Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “mooring model”

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 253 records · Page 14

VESIcal: A Critical Approach to Volatile Solubility Modelling Using the Open-Source Engine Vesical

Accurate models of H(2)O and CO(2) solubility in silicate melts are vital for understanding volcanic plumbing systems. These models are used to estimate the depths of magma storage regions from melt inclusion volatile contents, investigate the role of volatile exsolution as a driver of volcanic eruptions, and track the degassing path followed by a magma ascending to the surface. However, despite the large increase in the number of experimental constraints over the last two decades, many recent studies still utilize an earlier generation of models which were calibrated on experimental datasets with restricted compositional ranges. This may be because many of the available tools for more recent models require large numbers of input parameters to be hand-typed (e.g., temperature, concentrations of H(2)O, CO(2), and 8–14 oxides), making them difficult to implement on large datasets. Here, we use a new open-source Python3 tool, VESIcal, to critically evaluate the behaviors and sensitivities of different solubility models for a range of melt compositions. Using literature datasets of andesitic-dacitic experimental products and melt inclusions as case studies, we illustrate the importance of evaluating the calibration dataset of each model. Finally, we highlight the limitations of particular data presentation methods, such as isobar diagrams, and provide suggestions for alternatives, and best practices regarding the presentation and archiving of data. This review will aid the selection of the most applicable solubility model for different melt compositions, and identifies areas where additional experimental constraints on volatile solubility are required.

magma↗

ALMA Observations of the Molecular Gas in the Debris Disk of the 30 Myr Old Star HD 21997

The 30 Myr old A3-type star HD 21997 is one of the two known debris dust disks having a measurable amount of cold molecular gas. With the goal of understanding the physical state, origin, and evolution of the gas in young debris disks, we obtained CO line observations with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). Here, we report on the detection of (12)CO and (13)CO in the J = 2-1 and J = 3-2 transitions and C(18)O in the J = 2-1 line. The gas exhibits a Keplerian velocity curve, one of the few direct measurements of Keplerian rotation in young debris disks. The measured CO brightness distribution could be reproduced by a simple star+disk system, whose parameters are r(sub in) < 26 AU, r(sub out) = 138 +/- 20 AU, Stellar M = 1.8 +0.5/−0.2 Solar M, and i = 32. Deg. 6 +/- 3 deg..1. The total CO mass, as calculated from the optically thin C(18)O line, is about (4-8) ×10(exp −2 ) Solar M, while the CO line ratios suggest a radiation temperature on the order of 6-9 K. Comparing our results with those obtained for the dust component of the HD 21997 disk from ALMA continuum observations by Moor et al., we conclude that comparable amounts of CO gas and dust are present in the disk. Interestingly, the gas and dust in the HD 21997 system are not colocated, indicating a dust-free inner gas disk within 55 AU of the star. We explore two possible scenarios for the origin of the gas. A secondary origin, which involves gas production from colliding or active planetesimals, would require unreasonably high gas production rates and would not explain why the gas and dust are not colocated. We propose that HD 21997 is a hybrid system where secondary debris dust and primordial gas coexist. HD 21997, whose age exceeds both the model predictions for disk clearing and the ages of the oldest T Tauri-like or transitional gas disks in the literature, may be a key object linking the primordial and the debris phases of disk evolution.

molecular gas↗

A calculation of Saturn's gravitational contraction history

A gravitational-contraction history is calculated for a homogeneous quasi-equilibrium Saturn model of solar composition without a rock-ice core and without allowance for the possible separation of hydrogen and helium. The calculations begin at the time when Saturn's radius was ten times its current value, and the subsequent gravitational contraction is followed for 4.5 billion years. The results obtained are given in terms of the path of the evolving model on the H-R diagram, the variation of central temperature with central density, the time variation of radius and internal luminosity, and the energy changes that take place during the evolution. These results are compared with those of similar calculations for Jupiter, and the internal structure of the evolutionary models is examined in detail. The Saturn calculations yield a radius at the current epoch that is 9% larger than the observed value and an excess luminosity comparable to that observed. It is noted that an inhomogeneous model containing a solar-mix envelope and a central rocky core has a radius equal to the observed value.

Pollack, J. B.↗

A logical model of cooperating rule-based systems in space mission ground support facilities

This paper describes an abstract reference model of cooperating rule-based systems (CRBSs). The model is intended to assist in the planning, specification, development, and verification of space information systems involving multiple, distributed, communicating rule-based systems. The functions performed in ground control systems are described, and five types of rule-based systems that could be used in such centers are identified. The interactions between rule-based systems are examined, and the unique requirements of such systems are addressed. A four-layer logical model is discussed which provides a framework for discussing solutions to unique CRBS requirements. The elements and operations at each layer are described.

