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At least 271 records · Page 15

Infrared spectroscopy of lunar mare regolith

Spectra of reflection, emission, and transmission of regolith returned by the Luna 16 automatic station were investigated in the 1.8-13 micrometers region. A reflection maximum was shown to be present in the region 3 to 5 micrometer, along with a corresponding minimum in the emission coefficient. The spectra were interpreted based on a comparison of the optical properties with the chemical and structural properties of the regolith. The regolith in the entire array of properties in the infrared region differs appreciably from terrestrial objects. Spectra of diffuse reflection and the spectra at angles of incidence 0 deg and angles of reflection 15 and 30 deg with samples of the regolith returned by the Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 missions revealed a similarity of the infrared reflection characteristics of the regolith from different lunar mare regions.

M. V. Akhmanova↗

Ion and electron velocity distributions within flux transfer events

The detailed nature of the thermal and suprathermal ion and electron distributions within magnetic flux transfer events (FTEs) is examined. Examples of both magnetosheath FTEs and magnetospheric FTEs are discussed. The detailed distributions confirm that FTEs contain a mixture of magnetosheath and magnetospheric plasmas. To lowest order, the distributions are consistent with a simple superposition of the two interpenetrating populations, with no strong interactions between them. To first order, some interesting differences appear, especially in the electron distributions, suggesting that considerable pitch angle scattering and some electron energy diffusion are also occurring. These observations should provide a useful test of analytical and numerical studies of interpenetrating plasmas.

Thomsen, M. F.↗

Surface Properties of the Moon, Venus and Small Bodies from Radar Observations

Studies of the moon during the period of the grant revolved around the issues of the possible presence of ice at the lunar poles and the determination of the electrical properties of the maria regoliths. The search for ice at the poles was conducted using measurements of the radar backscatter cross sections and circular polarization ratios measured from 125 m resolution Arecibo radar imagery at 13 cm wavelength obtained by Nicholas Stacy. No clear indication of the presence of ice was found in areas thought to be in permanent shadow from solar radiation. Then Cornell graduate student Greg Black modeled the radar backscattering behavior of the icy Galilean satellites using three wavelength measurements of their radar backscattering properties obtained with the Arecibo and Goldstone radars. The radar scattering properties of Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto are unlike those of any other object observed with planetary radars. They are strongly backscattering with specific radar cross sections that can exceed unity. Polarization ratios are also high, approx. 1.5, indicative of multiple scattering, and the echos follow a diffuse scattering law at all incident angles with no indication of quasi-specular reflections. 3) Most of our effort on small bodies went into developing and investigating methods for long baseline radar synthesis imaging of near-earth asteroids and comets. At X-band, the width of the synthesized beam of the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) is approximately 15 m at 0.03AU, a typical close approach distance for near-earth asteroids. A small amount of work was done analyzing Venus data from Arecibo and the Magellan mission.

Campbell, Donald B.↗

Overview of Terra and Aqua MODIS Status

This presentation will consist of two one-hour lectures. The first lecture will review the characteristics of the MODIS instrument and how it responds to the performance specifications. The pre-launch and on-orbit procedures and results to characterize and maintain instrument output so as to allow the prescribed science to be done will also be outlined. This will include defining the equations used to account for gain changes and any degradation in the optics of the instrument or the on-board calibration devices themselves. The changes in the solar diffuser and the radiance versus scan angle performance of the scan mirror will also be reviewed. Overall it will be shown that the instrument has and is meeting specifications of 2% reflectance relative to the sun, 5% in the radiance observed in the reflected solar radiation bands, and 0.5-1% in the thermal bands. The second lecture will review and describe highlights in the geophysical products and related science results. There are approximately 40 geophysical products related to observations of land, ocean and atmosphere features. Many of the results are unprecedented and offer considerable advances over those achievable with heritage instruments such as the NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). The literature is showing a steady growth of publications in scientific journals using MODIS data or products. The future is also bright in that a follow-on instrument based on the MODIS will be flown on the National Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellite Series (NPOESS) starting around 2010.

Salomonson, Vincent V.↗

Some Basic Concepts of Wave-Particle Interactions in Collisionless Plasmas

The physical concepts of wave-particle interactions in a collisionless plasma are developed from first principles. Using the Lorentz force, starting with the concepts of gyromotion, particle mirroring and the loss-cone, normal and anomalous cyclotron resonant interactions, pitch-angle scattering, and cross-field diffusion are developed.

wave-particle interactions Plasmas↗

Comparison of Spatial Correlation Parameters between Full and Model Scale Launch Vehicles

The current vibro-acoustic analysis tools require specific spatial correlation parameters as input to define the liftoff acoustic environment experienced by the launch vehicle. Until recently these parameters have not been very well defined. A comprehensive set of spatial correlation data were obtained during a scale model acoustic test conducted in 2014. From these spatial correlation data, several parameters were calculated: the decay coefficient, the diffuse to propagating ratio, and the angle of incidence. Spatial correlation data were also collected on the EFT-1 flight of the Delta IV vehicle which launched on December 5th, 2014. A comparison of the spatial correlation parameters from full scale and model scale data will be presented.

