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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 NTRS1992

Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) preliminary findings: LEO space effects on the space plasma-voltage drainage experiment

The Space Plasma-High Voltage Drainage Experiment (SP-HVDE) provided a unique opportunity to study long term space environmental effects on materials because it was comprised of two identical experimental trays; one tray located on the ram facing side (D-10), and the other on the wake facing side (B-4) of the LDEF. This configuration allows for the comparison of identical materials exposed to two distinctly different environments. The purpose of this work is to document an assessment of the effects of five and three quarters years of low Earth orbital space exposure on materials comprising the SP-HVDE (experiment no. A0054). The findings of the materials investigation reported focus on atomic oxygen effects, micrometeor and debris impact site documentation, thermal property measurements, and environmentally induced contamination.

Blakkolb, Brian K.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Advanced photovoltaic experiment, S0014: Preliminary flight results and post-flight findings

The Advanced Photovoltaic Experiment is a Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) experiment originally designed to provide reference solar cell standards for laboratory measurements as well as to investigate the solar spectrum and the effects of long term exposure of space solar cells to the low earth orbit (LEO) environment. The experiment functioned on-orbit as designed, successfully measuring and recording cell performance and solar insolation data over the first 325 days. The objectives and design of the experiment are presented as well as the preliminary flight results and postflight findings.

Brinker, David J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Spinel-bearing, Al-rich chondrules in two chondrite finds from Roosevelt County, New Mexico - Indicators of nebular and parent body processes

Two rare spinel-bearing Al-rich chondrules are identified in chondrite finds from Roosevelt County, New Mexico-RC 071 (L4) and RC 072 (L5). These chondrules have unusual mineralogies dominated by highly and asymmetrically zoned Al-Cr-rich spinels. Two alternatives exist to explain the origin of this zoning-fractional crystallization or metamorphism. Fractional crystallization formed the zoning of the trivalent cations and caused a localized depletion in chromites around the large Al-Cr-rich spinels. Diffusive exchange and partitioning of Fe and Mg between olivine and spinel during parent-body metamorphism can explain the asymmetric zoning of these elements. The bulk compositions of the chondrules suggest affinities with the Na-Al-Cr-rich chondrules, as would be expected from the abundance of Al-Cr-rich spinels. The most important factors are the temperature to which the molten chondrule was heated and the cooling rate during crystallization. These two chondrules cooled rapidly from near the liquidus, as indicated by the zoning, occurrence and sizes of spinels, radiating chondrule textures and localized chromite depletions.

Mccoy, Timothy J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A finite mixtures algorithm for finding classes in images

The authors describe an algorithm for estimating the proportions of classes in a SAR (synthetic aperture radar) image without any user interaction. The method assumes that the image is a mixture of a known number of different pixel types. A maximum likelihood estimate of the parameters of the resulting mixture distribution is then used to find the proportions for the various classes. The technique was successfully applied to aircraft SAR images of sea ice. Computer simulations were used to determine the relative errors of the technique. The technique performs well even with extremely noisy images.

Samadani, Ramin↗
NASA NTRS1992

Accurate positions and finding charts for 528 high-redshift, luminous quasars

Finding charts and J2000 positions accurate to about 1 arcsec are presented for the 528 high-redshift (z is greater than 1), luminous (MV is less than -25.5) quasars investigated in the HST Snapshot Survey. A histogram showing the distribution of the differences between the positions determined by the Space Telescope Science Institute Astrometric Support Program and the catalog positions is provided.