Bailin, Sidney C.↗

Workshop on the Martian Northern Plains: Sedimentological, Periglacial, and Paleoclimatic Evolution

Papers that have been accepted for presentation at the Workshop on the Martian Northern Plains: Sedimentological, Periglacial, and Paleoclimatic Evolution, on 12-14 Aug. 1993 in Fairbanks, Alaska are included. Topics covered include: hydrological consequences of ponded water on Mars; morphological and morphometric studies of impact craters in the Northern Plains of Mars; a wet-geology and cold-climate Mars model: punctuation of a slow dynamics approach to equilibrium; the distribution of ground ice on Mars; and stratigraphy of the Martian Northern Plains.

Kargel, Jeffrey S.↗

Programmable display pushbuttons on the Space Station's telerobot control panel

The Man-Systems Telerobotics Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center and supported by Lockheed, is working to ensure that the Flight Telerobotic Servicer (FTS) to be used on the Space Shuttle (Orbiter) and the Space Station has a well designed user interface from a Human Factors perspective. The FTS, which is a project led by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, will be a telerobot used for Space Station construction, maintenance, and satellite repair. It will be directly controlled from workstations on the Orbiter and the Space Station and monitored from a ground workstation. The FTS will eventually evolve into a more autonomous system, but in the short-term the system will be manually operated (teleoperated) for many tasks. This emphasizes the importance of the human/telerobot interface on this system. This phase of the FTS workstation evaluation covers a preliminary study of programmable display pushbuttons (PDP's). The PDP is constructed of a matrix of directly addressable electroluminescent (EL) pixels which can be used to form dot-matrix characters. PDP's can be used to display more than one message and to control more than one function. Since the PDP's have these features, then a single PDP may possibly replace the use of many single-function pushbuttons, rotary switches, and toggle switches, thus using less panel space. It is of interest to determine if PDP's can be used to adequately perform complex hierarchically structured task sequences. The objective of this investigation was to compare the performance of experienced and inexperienced Remote Manipulator System (RMS) operators while performing an RMS like task on simulated PDP and non-PDP computer prototypes so that guidelines governing the use of programmable display pushbuttons on the FTS workstation could be created. The functionality of the RMS on the Orbiter was used as a model for this evaluation since the functionality of the FTS at the time of this writing has not been solidified.

Stuart, Mark A.↗

Solar Prominence Eruption

The prominence that erupts in a prominence eruption is a magnetic structure in the chromosphere and corona. It is visible in chromospheric images by virtue of chromospheric-temperature plasma suspended in the magnetic field, and belongs to that large class of magnetic structures appropriately called filaments because of their characteristic sinewy sigmoidal form. Hence, the term "filament eruption" is used interchangeably with the term "prominence eruption". The magnetic field holding a filament is prone to undergo explosive changes in configuration. In these upheavals, because the filament material is compelled by its high conductivity to ride with the magnetic field that threads it, this material is a visible tracer of the field motion. The part of the magnetic explosion displayed by the entrained filament material is the phenomenon known as a filament eruption, the topic of this article. This article begins with a description of basic observed characteristics of filament eruptions, with attention to the magnetic fields, flares, and coronal mass ejections in which erupting filaments are embedded. The present understanding of these characteristics in terms of the form and action of the magnetic field is then laid out by means of a rudimentary three-dimensional model of the field. The article ends with basic questions that this picture leaves unresolved and with remarks on the observations needed to probe these questions.

Moore, Ronald L.↗

Ring Current Modeling in a Realistic Magnetic Field Configuration

A 3-dimensional kinetic model has been developed to study the dynamics of the storm time ring current in a dipole magnetic field. In this paper, the ring current model is extended to include a realistic, time-varying magnetic field model. The magnetic field is expressed as the cross product of the gradients of two Euler potentials and the bounce-averaged particle drifts are calculated in the Euler potential coordinates. A dipolarization event is modeled by collapsing a tail-like magnetosphere to a dipole-like configuration. Our model is able to simulate the sudden enhancements in the ring current ion fluxes and the corresponding ionospheric precipitation during the substorm expansion.

