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At least 289 records · Page 16

Shape Distribution of Fragments from Microsatellite Impact Tests

Fragment shape is an important factor for conducting reliable orbital debris damage assessments for critical space assets, such as the International Space Station. To date, seven microsatellite impact tests have been completed as part of an ongoing collaboration between Kyushu University and the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office. The target satellites ranged in size from 15 cm 15 cm 15 cm to 20 cm 20 cm 20 cm. Each target satellite was equipped with fully functional electronics, including circuits, battery, and transmitter. Solar panels and multi-layer insulation (MLI) were added to the target satellites of the last two tests. The impact tests were carried out with projectiles of different sizes and impact speeds. All fragments down to about 2 mm in size were collected and analyzed based on their three orthogonal dimensions, x, y, and z, where x is the longest dimension, y is the longest dimension in the plane perpendicular to x, and z is the longest dimension perpendicular to both x and y. Each fragment was also photographed and classified by shape and material composition. This data set serves as the basis of our effort to develop a fragment shape distribution. Two distinct groups can be observed in the x/y versus y/z distribution of the fragments. Objects in the first group typically have large x/y values. Many of them are needle-like objects originating from the fragmentation of carbon fiber reinforced plastic materials used to construct the satellites. Objects in the second group tend to have small x/y values, and many of them are box-like or plate-like objects, depending on their y/z values. Each group forms the corresponding peak in the x/y distribution. However, only one peak can be observed in the y/z distribution. These distributions and how they vary with size, material type, and impact parameters will be described in detail within the paper.

Liou, J.C.↗

A Computational Approach for Probabilistic Analysis of Water Impact Simulations

NASA's development of new concepts for the Crew Exploration Vehicle Orion presents many similar challenges to those worked in the sixties during the Apollo program. However, with improved modeling capabilities, new challenges arise. For example, the use of the commercial code LS-DYNA, although widely used and accepted in the technical community, often involves high-dimensional, time consuming, and computationally intensive simulations. The challenge is to capture what is learned from a limited number of LS-DYNA simulations to develop models that allow users to conduct interpolation of solutions at a fraction of the computational time. This paper presents a description of the LS-DYNA model, a brief summary of the response surface techniques, the analysis of variance approach used in the sensitivity studies, equations used to estimate impact parameters, results showing conditions that might cause injuries, and concluding remarks.

Horta, Lucas G.↗

A Computational Approach for Probabilistic Analysis of LS-DYNA Water Impact Simulations

NASA s development of new concepts for the Crew Exploration Vehicle Orion presents many similar challenges to those worked in the sixties during the Apollo program. However, with improved modeling capabilities, new challenges arise. For example, the use of the commercial code LS-DYNA, although widely used and accepted in the technical community, often involves high-dimensional, time consuming, and computationally intensive simulations. Because of the computational cost, these tools are often used to evaluate specific conditions and rarely used for statistical analysis. The challenge is to capture what is learned from a limited number of LS-DYNA simulations to develop models that allow users to conduct interpolation of solutions at a fraction of the computational time. For this problem, response surface models are used to predict the system time responses to a water landing as a function of capsule speed, direction, attitude, water speed, and water direction. Furthermore, these models can also be used to ascertain the adequacy of the design in terms of probability measures. This paper presents a description of the LS-DYNA model, a brief summary of the response surface techniques, the analysis of variance approach used in the sensitivity studies, equations used to estimate impact parameters, results showing conditions that might cause injuries, and concluding remarks.

Horta, Lucas G.↗

Calculation of the Frequency Distribution of the Energy Deposition in DNA Volumes by Heavy Ions

Radiation quality effects are largely determined by energy deposition in small volumes of characteristic sizes less than 10 nm representative of short-segments of DNA, the DNA nucleosome, or molecules initiating oxidative stress in the nucleus, mitochondria, or extra-cellular matrix. On this scale, qualitatively distinct types of molecular damage are possible for high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation such as heavy ions compared to low LET radiation. Unique types of DNA lesions or oxidative damages are the likely outcome of the energy deposition. The frequency distribution for energy imparted to 1-20 nm targets per unit dose or particle fluence is a useful descriptor and can be evaluated as a function of impact parameter from an ions track. In this work, the simulation of 1-Gy irradiation of a cubic volume of 5 micron by: 1) 450 (1)H(+) ions, 300 MeV; 2) 10 (12)C(6+) ions, 290 MeV/amu and 3) (56)Fe(26+) ions, 1000 MeV/amu was done with the Monte-Carlo simulation code RITRACKS. Cylindrical targets are generated in the irradiated volume, with random orientation. The frequency distribution curves of the energy deposited in the targets is obtained. For small targets (i.e. <25 nm size), the probability of an ion to hit a target is very small; therefore a large number of tracks and targets as well as a large number of histories are necessary to obtain statistically significant results. This simulation is very time-consuming and is difficult to perform by using the original version of RITRACKS. Consequently, the code RITRACKS was adapted to use multiple CPU on a workstation or on a computer cluster. To validate the simulation results, similar calculations were performed using targets with fixed position and orientation, for which experimental data are available [5]. Since the probability of single- and double-strand breaks in DNA as function of energy deposited is well know, the results that were obtained can be used to estimate the yield of DSB, and can be extended to include other targeted or non-target effects.

