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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

FORECASTING WHEAT YIELD USING REMOTE SENSING: THE ARYA FORECASTING SYSTEM

In this study we present a model to forecast wheat yield based on the evolution of the Difference Vegetation Index (DVI)and the Growing Degree Days (GDD), presented in Franch et al. (2015), but adapted to Franch et al. (2019) model. Additionally, we explore how the Land Surface Temperature (LST) can be included into the model and if this parameter adds any value to the model when combined with the optical information. This study is applied toMODIS data at 1km resolution to monitor the national and state level yield of winter wheat in the United States and Ukraine from 2001 to 2019.

B. Franch↗

Comparison of Entry Descent and Landing Aerodynamic Databases with Uncertainty Quantification Developed Using Machine Learning Techniques

When developing the aerodynamic databases for use in trajectory simulations, it is important to develop a system of metrics to qualify which aerodynamic models are best to use. Since aerodynamics are just one input into trajectory simulations, the results of these simulations do not reflect on the quality of the aerodynamic database used. This means that aerodynamic database comparisons must be done offline. While traditional metrics that focus on mean/nominal predictions are a good first step, more robust estimates of the prediction interval become important as more focused uncertainty models are developed. We explore the limitations of evaluating aerodynamic models based purely on nominal-centered response surfaces. Before elaborating and evaluating metrics based on distributed models, the value of evaluating prediction interval and confidence interval are discussed to conclude that prediction intervals are more relevant to the use of trajectory analysis. Several metrics to evaluate the prediction interval are introduced with a focus on the standard calibration metric. Finally, we compare candidate models using both mean and distributed metrics. A finalized candidate model developed using state of the art machine learning methods is compared to a baseline model developed using traditional aerodynamic database modeling techniques.

Aerodynamic Database↗

International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment, Third Thematic Conference: Remote Sensing for Exploration Geology, Colorado Springs, CO, April 16-19, 1984, Proceedings. Volumes 1 & 2

A photogeologic and remote sensing model of porphyry type mineral sytems is considered along with a Landsat application to development of a tectonic model for hydrocarbon exploration of Devonian shales in west-central Virginia, remote sensing and the funnel philosophy, Landsat-based tectonic and metallogenic synthesis of the southwest United States, and an evolving paradigm for computer vision. Attention is given to the neotectonics of the Tibetan plateau deduced from Landsat MSS image interpretation, remote sensing in northern Arizona, the use of an airborne laser system for vegetation inventories and geobotanical prospecting, an evaluation of Thematic Mapper data for hydrocarbon exploration in low-relief basins, and an evaluation of the information content of high spectral resolution imagery. Other topics explored are related to a major source of new radar data for exploration research, the accuracy of geologic maps produced from Landsat data, and an approach for the geometric rectification of radar imagery.

Source record↗

Surface Models of Mars (1975)

Data derived from Mariners 6, 7, and 9, Russian Mars probes, and photographic and radar observations conducted from earth are used to develop engineering models of Martian surface properties. These models are used in mission planning and in the design of landing and exploration vehicles. Optical models needed in the design of camera systems, dielectric properties needed in the design of radar systems, and thermal properties needed in the design of the spacecraft thermal control system are included.

Source record↗

A Formal Methods Approach to the Analysis of Mode Confusion

The goal of the new NASA Aviation Safety Program (AvSP) is to reduce the civil aviation fatal accident rate by 80% in ten years and 90% in twenty years. This program is being driven by the accident data with a focus on the most recent history. Pilot error is the most commonly cited cause for fatal accidents (up to 70%) and obviously must be given major consideration in this program. While the greatest source of pilot error is the loss of situation awareness , mode confusion is increasingly becoming a major contributor as well. The January 30, 1995 issue of Aviation Week lists 184 incidents and accidents involving mode awareness including the Bangalore A320 crash 2/14/90, the Strasbourg A320 crash 1/20/92, the Mulhouse-Habsheim A320 crash 6/26/88, and the Toulouse A330 crash 6/30/94. These incidents and accidents reveal that pilots sometimes become confused about what the cockpit automation is doing. Consequently, human factors research is an obvious investment area. However, even a cursory look at the accident data reveals that the mode confusion problem is much deeper than just training deficiencies and a lack of human-oriented design. This is readily acknowledged by human factors experts. It seems that further progress in human factors must come through a deeper scrutiny of the internals of the automation. It is in this arena that formal methods can contribute. Formal methods refers to the use of techniques from logic and discrete mathematics in the specification, design, and verification of computer systems, both hardware and software. The fundamental goal of formal methods is to capture requirements, designs and implementations in a mathematically based model that can be analyzed in a rigorous manner. Research in formal methods is aimed at automating this analysis as much as possible. By capturing the internal behavior of a flight deck in a rigorous and detailed formal model, the dark corners of a design can be analyzed. This paper will explore how formal models and analyses can be used to help eliminate mode confusion from flight deck designs and at the same time increase our confidence in the safety of the implementation. The paper is based upon interim results from a new project involving NASA Langley and Rockwell Collins in applying formal methods to a realistic business jet Flight Guidance System (FGS).

