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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 NTRS1986

Another look at North Sea pole tide dynamics

The mechanism proposed by Wunsch (1974) to explain pole tide observations in the North Sea is evaluated. Wunsch's equations governing pole tide in the North Sea are presented, and solutions for correcting the depth, stream function, and deviation of the tidal height from the equilibrium values are described. The similarity between the Stokes paradox and the tidal equations of the North Sea, and the need for inclusion of inertial terms in the tidal equations are discussed.

Dickman, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Spaceborne laser ranging from EOS

High precision laser ranging measurements from an Earth Observing System (EOS) platform would provide data for conducting a variety of basic geoscience investigations. For example, range data to retroreflectors arranged in grids located at tectonic plate boundaries could be used to study the spatial and temporal distribution of the crustal movements associated with stress accumulation and release in an earthquake cycle. The Geodynamics Laser Ranging System (GLRS) is a proposed facility instrument for EOS that can perform the ranging function as well as simple height-measurement altimetry over ice sheets. This instrument is the derivative of several generations of ground-based laser trackers and prototype laboratory systems. The Geoscience Laser Altimetry/Ranging System (GLARS) is an advanced laser ranging system which would provide higher accuracy ranging observations and detailed altimetric mapping of surface height distributions over land and ice sheets.

Cohen, Steven C.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Calculated nighttime eastward plasma drift velocities at low latitudes and their solar cycle dependence

After calculating ambient electron densities as a function of altitude, latitude and local time, a simplified expression is used to calculate F-region eastward plasma drifts given a zonal neutral wind model. The derived eastward plasma drift on a magnetic flux tube is examined as a function of the flux tube apex height. If the neutral wind is assumed to be independent of latitude the plasma drift maximizes along the flux tube which intercepts the F-region peak concentration at the Appleton anomaly. Above this altitude the velocity decreases to reflect a decrease in the flux tube integrated F-region Pedersen conductivity. For a latitude dependent wind the plasma drift tends to maximize along the flux tube which intercepts the F-peak at the dip equator. Above this altitude the drift decreases to reflect the latitude distribution of the wind.

Anderson, D. N.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Studies of ionospheric plasma and electrodynamics and their application to ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling

The contribution of the Dynamics Explorer (DE) program to the study of small-scale structure in the equatorial ionospheric number density and the bulk motion of the plasma in the equatorial ionosphere is considered. DE results have helped elucidate the role of E region and F region winds in decreasing the magnitude of variations in the east-west plasma drift at night, as a function of magnetic flux tube apex height, with increasing height above the altitude of the peak F region concentration. Other results concern the ionospheric convection pattern at high latitudes during periods of southward IMF, the magnetosphere/solar-wind interaction that may be involved in the production of the convection pattern, and the characteristics of the high-latitude ionospheric plasma motion during periods of northward IMF.

Heelis, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Measurements of the vertical profile of water vapor abundance in the Martian atmosphere from Mars Observer

An analysis is presented of the Pressure Modulator Infrared Radiometer (PMIRR) capabilities along with how the vertical profiles of water vapor will be obtained. The PMIRR will employ filter and pressure modulation radiometry using nine spectral channels, in both limb scanning and nadir sounding modes, to obtain daily, global maps of temperature, dust extinction, condensate extinction, and water vapor mixing ratio profiles as a function of pressure to half scale height or 5 km vertical resolution. Surface thermal properties will also be mapped, and the polar radiactive balance will be monitored.

Schofield, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Electron density profile description in the international reference ionosphere

Problems encountered during efforts to reformulate the IRI description of the electron density profile are examined. Consideration is given to Booker's (1979) proposal that the unique, analytic profile functions should cover the entire ionospheric height range. The IRI topside model is reviewed and the electron density profile of the middle and lower ionosphere are discussed. Rawer's (1983) procedure for combining the topside, middle, and lower ionospheric profiles into one analytic profile is reviewed.

