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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 NTRS1976

Arctic odyssey - Five years of data buoys in AIDJEX

The Arctic Ice Dynamics Joint Experiment of 1975-1976 used data bouys in conjunction with tracking satellites to study the interaction of Arctic Sea ice with the environment, and, more specifically, to define the motion of ice on the perimeter of the area of interest and to measure surface barometeric pressure over the same area. Charts are presented, indicating the position of the buoy array along with a table detailing buoy characteristics. The position fix accuracy of RAMS (Random Access Measurement System) buoys is discussed together with position errors due to the along-track motion of the observing satellites. Polar satellite data collection and tracking efficiency is assessed together with satellite system flexibility concepts.

Martin, P.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The streaming of 1.3 - 2.3 MeV cosmic-ray protons during periods between prompt solar particle events

The anisotropy of 1.3 to 2.3 MeV protons in interplanetary space was measured using the Caltech electron/isotope spectrometer aboard IMP-7 for 317 6 hour periods from 72/273 to 74/2. Periods dominated by prompt solar particle events are not included. The convective and diffusive anisotropies were determined from the observed anisotropy using concurrent solar wind speed measurements and observed energy spectra. The diffusive flow of particles was found to be typically toward the sun, indicating a positive radial gradient in the particle density. This anisotropy was inconsistent with previously proposed sources of low energy proton increases seen at 1 AU which involve continual solar acceleration. The typical properties of this new component of low-energy cosmic rays were determined for this period which is near solar minimum.

Marshall, F. E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Form drag, skin friction, and vortex shedding frequencies for subsonic and transonic crossflows on circular cylinder

A series of wind-tunnel tests covering a range of Mach numbers and Reynolds numbers in subsonic and transonic flows was conducted on a circular cylinder placed normal to the flow. Form drag coefficients were determined from surface-pressure measurements and displayed as a function of Mach number to show the drag rise phenomenon. Buried wire gages arranged on the model surface were used to measure skin-friction distributions and vortex-shedding frequencies at different flow conditions. It was found that detectable periodic shedding ceases above M = 0.9. The measured skin-friction distributions indicate the positions of mean separation points clearly; these values are documented for the different flow conditions.

Murthy, V. S.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Space shuttle search and rescue experiment using synthetic aperture radar

The feasibility of a synthetic aperture radar for search and rescue applications was demonstrated with aircraft experiments. One experiment was conducted using the ERIM four-channel radar and several test sites in the Michigan area. In this test simple corner-reflector targets were successfully imaged. Results from this investigation were positive and indicate that the concept can be used to investigate new approaches focused on the development of a global search and rescue system. An orbital experiment to demonstrate the application of synthetic aperture radar to search and rescue is proposed using the space shuttle.

Sivertson, W. E., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Space shuttle search and rescue experiment using synthetic aperture radar

Langley Research Center, NASA, is developing a concept for using a spaceborne synthetic aperture radar with passive reflectors for search and rescue applications. The feasibility of a synthetic aperture radar for search and rescue applications has been demonstrated with aircraft experiments. One experiment was conducted using the ERIM four-channel radar and several test sites in the Michigan area. In this test simple corner-reflector targets were successfully imaged. Results from this investigation were positive and indicate that the concept can be used to investigate new approaches focused on the development of a global search and rescue system. An orbital experiment to demonstrate the application of synthetic aperture radar to search and rescue is proposed using the space shuttle.

Sivertson, W. E., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Doppler radar observation of thunderstorm circulation in the 1977 trip program

Storm data obtained on August 1, 1977 are examined in an attempt to interpret the relationship between lightning occurrence and the thunderstorm inner dynamics and precipitation processes. Horizontal maps are presented which indicated the position of radiation sources detected by the Lightning Detection and Ranging (LDAR) network, together with the horizontal motion fields and radar reflectivity data. Detailed inspection of these fields showed that, although radiation sources are found in the vicinity of precipitation cells, they are not located in the heavy precipitation areas, but rather on their rear side in regions where the configuration of the wind fields suggests the presence of updrafts.

