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At least 253 records · Page 14

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NASA NTRS1996

Observations of Thermospheric Horizontal Winds at Watson Lake, Yukon Territory (lambda=65 Deg N)

Fabry-Perot interferometer observations of the thermospheric O I (6300 A) emission have been conducted from an airglow observatory at a dark field site in the southeastern Yukon Territory, Canada, for the period November 1991 to April 1993. The experiment operated in unattended, remote fashion, has resulted in a substantial data set from which mean neutral winds have been determined. Dependent upon geomagnetic activity, the nocturnal location of the site is either equatorward of the auroral oval or within oval boundaries. The data set is rich enough to permit hourly binning of neutral winds based upon the K(sub p) geomagnetic disturbance index as well as the season. For cases of low geomagnetic activity the averaged vector horizontal neutral wind exhibits the characteristics of a midlatitude site displaying antisunward pressure-gradient-driven winds. As the geomagnetic activity rises in the late afternoon and evening winds slowly rotate sunward in an anticlockwise direction, initially remaining near 100 m/s in speed but eventually increasing to 300 m/s for K(sub p) greater than 5. For the higher levels of activity the observed neutral wind flow pattern resembles a higher-latitude polar cap pattern characterized by ion drag forcing of thermospheric neutral gases. In addition, rotational Coriolis forcing on the dusk side enhances the ion drag forcing, resulting in dusk winds which trace out the clockwise dusk cell plasma flow. On the dawn side the neutral winds also rotate in an anticlockwise direction as the strength of geomagnetic disturbances increase. Since the site is located at a transition latitude between the midlatitude and the polar cap the data set provides a sensitive test for general circulation models which attempt to parameterize the contribution of magnetospheric processes. A comparison with the Vector Spherical Harmonic (VSH) model indicates several regions of poor correspondence for December solstice conditions but reasonable agreement for the vernal equinox.

Niciejewski, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Static force tests of a sharp leading edge delta-wing model at ambient and cryogenic temperatures with a description of the apparatus employed

A sharp leading edge delta-wing model was tested through an angle-of-attack range at Mach numbers of 0.75, 0.80, and 0.85 at both ambient and cryogenic temperatures in the Langley 1/3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel. Total pressure was varied with total temperature in order to hold test Reynolds number constant at a given Mach number. Agreement between the aerodynamic data obtained at ambient and cryogenic temperatures indicates that flows with leading-edge vortex effects are duplicated properly at cryogenic temperatures. The test results demonstrate that accurate aerodynamic data can be obtained by using conventional force-testing techniques if suitable measures are taken to minimize temperature gradients across the balance and to keep the balance at ambient (warm) temperatures during cryogenic operation of the tunnel.

Kilgore, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Effect of solar radiation disturbance on a flexible beam in orbit

The uncontrolled dynamics of an orbiting flexible beam in the presence of solar radiation pressure forces is considered. The effect of solar radiation forces and moments on the rigid and flexible modes of a free-free flexible beam is evaluated. It is found that moments result only from the flexible symmetric modal deformations. For small pitch amplitudes, and at near geosynchronous altitudes the solar radiation moments due to the deformations of the beam are seen to be greater than those due to the gravity-gradient. Within the linear range, simulated steady state dynamic responses show that the induced pitch amplitudes can be more significant than the induced amplitudes of the modal shape functions.

Krishna, R.↗

NASA NTRS2016

Force Balance at the Magnetopause Determined with MMS: Application to Flux Transfer Events

The Magnetospheric Multiscale mission (MMS) consists of four identical spacecraft forming a closely separated (less than or equal to 10 km) and nearly regular tetrahedron. This configuration enables the decoupling of spatial and temporal variations and allows the calculation of the spatial gradients of plasma and electromagnetic field quantities. We make full use of the well cross-calibrated MMS magnetometers and fast plasma instruments measurements to calculate both the magnetic and plasma forces in flux transfer events (FTEs) and evaluate the relative contributions of different forces to the magnetopause momentum variation. This analysis demonstrates that some but not all FTEs, consistent with previous studies, are indeed force-free structures in which the magnetic pressure force balances the magnetic curvature force. Furthermore, we contrast these events with FTE events that have non-force-free signatures.

