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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 253 records · Page 14

Titan's atomic nitrogen torus - Inferred properties and consequences for the Saturnian aurora

A population of warm, approximately keV N(-) ions furnishing the greater part of the mass and energy input to the Titan magnetosphere, at a power level of 2 x 10 to the 11th W, is generated by ionization of Titan's nitrogen torus by both solar EUV photons and magnetospheric electron impact. Magnetospheric electrons also accelerate pickup ions to keV energies by means of lower hybrid emissions, on a time scale comparable to the plasma residence time. It is presently suggested that the aurora is excited by ion and electron precipitation from the outer magnetosphere; the energetics in question can be accounted for entirely on the basis of the titanogenic plasma supply proper to a corotation-dominated magnetosphere.

Barbosa, D. D.↗

Average electric wave spectra across the plasma sheet and their relation to ion bulk speed

Using 4 months of tail data obtained by the ELF/MF spectrum analyzer of the wave experiment and the three-dimensional plasma instrument on board the AMPTE/IRM satellite, a statistical survey on the electric wave spectral density in the earth's plasma sheet has been conducted. More than 50,000 10-s-averaged electric wave spectra were analyzed with respect to differences between their values in the inner and outer central plasma sheet and the plasma sheet boundary layer as well as their dependence on radial distance and ion bulk speed. High-speed flows are dominated by broadband electrostatic noise with highest spectral densities in the plasma sheet boundary, where broadband electrostatic noise also exists during periods of low-speed flows. The broadband electrostatic noise has a typical spectral index of about -2. During low-speed flows the spectra in the central plasma sheet show distinct emissions at the electron cyclotron odd half-harmonic and upper hybrid frequency. Wave intensities during episodes of fast perpendicular flows are higher than those associated with fast parallel flows.

Baumjohann, W.↗

Equilibrium structure of the plasma sheet boundary layer-lobe interface

Observations are presented which show that plasma parameters vary on a scale length smaller than the ion gyroradius at the interface between the plasma sheet boundary layer and the lobe. The Vlasov equation is used to investigate the properties of such a boundary layer. The existence, at the interface, of a density gradient whose scale length is smaller than the ion gyroradius implies that an electrostatic potential is established in order to maintain quasi-neutrality. Strongly sheared (scale lengths smaller than the ion gyroradius) perpendicular and parallel (to the ambient magnetic field) electron flows develop whose peak velocities are on the order of the electron thermal speed and which carry a net current. The free energy of the sheared flows can give rise to a broadband spectrum of electrostatic instabilities starting near the electron plasma frequency and extending below the lower hybrid frequency.

Romero, H.↗

Anomalous ion mixing within a Kelvin-Helmholtz vortex in a collisionless plasma

Anomalously fast ion mixing is observed in a hybrid code simulation (particle ions and a massless electron fluid) of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in a collisionless plasma. While the traditional view predicts that the ion mixing occurs on a time scale longer than the roll-up time T(v) of the Kelvin-Helmholtz vortex by a factor of (velocity shear scale length)/(ion Larmor radius), the simulation results show that the mixing occurs within a time scale comparable to T(v). It is shown that this fast mixing is due to the scattering of ions by unsteady electromagnetic fields.

Terasawa, T.↗

Effects of Hydrogen on Tantalum Nitride Resistors

This document is a presentation about the investigation of drift reported in static frequency output from the analog circuit of a Multichannel Microwave Integrated circuit hybrid microelectronic filter module for space flight application. Electron Dispersion X-Ray Detector )EDAX) Analysis of the 35k ohm thin film Tantalum Nitride Chip resistors identified Palladium in the film. A catalytic reaction of Palladium and hydrogen produces mono atomic hydrogen. When the filter module cavities were filled with a 4 % hydrogen 96 % Nitrogen gas mixture at 25C and monitored the electrical performance for 24 hours. Some channels drifted in a similar pattern as the channel being investigated. Palladium was found on the resistors. The corrective actions taken are reviewed, which resulted in a stable circuit.

