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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

Carbon chemistry of Luna 16 and Luna 20 samples.

Luna 16 and Luna 20 samples were analyzed for volatilizable species using vacuum pyrolysis to 1400 C. The major gaseous products evolved (ranging from 10-650 micrograms/g) were H2O, CO, CO2, N2 and CH4. Minor components (all less than 10 micrograms/g) included NH3, HCN, NO, SO2, H2S, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, C3H6 and higher hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, and the polymeric contaminants Teflon and silicone oil. The total carbon and nitrogen contents (micrograms/g) for these sieved samples were: Luna 16 - C 418, N 134 and Luna 20 - C 380, N 80.

Simoneit, B. R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Thermal radio emission from Jupiter and Saturn

Microwave brightness temperature calculations have been carried out for a number of model atmospheres for Jupiter and Saturn. The models considered are characterized by helium to hydrogen number mixing ratios which range from 0 to 0.2. Gaseous ammonia is assumed to be a trace constituent in all the models. The ammonia abundance below the (NH3) cloud level is a free parameter which is determined by comparing the observed thermal spectrum of Jupiter and the total spectrum of Saturn with the model calculations. The theoretical microwave spectra corresponding to those models in which the ammonia abundance is that expected from an atmosphere containing a solar abundance of elements are found to be in generally good agreement with the observations. This result is shown to be nearly independent of the helium to hydrogen ratio for the models considered. There is no evidence at this time that a non-thermal component contributes to Saturn's microwave spectrum.

Gulkis, S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Infrared spectra of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter

Spectra of the four Galilean satellites from 1 to 4 microns were obtained with a Michelson interferometer. The spectra show that the albedo of Io is very nearly constant with wavelength; no absorptions are found in the region observed. Europa and Ganymede have large amounts of water ice on their surface. Callisto shows some faint ice absorptions. Upper limits of 0.5 cm-atm (STP) corresponding to 6 x 10 to the minus 8th power atm partial surface pressure were set for CH4 and NH3 on all four satellites.

Fink, U.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Air pollution measurements from satellites

A study is presented on the remote sensing of gaseous and particulate air pollutants which is an extension of a previous report. Pollutants can be observed by either active or passive remote sensing systems. Calculations discussed herein indicate that tropospheric CO, CO2, SO2, NO2, NH3, HCHO, and CH4 can be measured by means of nadir looking passive systems. Additional species such as NO, HNO3, O3, and H2O may be measured in the stratosphere through a horizon experiment. A brief theoretical overview of resonance Raman scattering and resonance fluorescence is given. It is found that radiance measurements are most promising for general global applications, and that stratospheric aerosols may be measured using a sun occultation technique. The instrumentation requirements for both active and passive systems are examined and various instruments now under development are described.

Ludwig, C. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The 7.5- to 13.5-micron spectrum of Saturn

A medium-resolution spectrum of Saturn in the 7.5-13.5 micron range is presented. The observed low brightness temperature between 9 and 11 microns of about 100-105 K rules out gaseous NH3 as the dominant absorber in this spectral range. Absorption features due to PH3 may be present around 10 microns and cloud particles could be an important source of opacity in this wavelength range. There are strong indications of a temperature inversion in the upper atmosphere, including high brightness temperature in the 7.7-micron CH4 band, and possible emission from C2H6 around 12 microns.

Gillett, F. C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A new upper limit for an atmosphere of CO2, CO on Mercury

High-resolution infrared spectra of Mercury (1.9-2.7 microns, resolution limit 0.134 wavelength/cm) obtained with the original 'Connes' interferometer at the Steward Observatory 90-inch telescope have provided a very sensitive test for the possible presence of a CO2, CO atmosphere. An improved upper limit of 0.12 cm-atm has been set for CO2, and a new upper limit of 0.05 cm-atm has been set for CO. Upper limits of similar magnitude can be established for CH4 and NH3. From the separation of the Mercury signal into reflected sunlight and thermal emission, we determine that the reflectivity decreases toward longer wavelengths and has a value of about 0.06 at 2.25 microns. Implications for the possible evolution of an atmosphere on Mercury are discussed.

Fink, U.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Radiative-dynamical equilibrium states for Jupiter

In order to obtain accurate estimates of the radiative heating that drives motions in Jupiter's atmosphere, previous radiative equilibrium calculations are improved by including the NH3 opacities and updated results for the pressure-induced opacities. These additions increase the radiative lapse rate near the top of the statically unstable region and lead to a fairly constant radiative lapse rate below the tropopause. The radiative-convective equilibrium temperature structure consistent with these changes is calculated, but it differs only slightly from earlier calculations. The radiative equilibrium calculations are used to calculate whether equilibrium states can occur on Jupiter which are similar to the baroclinic instability regimes on the earth and Mars. The results show that Jupiter's dynamical regime cannot be of this kind, except possibly at very high latitudes, and that its regime must be a basically less stable one than this kind.

Trafton, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Coherent optical pulse reshaping in a resonant molecular absorber

Investigation of the coherent reshaping of short-duration (2 to 40 nsec) N2O laser pulses in a resonant NH3 absorber for a variable number of absorption lengths. It is found that, for small-area square pulses, the reshaping can produce subnanosecond pulses at the leading and trailing edges. A rapid phase reversal gives rise to amplification for times comparable to the transverse relaxation time.

