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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 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Full non-linear treatment of the global thermospheric wind system. I - Mathematical method and analysis of forces. II - Results and comparison with observations

The equations of horizontal motion of the neutral atmosphere between 120 and 500 km are integrated with the inclusion of all nonlinear terms of the convective derivative and the viscous forces due to vertical and horizontal velocity gradients. Empirical models of the distribution of neutral and charged particles are assumed to be known. The model of velocities developed is a steady state model. In Part I the mathematical method used in the integration of the Navier-Stokes equations is described and the various forces are analyzed. Results of the method given in Part I are presented with comparison with previous calculations and observations of upper atmospheric winds. Conclusions are that nonlinear effects are only significant in the equatorial region, especially at solstice conditions and that nonlinear effects do not produce any superrotation.

Blum, P. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Single particle aerodynamic relaxation time analyzer

An instrument employing a laser Doppler velocimeter and a microphone to measure the phase lag of the motion of aerosol particulates relative to the motion of the fluid medium within an acoustic field is described. The relaxation times and aerodynamic diameters of the particles or droplets are determined in real time from the measured values of phase lag; thus, the size analysis is independent of the electrostatic charges and refractive indices of the particulates. The instrument is suitable for analyzing the aerodynamic size spectrum of atmospheric particulate pollutants with aerodynamic diameters ranging from 0.1 to 10.0 microns.

Mazumder, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS2006

The Living with a Star Radiation Belt Storm Probes Mission and Related Missions of Opportunity

This presentation provides an overview of the Living With a Star (LWS) Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) mission in the context of the broader Geospace program. Missions to Geospace offer an opportunity to observe in situ the fundamental processes that operate throughout the solar system and in particular those that generate hazardous space weather effects in the vicinity of Earth. The recently selected investigations on NASA's LWS program's RBSP will provide the measurements needed to characterize and quantify the processes that supply and remove energetic particles from the Earth's Van Allen radiation belts. Instruments on the RBSP spacecraft will observe charged particles that comprise the Earth's radiation belts over the full energy range from 1 eV to more than 10 MeV (including composition), the plasma waves which energize them, the electric fields which transport them, and the magnetic fields which guide their motion. The two-point measurements by the RBSP spacecraft will enable researchers to discriminate between spatial and temporal effects, and therefore between the various proposed mechanisms for particle acceleration and loss. The measurements taken by the RBSP spacecraft will be used in data modeling projects in order to improve the understanding of these fundamental processes and allow better predictions to be made. NASA's LWS program has also recently selected three teams to study concepts for Missions of Opportunity that will augment the RBSP program, by (1) providing an instrument for a Canadian spacecraft in the Earth's radiation belts, (2) quantifying the flux of particles precipitating into the Earth's atmosphere from the Earth's radiation belts, and (3) remotely sensing both spatial and temporal variations in the Earth's ionosphere and thermosphere.

Sibeck, David G.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Full nonlinear treatment of the global thermospheric wind system. Part 1: Mathematical method and analysis of forces

The equations of horizontal motion of the neutral atmosphere between 120 and 500 km are integrated with the inclusion of all the nonlinear terms of the convective derivative and the viscous forces due to vertical and horizontal velocity gradients. Empirical models of the distribution of neutral and charged particles are assumed to be known. The model of velocities developed is a steady state model. In part 1 the mathematical method used in the integration of the Navier-Stokes equations is described and the various forces are analysed.

Blum, P. W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Spacecraft-environment interaction: The environmental plasma aspect

The effects involved in the interaction between an obstacle and a space plasma can be divided into: (1) effects on the obstacle itselt (i.e., its charging); and (2) effects on the environmental plasma due to the motion of the obstacle (i.e., the creation of shocks ahead of the obstacle and complicated wakes behind the obstacle). In the wake (or antisolar direction), plasma oscillations are excited and instabilities, wave-particle interactions, turbulence, etc., are believed to take place. The effects on the obstacle and on the environmental space plasma are coupled. Hence, simultaneous solutions to the Vlasov (or Boltzmann) and Poisson equations are sought. To obtain realistic solutions of practical use, three-dimensional and time-dependent models of the interaction are needed. Achieving the latter is indeed not simple.

Samir, U.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Dynamics of the earth's ring current - Theory and observation

The development of currents within an arbitrary distribution of particles trapped in the geomagnetic field is described. These currents combine to form the earth's ring current and thus are responsible for the worldwide depressions of surface magnetic field strength during periods of magnetic activity known as magnetic storms. Following a brief review of trapped particle motion in magnetic fields, ring current development is described and presented in terms of basic field and particle distribution parameters. Experimental observations then are presented and discussed within the theoretical framework developed earlier. New results are presented which, in the area of composition and charge state observations, hold high promise in solving many long standing ring current problems. Finally, available experimental results will be used to assess the present understanding as to ring current sources, generation, and dissipation.

