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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 343 records · Page 19

First Two Years of Observations NASA ACTS Propagation Experiment Central Oklahoma Site

Continuous observations from December 1, 1993 through November 30, 1995 were made at the ACTS Propagation Terminal on the roof of the Sarkeys Energy Center at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. Beacon and radiometer observations were combined to calibrate the beacon system for the estimation of total attenuation (attenuation relative to free space) and attenuation relative to clear sky (gaseous absorption component removed). Empirical cumulative distributions (edf's) were compiled for each month of observation and for each year. The annual edf's are displayed in the figures, the monthly and annual edf's are listed in the tables. The tables are organized by blocks and pages within a block. The blocks correspond to the headings in the edf files generated by the ACTS Preprocessing (actspp) software and contained in the fourth disk in the set of ACTS Propagation Experiment CD-ROMs generated by the University of Texas.

Crane, Robert K.↗

Systems Simulation of NASA Shooting Star Experiment Using Matlab/Simulink

The Shooting Star Experiment (SSE) is an experiment that incorporates advance propulsion technology. This project is being managed by the Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama. Whenever spacecraft are launched from Low Earth Orbit (LEO), (typically 150 nautical miles) they are powered by a upper propulsive stage utilizing either a solid or liquid propellant engine. A typically mission for a spacecraft utilizing an upper stage would be a transfer from LEO to a Geostationary Orbit (GEO) or an interplanetary mission. These upper stages are heavy and bulky because they must carry propellants to provide sufficient energy to perform the mission. The SSE utilizes the energy of the Sun by focusing this energy by means of a Frensel lens into an engine where hydrogen (or nitrogen) gas is injected. The focusing of the solar energy heats the engine to very high temperatures. When the gas is injected into the hot engine, the gas is expelled at very high velocities. This process is extremely efficient. Because of the efficiency of the SSE type engine, more payload can be carried for a typical mission since the propulsive element is much smaller.

Reagan, Shawn↗

Binaural Simulation Experiments in the NASA Langley Structural Acoustics Loads and Transmission Facility

A location and positioning system was developed and implemented in the anechoic chamber of the Structural Acoustics Loads and Transmission (SALT) facility to accurately determine the coordinates of points in three-dimensional space. Transfer functions were measured between a shaker source at two different panel locations and the vibrational response distributed over the panel surface using a scanning laser vibrometer. The binaural simulation test matrix included test runs for several locations of the measuring microphones, various attitudes of the mannequin, two locations of the shaker excitation and three different shaker inputs including pulse, broadband random, and pseudo-random. Transfer functions, auto spectra, and coherence functions were acquired for the pseudo-random excitation. Time histories were acquired for the pulse and broadband random input to the shaker. The tests were repeated with a reflective surface installed. Binary data files were converted to universal format and archived on compact disk.

Grosveld, Ferdinand W.↗

Aeroacoustic Experiments in the NASA Langley Low-Turbulence Pressure Tunnel

A phased microphone array was used in the NASA Langley Low-Turbulence Pressure Tunnel to obtain acoustic data radiating from high-lift wing configurations. The data included noise localization plots and acoustic spectra. The tests were performed at Reynolds numbers based on the cruise-wing chord, ranging from 3.6 x 10(exp 6) to 19.2 x 10(exp 6). The effects of Reynolds number were small and monotonic for Reynolds numbers above 7.2 x 10(exp 6).

Choudhari, Meelan M.↗

Fan Acoustic Issues in the NASA Space Flight Experience

Emphasis needs to be placed on choosing quiet fans compatible with systems design and specifications that control spec levels: a) Sound power; b) Choose quiet fan or plan to quiet it, early in program; c) Plan early verification that fan source allocations are met. Airborne noise: a) System design should function/play together with fans used (flow passages, restrictions, bends, expansions & contractions, and acoustics) vs. fan speed understood (nominal, worst case, & unplanned variances); b) Fan inlets treated, as required; c) Fan Outlets treated, as required; d) Ducted system inlets are outlets designed for acoustic compliance compatibility & designed so some late required modifications can be made without significant impacts. Structure Borne Noise: a) Structure borne noise dealt with as part of fan package or installation; b) Duct attachments and lines isolated. Case Radiated Noise: - Treatment added as much as possible to fan package (see example).

Allen, Christopher S.↗

Recent NASA Dryden COA Experience

This viewgraph presentation concerns the experience that Dryden has had with Certificate of Authorization (COA) in reference to unmanned aerial systems (UAS). It reviews recent Certificate of Authorization UAS's i.e., 2005 Altair NOAA Mission, 2006 Altair Western States Fire Mission, and 2007 Ikhana. The priorities for the safety process is reviewed, as are typical UAS hazards. Slides also review the common COA provisions, best practices and lessons learned, the 2005 NOAA/NASA Science Demonstration Flights and the use of the UAS systems during fire emergencies.

Cobleigh, Brent↗

Recent Experiences of the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Guidance Navigation and Control (GN and C) Technical Discipline Team (TDT)

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) is an independently funded NASA Program whose dedicated team of technical experts provides objective engineering and safety assessments of critical, high risk projects. NESC's strength is rooted in the diverse perspectives and broad knowledge base that add value to its products, affording customers a responsive, alternate path for assessing and preventing technical problems while protecting vital human and national resources. The Guidance Navigation and Control (GN&C) Technical Discipline Team (TDT) is one of fifteen such discipline-focused teams within the NESC organization. The TDT membership is composed of GN&C specialists from across NASA and its partner organizations in other government agencies, industry, national laboratories, and universities. This paper will briefly define the vision, mission, and purpose of the NESC organization. The role of the GN&C TDT will then be described in detail along with an overview of how this team operates and engages in its objective engineering and safety assessments of critical NASA.