Weiler, James↗

End-to-End Study of the Transfer of Energy from Magnetosheath Ion Precipitation to the Cusp

This paper describes a study of the effects of unstable magnetosheath distributions on the cusp ionosphere. An end-to-end numerical model was used to study, first, the evolved distributions from precipitation due to reconnection and, secondly, the energy transfer into the high latitude ionosphere based on these solar wind/magnetosheath inputs. Using inputs of several representative examples of magnetosheath injections, waves were generated at the lower hybrid frequency and energy transferred to the ionospheric electrons and ions. The resulting wave spectra and ion and electron particle heating was analyzed. Keywords: Ion heating: Magnetosheath/Ionosphere coupling: Particle/Wave Interactions. Simulations

Coffey, V. N.↗

The CubeSat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder (CIRAS), Pathfinder for the Earth Observing Nanosatellite-Infrared (EON-IR)

The CubeSat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder (CIRAS) will measure upwelling infrared radiation of the Earth in the MWIR region of the spectrum from space on a CubeSat. CIRAS will demonstrate two new infrared sounding technologies. The first is a 2D array of High Operating Temperature Barrier Infrared Detector (HOT-BIRD) material, selected for its high uniformity, low cost, low noise and higher operating temperatures than traditional materials. The detectors are hybridized to a commercial ROIC and commercial camera electronics. The second technology is an MWIR Grating Spectrometer (MGS) to be designed and developed by Ball Aerospace to provide imaging spectroscopy for atmospheric sounding in a CubeSat volume. The MGS has no moving parts and is based on heritage spectrometers including the Ball Aerospace Spaceborne Infrared Atmospheric Sounder for GEO (SIRAS-G) IIP of 2007. JPL will develop the mechanical, electronic and thermal subsystems for CIRAS. The spacecraft will be a commercially available CubeSat. The integrated system will be a complete 6U CubeSat capable of measuring temperature and water vapor profiles with good lower tropospheric sensitivity. The CIRAS is the first step towards the development of an Earth Observing Nanosatellite Infrared (EON-IR) for potential use in a future operational forecasting system.

Pagano, Thomas↗

Measurement Approach and Design of the CubeSat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder (CIRAS)

The CubeSat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder (CIRAS) will measure upwelling infrared radiation of the Earth in the MWIR region of the spectrum from space on a CubeSat. The observed radiances can be assimilated into weather forecast models and be used to retrieve lower tropospheric temperature and water vapor for climate studies. Multiple units can be flown to improve temporal coverage or in formation to provide new data products including 3D motion vector winds. CIRAS incorporates key new instrument technologies including a 2D array of High Operating Temperature Barrier Infrared Detector (HOT-BIRD) material, selected for its high uniformity, low cost, low noise and higher operating temperatures than traditional materials. The detectors are hybridized to a commercial ROIC and commercial camera electronics. The second key technology is an MWIR Grating Spectrometer (MGS) designed to provide imaging spectroscopy for atmospheric sounding in a CubeSat volume. The MGS has no moving parts and includes an immersion grating to reduce the volume and reduce distortion. The third key technology is an infrared blackbody fabricated with black silicon to have very high emissivity in a flat plate construction. JPL will also develop the mechanical, electronic and thermal subsystems for CIRAS, while the spacecraft will be a commercially available CubeSat. The integrated system will be a complete 6U CubeSat capable of measuring temperature and water vapor profiles with good lower tropospheric sensitivity. The CIRAS is the first step towards the development of an Earth Observation Nanosatellite Infrared (EON-IR) capable of meeting the replacement needs of the CrIS on JPSS.

Pagano, Thomas S.↗

CubeSat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder (CIRAS) NASA InVEST Technology Demonstration

Infrared sounders measure the upwelling radiation of the Earth in the Midwave Infrared (MWIR) and Longwave Infrared (LWIR) region of the spectrum with global daily coverage from space. The observed radiances are assimilated into weather forecast models and used to retrieve lower tropospheric temperature and water vapor for climate studies. There are several operational sounders today including the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on Aqua, the Crosstrack Infrared Sounder (CrIS) on Suomi NPP and JPSS, and the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) on the MetOp spacecraft. The CubeSat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder (CIRAS) is a NASA In-flight Validation of Earth Science Technologies (InVEST) program to demonstrate three new instrument technologies in an imaging sounder configuration. The first is a 2D array of High Operating Temperature Barrier Infrared Detector (HOT-BIRD) material, selected for its high uniformity, low cost, low noise and higher operating temperatures than traditional materials. The detectors are hybridized to a commercial ROIC and commercial camera electronics. The second technology is a MWIR Grating Spectrometer (MGS) designed to provide imaging spectroscopy for atmospheric sounding in a CubeSat volume. The MGS employs an immersion grating or grism, has no moving parts, and is based on heritage spectrometers including the OCO-2. The third technology is a Black Silicon infrared blackbody calibration target. The Black Silicon offers very low reflectance over a broad spectral range on a flat surface and is more robust than carbon nanotubes. JPL will also develop the mechanical, electronic and thermal subsystems for the CIRAS payload. The spacecraft will be a commercially available CubeSat. The integrated system will be a complete 6U CubeSat capable of measuring temperature and water vapor profiles with good lower tropospheric sensitivity. The low cost of CIRAS enables multiple units to be flown to improve temporal coverage or measure 3D Atmospheric Motion Vector (AMV) winds. CIRAS will launch in 2019 and is only a technology demonstration. However, what we learn will benefit future instruments that support operational weather forecasting and climate studies.