Plante, Ianik↗

Correlation of Resonance Charge Exchange Cross-Section Data in the Low-Energy Range

During the course of a literature survey concerning resonance charge exchange, an unusual degree of agreement was noted between an extrapolation of the data reported by Kushnir, Palyukh, and Sena and the data reported by Ziegler. The data of Kushnir et al. are for ion-atom relative energies from 10 to 1000 ev, while the data of Ziegler are for a relative energy of about 1 ev. Extrapolation of the data of Kushnir et al. was made in accordance with Holstein's theory, 3 which is a combination of time-dependent perturbation methods and classical orbit theory. The results of this theory may be discussed in terms of a critical impact parameter b(sub c).

Sheldon, John W.↗

Application of Compressive Sensing to Gravitational Microlensing Experiments

Compressive Sensing is an emerging technology for data compression and simultaneous data acquisition. This is an enabling technique for significant reduction in data bandwidth, and transmission power and hence, can greatly benefit spaceflight instruments. We apply this process to detect exoplanets via gravitational microlensing. We experiment with various impact parameters that describe microlensing curves to determine the effectiveness and uncertainty caused by Compressive Sensing. Finally, we describe implications for spaceflight missions.

Compressive Sensing↗

A Ground Footprint Eccentricity Model For Asteroid Airbursts

Uncertainties in early observations of potentially hazardous asteroids result in preliminary impact corridors that can stretch across large portions of the Earth’s surface. At this early stage of detection, the corridor width and potential for damage are typically estimated using techniques from nuclear weapons research. These estimates often employ spherical blast assumptions resulting in a constant width impact corridor. In actuality, however, the ground damage footprint of obliquely entering asteroids is generally roughly elliptical or “butterfly” shaped, with the major axis extending in the cross range direction and the minor axis aligned with ground-track of the meteoroid. Since actual ground footprints for oblique entries may have aspect ratios greater than two or three, the assumption of a circular blast may significantly underestimate the area of the impact swath and the at-risk population. This work develops an engineering model that can be used to quickly estimate the eccentricity of the ground footprint as a function of local impact parameters. This yields vastly improved local estimates of the corridor width and can significantly enhance the accuracy of risk analysis.

Aftosmis, Michael J.↗

Cost-Effective High Reliability for Space Life Support Requires Using Storage

Cost-effective high reliability can be achieved in future space life support systems through careful systems analysis and design. This paper outlines a comprehensive approach. Potential future human space missions are described. The mission parameter impacts on life support system design and reliability requirements are discussed. Not all human space missions require high reliability life support. The potential reliability and cost of storage and of recycling life support systems are investigated. Simple storage systems can provide cost-effective high reliability life support where it is needed. More complex recycling systems with lower reliability and higher cost can be used when suitable.

Jones, Harry W.↗

Evaluation of Soil Moisture Estimated from IASI Measurements

A simple yet effective scheme to estimate volumetric soil moisture (VSM) using infrared (IR) land surface emissivity retrieved from satellite IR spectral radiance measurements was recently developed, assuming other parameters impacting the radiative transfer (e.g., temperature, vegetation coverage, and surface roughness) are known for an acceptable time and space reference location. This scheme was applied to a decade of global IR emissivity data retrieved from MetOp-A Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer measurements. Global datasets of monthly-mean 0.25° spatial-grid VSM, estimated from IR emissivity data (denoted as IR-VSM), are assembled to compare with those routinely provided by satellite microwave (MW) multi-sensor measurements (obtained from the ESA CCI website). The IR-VSM dataset is used to demonstrate its spatial variations as well as seasonal-cycles and inter-annual variability which are spatially coherent and consistent with that from MW measurements. Herein we report on some initial evaluation of the IR-VSM absolute values using in-situ measurements available from the Soil Climate Analysis Network of the USDA website. From the 114 ground station locations, we infer a mean bias between monthly-mean in-situ VSM and satellite derived IR-VSM of 0.005 (m3/m3) over the past decade, despite the differences between physical measurements. The absolute accuracy of IR-VSM is also evaluated using an independent source of soil moisture measurements.

