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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

Apollo lunar rendezvous

Lunar module rendezvous with command and service module by coelliptic sequence establishing standard lighting and relative position and velocity for final approach

Alexander, J. D.↗

Apollo lunar rendezvous

Lunar module rendezvous with command and service module by coelliptic sequence, establishing standard lighting and relative position and velocity for final approach

Alexander, J. D.↗

Remote coupling of air lines

Bullseye coupler is projected pneumatically from one railroad car at the second car's point of connection. System depends on assumption that inaccuracies in relative position of cars do not exceed certain limits. System is usefull to oil drilling, marine rescue and salvage, nuclear work and chemical plant operations.

Fuchs, C. E.↗

Abort separation of the shuttle

A sensitivity analysis of the factors which affect a successful abort maneuver following a space shuttle launching is presented. Wind tunnel tests were conducted using optimum simulation techniques and data acquisition procedures. Static stability, dynamic stability, and local loads were investigated. It is concluded that parallel abort separation of the space shuttle components is possible at both high and low dynamic pressures. Successful separation is dependent upon configuration, Mach number, rocket exhaust impingement and relative position and attitude of the stages.

Decker, J. P.↗

Study of a comet rendezvous mission. Volume 2: Appendices

Appendices to the comet Encke rendezvous mission consider relative positions of comet, earth and sun; viewing condition for Encke; detection of Taurid meteor streams; ephemeris of comet Encke; microwave and optical techniques in rendezvous mission; approach instruments; electrostatic equilibrium of ion engine spacecraft; comet flyby data for rendezvous spacecraft assembly; observations of P/Encke extracted from a compilation; and summary of technical innovations.

Source record↗

Human strength simulations for one and two-handed tasks in zero gravity

A description is given of a three dimensional hand force capability model for the seated operator and a biomechanical model for analysis of symmetric sagittal plane activities. The models are used to simulate and study human strengths for one and two handed tasks in zero gravity. Specific conditions considered include: (1) one hand active, (2) both hands active but with different force directions on each, (3) body bracing situations provided by portable foot restraint when standing and lap belt when seated, (4) static or slow movement tasks with maximum length of 4 seconds and a minimum rest of 5 minutes between exertions, and (5) wide range of hand positions relative to either the feet or bisection of a line connecting the hip centers. Simulations were also made for shirt sleeved individuals and for the male population strengths with anthropometry matching that of astronauts.

Source record↗

Highly loaded multi-stage fan drive turbine-cascade test program

Test results are presented for 19 cascades involving five plain and two tandem blade sections. High camber and/or negative reaction is associated with six of the sections. Exit Mach numbers range up to slightly above sonic. Cascade efficiency, exit flow angle and static pressure, and blade surface pressure data are reported with incidence angle, Mach number, solidity, and relative position of the tandem blades as independent variables.

Cherry, D. G.↗

Cartographic evaluation of ERTS orbit and attitude data

The author has identified the following significant results. Without the required RBV images, increased attention has been directed toward evaluating the geometric quality of MSS images. A line scan anomaly was identified and analyzed. Successive generations of images have been checked for variations in geometric distortion; it has been consistent. Some recent MSS images have about 250 m rms of relative positional accuracy although earlier images were generally over 300 m. Efforts are continuing to isolate systematic errors in MSS images but present results are inconclusive.

Mcewen, R. B.↗

Measured and calculated transmission losses of sound waves through a helium layer

An experiment was performed to measure the transmission losses of sound waves traversing an impedance layer. The sound emanated from a point source and the impedance layer was created by a low-speed helium jet. The transmission losses measured were of the order of 12 db for frequencies of the source between 4 and 12 kHz. These losses are greater than those predicted from analysis when the observer angle is less than about 35 deg, but less than those predicted for larger observer angles. The experimental results indicate that appreciable noise reductions can be realized for an observer shielded by an impedance layer, irrespective of his position relative to the source of sound.

Norum, T. D.↗

A novel laser ranging system for measurement of ground-to-satellite distances

A technique was developed for improving the precision of laser ranging measurements of ground-to-satellite distances. The method employs a mode-locked laser transmitter and utilizes an image converter tube equipped with deflection plates in measuring the time of flight of the laser pulse to a distant retroreflector and back. Samples of the outgoing and returning light pulses are focussed on the photocathode of the image converter tube, whose deflection plates are driven by a high-voltage 120 MHz sine wave derived from a very stable oscillator. From the relative positions of the images produced at the output phosphor by the two light pulses, it is possible to make a precise determination of the fractional amount by which the time of flight exceeds some large integral multiple of the period of the deflection sinusoid.

Golden, K. E.↗

An analytical procedure for evaluating shuttle abort staging aerodynamic characteristics

An engineering analysis and computer code (AERSEP) for predicting Space Shuttle Orbiter - HO Tank longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics during abort separation has been developed. Computed results are applicable at Mach numbers above 2 for angle-of-attack between plus or minus 10 degrees. No practical restrictions on orbiter-tank relative positioning are indicated for tank-under-orbiter configurations. Input data requirements and computer running times are minimal facilitating program use for parametric studies, test planning, and trajectory analysis. In a majority of cases AERSEP Orbiter-Tank interference predictions are as accurate as state-of-the-art estimates for interference-free or isolated-vehicle configurations. AERSEP isolated-orbiter predictions also show excellent correlation with data.

