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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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NASA NTRS1982

The 1981 current research on aviation weather (bibliography)

Current and ongoing research programs related to various areas of aviation meteorology are presented. Literature searches of major abstract publications, were conducted. Research project managers of various government agencies involved in aviation meteorology research provided a list of current research project titles and managers, supporting organizations, performing organizations, the principal investigators, and the objectives. These are tabulated under the headings of advanced meteorological instruments, forecasting, icing, lightning and atmospheric electricity; fog, visibility, and ceilings; low level wind shear, storm hazards/severe storms, turbulence, winds, and ozone and other meteorological parameters. This information was reviewed and assembled into a bibliography providing a current readily useable source of information in the area of aviation meteorology.

Daniel, J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

A solar extreme ultraviolet telescope and spectrograph for Shuttle/Spacelab

An instrument for advanced studies of the solar corona is described. Its optical system provides nearly stigmatic imaging of selected portions of the sun over the spectral range from 22.5 to 44.0 nm. Both spectroheliograms and emission line profiles of coronal features will be obtained over a wide range of coronal temperatures.

Neupert, W. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

The future scientific CCD

Since the first introduction of charge-coupled devices (CCDs) in 1970, CCDs have been considered for applications related to memories, logic circuits, and the detection of visible radiation. It is pointed out, however, that the mass market orientation of CCD development has left largely untapped the enormous potential of these devices for advanced scientific instrumentation. The present paper has, therefore, the objective to introduce the CCD characteristics to the scientific community, taking into account prospects for further improvement. Attention is given to evaluation criteria, a summary of current CCDs, CCD performance characteristics, absolute calibration tools, quantum efficiency, aspects of charge collection, charge transfer efficiency, read noise, and predictions regarding the characteristics of the next generation of silicon scientific CCD imagers.

Janesick, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Experimental study of planetary gases with applications to planetary interior models

High-pressure experimental data on planetary materials are critical in developing planetary models and in addressing otherwise insoluble problems of the internal structure of the major planets. Progress in the last five years has been particularly marked. Maximum static pressure of 550 GPa was achieved. For the first time, X-ray diffraction of solidified gases (Ne, Xe) and ices (H2O) were obtained at pressures above one megabar, single-crystal diffraction of ultralight elements (H2, He) were detected up to 25 GPa, pressures over 200 GPa at 77 K were reached in solid hydrogen, including the discovery of a phase transformation in the molecular solid. Advances in instrumentation and new measurements performed during 1983 to 1988 are summarized.

Bell, Peter M.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Advanced Engraving Of Angle-Encoder Disks

Precision increased over mechanical engravers. Laser pulses timed according to rotational speed of rotor electrostatically suspended in vacuum marks angular-encoder disk mounted on lower end of rotor. Precision of timing circuitry and low rotational damping (damping time about 700 years in high vacuum) results in highly-precise angular intervals. System conceived to meet need for increased precision of angular measurements in advanced scientific instruments.

Polstorff, Walter K.↗

NASA NTRS1988

MERI: An ultra-long-baseline Moon-Earth radio interferometer

An extension of the very long baseline technique currently used with ground based telescopes which will produce a resolution of 0.4 micro-arcsec at 300 GHz is described. The MERI array will open an entirely new regime of wavelengths, resolutions, and sensitivities for radio astronomy. As with any such leap in astronomical instrumentation, this advancement will result in the observation of a variety of known radio sources and the exploration of their structures in unprecedented detail. Even so, it may be the serendipitous discoveries, which are by definition impossible to predict, that ultimately justify the construction of MERI.

Burns, Jack O.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Infrared spectral studies of asteroids

The research objective is to improve our understanding of the surface mineralogy of asteroids and to link the vast existing body of meteorite geochemical data with specific astronomical objects which may be the targets of future NASA missions. The methodology employed is: (1) use advanced astronomical instrumentation to obtain reflection spectra in the 0.3 to 5.2 micrometer wavelength range of selected astroids; (2) compare the asteroid data with similar data on simulated asteroid regoliths of various compositions to determine the surface mineralogy and meteoritic affinities of asteroid spectral classes and specific asteroids; (3) integrate the mineralogical information with other astronomical data, orbital dynamics studies, and meteorite geochemistry data to reconstruct the condensational, thermal, and collisional history of the present asteroids and their parent planetesimals; and (4) use the information obtained to assist planning of future NASA asteroid missions.

