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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2013

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2013

Dielectrophoresis-Based Particle Sensor Using Nanoelectrode Arrays; Multi-Dimensional Damage Detection for Surfaces and Structures; ULTRA: Underwater Localization for Transit and Reconnaissance Autonomy; Autonomous Cryogenic Leak Detector for Improving Launch Site Operations; Submillimeter Planetary Atmospheric Chemistry Exploration Sounder; Method for Reduction of Silver Biocide Plating on Metal Surfaces; Silicon Micromachined Microlens Array for THz Antennas; Forward-Looking IED Detector Ground Penetrating Radar; Fully Printed, Flexible, Phased Array Antenna for Lunar Surface Communication, Battery Charge Equalizer with Transformer Array; An Efficient, Highly Flexible Multi-Channel Digital Downconverter Architecture; Dimmable Electronic Ballast for a Gas Discharge Lamp; Conductive Carbon Nanotube Inks for Use with Desktop Inkjet Printing Technology; Enhanced Schapery Theory Software Development for Modeling Failure of Fiber-Reinforced Laminates; High-Performance, Low-Temperature-Operating, Long-Lifetime Aerospace Lubricants; Carbon Nanotube Microarrays Grown on Nanoflake Substrates; Differential Muon Tomography to Continuously Monitor Changes in the Composition of Subsurface Fluids; Microgravity Drill and Anchor System; 20 Granular Media-Based Tunable Passive Vibration Suppressor; 21 Miga Aero Actuator and 2D Machined Mechanical Binary Latch; Micro-XRF for In Situ Geological Exploration of Other Planets; Hydrogen-Enhanced Lunar Oxygen Extraction and Storage Using Only Solar Power; Uplift of Ionospheric Oxygen Ions During Extreme Magnetic Storms; Miniaturized, High-Speed, Modulated X-Ray Source; Hollow-Fiber Spacesuit Water Membrane Evaporator 25 High-Power Single-Mode 2.65-micrometers InGaAsSb/AlInGaAsSb Diode Lasers; Optical Device for Converting a Laser Beam Into Two Co-aligned but Oppositely Directed Beams; A Hybrid Fiber/Solid-State Regenerative Amplifier with Tunable Pulse Widths for Satellite Laser Ranging; X-Ray Diffractive Optics; SynGenics Optimization System (SynOptSys); 29 CFD Script for Rapid TPS Damage Assessment; radEq Add-On Module for CFD Solver Loci-CHEM; Science Opportunity Analyzer (SOA) Version 8; 30 Autonomous Byte Stream Randomizer; Distributed Engine Control Empirical/Analytical Verification Tools; Dynamic Server-Based KML Code Generator Method for Level-of-Detail Traversal of Geospatial Data; Automated Planning of Science Products Based on Nadir Overflights and Alerts for Onboard and Ground Processing; Linked Autonomous Interplanetary Satellite Orbit Navigation; Risk-Constrained Dynamic Programming for Optimal Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing; Scheduling Operations for Massive Heterogeneous Clusters; Deepak Condenser Model (DeCoM); Flight Software Math Library; Recirculating 1-K-Pot for Pulse-Tube Cryostats; 35 Method for Processing Lunar Regolith Using Microwaves; Wells for In Situ Extraction of Volatiles from Regolith (WIEVR); and Estimating the Backup Reaction Wheel Orientation Using Reaction Wheel Spin Rates Flight Telemetry from a Spacecraft.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1981

A magnetospheric signature of some F layer positive storms

Calculations of electron density distributions in the global thermosphere-ionosphere system perturbed by high-latitude thermospheric heating are presented which indicate a link between the heating and magnetospheric plasma disturbances near the equator. The calculations were made using a self-consistent model of the global sunlit thermosphere-ionosphere system describing the evolution of equatorial plasma disturbances. The heat input is found to cause electron density enhancements that propagate along magnetic field lines from the F2 maximum over mid-latitudes to the equator in the magnetosphere and which correspond to the positive phase of an F layer storm. The positive phase is shown to be generated by the induction of equatorward winds that raise the mid-latitude F layer through momentum transfer from neutral atoms to ionospheric ions, which ions pull electrons with them. Model results are used to identify plasma signatures of equatorward winds and an intensified magnetospheric electric field in Explorer 45 and Arial 4 measurements taken during the positive phase of an F layer storm.

