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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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At least 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1989

A Hierarchy of Transport Approximations for High Energy Heavy (HZE) Ions

The transport of high energy heavy (HZE) ions through bulk materials is studied neglecting energy dependence of the nuclear cross sections. A three term perturbation expansion appears to be adequate for most practical applications for which penetration depths are less than 30 g per sq cm of material. The differential energy flux is found for monoenergetic beams and for realistic ion beam spectral distributions. An approximate formalism is given to estimate higher-order terms.

Wilson, John W.↗
NASA NTRS2005

A Starfish Preplanetary Nebula: IRAS 19024+0044

Using the Hubble Space Telescope, we have imaged the OH/IR star IRAS 19024+0044 (I19024) at 0.6, 0.8, 1.1, and 1.6 micrometers, as part of our surveys of candidate preplanetary nebulae. The images show a multipolar nebula of size approximately equal to 3.'7 2.'3, with at least six elongated lobes emanating from the center of the nebula. Two of the lobes show limb-brightened tips having point-symmetric structure with respect to the expected location of the central star. The central region shows two dark bands southwest and northeast of a central shallow maximum that may be either two inclined dusty toroidal structures or the dense parts of a single wide, inhomogeneous, toroid. Avery faint, surface brightness-limited, diffuse halo surrounds the lobes. Long-slit/echelle optical spectroscopy obtained at the Mount Palomar and Keck observatories shows a spatially compact source of H(alpha) emission; the H(alpha) line shows a strong, narrow, central core with very broad (+/-1000 km/sec), weak wings, and a narrower blueshifted absorption feature signifying the presence of an approximately 100 km/sec(exp -1) outflow. The spectrum is characterized by a strong, relatively featureless, continuum and lacks the strong forbidden emission lines characteristic of planetary nebulae, confirming that IRAS 19024 is a preplanetary nebula; the spectral type for the central star, although uncertain, is most likely early G. Interferometric observations of the CO J = 1 -0 line emission with the Owens Valley Radio Interferometer show a marginally resolved molecular envelope (size 5.'5 x 4.'4) with an expansion velocity of 13 km/sec (exp -1), resulting from the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) progenitor's dense, slow wind. We derive a kinematic distance of 3.5 kpc to I19024, based on its radial velocity. The bolometric flux is 7:3 x 10(exp -9) erg s(exp -1) cm(exp -2), and the luminosity 2850 L. The relatively low luminosity of I19024, in comparison with stellar evolutionary models, indicates that the initial mass of its central star was approximately 1-1.5 solar mass. The lobes, which appear to be hollow structures with dense walls, have a total mass greater than or equal to about 0.02 solar mass. The lobes, which appear to be hollow structures with dense walls, have a total mass greater than or equal to about 0.02 solar mass. The dusty tori in the center have masses of a few times 10(exp -3) solar mass. The faint halo has a power-law radial surface brightness profile with an exponent of about -3 and most likely represents the remnant spherical circumstellar envelope formed as a result of constant mass loss during the AGB expansion age of less than or approximately equal to 2870 yr, giving a mass-loss rate of greater than or approximately equal to 10(exp -5) solar mass yr (exp -1), The far-infrared fluxes of I19024 indicate the presence of a large mass of cool dust in the nebula, from a simple model we infer the presence of 'cool' (109 K) and 'warm' (280 K) components of dust mass 5.7 x 10(exp -4) and 1.5 x 10(exp -7) solar mass. We discuss our results for I19024 in the light of past and current ideas for the dramatic transformation of the morphology and kinematics of mass-ejecta as AGB stars evolve into planetary nebulae.

circumstellar matter↗
NASA NTRS1959

Overexpanded Performance of Conical Nozzles with Area Ratios of 6 and 9 With and Without Supersonic External Flow

An investigation of the thrust characteristics and internal pressure distributions of two convergent-divergent 15 deg. half-angle exhaust nozzles having area ratios of 6 and 9 was made in the NASA Lewis 10- by 10-foot supersonic wind tunnel. The tests were conducted at free-stream Mach numbers of 0, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 over a range of nozzle pressure ratios from 3 to 105. Attempts were made to induce separation of the overexpanded nozzle flow using secondary airflow and a wedge. Nozzle flow expansion under all free-stream conditions followed one-dimensional theory until separation from the nozzle wall occurred. In quiescent air the nozzle flow expanded to a pressure approximately one-half the base pressure before separation. When the nozzles were tested with supersonic external flow at the same effective pressure ratios, the nozzle flow separated with negligible expansion below the base pressure. The effect of a supersonic stream on internal nozzle flow separation characteristics was well defined only at a free-stream Mach number of 2.0. Thrust data at supersonic free-stream conditions indicate that only a small percentage of the ideal nozzle thrust will be available at nozzle pressure ratios below design. However, the overexpanded primary nozzle thrust loss was decreased by injecting large quantities of secondary air near the nozzle exit. In most cases no net gain in thrust resulted from secondary-air injection when the nozzle thrust was compared with the ideal thrust of both the primary and secondary airflows.