Kenny, Jeremy↗

Experimental investigation of tangential blowing applied to a subsonic V/STOL inlet

Engine inlets for subsonic V/STOL aircraft must operate over a wide range of conditions without the severe internal flow separation that can cause sudden changes in engine thrust, excessively high fan blade stresses, and possibly core-compressor stall. An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of tangential blowing to maintain attached flow at high inlet angles of attack. The inlet had a relatively thin lip (lip contraction ratio of 1.46). Two blowing slot locations were investigated: one on the lip and the other in the diffuser. The effect of two slot heights (0.0508 and 0.152 cm) and three slot circumferential extents, the largest being 120 deg, also was investigated. The results showed that both lip and diffuser blowing were effective in maintaining attached flow at high angles of attack. However, higher angle-of-attack capability was achieved with lip blowing than with diffuser blowing. This capability was achieved with the largest slot circumferential extent and either of the two slot heights. The tests were conducted in a low-speed wind tunnel at free-stream velocities between 18 and 62 m/sec and inlet angles of attack to 110 deg.

Burley, R. R.↗

A3 Subscale Rocket Hot Fire Testing

This paper gives a description of the methodology and results of J2-X Subscale Simulator (JSS) hot fire testing supporting the A3 Subscale Diffuser Test (SDT) project at the E3 test facility at Stennis Space Center, MS (SSC). The A3 subscale diffuser is a geometrically accurate scale model of the A3 altitude simulating rocket test facility. This paper focuses on the methods used to operate the facility and obtain the data to support the aerodynamic verification of the A3 rocket diffuser design and experimental data quantifying the heat flux throughout the facility. The JSS was operated at both 80% and 100% power levels and at gimbal angle from 0 to 7 degrees to verify the simulated altitude produced by the rocket-rocket diffuser combination. This was done with various secondary GN purge loads to quantify the pumping performance of the rocket diffuser. Also, special tests were conducted to obtain detailed heat flux measurements in the rocket diffuser at various gimbal angles and in the facility elbow where the flow turns from vertical to horizontal upstream of the 2nd stage steam ejector.

Saunders, G. P.↗

Does ion tearing exist?

Theoretical models of reconnection in the geomagnetic tail and its relationship to the collisionless tearing mode are examined analytically. The focus is on attempts to remove the stabilizing effects of electron compressibility in the quasi-neutral sheet. It is shown that this goal can be achieved by introducing spatial diffusion of electrons across the magnetic-flux surfaces, but not by wave-turbulent pitch-angle scattering (Coroniti, 1980) or nonadiabatic stochastic first-invariant diffusion (Buechner and Zelenyi, 1988). Hence the ion tearing mode does not exist, but the electron tearing mode does.

Pellat, R.↗

Low speed wind tunnel investigation of the aerodynamic and acoustic performance of several sonic inlet takeoff and approach geometries

A series of tests was conducted to determine the aerodynamic and acoustic performance of several sonic inlet takeoff and approach geometries. The effects of inlet lip shape and diffuser length were also investigated. The tests were conducted in a low-speed wind tunnel at free-stream velocities of 0 and 45 meters per second. Inlet incidence angle was varied from 0 deg to 50 deg. The inlets were sized to fit a 13.97-centimeter-diameter fan. In terms of the highest level of inlet total pressure recovery for a given amount of noise suppression, a cylindrical centerbody takeoff geometry and a bulb-shaped centerbody approach geometry provided the best results over all conditions of free-stream velocity and incidence angle. Increasing inlet lip contraction ratio extended the maximum incidence angle for attached lip flow, while increasing inlet diffuser length resulted in a higher total pressure recovery for a given amount of noise suppression.

Abbott, J. M.↗

Flow separation in inlets at incidence angles

Wind-tunnel pressure data and flow pictures obtained for two two-dimensional inlet models have been examined to study the internal flow structure and separation at large incidence angles. The inlet models were 12-in. high (diffuser exit height) and had internal contraction ratio of 1.21 and 1.17. They were tested at low forward speeds over a wide range of throat Mach numbers (inlet mass flow rates) and angles of incidence. Characteristic features of the internal flow such as a drastic change of pressure gradient near the highlight, local separation bubbles and shock/boundary-layer interactions have been indicated and discussed. For a few specific cases, the experimental surface pressure distributions have been compared with theoretical predictions.

Jakubowski, A. K.↗

BRDF measurements of sunshield and baffle materials for the IRAS telescope

Measurements of the far-infrared bidirectional reflectance distribution functions (BRDF) of four samples of Martin Black coating and one sample of gold coated aluminum from the telescope to be flown on the Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) are presented. At incidence angles near 35 deg Martin Black is a diffuse reflector at wavelengths as long as 36 microns. The gold coated aluminum sample from the IRAS sunshield has a visible grain which causes a strong diffraction enhancement of the BRDF at large nonspecular angles. This enhancement from the sunshield will increase the stray light level inside the telescope.