Dennehy, Cornelius J.↗

Modeling of an Atmospheric-Boundary-Layer Profile in Support of Experiments in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel

This paper presents the results of the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses to model two atmospheric-boundary-layer (ABL) profiles inside the NASA Langley Research Center Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT). The CFD models include tunnel walls and all additional hardware needed to simulate the ABL profiles. This hardware includes Irwin spires and floor-mounted roughness elements. The numerical simulations show that the application of higher-fidelity numerical methods is necessary to compute boundary-layer and turbulenceintensity profiles that match experimental data. The ABL profiles are computed both inside the numerical model of the TDT and in a classical free-air model. Both Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) with Spalart-Allmaras (SA) turbulence model and Modified Delayed Detached Eddy (MDDES) simulation methods are used. The results show that the MDDES-simulation results match the experimental data very well while URANS-SA does not. The results also show that the wind-tunnel walls have a significant effect on ABL prediction.

Chwalowski, Pawel↗

T cell activation responses are differentially regulated during clinorotation and in spaceflight

Studies of T lymphocyte activation with mitogenic lectins during spaceflight have shown a dramatic inhibition of activation as measured by DNA synthesis at 72 h, but the mechanism of this inhibition is unknown. We have investigated the progression of cellular events during the first 24 h of activation using both spaceflight microgravity culture and a ground-based model system that relies on the low shear culture environment of a rotating clinostat (clinorotation). Stimulation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with soluble anti-CD3 (Leu4) in clinorotation and in microgravity culture shows a dramatic reduction in surface expression of the receptor for IL-2 (CD25) and CD69. An absence of bulk RNA synthesis in clinorotation indicates that stimulation with soluble Leu4 does not induce transition of T cells from G0 to the G1 stage of the cell cycle. However, internalization of the TCR by T cells and normal levels of IL-1 synthesis by monocytes indicate that intercellular interactions that are required for activation occur during clinorotation. Complementation of TCR-mediated signaling by phorbol ester restores the ability of PBMCs to express CD25 in clinorotation, indicating that a PKC-associated pathway may be compromised under these conditions. Bypassing the TCR by direct activation of intracellular pathways with a combination of phorbol ester and calcium ionophore in clinorotation resulted in full expression of CD25; however, only partial expression of CD25 occurred in microgravity culture. Though stimulation of purified T cells with Bead-Leu4 in microgravity culture resulted in the engagement and internalization of the TCR, the cells still failed to express CD25. When T cells were stimulated with Bead-Leu4 in microgravity culture, they were able to partially express CD69, a receptor that is constitutively stored in intracellular pools and can be expressed in the absence of new gene expression. Our results suggest that the inhibition of T cell proliferative response in microgravity culture is a result of alterations in signaling events within the first few hours of activation, which are required for the expression of important regulatory molecules.

NASA Experiment Number 9403079 1/2↗

Initial results from the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus experiment

Initial results were obtained from low power operation of the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus experiment, in which a steady-state ion heating method based on the modified Penning discharge is applied in a bumpy torus confinement geometry. The magnet facility consists of 12 superconducting coils, each 19 cm i.d. and capable of 3.0 T, equally spaced in a toroidal array 1.52 m in major diameter. A 18 cm i.d. anode ring is located at each of the 12 midplanes and is maintained at high positive potentials by a dc power supply. Initial observations indicate electron temperatures from 10 to 150 eV, and ion kinetic temperatures from 200 eV to 1200 eV. Two modes of operation were observed, which depend on background pressure, and have different radial density profiles. Steady state neutron production was observed. The ion heating process in the bumpy torus appears to parallel closely the mechanism observed when the modified Penning discharge was operated in a simple magnetic mirror field.

Roth, J. R.↗

Initial results from the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus experiment

Initial results are given for low power operation of the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus experiment in which a steady-state ion heating method based on a modified Penning discharge is applied to a bumpy torus confinement geometry. The magnet facility consists of 12 superconducting coils capable of 3.0 T each and equally spaced in a toroidal array 1.52 m in major diameter. A 18 cm i.d. anode ring is located at each of the 12 midplanes and is maintained at high positive potentials by a dc power supply. Initial observations indicate electron temperatures from 10 to 150 eV, and ion kinetic temperatures from 200 eV to 1200 eV. Two modes of operation with different radial density profiles can be achieved, depending on the background pressure applied.

Roth, J. R.↗

BMDO materials testing in the EOIM-3 experiment

The NASA Evaluation of Oxygen Interactions with Materials-3 (EOIM-3) experiment served as a testbed for a variety of materials that are candidates for Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) space assets. The materials evaluated on this flight experiment were provided by BMDO contractors and technology laboratories. A parallel ground-based exposure evaluation was conducted using the Fast Atom Sample Tester (FAST) atomic-oxygen simulation facility at Physical Sciences, Inc. The EOIM-3 flight materials were exposed to an atomic oxygen fluence of approximately 2.3 x 10(exp 20) atoms/sq cm. The ground-based exposure fluence of 2.0 - 2.5 x 10(exp 20) atoms/sq cm permits direct comparison with that of the flight-exposed specimens. The results from the flight test conducted aboard STS-46 and the correlative ground-based exposure are summarized here. A more detailed correlation study is presented in the JPL Publication 93-31 entitled 'Flight-and Ground-Test Correlation Study of BMDO SDS Materials: Phase 1 Report'. In general, the majority of the materials survived the AO environment with their performance tolerances maintained for the duration of the exposure. Optical materials, baffles, and coatings performed extremely well as did most of the thermal coatings and tribological materials. A few of the candidate radiator, threat shielding, and structural materials showed significant degradation. Many of the coatings designed to protect against AO erosion of sensitive materials performed this function well.

Chung, Shirley Y.↗