Musial, Norman T.↗
NASA NTRS1972

On propagation of long waves in curved ducts.

A two-dimensional detailed study of the behavior of long waves in curved ducts and in junctions between straight and curved ducts will be given. The mathematical treatment of the problem utilizes the method of separation variables. Solutions and expressions for principal mode of the wave are obtained by using the linearized equation of motion solved for its characteristic values. The unavoidable approximations in the numerical solutions of the cylindrical functions are due to use of series expansion of Bessel functions and from restrictions necessary to solve infinite matrices.

Rostafinski, W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

X-ray binaries in globular clusters

It appears to be very unlikely that primordial binaries in globular clusters have evolved to produce high-luminosity X-ray sources like the four variable sources detected by the Uhuru and OSO-7 satellites. It is suggested that the cluster X-ray sources are binaries formed by capture from the remnants of massive single stars that exploded with sufficient isotropy to remain bound in the cluster. These remnants have lurked near the centers of the clusters where the high stellar densities have favored their capture of field stars which eventually turn the remnants on as X-ray sources when the captives enter the post-main-sequence expansion phase of their evolution. A case is made for the conclusion that there is approximately one potential binary X-ray source near the center of each of the globular clusters.

Clark, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Approximate constants of motion for classically chaotic vibrational dynamics - Vague tori, semiclassical quantization, and classical intramolecular energy flow

Substantial short time regularity, even in the chaotic regions of phase space, is found for what is seen as a large class of systems. This regularity manifests itself through the behavior of approximate constants of motion calculated by Pade summation of the Birkhoff-Gustavson normal form expansion; it is attributed to remnants of destroyed invariant tori in phase space. The remnant torus-like manifold structures are used to justify Einstein-Brillouin-Keller semiclassical quantization procedures for obtaining quantum energy levels, even in the absence of complete tori. They also provide a theoretical basis for the calculation of rate constants for intramolecular mode-mode energy transfer. These results are illustrated by means of a thorough analysis of the Henon-Heiles oscillator problem. Possible generality of the analysis is demonstrated by brief consideration of classical dynamics for the Barbanis Hamiltonian, Zeeman effect in hydrogen and recent results of Wolf and Hase (1980) for the H-C-C fragment.

Shirts, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Oxygen-hydrogen thrusters for Space Station auxiliary propulsion systems

The feasibility and technology requirements of a low-thrust, high-performance, long-life, gaseous oxygen (GO2)/gaseous hydrogen (GH2) thruster were examined. Candidate engine concepts for auxiliary propulsion systems for space station applications were identified. The low-thrust engine (5 to 100 lb sub f) requires significant departure from current applications of oxygen/hydrogen propulsion technology. Selection of the thrust chamber material and cooling method needed or long life poses a major challenge. The use of a chamber material requiring a minimum amount of cooling or the incorporation of regenerative cooling were the only choices available with the potential of achieving very high performance. The design selection for the injector/igniter, the design and fabrication of a regeneratively cooled copper chamber, and the design of a high-temperature rhenium chamber were documented and the performance and heat transfer results obtained from the test program conducted at JPL using the above engine components presented. Approximately 115 engine firings were conducted in the JPL vacuum test facility, using 100:1 expansion ratio nozzles. Engine mixture ratio and fuel-film cooling percentages were parametrically investigated for each test configuration.

Berkman, D. K.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Wave propagation in a thin cylinder that includes point masses

The propagation of elastic waves of the type induced by impact are studied for a special class of cylinders. In this class are thin finite cylinders, for which Mindlin's equations are appropriate, on which point masses are attached. An approximation is derived valid for frequencies below cutoff of the lowest shear mode. An eigenfunction expansion is used to compute the transient response of the coupled system.

El-Raheb, Michael↗
NASA NTRS1990

The Centauri project: Manned interstellar travel

The development of antimatter engines for spacecraft propulsion will allow man to expand to the nearest stellar neighbors such as the Alpha Centuri system. Compared to chemically powered rockets like the Apollo mission class which would take 50,000 years to reach the Centauri system, antimatter propulsion would reduce one way trip time to 30 years or less. The challenges encountered by manned interstellar travel are formidable. The spacecraft must be a combination of sublight speed transportation system and a traveling microplanet serving an expanding population. As the population expands from the initial 100 people to approximately 300, the terraformed asteroid, enclosed by a man-made shell will allow for expansion over its surface in the fashion of a small terrestrial town. All aspects of human life - birth; death; physical, emotional, and educational needs; and government and law must be met by the structure, systems, and institutions on-board.