Butler, Ricky W.↗

Workshop Report on Virtual Worlds and Immersive Environments

The workshop revolved around three framing ideas or scenarios about the evolution of virtual environments: 1. Remote exploration: The ability to create high fidelity environments rendered from external data or models such that exploration, design and analysis that is truly interoperable with the physical world can take place within them. 2. We all get to go: The ability to engage anyone in being a part of or contributing to an experience (such as a space mission), no matter their training or location. It is the creation of a new paradigm for education, outreach, and the conduct of science in society that is truly participatory. 3. Become the data: A vision of a future where boundaries between the physical and the virtual have ceased to be meaningful. What would this future look like? Is this plausible? Is it desirable? Why and why not?

Langhoff, Stephanie R.↗

Integrated Turbine Tip Clearance and Gas Turbine Engine Simulation

Gas turbine compressor and turbine blade tip clearance (i.e., the radial distance between the blade tip of an axial compressor or turbine and the containment structure) is a major contributing factor to gas path sealing, and can significantly affect engine efficiency and operational temperature. This paper details the creation of a generic but realistic high pressure turbine tip clearance model that may be used to facilitate active tip clearance control system research. This model uses a first principles approach to approximate thermal and mechanical deformations of the turbine system, taking into account the rotor, shroud, and blade tip components. Validation of the tip clearance model shows that the results are realistic and reflect values found in literature. In addition, this model has been integrated with a gas turbine engine simulation, creating a platform to explore engine performance as tip clearance is adjusted. Results from the integrated model explore the effects of tip clearance on engine operation and highlight advantages of tip clearance management.

gas path dynamics↗

Integrated Turbine Tip Clearance and Gas Turbine Engine Simulation

Gas turbine compressor and turbine blade tip clearance (i.e., the radial distance between the blade tip of an axial compressor or turbine and the containment structure) is a major contributing factor to gas path sealing, and can significantly affect engine efficiency and operational temperature. This paper details the creation of a generic but realistic high pressure turbine tip clearance model that may be used to facilitate active tip clearance control system research. This model uses a first principles approach to approximate thermal and mechanical deformations of the turbine system, taking into account the rotor, shroud, and blade tip components. Validation of the tip clearance model shows that the results are realistic and reflect values found in literature. In addition, this model has been integrated with a gas turbine engine simulation, creating a platform to explore engine performance as tip clearance is adjusted. Results from the integrated model explore the effects of tip clearance on engine operation and highlight advantages of tip clearance management.

aerothermodynamics↗

On the Development of Parameterized Linear Analytical Longitudinal Airship Models

In order to explore Titan, a moon of Saturn, airships must be able to traverse the atmosphere autonomously. To achieve this, an accurate model and accurate control of the vehicle must be developed so that it is understood how the airship will react to specific sets of control inputs. This paper explains how longitudinal aircraft stability derivatives can be used with airship parameters to create a linear model of the airship solely by combining geometric and aerodynamic airship data. This method does not require system identification of the vehicle. All of the required data can be derived from computational fluid dynamics and wind tunnel testing. This alternate method of developing dynamic airship models will reduce time and cost. Results are compared to other stable airship dynamic models to validate the methods. Future work will address a lateral airship model using the same methods.

aerobot↗

What can we learn from relaxation measurements of a laser-perturbed atmosphere? A modeling study

The chemical kinetic aspects of a transient increase in OH and HO2 by several orders of magnitude are explored in three model tropospheres. This chemical kinetic modeling effort was undertaken to support the operation of a pump-and-probe LIDAR instrument. A powerful excimer laser pulse perturbs the troposphere after which its relaxation back to steady state is examined by remote sensing, for example by DIAL or LIF. Instead of probing ambient levels of key free radicals, a study of the relaxation kinetics in real time enables chemical mechanistic studies in situ.

