Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “ADAM”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 181 records · Page 10

Habitat Utilization Assessment - Building in Behaviors

Habitability, and the associated architectural and design attributes of an environment, is a powerful performance shaping factor. By identifying how inhabitants use an area, we can draw conclusions about what design or architectural attributes cause what behaviors and systematically design in desired human performance. We are analyzing how a crew uses a long duration habitat and work environment during a four-day underwater mission and identifying certain architectural and design attributes that are related to, and potential enablers of, certain crew behaviors. By identifying how inhabitants use the habitat, we can draw conclusions about what habitability attributes cause what behaviors and systematically design in desired human performance (applicable to NASA's Bioastronautics Human Behavior and Performance Critical Path Roadmap question 6.12). This assessment replicates a methodology reported in a chapter titled "Sociokinetic Analysis as a Tool for Optimization of Environmental Design" by C. Adams.' That study collected video imagery of certain areas of a closed habitat during a 91 day test and from that data calculated time spent in different volumes during the mission, and characterized the behaviors occurring in certain habitat volumes thus concluding various rules for design of such habitats. This study assesses the utilization of the Aquarius Habitat, an underwater station, which will support six Aquanauts for a fourteen-day mission during which the crew will perform specific scientific and engineering studies. Video is recorded for long uninterrupted periods of time during the mission and from that data the time spent in each area is calculated. In addition, qualitative and descriptive analysis of the types of behaviors in each area is performed with the purpose of identifying any behaviors that are not typical of a certain area. If a participant uses an area in a way different from expected, a subsequent analysis of the features of that area may result in conclusions of performance shaping factors. With the addition of this study, we can make comparisons between the two different habitats and begin drawing correlation judgments about design features and behavior. Ideally, this methodology should be repeated in additional Aquarius missions and other analog environments because the real information will come from comparisons between habitats.

Whitmore, Mihriban↗

Analyzing Dynamics of Cooperating Spacecraft

A software library has been developed to enable high-fidelity computational simulation of the dynamics of multiple spacecraft distributed over a region of outer space and acting with a common purpose. All of the modeling capabilities afforded by this software are available independently in other, separate software systems, but have not previously been brought together in a single system. A user can choose among several dynamical models, many high-fidelity environment models, and several numerical-integration schemes. The user can select whether to use models that assume weak coupling between spacecraft, or strong coupling in the case of feedback control or tethering of spacecraft to each other. For weak coupling, spacecraft orbits are propagated independently, and are synchronized in time by controlling the step size of the integration. For strong coupling, the orbits are integrated simultaneously. Among the integration schemes that the user can choose are Runge-Kutta Verner, Prince-Dormand, Adams-Bashforth-Moulton, and Bulirsh- Stoer. Comparisons of performance are included for both the weak- and strongcoupling dynamical models for all of the numerical integrators.

Hughes, Stephen P.↗

Edward Lawrence Powers, Jr. December 30, 1915 - August 1, 2005; In Memorium: "It is only needed to say that he was a man ahead of his time, a man who led radiation research in all that he did." Michael G. Simic, Ph.D., D.Sc.; August, 2005

Larry Powers was a man of commitment: to roots, family, science, and large appetites. He grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, during the Great Depression that defined his remarkable work ethic and value for contribution. He graduated from the municipal College of Charleston in 1938 with majors in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. That same year, he married his wife Elly of Charleston, with whom he had seven daughters by the early years of his eras of discovery in 1959. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the College of Charleston in 1974, and retired there with Elly in 1987 as a Professor in Residence. Having obtained his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in genetics and protozoology (1941), and having begun his professional career at the University of Notre Dame (Instructor and Assistant Professor, 1941-1945), Larry was often heard to comment on traditions of excellence in education and football, with adamant priority given to the first but without allowance for failure in the second.

