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White, Patrick

Publications and source records attributed to White, Patrick.

12 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2019

Analyses of Kennedy Space Center Tropospheric Doppler Radar Wind Profiler Data for Space Launch System Program Certification

This paper documents the methodology and results of analyses used to certify the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Tropospheric Doppler Radar Wind Profiler (TDRWP) as input to launch commit evaluations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Space Launch System Program (SLSP). These analyses, and the requirements that they address, were designed by the Marshall Space Flight Center Natural Environments Branch (MSFC NE) to certify that the TDRWP provides data of sufficient accuracy and resolution for SLSP, and that the instrument provides enough reliability to support Day-of- Launch Initialization Loads Update (DOLILU) operations. On day-of-launch (DOL), space launch vehicle operators have used data from wind profilers to reverse a previous GO call in prelaunch loads and trajectory assessments due to the profiler’s capability to quickly identify changes in the wind profile within a rapidly changing wind environment. Certification of the TDRWP would allow SLSP to use DOL wind data generated by the TDRWP to design the vehicle trajectory and to verify trajectory and load constraints during the countdown for launch commit decision.

Barbre, Robert E., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2019

A Comparison of Boundary Layer Wind Profilers for Use with Space Launch Vehicles

The United States Air Force (USAF) operates two space launch ranges, the Eastern Range (ER) and the Western Range (WR). The ER is primarily located at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) and the WR is located at the Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB). Multiple systems are used to measure the atmosphere at both ranges, including a suite of 915-Mhz (megahertz) Doppler Radar Wind Profilers (DRWP). The 915-MHz DRWPs are used to measure winds in the lowest few kilometers of the atmosphere, primarily in the boundary layer. Boundary layer winds are important during launch, and observations of such can be used as input to toxic dispersion and low-level abort trajectory models. However, these 915-MHz systems are nearing the end of their service life and need to be replaced by systems with similar, or greater, capabilities. The USAF funded evaluations of two systems: a 449-MHz DRWP and a Lidar. Both systems were stationed at each range for separate periods of approximately three months from November 2017 through May 2018. The USAF also funded NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Natural Environments Branch (NE) to evaluate wind output from the two systems. MSFC NE conducted analysis to demonstrate the system’s wind accuracy relative to measurements from the Automated Meteorological Profiling System (AMPS) (Divers et al., 2000), data availability, and Effective Vertical Resolution (EVR).

Orcutt, John M.↗
NASA NTRS2018

New Efforts to Update NASA's Global Reference Atmospheric Models (GRAM)

NASA is at the forefront of planetary exploration. The inability to test planetary spacecraft in the flight environment prior to a mission requires engineers to rely on ground-based testing and models of the vehicle and expected environments. One of the most widely used engineering models of the atmosphere for many NASA projects is the Global Reference Atmospheric Model (GRAM) developed by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Over the past decade GRAM upgrades and maintenance have depended on inconsistent and waning project-specific support. Recently, the NASA Science Mission Directorate agreed to provide funding support in Fiscal Year 2018 and 2019 to upgrade the GRAMs. This poster summarizes the objectives, tasks and milestones of this effort.

Justh, Hilary↗
NASA NTRS2018

New Efforts to Update NASA's Global Reference Atmospheric Models (GRAM)

NASA is at the forefront of planetary exploration. The inability to test planetary spacecraft in the flight environment prior to a mission requires engineers to rely on ground-based testing and models of the vehicle and expected environments. One of the most widely used engineering models of the atmosphere for many NASA projects is the Global Reference Atmospheric Model (GRAM) developed by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Over the past decade GRAM upgrades and maintenance have depended on inconsistent and waning project-specific support. Recently, the NASA Science Mission Directorate agreed to provide funding support in Fiscal Year 2018 and 2019 to upgrade the GRAMs. This poster summarizes the objectives, tasks and milestones of this effort.

Dwyer Cianciolo, Alicia↗
NASA NTRS2017

Earth Global Reference Atmospheric Model (Earth-GRAM) GRAM Virtual Meeting

What is Earth-GRAM? Provide monthly mean and standard deviation for any point in atmosphere; Monthly, Geographic, and Altitude Variation. Earth-GRAM is a C++ software package; Currently distributed as Earth-GRAM 2016. Atmospheric variables included: pressure, density, temperature, horizontal and vertical winds, speed of sound, and atmospheric constituents. Used by engineering community because of ability to create dispersions inatmosphere at a rapid runtime; Often embedded in trajectory simulation software. Not a forecast model. Does not readily capture localized atmospheric effects.

White, Patrick↗
NASA NTRS2017

Earth Global Reference Atmospheric Model (GRAM) Overview and Updates: DOLWG Meeting

What is Earth-GRAM (Global Reference Atmospheric Model): Provides monthly mean and standard deviation for any point in atmosphere - Monthly, Geographic, and Altitude Variation; Earth-GRAM is a C++ software package - Currently distributed as Earth-GRAM 2016; Atmospheric variables included: pressure, density, temperature, horizontal and vertical winds, speed of sound, and atmospheric constituents; Used by engineering community because of ability to create dispersions in atmosphere at a rapid runtime - Often embedded in trajectory simulation software; Not a forecast model; Does not readily capture localized atmospheric effects.

White, Patrick↗