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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.

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At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

A search for Earth-crossing asteroids, supplement

The ground based electro-optical deep space surveillance program involves a network of computer controlled 40 inch 1m telescopes equipped with large format, low light level, television cameras of the intensified silicon diode array type which is to replace the Baker-Nunn photographic camera system for artificial satellite tracking. A prototype observatory was constructed where distant artificial satellites are discriminated from stars in real time on the basis of the satellites' proper motion. Hardware was modified and the technique was used to observe and search for minor planets. Asteroids are now routinely observed and searched. The complete observing cycle, including the 2"-3" measurement of position, requires about four minutes at present. The commonality of asteroids and artificial satellite observing, searching, data reduction, and orbital analysis is stressed. Improvements to the hardware and software as well as operational techniques are considered.

Taff, L. G.↗
NASA NTRS1976

On the nature of the radial and cross track errors for artificial earth satellites

The paper discusses the analysis of the radial and cross track errors of artificial earth satellites in terms of the interference of two one-dimensional celestial mechanical wave trains. The resulting equations for these tracking errors describe the behavior of the uncertainties in the orbital parameters as oscillatory in nature, with a rapidly oscillating term, which is a function of the sum of the observed and computed orbital frequencies, modulated in amplitude by a slowly varying oscillation. This latter term is itself a function of either the difference between these orbital frequencies or between the values of the computed and observed right ascensions, depending upon whether it is the radial or cross track case under consideration. Results indicate that the cross track calculation describes the behavior of uncertainties in the right ascension of the ascending node and the inclination, while the radial calculation gives information on uncertainties in the semi-major axis, the eccentricity, and the argument of perigee.

Bonavito, N. L.↗
NASA NTRS1969

Satellite navigation aids.

Artificial satellites as navigation aids, describing angle, range and range-angle systems, discussing orbital mechanics and communications difficulties

Duncan, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

An investigation of the cosmic radiation in the vicinity of the moon on the Luna 10, 11, and 12 artificial lunar satellites

Research on the primary cosmic radiation and solar cosmic rays from the Luna 10, 11, and 12 artificial lunar satellites is reviewed. Data on the vertical distribution of cosmic rays above the moon's surface are presented, and the albedo for the primary radiation is determined. The fluxes of electrons with energies from 30 to 300 keV were registered in the solar cosmic rays. Rapid variations of the electron flux were observed. The angular distributions of 0.5-10 MeV protons moving together with the corpuscular streams responsible for Forbush decreases were investigated.

Grigorov, N. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Measurement of spectra and neutron fluxes on artificial earth satellites from the Cosmos series

In 1966-1967 measurements were carried out at the altitudes of 200 to 400 km to determine the spectra and fluxes of fast neutrons inside the hermetically sealed artificial earth satellites of the Cosmos series. The detectors used were nuclear emulsions of the B9 and BR types and an emulsion of the P9 type, filled with Li and P. Spectra and fluxes of neutrons in the range of energies from thermal energies to 10 MeV are presented. Neutron doses are also estimated.

Dudkin, V. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Auxiliary subprograms for calculating the navigational parameters of artificial Earth satellites. FORTRAN IV

Subprograms for transforming coordinates and time, for determining the position of the Moon and Sun, and for calculating the atmosphere and disturbances, which are specified by anomalies of the Earth's gravitational field are described. The subprograms are written in FORTRAN IV and form a major part of the package of applied programs for calculating the navigational parameters of artificial Earth satellites.

Prokhorenko, V. I.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Estimation of the accuracy with which the position of the center of mass of an Interkosmos series artificial earth satellite is calculated

The effects of disturbing forces on position calculation, and errors in the initial conditions of motion and in the selected assignment calculation schemes are estimated. It is shown that the main disturbing effects on the accuracy are due to density variations of the upper atmosphere. Recommendations are presented for estimating the calculation accuracy along with an example of such an estimate for the Interkosmos-7 artificial earth satellite. Other factors considered include the adopted scheme and computational algorithms used, effects of disturbing forces not taken into account earlier, and errors in the values of constants and in models of disturbing forces.

Elyasberg, P. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Use of the Doppler technique to track free roaming animals from satellites

The application of the Doppler effect to track wild animals is discussed, with artificial satellites used to provide wide range coverage. The limitations of radiotelemetry for the purpose of tracking animals are presented. The advantages of the artificial satellite, with specific reference to the Nimbus satellite, are examined.

Maxwell, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Evolution of the rotation of an artificial earth satellite under the influence of a perturbing moment which is constant in fixed axes

The change in the modulus of the vector of the kinetic moment of a satellite which is noted during the determination of the actual orientation of an artificial earth is discussed. The change is due to the presence of a small perturbing moment, which is constant in fixed axes relative to the satellite. It is also shown that the averaged equations in this problem can be integrated.