Williams, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Plasma drag on a dust grain due to Coulomb collisions

Expressions are given for the drag due to Coulomb collisions on a charged dust grain moving through a plasma. The commonly used Chandrasekhar (1943) result does not include large scattering angles or plasma collective effects. An equation given by Morfill et al. (1980) which does include large scattering angles, is limited to one-dimensional plasma particle motion and can give at least an order of magnitude too much drag. This paper also makes use of an analogy between the drag problem and problems in electrostatics. This analogy permits generalization to any isotropic plasma of an observation made by Chandrasekhar for a Maxwellian, namely, that the drag is independent of the presence or absence of plasma particles moving faster than the grain. Finally, the contribution of plasma collective effects to the drag is studied with the inclusion of large scattering angles.

Northrop, T. G.↗
NASA NTRS1989

An apparatus for the electrodynamic containment of charged macroparticles

The dynamic moition of the ions contained in the trapped (199)Hg+ frequency standard contributes to the stability of the standard. In order to study these dynamics, a macroscopic analog of the (199)Hg+ trap is constructed. Containment of micron-sized particles in this trap allows direct visual observation of the particles' motion. Influenced by the confining fields and their own Coulomb repulsion, the particles can form stable arrays.

Williams, A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Ionospheric plasma flow about a system of electrically biased flat plates

The steady state interaction of two electrically biased parallel plates immersed in a flowing plasma characteristic of low earth orbit is studied numerically. Fluid equations are developed to describe the motion of the cold positively charged plasma ions, and are solved using finite-differences in two dimensions on a Cartesian grid. The behavior of the plasma electrons is assumed to be described by the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. Results are compared to an analytical and a particle simulation technique for a simplified flow geometry consisting of a single semi-infinite negatively biased plate. Comparison of the extent of the electrical disturbance into the flowing plasma and the magnitude of the current collected by the plate is very good. The interaction of two equally biased parallel plates is studied as a function of applied potential. The separation distance at which the current collected by either plate decreases by five and twenty percent is determined as a function of applied potential. The percent decreases were based on a non-interacting case. The decrease in overall current is caused by a decrease in ionic density in the region between the plates. As the separation between the plates decreases, the plates collect the ions at a faster rate than they are supplied to the middle region by the oncoming plasma flow. The docking of spacecraft in orbit is simulated by moving two plates of unequal potential toward one another in a quasi-static manner. One plate is held at a large negative potential while the other floats electrically in the resulting potential field. It is found that the floating plate does not charge continuously negative as it approaches the other more negatively biased plate. Instead, it charges more and then less negative as ionic current decreases and then increases respectively upon approach. When the two plates come into contact, it is expected that the electrically floating plate will charge rapidly negative to a potential near that of the other plate.

Herr, Joel L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

On the modulation of the Jovian decametric radiation by Io. I - Acceleration of charged particles

A steady-state analysis of the current circuit between Io and the Jovian ionosphere is performed, assuming that the current is carried by electrons accelerated through potential double layers in the Io flux tube. The circuit analysis indicates that electrons may be accelerated up to energies of several hundred keV. Several problems associated with the formation of double layers are also discussed. The parallel potential drops decouple the flux tube from the satellite's orbital motion.

Smith, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

On rotational forces in the solar wind

Solar rotational forces affecting the flow of minor ions in the solar wind are considered as corotating with the sun. Cold, noninteracting charged particles in the magnetic and gravitational fields of the sun rotate with the angular velocity of the sun, and calculations of lowest bulk order velocities show that differences in particle velocities decrease with increasing distance from the sun. A centrifugal potential in the corotating frame implies that ion motion is independent of protons, with velocities determined by the potential, which monotonically decreases without limit. The potential dominates the initial kinetic energy of the particles, and the equality of velocities within the potential is not due to interactions between particles as claimed by Mackenzie et al. (1979).

Hollweg, J. V.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Cleft contribution to ring current formation

The storm time transport of ionospheric plasma from the 'cleft fountain' to the plasma sheet and ring current is investigated by means of three-dimensional trajectory codes. Using observations to define the source location and flow rate, test particles are traced during a 'taillike' to 'dipolelike' reconfiguration of the geomagnetic field. Emphasis is placed on the behavior of heavy ions of low charge state, O(+). As a result of their long periods of gyration, these ions are highly sensitive to rapid field variations and possibly display transient nonadiabatic motions. It is demonstrated that O(+) which have originated in the high-latitude ionosphere but which find themselves in the vicinity of the equator at substorm onset can experience considerable energization (from several keV up to several hundred keV) and pitch angle increase leading to trapping, as an effect of the induced electric field.