Richmond, Robert C.↗

Dynamic Modeling of the SMAP Rotating Flexible Antenna

Dynamic model development in ADAMS for the SMAP project is explained: The main objective of the dynamic models are for pointing error assessment, and the control/stability margin requirement verifications

freeze/thaw state↗

NASA Tech Briefs, April 2013

Topics covered include: Fully Integrated, Miniature, High-Frequency Flow Probe Utilizing MEMS Leadless SOI Technology; Nanoscale Surface Plasmonics Sensor With Nanofluidic Control; Advanced Dispersed Fringe Sensing Algorithm for Coarse Phasing Segmented Mirror Telescopes; Neural Network Back-Propagation Algorithm for Sensing Hypergols; Bulk Moisture and Salinity Sensor; Change-Based Satellite Monitoring Using Broad Coverage and Targetable Sensing; Circularly Polarized Microwave Antenna Element with Very Low Off-Axis Cross-Polarization; Ultra-Low Heat-Leak, High-Temperature Superconducting Current Leads for Space Applications; Flash Cracking Reactor for Waste Plastic Processing; An Automated Safe-to-Mate (ASTM) Tester; Wireless Chalcogenide Nanoionic-Based Radio-Frequency Switch; Compute Element and Interface Box for the Hazard Detection System; DOT Transmit Module; Composite Aerogel Multifoil Protective Shielding; Li-Ion Electrolytes with Improved Safety and Tolerance to High-Voltage Systems; Polymer-Reinforced, Non-Brittle, Lightweight Cryogenic Insulation; Controlled, Site-Specific Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes with Diazonium Salts; Regenerable Sorbent for CO2 Removal; Sprayable Aerogel Bead Compositions With High Shear Flow Resistance and High Thermal Insulation Value; Lexan Linear Shaped Charge Holder with Magnets and Backing Plate; Robotic Ankle for Omnidirectional Rock Anchors; Wind, Wave, and Tidal Energy Without Power Conditioning; An Active Heater Control Concept to Meet IXO Type Mirror Module Thermal-Structural Distortion Requirement; Waterless Clothes-Cleaning Machine; Integrated Electrical Wire Insulation Repair System; LVGEMS Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry on Satellites; Surface Inspection Tool for Optical Detection of Surface Defects; Per-Pixel, Dual-Counter Scheme for Optical Communications; Certification-Based Process Analysis; Surface Navigation Using Optimized Waypoints and Particle Swarm Optimization; Smart-Divert Powered Descent Guidance to Avoid the Backshell Landing Dispersion Ellipse; Estimating Foreign-Object-Debris Density from Photogrammetry Data; Adaptive Sampling of Spatiotemporal Phenomena with Optimization Criteria; Building a 2.5D Digital Elevation Model From 2D Imagery; Eyes on the Earth 3D; Target Trailing With Safe Navigation for Maritime Autonomous Surface Vehicles; Adams-Based Rover Terramechanics and Mobility Simulator - ARTEMIS; ISTP CDF Skeleton Editor; Uplink Summary Generator (ULSGEN) Version 1.0; Robotics On-Board Trainer (ROBoT); Software Engineering Tools for Scientific Models; Automatic Data Filter Customization Using a Genetic Algorithm; Tracker Toolkit; Towards Efficient Scientific Data Management Using Cloud Storage; On a Formal Tool for Reasoning About Flight Software Cost Analysis; A Nanostructured Composites Thermal Switch Controls Internal and External Short Circuit in Lithium Ion Batteries; Spacecraft Crew Cabin Condensation Control; and Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Signals Measure Neuronal Activity in the Cortex.

Source record↗

Historical Notes on the Expanding Universe

The article Measuring the Hubble constant by Mario Livio and Adam Riess (Physics Today, October 2013, page 41) reviewed studies of the expanding universe from the 1920s to the present. Although the history of the subject underwent considerable compression to fit the length of a magazine article, we think it may leave a misleading impression of some of the key steps to our current understanding. We therefore offer the following clarifications. Most significantly, papers by Arthur Eddington and by Willem de Sitter in 1930, who successfully promoted Georges Lematres 1927 article for the Scientific Society of Brussels, effected a paradigm shift in interpretation of extragalactic redshifts in 1930. Before then, the astronomical community was generally unaware of the existence of nonstatic cosmological solutions and did not broadly appreciate that redshifts could be thought of locally as Doppler shifts in an expanding matter distribution. Certainly, in 1929 Edwin Hubble referred only to the de Sitter solution of 1917. At the time, the relation between distance and redshift predicted in that model was generally seen purely as a manifestation of static spacetime curvature.