Rawer, K.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Aircraft- and tower-based fluxes of carbon dioxide, latent, and sensible heat

Fluxes of carbon dioxide, water vapor, and sensible heat obtained over a grassland ecosystem, during the First International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project (ISLSCP) Field Experiment (FIFE), using an aircraft- and two tower-based systems are compared for several days in 1987 and in 1989. The tower-based cospectral estimates of CO2, sensible heat, water vapor, and momentum, expressed as a function of wavenumber K times sampling height z, are relatively similar to the aircraft-based estimates for K x z greater than 0.1. A measurable contribution to the fluxes is observed by tower-based systems at K x z less than 0.01 but not by the aircraft-based system operating at an altitude of approximately 100 m over a 15 x 15 km area. Using all available simultaneous aircraft and tower data, flux estimates by both systems were shown to be highly correlated. As expected from the spatial variations of the greenness index, surface extrapolation of airborne flux estimates tended to lie between those of the two tower sites. The average fluxes obtained, on July 11, 1987, and August 4, 1989, by flying a grid pattern over the FIFE site agreed with the two tower data sets for CO2, but sensible and latent heat were smaller than those obtained by the tower-based systems. However, in general, except for a small underestimation due to the long wavelength contributions and due to flux divergence with height, the differences between the aircraft- and tower-based surface estimates of fluxes appear to be mainly attributable to differences in footprint, that is, differences in the area contributing to the surface flux estimates.

Desjardins, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Gas kinematics and ionization along the extended sight line to HD 116852

We present Goddard High-Resolution Spectrograph intermediate observations of the interstellar medium toward HD 116852, a low halo star at a distance of 4.8 kpc (z = -1.3 kpc) in the direction l = 304. deg 9, b = 16.deg 1. The small science aperture observations have signal-to-noise ratios ranging from 30 to 90 and resolutions of 11 to 18 km/s (FWHM). We confirm the optical MK classification of this star through an analysis of its ultraviolet photosperic and stellar wind profiles. We detect interstellar lines of Al III, Si IV, C IV, and N V together with lines of C I, C I*, C I**, Si II, Ge II, P II, and Ni II. We convert the Mg II, P II, S II, Al III, Si IV, C IV, and N V profiles into measure of apparent column density as a function of LSR velocity. Gas scale height, velocity dispersion, and differential Galactic rotation effects govern the profile shapes. A simple computer model of the expected sight line column density profiles for the low and high ion species indicates that the gas velocity dispersions and scale heights increase as the ionization level of the gas increases. We find scale heigts H greater than or = 1 kpc for the high ions, which are comparable to the z-distance of the star, whereas we find H approximatley = 0.6 to 0.7 kpc for A1 III and H approximatley 0.1 kpc for P II and Ge II. An enhancement in the Al II profile near -15 km/s accounts for approximately 25% of the A1 III column along the sight line and probably arises within gas located approximately 500 pc below the Sagittarius-Carina spiral arm link. Portions of the broad underlying A1 III distribution are associated with the higher ionization lines, perhaps in conductive interfaces. The presence of N V and the column density ratios of Si IV, C IV, and N V favor the interpretation that much of the high ion absorption is produced by collisional ionization in gas with T = 1-3 x 10(exp 5) K. An enhancement near -35 km/s in both the Si IV and C IV profiles may be due to an outflow from the Norma spiral arm at a z-distance of about -1 kpc. The smooth decrease of the N(C IV)/N(Si IV) ratio at negative velocities may be due to an ISM ionization structure for hot gas that changes distance from the Galactic plane or to a two phase gas distribution in which the relative contribution from each phase changes with distance from the Galactic plane.

Sembach, Kenneth R.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Self-Consistent Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling: Theoretical Studies

A self-consistent ring current (RC) model has been developed that couples electron and ion magnetospheric dynamics with the calculation of the electric field. Two new features were taken into account in order to close the self-consistent magnetosphere- ionosphere coupling loop. First, in addition to the RC ions, we solve an electron kinetic equation in our model. Second, using the relation of Galand and Richmond [2001], we calculate the height integrated ionospheric conductances as a function of the precipitated high energy magnetospheric electrons and ions that are produced by our code. To validate the results of our model we simulate the magnetic storm of May 2, 1986, a storm that has has been comprehensively studied, and compare our results with different theoretical approaches. The self-consistent inclusion of the hot electrons and, their effect on the conductance results in deeper penetration of the magnetospheric electric field. In addition, a slight westward rotation of the potential pattern (compared to previous self-consistent results) is evident in the inner magnetosphere. This changes the hot plasma distribution, especially by allowing increased access of plasma sheet ions and electrons to low L shells.