Clericetti, Agostino↗

Development and Validation of an Empirical Ocean Color Algorithm with Uncertainties: A Case Study with the Particulate Backscattering Coefficient

We explored how algorithm (model) and in situ measurement (observation) uncertainties can effectively be incorporated into empirical ocean color model development and assessment. In this study we focused on methods for deriving the particulate backscattering coefficient at 555 nm, b(bp)(555)/(m). We developed a simple empirical algorithm for deriving b(bp)(555) as a function of a remote sensing reflectance line height (LH) metric. Model training was performed using a high-quality bio-optical dataset that contains coincident in situ measurements of the spectral remote sensing reflectances, R(rs)(λ)/(sr), and the spectral particulate backscattering coefficients, b(bp)(λ). The LH metric used is defined as the magnitude of Rrs(555) relative to a linear baseline drawn between R(rs)(490) and R(rs)(670). Using an independent validation dataset, we compared the skill of the LH-based model with two other models. We used contemporary validation metrics, including bias and mean absolute error (MAE), that were corrected for model and observation uncertainties. The results demonstrated that measurement uncertainties do indeed impact contemporary validation metrics such as mean bias and MAE. Zeta-scores and z-tests for overlapping confidence intervals were also explored as potential methods for assessing model skill.

ocean color↗

A numerical method for prediction of compressible turbulent flows with closure models

A new computer code to solve the time averaged Navier-Stokes equations is developed. Many of the state-of-the-art numerical techniques and algorithms have been tested and implemented in the program in order to achieve a better numerical accuracy and code efficiency. Various turbulence models are tested for a wide range of flows. The initial focus has been on two-equation eddy-viscosity models, which are the most advanced available in current compressible flow codes. The long term goal will be to test Reynolds-Stress models and to explore their performance in the high Mach number range. Although testing and improvement of turbulence models for supersonic and hypersonic flows is the primary objective of this research, part of the effort has been devoted to analyzing the vortex breakdown phenomena using new computer programs. Some preliminary results on the breakdown of a vortex flow in a tube are reported. Present calculations are restricted to two dimensional flow geometry.

Huang, P. G.↗

Assimilation of Multi-Frequency, Multi-Polarization Passive Microwave Brightness Temperature Observations in North America over Snow-Covered Regions Using Support Vector Machines

Accurately estimating the mass of water within a snowpack (a.k.a. snow water equivalent, or SWE) across regional or continental scales is a challenge. In order to overcome some of the limitations in traditional SWE retrieval algorithms or radiative transfer-based snow emission models, this study explores the use of a support vector machine (SVM) to merge an advanced land surface model within a radiance emission (i.e., brightness temperature) assimilation framework. The goal of direct radiance assimilation is preferable as it avoids inconsistencies in the use of ancillary data between the assimilation system and the independently-generated geophysical retrieval. The impact of assimilating multiple observations simultaneously at different frequency and polarization combinations is then evaluated via comparisons to state-of-the-art SWE and snow depth products as well as available ground-based measurements across North America for the years 2002 through 2011. It is found that assimilation-derived estimates (relative to estimates without assimilation) tend to better agree with state-of-the-art snow products. In addition, an overall improvement in goodness-of-fit statistics for snow estimates is achieved via assimilation when compared against ground-based snow measurements. In addition, these improvements in snow are shown to translate into improvements in streamflow predictions. Specifically, 11 out of the 13 major snow-dominated basins investigated have improved cumulative runoff estimates versus ground-based discharge measurements compared to the no-assimilation scenario. It is proven that a SVM can serve as an efficient and effective observation operator for a snow mass analysis within a radiance assimilation system.