Miller, N. J.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Global Ionosphere Perturbations Monitored by the Worldwide GPS Network

For the first time, measurements from the Global Positioning System (GPS) worldwide network are employed to study the global ionospheric total electron content(TEC) changes during a magnetic storm (November 26, 1994). These measurements are obtained from more than 60 world-wide GPS stations which continuously receive dual-frequency signals. Based on the delays of the signals, we have generated high resolution global ionospheric maps (GIM) of TEC at 15 minute intervals. Using a differential method comparing storm time maps with quiet time maps, we find that significant TEC increases (the positive effect ) are the major feature in the winter hemisphere during this storm (the maximum percent change relative to quiet times is about 150 percent).

GPS global positioning system TEC total electron c↗
NASA NTRS1989

A three-dimensional numerical model of ionospheric plasma in the magnetosphere

A three-dimensional particle trajectory tracing in empirical models of the geoelectric and geomagnetic fields is used to study the ionospheric contribution to magnetospheric plasma. Various ionospheric outflows are examined and results on ion transport are presented in terms of density, composition, and energy. Results are presented for two opposite magnetospheric configurations, ground state and storm phases. An estimate of the contribution of ionospheric O(+) to the hot plasma sheet is given. The simulation results are compared with observational data.

Delcourt, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS2023

Hemispheric Symmetry and Asymmetry of Poleward Moving Radar Auroral Forms (PMRAFs) and Associated Polar Cap Patches During a Geomagnetic Storm

Magnetopause reconnection is known to impact the dayside ionosphere by driving fast ionospheric flows, auroral transients, and high density plasma structures named polar cap patches. However, most of the observed reconnection impact is limited to one hemisphere, and a question arises as to how symmetric the impact is between hemispheres.

hemispheric symmetry/asymmetry↗
NASA NTRS2021

The spatial distribution of ionospheric threats to WAAS integrity, 2000 – 2019: a systematic analysis

The United States’ Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) broadcasts data to facilitate aircraft navigation. This paper examines the spatial dependence of ionospheric disturbances that have threatened the accuracy and reliability of position estimates derived from these data over the period 2000 – 2019. We address two distinct aspects of this spatial dependence: (1) the geographic distribution of these threats, in particular, in relation to geomagnetic latitude, and (2) the geometric dependence of threats relative to the locations of the receiver sites that comprise the WAAS network. We analyze threat distributions in terms of the various means that WAAS employs to mitigate these threats, including the Extreme Storm Detector, the Moderate Storm Detector, local irregularity detectors, and the ionospheric threat model. Distinct distributions are presented for threats occurring in Solar Cycle 23 and those of Solar Cycle 24. To study the geometric dependence of threats on receiver locations, we use as a metric the distance separating a threat from the centroid of the nearest Ncentroid receivers. Large values of this metric identify threats at or beyond the edge of coverage. We conclude by discussing the implications of our results for WAAS operations.

Altshuler, Eric↗
NASA NTRS1986

Dual-spacecraft measurements of plasmasphere-ionosphere coupling

An extensive set of plasmaspheric measurements by the DE 1 satellite and ionospheric measurements by the DE 2 satellite are presented. The developments in the ionosphere and plasmasphere during the recovery phase of a magnetospheric storm are described. Isolated profile comparisons are used to indicate some of the structural relations and complexities involving the ionosphere and plasmasphere latitudinal profiles. A transition in the ionospheric electron temperature Te from a relatively smooth profile of low Te at the base of the inner plasmasphere to enhanced and highly structured Te at higher invariant latitudes occurs near or along a plasmaspheric density gradient. Plasmaspheric enhancements of the heavy ions O(+) and O(2+) are often closely aligned with distinct ionospheric Te enhancements.