MMS↗

NASA NTRS2013

UltraSail CubeSat Solar Sail Flight Experiment

UltraSail is a next-generation, highrisk, high-payoff sail system for the launch, deployment, stabilization, and control of very large (km2 class) solar sails enabling high payload mass fractions for interplanetary and deep space spacecraft. UltraSail is a non-traditional approach to propulsion technology achieved by combining propulsion and control systems developed for formation- flying microsatellites with an innovative solar sail architecture to achieve controllable sail areas approaching 1 km2, sail subsystem area densities approaching 1 g/m2, and thrust levels many times those of ion thrusters used for comparable deep space missions. UltraSail can achieve outer planetary rendezvous, a deep-space capability now reserved for high-mass nuclear and chemical systems. There is a twofold rationale behind the UltraSail concept for advanced solar sail systems. The first is that sail-andboom systems are inherently size-limited. The boom mass must be kept small, and column buckling limits the boom length to a few hundred meters. By eliminating the boom, UltraSail not only offers larger sail area, but also lower areal density, allowing larger payloads and shorter mission transit times. The second rationale for UltraSail is that sail films present deployment handling difficulties as the film thickness approaches one micrometer. The square sail requires that the film be folded in two directions for launch, and similarly unfolded for deployment. The film is stressed at the intersection of two folds, and this stress varies inversely with the film thickness. This stress can cause the film to yield, forming a permanent crease, or worse, to perforate. By rolling the film as UltraSail does, creases are prevented. Because the film is so thin, the roll thickness is small. Dynamic structural analysis of UltraSail coupled with dynamic control analysis shows that the system can be designed to eliminate longitudinal torsional waves created while controlling the pitch of the blades, while using solar photon pressure to slew the spin axis. Vacuum tests have also verified that electrostatic and molecular adhesion forces can substantially be eliminated by making the film electrically conductive, reducing the peel force of the film off the storage roll to levels of 100s of micro-N. The innovation demonstrated the capability of deploying a six-micron aluminum- coated film from a reel through a slit in vacuum. The innovation also demonstrated a spin-stabilized method for deploying a long reel of solar sail film using solar pressure to spin-up and orbit raise the satellite, and also a gravity gradient method for deploying a long reel of solar sail film using solar pressure to orbit raise the satellite. The solar sail mass fraction of 25% is consistent with high specific impulse ion systems, but without the added weight and cost of a power source and processing unit. The large sail area, coupled with low film density, is giving UltraSail a high payload fraction. The UltraSail deployment scheme unrolls a micrometerscale reflection-coated polyimide film from a storage mandrel to a maximum length of several kilometers with the aid of a blade tip satellite.

Carroll, David↗

NASA NTRS1975

Recent developments in dynamic stall

Tests were performed on an airfoil in a low-turbulence subsonic wind tunnel at fixed incidence for different speeds of the wind, the airfoil being in translatory motion normal or parallel to the wind. The resulting aerodynamic forces and moment on the airfoil were measured along with local pressure and skin friction. When the incidence is small and the boundary layer attached, no unsteady effects were observed. However, for a large incidence (16 deg), in the case of boundary layer separation, strong unsteady effects are revealed when the boundary layer is reattached in periodic flow. Reattachment can be explained assuming that for the same value of free stream velocity, the gradient of the modulus of the periodic component of the relative airspeed at the upper surface of the airfoil in a direction normal to this surface is greater than the gradient of the relative air speed at the upper surface when the airfoil is not oscillating.