Schneider, Donald P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

An approach for finding long period elliptical orbits for precursor SEI missions

Precursors for Solar System Exploration Initiative (SEI) missions may require long period elliptical orbits about a planet. These orbits will typically have periods on the order of tens to hundreds of days. Some potential uses for these orbits may include the following: studying the effects of galactic cosmic radiation, parking orbits for engineering and operational test of systems, and ferrying orbits between libration points and low altitude orbits. This report presents an approach that can be used to find these orbits. The approach consists of three major steps. First, it uses a restricted three-body targeting algorithm to determine the initial conditions which satisfy certain desired final conditions in a system of two massive primaries. Then the initial conditions are transformed to an inertial coordinate system for use by a special perturbation method. Finally, using the special perturbation method, other perturbations (e.g., sun third body and solar radiation pressure) can be easily incorporated to determine their effects on the nominal trajectory. An algorithm potentially suitable for on-board guidance will also be discussed. This algorithm uses an analytic method relying on Chebyshev polynomials to compute the desired position and velocity of the satellite as a function of time. Together with navigation updates, this algorithm can be implemented to predict the size and timing for AV corrections.

Fraietta, Michael F.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A summary of observations performed and the preliminary findings in the Space Shuttle Polarization Experiment

The Space Shuttle Polarization experiment began in 1984. The first data was collected by the crew of STS-51A during October of that year. Since that time polarization data has been acquired from six additional flights. The objective of the experiment was to test the feasibility of concept and the utility of polarized imagery of solar radiation reflected from Earth as acquired from low earth orbit. While this objective has been met, the preliminary results have been well documented in the open literature, and two Space Shuttle payload bay experiments, based in part on these findings are in the design phase, the data acquired have not been used to their full potential. The users of these data have been limited in number even though the images are inexpensive to acquire and are readily available in the public domain. To broaden their use, this paper summarizes the data available, scene content of the images, procedures used to acquire the experimental data, the attributes and shortcomings of the data and a description of uses to which they appear applicable. A catalog of images is now in preparation that should facilitate the application of these data.

Whitehead, Victor S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Peculiarities of distributions of the cosmic-ray exposure ages of H chondrite falls and finds

Well known peak in the distribution of the cosmic-ray exposure ages of H chondrites at 6-7 My can be employed as mark in comparison of different populations of H chondrites. It is found the age corresponding to maximum of peak for non-Antarctic falls is higher by (15+/-5) percent of this for non-Antarctic finds. Antarctic H chondrites occupy intermediate position. This effect is probably due to process of weathering.

Alexeev, V. A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Magellan: Principal Venus science findings

This is a brief summary of the science findings of the Magellan mission, principally based on data from the radar system. Future plans for Magellan include acquisition of high resolution gravity data from a nearly circular orbit and atmospheric drag and occultation experiments. The Magellan science results represent the combined effort of more than 100 Magellan investigators and their students and colleagues. More extensive discussions can be found in the August and October, 1992 issues of the Journal of Geophysical Research, Planets. The Magellan mission's scientific objectives were to provide a global characterization of landforms and tectonic features; to distinguish and understand impact processes; to define and explain erosion, deposition, and chemical processes; and to model the interior density distribution. All but the last objective, which requires new global gravity data, have been accomplished, or we have acquired the data that are required to accomplish them.

Saunders, R. Stephen↗
NASA NTRS1993

Magellan at Venus: Summary of science findings

A brief summary of the principal science findings of the Magellan Mission and plans for future data acquisition are presented. This includes high resolution gravity data from a nearly circular orbit and atmospheric drag and occultation experiments.

Saunders, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Material inspection of EURECA first findings and recommendations

This paper gives the first results of the Post flight materials investigation on the European Retrievable Carrier (EURECA) after a stay of 11 months in LEO. The paper will concentrate on the first findings after the visual inspection performed at KSC and Astrotech and give some general design recommendations for potential future Carrier flights.

Vaneesbeek, Marc↗
NASA NTRS1994

A finding list of faint UV-bright stars in the galactic plane, 2

Fifty-three UV-bright stars have been found on three two-color 48-in. Schmidt plates centered on the galactic plane. The sources detected range in U-B color from near U- B = 0 to U - B = -1.5, and in magnitude from m(sub B) approximately = 10 to approximately 21. Some of the more interesting sources are discussed, and finding charts are included for all sources listed. Additionally, follow-up spectroscopic and postitional information is provided for several objects first listed in Paper I of this series. One new cataclysmic variable discovered during the course of this portion of the survey has been published previously and is discussed herein.

