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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
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NASA NTRS2014

A Super-Resolution Algorithm for Enhancement of FLASH LIDAR Data: Flight Test Results

This paper describes the results of a 3D super-resolution algorithm applied to the range data obtained from a recent Flash Lidar helicopter flight test. The flight test was conducted by the NASA's Autonomous Landing and Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT) project over a simulated lunar terrain facility at NASA Kennedy Space Center. ALHAT is developing the technology for safe autonomous landing on the surface of celestial bodies: Moon, Mars, asteroids. One of the test objectives was to verify the ability of 3D super-resolution technique to generate high resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) and to determine time resolved relative positions and orientations of the vehicle. 3D super-resolution algorithm was developed earlier and tested in computational modeling, and laboratory experiments, and in a few dynamic experiments using a moving truck. Prior to the helicopter flight test campaign, a 100mX100m hazard field was constructed having most of the relevant extraterrestrial hazard: slopes, rocks, and craters with different sizes. Data were collected during the flight and then processed by the super-resolution code. The detailed DEM of the hazard field was constructed using independent measurement to be used for comparison. ALHAT navigation system data were used to verify abilities of super-resolution method to provide accurate relative navigation information. Namely, the 6 degree of freedom state vector of the instrument as a function of time was restored from super-resolution data. The results of comparisons show that the super-resolution method can construct high quality DEMs and allows for identifying hazards like rocks and craters within the accordance of ALHAT requirements.

Bulyshev, Alexander↗
NASA NTRS2004

Astrophysics of Reference Frame Tie Objects

The Astrophysics of Reference Frame Tie Objects Key Science program will investigate the underlying physics of SIM grid objects. Extragalactic objects in the SIM grid will be used to tie the SIM reference frame to the quasi-inertial reference frame defined by extragalactic objects and to remove any residual frame rotation with respect to the extragalactic frame. The current realization of the extragalactic frame is the International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF). The ICRF is defined by the radio positions of 212 extragalactic objects and is the IAU sanctioned fundamental astronomical reference frame. This key project will advance our knowledge of the physics of the objects which will make up the SIM grid, such as quasars and chromospherically active stars, and relates directly to the stability of the SIM reference frame. The following questions concerning the physics of reference frame tie objects will be investigated.

Johnston, Kenneth J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Astronomy and the limits of vision

Celestial visibility is the study of the limits of observability of objects in the sky, with application to deducing the truth about historical events or to the derivation of astronomical information of modern utility. This study is based on what is seen by ordinary humans, either in their everyday lives or at times of historical events. The results of such studies have more relevance to non-scientists than does any other area of astronomy. Celestial visibility is a young discipline in the sense that the number of interesting applications with simple solutions outnumber the solved problems; it is a broad interdisciplinary field that involves work with astronomy, meteorology, optics, physics, physiology, history, and archeology. Each of these disciplines contribute specialized mathematical formulations which quantify the many processes that affect light as it leaves a source, traverses the atmosphere, and is detected by the human eye. These formulas can then be combined as appropriate to create mathematical models for the visibility of the source under the conditions of interest. These model results can then be applied a wide variety of problems arising in history, astronomy, archeology, meteorological optics, and archeoastronomy. This review also presents a dozen suggestions for observing projects, many of which can be directly taken for individual study, for classroom projects, or for professional research.

Schaefer, Bradley E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Celestial mechanics experiment

The efforts and accomplishments of the CME Team are summarized. The objectives and experiment status, gravity field of Mars, test of general relativity, and the generation of normal points are discussed.

Lorell, J.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Quasars with large proper motions: A selection from the LQAC-5 catalogue combined with Gaia EDR3: Focusing on astrometric and photometric properties

