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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 235 records · Page 13
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NASA NTRS1974

Radiation measurements over a snowfield at an elevated site

The components of short wave radiation were measured over a snowfield in a valley of the Rocky Mountains at a height of 2700 m above sea level. Global and reflected radiation were obtained by a set of Eppley pyranometers. In addition, the direct solar radiation and the turbidity of the atmosphere were derived from pyrheliometric data on cloud-free days. Emphasis was given to the reflectance of the snowfield in relation to the position of the sun, especially at low elevation angles. These reflectance values were measured for cloudless as well as for cloudy days and compared with already published values for arctic and antarctic conditions.

Korff, H. C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

On the marginally stable saturation spectrum of unstable type I equatorial electrojet irregularities

Formulation of a self-consistent convective nonlinear theory of type I irregularities in the equatorial electrojet. It is found that a combination of three mechanisms - convective amplification, quasi-linear polarization electric field reduction, and nonlinear particle orbit diffusion damping - accounts for radar backscatter observations of a ubiquitous marginally stable (or 'constant ion-acoustic Doppler shift') saturation spectrum better than any of the three mechanisms treated separately. In particular, no spatially homogeneous theory without wave refraction can account for the observations. Wave refraction alone or with quasi-linear polarization electric field reduction is also inadequate. Wave refraction, quasi-linear polarization reduction, and particle orbit diffusion theory appear to account for type I observations at radar elevation angles less than 60 deg. Vertical type I backscatter cannot be explained without modifying the present laminar electrojet model.

Lee, K.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Measurement of the abundance of several natural stratospheric trace constituents from high altitude aircraft

A summary report of the initial results obtained from near-infrared observations of the stratosphere from the Anglo-French SST Concorde is presented, together with the most recent results from previous flights aboard an Air Force NC-135. The measurements were made with a fast Fourier interferometer spectrometer operating in the 1.2- to 7.5-micron range of the infrared with a spectral resolution of 0.25 per cm. For the Concorde experiments, flight times and trajectories were selected which allowed the sun to be viewed near the horizon with the relative solar elevation angle held constant throughout the measurements. Results reported include the identification of features due to N2O, NO, NO2, CO, CO2, CH4, H2O and indications of their latitudinal variations.

Farmer, C. B.↗
NASA NTRS1975

L-band, 1.2 m parabolic antenna-noise temperature measurement

Extensive antenna-noise temperature measurements at 1.6 GHz (L-band) were made using a 1.2 m (4 ft. diameter) parabolic dish antenna mounted on the flying bridge of a modern 15,690-ton, commercial-container ship. Both in-harbor and at-sea radiometer measurements were made that indicated a steady background, antenna-noise temperature value slightly less than 70 degrees Kelvin (K) at elevation angles of 5 percent, and greater, at 1.6 GHz. A comparison of theoretical and measured values indicate excellent agreement within about 5K for at-sea data. These measurements are helpful to RF equipment designers of maritime, L-band shipboard terminals for operation with the two, geostationary, maritime satellites, Marisat-A and -B.

Taylor, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Review of aircraft noise propagation

The current state of knowledge about the propagation of aircraft noise was reviewed. The literature on the subject is surveyed and methods for predicting the most important and best understood propagation effects are presented. Available empirical data are examined and the data's general validity is assessed. The methods used to determine the loss of acoustic energy due to uniform spherical spreading, absorption in a homogeneous atmosphere, and absorption due to ground cover are presented. A procedure for determining ground induced absorption as a function of elevation angle between source and receiver is recommended. Other factors that affect propagation, such as refraction and scattering due to turbulence, which were found to be less important for predicting the propagation of aircraft noise, are also evaluated.

Putnam, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A global model of the earth's ionosphere for use in space applications

A general expression is derived for the F layer electron density profile as a function of latitude and longitude for that part of the earth which is in direct sunlight including dawn and dusk. Furthermore, the derived model is extended to encompass the night-time ionosphere. The expressions allow determination by standard means of the range correction for arbitrary ray path directions. It is also shown that the naive application of the Chapman ionospheric model entails range correction errors which for low elevation angles (less than 20 deg) and large solar zenith angles (40 deg) cannot be tolerated. Numerical calculations are displayed showing the dependence of the range correction on the pertinent parameters.