Fok, M.-C.↗

Bedrock Denudation on Titan: Estimates of Vertical Extent and Lateral Debris Dispersion

Methane rainfall and runoff, along with aeolian activity, have dominated the sculpting of Titan s landscape. A knowledge of the vertical extent of bedrock erosion and the lateral extent of the resulting sediment is useful for several purposes [1]. For instance, what is the magnitude and expression of modification of constructional landforms (e.g., mountains)? Does highland denudation and the filling of basins with sediment cause adjustments (uplift and subsidence) in the crustal ice shell? Here we report preliminary findings of putative eroded craters and the results of landform evolution modeling (Fig. 1) that suggest that approx. 250 m of net bedrock erosion has at least locally taken place and approx.1 km of maximum local erosion.

Moore, Jeffrey↗

Modeling the Effects of Liquid-to-Gas Density Ratio on Slosh Dynamics

Mechanical models are commonly used in Guidance, Navigation and Controls (GN&C) system-level models to represent propellant slosh forces on launch vehicles and spacecraft. The slosh model parameters are typically predicted using semi-empirical analytical methods that are based on experimental data for high liquid-to-gas density ratios (such as water and air at standard sea level conditions). Model parameter calculations typically neglect any contribution to slosh dynamics from the gas phase. However, some cryogenic propellant systems operate in conditions where the density ratio can be orders of magnitude smaller. Analytical and computational modeling was used in this effort to investigate the effects of liquid-to-gas density ratio on slosh dynamics. No experimental data nor previous studies are available at this time that quantify the effect of liquid-to-gas density ratio on slosh dynamics. However, in a recent CFD study, results showed that density ratio can have a significant effect on slosh model parameters. In this study, a dual pendulum slosh model was created that distinctly represents both liquid and gas phase dynamics. Solution of the model, which invokes the Euler-Lagrange equations of motion, demonstrates that slosh frequency is a combination of liquid slosh frequency and gas phase slosh frequency. Additionally, it shows that slosh mass is reduced due to the opposing motion of the gas phase with respect to that of the liquid phase. The slosh model parameter trends were verified using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis results for various liquid-to-gas density ratios, tanks, and fill levels.

Christopher D Moore↗

Atmospheric Variability and Measurement Uncertainty: Pitfalls in Averaging in situ Data

Satellite measurements and atmospheric models, two essential components of the integrated global observing system, provide crucial tools for monitoring and predicting regional and global foci, spanning numerous Earth Science fields. Unfortunately, models can lack the spatial and temporal resolution needed to resolve finer scale structure. Satellite measurements also have similar tempo-spatial restriction issues, but additionally can only measure certain species and can have biases that must be evaluated. Ground measurement networks are critical components of this system, by providing both independent inputs of species needed by models (including those that satellites do not provide) and assisting with investigation of biases in satellite products. Similarly, aircraft measurements play a vital role in closing the gaps between satellite measurements, model products, and ground monitoring networks by providing high accuracy, high-resolution data on local to regional spatial scales. Therefore, both ground-based and airborne observations are widely used to assess model predictions and satellite observations. One of the great challenges in using both ground and aircraft data in this fashion is matching the data temporally and spatially to the model/satellite data. A meaningful comparison with model or satellite requires a solid assessment of the variability of the in-situ measurements, which include both the instrument uncertainty and the statistical uncertainty due to atmospheric variability. While instrument uncertainty is generally more straightforwardly characterized, it can be challenging to accurately capture this variability uncertainty as it often presents in a non-Gaussian manner (e.g. emission plumes, frontal passages). We will present results examining spatial and temporal variability over a selection of scales relevant to satellite measurements and models of several in situ measurement species spanning both airborne and ground measurements. The extent of non-Gaussian variability will be quantified, and we will discuss additional statistical parameters that help assess the fitness of gaussian variability assumption when temporally or spatially averaging.

satellite validation↗

Finite Larmor radius effect on ion pickup at Venus

The interaction of the solar wind with Venus is influenced by the pickup of newly born exospheric oxygen ions by the convecting magnetosheath plasma. The flow and field configuration of the magnetosheath plasma, together with the large gyroradius of the pickup ions, cause mass loading to occur preferentially on one side of the magnetosheath. The observed hemispherical asymmetry in the magnetic field in the near-planet magnetosheath, attributed to this pickup process, is confirmed by direct observation of the picked-up planetary particles. Test particle calculations show that a current system created by ion pickup has the appropriate location and magnitude to account for the magnetic field asymmetry. The results indicate that a fluid treatment of the Venus mass-loading problem is not entirely appropriate; a hybrid or kinetic model is necessary to incorporate the finite Larmor radius of the pickup particles which produces the observed asymmetry.