Thanks to the cross-identification between the Gaia EDR3 (E-Data Release 3) catalogue and the quasars’ compiled catalogue LQAC-5 (Large Quasar Astrometric Catalogue-5), accurate astrometric parameters as well as photometric measurements were available for a set of 416 113 quasars. After analysing the astrometric and photometric properties of these quasars, we concentrate our study on objects characterized by significant proper motion, which contradicts the postulate that they are fixed in the celestial sphere. We derived statistical properties of the positions, parallaxes, and proper motions of the quasars cross-matched with Gaia EDR3. We carried out a specific investigation of quasars with a proper motion larger than 10 mas yr -1 , and used colour-colour diagrams in mid-infrared to discriminate these quasars from stellar contamination. We discuss, in detail, a few cases where the abnormal proper motion could be caused by misidentifications. We note that 43% of LQAC-5 quasars were not detected by Gaia EDR3, mainly because of the cut-off magnitude at G = 21. The comparison between r(G) (Gaia) and r (SDSS) shows a normal distribution. The normalized distributions of parallaxes and proper motions are identical to that of the Gaia CRF2, as well as the distribution of the G BP -G RP colour index. We have identified 937 LQAC-5 objects (0.27% of the sample) with Gaia EDR3 proper motion which is significant at the 5σ level. We have clearly shown that below z = 0.35, the integrated magnitude G(r) obtained from SDSS spectra is smaller than G (Gaia), leading to the statement that the quasars are generally resolved under this threshold, which should lead to a bad determination of proper motion. Moreover, to discriminate quasars from stellar contamination, we have plotted them in a mid-infrared colour–colour diagram. Finally, we have made a final selection of 41 objects with μ > 10 mas yr -1 , satisfying drastic constraints, which makes them potential candidates for considering their proper motion as real. In this paper we carried out a complete analysis of the quasars of the LQAC-5 which were cross-identified with Gaia EDR3 ; this serves as an alternative and complementary study with respect to Gaia CRF2, involving a different population of quasars. We selected a set of 41 quasars with a proper motion exceeding 10 mas yr -1 , which can be considered as very high for objects which are a priori fixed in the celestial sphere.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1998

Concepts for Project Galaxy

Project Galaxy will build an astronautical and astronomical simulator that will enable simulation pilots to explore all major celestial bodies in the solar system, and an increasing number of objects in the galaxy.

solar↗
NASA NTRS1994

Space simulation techniques and facilities for SAX STM test campaign

SAX is a satellite for X-Ray astronomy. It is a major element of the overall basic Science Program of the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and is being developed with the contribution of the Netherlands Agency for Aerospace Programs (NIVR). The scientific objectives of SAX are to carry out systematic and comprehensive observations of celestial X-Ray sources over the 0.1 - 300 KeV energy range with special emphasis on spectral and timing measurements. The satellite will also monitor the X-Ray sky to investigate long-term source variability and to permit localization and study of X-Ray transients. Alenia Spazio is developing the satellite that is intended for launch in the second half of 1995 in a low, near-equatorial Earth orbit. At system level a Structural Thermal Model (STM) has been conceived to verify the environmental requirements by validating the mechanical and thermal analytical models and qualifying satellite structure and thermal control. In particular, the following tests have been carried out in Alenia Spazio, CEA/CESTA and ESTEC facilities: Modal Survey, Centrifuge, Acoustic, Sinusoidal/Random Vibration and Thermal Balance. The paper, after a short introduction of the SAX satellite, summarizes the environmental qualification program performed on the SAX STM. It presents test objectives, methodologies and relevant test configurations. Peculiar aspects of the test campaign are highlighted. Problems encountered and solutions adopted in performing the tests are described as well. Furthermore, test results are presented and assessed.

Giordano, Pietro↗
NASA NTRS1988

Astrometry of millijansky sources using a phase reference VLBI technique

A technique for the reliable VLBI detection of weak (mJy at cm wavelengths) celestial radio sources such as radio stars, fast pulsars, and faint extragalactic objects is described and demonstrated. The coherence time is increased by observing a strong phase-reference source alternately with the program source, thus providing an accurate astrometric position relative to the reference source. Typical results are presented in tables, graphs, and a contour map and briefly characterized.

Lestrade, Jean-Francois↗
NASA NTRS1993

An ensemble pulsar time

Millisecond pulsars are galactic objects that exhibit a very stable spinning period. Several tens of these celestial clocks have now been discovered, which opens the possibility that an average time scale may be deduced through a long-term stability algorithm. Such an ensemble average makes it possible to reduce the level of the instabilities originating from the pulsars or from other sources of noise, which are unknown but independent. The basis for such an algorithm is presented and applied to real pulsar data. It is shown that pulsar time could shortly become more stable than the present atomic time, for averaging times of a few years. Pulsar time can also be used as a flywheel to maintain the accuracy of atomic time in case of temporary failure of the primary standards, or to transfer the improved accuracy of future standards back to the present.

Petit, Gerard↗
NASA NTRS1992

Background suppression techniques in germanium detectors

A new generation of astrophysical gamma ray spectrometers employing germanium solid state detectors for precise energy measurement are currently being planned for spaceflight in the late 1990's and the early 21st century. Because the observations of weak celestial sources are carried out in an intense radiation environment, the key objective of instrument design is to find ways to reduce the background. The current state of the knowledge in this field is reviewed and the new hardware techniques under design and test are discussed. Many of these techniques have already been flight tested on balloon platforms. Recent results from some of these tests are presented. By carefully applying these techniques it should be possible to achieve sensitivities that are factors of 3 to 10 better than would be obtained for a conventional instrument of similar weight.