Mccroskey, W. J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Rotating disk transition due to isolated roughness with intense acoustic irradiation

The low transition Reynolds numbers associated with boundary-layers which exhibit crossflow instability have made them an important area of study in fluid mechanics. An excellent test bed for the study of this flow is a flat disk rotating in still fluid. An experimental investigation of stability and transition of a rotating disk boundary-layer has been conducted. The effects of isolated roughness elements and acoustic forcing, both alone and in combination, were considered. The flow showed no receptivity to intense monochromatic acoustic forcing except in the presence of sizable roughness. A case was investigated where the growth of the primary instability, seeded by an isolated roughness element, was positively altered in the presence of sound, leading to a downstream movement of transition. In agreement with the work of several investigators, the results of this study suggest that receptivity to long wavelength phenomena, such as traveling sound waves, is contingent upon the presence of strong localized pressure gradients (such as those introduced by roughness) to reduce the length scales of the disturbance to those which are consistent with unstable wavelengths in the flow field.

Waitz, Ian A.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Gravity of Living Systems: May the Force Be With You

Gravity, the force which shapes the architecture of organisms from single cells to dinosaurs, has been the most constant environmental factor during the evolution of species on Earth. With long-duration space flight, an understanding of how gravity affects living systems gains greater urgency in order to maintain the health and performance of crews who will explore the solar system. For example, the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems are normally exposed to gravitational gradients of blood pressure and weight on Earth. Such gradients increase blood pressure and tissue weight in dependent tissues of the body. Thus, from a physiologic standpoint, these systems are greatly affected by altered gravity. Exposure to actual and simulated microgravity causes blood and tissue fluid to shift from the legs to the head. Studies of humans in space have documented facial edema, space adaptation syndrome, decreased plasma volume, muscle atrophy, and loss of bone strength. Return of astronauts to Earth is accompanied by orthostatic intolerance, decreased neuromuscular coordination, and reduced exercise capacity. These factors decrease performance during descent from orbit and increase risk during emergency egress from the space craft. Models of simulated microgravity include 60 head-down tilt, immersion, and prolonged horizontal bedrest. Head-down tilt and dry immersion are the most accepted models and studies using these models of up to one year have been performed in Russia. Sensitive animal models which offer clear insights into the role of gravity on structure and function include the developing giraffe and snakes from various habitats. Finally, possible countermeasures to speed readaptation of astronauts to gravity after prolonged space flight include exercise, lower body negative pressure, and centrifugation.

Hargens, Alan R.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Full-Scale System for Quantifying Loads and Leak Rates of Seals for Space Applications

NASA is developing advanced space-rated vacuum seals in support of future space exploration missions to low-Earth orbit and other destinations. These seals may be 50 to 60 in. (127 to 152 cm) in diameter and must exhibit extremely low leak rates to ensure that astronauts have sufficient breathable air for extended missions to the International Space Station or the Moon. Seal compression loads must be below prescribed limits so as not to overload the mechanisms that compress them during docking or mating, and seal adhesion forces must be low to allow two mated systems to separate when required. NASA Glenn Research Center has developed a new test apparatus to measure leak rates and compression and adhesion loads of candidate full-scale seals under simulated thermal, vacuum, and engagement conditions. Tests can be performed in seal-on-seal or seal-on-flange configurations at temperatures from -76 to 140 F (-60 to 60 C) under operational pressure gradients. Nominal and off-nominal mating conditions (e.g., incomplete seal compression) can also be simulated. This paper describes the main design features of the test apparatus as well as techniques used to overcome some of the design challenges.

Dunlap, Patrick H., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Applied Meteorology Unit (AMU) Quarterly Report First Quarter FY-14

NASA's LSP and other programs at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) use wind forecasts issued by the 30th Operational Support Squadron (30 OSS) to determine if they need to limit activities or protect property such as a launch vehicle due to the occurrence of warning level winds at VAFB in California. The 30 OSS tasked the AMU to provide a wind forecasting capability to improve wind warning forecasts and enhance the safety of their customers' operations. This would allow 30 OSS forecasters to evaluate pressure gradient thresholds between pairs of regional observing stations to help determine the onset and duration of warning category winds. Development of such a tool will require that solid relationships exist between wind speed and the pressure gradient of one or more station pairs. As part of this task, the AMU will also create a statistical climatology of meteorological observations from the VAFB wind towers.