Khazanov, G. V.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Self-Consistent Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling and Associated Plasma Energization Processes

Magnetosphere-Ionosphere (MI) coupling and associated with this process electron and ion energization processes have interested scientists for decades and, in spite of experimental and theoretical research efforts, are still ones of the least well known dynamic processes in space plasma physics. The reason for this is that the numerous physical processes associated with MI coupling occur over multiple spatial lengths and temporal scales. One typical example of MI coupling is large scale ring current (RC) electrodynamic coupling that includes calculation of the magnetospheric electric field that is consistent with the ring current (RC) distribution. A general scheme for numerical simulation of such large-scale magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling processes has been presented earlier in many works. The mathematical formulation of these models are based on "modified frozen-in flux theorem" for an ensemble of adiabatically drifting particles in the magnetosphere. By tracking the flow of particles through the inner magnetosphere, the bounce-averaged phase space density of the hot ions and electrons can be reconstructed and the magnetospheric electric field can be calculated such that it is consistent with the particle distribution in the magnetosphere. The new a self-consistent ring current model has been developed that couples electron and ion magnetospheric dynamics with calculation of electric field. Two new features were taken into account in addition to the RC ions, we solve an electron kinetic equation in our model, self-consistently including these results in the solution. Second, using different analytical relationships, we calculate the height integrated ionospheric conductances as the function of precipitated high energy magnetospheric electrons and ions as produced by our model. This results in fundamental changes to the electric potential pattern in the inner magnetosphere, with a smaller Alfven boundary than previous potential formulations would predict but one consistent with recent satellite observations. This leads to deeper penetration of the plasma sheet ions and electrons into the inner magnetosphere and more effective ring current ions and electron energization.

Khazanov, G. V.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Progress Toward Generation of a Navier-Stokes Database for a Harrier in Ground Effect

The Harrier YAV-8B aircraft is capable of vertical and short-field take-off and landing (V/STOL) by directing its four exhaust nozzles toward the ground, or conventional flight by rotating its nozzles into a horizontal position. The British Royal Air Force and the United States Marine Corps have used this aircraft for more than 30 years to provide a quick reaction time for troop support, and reduce the need for long runways. The success of this powered-lift (PL) vehicle has also prompted the more recent design of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). However there are significant safety issues that must be addressed when operating a PL vehicle in close proximity to the ground. Hot Gas Ingestion (HGI) by the inlets can result in a rapid loss of powered lift; and high-speed jet flows along the ground plane can induce low pressures underneath the vehicle, causing a 'suck-down' effect. Under these conditions, departure from controlled flight may occur. Moreover, unsteady ground vortices and jet fountains can affect the aircraft,s controllability and its proximity to ground troops. The viscous, time-dependent flow fields of PL vehicles are difficult to accurately and efficiently predict using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). A number of researchers have used the time-dependent Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations to compute flows for single and multiple jets in a cross-flow. A few have added some geometric complexity to the problem by computing flows for jet-augmented delta wings near a ground plane. Smith et.al. computed for the first time a single RANS solution about a simplified Harrier. This geometry included a fuselage, wing, leading edge root extension (LERX), inlets, and exhaust nozzles. All of these investigations cite two practical problems with computing these flows: 1) the need for improved solution accuracy; and, 2) the need for faster solution methods. We view the need for faster solution methods as key to improving the solution accuracy and making this class of computation more routine. One can hardly refine grids, explore the use of advanced turbulence models, and generate databases when it takes weeks of dedicated computer time for a single solution. Chaderjian, Ahmad, Pandya, and Murman have focused on reducing the time-to-solution for this very difficult and complex problem through process automation and exploitation of parallel computing. They began with the Harrier geometry reported, and added a deflected wing flap and empennage for greater realism. To date more than 80 solutions have been carried out. This paper will describe this process and progress made in reducing the time required to generate a simple longitudinal force and moment database for a Harrier in ground effect. It shows a typical snap-shot from an unsteady streakline animation, where fluid particles are colored by temperature. The ground vortex and a jet-fountain vortex are highlighted. It also shows a similar streakline image, where HGI occurs due to the vehicle in close proximity to the ground. It is show the mean lift coefficient as a function of angle of attack and height. The angle of attack range was 4 deg less than or = alpha less than or = 10 deg with an increment of 1 degree, and the height range was 10 ft less than or = h less than or = 30ft with an increment of 5 feet. This 35 solution database was extended to over 2500 cases using a monotone cubic-spline interpolation procedure. The suck-down effect (reduction of lift near the ground) is highlighted in the figure. The "cushion effect," the conventional reduction of lift as the vehicle moves out of ground effect, is also indicated. All 35 RANS solutions were obtained using 952 Silicon Graphics Origin 2000 and 3000 processors in dedicated mode for one week. Typically, 112 processors were assigned to each case. Some other cases used fewer processors to utilize all available CPUS. The final paper will report on the automation of the solution process, including: grid generation, job monitoring, solution completion criteria, and post processing. Moreover, improvements in parallel efficiency for a dual time-step algorithm for the RANS equations will also be presented. Results will be discussed in detail using unsteady streakline flow visualization to correlate unsteady flow structures with dominant aerodynamic frequencies. The stability derivatives, CL, and CL, will also be presented.

