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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
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NASA NTRS1985

Multifrequency radio images of L1551 IRS 5

L1551 IRS 5 has been observed at 15 GHz, 5 GHz, and 1.5 GHz with the VLA, and the findings are discussed. At 15 GHz, the central core is well resolved into two pointlike sources surrounded by weaker extended emission. The northern, brighter source is coincident with the peak at 5 GHz. The jet seen at 5 GHz is barely detected at 15 GHz. There is clearcut evidence for a much flatter spectral index in the extended (jet) structure than in either of the two point sources. The observed length-to-width ratio in the jet is greater than ten. It is suggested that L1551 IRS 5 is a binary system whose orbital plane coincides with the CS molecular toroid. A model of the jet is summarized in which the jet contains small clumps which dominate the 15 GHz emission.

Bieging, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Have burnt-out galaxies and galaxy clusters been detected?

It is shown here that an elevated rate of star formation may be responsible for burning out protogalaxies in the densest galaxy clusters, leading to the formation of candidate gravitational lenses and to an enhanced probability of close association of quasars in regions of apparently low galaxy density. Extreme tidal interactions occurring during the initial collapse of such clusters would stimulate the star formation and also could drive molecular clouds and stars onto radial orbits, fuelling massive black holes and leading to an enhanced frequency of occurrence of quasar pairs. It is argued that a fundamental bias exists against detecting luminous matter in the great galactic clusters.

Silk, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS2005

Analysis of Molecular Contamination on Genesis Collectors Through Spectroscopic Ellipsometry

Before the spacecraft returned to Earth in September, the Genesis mission had a preliminary assessment plan in place for the purpose of providing information on the condition and availability of collector materials to the science community as a basis for allocation requests. One important component of that plan was the evaluation of collector surfaces for molecular contamination. Sources of molecular contamination might be the on-orbit outgassing of spacecraft and science canister components, the condensation of thruster by-products during spacecraft maneuvers, or the condensation of volatile species associated with reentry. Although the non-nominal return of the Genesis spacecraft introduced particulate contamination to the collectors, such as dust and heatshield carbon-carbon, it is unlikely to have caused any molecular deposition. The contingency team's quick action in returning the damaged payload the UTTR cleanroom by 6 PM the evening of recovery help to ensure that exposure to weather conditions and the environment were kept to a minimum.

McNamara, K. M.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Calibration Results for the AXAF Flux Contamination Monitor

The Flux Contamination Monitor (FCM) on the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) serves the purposes of transfering the absolute flux calibration from the ground calibration at the X-Ray Calibration Facility (XRCF) at Marshall Space Flight Center to operation on orbit and of detecting any changes in molecular contamination of the High Resolution Mirror Assembly (HRMA) between ground calibration and the post-launch activation phase. we describe the design, construction, and characterization of the FCM radioactive sources, and their placement on the Forward Contamination Cover (FCC). We present results from FCM measurements with the AXAF focal plane instruments, particularly the AXAF CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS), during the ground calibration phase at XRCF in 1997. Finally, we describe the plans for FCM on-orbit measurements during observatory activation and the subsequent analysis.

Elsner, Ronald F.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Calibration Results for the AXAF Flux Contamination Monitor

The AXAF Flux Contamination Monitor (FCM) serves the purposes of transferring the absolute flux calibration from the ground calibration at the X-Ray Calibration Facility (XRCF) to operation on orbit and of detecting any changes in molecular contamination of the High-Resolution Mirror Assembly (HRMA) between ground calibration and the post-launch activation. We describe the design, construction, and characterization of the FCM radioactive sources, and their placement on the Forward Contamination Cover (FCC). We present results from FCM measurements with the AXAF focal-plane instruments, particularly the AXAF CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS), during the ground calibration phase at the XRCF in 1997. Finally, we describe the plans for FCM on-orbit measurements during observatory activation and for the subsequent analysis.

Elsner, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Dynamical history of the Oort cloud

An overview of recent dynamical studies on the Oort cloud of comets surrounding the solar system is presented. Cometary orbits in the cloud evolve under the complex interaction of stellar, galactic, and giant molecular cloud perturbations, as well as planetary and nongravitational perturbations when the orbits reenter the planetary region. There is mounting evidence for a dense, inner Oort cloud of comets which acts as a reservoir to replenish the outer cloud as comets there are stripped away. A ring of comets beyond the orbit of Neptune, which may be the source of the short-period comets, is also likely. Temporal variations in the flux of comets from the Oort cloud into the planetary region by a factor of 50 percent are typical, and by factors of 20 to 200 are possible. Comets in the Oort cloud are processed by galactic cosmic rays, heated by nearby supernovae, eroded by interstellar dust impacts, and disrupted by mutual collisions.