Forecasting↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Laser Forming of Sheet Metal for In-Space Manufacturing Applications

As the in-space economy matures, the migration of typically Earth-bound manufacturing methods, such as metal forming and joining, up to space will be required to meet the increasing demand for refueling and supply depots, habitats, laboratories, lunar surface structures, and sites for deep-space exploration shipbuilding. Only in this way can the magnitude of individual structures begin to exceed what can be launched, deployed, docked, or inflated and allow true economies of scale to be unlocked in space. However, typical terrestrial methods of forming and shaping sheet metal require massive machinery with the ability to deflect reaction forces to a large mass in a fixed reference frame (Earth). To both limit up-mass required for manufacture and to mitigate the issues of reaction forces in the relative reference frames of space, a non-contact, laser-based method of forming metal sheet is proposed. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), in cooperation with DARPA and the University of Florida (UF), have begun investigation of non-contact methods of laser forming sheet metal in thermal vacuum (TVAC) conditions to great success. To date, several grades of aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium coupons have been formed via laser-induced internal stresses in these metals at both ambient atmosphere and vacuum conditions. Temperatures in these tests ranged from -120 to 60 C, and though the total energy required to induce strain does vary with workpiece temperature and environmental pressure, the method remains predictable and controllable for the materials investigated. It is believed that this method will revolutionize manufacturing in-space as it not only continues to build upon the capabilities of the laser (sensing, marking, cutting, drilling, joining, and now forming) as an all-in-one tool, but also reduces the need to counteract forming forces as would be required in mechanical bending. In theory, all required stress to induce bending is generated through thermal gradient and strain within the workpiece, meaning that the need for reaction control and fuel expense on-orbit will be limited. Archimedes once stated, “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world”. With a laser as our lever and our workpiece its own fulcrum, we can move the world’s manufacturing into space.

Laser↗

NASA NTRS1949

Wind-Tunnel Tests of a 0.16-Scale Model of the Douglas MX-656 Airplane at High Subsonic Speeds. II - Wing and Fuselage Pressure Distribution

Measurements of wing and fuselage pressure distributions were made at low and high subsonic Much numbers on a 0.16-scale model of the projected MX-656 research airplane. The MX-656 is a supersonic design utilizing a low-aspect-ratio wing and tail. Pressure-distribution measurements indicated that, although the critical Mach number of the wing was approximately 0.81 at 0 degree angle of attack, compressibility effects were of little significance below a Mach number of at least 0.90. The principal effect of compressibility was an increase in the pressure gradient over the after 30 percent of the wing chord, causing a tendency for the flow to separate. At 0.40 Mach number, the wing stalled abruptly at approximately 12 deg, angle of attack. The wing-pressure distribution showed this stall was a result of complete separation of the flow from the upper surface of the wing, Deflecting the leading-edge flaps delayed the stall to a higher angle of attack with some increase in the maximum section normal force,

Cleary, Joseph W.↗

NASA NTRS1982

The curvature of radio jets and tails in the intracluster media of Abell 1446 and 2220

X-ray observations are reported for two rich clusters which contain prominent tailed radio galaxies. These X-ray data are used as probes of the cluster gas to explore mechanisms which may distort radio jets and tails. A nonrelativistic hydrodynamic flow model is invoked to examine the plasma beam parameters needed to bend the radio streams in a manner consistent with the radio and X-ray data. Within the context of this model, the wide-angle tailed radio structure of 1159 + 583 in A1446 is explained by a combination of a buoyancy pressure gradient in the cluster gas and dynamic pressure arising from slow galaxy motion (200 km/sec). The second cluster observed, A2220, contains a clumped X-ray structure with peaks near two dominant galaxies. The strongly bent radio jets of 1638 + 538 (associated with one of the bright galaxies) are consistent with about 1000 km/sec motion, possibly in a binary orbit, through the X-ray emitting cluster gas; a curved feature in the northern tail, however, may be attributable to buoyancy forces. These X-ray data also suggest that the radio jets and tails are thermally confined by the hot intracluster media.