Hubble constant↗

Miniature Filament Eruptions and their Reconnections in X-Ray Jets: Evidence for a New Paradigm

We investigate the onset of approximately10 random X-ray jets observed by Hinode/XRT. Each jet was near the limb in a polar coronal hole, and showed a ``bright point'' in an edge of the base of the jet, as is typical for previously-observed X-ray jets. We examined SDO/AIA EUV images of each of the jets over multiple AIA channels, including 304 Ang, which detects chromospheric emissions, and 171, 193, and 211 Ang, which detect cooler-coronal emissions. We find the jets to result from eruptions of miniature (size less than approximately 10 arcsec) filaments from the bases of the jets. Much of the erupting-filament material forms a chromospheric-temperature jet. In the cool-coronal channels, often the filament appears in absorption and the jet in emission. The jet bright point forms at the location from which the miniature filament is ejected, analogous to the formation of a standard solar flare in the wake of the eruption of a typical larger-scale chromospheric filament. Thus these X-ray jets and their bright points are made by miniature filament eruptions. They are evidently produced the same way as an on-disk coronal jet we observed in Adams et al. (2014); that on-disk jet had no obvious emerging magnetic field in its base. We conclude that, for many jets, the standard idea of X-ray jets forming from reconnection between emerging flux and preexisting coronal field is incorrect. ACS and RLM were supported by funding from NASA/LWS, Hinode, and ISSI.

Sterling, Alphonse C.↗

CPAS Preflight Drop Test Analysis Process

Throughout the Capsule Parachute Assembly System (CPAS) drop test program, the CPAS Analysis Team has developed a simulation and analysis process to support drop test planning and execution. This process includes multiple phases focused on developing test simulations and communicating results to all groups involved in the drop test. CPAS Engineering Development Unit (EDU) series drop test planning begins with the development of a basic operational concept for each test. Trajectory simulation tools include the Flight Analysis and Simulation Tool (FAST) for single bodies, and the Automatic Dynamic Analysis of Mechanical Systems (ADAMS) simulation for the mated vehicle. Results are communicated to the team at the Test Configuration Review (TCR) and Test Readiness Review (TRR), as well as at Analysis Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings in earlier and intermediate phases of the pre-test planning. The ability to plan and communicate efficiently with rapidly changing objectives and tight schedule constraints is a necessity for safe and successful drop tests.

Englert, Megan E.↗

Summary of CPAS EDU Testing Analysis Results

The Orion program's Capsule Parachute Assembly System (CPAS) project is currently conducting its third generation of testing, the Engineering Development Unit (EDU) series. This series utilizes two test articles, a dart-shaped Parachute Compartment Drop Test Vehicle (PCDTV) and capsule-shaped Parachute Test Vehicle (PTV), both of which include a full size, flight-like parachute system and require a pallet delivery system for aircraft extraction. To date, 15 tests have been completed, including six with PCDTVs and nine with PTVs. Two of the PTV tests included the Forward Bay Cover (FBC) provided by Lockheed Martin. Advancements in modeling techniques applicable to parachute fly-out, vehicle rate of descent, torque, and load train, also occurred during the EDU testing series. An upgrade from a composite to an independent parachute simulation allowed parachute modeling at a higher level of fidelity than during previous generations. The complexity of separating the test vehicles from their pallet delivery systems necessitated the use the Automatic Dynamic Analysis of Mechanical Systems (ADAMS) simulator for modeling mated vehicle aircraft extraction and separation. This paper gives an overview of each EDU test and summarizes the development of CPAS analysis tools and techniques during EDU testing.

Romero, Leah M.↗

Fairing Separation Analysis Using SepTOOL

This document describes the relevant equations programmed in spreadsheet software, SepTOOL, developed by ZIN Technologies, Inc. (ZIN) to determine the separation clearance between a launch vehicle payload fairing and remaining stages. The software uses closed form rigid body dynamic solutions of the vehicle in combination with flexible body dynamics of the fairing, which is obtained from flexible body dynamic analysis or from test data, and superimposes the two results to obtain minimum separation clearance for any given set of flight trajectory conditions. Using closed form solutions allows SepTOOL to perform separation calculations several orders of magnitude faster compared to numerical methods which allows users to perform real time parameter studies. Moreover, SepTOOL can optimize vehicle performance to minimize separation clearance. This tool can evaluate various shapes and sizes of fairings along with different vehicle configurations and trajectories. These geometries and parameters are inputted in a user friendly interface. Although the software was specifically developed for evaluating the separation clearance of launch vehicle payload fairings, separation dynamics of other launch vehicle components can be evaluated provided that aerodynamic loads acting on the vehicle during the separation event are negligible. This document describes the development of SepTOOL providing analytical procedure and theoretical equations whose implementation of these equations is not disclosed. Realistic examples are presented, and the results are verified with ADAMS (MSC Software Corporation) simulations. It should be noted that SepTOOL is a preliminary separation clearance assessment software for payload fairings and should not be used for final clearance analysis.