Zhou, Daniel K.↗

Enabling Dynamic Vehicle Analyses With Improved Atmospheric Attenuation Models in Glenn Research Center Communication Analysis Suite

To aid in meeting the NASA objective of returning humans to the Moon, the Glenn Research Center’s Communication Analysis Suite was augmented with two distinct capabilities. The first capability added was the vehicle propagator. This allows the addition of dynamic aircraft and ground vehicles around any celestial body within the solar system during an analysis. This functionality interpolates the position and velocity of the vehicle relative to a celestial body at the time steps analyzed using the type of path and either a series of waypoints or a direction and duration of travel. The implications of this new capability include lunar rovers and/or drones, such as Dragonfly, where the vehicle propagator will analyze the communications architecture. The newly created vehicle propagator is now in use in communications studies for the 2024 lunar missions, simulating the movement of lunar rovers across the Moon’s southern pole. The second capability added was the augmentation of the atmospheric attenuation model. The previous model did not have a uniform low-elevation attenuation model due to the trigonometric approximation for path length and the exponential nature of low-elevation scintillation. User-defined weather parameters were also added to the updated atmospheric attenuation model. The previous model solely used tabular data based upon the season and location of the transmitting antenna. Multiple simulations of the same configuration now return different results based on the differing weather parameters. Cognitive communications analysis efforts can use this second capability to generate neural network training data based on differing weather conditions at utilized ground stations, a critical step in allowing neural networks to learn how weather parameters impact communications performance.

vehicle propagation↗

TOI 564 b and TOI 905 b: Grazing and Fully Transiting Hot Jupiters Discovered by TESS

We report the discovery and confirmation of two new hot Jupiters discovered by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite(TESS): TOI 564 b and TOI 905 b. The transits of these two planets were initially observed by TESS with orbital periods of 1.651 and 3.739 days, respectively. We conducted follow-up observations of each system from the ground, including photometry in multiple filters, speckle interferometry, and radial velocity measurements. For TOI 564 b, our global fitting revealed a classical hot Jupiter with a mass of-+1.4630.0960.10MJand a radius of-+1.020.290.71RJ. Also a classical hot Jupiter, TOI 905 b has a mass of-+0.6670.0410.042MJand radius of-+1.1710.0510.053RJ. Both planets orbit Sun-like, moderately bright, mid-G dwarf stars with V11. While TOI 905 b fully transits its star, we found that TOI 564 b has a very high transit impact parameter of-+0.9940.0490.083, making it one of only∼20 known systems to exhibit a grazing transit and one of the brightest host stars among them. Therefore, TOI 564 b is one of the most attractive systems to search for additional nontransiting, smaller planets by exploiting the sensitivity of grazing transits to small changes in inclination and transit duration over a timescale of several years.

Exoplanet astronomy↗

Modeling Space-Radiation Induced Chromosome Aberrations

Exposure to ionizing radiation is identified as one of the main hazards of space flight. Galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) are composed of energetic protons (87%), helium nuclei (12%) and high-charge and energy (HZE) ions. At the cellular scale, HZE ions have a pattern of energy deposition that depends on the ion linear energy transfer (LET), with high LET ions favoring the formation of complex DNA damages that induce chromosome aberrations (CAs). Understanding how physical (e.g., ion type and energy) and biological (e.g., cell type) parameters impact CA formation is required to assess space radiation risks such as carcinogenesis. The Monte Carlo tool RITCARD/RITRACKS [1,2] developed by NASA allows simulation of the transport of HZE ions and subsequent energy deposition at the cellular scale and models the creation of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), DNA repair and formation of CAs. We used this radiation transport code to further understand how radiation quality and cell size affects CA formation.

