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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 217 records · Page 12

Design development and test: Two-gas atmosphere control subsystem

An atmosphere control subsystem (ACS) was developed for NASA-IBJSC which is designed to measure the major atmospheric constituents in the manned cabin of the space shuttle orbiter and control the addition of oxygen and nitrogen to maintain the partial pressures of these gases within very close limits. The ACS includes a mass spectrometer sensor (MSS) which analyzes the atmosphere of a shuttle vehicle pressurized cabin, and an electronic control assembly (ECA). The MSS was built and tested to meet the requirements for flight equipment for the M-171 Metabolic Analyzer experiment for the Skylab flight program. The instrument analyzes an atmospheric gas sample and produces continuous 0-5 vdc analog signals proportional to the partial pressures of H2, O2, N2, H2O, CO2 and total hydrocarbons having a m/e ratio between 50 and 120. It accepts signals from the MSS proportional to the partial pressures of N2 and O2 and controls the supply of these gases to the closed cabin.

Jackson, J. K.↗

Mauna Kea Observatory infrared observations

Galactic and solar system infrared observations are reported using a broad variety of radiometric and spectroscopic instrumentation. Infrared programs and papers published during this period are listed.

Jefferies, J. T.↗

Ionospheric research

Progress is reported in the following areas: D-region theory; E and F-region; wave propagation; mass spectrometer measurements; and atmospheric reactions. Various supporting operations are included: design and construction of instrumentation; and programming.

Source record↗

Evaluation of mean and turbulent velocity measurements in subsonic accelerated boundary layers

Exploratory measurements of the mean and turbulent flow in the wall boundary layer of a 15.5- by 10.2-cm channel were obtained as part of an instrumentation development program for measurements in compressible flow. Mean surface and flow-field surveys were obtained at channel Mach numbers ranging from 0.2 to 0.9. The mean velocity distributions were obtained with total pressure probes and a laser velocimeter. At a channel Mach number of 0.2, several types of hot-wire probes were used to obtain both velocity fluctuations and Reynolds shear-stress results.

Sandborn, V. A.↗

Evaluation of mean and turbulent velocity measurements in subsonic accelerated boundary layers

Exploratory measurements of the mean and turbulent flow in the wall boundary layer of a 15.2- by 10.2-cm channel were obtained as part of an instrumentation development program for measurements in compressible flow. Mean surface and flow field surveys were obtained at channel Mach numbers ranging from 0.2 to 0.9. The mean velocity distributions were obtained with total pressure probes and a laser velocimeter. At a channel Mach number of 0.2, several types of hot-wire probes were used to obtain both velocity fluctuations and Reynolds shear-stress results.

Sandborn, V. A.↗

Snowpack ground truth Donner Pass site, Soda Springs, California

Ground truth data taken near Soda Springs, California, on January 18, 1977, in support of the NASA Airborne Instrumentation Research Program are presented. Ground truth data taken in support of this mission were as follows: (1) snow depths were taken every 400 feet; (2) snow densities were taken every 1,200 feet; (3) two snowpits were dug, and limited density, vertical layer classifications, and soil observations were taken; and (4) temperatures of the upper 6 inches of the snowpack were taken at one location.

Jones, E. B.↗

Characteristics of aeroelastic instabilities in turbomachinery - NASA full scale engine test results

Several aeromechanical programs were conducted in the NASA/USAF Joint Engine System Research Programs. The scope of these programs, the instrumentation, data acquisition and reduction, and the test results are discussed. Data pertinent to four different instabilities were acquired; two types of stall flutter, choke flutter and a system mode instability. The data indicates that each instability has its own unique characteristics. These characteristics are described.

Lubomski, J. F.↗

X-band slotted array test panel and test fixture

Data from the development of the X-band slotted array test band, X-band array test fixture, and the X/L-band test fixture for the Support Instrumentation Requirements program are documented. An X-band array was built and installed with an existing L-band module in such a way as to permit antenna pattern measurements in a series of nonplanar configurations that might simulate the thermal effects of nonuniform solar illumination on the array in a space environment. This was accomplished with eight X-band subpanels mounted adjacently on individually adjusted supports which were then co-mounted to a larger frame which served to mount and physically distort the existing L-band module. The L-band module is a heavy electrical breadboard array section that was fabricated to demonstrate the performance capabilities of a slotted waveguide array at L-band frequencies. Drawings, mechanical analysis, and descriptions of test configurations are presented.

Source record↗

Characteristics of aeroelastic instabilities in turbomachinery - NASA full scale engine test results

Several aeromechanical programs have been conducted in the NASA/USAF Joint Engine System Research Programs. The scope of these programs, the instrumentation, data acquisition and reduction, and the test results are discussed. Data pertinent to four different instabilities were acquired; two types of stall flutter, choke flutter and a system mode instability. The data indicates that each instability has its own unique characteristics. These characteristics are described.