fairings↗

An Experimental Investigation of the Dynamics of the MSL Rover Landing Event

A developmental test program was conducted for the touchdown event of the Mars Science Laboratory rover. The test hardware consisted of a full-size 3/8th mass scaled test rover, a descent stage mass mock-up, and a Vectran triple-bridle system over 6 meters in length. More than eighty landing tests were performed on terrains of various types, including level rigid surfaces, level and sloped sand surfaces, and level and sloped surfaces with rocks. Landing velocities ranged between 0.4 m/s and 1.4 m/s. A computational model of the landings was developed using the ADAMS analysis program, and validation of this model has been performed through test-analysis comparisons.

Planetary Landing↗

Development of Constraint Force Equation Methodology for Application to Multi-Body Dynamics Including Launch Vehicle Stage Seperation

The objective of this report is to develop and implement a physics based method for analysis and simulation of multi-body dynamics including launch vehicle stage separation. The constraint force equation (CFE) methodology discussed in this report provides such a framework for modeling constraint forces and moments acting at joints when the vehicles are still connected. Several stand-alone test cases involving various types of joints were developed to validate the CFE methodology. The results were compared with ADAMS(Registered Trademark) and Autolev, two different industry standard benchmark codes for multi-body dynamic analysis and simulations. However, these two codes are not designed for aerospace flight trajectory simulations. After this validation exercise, the CFE algorithm was implemented in Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories II (POST2) to provide a capability to simulate end-to-end trajectories of launch vehicles including stage separation. The POST2/CFE methodology was applied to the STS-1 Space Shuttle solid rocket booster (SRB) separation and Hyper-X Research Vehicle (HXRV) separation from the Pegasus booster as a further test and validation for its application to launch vehicle stage separation problems. Finally, to demonstrate end-to-end simulation capability, POST2/CFE was applied to the ascent, orbit insertion, and booster return of a reusable two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) vehicle concept. With these validation exercises, POST2/CFE software can be used for performing conceptual level end-to-end simulations, including launch vehicle stage separation, for problems similar to those discussed in this report.

Pamadi, Bandu N.↗

Origin of Pre-Coronal-Jet Minifilaments: Flux Cancellation

Coronal jets are frequent magnetically channeled narrow eruptions. All coronal jets observed in EUV and X-ray images show a bright spire with a base brightening, also known as jet bright point (JBP). Recent studies of jets show that coronal jets are driven by small-scale filament eruptions (e.g. Hong et al. 2011, Shen et al. 2012, Adams et al. 2014, Sterling et al. 2015). We recently investigated the triggering mechanism of ten on-disk quiet-region coronal jet eruptions and found that magnetic flux cancellation at the neutral line of minifilaments is the main cause of quiet-region jet eruptions (Panesar et al.2016).

Panesar, Navdeep K.↗

Flux Cancelation as the Trigger of Coronal Hole Jet Eruptions

Coronal jets are frequent magnetically-channeled narrow eruptions. They occur in various solar environments: quiet regions, coronal holes and active regions. All coronal jets observed in EUV and X-ray images show a bright spire with a base brightening, also known as jet bright point (JBP). Recent studies show that coronal jets are driven by small-scale filament eruptions (e.g. Hong et al. 2011, Shen et al. 2012, Adams et al. 2014, Sterling et al 2015). We (Panesar et al. 2016b) found in on disk quiet regions that coronal jets originate at a neutral line between dominant-polarity flux and a patch of canceling minority-polarity flux.