Ciesla, Thomas M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Rate coefficients for the excitation of infrared and ultraviolet lines in C II, N III, and O IV

New and improved collision strengths and Maxwellian-averaged rate coefficients for temperatures between 1000 and 40,000 K are presented for all the prominent transitions in the spectra of C II, N III, and O IV. The collision strengths show extensive autoionization structures that are delineated in detail and which enhance the rate coefficients for several transitions by a considerable amount. Maxwellian-averaged collision strengths are calculated for all possible fine-structure transitions along the states included in the eigenfunction expansion of the target ion. All calculations are carried out in the close-coupling approximation using the R-matrix method as adapted for the Opacity Project.

Blum, Robert D.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Photometry and spectroscopy of Nova Herculis 1991

Observations of Nova Herculis 1991 obtained during the months of 1991 May-September are presented. Spectral observations a few weeks after outburst constrain the distance to Nova Her to between 6 and 12 kpc and show evidence of dust formation in the expanding shell and line profiles with five components having large expansion velocities. Initial photometric observations of the nova in June showed the nova had declined approximately ten magnitudes in the V band from its maximum, and by September, the nova had dimmed by approximately two additional magnitudes. The period derived from these observations agrees with that reported by Leibowitz et al. (1992). Periodic eclipses with a depth of about 0.7 V mag are observed, and the depths of the eclipses are constant over a 2-month period while the overall brightness diminished by one magnitude. The long duration of the eclipses indicates an eclipse of an extended source, likely the accretion disk.

Ingram, Doug↗
NASA NTRS1993

Structural/control system optimization with variable actuator masses

A method is presented to integrate the design space for structural/control system optimization problems in the case of linear state feedback control. Nonstructural lumped masses and control system design variables as well as structural sizing variables are all treated equally as independent design variables in the optimization process. Structural and control design variable linking schemes are used in order to avoid a prohibitively large increase in the total number of independent design variables. When actuator masses are treated as nonstructural lumped mass design variables, special consideration is given to the relation between the transient peak responses and the required actuator masses which is formulated as a behavior constraint form. The original nonlinear mathematical programming problem based on a finite element formulation and linear state feedback is replaced by a sequence of explicit approximate problems exploiting various approximation concepts such as design variable linkings, temporary constraint deletion and first order Taylor series expansion of nonlinear behavior constraints in terms of intermediate design variables. Examples which involve a variety of dynamic behavior constraints (including constraints on closed-loop eigenvalues, peak transient displacements, peak actuator forces, and relations between the peak responses and the actuator masses) are effectively solved by using the method presented.

Jin, Ik M.↗
NASA NTRS2007

High Spatial Resolution Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing Data for Analysis of the Atlanta, Georgia, Urban Heat Island Effect and Its Impacts on the Environment

The twenty-first century is the first "urban century" according to the United Nations Development Program. The focus of cities reflects awareness of the growing percentage of the world's population that lives in urban areas. In environmental terms, cities are the original producers of many of the global problems related to waste disposal, air and water pollution, and associated environmental and ecological challenges. Expansion of cities, both in population and areal extent, is a relentless process. In 2000, approximately 3 billion people representing about 40% of the global population, resided in urban areas. Urban population will continue to rise substantially over the next several decades according to UN estimates, and most of this growth will Occur in developing countries. The UN estimates that by 2025, 60% of the world's population will live in urban areas. As a consequence, the number of"megacities" (those cities with populations of 10 million inhabitants or more) will increase by 100 by 2025. Thus, there is a critical need to understand urban areas and what their impacts are on environmental, ecological and hydrologic resources, as well as on the local, regional, and even global climate. One of the more egregious side effects of urbanization is the increase in surface and air temperatures that lead to deterioration in air quality. In the United States, under the more stringent air quality guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1997, nearly 300 counties in 34 states will not meet these new air quality standards for ground level ozone. Mitigation of the urban heat island (UHI) effect is actively being evaluated as a possible way to reduce ground ozone levels in cities and assist states in improving air quality. Foremost in the analysis of how the UHI affects air quality and other environmental factors is the use of remote sensing technology and data to characterize urban land covers in sufficient detail to quantifiably measure the impact of increased urban heating on air quality. The urban landscape impacts surface thermal energy exchanges that determine development of the UHI. This paper will illustrate how we are using high spatial remote sensing data collected over the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area in conjunction with other geographic information, to perform a detailed urban land cover classification and to determine the contribution of these land covers to the urban heat island effect. Also, the spatial arrangement of the land covers and the impact on urban heating from these selected patterns of development are evaluated. Additionally, this paper will show how these data are being used as inputs to improve air quality modeling for Atlanta, including potential benefits from UHI mitigation.