Lhermitte, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

New advances in the partial-reflection-drifts experiment using microprocessors

Improvements to the partial reflection drifts experiment are completed. The results of the improvements include real time processing and simultaneous measurements of the D region with coherent scatter. Preliminary results indicate a positive correlation between drift velocities calculated by both methods during a two day interval. The possibility now exists for extended observations between partial reflection and coherent scatter. In addition, preliminary measurements could be performed between partial reflection and meteor radar to complete a comparison of methods used to determine velocities in the D region.

Ruggerio, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Correlative nature of ozone and carbon monoxide in the troposphere - Implications for the tropospheric ozone budget

The small-scale vertical variability of troposheric O3 and CO is examined using a set of simultaneous measurements obtained in July and August 1974 between 55 deg S and 67 deg N. From this set of vertical profiles, it is found that many of the fluctuations are coincident in both species, and a method is presented that quantifies the correlation between the observed O3 and CO variability. A two-dimensional depiction of the distribution of these O3-CO correlations reveals that there are regions in the troposphere where these trace gases are positively correlated and that, at the same time, there are preferred locations where these two species are primarily anticorrelated. The regions of anticorrelation are found to be consistent with the traditional picture of the tropospheric ozone cycle, suggesting that this gas is chemically unreactive in the troposphere. On the other hand, the location and magnitude of the region in which these two species are positively correlated indicates that there is considerable in situ production of tropospheric ozone.

Fishman, J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The impact of scatterometer wind data on global weather forecasting

The impact of SEASAT-A scatterometer (SASS) winds on coarse resolution atmospheric model forecasts was assessed. The scatterometer provides high resolution winds, but each wind can have up to four possible directions. One wind direction is correct; the remainder are ambiguous or "aliases'. In general, the effect of objectively dealiased-SASS data was found to be negligible in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, the impact was larger and primarily beneficial when vertical temperature profile radiometer (VTPR) data was excluded. However, the inclusion of VTPR data eliminates the positive impact, indicating some redundancy between the two data sets.

Atlas, D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Flow visualization study of a vortex-wing interaction

A flow visualization study in water was completed on the interaction of a streamwise vortex with a laminar boundary layer on a two-dimensional wing. The vortex was generated at the tip of a finite wing at incidence, mounted perpendicular to the main wing, and having the same chord as the main wing. The Reynolds number based on wing chord was about 5000. Two different visualization techniques were used. One involved the injection of two different colored dyes into the vortex and the boundary layer. The other technique utilized hydrogen bubbles as an indicator. The position of the vortex was varied in a directional normal to the wing. The angle of attack of the main wing was varied from -5 to +12.5 deg. The vortex induced noticeable cross flows in the wing boundary layer from a distance equivalent to 0.75 chords. When very close to the wing, the vortex entrained boundary layer fluid and caused a cross flow separation which resulted in a secondary vortex.

Mehta, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Analysis of NIMBUS-7 SMMR Data

Measurements obtained with the SMMR OF NIMBUS-7 over Hokkaido snow field show that the relationship between snow depth and brightness temperature changes when snow depth becomes deeper than 50 cm. Average brightness temperature of the daytime indicates negative correlations with snow depth except for 6.6 GHz channel data which indicates weak positive correlation.

Tsuchiya, K.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) tracking and orbit determination

Analysis results were derived using the Goddard Trajectory Determination System to determine the orbit of TDRS-East. A batch weighted least-squares algorithm is used to fit the Bilateration Ranging Transponder system tracking measurements. Six state parameters (position and velocity components) and the solar radiation pressure coefficient are estimated. The solutions are obtained by fitting the data over 34 hr arcs that overlap by 10 hr. Ephemerides are generated over the 34 hr arcs and then compared over the overlapping regions. The position differences indicate the consistency of the solutions and give a measure of their accuracy. The effect of the modeling of perturbative forces (solar radiation pressure, nonspherical geopotential field) on these results are studied. Error analysis is performed using the ORAN program to estimate the effect of force-model errors and measurement-related errors on the TDRS-East ephemeris.

Teles, J.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Infrared emission from young stars in the nucleus of M82

New observational and analytical techniques were used to obtain high-resolution NIR and FIR profiles of the luminous peculiar galaxy M82. The strongest NIR emission is found to be coincident with the dynamical center of the galaxy; a secondary NIR source, a factor of two fainter than the nucleus, is located 10 deg to the southewest. Simultaneous 40-micron and 100-micron profiles of M82 reveal an asymmetric distribution, with peak FIR emission diplaced about 5 arcsec to the west of center, and a plateau of emission extending about 5 arcsec to the east. The best positional determination indicates that the peak FIR emission from M82 is coincident with a cluster of young stars located to the southwest of the galactic nucleus at a projected distance of 10 arcsec (150 pc).