Neyshtadt, A. I.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The implementation of two satellite programs in a microcomputer environment

This paper describes the implementation of two computer programs that predict the motion of artificial satellites. The two programs are developed in a microcomputer environment. The particular microcomputer used is an IBM AT system. The programs can predict the orbital behavior of artificial satellites under the influence of gravity harmonics up to a 21 by 21 field, luni-solar gravity, drag, and solar radiation pressure. One program uses Cowell's method and the other uses variation of parameters with a singly averaging technique. Both programs use commercially available software to post-process trajectory information and to generate graphics display. The programs reside on floppy disks and are available to the general public through NASA's Computer Software Management and Information Center (COSMIC).

Kwok, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Navigational assignment of scientific measurements

Some problems are considered in the navigational assignment of scientific measurements (the calculation of the position of the center of a spacecraft mass in space) as it applies to the Interkosmos series of artificial satellites. Possible models of disturbing forces and the corresponding perturbations in the orbits are analyzed. The following forces and their effect on artificial satellites are discussed: earth's gravity, atmospheric drag, the moon's gravity, the sun's gravity, and light pressure.

Elyasberg, P. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Spacecraft flight control system design selection process for a geostationary communication satellite

The Earth's first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, slowly tumbled in orbit. The first U.S. satellite, Explorer 1, also tumbled out of control. Now, as we launch the Mars observer and the Cassini spacecraft, stability and control have become higher priorities. The flight control system design selection process is reviewed using as an example a geostationary communication satellite which is to have a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years. Disturbance torques including aerodynamic, magnetic, gravity gradient, solar, micrometeorite, debris, collision, and internal torques are assessed to quantify the disturbance environment so that the required compensating torque can be determined. Then control torque options, including passive versus active, momentum control, bias momentum, spin stabilization, dual spin, gravity gradient, magnetic, reaction wheels, control moment gyros, nutation dampers, inertia augmentation techniques, three-axis control, reactions control system (RCS), and RCS sizing, are considered. A flight control system design is then selected and preliminary stability criteria are met by the control gains selection.

Barret, C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Observations of space debris

Optical observations of near Earth and deep-space debris conducted at M.I.T.'s artificial satellite observatory will be discussed. A brief review of observing technique, regions of high debris density, and amount of debris in orbit will be given. The unique, duplex facilities of the observatory allow the discrimination of debris from meteors, the construction of an orbital element set, and real-time identification of catalogued artificial satellites. Near-Earth debris is present in large numbers in all the popular near-Earth orbits; at least 5-6 times the 5000-6000 objects in the NORAD catalog. In deep-space, the new presence of Ariane-related debris adds significantly to the existing population which is treble that catalogued by NORAD.

Taff, L. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Two locations, two times, and the element set

A robust analytical formulation is developed to apply classical initial orbital determination to artificial satellites whose locations are uncertain to about 1 cu km and separated in time by no more than 30 min. An analytical simplification reduces Gauss's method, iteration on the semilatus rectum, iteration on the true anomaly, and the Lambert-Euler technique, to the solution of a single equation in one unknown, instead of the usual coupled triplet of three equations in three unknowns. The method is demonstrated for all common artificial satellite orbits over a variety of time intervals between the two location vectors, and for a varied set of position and distance errors.

Taff, L. G.↗
NASA NTRS2023

Large-Scale Groundwater Monitoring in Brazil Assisted With Satellite-Based Artificial Intelligence Techniques

Here, we develop and test an artificial intelligence (AI)-based approach to monitor major Brazilian aquifers. The approach combines Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data and ground-based hydrogeological measurements from Brazil’s Integrated Groundwater Monitoring Network at hundreds of wells distributed in twelve aquifers across the country. We tested model ensembles based on three AI approaches: Extreme Gradient Boost, Light Gradient Boosting Model and CatBoost, followed by a Linear Regression (LR) step. The approach is further boosted with wavelet and seasonal decomposition processes applied to GRACE data. To determine the AI-based model’s sensitivity to data availability, we propose four experiments combining hydrogeological measurements from different aquifers. Groundwater storage estimates from the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) are used as benchmark. A sensitivity analysis shows that the LR-based model ensemble is the best suited and to reproduce groundwater storage change in all studied Brazilian aquifers. Results show that the proposed approach outperforms GLDAS in all experiments, with an RMSE value of 2.68cm for the experiment that covers all monitored wells in Brazil. GLDAS resulted in RMSE=6.76cm. Using our AI model outputs, we quantified the groundwater storage change of two major aquifers, Urucuia and Bauru-Caiuá, over the past two decades: -31km 3 and -6km 3 , respectively. Water loss is driven by a prolonged drought across most of the country and intensification of groundwater pumping for irrigation. This study demonstrates that combining satellite data and AI can be a cost-effective alternative to monitor poorly equipped aquifers at the continental scale, with possible global replicability.

GRACE↗