Von Roos, O. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Propagation predictions and studies using a ray tracing program combined with a theoretical ionospheric model

Radio wave propagation predictions are described in which modern comprehensive theoretical ionospheric models are coupled with ray-tracing programs. In the computer code described, a network of electron density and collision frequency parameters along a band about the great circle path is calculated by specifying the transmitter and receiver geographic coordinates, time, the day number, and the 2800-MHz solar flux. The ray paths are calculated on specifying the frequency, mode, range of elevation angles, and range of azimuth angles from the great circle direction. The current program uses a combination of the Penn State MKI E and F region models and the Mitra-Rowe D and E region model. Application of the technique to the prediction of satellite to ground propagation and calculation of oblique incidence propagation paths and absorption are described. The implications of the study to the development of the next generation of ionospheric models are discussed.

Lee, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Dominance of the diurnal mode of horizontal drift velocities at F-region heights

Drift measurements perpendicular to the magnetic field are examined, taking into account also some nighttime measurements. Nighttime measurements of drift velocities are more difficult because densities are lower. However, the uncertainty in the drift velocities can be optimized by making use of an approach reported by Kirchhoff (1973). The approach involves a careful selection of the elevation angle of the radar antenna. Measured velocities are discussed along with the magnetospheric perturbation effect. The measurements are compared with conclusions of the dynamo theories.

Kirchhoff, V. W. J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The effect of aerosols on the earth-atmosphere albedo

The paper presents calculations of the change in reflected flux by the earth-atmosphere system in response to increases in the atmospheric aerosol loading for a range of complex indices of refraction, solar elevation angle and ground albedo. Results show that, for small values of ground albedo, the reflected solar flux may either increase or decrease with increasing aerosol loadings, depending upon the complex part of the index of refraction of the aerosols. For high ground albedos, an increase in aerosol levels always results in a decrease of reflected flux (i.e., a warming of the earth-atmosphere system).

Herman, B. M.↗
NASA NTRS1974

EMI survey for maritime satellite, L-band, shipboard terminal

The United States Lines 15,690-ton commercial-container ship, American Alliance, was selected as lead ship for an onboard EMI survey prior to installation of L-Band shipboard terminals for operation with two, geostationary, maritime satellites. In general, the EMI survey revealed tolerable interference levels onboard ship: radiometer measurements indicate antenna-noise temperatures less than 70 K, at elevation angles of 5 deg and greater, at 1559 MHz, at the output terminals of the 1.2-m-diameter, parabolic-dish antenna for the L-Band shipboard terminal. Other EMI measurements include field intensity from 3 cm- and 10 cm-wavelength pulse radars, and conducted-emission tests of primary power lines to both onboard radars.

Taylor, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A collection of articles on S/X-band experiment zero delay ranging tests, volume 1

Articles are presented which are concerned with the development of special test equipment and a dual-frequency zero delay device (ZDD) that were required for range tests and the measurement of ground station delays for the Mariner-Venus-Mercury 1973 S/X-band experiment. Test data obtained at DSS 14 after installation of the ZDD on the 64-m antenna are given. It is shown that large variations of range were observed as a function of antenna elevation angle and were sensitive to antenna location. A ranging calibration configuration that was subsequently developed and a technique for determining the appropriate Z-correction are described. Zero delay test data at DSS 14 during the Mariner 10 Venus-Mercury-Encounter periods (1974 days 12-150) are presented. The theoretical analysis and experimental verifications are included of the effects of multipath and effects of discontinuities on range delay measurements. A movable subreflector technique and the multipath theory were used to isolate principal multipath errors on the 64-m antenna and to enable a more accurate determination of the actual ground station range delay.

Otoshi, T. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The effects of random path fluctuations on the accuracy of laser ranging systems

The precision of satellite ranging systems, limited in part by atmospheric refraction and scattering, is examined. The effects of atmospheric turbulence on the accuracy of single color and multicolor ranging systems is discussed. The statistical characteristics of the random path length fluctuations induced by turbulence are examined. Correlation and structure functions are derived using several proposed models for the variations of the optical path length. For single color systems it is shown that the random path length fluctuations can limit the accuracy of a range measurement to a few centimeters. Two color systems can partially correct for the random path fluctuations so that in most cases their accuracy is limited to a few millimeters. However, at low elevation angles and over long horizontal paths two color systems can also have errors approaching a few centimeters.