Weissman, Paul R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Electrotransport purification of thorium under low pressure conditions

It was demonstrated that the ultrapurification of refractory metals by electrotransport refining could best be accomplished in the noncontaminating environment of an orbiting low density materials laboratory such as the Molecular Shield Device. Refining experiments were performed at 2 x 10 to the -12th Torr which resulted in the preparation of small quantities of the World's purest thorium metal. The microgravity occurring in orbit was simulated electromagnetically and shown to be advantageous in eliminating grain-sliding caused by the plastic deformation of the sample at high temperature. The electrotransport sample assembly was tested in several environments including simulated solar irradiation, coldness and darkness and under various pressure conditions. Ultrapure single crystals of alpha thorium were also prepared and characterized. Laboratory electronics for the experiment were developed and a totally automatic control system was used to heat the specimens.

Schmidt, F. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Molecular processes in a high temperature shock layer

Models of the shock layer encountered by an Aeroassisted Orbital Transfer Vehicle require as input accurate cross sections and rate constants for the atomic and molecular processes that characterize the shock radiation. From the estimated atomic and molecular densities in the shock layer and the expected residence time of 1 m/s, it can be expected that electron-ion collision processes will be important in the shock model. Electron capture by molecular ions followed by dissociation, e.g., O2(+) + e(-) yields 0 + 0, can be expected to be of major importance since these processes are known to have high rates (e.g., 10 to the -7th power cu/cm/sec) at room temperature. However, there have been no experimental measurements of dissociative recombination (DR) at temperatures ( 12000K) that are expected to characterize the shock layer. Indeed, even at room temperature, it is often difficult to perform experiments that determine the dependence of the translational energy and quantum yields of the product atoms on the electronic and vibrational state of the reactant molecular ions. Presented are ab initio quantum chemical studies of DR for molecular ions that are likely to be important in the atmospheric shock layer.

Guberman, S. L.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Biomolecular Analysis Capability for Cellular and Omics Research on the International Space Station

International Space Station (ISS) assembly complete ushered a new era focused on utilization of this state-of-the-art orbiting laboratory to advance science and technology research in a wide array of disciplines, with benefits to Earth and space exploration. ISS enabling capability for research in cellular and molecular biology includes equipment for in situ, on-orbit analysis of biomolecules. Applications of this growing capability range from biomedicine and biotechnology to the emerging field of Omics. For example, Biomolecule Sequencer is a space-based miniature DNA sequencer that provides nucleotide sequence data for entire samples, which may be used for purposes such as microorganism identification and astrobiology. It complements the use of WetLab-2 SmartCycler"TradeMark", which extracts RNA and provides real-time quantitative gene expression data analysis from biospecimens sampled or cultured onboard the ISS, for downlink to ground investigators, with applications ranging from clinical tissue evaluation to multigenerational assessment of organismal alterations. And the Genes in Space-1 investigation, aimed at examining epigenetic changes, employs polymerase chain reaction to detect immune system alterations. In addition, an increasing assortment of tools to visualize the subcellular distribution of tagged macromolecules is becoming available onboard the ISS. For instance, the NASA LMM (Light Microscopy Module) is a flexible light microscopy imaging facility that enables imaging of physical and biological microscopic phenomena in microgravity. Another light microscopy system modified for use in space to image life sciences payloads is initially used by the Heart Cells investigation ("Effects of Microgravity on Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes for Human Cardiovascular Disease Modeling and Drug Discovery"). Also, the JAXA Microscope system can perform remotely controllable light, phase-contrast, and fluorescent observations. And upcoming confocal microscopy capability will allow for optical sectioning of biological tissues to determine microanatomical localization of biomarkers. Furthermore, NASA's geneLAB effort addresses integration of genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic datasets, by applying an innovative open source science platform for multi-investigator high throughput utilization of the ISS. In sum, the expanding ISS capability for analysis of biomolecules is enabling innovative research in a broad spectrum of areas such as cellular and molecular biology, biotechnology, tissue engineering, biomedicine, and Omics, providing manifold benefits for humanity.

Guinart-Ramirez, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The CRAF/Cassini science instruments, spacecraft, and missions

The first two missions planned for the Mariner Mark II spacecraft, the Cassini mission and the Comet Rendevous Asteroid Flyby (CRAF), are described, along with the Mariner Mark II spacecraft and the instruments that will be used for the two missions. The chief goals of the CRAF mission include determinations of the elemental, molecular, isotopic, and mineralogic compositions and the physical, morphological, and geological character of the cometary nucleus, as well as the characterization of changes occurring as functions of time and orbital position. The Cassini mission will determine the elemental, molecular, isotopic, and mineralogic compositions of Saturn, Titan, the smaller moons, and the rings of the Saturnian system and determine the physical, morphological, and geological nature of these objects; it will also determine the processes operating in the atmospheres of Saturn and Titan and on the surfaces of the rings and satellites of the system and determine the properties of Saturn's magnetosphere and its interactions with the rings and the moons of Saturn.