Burns, J. O.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Southern Ocean Response to NADW Changes

The possibility of North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) changes in both past and future climates has raised the issue of how the Southern Ocean would respond. Recent experiments with the GISS coupled atmosphere-ocean model have shown that a "bipolar see-saw" between NADW production and Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) production in the Weddell Sea can occur in conjunction with freshening of the North Atlantic. However, this effect operates not through a slow ocean response but via a rapid atmospheric mechanism. As NADW reduces, colder temperatures in the North Atlantic, and Northern Hemisphere in general, are associated with higher surface pressure (increased atmospheric mass). Reduced mass in the Southern Hemisphere occurs in response, with lower pressure over the South Pole (an EOF #1 effect, the "high phase" of the Antarctic Oscillation).The lower pressure is associated with stronger west winds that generate an intensified Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), which leads to longitudinal heat divergence in the South Atlantic (and heat convergence in the Southern Indian Ocean). Colder temperatures in the Weddell Sea region lead to sea ice growth, increased salinity and surface water density, and greater Weddell Sea Bottom Water production. Increased poleward transport of heat occurs in the South Atlantic in conjunction with increased bottom water production, but its convergence at high latitudes is not sufficient to offset the longitudinal heat divergence due to the intensified ACC. The colder temperatures at high latitudes in the South Atlantic increase the latitudinal temperature gradient, baroclinic instability, eddy energy and eddy poleward transport of momentum, helping to maintain the lower pressure over the pole in an interactive manner. The heat flux convergence in the Indian Ocean provides a warming tendency in that region, and overall global production of AABW remains unchanged. These results have implications for the interpretation of the ice core records of the last deglaciation, but may also be relevant for changes during the Holocene and perhaps even in response to increased CO2 forcing,

Rind, David↗

NASA NTRS2015

Numerical Computation of a Continuous-thrust State Transition Matrix Incorporating Accurate Hardware and Ephemeris Models

A significant body of work exists showing that providing a nonlinear programming (NLP) solver with expressions for the problem constraint gradient substantially increases the speed of program execution and can also improve the robustness of convergence, especially for local optimizers. Calculation of these derivatives is often accomplished through the computation of spacecraft's state transition matrix (STM). If the two-body gravitational model is employed as is often done in the context of preliminary design, closed form expressions for these derivatives may be provided. If a high fidelity dynamics model, that might include perturbing forces such as the gravitational effect from multiple third bodies and solar radiation pressure is used then these STM's must be computed numerically. We present a method for the power hardward model and a full ephemeris model. An adaptive-step embedded eight order Dormand-Prince numerical integrator is discussed and a method for the computation of the time of flight derivatives in this framework is presented. The use of these numerically calculated derivatieves offer a substantial improvement over finite differencing in the context of a global optimizer. Specifically the inclusion of these STM's into the low thrust missiondesign tool chain in use at NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center allows for an increased preliminary mission design cadence.

Low Thrust↗

NASA NTRS1994

Wake measurements in a strong adverse pressure gradient

The behavior of wakes in adverse pressure gradients is critical to the performance of high-lift systems for transport aircraft. Wake deceleration is known to lead to sudden thickening and the onset of reversed flow; this 'wake bursting' phenomenon can occur while surface flows remain attached. Although 'wake bursting' is known to be important for high-lift systems, no detailed measurements of 'burst' wakes have ever been reported. Wake bursting has been successfully achieved in the wake of a flat plate as it decelerated in a two-dimensional diffuser, whose sidewalls were forced to remain attached by use of slot blowing. Pilot probe surveys, L.D.V. measurements, and flow visualization have been used to investigate the physics of this decelerated wake, through the onset of reversed flow.

