absolute fluxes and flux ratios are not yet known, since the detector status analysis is yet incomplete.

Singer, S. F.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Phobos and Deimos: A base for sampling the Martian past

Future exploration of Mars is summed up by the proposal that the Martian satellites provide an ideal base for exploring the surface of Mars. For example, a manned base on Deimos could direct a series of unmanned rovers and sample recovery operations, providing an immediate feedback to the operation. Samples analyzed in such an environment would be fresh, and most importantly, would not require quarantine.

Singer, S. F.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The LDEF interplanetary dust experiment

Explorer 46 data and the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) interplanetary dust experiment are examined. Analysis of the Explorer 46 data reveals the existence of particles of 0.1 micron and a mass of 1 x 10 to the -16th gm, the injection of the submicron particles directly by a comet (injection mass of about 5000 tons), and a submicron particle lifetime of about three years. The applications of LDEF data to particles in hyperbolic orbits, particle swarms, morning-to-evening asymmetry, the effects of the earth's orbit eccentricity, and the presence of interstellar dust are discussed. The effects of space debris on data collection are considered.

Singer, S. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Interplanetary dust experiment (A0201)

The objective of this experiment is to study interplanetary dust, variously referred to as cosmic dust, cometary dust, zodiacial dust, or meteoric dust particles. Specific objectives are to obtain information regarding particle mass and velocity, and to undertake correlative analyses with other experiments, both on LDEF or near the time of the LDEF flight.

Singer, S. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The PH-D proposal - A manned mission to Phobos and Deimos

The rationale for a manned mission to the satellites of Mars is discussed. The view has been expressed that NASA must define a major program to follow the Shuttle and to utilize it. However, such a program could not be initiated and proceed without public support, and to obtain this support, public interest would have to be excited. It is shown that, of a number of possible targets for manned exploration in the solar system, Mars appears to be the only possible candidate. Attention is given to a comparison of three Mars missions, a Mars 1984 mission, a manned landing on Mars surface, a manned landing on Phobos and Deimos (Ph-D project), putting men in Mars orbit, the capabilities of the Ph-D mission, a description of the spacecraft, a Ph-D project operations plan, and aspects of timing, technology, and costs.

Singer, S. F.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Comets produce submicron particles in the solar system

Observational evidence for the existence of submicron particles issuing from meteor streams and comets is examined. The MTS Explorer 46 carried a meteoroid detector which measured the rate of impact of particles with masses on the order of 10 to the -16th gram. Particle enhancements were observed in association with meteor streams, such as the Taurid and Orionids. The ratio of radiation pressure to gravity is employed to examine the effects of radiation pressure on the particles. When the ratio is higher than one, particles become smaller, unless they are dielectrics. Particles with radii less than 0.1 micron, having a potential of +3.3 V, are projected to have a lifetime of about 3 yr. Several thousands of tons of submicron particles are expected to be produced during a cometary perihelion passage. Launch of a long duration exposure facility with the Shuttle is recommended for studies of the decay of the particles over time.

Singer, S. F.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Submicron particles in meteor streams

Submicron particles (mass less than 10 to the -15th g) were observed in certain meteor streams by impact detectors on satellite Explorer 46. This unexpected finding leads to conclusions about the nature and origin of the particles and about the importance of nongravitational forces.

Singer, S. F.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Interplanetary dust between 1 and 5 AU

Analyses of data from the Meteoroid Detection Experiment (MDE) and the Imaging Photopolarimeter (IPP) aboard Pioneer 10 and 11 have led to contradictory conclusions. While the MDE indicates a significant particle environment in the outer solar system (out to at least 5 AU), the IPP sees no zodiacal light (therefore implying no small particles) past 3.3 AU. These two results are reconciled by noting that the spectral index p (relating particle radius and particle concentration) is not a constant in the solar system but changes from less than 2 near 1 AU to more than 2.5 at 5 AU for particles in the range of 10 microns.

Stanley, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Lunar composition as a clue to the early history of the solar system.

The apparent conflict of the low iron content of the moon with the hypothesis of lunar capture is shown to be reconcilable if, in the inner solar system, iron condensations are assumed to conglomerate into planetary cores before the silicates condense to form a number of iron-poor moons. In the outer solar system, there would be no such fractionation, and, in the asteroid belt, the situation should be intermediate and quite complex. A crucial parameter is the ratio of coalescence time to cooling time, which depends on the density of the solar nebula. Also of importance are nonuniform cooling and condensation, as well as the outward transport of volatiles and their dissipation from the solar system. The model can explain also other features of the planets and asteroids.

Singer, S. F.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Discussion of paper by A. E. Ringwood, Petrogenesis of Apollo 11 basalts and implications for lunar origin.

Critical review of statements put forward by Ringwood about the origin of the moon. The composition of the lunar basalts is discussed, and it is shown that many theories for the origin of the moon can explain this composition satisfactorily. It is pointed out that the closeness of the relationship between Martian basalts and earth basalts is a matter of opinion, and that the major geochemical features that must be explained are certainly the low iron content in the moon and the depletion of volatiles. The manner in which various hypotheses of lunar origin deal with this explanation is examined.

Singer, S. F.↗
NASA NTRS1970

How did Venus lose its angular momentum

Venus low retrograde spin rate explained as result of capture of moonlike object from retrograde orbit, transforming planet rotational energy into heat

Singer, S. F.↗
NASA NTRS1970

Where was the moon formed

Lunar formation, investigating accretion rate ratio for earth and moon as function of distance

Bandermann, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1969

Interplanetary dust measurements near the earth

Interplanetary dust measurements near earth compared to theories predicting dust characteristics, discussing concentration, flux, impact rate and solar radiation pressure

Bandermann, L. W.↗