Joy, Marshall↗
NASA NTRS1987

Remote noncontacting measurements of heat transfer coefficients for detection of boundary layer transition in wind tunnel tests

An infrared measurement system is used that consists of a laser heating source, an infrared camera for data acquisition, and a video recorder for data storage. A laser beam is scanned over an airfoil, heating its surface to a few degrees above ambient. An infrared camera then measures the temperature of the airfoil over a two-dimensional field, and these temperatures are stored as a function of time on a video recorder. The resulting temperature pictures are digitized and an iterative approximation algorithm is used to extract the heat transfer coefficient. The resulting values are normalized to the natural convection condition. The technique has been applied in low-speed wind tunnel tests and compared to well-established hot-film measurements which were made simultaneously to confirm the flow conditions. Heat transfer coefficients were determined using a linear scanning pattern, to indicate the position of natural and of artificially induced transition on an airfoil, at various wind speeds. The technique is shown to be sensitive to transition at low Mach numbers. The advantages of the technique are discussed.

Heath, D. Michele↗
NASA NTRS1988

Effects of a ground vortex on the aerodynamics of an airfoil

An experimental investigation was carried out to study the aerodynamics of an airfoil with a rectangular jet exiting from its lower surface at fifty percent of the chord. The airfoil was tested with and without the influence of a ground plane. Surface static pressures were measured on the airfoil at jet to free stream velocity ratios ranging from 0 to 9. From these pressures, the variation of C sub L with velocity ratio was easily determined. The measurements indicated significant positive and negative pressure regions on the lower surface of the airfoil ahead of and after the nozzle exit respectively. The presence of a ground plane enhanced these pressure regions at low velocity ratios, but at a particular ratio for each plane location, a recirculation zone or vortex formed ahead of the jet resulting in decreased pressures and a drop in C sub L.

Krothapalli, A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The pituitary growth hormone cell in space

Growth hormone (GH), produced and secreted from specialized cells in the pituitary gland, controls the metabolism of protein, fat, and carbohydrate. It is also probably involved in the regulation of proper function of bone, muscle and immune systems. The behavior of the GH cell system was studied by flying either isolated pituitary cells or live rats. In the latter case, pituitary GH cells are prepared on return to earth and then either transplanted into hypophysectomized rats or placed into cell culture so that function of GH cells in-vivo vs. in-vitro can be compared. The results from three flights to date (STS-8, 1983; SL-3, 1985; Cosmos 1887, 1987) established that the ability of GH cells to release hormone, on return to earth, is compromised. The mechanism(s) responsible for this attenuation response is unknown. However, the data are sufficiently positive to indicate that the nature of the secretory defect resides directly within the GH cells.

Hymer, Wesley C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The Cutplane - A tool for interactive solid modeling

A geometric modeling system which incorporates a new concept for intuitively and unambiguously specifying and manipulating points or features in three dimensional space is presented. The central concept, the Cutplane, consists of a plane that moves through space under control of a mouse or similar input device. The intersection of the plane and any object is highlighted, and only this highlighted section can be selected for manipulation. Selection is accomplished with a crosshair that is constrained to remain within the plane, so that the relationship between the crosshair and the feature of interest is immediately evident. Although the idea of a section view is not new, previously it has been used as a way to reveal hidden structure, not as a means of manipulating objects or indicating spatial position, as is proposed here.

Edwards, Laurence↗
NASA NTRS1992

Open-loop characteristics of magnetic suspension systems using electromagnets mounted in a planar array

The open-loop characteristics of a Large-Gap Magnetic Suspension System (LGMSS) were studied and numerical results are presented. The LGMSS considered provides five-degree-of-freedom control. The suspended element is a cylinder that contains a core composed of permanent magnet material. The magnetic actuators are air core electromagnets mounted in a planar array. Configurations utilizing five, six, seven, and eight electromagnets were investigated and all configurations were found to be controllable from coil currents and observable from suspended element positions. Results indicate that increasing the number of coils has an insignificant effect on mode shapes and frequencies.

Groom, Nelson J.↗