Floriane Poignant↗

Nasa Hytec CMC Turbine Blade Durability

The objective of the CMC turbine blade durability program is to identify critical material and design parameters that affect durability of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) turbine blades. A baseline architecture for a cooled high-pressure turbine (HPT) CMC blade and accompanying sub-component test articles were developed with the intent to demonstrate through analysis and subcomponent testing how material and design parameters impact key failure modes. As part of this program, a notional architecture for a cooled CMC blade was matured through a design review rhythm to produce a blade test article containing the necessary features required for operation in an engine like environment. Further validation of the durability of these features were achieved through coupon and sub-component testing to demonstrate the durability of cooling hole configurations and blade attachment designs. Analytical methods were also used to evaluate the acceptability of the baseline blade test article architecture against relevant design requirements and identify abatement and recommended changes to key design drivers to improve component durability for future design iterations.

CMC, Blade↗

Icing Physics Studies Using the 3D SIDRM Test Article: Ice Crystal Icing Analysis

In-flight icing is an important safety issue and is a factor that affects aircraft design and performance. Newer regulations are driving a need for improvements in airframe and engine icing simulation capability. Experimental data is required for the development of icing physics models and simulation validation. This paper presents the analysis of the ice crystal icing data subset from tests conducted in 2022 at the NASA Icing Research Tunnel that studied both supercooled liquid and ice-crystal icing. The test article that was utilized replicated 3D geometrical features of an inter-compressor duct and strut region of a turbofan engine. The surfaces of the Simulated Inter-compressor Duct Research Model (SIDRM) can be heated to simulate the warm surfaces of the turbofan inter-compressor duct. The test article is instrumented with pressure taps, heaters, heat flux gauges, and thermocouples, while a 3D laser scanner, cameras, and a weighing scale to measure ice mass were utilized to characterize the icing behavior. The aim of these tests was to generate ice accretions on the SIDRM test article under well-characterized icing conditions. To that end, ice crystal cloud characterization tests were conducted that provided cloud property values at the test section. The ice crystal accretion tests investigated how different test condition parameters impacted ice accretion size, location, and characteristics (such as physical attributes). A key finding was that a sufficiently high surface heat flux at the leading edge can provide a continuous supply of liquid melt to critical accretion zones downstream, resulting in elevated ice mass accretions. Another key finding was that warmer heater settings in critical accretion zones can suppress ice accretion. These findings are consistent with icing behavior observed in full-scale engine icing tests conducted previously at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Test runs investigating the contribution of liquid melt generated at the leading edge found that the melt can be transported downstream to critical accretion regions in two forms, via runback and splash. The form of melt supplied downstream affected accretion behavior and features. Sharkteeth-shaped ice accretions were generated at certain test conditions, a physical attribute that has been observed in full-scale engine icing tests. The ice accretion data will be used to develop and validate 3D computational engine icing tools, such as GlennICE, that predictively assesses the onset and growth of ice. One of the goals of the sponsoring NASA project is to develop simulation models and tools that can assist in the design and certification of engines for flight in icing conditions in a cost‑effective way.

ice crystal icing↗

Icing Physics Studies Using the 3D SIDRM Test Article: Ice Crystal Icing Analysis

In-flight icing is an important safety issue and is a factor that affects aircraft design and performance. Newer regulations are driving a need for improvements in airframe and engine icing simulation capability. Experimental data is required for the development of icing physics models and simulation validation. This paper presents the analysis of the ice crystal icing data subset from tests conducted in 2022 at the NASA Icing Research Tunnel that studied both supercooled liquid and ice-crystal icing. The test article that was utilized replicated 3D geometrical features of an inter-compressor duct and strut region of a turbofan engine. The surfaces of the Simulated Inter-compressor Duct Research Model (SIDRM) can be heated to simulate the warm surfaces of the turbofan inter-compressor duct. The test article is instrumented with pressure taps, heaters, heat flux gauges, and thermocouples, while a 3D laser scanner, cameras, and a weighing scale to measure ice mass were utilized to characterize the icing behavior. The aim of these tests was to generate ice accretions on the SIDRM test article under well-characterized icing conditions. To that end, ice crystal cloud characterization tests were conducted that provided cloud property values at the test section. The ice crystal accretion tests investigated how different test condition parameters impacted ice accretion size, location, and characteristics (such as physical attributes). A key finding was that a sufficiently high surface heat flux at the leading edge can provide a continuous supply of liquid melt to critical accretion zones downstream, resulting in elevated ice mass accretions. Another key finding was that warmer heater settings in critical accretion zones can suppress ice accretion. These findings are consistent with icing behavior observed in full-scale engine icing tests conducted previously at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Test runs investigating the contribution of liquid melt generated at the leading edge found that the melt can be transported downstream to critical accretion regions in two forms, via runback and splash. The form of melt supplied downstream affected accretion behavior and features. Sharkteeth-shaped ice accretions were generated at certain test conditions, a physical attribute that has been observed in full-scale engine icing tests. The ice accretion data will be used to develop and validate 3D computational engine icing tools, such as GlennICE, that predictively assesses the onset and growth of ice. One of the goals of the sponsoring NASA project is to develop simulation models and tools that can assist in the design and certification of engines for flight in icing conditions in a cost‑effective way.

