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At least 235 records · Page 13

The variability of atmospheric equivalent temperature for radar altimeter range correction

Two sets of data were used to test the validity of the presently used approximation for radar altimeter range correction due to atmospheric water vapor. The approximation includes an assumption of constant atmospheric equivalent temperature. The first data set includes monthly, three-dimensional, gridded temperature and humidity fields over global oceans for a 10-year period, and the second is comprised of daily or semidaily rawinsonde data at 17 island stations for a 7-year period. It is found that the standard method underestimates the variability of the equivalent temperature, and the approximation could introduce errors of 2 cm for monthly means. The equivalent temperature is found to have a strong meridional gradient, and the highest temporal variabilities are found over western boundary currents. The study affirms that the atmospheric water vapor is a good predictor for both the equivalent temperature and the range correction. A relation is proposed to reduce the error.

Liu, W. Timothy↗

Validation of US3D for Capsule Aerodynamics using 05-CA Wind Tunnel Test Data

Several comparisons of computational fluid dynamics to wind tunnel test data are shown for the purpose of code validation. The wind tunnel test, 05-CA, uses a 7.66% model of NASA's Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle in the 11-foot test section of the Ames Unitary Plan Wind tunnel. A variety of freestream conditions over four Mach numbers and three angles of attack are considered. Test data comparisons include time-averaged integrated forces and moments, time-averaged static pressure ports on the surface, and Strouhal Number. The applicability of the US3D code to subsonic and transonic flow over a bluff body is assessed on a comprehensive data set. With close comparison, this work validates US3D for highly separated flows similar to those examined here.

Schwing, Alan↗

Simultaneous Development and Robust Optimization of a Microstructure Dependent Material

Recent microstructure characterization techniques combined with Symbolic Regression(SR)analysis has been proven to generate white box plasticity models well suited for incorporation into FEA software.The current work builds upon those efforts and demonstrates the applicability of Sequential Monte-Carlo (SMC) methods within SR analysis to condense model development and robust optimization into a single, co-dependent process. In this project, SMC methods provide a mechanism through which the observed microstructure features and associated variability can be incorporated into the discovery phase of model development and simultaneously recover approximate parameter distributions through SR analysis. The demonstration utilized a data set consisting of tensile test results from a limited number of sample specimens with corresponding EBSD data from which microstructure features were characterized.The maximum threshold stress model in the Visco-Plastic Self-Consistent (VPSC) code developed by Los Alamos National Laboratories was calibrated using mechanical test data.Synthetic volume elements with statistically equivalent microstructure were generated with DREAM3Dbased on the observed EBSD data. VPSC was used to simulate the corresponding tensile test response for each of the synthetic volume elements. The simulated microstructure and tensile test data was used astraining datafor SMC-SR algorithm and the resulting model was validated with data from the original empirical data set.

Karl Garbrecht↗

Microstructure Modeling of 3rd Generation Disk Alloys

The objective of this program is to model, validate, and predict the precipitation microstructure evolution, using PrecipiCalc (QuesTek Innovations LLC) software, for 3rd generation Ni-based gas turbine disc superalloys during processing and service, with a set of logical and consistent experiments and characterizations. Furthermore, within this program, the originally research-oriented microstructure simulation tool will be further improved and implemented to be a useful and user-friendly engineering tool. In this report, the key accomplishment achieved during the second year (2008) of the program is summarized. The activities of this year include final selection of multicomponent thermodynamics and mobility databases, precipitate surface energy determination from nucleation experiment, multiscale comparison of predicted versus measured intragrain precipitation microstructure in quench samples showing good agreement, isothermal coarsening experiment and interaction of grain boundary and intergrain precipitates, primary microstructure of subsolvus treatment, and finally the software implementation plan for the third year of the project. In the following year, the calibrated models and simulation tools will be validated against an independently developed experimental data set, with actual disc heat treatment process conditions. Furthermore, software integration and implementation will be developed to provide material engineers valuable information in order to optimize the processing of the 3rd generation gas turbine disc alloys.