Horwitz, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Thermospheric heating away from the auroral oval during geomagnetic storms

The data on the morphology of the changes in the heating of thermosphere in the middle and high latitudes during geomagnetic storms, collected by the DE-2 satellite between July 1981 and February 1983 are compared with the NCAR-Thermosphere-Ionosphere General Circulation Model simulation of the November 24, 1982 storm on a one-on-one basis for an individual orbit in the middle of this storm. Good agreement was found for the winter hemisphere. A thermodynamic diagnostic processor was then used to investigate the mechanism by which geomagnetic storms cause temperature increases at lower latitudes. It was found that the pattern of heating during geomagnetic storms is complex, indicative of the complex nature of the physical processes that alter the thermal structure of the thermosphere at these times. Model predictions indicated that the greatest temperature increase at 40 deg N occurs in the morning, in agreement with results of Proelss (1984).

Burns, A. G.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Empirical STORM-E Model

Auroral nighttime infrared emission observed by the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument onboard the Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellite is used to develop an empirical model of geomagnetic storm enhancements to E-region peak electron densities. The empirical model is called STORM-E and will be incorporated into the 2012 release of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI). The proxy for characterizing the E-region response to geomagnetic forcing is NO+(v) volume emission rates (VER) derived from the TIMED/SABER 4.3 lm channel limb radiance measurements. The storm-time response of the NO+(v) 4.3 lm VER is sensitive to auroral particle precipitation. A statistical database of storm-time to climatological quiet-time ratios of SABER-observed NO+(v) 4.3 lm VER are fit to widely available geomagnetic indices using the theoretical framework of linear impulse-response theory. The STORM-E model provides a dynamic storm-time correction factor to adjust a known quiescent E-region electron density peak concentration for geomagnetic enhancements due to auroral particle precipitation. Part II of this series describes the explicit development of the empirical storm-time correction factor for E-region peak electron densities, and shows comparisons of E-region electron densities between STORM-E predictions and incoherent scatter radar measurements. In this paper, Part I of the series, the efficacy of using SABER-derived NO+(v) VER as a proxy for the E-region response to solar-geomagnetic disturbances is presented. Furthermore, a detailed description of the algorithms and methodologies used to derive NO+(v) VER from SABER 4.3 lm limb emission measurements is given. Finally, an assessment of key uncertainties in retrieving NO+(v) VER is presented

Mertens, Christopher J.↗
NASA NTRS1969

Introduction to Ionospheric Physics

Book on ionospheric physics covering neutral atmosphere, ionospheric measurements, photochemical processes, morphology, phenomena, geomagnetism, storms, etc

Garriott, O. K.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Some scientific objectives of a satellite-borne lightning mapper

The Lightning Mapper Sensor is proposed as an instrument for use on a geosynchronous satellite in the late 1980s to monitor lightning activity continuously over broad areas of the earth. The system was suggested in response to a variety of needs and the resulting data will provide important research information for such fields of geoscience as magnetospheric and ionospheric physics, atmospheric electricity, atmospheric chemistry, and storm physics. The research applications of Lightning Mapper Sensor data and related research programs are explored and sensor requirements are discussed.

Davis, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Storm/Quiet Ratio Comparisons Between TIMED/SABER NO (sup +)(v) Volume Emission Rates and Incoherent Scatter Radar Electron Densities at E-Region Altitudes

Broadband infrared limb emission at 4.3 microns is measured by the TIMED/SABER instrument. At night, these emission observations at E-region altitudes are used to derive the so called NO+(v) Volume Emission Rate (VER). NO+(v) VER can be derived by removing the background CO2(v3) 4.3 microns radiance contribution using SABER-based non-LTE radiation transfer models, and by performing a standard Abel inversion on the residual radiance. SABER observations show that NO+(v) VER is significantly enhanced during magnetic storms in accordance with increased ionization of the neutral atmosphere by auroral electron precipitation, followed by vibrational excitation of NO+ (i.e., NO+(v)) from fast exothermic ion-neutral reactions, and prompt infrared emission at 4.3 m. Due to charge neutrality, the NO+(v) VER enhancements are highly correlated with electron density enhancements, as observed for example by Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR). In order to characterize the response of the storm-time E-region from both SABER and ISR measurements, a Storm/Quiet ratio (SQR) quantity is defined as a function of altitude. For SABER, the SQR is the ratio of the storm-to-quiet NO+(v) VER. SQR is the storm-to-quiet ratio of electron densities for ISR. In this work, we compare SABER and ISR SQR values between 100 to 120 km. Results indicate good agreement between these measurements. SQR values are intended to be used as a correction factor to be included in an empirical storm-time correction to the International Reference Ionosphere model at E-region altitudes.