Phillips, J. L.↗

Mechanisms of nocturnal exchange between the rain forest and the atmosphere

A number of events that lead to nocturnal turbulent mixing between the Amazon rain forest and the atmosphere were observed. Two mechanisms that weaken the stable nocturnal thermal inversion at canopy top are identified with nocturnal release of carbon dioxide and concurrent heat flux into and moisture flux out of the Amazon forest canopy. In the first mechanism, abrupt onset of cloudiness interrupts nocturnal radiative cooling, leading to a period with lowered Richardson number and enhanced heat, moisture, and carbon dioxide fluxes. Significant exchange between the forest canopy and the atmosphere can also occur even on totally clear nights. On these nights, occasional nocturnal increases in the wind speed above the canopy stimulate vertical oscillations in the canopy layer that are both amplitude- and frequency-modulated during the event. A simple model is presented to support the postulate that these oscillations result from a resonant interaction, hypothesized to be a consequence of a vertically fluctuating pressure gradient force operating on a deepening stable layer near canopy top. Model results indicate that the recovery of the layer takes approximately twice as long as the period of enhanced wind that produced the event.

Fitzjarrald, David R.↗

Computational Modeling of a Mechanized Benchtop Apparatus for Leading-Edge Slat Noise Treatment Device Prototypes

Airframe noise is a growing concern in the vicinity of airports because of population growth and gains in engine noise reduction that have rendered the airframe an equal contributor during the approach and landing phases of flight for many transport aircraft. The leading-edge-slat device of a typical high-lift system for transport aircraft is a prominent source of airframe noise. Two technologies have significant potential for slat noise reduction; the slat-cove filler (SCF) and the slat-gap filler (SGF). Previous work was done on a 2D section of a transport-aircraft wing to demonstrate the implementation feasibility of these concepts. Benchtop hardware was developed in that work for qualitative parametric study. The benchtop models were mechanized for quantitative measurements of performance. Computational models of the mechanized benchtop apparatus for the SCF were developed and the performance of the system for five different SCF assemblies is demonstrated.

Turner, Travis L.↗

Reflection of Alfven waves in the solar wind

We have revisited the problem of propagation of toroidal and linear Alfven waves formulated by Heinemann and Olbert (1980) to compare Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) and non-WKB waves and their effects on the solar wind. They considered two solar wind models and showed that reflection is important for Alfven waves with periods of the order of one day and longer and that non-WKB Alfven waves are no more effective in accelerating the solar wind than in WKB waves. There are several recently published papers that seem to indicate that Alfven waves with periods of the order of several minutes should be treated as non-WKB waves and that these non-WKB waves exert a stronger acceleration force than WKB waves. The purposse of this paper is to study the origin of these discrepancies by performing parametric studies of the behavior of the waves under a variety of different conditions. In addition, we want to investigate two problems that have not been addressed by Heinimann and Olbert, namely, calculate the efficieny of Alfven wave reflection by using the reflection coefficient and identfy the region of strongest wave reflection in different wind models. To achieve these goals, we investigate the influence of temperature, electron desity distribution, wind velocity, and magnetic field strength on te waves. The obtained results clearly demonstrate that Alfven wave reflection is strongly model dependent and that the strongest reflection can be expected in models with the base temperatures higher than 10(exp 6) K and with the base densities lower than 7 x 10(exp 7)/cu cm. In these models as well as in the models with lower temperatures and higher densities Alfven waves with periods as short as several minutes have negligible reflection so that they can be treated as WKB waves; however, for Alfven waves with periods of the order of one hour or longer reflection is significant, requiring a non-WKB treatment. We also show that non-WKB, linear Alfven waves are always less effective in accelerating the plasma than WKB Alfven waves. Finally, it is evident from our results that the region of strongest wave reflection is usually located at the base of the models and hence that interpretation of wave reflection based soley on the reflection coefficient can be misleading.

Krogulec, M.↗

Dynamic Agents of Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling

VISIONS sounding rocket mission (VISualizing Ion Outflow via Neutral atom imaging during a Substorm) has been awarded to NASA/GSFC (PI Rowland) in order to provide the first combined remote sensing and in situ measurements of the regions where ion acceleration to above 5 e V is occurring, and of the sources of free energy and acceleration mechanisms that accelerate the ions. The key science question of VISIONS is how, when, and where, are ions accelerated to escape velocities in the auroral zone below 1000 km, following substorm onset? Sources of free energy that power this ion acceleration process include (but not limited) electron precipitation, field-aligned currents, velocity shears, and Alfvenic Poynting flux. The combine effect of all these processes on ionospheric ion outflows will be investigated in a framework of the kinetic model that has been developed by Khazanov et al. in order to study the polar wind transport in the presence of photoelectrons.

Khazanov, George V.↗