Jou, Herng-Jeng↗

Single-Shot Scalar-Triplet Measurements in High-Pressure Swirl-Stabilized Flames for Combustion Code Validation

In support of NASA ARMD's code validation project, we have made significant progress by providing the first quantitative single-shot multi-scalar data from a turbulent elevated-pressure (5 atm), swirl-stabilized, lean direct injection (LDI) type research burner operating on CH4-air using a spatially-resolved pulsed-laser spontaneous Raman diagnostic technique. The Raman diagnostics apparatus and data analysis that we present here were developed over the past 6 years at Glenn Research Center. From the Raman scattering data, we produce spatially-mapped probability density functions (PDFs) of the instantaneous temperature, determined using a newly developed low-resolution effective rotational bandwidth (ERB) technique. The measured 3-scalar (triplet) correlations, between temperature, CH4, and O2 concentrations, as well as their PDF s, also provide a high-level of detail into the nature and extent of the turbulent mixing process and its impact on chemical reactions in a realistic gas turbine injector flame at elevated pressures. The multi-scalar triplet data set presented here provides a good validation case for CFD combustion codes to simulate by providing both average and statistical values for the 3 measured scalars.

Kojima, Jun↗

The New 20-Year Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) Merged Satellite and Rainguage Monthly Analysis

A new 20-year, monthly, globally complete precipitation analysis has been completed as part of the World Climate Research Program's (WCRP/GEWEX) Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP). This Version 2 of the community generated data set is a result of combining the procedures and data sets as described. The global, monthly, 2.5x 2.5 degree latitude-longitude product utilizes precipitation estimates from low-orbit microwave sensors (SSM/1) and geosynchronous IR sensors and raingauge information over land. The low-orbit microwave estimates are used to adjust or correct the geosynchronous IR estimates, thereby maximizing the utility of the more physically-based microwave estimates and the finer time sampling of the geosynchronous observations. Information from raingauges is blended into the analyses over land. In the 1986-present period TOVS-based precipitation estimates are adjusted to GPCP fields and used in polar regions to produce globally-complete results. The extension back to 1979 utilizes the procedures of Xie and Arkin and their OLR Precipitation Index (OPI). The 20-year climatology of the Version 2 GPCP analysis indicates the expected features of a very strong Pacific Ocean ITCZ and SPCZ with maximum 20-year means approaching 10 mm/day. A similar strength maximum over land is evident over Borneo. Weaker maxima in the tropics occur in the Atlantic ITCZ and over South America and Africa. In mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere the Western Pacific and Western Atlantic maxima have values of approximately 7 mm/day, while in the Southern Hemisphere the mid-latitude maxima are located southeast of Africa, in mid-Pacific as an extension of the SPCZ and southeast of South America. In terms of global totals the GPCP analysis shows 2.7 mm/day (3.0 mm/day over ocean; 2.1 mm/day over land), similar to the Jaeger climatology, but not other climatologies. Zonal averages peak at 6 mm/day at 7*N with mid-latitude peaks of about 3 mm/day at 40-45* latitude. Poleward of 45* the GPCP analysis shows larger zonally-averaged values than most previous satellite-based estimates, although the values are similar to tl,ie Jaeger climatology. Over both ocean areas and at high latitudes the analysis requires additional validation and comparison with special, independent data sets from field experiments and from the Tropical Rain Measuring Mission (TRMM) to confirm the absolute magnitude and variations of precipitation seen in the analysis. Interannual and other variations of the global fields will be shown focusing on the recent ('97-'99) ENSO event compared with previous events, including teleconnections at mid and high latitudes. An ENSO Precipitation Index (ESPI) calculated using the new data set will be described and related to the evolution of the ENSO events during the 20-year period.

Adler, Robert↗

Validation of MODIS Dust Aerosol Retrieval and Development Ambient Dust Phase Function using PRIDE Data

The PRIDE data set of MODIS aerosol retrievals co-located with sunphotometer measurements provides the basis of MODIS validation in a dust environment. The sunphotometer measurements include AERONET automatic instruments, land-based Microtops instruments, ship-board Microtops instruments and the AATS-6 aboard the Navajo aircraft. Analysis of these data indicate that the MODIS retrieval is within pre-launch estimates of uncertainty within the spectral range of 600-900 nm. However, the MODIS algorithm consistently retrieves smaller particles than reality thus leading to incorrect spectral response outside of the 600-900 nm range and improper size information. Further analysis of MODIS retrievals in other dust environments shows the inconsistencies are due to nonspherical effects in the phase function. These data are used to develop an ambient phase function for dust aerosol to be used for remote sensing purposes.