Pagano, Thomas S.↗

Wind Observations of Wave Heating and/or Particle Energization at Supercritical Interplanetary Shocks

We present the first observations at supercritical interplanetary shocks of large amplitude (> 100 mV/m pk-pk) solitary waves, approx.30 mV/m pk-pk waves exhibiting characteristics consistent with electron Bernstein waves, and > 20 nT pk-pk electromagnetic lower hybrid-like waves, with simultaneous evidence for wave heating and particle energization. The solitary waves and the Bernstein-like waves were likely due to instabilities driven by the free energy provided by reflected ions [Wilson III et al., 2010]. They were associated with strong particle heating in both the electrons and ions. We also show a case example of parallel electron energization and perpendicular ion heating due to a electromagnetic lower hybrid-like wave. Both studies provide the first experimental evidence of wave heating and/or particle energization at interplanetary shocks. Our experimental results, together with the results of recent Vlasov [Petkaki and Freeman, 2008] and PIC [Matsukyo and Scholer, 2006] simulations using realistic mass ratios provide new evidence to suggest that the importance of wave-particle dissipation at shocks may be greater than previously thought.

Wilson, Lynn Bruce, III↗

Beam-generated upper hybrid noise in Jupiter's outer magnetosphere

A model for generation of upper hybrid waves in Jupiter's outer magnetosphere is presented. Energetic electrons accelerated on high-latitude auroral field lines at 1 R(J) altitudes are assumed to stream outwards to the distant magnetosphere. The large decrease in the local magnetic field strength results in a highly collimated, field-aligned electron beam due to conservation of the particle's magnetic moment. As the beam travels outward it passes through the plasma sheet boundary layer region located on the edges of the plasma sheet. Because of the large field-aligned anisotropy of the beam, the distribution is unstable to the excitation of the upper hybrid waves which amplify and then undergo mode conversion at the f(p) layer to generate the Jovian continuum radiation. A novel feature of the model is the beam-anisotropic heat flux instability which drives UH waves unstable without the need for any positive slope on the electron distribution function.

Barbosa, D. D.↗

Spaceborne Hybrid-FPGA System for Processing FTIR Data

Progress has been made in a continuing effort to develop a spaceborne computer system for processing readout data from a Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer to reduce the volume of data transmitted to Earth. The approach followed in this effort, oriented toward reducing design time and reducing the size and weight of the spectrometer electronics, has been to exploit the versatility of recently developed hybrid field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to run diverse software on embedded processors while also taking advantage of the reconfigurable hardware resources of the FPGAs.

Bekker, Dmitriy↗

A magnetospheric critical velocity experiment - Particle results

In March of 1983, a barium injection sounding rocket experiment (The Star of Lima) was conducted to investigate Alfven's critical ionization velocity (CIV) hypothesis in space. Included in the instrumented payload was a particle detection experiment consisting of five retarding potential analyzers. Despite conditions that appeared to be optimal for the critical velocity effect, the particle data, in agreement with optical observations, indicates that a fractional ionization of only approximately .0005 was observed, indicating that the conditions required for the effect to occur are still not well understood. However many of the required phenomena associated with the CIV effect were observed; in particular a superthermal electron population was formed at the expense of ion drift kinetic energy in the presence of intense electrostatic waves near the lower hybrid frequency. The amount of ionization produced is plausibly consistent with the observed electron flux, but could also be accounted for by residual solar UV at the injection point. It is shown based on the data set that one obvious explanation for the low ionization efficiency, namely that the ionizing superthermal electrons may rapidly escape along field lines, can be ruled out.