Delcourt, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A simulation study of interactions of Space-Shuttle generated electron beams with ambient plasma and neutral gas

The object was to conduct large scale simulations of electron beams injected into space. The study of active injection of electron beams from spacecraft is important since it provides valuable insight into beam-plasma interactions and the development of current systems in the ionosphere. However, the beam injection itself is not simple, being constrained by the ability of the spacecraft to draw return current from the ambient plasma. The generation of these return currents is dependent on several factors, including the density of the ambient plasma relative to the beam density, the presence of neutrals around the spacecraft, the configuration of the spacecraft, and the motion of the spacecraft through the plasma. Two dimensional particle simulations with collisional processes included are used to show how these different and often coupled processes can be utilized to enhance beam propagation from the spacecraft. To understand the radical expansion of mechanism of an electron beam from a highly charged spacecraft, two dimensional particle in cell simulations were conducted for a high density electron beam injected parallel to magnetic fields from an isolated equipotential conductor into a cold background plasma. The simulations indicate that charge buildup at the beam stagnation point causes the beam to expand radially to the beam electron gyroradius.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1997

Continuing Studies in Support of Ultraviolet Observations of Planetary Atmospheres

This program was a one-year extension of an earlier Planetary Atmospheres program grant, covering the period 1 August 1996 through 30 September 1997. The grant was for supporting work to complement an active program observing planetary atmospheres with Earth-orbital telescopes, principally the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The recent concentration of this work has been on HST observations of Jupiter's upper atmosphere and aurora, but it has also included observations of Io, serendipitous observations of asteroids, and observations of the velocity structure in the interplanetary medium. The observations of Jupiter have been at vacuum ultraviolet wavelengths, including imaging and spectroscopy of the auroral and airglow emissions. The most recent HST observations have been at the same time as in situ measurements made by the Galileo orbiter instruments, as reflected in the meeting presentations listed below. Concentrated efforts have been applied in this year to the following projects: The analysis of HST WFPC 2 images of Jupiter's aurora, including the Io footprint emissions. We have performed a comparative analysis of the lo footprint locations with two magnetic field models, studied the statistical properties of the apparent dawn auroral storms on Jupiter, and found various other repeated patterns in Jupiter's aurora. Analysis and modeling of airglow and auroral Ly alpha emission line profiles from Jupiter. This has included modeling the aurora] line profiles, including the energy degradation of precipitating charged particles and radiative transfer of the emerging emissions. Jupiter's auroral emission line profile is self-absorbed, since it is produced by an internal source, and the resulting emission with a deep central absorption from the overlying atmosphere permits modeling of the depth of the emissions, plus the motion of the emitting layer with respect to the overlying atmospheric column from the observed Doppler shift of the central absorption. By contrast the airglow emission line, which is dominated by resonant scattering of solar emission, has no central absorption, but displays rapid time variations and broad wings, indicative of a superthermal component (or corona) in Jupiter's upper atmosphere. Modeling of the observed motions of the plumes produced after the impacts of the fragments of Comet S/L-9 with Jupiter in July 1994, from the HST WFPC 2 imaging series.

Clark, John↗
NASA NTRS1991

A simulation study of interactions of space-shuttle generated electron beams with ambient plasma and neutral gas

The objective was to conduct large scale simulations of electron beams injected into space. The study of the active injection of electron beams from spacecraft is important, as it provides valuable insight into the plasma beam interactions and the development of current systems in the ionosphere. However, the beam injection itself is not simple, being constrained by the ability of the spacecraft to draw current from the ambient plasma. The generation of these return currents is dependent on several factors, including the density of the ambient plasma relative to the beam density, the presence of neutrals around the spacecraft, the configuration of the spacecraft, and the motion of the spacecraft through the plasma. Two dimensional (three velocity) particle simulations with collisional processes included are used to show how these different and often coupled processes can be used to enhance beam propagation from the spacecraft. To understand the radial expansion mechanism of an electron beam injected from a highly charged spacecraft, two dimensional particle-in-cell simulations were conducted for a high density electron beam injected parallel to magnetic fields from an isolated equipotential conductor into a cold background plasma. The simulations indicate that charge build-up at the beam stagnation point causes the beam to expand radially to the beam electron gyroradius.