Remer, Lorraine A.↗

Precipitable Water Variability Using SSM/I and GOES VAS Pathfinder Data Sets

Determining moisture variability for all weather scenes is critical to understanding the earth's hydrologic cycle and global climate changes. Remote sensing from geostationary satellites provides the necessary temporal and spatial resolutions necessary for global change studies. Due to antenna size constraints imposed with the use of microwave radiometers, geostationary satellites have carried instruments passively measuring radiation at infrared wavelengths or shorter. The shortfall of using infrared instruments in moisture studies lies in its inability to sense terrestrial radiation through clouds. Microwave emissions, on the other hand, are mostly unaffected by cloudy atmospheres. Land surface emissivity at microwave frequencies exhibit both high temporal and spatial variability thus confining moisture retrievals at microwave frequencies to over marine atmospheres (a near uniform cold background). This study intercompares the total column integrated water content Precipitable Water, (PW) as derived from both the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) and the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) VISSR Atmospheric Sounder (VAS) pathfinder data sets. PW is a bulk parameter often used to quantify moisture variability and is important to understanding the earth's hydrologic cycle and climate system. This research has been spawned in an effort to combine two different algorithms which together can lead to a more comprehensive quantification of global water vapor. The approach taken here is to intercompare two independent PW retrieval algorithms and to validate the resultant retrievals against an existing data set, namely the European Center for Medium range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model analysis data.

Lerner, Jeffrey A.↗

The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover Mastcam Instruments: Preflight and In-Flight Calibration, Validation, and Data Archiving

The NASA Curiosity rover Mast Camera (Mastcam) system is a pair of fixed-focal length, multispectral, color CCD imagers mounted approximately 2 m above the surface on the rover's remote sensing mast, along with associated electronics and an onboard calibration target. The left Mastcam (M-34) has a 34 mm focal length, an instantaneous field of view (IFOV) of 0.22 mrad, and a FOV of 20 deg × 15 deg over the full 1648 × 1200 pixel span of its Kodak KAI-2020 CCD. The right Mastcam (M-100) has a 100 mm focal length, an IFOV of 0.074 mrad, and a FOV of 6.8 deg × 5.1 deg using the same detector. The cameras are separated by 24.2 cm on the mast, allowing stereo images to be obtained at the resolution of the M-34 camera. Each camera has an eight-position filter wheel, enabling it to take Bayer pattern red, green, and blue (RGB) 'true color' images, multispectral images in nine additional bands spanning approximately 400-1100 nm, and images of the Sun in two colors through neutral density-coated filters. An associated Digital Electronics Assembly provides command and data interfaces to the rover, 8 Gb of image storage per camera, 11 bit to 8 bit companding, JPEG compression, and acquisition of high-definition video. Here we describe the preflight and in-flight calibration of Mastcam images, the ways that they are being archived in the NASA Planetary Data System, and the ways that calibration refinements are being developed as the investigation progresses on Mars. We also provide some examples of data sets and analyses that help to validate the accuracy and precision of the calibration.

MSL Mastcam; quantitative multispectral↗

Validation of the galactic cosmic ray and geomagnetic transmission models

A very high-momentum resolution particle spectrometer called the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) was flown in the payload bay of the Space Shuttle in a 51.65 degrees x 380-km orbit during the last solar minimum. This spectrometer has provided the first high statistics data set for galactic cosmic radiation protons, and helium, as well as limited spectral data on carbon and oxygen nuclei in the International Space Station orbit. First measurements of the albedo protons at this inclination were also made. Because of the high-momentum resolution and high statistics, the data can be separated as a function of magnetic latitude. A related investigation, the balloon borne experiment with a superconducting solenoid spectrometer (BESS), has been flown from Lynn Lake, Canada and has also provided excellent high-resolution data on protons and helium. These two data sets have been used here to study the validity of two galactic cosmic ray models and the geomagnetic transmission function developed from the 1990 geomagnetic reference field model. The predictions of both the CREME96 and NASA/JSC models are in good agreement with the AMS data. The shape of the AMS measured albedo proton spectrum, up to 2 GeV, is in excellent agreement with the previous balloon and satellite observations. A new LIS spectrum was developed that is consistent with both previous and new BESS 3He observations. Because the astronaut radiation exposures onboard ISS will be highest around the time of the solar minimum, these AMS measurements and these models provide important benchmarks for future radiation studies. AMS-02 slated for launch in September 2003, will provide even better momentum resolution and higher statistics data. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

unmanned↗

Satellite and correlative measurements of the stratospheric aerosol. II Comparison of measurements made by SAM II, dustsondes and airborne lidar