ice crystal icing↗

Techno-Economic Analysis of Biofuel Production via Catalytic Upgrading of Carbohydrates in Paper Sludge

A full-plant model was developed using correlations from a rigorous mass and energy balance and based on experimental results to determine the MFSP and its Sensitivity Analysis in the production of a hydrocarbon product from Paper Sludge. In this base case a preliminary MFSP of $5.97/GGE has been determined. This value is higher than the results reported in recent NREL reports. The difference is explained since much larger capacity plants are considered in those reports, and because we are not considering the production of co-products that bring the fuel costs down. The obtained model is being used to guide the next steps in our laboratory work since the team is now aware of which are the more sensitive process parameters "impacting" the MFSP of the final product.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

The Multi-Phase Circumgalactic Medium of DESI Emission-Line Galaxies at z~1.5

We study the multi-phase circumgalactic medium (CGM) of emission line galaxies (ELGs) at $z\sim1.5$, traced by MgII$\lambda2796$, $\lambda2803$ and CIV$\lambda1548$, $\lambda1550$ absorption lines, using approximately 7,000 ELG-quasar pairs from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument. Our results show that both the mean rest equivalent width ($W_{0}$) profiles and covering fractions of MgII and CIV increase with ELG stellar mass at similar impact parameters, but show similar distributions when normalized by the virial radius. Moreover, warm CIV gas has a more extended distribution than cool MgII gas. The dispersion of MgII and CIV gas velocity offsets relative to the galaxy redshifts rises from $\sim100 \, \rm km \, s^{-1}$ within halos to $\sim 200 \, \rm km \, s^{-1}$ beyond. We explore the relationships between MgII and CIV $W_{0}$ and show that the two are not tightly coupled: at a fixed absorption strength of one species, the other varies by several-fold, indicating distinct kinematics between the gas phases traced by each. We measure the line ratios, FeII/MgII and CIV/MgII, of strong MgII absorbers and find that at $<0.2$ virial radius, the FeII/MgII ratio is elevated, while the CIV/MgII ratio is suppressed compared with the measurements on larger scales, both with $\sim4-5\, σ$ significance. We argue that multiphase gas that is not co-spatial is required to explain the observational results. Finally, by combining with measurements from the literature, we investigate the redshift evolution of CGM properties and estimate the neutral hydrogen, metal, and dust masses in the CGM of DESI ELGs -- found to be comparable to those in the ISM.

Lan, Ting-Wen [Taiwan, Natl. Taiwan U.; Academia S↗

Impact of system parameters and geospatial variables on the reliability of residential systems with PV and energy storage

A reliable power supply is the foundation of modern society, enabling technologies used to function within a society. Residential systems are places where the end users directly consume power, enabling technologies to sustain life. With the emergence of behind-the-meter resources, the end-users have some control over power supply reliability. The intermittency and variability of these resources impact residential system reliability. In this work, we study the reliability performance of a grid-supplemented residential system with behind-the-meter Distributed Energy Resources(DER) subject to various system parameters and geospatial variables. We propose a multistate reliability model for the behind-the-meter microinverter-based Photo Voltaic (PV) system and integrated inverter-based energy storage (ES) system. A sequential Monte Carlo method is then presented to evaluate the reliability indices for the residential system with behind-the-meter DERs as the main supply and the grid as the backup. The sequential Monte Carlo method is used to analyze the reliability performance of the residential model at the top 100 populous counties of the United States, where actual load and solar irradiance data at the counties is used. In the analysis, the sensitivity of indices to system parameters such as DER size and the sensitivity of the indices to climate zone and gross horizontal irradiation (GHI), which affects the load conditions and the PV output of the residential system, is performed. The analysis results show that the system parameters and the geospatial variables significantly impact the residential system’s reliability. The insights from this analysis will be of immense value to the distribution system planners to provide zone-specific guidelines for DER system sizing and toward the evolution of utility business models. Finally, the methodology developed can be used to extend the analysis to other locations.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