Meyer, R.↗

Geos 1 Secor observations in the Pacific /Solution SP 7/.

Secor observations have defined a geodetic network extending through the Pacific Ocean from Japan, with three stations on the Japanese datum, to the west coast of the United States. Thus this network was connected to major datums on both ends. However, observations on Geos 1 were taken only in the middle of the network, from Truk Island to Maui, so that the network determined by Geos 1 observations alone is not directly attached to any major geodetic datum. A little-known procedure called 'inner adjustment' was found to be the appropriate method to define a coordinate system for the adjustment of the isolated network and to determine the inner consistency of the observations. The network was indirectly tied to the North American datum by the use of (1) satellite observing stations of other observing systems whose coordinates were previously determined, (2) relative positions of these and nearby Secor stations, as determined by local surveys, and (3) geodetic heights composed of leveled (orthometric) heights plus geoid heights obtained from a geoid map.

Mueller, I. I.↗

Geodetic studies by laser ranging to satellites.

For three months in 1970, two Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) laser tracking systems were used to try to detect the motion of the pole of rotation of the earth. More than two hundred passes of the Beacon Explorer C spacecraft were observed as it passed between the two stations, and these data were used to determine the orbital inclination of the spacecraft. The analysis required the accurate determination of the relative positions of the two tracking stations and the identification of the perturbations to the spacecraft orbit, in particular, those due to the gravitational fields of the earth, sun, and moon and those caused by the solid-earth tides. The results to date indicate that the GSFC laser systems can determine interstation distances with a repeatability of about 25 cm and that a new value of the Love number k that represents the distortion of the earth's gravity field caused by the tidal deformation of the earth is 0.35 plus or minus 0.05.

Smith, D. E.↗

Pyroxenes from breccia 14303.

Review of the investigation results obtained on the adjacent polished thin sections 47 and 53 of breccia 14303, the largest rock returned by Apollo 14 for which a location has not been established. A basaltic lithic clast, composed mainly of plagioclase, olivine, and pigeonite zoned to subcalcic augite, is found to occupy the same relative position in both sections and is assumed to represent a single lithic chip. Further study of lithic and fragmental clasts in breccias is seen likely to yield information on lunar history between 4.6 and 3.9 b.y. ago.

Weigand, P. W.↗

The yield criterion of laminated media.

This study examines the yield criteria for anisotropic laminated media. It will be shown that for laminated media with isotropic layers, the criterion of Tsai and Wu is a direct extension of Von Mises'. Also presented here is a set of equations governing the relative positions of the yield ellipses. Furthermore, a general expression for the yield condition of a laminated medium composed of generally anisotropic layers is obtained.

Chou, P. C.↗

Overall evaluation of Skylab (EREP) images for cartographic application

The author has identified the following significant results. The importance of photomap products derived from Skylab type imagery for portrayal of previously unmapped (or poorly mapped) areas is recognized as truly significant. Updating of maps of any scale from Skylab type imaging can only be accomplished on a selective basis. Relative positional accuracy commensurate with 1:100,000 scale (Sl90A) or even 1:50,000 (S190B) is considered correct. However, many features required on such maps cannot be properly identified or classified from such imagery. The comprehensive updating of larger scale maps requires supplementary photography or ground truth.

Colvocoresses, A. P.↗

Geometric adjustment of the South American satellite densification (PC-1000) network

Reduced normal equations were computed from observation data and combined with reduced normal equations of other satellite networks to provide station coordinates from a single least square adjustment. Terrestrial data, which include base-lines, heights, and survey coordinates, provide the necessary relative position constraints between collocated stations of two satellite networks. Survey information regarding the observation stations is summarized, and constraints used in the solution are given. Geoidal undulations are computed by using the formula and constants shown.

Mueller, I. I.↗

An interdisciplinary analysis of multispectral satellite data for selected cover types in the Colorado mountains, using automatic data processing techniques

The author has identified the following significant results. In the San Juan Mountains there exists a group of structural and topographic features which suggest a common origin. The relative positions of the San Juan Depression with the Silverton and Lake City Calderas indicate they are possibly on the edge of a large circular feature. Comparison with the 1:250,000 scale Durango Geologic Map reveals a series of radial and arcuate faults concentric with the major circular feature. Such a fracture pattern implies that the circular feature may represent the extent of a major domal uplift in the area. The uplift was very likely due to the sub-crustal emplacement of the parent magma of the San Juan volcanics and intrusives. The broad doming led to the formation of a zone of tensional ring fractures which acted as conduits of release for the magma and the eventual development of the various calderas. The ring fracturing was probably incomplete with hinging occurring in the southern and southwestern portions of the dome accounting for the lack of development of caldera structures in that portion of the area.

Hoffer, R. M.↗