Hoffenberg, R.↗

NASA NTRS2000

In-Situ Environmental Measurements Needed for Future Mars Missions

Existing measurements and modeling studies indicate that the climate and general circulation of the thin, predominately CO2 Martian atmosphere are characterized by large-amplitude variations with a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Remote sensing observations from Earth-based telescopes and the Mariner 9, Viking, Phobos, and Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) orbiters show that the prevailing climate includes large-scale seasonal variations in surface and atmospheric temperatures (140 to 300 K), dust optical depth (0.15 to 1), and water vapor (10 to 100 precipitable microns). These observations also provided the first evidence for episodic regional and global dust storms that produce even larger perturbations in the atmospheric thermal structure and general circulation. In-situ measurements by the Viking and Mars Pathfinder Landers reinforced these conclusions, documenting changes in the atmospheric pressure on diurnal (5%) and seasonal (>20%) time scales, as well as large diurnal variations in the near-surface temperature (40 to 70 K), wind velocity (0 to 35 m/s), and dust optical depth (0.3 to 6). These in-situ measurements also reveal phenomena with temporal and spatial scales that cannot be resolved from orbit, including rapid changes in near-surface temperatures (+/- 10 K in 10 seconds), large near-surface vertical temperature gradients (+/- 15 K/meter), diurnally-varying slope winds, and dust devils . Modeling studies indicate that these changes are forced primarily by diurnal and seasonal variations in solar insolation, but they also include contributions from atmospheric thermal tides, baroclinic waves (fronts), Kelvin waves, slope winds, and monsoonal flows from the polar caps.

Crisp, D.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Modeling of PCG fluid dynamics: Salient results

Materials processing in space-based laboratories has already yielded higher quality crystals during previous space flights, and opportunities for several fluids experiments are anticipated during the extended duration missions planned for the future. Crystal growth in space benefits not only from its reduced gravity environment but also from the absence of the hydrostatic pressure which assists certain crystal growth and refinement methods. Gravity-driven phenomena are thus reduced in strength, and a purely diffusive fluid's behavior can be attained. In addition, past materials science experiments have shown that microgravity can also help produce larger crystals. While gravity-related effects are definitely curtailed in space, they are nevertheless present to some degree due to the acceleration environment onboard the spacecraft. This residual acceleration level is comprised of quasi-steady, oscillatory, and transient components, and is caused by a variety of mechanisms. For example, gravity gradient forces produce low frequency disturbances, and the operation of machinery, control thrusters, solar panels, human activity, etc. contribute to higher frequency accelerations. These disturbances are collectively referred to as g-jitter, and they can be deleterious to certain experiments where the minimization of the acceleration level is important. Advanced vibration isolation techniques can be utilized to actively filter out some of the detrimental frequencies and help in obtaining optimum results. However, the successful application of this technology requires the detailed analysis of candidate fluids experiments to gauge their response to g-jitter and to determine their acceleration sensitivities. Several crystal growth experiments in the Protein Crystal Growth (PCG) area, besides others, are expected to be carried out on future shuttle flights and on Space Station Freedom. The need for vibration isolation systems or components for microgravity science experiments can be expected to grow as experiments and available hardware becomes more complex. This technology will also find increased application as the science community develops an awareness of their specific needs relative to the environment available in manned space missions. Vibration isolation research strives to develop a microgravity environment requirement that defines tolerance limits on the allowable g-level, and provides the required technology to achieve it. This effort will assist in establishing the tolerable acceleration levels for specific fluids experiments. The primary effort is directed towards modeling PCG and the approach undertaken for this investigation is outlined. The objectives of this research are: (1) to computationally determine vibration sensitivity of protein crystal growth experiments; (2) determine if these experiments can benefit from vibration isolation techniques; and (3) provide realistic requirements for vibration isolation technology.

Ramachandran, N.↗