Jaffe, Leonard D.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Colorimetric Solid Phase Extraction (CSPE): Using Color to Monitor Spacecraft Water Quality

In August 2009, an experimental water quality monitoring kit based on Colorimetric Solid Phase Extraction (CSPE) technology was delivered to the International Space Station (ISS). The kit, called the Colorimetric Water Quality Monitoring Kit (CWQMK), was launched as a Station Development Test Objective (SDTO) experiment to evaluate the suitability of CSPE technology for routine use monitoring water quality on the ISS. CSPE is a sorption-spectrophotometric technique that combines colorimetric reagents, solid-phase extraction, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to quantify trace analytes in water samples. In CSPE, a known volume of sample is metered through a membrane disk that has been impregnated with an analyte-specific colorimetric reagent and any additives required to optimize the formation of the analyte-reagent complex. As the sample flows through the membrane disk, the target analyte is selectively extracted, concentrated, and complexed. Formation of the analyte-reagent complex causes a detectable change in the color of the membrane disk that is proportional to the amount of analyte present in the sample. The analyte is then quantified by measuring the color of the membrane disk surface using a hand-held diffuse reflectance spectrophotometer (DRS). The CWQMK provides the capability to measure the ionic silver (Ag +) and molecular iodine (I2) in water samples on-orbit. These analytes were selected for the evaluation of CSPE technology because they are the biocides used in the potable water storage and distribution systems on the ISS. Biocides are added to the potable water systems on spacecraft to inhibit microbial growth. On the United States (US) segment of the ISS molecular iodine serves as the biocide, while the Russian space agency utilizes silver as a biocide in their systems. In both cases, the biocides must be maintained at a level sufficient to control bacterial growth, but low enough to avoid any negative effects on crew health. For example, the presence of high levels of iodine in water can cause taste and odor issues that result in decreased water consumption by the crew. There are also concerns about potential impacts on thyroid function following exposure to high levels of iodine. With silver, there is a risk of developing argyria, an irreversible blue-gray discoloration of the skin, associated with long term consumption of water containing high concentrations of silver. The need to ensure that safe, effective levels of biocide are maintained in the potable water systems on the ISS provides a perfect platform for evaluating the suitability of CSPE technology for in-flight water quality monitoring. This paper provides an overview of CSPE technology and details on the silver and iodine methods used in the CWQMK. It also reports results obtained during in-flight analyses performed with the CWQMK and briefly discusses other potential applications for CSPE technology in both the spacecraft and terrestrial environments.

Gazda, Daniel B.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Column densities resulting from shuttle sublimator/evaporator operation

The proposed disposal of H2O from the shuttle fuel cell operation by ejecting it in vapor form through a supersonic nozzle at the rate of 100 lb/day has been investigated from the point of view of the possible interference to astronomical experiments. If the nozzle is located at the tail and directed along the shuttle longitudinal axis, the resulting column density will be less than 10 to th 12th power molecules/sq cm at viewing angles larger than 48 deg above the longitudinal axis. The molecules in the trail will diffuse rapidly. The column density contribution from molecules expelled on the previous orbit is 1.3 x 10 to the 8th power molecules/sq cm. This contribution diminishes by the inverse square root of the number of orbits since the molecules were expelled. The molecular backscatter from atmospheric molecules is also calculated. If the plume is directed into the flight path, the column density along a perpendicular is found to be 1.5 x 10 to the 11th power molecules/sq cm. The return flux is estimated to be of the order of 10 to the 12th power molecules/sq cm/sec at the stagnation point. With reasonable care in design of experiments to protect them from the backscatter flux of water molecules, the expulsion of 100 lb/day does not appear to create an insurmountable difficulty for the shuttle experiments.

Naumann, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Venus upper atmosphere neutral gas composition - First observations of the diurnal variations

Measurements of the composition, temperature, and diurnal variations of the major neutral constituents in the thermosphere of Venus are being made with a quadrupole mass spectrometer on the Pioneer Venus Orbiter. Concentrations of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, molecular nitrogen, atomic oxygen, and helium are presented, in addition to an empirical model of the data. The concentrations of the heavy gases, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and molecular nitrogen, rapidly decrease from the evening terminator toward the nightside; the concentration of atomic oxygen remains nearly constant and the helium concentration increases, an indication of a nightside bulge. The kinetic temperature inferred from scale heights drops rapidly from 230 K at the terminator to 130 K at a solar zenith angle of 120 deg, and to 112 K at the antisolar point.