Lanning, Howard H.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Hubble Space Telescope faint object spectrograph Quasar Absorption System Snapshot Survey (AbSnap). 1: Astrometric optical positions and finding charts of 269 bright QSO

We present finding charts and optical positions accurate to less than 1 arcsec for 269 bright (V less than or = 18.5) Quasi-Stellar Objects (QSOs). These objects were selected as candidates for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Quasar Absorption System Snapshot Survey (AbSnap), a program designed to use the Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS) to obtain short exposure ultraviolet (UV) spectra of bright QSOs. Many quasars were included because of their proximity to bright, low redshift galaxies and positions of these QSOs are measured accurately for the first time. Data were obtained using the digitized sky survey produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute's Guide Stars Selection System Astrometric Support Program.

Bowen, David V.↗
NASA NTRS1992

NASA Advisory Council: Fact-Finding Session

The principal agenda item for this fact-finding meeting of the NASA Advisory Council was NASA's preliminary planning of options to implement the President's initiative for establishing a base on the Moon and launching a human expedition to Mars. NASA's presentation (1) reviewed the key elements in the President's speech of July 20, 1989, summoning the Nation to launch a new exploration initiative to the Moon and Mars; (2) outlined five candidate options analyzed in terms of schedule and scale of effort (for a return to the Moon and for a voyage to Mars); (3) outlined tentative robotic mission milestones for both a 'vigorous deployment' option and a 'paced deployment' option; (4) reviewed Earth-to-orbit delivery requirements for a lunar heavy-lift launch vehicle, the National Space Transportation System, and a Mars heavy-lift launch vehicle; (5) summarized the associated Space Station Freedom requirements; (6) outlined the technology as well as human factors requirements for the candidate options; and (7) summarized the themes and approaches that could be employed for the science aspects of a national Moon/Mars exploration program.

Cohen, Aaron↗
NASA NTRS1995

Finding Mars-Sized Planets in Inner Orbits of Other Stars by Photometry

High precision photometry from a spaceborne telescope has the potential of discovering sub-earth sized inner planets. Model calculations by Wetherill indicate that Mars-sized planets can be expected to form throughout the range of orbits from that of Mercury to Mars. While a transit of an Earth-sized planet causes a 0.084% decrease in brightness from a solar-like star, a transit of a planet as small as Mars causes a flux decrease of only 0.023%. Stellar variability will be the limiting factor for transit measurements. Recent analysis of solar variability from the SOLSTICE experiment shows that much of the variability is in the UV at <400 nm. Combining this result with the total flux variability measured by the ACRIM-1 photometer implies that the Sun has relative amplitude variations of about 0.0007% in the 17-69 pHz bandpass and is presumably typical for solar-like stars. Tests were conducted at Lick Observatory to determine the photometric precision of CCD detectors in the 17-69 pHz bandpass. With frame-by-frame corrections of the image centroids it was found that a precision of 0.001% could be readily achieved, corresponding to a signal to noise ratio of 1.4, provided the telescope aperture was sufficient to keep the statistical noise below 0.0006%. With 24 transits a planet as small as Mars should be reliably detectable. If Wetherill's models are correct in postulating that Mars-like planets are present in Mercury-like orbits, then a six year search should be able to find them.

Borucki, W.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Finding the Closest Surface Point

To find the closest surface point to a given point is one of the most frequently used operations in geometric computation. Traditionally, this problem has been formulated by a linear Newton method. To improve robustness for this operation, I present a different formulation, with a second order method, for the general cases, and ways to handle the degeneracy at the apex of a cone, a commonly occurring surface degeneracy.

Chou, Jin J.↗