Winglee, Robert M.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Implementation of Charged Particle Behavior in Discrete Element Method (DEM) Simulations

Lunar landers will agitate the surface of the Moon with an exhaust plume during descent which will, due to the particulate nature of the lunar regolith, loosen and eject grains from the surface. This ejection is not only coupled with the charged plume gas, but also results in significant particle-particle interactions. Settling of these grains after plume effects have subsided takes much longer than expected in a ballistic trajectory. The prevailing hypothesis attributes this behavior to the accumulated charge on the particles. We are thus developing a discrete element method (DEM) approach to explore these charged particle interactions on the lunar surface. The Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator (LAMMPS) Improved for General Granular and Granular Heat Transfer Simulations (LIGGGHTS) software package provides a DEM modeling framework for granular interactions. It includes many complexities such as non-spherical particle shapes, cohesion and frictional forces, and heat transfer, but has no provision for inter-particle electrostatic forces and charge transfer that are important to examine in the lunar environment. In this work, a standard Coulomb potential and a Yukawa potential are integrated into the LIGGGHTS framework to provide a basis for particle-particle electrostatic interactions, as well as a gravitational potential to enable inter-grain gravitational interactions. A preliminary approach to charge transfer between grains incorporating properties such as work function and electrical conductivity to the library of available material characteristics will be presented. Several scenarios have been simulated that include charged particle interactions within a diffuse granular gas, settling of charged grains into a regolith bed, sliding of granular material along an incline, and vibration of settled grains to produce a behavior similar to fluidization. There are numerous challenges to incorporate realistic interactions between complex lunar particles. Currently, grains are modeled to behave as if the entirety of the charge acts at the center of mass, such as conductors with spherical symmetry and insulators with homogeneously distributed charge. We are developing improvements that will include the use of non-spherical particle geometries, as well as reasonable approximations of insulating/dielectric materials that have non-uniform charge distributions. The cases simulated thus far will be examined in a relevant environment within a vacuum chamber to validate the simulations. These simulations will be bounded by experiments utilizing high-speed camera observations of the motion for validation. The grains in the experiment will exchange charge during their motion and this can be quantified by collection within a charge measurement device such as a Faraday cup. Such a device may be modeled within the software by defining an integration region and computing the contained charge as a function of simulation time, allowing for side-by-side comparison of simulated and measured bulk charging results. Any differences will be reconciled by updating the mathematical mechanisms described within the simulation suite. Successfully combining results from experiments within a relevant environment into the LIGGGHTS framework will improve modeling of the charged grain dynamics experienced on the Moon to provide insights into dust behavior for future lunar exploration missions.

Electrostatics↗
NASA NTRS1977

The multiple applications of electrons in space

An electron source such as a simple cathode is a cheap and light device which can serve several technological and scientific purposes in space: (1) electrostatic charging of a spacecraft can be limited by releasing electrons accumulated on the conductive elements of their surface; (2) the erosion of conductive coatings and the ability of conductive paints to withstand the space environment can be evaluated by monitoring the flow of charged particles impinging on their surface; (3) measuring the current collected by the spacecraft surface as a function of its potential with respect to an emitter is a very sensitive diagnostic technique which can yield a number of plasma parameters, such as density and temperature; (4) it is possible to convert the thermal motion of space plasmas into electrical energy by collecting energetic electrons and returning them to the medium as cold particles; (5) a wave in a plasma is characterized by a conduction current density which gives rise to fluctuations of the current flowing to the surface.

Grard, R. J. L.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Operation of A Sunpower M87 Cryocooler In A Magnetic Field

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-02 (AMS-02) is an experiment that will be flown as an attached payload on the International Space Station to detect dark matter and antimatter. It uses large superconducting magnets cooled with superfluid helium to bend the path of cosmic particles through a series of detectors, which then measure the mass, speed, charge, and direction of the particles. Four Sunpower M87N Stirling-cycle cryocoolers are used to extend the mission life by cooling the outer vapor-cooled shield of the dewar. The main magnet coils are separated by a distance of approximately 1 m and the coolers are located approximately 1.5 m from the center line of the magnet, where the field is as high as 925 gauss perpendicular to the cryocooler axis and 400 gauss along the cryocooler axis. Interactions between the applied magnetic field and the linear motor may result in additional forces and torques on the compressor piston. Motion of the compressor arid displacer pistons through the magnetic field spatial gradients will generate eddy currents. Additional eddy currents are created during magnet charge, discharge, and quench by the time-varying magnetic field. The results of tests to determine the magnitude of the forces, torques, and heating effects, as well as the need for additional magnetic shielding, are presented.

Breon, S. R.↗