Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “steep”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 217 records · Page 12

Strength of the lunar dust.

Strength of overlay of granular material on Moon estimated from Ranger VII photographs, showing fairly steep slopes covered with dust

LUNAR DUST↗

The opposition effect of Mars.

Photometric data on Mars opposition effect /nonlinear brightness surge at zero alpha phase angle/ noting phase curve steepness

PHASE ANGLE↗

Strong, easy-to-mold, spiral buttress thread

Buttress thread with steep taper connects two molded plastic cylinders without changing wall thickness or sacrificing longitudinal strength at the juncture. Technique lends itself to conventional molding methods.

Heier, W. C.↗

Geology of selected lava tubes in the Bend Area, Oregon

Longitudinal profiles representing 5872.5 m of mapped lava tubes and a photogeologic map relating lava tubes to surface geology, regional structure and topography are presented. Three sets of lava tubes were examined: (1) Arnold Lava Tube System (7km long) composed of collapsed and uncollapsed tube segments and lava ponds, (2) Horse Lava Tube System (11 km long) composed of parallel and anastomosing lava tube segments, and (3) miscellaneous lava tubes. Results of this study tend to confirm the layered lava hypothesis of Ollier and Brown (1965) for lava tube formation; however, there are probably several modes of formation for lava tubes in general. Arnold System is a single series of tubes apparently formed in a single basalt flow on a relatively steep gradient. The advancing flow in which the tubes formed was apparently temporarily halted, resulting in the formation of lava ponds which were inflated and later drained by the lava tube system. Horse System probably formed in multiple, interconnected flows. Pre-flow gradient appears to have been less than for Arnold System, and resulted in meandrous, multiple tube networks.

Greely, R.↗

On the possibility of Earth reentry simulation of shallow angle Jupiter entry

Possible Earth reentry simulation of shallow-angle (3 to 30 deg) Jupiter entry was investigated in terms of four parameters of the bow shock layer ahead of a blunt vehicle: peak (equilibrium) temperature, peak pressure, peak inward radiative flux, and time-integrated radiative flux. It is shown that simulation ranging from fair to good can be achieved. Reentry is easiest (lowest Earth reentry speed) at steep Earth reentry, in the Earth entry speed range of 15 to 22 km/sec, for both the Jupiter nominal and cool atmospheres. Increased Earth speed is required, generally, for increasing Jupiter entry angle, and for increasing temperature, radiative flux, time-integrated flux and pressure, in that order.

Mcronald, A. D.↗

Safe atmosphere entry of an isotope heat source with a single stable trim attitude at hypersonic speeds

A theoretical investigation has been made to design an isotope heat source capable of satisfying the conflicting thermal requirements of steady-state operation and atmosphere entry. The isotope heat source must transfer heat efficiently to a heat exchange during normal operation with a power system in space, and in the event of a mission abort, it must survive the thermal environment of atmosphere entry and ground impact without releasing radioactive material. A successful design requires a compatible integration of the internal components of the heat source with the external aerodynamic shape. To this end, configurational, aerodynamic, motion, and thermal analyses were coupled and iterated during atmosphere entries at suborbital through superorbital velocities at very shallow and very steep entry angles. Results indicate that both thermal requirements can be satisfied by a heat source which has a single stable aerodynamic orientation at hypersonic speeds. For such a design, the insulation material required to adequately protect the isotope fuel from entry heating need extend only half way around the fuel capsule on the aerodynamically stable (wind-ward) side of the heat source. Thus, a low-thermal-resistance, conducting heat path is provided on the opposite side of the heat source through which heat can be transferred to an adjacent heat exchanger during normal operation without exceeding specified temperature limits.

Levy, L. L., Jr.↗

Polymer crystallization in a temperature gradient field with controlled crystal growth rate

A method is described for studying the influence of a temperature gradient on the crystallization of quiescent polymer melts. The apparatus used consists of two brass plates with embedded electrical resistance heaters and cooling coils. The crystallizations experiments were conducted by placing polymer specimens between the paltes, and manually adjusting heaters and cooling fluids for temperature control. Linear polyethylene, isotactic polyprophylene, and a high density polyethylene were used. It is concluded that the role of a temperature gradient in producing oriented crystallization is in producing conditions which lead the spherulitic growth pattern to proceed primarily in one direction. Steep gradients diminish the penetration of supercooling and favors oriented growth.

Hansen, D.↗

Solar flares, the lunar surface, and gas rich meteorites

Investigations on the Fe-group nuclei track density vs depth in lunar rocks and Surveyor 3 TV camera filter glass were critically examined considering more factors than previously. The analysis gives a firmer basis to the observation of the preferential leakage of low energy Fe nuclei from the accelerating region of the sun. The track density gradients in lunar rock 12022 and filter glass are used to determine the lunar erosion rate of 3 angstroms/yr. Track gradients are less steep than predicted from energy spectrum observed in the Surveyor glass, perhaps due to sputtering. High densities of etchable tracks were found at all depths down to 60 cm in fines from Apollo cores and also in thin sections of the Pesjanoe, Pantar, and Fayetteville gas-rich meteorites. It is felt unlikely that suprathermal heavy ions were responsible for the high track densities.