Torbert, R. B.↗

Statistical Study of the Properties of Magnetosheath Lion Roars

Lion roars are narrowband whistler wave emissions that have been observed in several environments, such as planetary magnetosheaths, the Earth's magnetosphere, the solar wind, downstream of interplanetary shocks, and the cusp region. We present measurements of more than 30,000 such emissions observed by the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft with high‐cadence (8,192 samples/s) search coil magnetometer data. A semiautomatic algorithm was used to identify the emissions, and an adaptive interval algorithm in conjunction with minimum variance analysis was used to determine their wave vector. The properties of the waves are determined in both the spacecraft and plasma rest frame. The mean wave normal angle, with respect to the background magnetic field (B(sub 0)), plasma bulk flow velocity (V(sub b)), and the coplanarity plane (V(sub b) × B(sub 0)) are 23°, 56°, and 0°, respectively. The average peak frequencies were ∼31% of the electron gyrofrequency (ω(sub ce)) observed in the spacecraft frame and ∼18% of ω(sub ce) in the plasma rest frame. In the spacecraft frame, ∼99% of the emissions had a frequency <ω(sub ce), while 98% had a peak frequency <0.72 ω(sub ce) in the plasma rest frame. None of the waves had frequencies lower than the lower hybrid frequency, ω. From the probability density function of the electron plasma β(sub e), the ratio between the electron thermal and magnetic pressure, ∼99.6% of the waves were observed with β(sub e)<4 with a large narrow peak at 0.07 and two smaller, but wider, peaks at 1.26 and 2.28, while the average value was ∼1.25.

Magnetosheath emissions↗

Subscale Hardware-In-The-Loop Results for Hybrid Electric Turbofan Controls Use Cases

NASA is investigating hybrid electric turbine engine systems for commercial transport aircraft due to the potentially significant improvements hybrid electric technology offers in performance, fuel consumption, and operational and design flexibility. Recently, the technology has been tested at full scale in partnership with industry and advanced to Technology Readiness Level 4. This presentation will focus on a recent subscale hardware-in-the-loop test of an open source turbofan engine model developed by NASA. The Advanced Geared Turbofan 30,000 lbf – electrified (AGTF30-e) engine is used as a reference model to demonstrate control system design and use cases for an example mild hybrid electric system with no large-scale energy storage. This model is run in real-time in NASA’s Hybrid Propulsion Emulation Rig (HyPER) and is used to drive an emulation of the turbomachinery system using subscale electric machines. This dynamic scaled shaft emulation interacts with a subscale (<100 kW) hybrid system consisting of electric machines, motor controllers, and a programmable electronic load. Specific use cases demonstrated include the use of Turbine Electrified Energy Management to improve operation during transients, megawatt-scale power extraction from the AGTF30-e, and power transfer between engine spools. Results related to the effectiveness of hybrid systems are qualitatively compared to results from industry testing.

Hybrid↗

Low arc drop hybrid mode thermionic converter

The hybrid mode operation for the reduction of plasma drops is being investigated. This report discusses the results obtained from two molybdenum emitter converters. One converter had a molybdenum collector and the other a nickel collector. The molybdenum collector converter was operated in a hybrid mode (at an interelectrode distance of 1.7 mm) and produced a minimum barrier index of 1.96 eV at an emitter temperature of 1500 K. The arc drop was calculated to be 0.14 eV, using the published results for a molybdenum collector. On the other hand, the nickel collector converter was operated in a conventional ignited mode (at an interelectrode distance of 0.5 mm) and produced a minimum barrier index of 2.1 eV at an emitter temperature of 1700 K. It is tentatively concluded that a large-gap operation of the hybrid mode converter permits the diffusion of cesium ions to a distance in the order of one millimeter for an effective neutralization of electron space charge. By employing a low work function collector (1.55 eV) in a hybrid mode converter with an arc drop of 0.14 eV, it appears that a barrier index as low as 1.69 eV could be achieved.

Shimada, K.↗

Preferential O(+) heating in the topside ionosphere

Observations of preferential heating of the ionospheric majority ion species O(+), are reported. The heating took the form of a hot (few electron volts) tail in the upgoing thermal O(+). No such hot tail was observed in the light ion distributions. An event observed at 700-800 km altitude was highly anisotropic with a much hotter tail transverse to the local magnetic field. A series of events observed at 250-375 km were more nearly isotropic with respect to the local magnetic field. Broadband plasma wave emission near the lower hybrid resonance was observed in conjunction with the high altitude event. The low altitude events were tightly correlated with auroral electron precipitation, but broadband lower hybrid emission was much reduced. The observed hot tail formation is sufficient to produce significant O(+) ion transport to higher altitude auroral acceleration regions.

Moore, T. E.↗