Gardner, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A new global ionospheric model

A new global ionospheric model has been successfully implemented. The daytime portion of this model provides one-way ionospheric range corrections that compare favorably with those derived from the Mariner Venus Mercury (MVM'73) S- and X-band dual frequency doppler data. For elevation angles, γ, higher than 30 deg and solar zenith angle, X, less than 80 deg, this model provides calibrations accurate to a few centimeters. The calibrations provided by the nighttime model are also very reasonable. These, however, will have to be compared with the S/X data from Viking ‘75 for final confirmation. It is interesting to note that the daytime ionospheric calibrations derived from the current calibration scheme, DIEN/TIEN, are fairly close to those given by the new global model, especially in the temporal variations and thus the doppler effects. In the daytime and for γ ≳ 30 deg and X < 80 deg, the calibrations from the two models agree almost exactly. However, for situations when γ is below 30 deg and X is larger than 80 deg simultaneously, as much as 12% (~70 cm, typically) improvement of the new model over DIEN/TIEN results. The comparison between the nighttime model and DIEN/TIEN has been based on the one-way ionospheric range corrections for three passes near the Mariner 9 encounter with Mars in 1971 tracked at Goldstone. It is found that they can differ by over 30% (typically 20 cm). As mentioned, the confirmation of these nighttime calibrations awaits the availability of the Viking S/X dual frequency doppler data. Finally, the ionospheric calibration effects on orbit determination provided by DIEN/TIEN, the global model, and the S/X data will be intercompared during the Viking Mission.

K. W. Yip↗
NASA NTRS1975

Experimental evaluation of atmospheric effects on radiometric measurements using the EREP of Skylab

The author has identified the following significant results. Test sites were located near the Great Salt Lake and the Salton Sea. Calculations were performed for a set of atmospheric models corresponding to the test sites, in addition to standard models for summer and winter midlatitude atmospheres with respective integrated water vapor amount of 2.4 g/sq cm and 0.9 g/sq cm. Each atmosphere was found to contain an average amount of continental aerosol. Computations were valid for high solar elevation angles. Atmospheric attenuation quantities were computed in addition to simulated EREP S192 radiances.

Chang, D. T.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Earth-atmosphere system and surface reflectivities in arid regions from LANDSAT multispectral scanner measurements

Programs for computing atmospheric transmission and scattering solar radiation were used to compute the ratios of the Earth-atmosphere system (space) directional reflectivities in the vertical direction to the surface reflectivity, for the four bands of the LANDSAT multispectral scanner (MSS). These ratios are presented as graphs for two water vapor levels, as a function of the surface reflectivity, for various sun elevation angles. Space directional reflectivities in the vertical direction are reported for selected arid regions in Asia, Africa and Central America from the spectral radiance levels measured by the LANDSAT MSS. From these space reflectivities, surface vertical reflectivities were computed applying the pertinent graphs. These surface reflectivities were used to estimate the surface albedo for the entire solar spectrum. The estimated albedos are in the range 0.34-0.52, higher than the values reported by most previous researchers from space measurements, but are consistent with laboratory measurements.

Otterman, J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Laser Doppler systems in pollution monitoring

The paper reports on a program undertaken to determine the feasibility of using a laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) to measure smoke-stack gas exit velocity, particulate concentration, and mass flow. Measurements made with a CO2 laser Doppler radar system at a coal-burning power plant are compared with in-stack measurements made by a pitot tube. The operational principles of a LDV are briefly described along with the system employed in the present study. Data discussed include typical Doppler spectra from smoke-stack effluents at various laser elevation angles, the measured velocity profile across the stack exit, and the LDV-measured exit velocity as a function of the exit velocity measured by the in-stack instrument. The in-stack velocity is found to be about 14% higher than the LDV velocity, but this discrepancy is regarded as a systematic error. In general, linear relationships are observed between the laser data, the exit velocity, and the particulate concentration. It is concluded that an LDV has the capability of determining both the mass concentration and the mass flow from a power-plant smoke stack.

Miller, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

EMI survey for maritime satellite, L-band, shipboard terminal

The paper presents results of an onboard EMI survey of an L-band shipboard terminal for operation with two geostationary maritime satellites. Significant EMC results include: (1) antenna noise temperature measurements indicate a maximum of 70 K steady background component at 1.6 GHz at sea for elevation angles of 5 degrees and higher; (2) field intensity measurements from 1-10 GHz show that a L-band terminal can operate simultaneously with onboard S-band and X-band navigation radar; (3) radar transmitter case emissions, below deck, in-band from 1535-1660 MHz, at 1 m distance from the cabinet, are equivalent, or greater than above-deck emissions in the same frequency range; and (4) conducted-emission tests of a ship's power lines to both radars show both narrow band and broad band emissions are 15 dB to 50 dB higher than equivalent U.S. commercial power lines from 150 kHz to 32 MHz.

Taylor, R. E.↗