Barber, D. J.↗

A model for Jupiter's proton radiation belt

A model for electron and proton energy and density in Jupiter's radiation belt is proposed. It is assumed that electrons diffuse inward from the solar wind. The Davis and Chang diffusion model, in which there is a very steep L-shell dependence in density and energy, is scaled outwards from the peak of the belts at about 1.5 to 2 Jupiter radii to the magnetopause as defined by the magnetic moment. The energetic electron density is calculated to be one billionth of the density in the solar wind, and that is assumed to be the trapping ratio of Jupiter's synchrotron belts. It is further assumed that the same figures apply to protons. The flux density at 80 MHz was measured by the Culgoora ring to be identical to that at 3000 MHz, implying a constant flux density of the synchrotron source of over 20 or 30 to 1 in frequency. It is suggested that the synchrotron spectrum is flat over more than an order of magnitude of frequency. Jupiter is an enormous synchrotron source and has a strong magnetic field, causing long diffusion times for electrons in the magnetosphere.

Warwick, J.↗

Effects of an in-flight thrust reverser on the stability and control characteristics of a single-engine fighter airplane model

The changes in thrust minus drag performance as well as longitudinal and directional stability and control characteristics of a single-engine jet aircraft attributable to an in-flight thrust reverser of the blocker-deflector door type were investigated in a 16-foot transonic wind tunnel. The longitudinal and directional stability data are presented. Test conditions simulated landing approach conditions as well as high speed maneuvering such as may be required for combat or steep descent from high altitude.

Mercer, C. E.↗

Modulation of cosmic ray electrons

The origin and variations of the steep spectrum of electrons observed below 20 MeV is explained by a simple model in which the spectrum of interplanetary cosmic rays is decomposed, at low energies, into two independently varying components.

Earl, J. A.↗

The dayside of the plasmasphere.

The concentrations of H(+) ions in the dayside region of the plasmasphere, measured from March 1968 through February 1969 by the Lockheed light-ion mass spectrometer aboard the OGO 5 satellite, are presented and analyzed. The position of the plasmapause on the dayside appears to be determined by the level of magnetic activity present during the previous corotation of the dayside sector through the formative nightside region. Observations of the buildup of H(+) density versus local time following magnetic storms indicate that H(+) ions flow from the dayside ionosphere into the plasmasphere and plasma trough. Plasmapause density profiles in the afternoon-dusk sector show the effects of the dayside filling from the ionosphere. In addition, several of the dayside profiles display a steep drop in the H(+) density of about a factor of 10 inside the plasmapause position.

Chappell, C. R.↗

The new civil aviation within our grasp.

Noise and congestion present the two main technological constraints on air-transportation growth. Although some of the noise reduction will come with improved flight-path control and steep approaches, the main requirement remains quiet propulsion systems. Higher engine temperatures will compensate for efficiency losses due to noise suppression. Composite structures can reduce structural weight by 20%. New developments in rotorcraft transports are discussed together with advanced subsonic transports of the 1980s and the possibilities for further evolution of the SSTs, leading to a hypersonic aircraft.

Cortright, E. M.↗

Venus - Topography revealed by radar data.

Surface height variations over the entire equatorial region on Venus have been estimated from extended series of measurements of interplanetary radar echo delays. Most notable is a mountainous section of about 3-kilometer peak height located at a longitude of 100 degrees (International Astronomical Union coordinate system). The eastern edge has an average inclination of about 0.5 degrees, which is unusually steep for a large-scale slope on Venus. The resolution of the radar measurements along the surface of Venus varied between about 200 and 400 kilometers with a repeatability in altitude determination generally between 200 and 500 meters. The mean equatorial radius was found to be 6050.0 plus or minus 0.5 kilometers.

Campbell, D. B.↗

Effects of vaporization and condensation on Apollo 11 glass spherules - Implications for cooling rates.

Fourteen of 40 glass spherules present in a section of the Apollo 11 microbreccia 10019,22 were found to exhibit steep concentration gradients at their rims; the oxides of the relatively volatile elements Na, K, and P increase by, respectively, factors of up to 67, 16, and greater than 54 at the spherule rims in comparison to the homogeneous centers. These gradients usually extend over 25-30 microns. Furthermore, the natural surfaces of 11 unpolished glass spherules separated from the fines 10084,97, in 60-80% of all cases, show higher concentrations in Na2O, K2O, and P2O5 than the averages for the central portions of 45 independently analyzed glass spherules. It is suggested that the concentration gradients observed are diffusion gradients and are the result of the impact event which produced the glasses; in the impact melting process, splash drops of melt formed that lost volatiles by vaporization. A procedure is described to determine the cooling rate of a spherule from measured concentration gradients, provided the diffusion coefficients are known for the particular glass compositions in question.

Kurat, G.↗