Niemann, H. B.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Venusian atmospheric and Magellan properties from attitude control data

Results are presented of the study of the Venusian atmosphere, Magellan aerodynamic moment coefficients, moments of inertia, and solar moment coefficients. This investigation is based upon the use of attitude control data in the form of reaction wheel speeds from the Magellan spacecraft. As the spacecraft enters the upper atmosphere of Venus, measurable torques are experienced due to aerodynamic effects. Solar and gravity gradient effects also cause additional torques throughout the orbit. In order to maintain an inertially fixed attitude, the control system counteracts these torques by changing the angular rates of three reaction wheels. Model reaction wheel speeds are compared to observed Magellan reaction wheel speeds through a differential correction procedure. This method determines aerodynamic, atmospheric, solar pressure, and mass moment of inertia parameters. Atmospheric measurements include both base densities and scale heights. Atmospheric base density results confirm natural variability as measured by the standard orbital decay method. Potential inconsistencies in free molecular aerodynamic moment coefficients are identified. Moments of inertia are determined with a precision better than 1 percent of the largest principal moment of inertia.

Croom, Christopher A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Plasma interactions in the Space Shuttle Orbiter environment

Attempts to measure the ambient ionospheric plasma environment in the vicinity of the payload bay of the Space Shuttle Orbiter have shown that the plasma is quite different, in a variety of characteristics, from the ionospheric plasma at low earth orbit altitudes. It appears that the large size, complex geometry and various outgassing characteristics of a typical Orbiter payload can all contribute to modifications of the plasma environment of the Space Shuttle Orbiter. The measurements indicate that the plasma is often quite turbulent and contains populations more energetic than the ambient ionospheric plasma. Pronounced wake and ram effects have been observed, and at times the data can be interpreted as plasma number density enhancements of an order of magnitude or greater over the ambient, undisturbed plasma concentration. There is evidence that this enhanced plasma concentration contains molecular ions, not occurring naturally at low earth orbit altitudes. In addition to describing the observations, the electrodynamics of enhanced Orbiter-generated plasma and its possible impact on optical measurements from the Space Shuttle Orbiter will be discussed.

Raitt, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Environmental dynamics at orbital altitudes

The work reported involved the improvement of aerodynamic theory for free molecular and transition flow regimes. The improved theory was applied to interpretation of the dynamic response of objects traveling through the atmosphere. Satellite drag analysis includes analysis methods, atmospheric super rotation effects, and satellite lift effects on orbital dynamics. Transition flow regimes were studied with falling sphere data and errors resulting in inferred atmospheric parameters from falling sphere techniques. Improved drag coefficients reveal considerable error in previous falling sphere data. The drag coefficient has been studied for the entire spectrum of Knudsen Number and speed ratio, with particular emphasis on the theory of the very low-speed ratio regime.

Karr, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Orbital stability of the unseen solar companion linked to periodic extinction events

Evidence from three-dimensional numerical modelling is presented that only cometary orbits with a limited range in inclination with respect to the galactic plane are formally stable for the length of time required to cause periodic extinction events. The calculations were done using Cowell's method employing a fourth-order Runge-Kutta integration scheme in an inertial reference frame in orbit about the Galaxy. Tidal perturbations in the radial direction due to the Galaxy and the Coriolis forces are included. The vertical component of the gravitational field of the galactic disk is superimposed on these forces. The results indicate that orbits for Nemesis that are inclined at more than 30 deg to the galactic plane are not allowed and suggests that the search for Nemesis should be concentrated toward the plane of the Galaxy. Perturbations by passing stars or molecular clouds may make even the low-inclination orbits unstable.

Torbett, M. V.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Structure and screening in molecular and metallic hydrogen at high pressure

A variational wavefunction is used to express the (spin restricted) Hartree-Fock energy as reciprocal lattice sums for static lattice FCC monatomic hydrogen and diatomic Pa3 molecular hydrogen. In the monatomic phase the hydrogenic orbital range closely parallels the inverse Thomas-Fermi wavevector; the corresponding energy E has a minimum of -0.929 Ryd/electron at r sub s = 1.67. For the diatomic phase E(r sub s) is similar, but the constituent energies, screening, and bond length reflect a qualitative change in the nature of the solid at r sub s = 2.8. This change is interpreted in terms of a transition from protons as structural units (at high density) to weakly interacting models (at low density). Insensitivity of the total energy to a rapid fall in the bond length suggests association with the rotational transition where the rapid molecular orientations characteristic of high pressures disappear and the molecules rotate freely at low pressure.

Wood, D. M.↗