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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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NASA NTRS1971

An interim report on remote sensing of environmental pollutants with a Fourier interference spectrometer.

A small Fourier interference spectrometer for sensing environmental pollutants from spacecraft has been developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The instrument is intended for obtaining high spectral resolution infrared absorption spectra in the 1.2 to 5.5 micron region at speeds sufficiently high for medium altitude orbital satellite surveys. The paper reviews basic details of the instrument servo and infrared detection systems, previously described, as well as recent developments. In particular, the data-handling system, data reduction techniques and optical tolerance problems are discussed. Preliminary results are included.

Schindler, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Information management system breadboard data acquisition and control system.

Description of a breadboard configuration of an advanced information management system based on requirements for high data rates and local and centralized computation for subsystems and experiments to be housed on a space station. The system is to contain a 10-megabit-per-second digital data bus, remote terminals with preprocessor capabilities, and a central multiprocessor. A concept definition is presented for the data acquisition and control system breadboard, and a detailed account is given of the operation of the bus control unit, the bus itself, and the remote acquisition and control unit. The data bus control unit is capable of operating under control of both its own test panel and the test processor. In either mode it is capable of both single- and multiple-message operation in that it can accept a block of data requests or update commands for transmission to the remote acquisition and control unit, which in turn is capable of three levels of data-handling complexity.

Mallary, W. E.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Command and data handling for Atmosphere Explorer satellite

The command and data-handling subsystem of the Atmosphere Explorer satellite provides the necessary controls for the instrumentation and telemetry, and also controls the satellite attitude and trajectory. The subsystem executes all command information within the spacecraft, either in real time (as received over the S-band command transmission link) or remote from the command site (as required by the orbit operations schedule). Power consumption in the spacecraft is optimized by suitable application and removal of power to various instruments; additional functions include control of magnetic torquers and of the orbit-adjust propulsion subsystem. Telemetry data from instruments and the spacecraft equipment are formatted into a single serial bit stream. Attention is given to command types, command formats, decoder operation, and command processing functions.

Fuldner, W. V.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Automated electronic system for measuring thermophysical properties

Phase-charge coatings are used to measure surface temperature accurately under transient heating conditions. Coating melts when surface reaches calibrated phase-charge temperature. Temperature is monitored by infrared thermometer, and corresponding elapsed time is recorded by electronic data-handling system.

Creel, T. R., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Advanced Recording and Preprocessing of Physiological Signals

The measurement of the volume flow-rate of blood in an artery or vein requires both an estimate of the flow velocity and its spatial distribution and the corresponding cross-sectional area. Transcutaneous measurements of these parameters can be performed using ultrasonic techniques that are analogous to the measurement of moving objects by use of a radar. Modern digital data recording and preprocessing methods were applied to the measurement of blood-flow velocity by means of the CW Doppler ultrasonic technique. Only the average flow velocity was measured and no distribution or size information was obtained. Evaluations of current flowmeter design and performance, ultrasonic transducer fabrication methods, and other related items are given. The main thrust was the development of effective data-handling and processing methods by application of modern digital techniques. The evaluation resulted in useful improvements in both the flowmeter instrumentation and the ultrasonic transducers. Effective digital processing algorithms that provided enhanced blood-flow measurement accuracy and sensitivity were developed. Block diagrams illustrative of the equipment setup are included.

Bentley, P. B.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Astronomy Spacelab payloads

Preliminary analyses of four typical Spacelab astronomy payloads have been completed. The payloads consist of instrumentation recommended by NASA and other scientists for early Shuttle missions. Design concepts have been prepared and compatibility with Shuttle and Spacelab verified. Mission parameters that meet payload requirements and efficiently utilize Shuttle resources have been selected. Integrated pointing and stabilization and command and data-handling system concepts have been developed. The results of all these activities indicate that productive astronomy missions can be carried out with Shuttle and Spacelab systems.

Ott, R.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Automated missions of the future

The paper discusses how Goddard Space Flight Center is dealing with the problem of undertaking new space missions within the limitations of severe funding constraints by using the same basic modularized spacecraft for all major earth-observation and astronomy missions of the 1980s. The basic spacecraft is described in the context of the Solar Maximum Mission, with emphasis on the transition adapter, attitude-control module, power module, communications and data-handling module, propulsion module, launch vehicles, and redundancy. The costs associated with the basic spacecraft and transportation are compared for two modes: four spacecraft and four separate launches for four missions and two resuppliable spacecraft for the same four missions. It is concluded that the most cost-effective means of sustaining a long-term astronomy or earth-observation mission is to service the mission in space.