Quattrochi, Dale A.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Liquid Methane Testing With a Large-Scale Spray Bar Thermodynamic Vent System

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center conducted liquid methane testing in November 2006 using the multipurpose hydrogen test bed outfitted with a spray bar thermodynamic vent system (TVS). The basic objective was to identify any unusual or unique thermodynamic characteristics associated with densified methane that should be considered in the design of space-based TVSs. Thirteen days of testing were performed with total tank heat loads ranging from 720 to 420 W at a fill level of approximately 90%. It was noted that as the fluid passed through the Joule-Thompson expansion, thermodynamic conditions consistent with the pervasive presence of metastability were indicated. This Technical Publication describes conditions that correspond with metastability and its detrimental effects on TVS performance. The observed conditions were primarily functions of methane densification and helium pressurization; therefore, assurance must be provided that metastable conditions have been circumvented in future applications of thermodynamic venting to in-space methane storage.

Hastings, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9: Impact on Jupiter and plume evolution

The impact of fragments of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter and the resulting vapor plume expansion are investigated by conducting three-dimensional numerical simulations using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. An icy body, representing the cometary fragments, with a velocity of 60 km/sec and a diameter of 2 km can penetrate to 350 km below the 1-bar pressure level in the atmosphere. Most of the initial kinetic energy of the fragment is transferred to the atmosphere between 50 km and 300 km below the 1-bar pressure level. The shock-heated atmospheric gas in the wake is totally dissociated and partially ionized. Scaling our SPH results to other sizes indicates that fragments larger than approximately 100 m in diameter can penetrate to below the visible cloud decks. The energy deposited in the atmosphere is explosively released in the upward expansion of the resulting plume. The plume preferentially expands upward rather than horizontally due to the density gradient of the ambient atmosphere. It rises greater than or equal to 10(exp 2) km in approximately 10(exp 2) sec. Eventually the total atmospheric mass ejected to above 1 bar is greater than or equal to 40 times the initial mass of the impactor. The plume temperature at a radius approximately 10(exp 3) km is greater than 10(exp 3) K for 10(exp 3) sec for a 2-km fragment. We predict that impact-induced plumes will be observable with the remote sensing instruments of the Galileo spacecraft. As the impact site rotates into the view of Earth some 20 min after the impact, the plume expansion will be observable using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and from visible and infrared instruments on groundbased telescopes. The rising plume reaches approximately 3000 km altitude in approximately 10 min and will be visible from Earth.

Takata, Toshiko↗
NASA NTRS1982

Sensitivity of selected geomagnetic properties to truncation level of spherical harmonic expansions

The model dependence of Gauss coefficients associated with a lack of spherical harmonic orthogonality on a nonuniform Magsat data grid is shown to be minor, where the fitting level exceeds the harmonic order by a value of approximately four. The shape of the magnetic energy spectrum outside the core, and the sensitivity to truncation level of magnetic contour location and the number of their intersections on the core-mantle boundary, suggest that spherical harmonic expansions of the main geomagnetic field should be truncated at a truncation level value of not more than eight if they are to be extrapolated to the core.

Benton, E. R.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Use of Satellite-Derived Water Vapor Data to Investigate Northwestward Expansion of North Pacific Subtropical High During 1995 Summer: Westward Propagating Moisture Pattern

The spatial and temporal evolution of the moisture field over the subtropical northwest Pacific during the summer of 1995 is investigated using daily total precipitable water from combined SSM/I-TOVS data and pentad upper tropospheric humidity (UTH) data, in conjunction with NCEP reanalysis data. From analysis of the combined water vapor field, the westward movement of a dry airmass is observed along the 20-30 degrees N latitude zone from near the dateline to the south of Japan throughout the summer of 1995. Extended EOF analysis of total precipitable water reveals that the westward moving pattern takes place in conjunction with an expanding North Pacific subtropical high maintaining an oscillatory component exhibiting a period of some 15-25 days. A concomitant dipole-like oscillating anomalous circulation with approximately a 20-day period between the South China Sea and south of Japan appears to influence the westward expansion of the subtropical high. The analysis also suggests that the fluctuations of the North Pacific high are in response to a local Hadley-type circulation which is induced by westward-moving anomalous convection episodes along 10-20 degrees N.

Sohn, Byung-Ju↗
NASA NTRS1973

Noniterative estimation of a nonlinear parameter

An algorithm is described which solves the parameters X = (x1,x2,...,xm) and p in an approximation problem Ax nearly equal to y(p), where the parameter p occurs nonlinearly in y. Instead of linearization methods, which require an approximate value of p to be supplied as a priori information, and which may lead to the finding of local minima, the proposed algorithm finds the global minimum by permitting the use of series expansions of arbitrary order, exploiting an a priori knowledge that the addition of a particular function, corresponding to a new column in A, will not improve the goodness of the approximation.

Bergstroem, A.↗