Smith, S. M.↗

Experimental and analytical results of tangential blowing applied to a subsonic V/STOL inlet

Engine inlets for subsonic V/STOL aircraft must operate over a wide range of conditions without internal flow separation. Experimental and analytical investigations were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of tangential blowing to maintain attached flow to high angles of attack. The inlet had a relatively thin lip with a blowing slot located either on the lip or in the diffuser. The height and width of these slots was varied. Experimentally determined flow separation boundaries showed that lip blowing achieved higher angle of attack capability than diffuser blowing. This capability was achieved with the largest slot circumferential extent and either of the two slot heights. Predicted (analytical) separation boundaries showed good agreement except at the highest angles of attack.

Burley, R. R.↗

Aeroacoustic performance of scale model sonic inlets

A low speed wind tunnel was used to evaluate the inflight aeroacoustic performance of several single- and multiple-passage sonic inlets. Takeoff and approach geometries were tested, and the effects of inlet lip and diffuser design were determined. Results indicate that the single passage geometries, in particular a cylindrical centerbody takeoff geometry and a bulb shaped centerbody approach geometry, provide the highest level of aeroacoustic performance. Increasing inlet lip contraction ratio extends the maximum incidence angle for attached lip flow, while increasing inlet diffuser length results in higher total pressure recovery for a given amount of noise suppression.

Abbott, J. M.↗

Low speed test of the aft inlet designed for a tandem fan V/STOL nacelle

An approximately .25 scale model of a Tandem Fan nacelle designed for a Type A V/STOL aircraft configuration was tested in a 10-by-10 foot wind tunnel. A 12 inch, tip driven, turbofan simulator was used to provide the suction source for the aft fan inlet. The front fan inlet was faired over for this test entry. Model variables consisted of a long aft inlet cowl, a short aft inlet cowl, a shaft simulator, blow-in door passages and diffuser vortex generators. Inlet pressure recovery, distortion, inlet angle of attack separation limits were evaluated at tunnel velocities from 0 to 240 knots, angles of attack from -10 to 40 degrees and inlet flow rates representative of throat Mach numbers of 0.1 to 0.6. High inlet performance and stable operation was verified at all design forward speed and angle of attack conditions. The short aft inlet configuration provided exceptionally high pressure recovery except at the highest combination of angle of attack and forward speed. The flow quality at the fan face was somewhat degraded by the addition of blow-in door passages to the long aft inlet configuration due to the pressure disturbances generated by the flow entering the diffuser through the auxiliary air passages.

Rhoades, W. W.↗

Multispacecraft Observations of Solar Flare Particles in the Inner Heliosphere

For a number of impulsive solar particle events we examine variations of maximum intensities and times to maximum intensity as a function of longitude, using observations from the two Helios spacecraft and near the Earth. We find that electrons in the MeV range can be detected more than 80 deg. from the flare longitude, corresponding to a considerably wider "well connected" region than that (approx. 20 deg. half width) reported for He-3-rich impulsive solar events. This wide range and the decrease of peak intensities with increasing connection angle revive the concept of some propagation process in the low corona that has a diffusive nature. Delays to the intensity maximum are not systematically correlated with connection angles. We argue that interplanetary scattering parallel to the average interplanetary magnetic field, that varies with position in space, plays an important role in flare particle events. In a specific case variations of the time profiles with radial distance and with particle rigidity are used to quantitatively confirm spatial diffusion. For a few cases near the edges of the well connected region the very long times to maximum intensity might result from interplanetary lateral transport.

Wibberenz, G.↗

Reduction of Altitude Diffuser Jet Noise Using Water Injection

A feasibility study on the effects of injecting water into the exhaust plume of an altitude rocket diffuser for the purpose of reducing the far-field acoustic noise has been performed. Water injection design parameters such as axial placement, angle of injection, diameter of injectors, and mass flow rate of water have been systematically varied during the operation of a subscale altitude test facility. The changes in acoustic far-field noise were measured with an array of free-field microphones in order to quantify the effects of the water injection on overall sound pressure level spectra and directivity. The results showed significant reductions in noise levels were possible with optimum conditions corresponding to water injection at or just upstream of the exit plane of the diffuser. Increasing the angle and mass flow rate of water injection also showed improvements in noise reduction. However, a limit on the maximum water flow rate existed as too large of flow rate could result in un-starting the supersonic diffuser.

Allgood, Daniel C.↗

Reduction of Altitude Diffuser Jet Noise Using Water Injection

A feasibility study on the effects of injecting water into the exhaust plume of an altitude rocket diffuser for the purpose of reducing the far-field acoustic noise has been performed. Water injection design parameters such as axial placement, angle of injection, diameter of injectors, and mass flow rate of water have been systematically varied during the operation of a subscale altitude test facility. The changes in acoustic far-field noise were measured with an array of free-field microphones in order to quantify the effects of the water injection on overall sound pressure level spectra and directivity. The results showed significant reductions in noise levels were possible with optimum conditions corresponding to water injection at or just upstream of the exit plane of the diffuser. Increasing the angle and mass flow rate of water injection also showed improvements in noise reduction. However, a limit on the maximum water flow rate existed as too large of flow rate could result in un-starting the supersonic diffuser.

Allgood, Daniel C.↗