Panesar, Navdeep K.↗

Studies in Support of Venus Aerocapture Utilizing Drag Modulation

Aerocapture has been extensively studied and these studies have shown the benefit for planetary exploration missions. While the traditional approach to aerocapture with lifting configurations and lift-guided modulations have been assessed to be technologically feasible, aerocapture using purely drag modulation was proposed and studied by Prof. Braun and his students. These studies show that if one can assess the feasibility of aerocapture using drag modulation at Venus, and develop tall pole technologies needed at Venus, then this concept is much easier to execute at all other relevant destinations. Based on the above finding, partnered proposals were submitted by Adam Nelessen at JPL and Ethiraj Venkatapathy at Ames in collaboration with Prof. Braun at the University of Colorado, Boulder (UCB). Under this partnership, Ames Research Center (ARC) is working to address some of the key entry technology challenges associated with drag modulation aerocapture at Venus. Drag modulation aerocapture is a simple, scalable, and likely cost-effective way to enhance planetary science missions. The approach envisioned is to design a small spacecraft, that would most likely be a secondary payload, with a removable drag skirt. The vehicle would enter the atmosphere at Venus with a low ballistic coefficient, decelerate rapidly, drop the skirt resulting in a smaller vehicle with a higher ballistic coefficient which would skip out of the atmosphere and enter into a desired orbit. ARC's role in this collaboration is multifold. First of which is to perform design studies on various pre- and post-jettison geometries utilizing a 3-DOF trajectory code to determine the aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics of the vehicles and evaluate viable thermal protection material system designs. Once these design studies are complete, Ames will then perform higher fidelity CFD and TPS sizing to further design the vehicles. Second, the multi-body separation dynamics of the drag modulation event will be explored using both CFD simulations (CART3-D and US3D) as well as possible ballistic range testing. ARC's tools and expertise have been used to assess and advise on the selection of the separating configuration. In addition to the preliminary evaluation, ARC will provide tools and expertise to UCB team members to further assess aerodynamic interactions between the separating bodies and provide guidance as to the feasibility of stable transition.

Beck, Robin↗

The X-15 3-65 Accident: An Aircraft Systems and Flight Control Perspective

Despite the NASA X-15 program's outstanding success in developing and operating the first manned hypersonic research platform, the program suffered a fatal accident on November 15, 1967, when X-15-3, the only aircraft outfitted with advanced pilot displays and an adaptive flight control system, was lost after entering uncontrolled flight at an altitude of 230,000 feet and a velocity near Mach 5. The pilot, Major Michael J. Adams, was incapacitated by the aircraft accelerations and was killed either during the ensuing breakup or upon ground impact. In light of mitigating risk to current and emerging manned aerospace vehicles, a comprehensive systems level analysis of the accident is presented with a focus on the electrical power, flight control, and instrumentation failures that affected not only the vehicle dynamics but substantially impacted the pilot decisions that led to an inevitable loss of control. Insights based on reconstructed flight data as well as analysis and simulation of the X-15's unique adaptive control system, yield new conclusions about the reasons for the control systems anomalous behavior and the system-level interactions and human-machine interface design oversights that led to the accident.

Accident Investigation↗

An Evaluation of Structural Analysis Methodologies for Space Deployable Structures

Benchmarks are introduced for evaluating the performance of numerical simulations of space deployable structures. These benchmarks embody the key challenges of interest to future large space deployable structures, including large angle motion, contact between flexible bodies, and the presence of both soft and stiff mechanical components. The benchmarks were used in companion studies to evaluate the ADAMS multibody dynamics code, the LS-Dyna nonlinear finite element code, and the Sierra large-scale parallel nonlinear finite element code. In the past, only multibody codes would have been considered for this application. This study found that all three codes could be used for these benchmarks, a finding that may lead to larger scale, higher fidelity simulations in the future.

Mobrem, Mehran↗

Revised and extended benchmark results for Rayleigh scattering of sunlight in spherical atmospheres

While most of traditional Earth-atmosphere satellite remote sensing relies on radiative transfer in the plane parallel geometry, effects of sphericity are important at high sun and view zenith angles. Broad understanding of these effects is limited and, contrary to the plane-parallel case, finding accurate numerical results to test spherical RT codes is not easy. This paper aims to partially fill in this gap. Using the full-spherical RT code MYSTIC (Monte Carlo), and the plane-parallel RT code VLIDORT (discrete ordinates) corrected for atmospheric sphericity in the single and multiple scattering, we reproduced with better accuracy and extended the benchmark results by Adams & Kattawar [1978].

spherical atmospheres↗