Fernandez, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Magnetospheric Constellation: Leveraging Space 2.0 for Big Science

Earth's magnetosphere is a large magnetic cavity formed through the interaction of the solar wind and Earth's intrinsic magnetic field. Solar wind energy enters this cavity through a boundary - the magnetopause - separating Earth's field from the solar wind. This energy leads to many forms of "space weather", including the aurora, geomagnetic storms, and energization of the Van Allen radiation belts. Despite decades of research, we still do not understand the extent of dayside reconnection sites, nor do we have a quantifiable understanding of how much energy enters the magnetosphere during different solar wind conditions - necessary for space weather prediction. On the nightside, impulsive flows at various spatial and temporal scales occur frequently during storms and substorms, and couple to the ionosphere through still unresolved physical mechanisms. Because the magnetosphere is so large, it has been understood since the dawn of the space age that a full understanding of this complex region could only be achieved with a large fleet of in situ spacecraft. NASA has studied one such constellation, the socalled "Magnetospheric Constellation" (MagCon), since the1990's, but it is deemed too expensive to implement using traditional approaches. The CubeSat/ SmallSat revolution represents a fundamental disruption to traditional mission architectures, and in this paper I will discuss how, by leveraging innovation in spacecraft subystems, advanced manufacturing, and access to space, we can finally realize this long-term vision of exploration and discovery. The proposed modular approach, utilizing rideshare and propulsive ESPAs, would also enable worldwide participation in the mission, and is applicable to any constellation mission, including Earth Science missions.

Kepko, Emil Larry↗
NASA NTRS2023

Comparing Magnetopause Predictions From Two MHD Models During A Geomagnetic Storm and A Quiet Period

Magnetopause location is an important prediction of numerical simulations of the magnetosphere, yet the models can err, either under-predicting or over-predicting the motion of the boundary. This study compares results from two of the most widely used magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models, the Lyon–Fedder–Mobarry (LFM) model and the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF), to data from the GOES 13 and 15 satellites during the geomagnetic storm on 22 June 2015, and to THEMIS A, D, and E during a quiet period on 31 January 2013. The models not only reproduce the magnetopause crossings of the spacecraft during the storm, but they also predict spurious magnetopause motion after the crossings seen in the GOES data. We investigate the possible causes of the over-predictions during the storm and find the following. First, using different ionospheric conductance models does not significantly alter predictions of the magnetopause location. Second, coupling the Rice Convection Model (RCM) to the MHD codes improves the SWMF magnetopause predictions more than it does for the LFM predictions. Third, the SWMF produces a stronger ring current than LFM, both with and without the RCM and regardless of the LFM spatial resolution. During the non-storm event, LFM predicts the THEMIS magnetopause crossings due to the southward interplanetary magnetic field better than the SWMF. Additionally, increasing the LFM spatial grid resolution improves the THEMIS predictions, while increasing the SWMF grid resolutions does not.

magnetohydrodynamics↗
NASA NTRS1974

Seasonal and magnetic storm related changes in the thermosphere induced by eddy mixing

The possibility of explaining the seasonal and magnetic storm related changes in the thermosphere and the ionosphere through variation in eddy diffusion coefficient in the lower thermosphere is investigated theoretically by obtaining simultaneous numerical solutions of the relevant continuity, momentum, and energy balance equations in a self-consistent manner. It is shown that various important features of thermospheric seasonal behavior, including the winter helium bulge phenomenon, can be explained by assuming effective reduction in the winter-time eddy diffusion coefficient by about one order of magnitude. Storm related changes in the thermal structure and composition are seen to arise by assuming a downward shift of turbulence. Physical implications and relative significance of variation in thermospheric turbulence and large scale inter-hemispheric circulation are briefly discussed.

Sinha, A. K.↗