Chaderjian, Neal M.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Self-Consistent Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling

A self-consistent ring current (RC) model has been developed that couples electron and ion magnetospheric dynamics with the calculation of the electric field. Two new features were taken into account in order to close the self-consistent magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling loop. First, in addition to the RC ions, we have solved an electron kinetic equation in our model. Second, using the relation of Galand and Richmond, we have calculated the height integrated ionospheric conductances as a function of the precipitated high energy magnetospheric electrons and ions that are produced by our model. To validate the results of our model we simulate the magnetic storm of May 2, 1986, a storm that has been comprehensively studied by Fok et al., and have compared our results with different theoretical approaches. The self-consistent inclusion of the hot electrons and their effect on the conductance results in deeper penetration of the magnetospheric electric field. In addition, a slight westward rotation of the potential pattern (compared to previous self-consistent results) is evident in the inner magnetosphere. These effects change the hot plasma distribution, especially by allowing increased access of plasma sheet ions and electrons to low L shells.

Six, N. Frank↗
NASA NTRS1993

Sea State Bias in Satellite Altimetry: Models Rating, Limitations and Optimal Parameters

Investigations of the sea state bias in altimeter measurements of sea surface height have been reported by many authors based on aircraft, sea tower and satellite borne observations, resulting in several proposed algorithms of the form SSB = H, where H is the significant wave height (SWH) and is a nondimensional function of wind and wave parameters. The reported values for empirical coefficients in these algorithms differ widely. In the present work, based on the most complete set of satellite measurements (Geosat altimeter) employed for such studies, all known algorithms are rated...

Glazman, Roman E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

System engineering study of electrodynamic tether as a spaceborne generator and radiator of electromagnetic waves in the ULF/ELF frequency band

The transmission and generation by orbiting tethered satellite systems of information carrying electromagnetic waves in the ULF/ELF frequency band to the Earth at suitably high signal intensities was examined and the system maintaining these intensities in their orbits for long periods of time without excessive onboard power requirements was investigated. The injection quantity power into electromagnetic waves as a function of system parameters such as tether length and orbital height was estimated. The basic equations needed to evaluate alternataing current tethered systems for external energy requirements are presented. The energy equations to tethered systems with various lengths, tether resistances, and radiation resistances, operating at different current values are applied. Radiation resistance as a function of tether length and orbital height is discussed. It is found that ULF/ELF continuously radiating systems could be maintained in orbit with moderate power requirements. The effect of tether length on the power going into electromagnetic waves and whether a single or dual tether system is preferable for the self-driven mode is discussed. It is concluded that the single tether system is preferable over the dual system.

Estes, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Deriving Two-Dimensional Ocean Wave Spectra and Surface Height Maps from the Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-B)

Directional ocean wave spectra were derived from Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-B) imagery in regions where nearly simultaneous aircraft-based measurements of the wave spectra were also available as part of the NASA Shuttle Mission 41G experiments. The SIR-B response to a coherently speckled scene is used to estimate the stationary system transfer function in the 15 even terms of an eighth-order two-dimensional polynomial. Surface elevation contours are assigned to SIR-B ocean scenes Fourier filtered using a empirical model of the modulation transfer function calibrated with independent measurements of wave height. The empirical measurements of the wave height distribution are illustrated for a variety of sea states.