Xue, Yuan↗

Fan Noise Predictions of the NASA Source Diagnostic Test Using Unsteady Simulations with LAVA Part I: Near-Field Aerodynamics and Turbulence

A sliding mesh technique within the Launch, Ascent, and Vehicle Aerodynamics (LAVA) computational framework is validated using the experimental dataset collected as part of the NASA Source Diagnostic Test (SDT) campaign. Two modeling approaches are explored: the unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (URANS) with Spalart-Allmaras (SA) turbulence model closure, and a hybrid Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes/Large Eddy Simulation (RANS/LES) paradigm employing a Zonal Detached Eddy Simulation (ZDES) closure with enhanced shielding protection. Fan stage performance metrics, aerodynamic quantities and turbulent flow structures are analyzed in this work. Initial studies focusing on grid and time-step sensitivity are presented. Sensitivity to different variants of the SA turbulence model is analyzed, supporting the use of the baseline SA model in the production runs. Two conditions are analyzed in detail using URANS and hybrid RANS/LES (HRLES). Mean flow quantities are well-captured by both methods in the low-speed (approach) regime. While URANS misses all the upstream-propagating noise in the inlet due to the rotor-locked tones being evanescent in nature at subsonic fan tip speeds, HRLES captures this broadband component in its pressure field. At the high-speed (sideline) condition, URANS shows better agreement with the SDT data than HRLES in the interstage flow-field. In this regime, URANS captures the tonal content propagating through the inlet, since the tones are now cut-on. Both methods are suitable to capture fan stage performance metrics and mean flow quantities, but only HRLES is able to resolve the fine turbulent structures responsible for broadband noise. The results support the use of the sliding mesh technique implemented in this work for future turbomachinery applications within the LAVA solver framework.

AATT↗

Fan Noise Predictions of the NASA Source Diagnostic Test Using Unsteady Simulations with LAVA Part I: Near-Field Aerodynamics and Turbulence

A sliding mesh technique within the Launch, Ascent, and Vehicle Aerodynamics (LAVA) computational framework is validated using the experimental dataset collected as part of the NASA Source Diagnostic Test (SDT) campaign. Two modeling approaches are explored: the unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (URANS) with Spalart-Allmaras (SA) turbulence model closure, and a hybrid Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes/Large Eddy Simulation (RANS/LES) paradigm employing a Zonal Detached Eddy Simulation (ZDES) closure with enhanced shielding protection. Fan stage performance metrics, aerodynamic quantities and turbulent flow structures are analyzed in this work. Initial studies focusing on grid and time-step sensitivity are presented. Sensitivity to different variants of the SA turbulence model is analyzed, supporting the use of the baseline SA model in the production runs. Two conditions are analyzed in detail using URANS and hybrid RANS/LES (HRLES). Mean flow quantities are well-captured by both methods in the low-speed (approach) regime. While URANS misses all the upstream-propagating noise in the inlet due to the rotor-locked tones being evanescent in nature at subsonic fan tip speeds, HRLES captures this broadband component in its pressure field. At the high-speed (sideline) condition, URANS shows better agreement with the SDT data than HRLES in the interstage flow-field. In this regime, URANS captures the tonal content propagating through the inlet, since the tones are now cut-on. Both methods are suitable to capture fan stage performance metrics and mean flow quantities, but only HRLES is able to resolve the fine turbulent structures responsible for broadband noise. The results support the use of the sliding mesh technique implemented in this work for future turbomachinery applications within the LAVA solver framework.

AATT↗

Boundary Conditions of the Heliosphere

As described in the Revised Task Statement for this grant (submitted following the award at a reduced budget), my role in these investigations is to focus on the theoretical calculations relevant to the ionization state and dust content of the Local Cloud that surrounds the Solar System. An important motivation for our investigations is to aid in the interpretation of pick-up ion (PUI) and anomalous cosmic ray (ACR) observations which depends on knowledge of the flux of neutral atoms of various elements into the heliosphere. This flux depends on the ionization and elemental abundances of the gas of the Local Cloud. We have made substantial progress in our program to understand the ionization of the Local Cloud. Our steady state photoionization models are remarkably successful in accounting for the ionization observed both by line of sight (column density) observations towards nearby stars and in situ measurements. By lifting some of the simplifying assumptions in our earlier modeling we hope to make further progress in this understanding. In future work on this project we will continue our exploration of photoionization models, focusing on making sense of the differences between the LIC and the BC. In addition we will explore the effects of altered abundances in the hot gas on the ionization and thermal balance in the LIC.

Frisch, Priscilla C.↗