Results are shown from the first set of measurements conducted to validate extinction data from the Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement II (SAM II). Dustsonde-measured number density profiles and lidar-measured backscattering profiles for two days are converted to extinction profiles, and are shown to agree within their respective uncertainties at all heights above the tropopause. Near the tropopause, agreement depends on use of model size distributions with larger particles, having radii greater than 0.6 microns. The presence of such large particles is supported by measurements made elsewhere, is suggested by the in situ size distribution measurements reported, and is likely to have an important bearing on the radiative impact of the total stratospheric aerosol. It is concluded that the SAM II extinction data and uncertainty estimates are supported.

Russell, P. B.↗

Understanding the Radiant Scattering Behavior of Vegetated Scenes

Knowledge of the physics of the scattering behavior of vegetation will ultimately serve the remote sensing and earth science community in many ways. For example, it will provide: (1) insight and guidance in developing new extraction techniques of canopy characteristics, (2) a basis for better interpretation of off-nadir satellite and aircraft data, (3) a basis for defining specifications of future earth observing sensor systems, and (4) a basis for defining important aspects of physical and biological processes of the plant system. The overall objective of the three-year study is to improve our fundamental understanding of the dynamics of directional scattering properties of vegetation canopies through analysis of field data and model simulation data. The specific objectives are to: (1) collect directional reflectance data covering the entire exitance hemisphere for several common vegetation canopies with various geometric structure (both homogeneous and row crop structures), (2) develop a scene radiation model with a general mathematical framework which will treat 3-D variability in heterogeneous scenes and account for 3-D radiant interactions within the scene, (3) conduct validations of the model on collected data sets, and (4) test and expand proposed physical scattering mechanisms involved in reflectance distribution dynamics by analyzing both field and modeling data.

Kimes, D. S.↗

Detailed near-wake flowfield surveys with comparison to an Euler method of an aspect ratio 4 rectangular wing

An experimental investigation of the flowfield in the near-wake of an aspect ratio 4 rectangular wing was conducted, providing a complete detailed set of data for use in the validation of computational methods. An angle of attack of 8 degrees and two Reynolds numbers 530,000 and 391,000 were investigated using pitot and six-hole probes. In addition, two types of flow visualization were employed. The data presented includes contours of total pressure, mean velocity, flow angularity, and vorticity distribution data at five chordwise stations of the near-wake ranging from 0.167 to 5.00 chord lengths aft of the trailing edge. The experimental results were compared to the predicted results of a 2-D Euler numerical method. The results predicted by an Euler method failed to accurately define the flowfield. Tangential velocities remained relatively constant over the range of X/C considered though increased in angle of attack and Reynolds number did bring about corresponding increases. Axial velocities also increased with angle of attack and Reynolds number but showed greater sensitivity to increases in X/C. Graphic displays and contours of the total pressure data indicate that roll-up of the wing tip vortex is essentially complete one and one half chords downstream of the trailing edge.

Klinge, M. D.↗

Full-scale high angle-of-attack tests of an F/A-18

This paper presents an overview of high angle-of-attack tests of a full-scale F/A-18 in the 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel of the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex at NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California. A production aircraft was tested over an angle-of-attack range of 18 to 50 deg and at wind speeds of up to 100 knots. These tests had three primary test objectives. Pneumatic and mechanical forebody flow control devices were tested at full-scale and shown to produce significant yawing moments for lateral control of the aircraft at high angles of attack. Mass flow requirements for the pneumatic system were found to scale with freestream density and speed rather than freestream dynamic pressure. Detailed measurements of the pressures buffeting the vertical tail were made and spatial variations in the buffeting frequency were found. The LEX fence was found to have a significant effect on the frequency distribution on the outboard surface of the vertical fin. In addition to the above measurements, an extensive set of data was acquired for the validation of computational fluid dynamics codes and for comparison with flight test and small-scale wind tunnel test results.