Gehrels, Neil↗
NASA NTRS1971

Experiments D001, D002, and D006: Basic object, nearby object, and surface photography

On the Gemini 5 mission, acquisition and tracking was performed by the use of celestial bodies as aiming points. However, distant photography of the REP was not possible because of spacecraft electrical power difficulties which occurred after REP ejection. Terrestrial photography was accomplished within the limitations imposed by weather conditions and spacecraft electrical and thruster problems. The photographs that were obtained were significant only as an element of the data to be used in technique evaluation. The other data were time-correlated position and pointing information, atmospheric conditions, sun angle, exposure settings, and the flight logs and verbal comments of the crewmembers. The photographs shown are representative of those that facilitated evaluation of the acquisition and tracking techniques that were used in these three experiments.

Geltmacher, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The high-energy celestial X-ray instrument on board OSO-8

The 20 keV-3 MeV celestial X-ray detector on the OSO-8 is described. The primary objectives of this instrument are to measure the energy spectrum of cosmic X-ray sources above 20 keV and to search for time variations, both periodic and irregular, in the intensity of the sources detected. The detector consists of two optically isolated central crystals shielded by a large, active collimator. The sensitive area is 27.5 sq cm and the field-of-view is 5 deg FWHM. The instrument is mounted in the wheel section of OSO-8 with the axis of its field of view offset by 5 deg from the negative spin axis of the wheel. The minimum detectable intensity of a point source which is brought to within 5 deg of the negative spin axis for greater than one day is about 10 to the minus fifth power photons/sq cm-sec at 100 keV.

Dennis, B. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Nuclear gamma rays from compact objects

Accreting compact objects may be important gamma ray line sources and may explain recent observations of celestial gamma-ray line emission from a transient source in the direction of the galactic anti-center, from the galactic center, and possibly from the radio galaxy Centaurus A. The identification of the lines from the transient source requires a strong redshift. Such a redshift permits the identification of these lines with the most intense nuclear emission lines expected in nature, positron annihilation, and neutron capture on hydrogen and iron. Their production as a result of nuclear interactions in accreting gas around a neutron star is proposed. The gamma-ray line emission from the galactic center and possibly Centaurus A appears to have a surprisingly high luminosity, amounting to perhaps as much as 10% of the total luminosity of these sources. Such high gamma-ray line emission efficiencies could result from nuclear interactions in accreting gas around a massive black hole.

Lingenfelter, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Sky Event Reporting Metadata (VOEvent) Version 2.0

VOEvent [20] defines the content and meaning of a standard information packet for representing, transmitting, publishing and archiving information about a transient celestial event, with the implication that timely follow-up is of interest. The objective is to motivate the observation of targets-of-opportunity, to drive robotic telescopes, to trigger archive searches, and to alert the community. VOEvent is focused on the reporting of photon events, but events mediated by disparate phenomena such as neutrinos, gravitational waves, and solar or atmospheric particle bursts may also be reported. Structured data is used, rather than natural language, so that automated systems can effectively interpret VOEvent packets. Each packet may contain zero or more of the "who, what, where, when & how" of a detected event, but in addition, may contain a hypothesis (a "why") regarding the nature of the underlying physical cause of the event.

Seaman, Rob↗
NASA NTRS2011

A Low Risk Strategy for the Exploration of Near-Earth Objects

The impetus for asteroid exploration is scientific, political, and pragmatic. The notion of sending human explorers to asteroids is not new. Piloted missions to these primitive bodies were first discussed in the 1960s, pairing Saturn V rockets with enhanced Apollo spacecraft to explore what were then called "Earth-approaching asteroids." Two decades ago, NASA's Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) also briefly examined the possibility of visiting these small celestial bodies. Most recently, the U.S. Human Space Flight Review Committee (the second Augustine Commission) suggested that near-Earth objects (NEOs) represent a target-rich environment for exploration via the "Flexible Path" option. However, prior to seriously considering human missions to NEOs, it has become clear that we currently lack a robust catalog of human accessible targets. The majority of the NEOs identified by a study team across several NASA centers as "human-accessible" are probably too small and have orbits that are too uncertain to consider mounting piloted expeditions to these small worlds. The first step in developing such a catalog is, therefore, to complete a space-based NEO survey. The resulting catalog of candidate NEOs would then be transformed into a matrix of opportunities for robotic and human missions for the next several decades. This initial step of a space-based NEO survey first is the linchpin to laying the foundation of a low-risk architecture to venture out and explore these primitive bodies. We suggest such a minimalist framework architecture from 1) extensive ground-based and precursor spacecraft investigations (while applying operational knowledge from science-driven robotic missions), 2) astronaut servicing of spacecraft operating at geosynchronous Earth orbit to retain essential skills and experience, and 3) applying the sum of these skills, knowledge and experience to piloted missions to NEOs.

Landis, Rob R.↗