Lubomski, J. F.↗

The engineering analysis of solar radiation

A necessary precursor to construction of well-designed, efficient, and economically viable solar energy systems is the engineering analysis not only of the systems themselves but also of the solar radiation that will drive them. This paper presents the first steps in such an analysis to support the design of solar thermal power systems. A rationale for development of an integrated approach to this analysis is outlined, and elements of the approach are described. A dynamic computer simulation of a conceptual system was employed in an initial sensitivity analysis to explore how performance estimates might be affected by the precision and amount of detail in solar radiation data used as model input. A measurement program, including instrumentation, used to characterize precisely and in detail the solar resource at one location is described as is a probabilistic model derived from it, for predicting insolation as a function of time.

Reid, M. S.↗

Hydrogen maser implementation in the Deep Space Network at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

The Frequency Standard Test Laboratory and its activities are described. The test laboratory has the capability to measure the frequency stability of five frequency standards including environmental parameters. Nine frequency standards may be evaluated simultaneously upon completion of the current instrumentation expansion program. Frequency stability measurements and environmental data on five H-masers are presented.

Kuhnle, P. F.↗

High resolution X-ray scattering measurements for Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility /AXAF/

The Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) is to be an orbiting X-ray observatory with high resolution imaging capabilities. Specific goals of 0.5 arcsecond resolution, and an encircled energy of 60% within a 1.0 arcsecond diameter circle at 2.5 keV have been established for AXAF. Imaging X-ray optics are primarily limited by scattering of the X-rays from the mirror surfaces. To ensure that the AXAF goals can be met, comprehensive X-ray scattering measurements are being conducted on a large number of flat samples. Sub-arcsecond resolution is achieved in these measurements through use of the MSFC 1000 ft X-ray calibration facility and a high spatial resolution X-ray detector. Flats of various materials, various coatings, and a range of rms surface roughness are being evaluated. Direct evaluation of surface microroughness is also provided by a variety of optical and non-optical means. This paper describes the scattering measurement program, the instrumentation used to obtain the measurements and preliminary results of measurements on several of the sample flats.

Zombeck, M. V.↗

Remote sensing of benthic microalgal biomass with a tower-mounted multispectral scanner

A remote sensing instrument was mounted on a 50-ft tower overlooking North Inlet Estuary, South Carolina in order to conduct a remote sensing study of benthic microalgae. The instrument was programmed to take multispectral imagery data along a 90 deg horizontal frame in six spectral bands ranging from 400-1050 nm and had a ground resolution of about 3 cm. Imagery measurements were encoded in digital form on magnetic tape and were stored, decoded, and manipulated by computer. Correlation coefficients were calculated on imagery data and chlorophyll a concentrations derived from ground truth data. The most significant correlation occurred in the blue spectral band with numerical values ranging from -0.81 to -0.88 for three separate sampling periods. Mean values of chlorophyll a for a larger section of mudflat were estimated using regression equations. The scanner has provided encouraging results and promises to be a useful tool in sampling the biomass of intertidal benthic microalgae.

Jobson, D. J.↗

Existing wind observation network

A real time wind observations of which the purpose is fuel efficient flight planning and air traffic control is discussed. The possibilities of travelling several ways, including a great circle route, a more or less straightline route and following wind circulation patterns was investigated. It is found that the longest route actually uses the least fuel, some 14% less than the great circle route. It is suggested that improving the observation system has an enormous potential and probably could easily pay for itself in a year. The profiler instrumentation is developed. Some broad characteristics of the instrumentation and of the program are shown. The instrumentation can function in clear air as well as cloudy air.

David E. Winer↗

Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) science instrumentation

AXAF is to be equipped with a high performance X-ray telescope for the conduction of detailed astrophysics research. The observatory is to be serviced by the Space Station or the Shuttle, depending on capabilities during the AXAF operational period. The AXAF is to utilize the wavelength band from 1.2 A to 120 A. Attention is given to the AXAF science team, the AXAF observatory characteristics, the AXAF science instrument definition program, the Advanced Charge Coupled Device (CCD) Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS), the High Resolution Camera (HRC), the Bragg Crystal Spectrometer (BCS), the X-ray Spectrometer (XRS), the transmission gratings, and the program schedule.

Dailey, C. C.↗

Coordinated observations in support of the solar maximum mission

The in-orbit repair of the Solar Maximum Mission satellite has provided an opportunity to continue observations of the Sun's outer corona, transition region, and bolometric flux through the decay phase and minimum of the solar cycle. The coordinated observation of the solar photosphere, chromosphere, and low corona from the ground is a necessary companion to understanding the full range of phenomena seen over the solar cycle by the spacecraft instruments. A program of such observations has been undertaken at the Mees Solar Observatory, and has established a broad database for the analysis of the solar atmosphere and interior.

Labonte, B.↗

The Magsat Bibliography

Publications related to the Magsat project number 228, as of March 1987 are listed. Of these, 34 deal with analysis of the Earth's main magnetic field, 125 with analysis of the Earth's crustal field, and 42 with analysis of the magnetic field originating external to the Earth. The remainder document the Magsat program, satellite, instruments or data are review papers. The bibliography is divided into two parts. The first lists all papers by first author; the second is subdivided by topic.

Langel, R. A.↗