Bell, Jeffrey F.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Hypersonic nozzle design

Possible experimental facilities appropriate to a university environment that could make meaningful contributions to the solution of problems in hypersonic aerodynamics are investigated. Needs for the National Aerospace Plane and interplanetary flights with atmospheric aerobraking are used to scope the problem. Relevant events of the past two decades in universities and at the national laboratories are examined for their implications regarding both problems and prospects. Most striking is the emergence of computational fluid dynamics, which is viewed here as an equal partner with laboratory experimentation and flight test in relating theory with reality. Also significant are major advances in instrumentation and data processing methods, especially optical techniques. The direction of the study was guided by the concept of a companion program, i.e., the university effort should complement a major area of endeavor at NASA-Langley. Through this, both faculty and student participants gain a natural and effective working relationship. Existing and proposed major hypersonic aerodynamic facilities in industry and at the national laboratories are examined by type; hypersonic wind tunnels, arc-heated tunnels, shock tubes and tunnels, and ballistic ranges. Of these, the free piston tunnel and shock tube/tunnel are most appropriate for a university.

Griffith, Wayland C.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Flight elements subpanel introduction and overview

Major objectives, milestones, key contacts, technology issues, accomplishments, and candidate programs are outlined. Topics addressed include: advanced avionics systems architectures; advanced information processing; avionics concepts; integrated Global Positioning System/guidance, navigation, and command concepts; advanced communication and telemetry; display and control concepts; advanced sensors and instrumentation; fault detection and fault management; advanced electric power, distribution, and control; EMA/power systems; and in-flight crew training. This presentation is represented by viewgraphs only.

Sollock, Paul E.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Applied high-speed imaging for the icing research program at NASA Lewis Research Center

The Icing Research Tunnel at NASA Lewis Research Center provides scientists a scaled, controlled environment to simulate natural icing events. The closed-loop, low speed, refrigerated wind tunnel offers the experimental capability to test for icing certification requirements, analytical model validation and calibration techniques, cloud physics instrumentation refinement, advanced ice protection systems, and rotorcraft icing methodology development. The test procedures for these objectives all require a high degree of visual documentation, both in real-time data acquisition and post-test image processing. Information is provided to scientific, technical, and industrial imaging specialists as well as to research personnel about the high-speed and conventional imaging systems will be on the recent ice protection technology program. Various imaging examples for some of the tests are presented. Additional imaging examples are available from the NASA Lewis Research Center's Photographic and Printing Branch.

Slater, Howard↗

NASA NTRS1990

Planetary astronomy in the 21st century - The study of planetary systems

A new scientific discipline has emerged in recent years, stimulated partly by advances in instrumental capability and partly by scientific discoveries. It is the study of systems of planets and of the interactive processes which link the planets with their central star. Two broad foci exist in this field: the study of other planetary systems and the study of the solar system. It is the thesis of this paper that the study of planetary systems will be a key discipline of the 21st century, and that it requires several observatories on the moon for its ultimate development.

Mumma, Michael J.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Infrared spectral studies of asteroids

The research objective was to improve the understanding of the surface mineralogy of asteroids and to link the vast existing body of meteorite geochemical data with specific astronomical objects which may be the targets of future NASA missions. The methodology used is as follow: (1) to use advanced astronomical instrumentation to obtain reflection spectra in the 0.3 to 5.2 micron wavelength range of selected asteroids; (2) to compare the asteroid data with similar data on simulated asteroid regoliths of various compositions to determine the surface mineralogy and meteoritic affinities of asteroid spectral classes and specific asteroids; (3) to integrate the mineralogical information with other astronomical data, orbital dynamics studies, and meteoritic geochemistry data to reconstruct the condensational, thermal, and collisional history of the present asteroids and their parent planetesimals; and (4) to use the information obtained to assist planning of future NASA asteroid missions such as Galileo and CRAF.

Bell, Jeffrey F.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The use of Antarctic analogs for the Space Exploration Initiative

Potential approaches to the use of the Antarctic as an analog to the lunar and Mars planetary surface segments of the SEI are reviewed. It is concluded that a well-planned and sustained program of ground-based research and testing in environments analogous to the moon and Mars is a rational method for reducing the risks associated with human space missions. Antarctica may provide an ideal setting for testing critical technologies (habitat design, life support, and advanced scientific instrumentation), studying human factors and physiology, and conducting basic scientific research similar to and directly relevant to that planned for the SEI.

Roberts, Barney↗

NASA NTRS1992

The Ulysses mission

The Ulysses mission is unique in the history of the exploration of solar system by spacecraft. The path followed by Ulysses will make it possible, for the first time, to explore the heliosphere within a few astronomical units of the sun over the full range of heliographic latitudes, thereby providing the first characterization of the uncharted third heliospheric dimension. Advanced scientific instrumentation carried on board the spacecraft is designed to measure the properties of the heliospheric magnetic field, the solar wind, the sun/wind interface, solar radio bursts and plasma waves, solar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays, solar X-rays, and interplanetary/interstellar neutral gas and dust. Ulysses will also be used to detect cosmic gamma-ray bursts and search for gravitational waves. The mission, a collaboration between ESA and NASA, was launched in October 1990 and employs a Jupiter gravity-assist to achieve the trajectory extending to high solar latitudes. The paper describes the characteristics of the Ulysses mission in order to establish a framework within which to better understand the objectives and goals of the scientific investigations.