Meyn, Larry A.↗

Data pre-processing: Stratospheric aerosol perturbing effect on the remote sensing of vegetation: Correction method for the composite NDVI after the Pinatubo eruption

An operational stratospheric correction scheme used after the Mount Pinatubo (Phillipines) eruption (Jun. 1991) is presented. The stratospheric aerosol distribution is assumed to be only variable with latitude. Each 9 days the latitudinal distribution of the optical thickness is computed by inverting radiances observed in the NOAA AVHRR channel 1 (0.63 micrometers) and channel 2 (0.83 micrometers) over the Pacific Ocean. This radiance data set is used to check the validity of model used for inversion by checking consistency of the optical thickness deduced from each channel as well as optical thickness deduced from different scattering angles. Using the optical thickness profile previously computed and radiative transfer code assuming Lambertian boundary condition, each pixel of channel 1 and 2 are corrected prior to computation of NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index). Comparison between corrected, non corrected, and years prior to Pinatubo eruption (1989 to 1990) NDVI composite, shows the necessity and the accuracy of the operational correction scheme.

Vermote, E.↗

Recent Experimental Results Related to Ejector Mode Studies of Rocket-Based Combined Cycle (RBCC) Engines

Contents include the folloving: 1. Motivation. Support NASA's 3d generation launch vehicle technology program. RBCC is promising candidate for 3d generation propulsion system. 2. Approach. Focus on ejector mode p3erformance (Mach 0-3). Perform testing on established flowpath geometry. Use conventional propulsion measurement techniques. Use advanced optical diagnostic techniques to measure local combustion gas properties. 3. Objectives. Gain physical understanding of detailing mixing and combustion phenomena. Establish an experimental data set for CFD code development and validation.

Cramer, J. M.↗

Development and Validation of a Multidisciplinary Tool for Accurate and Efficient Rotorcraft Noise Prediction (MUTE)

A physics-based, systematically coupled, multidisciplinary prediction tool (MUTE) for rotorcraft noise was developed and validated with a wide range of flight configurations and conditions. MUTE is an aggregation of multidisciplinary computational tools that accurately and efficiently model the physics of the source of rotorcraft noise, and predict the noise at far-field observer locations. It uses systematic coupling approaches among multiple disciplines including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computational Structural Dynamics (CSD), and high fidelity acoustics. Within MUTE, advanced high-order CFD tools are used around the rotor blade to predict the transonic flow (shock wave) effects, which generate the high-speed impulsive noise. Predictions of the blade-vortex interaction noise in low speed flight are also improved by using the Particle Vortex Transport Method (PVTM), which preserves the wake flow details required for blade/wake and fuselage/wake interactions. The accuracy of the source noise prediction is further improved by utilizing a coupling approach between CFD and CSD, so that the effects of key structural dynamics, elastic blade deformations, and trim solutions are correctly represented in the analysis. The blade loading information and/or the flow field parameters around the rotor blade predicted by the CFD/CSD coupling approach are used to predict the acoustic signatures at far-field observer locations with a high-fidelity noise propagation code (WOPWOP3). The predicted results from the MUTE tool for rotor blade aerodynamic loading and far-field acoustic signatures are compared and validated with a variation of experimental data sets, such as UH60-A data, DNW test data and HART II test data.

Liu, Yi↗

Comparison of Space Radiation GCR Models to Recent AMS Data

This paper is the third in a series of comparisons of American (NASA) and Russian (ROSCOSMOS) space radiation calculations. The present work focuses on calculation of fluxes of galactic cosmic rays (GCR), which are a constant source of radiation that constitutes one of the major hazards during deep space exploration missions for both astronauts/cosmonauts and hardware. In this work, commonly used GCR models are compared with recently published measurements of cosmic ray Hydrogen, Helium, and the Boron-to-Carbon ratio from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS). All of the models were developed and calibrated prior to the publication of the AMS data, therefore this an opportunity to validate the models against an independent data set.

John W. Norbury↗