Hamadani, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Pyrolysis of amino acids - Mechanistic considerations

Pyrolysis of several structurally different amino acids in a column at 500 C showed differences in the mechanisms and final products. The aliphatic protein amino acids decompose mainly by simple decarboxylation and condensation reactions, while the beta amino acids undergo deamination to unsaturated acids. Alpha amino acids with alpha alkyl substituents undergo an unusual intramolecular SN1 reaction with the formation of an intermediate alpha lactone which decomposes to yield a ketone. The alpha alkyl substituents appear to stabilize the developing negative charge formed by partial heterolytic cleavage of the alpha carbon - NH3 bond. The gamma and delta amino acids give 2-pyrrolidinone and 2-piperidone respectively, while the epsilon acids yield mixed products.

Ratcliff, M. A., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Microwave and infrared observations of molecular spectra in Comet Kohoutek

Transitions of the possible parent molecules H2O, NH3, CH3OH, and N2O as well as the OH radical were searched for in Comet Kohoutek (1973f) in the frequency range 22.2-25.2 GHz. These molecules were not detected but the upper limits for the optical depth, mean column density, and the production rate are derived for each of the molecules. These results are discussed and compared with the reported detections of HCN and CH3CN emission and OH absorption.

Townes, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Utilization of immobilized urease for waste water treatment

The feasibility of using immobilized urease for urea removal from waste water for space system applications is considered, specifically the elimination of the urea toxicity problem in a 30-day Orbiting Frog Otolith (OFO) flight experiment. Because urease catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide, control of their concentrations within nontoxic limits was also determined. The results of this study led to the use of free urease in lieu of the immobilized urease for controlling urea concentrations. An ion exchange resin was used which reduced the NH3 level by 94% while reducing the sodium ion concentration only 10%.

Husted, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Infrared spectroscopy of Comet Kohoutek

Interferometry observations from 90-in. and 61-in. telescopes tracking the Comet Kohoutek are summarized. Laboratory reflection studies of ices potentially useful for future cometary work were conducted. The frosts studied included: H2O, CO2 NH3, H2S, CH4, NH4HS, and ammonia polysulfide. The frost spectra show remarkable changes with the temperatures, particularly in the case of hydrogen sulfide. Additional analysis found the variation in the H2S ice spectrum to be due to a phase change from a low temperature tetragonal unit cube to a higher temperature face-centered cubic structure. The spectra data indicate that if frost spectra are required for comparison with observed cometary or planetary absorption, the temperature of the frost must be matched.

Fink, U.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Molecule searches in Comet Kohoutek /1973f/ at microwave frequencies

Nine transitions of the possible parent molecules H2O, NH3, CH3OH and N2O as well as the OH radical were searched for in Comet Kohoutek (1973f) in the frequency range 22.2-25.2 GHz. These molecules were not detected, but the upper limits for the optical depth, mean column density and the production rate are derived for each of the molecules. These results are discussed and compared with the reported detections of HCN and CH3CN emission and OH absorption.

Mango, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The vertical distribution of soluble gases in the troposphere

The thermodynamic properties of several water-soluble gases are reviewed to determine the likely effect of the atmospheric water cycle on their vertical profiles. It is found that gaseous HCl, HNO3, and HBr are sufficiently soluble in water to suggest that their vertical profiles in the troposphere have a similar shape to that of water vapor. It is predicted that HCl, HNO3, and HBr exhibit a steep negative gradient with altitude roughly equal to the altitude gradient of water vapor. Therefore, ground-based sources of inorganic chlorine, odd nitrogen, and inorganic bromine compounds are not likely to affect the stratosphere directly in the mean. Calculations also show that while SO2 and NH3 are significantly affected by the atmospheric water cycle, their abundances may not decrease with altitude as rapidly as does that of water vapor.

Stedman, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Semiconducting polymers for gas detection

Conjugated polyenes, and polyesters containing phthalocyanine in their backbone, were synthesized. These polymers were characterized by chemical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, spectral analysis, and X-ray diffraction studies for crystallinity, as well as for their film-forming capability and gas/polymer interactions. Most of the polymers were relatively insensitive to water vapor up to 50 percent relative humidity, but the polyester/phthalocyanine (iron) polymer was relatively insensitive up to 100 percent RH. On the other hand, poly(p-dimethylaminophenylacetylene) was too conductive at 100 percent RH. Of the gases tested, the only ones that gave any evidence of interacting with the polymers were SO2, NOx, HCN and NH3. Poly(imidazole)/thiophene responded to each of these gases at all relative humidities, while the other polymers gave varying response, depending upon the RH. Thus, since most of these gases were electron-accepting, the electron-donating character of poly(imidazole)/thiophene substantiates the concept of electronegativity being the operating principle for interaction effects. Of the six polymers prepared, poly(imidazole)/thiophene first showed a very good response to smoldering cotton, but it later became nonresponsive; presumably due to oxidation effects.

Byrd, N. R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Measurements of trace constituents from atmospheric infrared emission and absorption spectra, a feasibility study

The feasibility of detecting eight trace constituents (CH4, HCl, HF, HNO3, NH3, NO, NO2 and SO2) against the rest of the atmospheric background at various altitudes from infrared emission and absorption atmospheric spectra was studied. Line-by-line calculations and observational data were used to establish features that can be observed in the atmospheric spectrum due to each trace constituent. Model calculations were made for experimental conditions which approximately represent state of the art emission and absorption spectrometers.

Goldman, A.↗