Wenzel, K.-P.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Dust and ionized gas in elliptical galaxies: Signatures of merging collisions

Traditionally elliptical galaxies were thought to be essentially devoid of interstellar matter. However, recent advances in instrumental sensitivity have caused a renaissance of interest in dust and gas in - or associated with - elliptical galaxies. In particular, the technique of co-adding IRAS survey scans has led to the detection of more than half of all ellipticals with BT less than 11 mag. in the Revised Shapley-Ames catalog, indicating the presence of 10(exp 7) - 10(exp 8) solar mass of cold interstellar matter (Jura et al. 1987). In addition, CCD multi-color surface photometry shows dust patches in about 30 percent of the cases studied to date (e.g., Veron-Cetty & Veron 1988). Thorough study of the gas and dust in ellipticals is important to (1) determine its origin (mass-loss from late-type stars, merging collisions with other galaxies or accretion inflows from cooling X-ray gas), and (2) investigate the 3-D shape of ellipticals, as can be derived from the orientation of the dust lanes and the 2-D velocity field of the gas. An important result of our comprehensive CCD imaging program is that a relevant fraction (approximately 40 percent) of the sample objects exhibits dust patches within extended H-alpha+(NII) line-emitting filaments. This common occurrence can be easily accounted for if the dust and gas have an external origin, i.e., mergers or interactions with gas-rich galaxies. Evidence supporting this suggestion: (1) the ionized gas is usually dynamically decoupled from the stellar velocity field (see, e.g., Sharples et al. 1983, Bertola & Bettoni 1988); (2) it is shown in a companion paper (Goudfrooij et al. 1992) that internal stellar mass loss alone can not account for the dust content of elliptical galaxies.

Goudfrooij, Paul↗

NASA NTRS1992

Applied high-speed imaging for the icing research program at NASA Lewis Research Center

Slater, Howard↗

NASA NTRS1992

Executive summary

The Astrotech 21 Optical Systems Technology Workshop was held in Pasadena, California on March 6-8, 1991. The purpose of the workshop was to examine the state of Optical Systems Technology at the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), and in industry and academia, in view of the potential Astrophysics mission set currently being considered for the late 1990's through the first quarter of the 21st century. The principal result of the workshop is this publication, which contains an assessment of the current state of the technology, and specific technology advances in six critical areas of optics, all necessary for the mission set. The workshop was divided into six panels, each of about a dozen experts in specific fields, representing NASA, industry, and academia. In addition, each panel contained expertise that spanned the spectrum from x-ray to submillimeter wavelengths. This executive summary contains the principal recommendations of each panel. The six technology panels and their chairs were: (1) Wavefront Sensing, Control, and Pointing, Thomas Pitts, Itek Optical Systems, A Division of Litton; (2) Fabrication, Roger Angel, Steward Observatory, University of Arizona; (3) Materials and Structures, Theodore Saito, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; (4) Optical Testing, James Wyant, WYKO Corporation; (5) Optical Systems Integrated Modeling, Robert R. Shannon, Optical Sciences Center, University of Arizona; and (6) Advanced Optical Instruments Technology, Michael Shao, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. This Executive Summary contains the principal recommendations of each panel.

Ayon, Juan A.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Engineering Ulysses extended mission

The Ulysses Mission is a collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The mission is unique, enabling exploration of the heliosphere within a few astronomical units of the Sun over a full range of heliographic latitudes adding a third dimension to our understanding of the Solar System. The advanced scientific instrumentation on Ulysses continually measures the properties of the heliospheric magnetic field, the solar wind, solar radio bursts and plasma waves, galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles, solar X-rays, and interstellar neutral gas. By the end of 1995, the spacecraft will have completed measurements at heliographic latitudes up to 80 degrees over a single orbit of the Sun. The properties of the heliosphere are solar cycle dependent, and Ulysses' first orbit of the Sun will have taken place around a solar minimum. In order to characterize the heliosphere over a full (11 year) solar cycle, it is desirable to continue measurements over a second orbit of the Sun, a new Odyssey that will extend through 2001. Since the spacecraft was only designed for a five-year mission, a number of technical challenges have been surmounted in order to demonstrate the engineering feasibility of this unparalleled scientific opportunity. This paper describes the changes that were necessary to the Ulysses mission engineering and mission operations in order to ensure continual, effective payload operation throughout 1996-2001.

Standley, Shaun↗