Tilley, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Low-latitude thermospheric neutral winds determined from AE-E measurements of the 6300-A nightglow at solar maximum

Atmosphere Explorer E (AE-E) measurements of the O(1D) 6300-A emission in the nighttime equatorial thermosphere are used to infer the height of the F2 layer peak as a function of latitude and local time. The investigation is conducted both for northern hemisphere winter solstice and for spring equinox, under solar maximum conditions. The layer heights are used to derive magnetic meridional components of the transequatorial neutral wind, in conjunction with the MSIS-86 model and previous Jicamarca incoherent scatter measurements of the zonal electric field. The AE-E wind estimates indicate a predominant summer to winter flow for the winter solstice case. Comparisons are made with the empirical horizontal wind model HWM87 and with winds generated by the thermospheric general circulation model. The model predictions and experimental results are generally in good agreement, confirming the applicability of visible airglow data to studies of the global neutral wind pattern.

Burrage, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS2022

Mapping invasive alien species in grassland ecosystems using airborne imaging spectroscopy and remotely observable vegetation functional traits

Lespedeza cuneata (sericea lespedeza; hereafter “sericea”) is an invasive species brought to the U.S. from East Asia in the 1890s to be used as forage. However, it has now become a growing ecological and economic threat in grasslands of several states in the U.S. southern Great Plains including Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Here, we demonstrate the capability of airborne imaging spectroscopy to map sericea in a large natural grassland within the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, the largest protected tallgrass prairie in the world, located in northeastern Oklahoma. Through this research, we investigated which remotely observable vegetation functional traits (referring to biochemical, physiological, and structural traits) contribute to distinguishing sericea from cooccurring native species and whether we can detect sericea remotely through quantifying these functional traits using imaging spectroscopic data (also known as hyperspectral data). To achieve these objectives, full-range airborne hyperspectral data with spatial resolution of 1 m were collected from the study area in August 2020. In addition, a total of 12 vegetation functional traits were measured through field sampling for model development. We first identified functional traits that contributed to separating sericea from other species, and then used them in a classification model to detect sericea in our study site. We found total carotenoids (sum of neoxanthin, violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein), chlorophyll a + b (sum of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b), total nitrogen, canopy height, potassium, and magnesium as the main functional traits contributing to the detection of sericea; an overall classification accuracy of approximately 94% was reported. However, the proposed approach overestimated sericea cover in species-rich plant communities. Overall, our findings demonstrated an essential role for airborne remote sensing in 1) direct mapping of invasive plants and 2) quantifying functional traits associated with success strategies of invasive species. Eventually, experiments like ours can aid in developing large-scale and science-driven management practices to both identify the current extent, and to control the spread of invasive species in grasslands and similar short-stature environments. This will not only improve management practices but will have major societal and economic benefits.

Hamed Gholizadeh↗
DOE OSTI2023

The role of height–driven constraints and compensations on tree vulnerability to drought

Frequent observations of higher mortality in larger trees than in smaller ones during droughts have sparked an increasing interest in size–dependent drought–induced mortality. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms are not well understood, with height–associated hydraulic constraints often being implied as the potential mechanism driving increased drought vulnerability. Here we performed a quantitative synthesis on how key traits that drive plant water and carbon economy change with tree height within species and assessed the implications that the different constraints and compensations may have on the interacting mechanisms (hydraulic failure, carbon starvation and/or biotic–agent attacks) affecting tree vulnerability to drought. While xylem tension increases with tree height, taller trees present a range of structural and functional adjustments, including more efficient water use and transport and greater water uptake and storage capacity, that mitigate the path–length–associated drop in water potential. These adaptations allow taller trees to withstand episodic water stress. Conclusive evidence for height–dependent increased vulnerability to hydraulic failure and carbon starvation, and their coupling to defence mechanisms and pest and pathogen dynamics, is still lacking. Further research is needed, particularly at the intraspecific level, to ascertain the specific conditions and thresholds above which height hinders tree survival under drought.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