Purcell, J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Biomedical Experiments Scientific Satellite /BESS/

The Biomedical Experiments Scientific Satellite (BESS) program is proposed to provide a long-duration, earth-orbiting facility to expose selected specimens in a series of biomedical experiments through the 1980's. Launched and retrieved by the Space Transportation System, the fully reusable, free-flying BESS will contain all systems necessary to conduct a six-month to one-year spaceflight mission. The spacecraft system will consist of a large pressurized experiment module and a standard NASA service module currently conceived as the Goddard Multi-Mission Spacecraft (MMS). The experiment module will contain the life-support systems, waste management system, specimen-holding facilities, and monitoring, evaluating, and data-handling equipment. Although a variety of specimens will be flown in basic biological and medical studies, the primate was taken as the principal design driver since it has a maximal life-support demand.

Berry, W. E.↗

NASA NTRS1979

SKYMAP star catalog

Skymap data and data-handling programs for 255,000 stars is discussed. Data should prove useful to astronomers, spacecraft designers, and others who have need for comprehensive star catalog.

Gotlieb, D.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Information systems

Space-derived information is the principal product of our civilian space program. Associated data from earth-orbital and planetary spacecraft will exceed the equivalent of some 500 television pictures per second during the 1980's. Cost-effective management of this data flood requires a new look at NASA's overall information systems. Advanced technologies being pursued by industry and NASA could provide order-of-magnitude reductions in data-handling costs and times to permit a massive increase in the use of space-acquired data for both individual and national needs. This paper discusses attendant thrusts in efficient data acquisition, instrument pointing, real-time data management, and low-cost data distribution. Current and planned technology activities in these areas and their anticipated impact on future space missions are described.

Kurzhals, P. R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

An f/35 submillimeter photometer for the NASA infrared telescope facility

The design and performance of an f/35 submillimeter photometer are discussed. It is noted that the instrument provides for both broad- and medium-width passbands between 350 microns and 2 mm and for beam sizes between 28 arcsec and 100 arcsec FWHM. Under good atmospheric conditions, a broad-band 400 micron sensitivity of approximately 1.5 Jy is found to be obtainable in one hour. A description is given of the photometer's support housing, submillimeter radiometer, and electronics and data-handling system. In evaluating the performance, attention is given to sensitivity, beam profiles, and the effect of changes in the aperture on the signal.

Whitcomb, S. E.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Ad Hoc modeling, expert problem solving, and R&T program evaluation

A simplified cost and time (SCAT) analysis program utilizing personal-computer technology is presented and demonstrated in the case of the NASA-Goddard end-to-end data system. The difficulties encountered in implementing complex program-selection and evaluation models in the research and technology field are outlined. The prototype SCAT system described here is designed to allow user-friendly ad hoc modeling in real time and at low cost. A worksheet constructed on the computer screen displays the critical parameters and shows how each is affected when one is altered experimentally. In the NASA case, satellite data-output and control requirements, ground-facility data-handling capabilities, and project priorities are intricately interrelated. Scenario studies of the effects of spacecraft phaseout or new spacecraft on throughput and delay parameters are shown. The use of a network of personal computers for higher-level coordination of decision-making processes is suggested, as a complement or alternative to complex large-scale modeling.

Silverman, B. G.↗

NASA NTRS1984

A balloon-borne high-resolution spectrometer for observations of gamma-ray emission from solar flares

The design, development, and balloon-flight verification of a payload for observations of gamma-ray emission from solar flares are reported. The payload incorporates a high-purity germanium semiconductor detector, standard NIM and CAMAC electronics modules, a thermally stabilized pressure housing, and regulated battery power supplies. The flight system is supported on the ground with interactive data-handling equipment comprised of similar electronics hardware. The modularity and flexibility of the payload, together with the resolution and stability obtained throughout a 30-hour flight, make it readily adaptable for high-sensitivity, long-duration balloon fight applications.

Crannell, C. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Development of the JSC Thematic Mapper quick-look preprocessing capability

The development of a preprocessing unit for Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data for the Earth Observations Data Laboratory at Johnson Space Center is reported. The background of the project is sketched, including the greatly increased data-handling requirements compared to MSS, the influence of the JPL VICAR system on the system design, and the completeness of the GSFC SCROUNGE (LASLIB) TM data tapes. The design approach and realization are discussed, and the performance and transportability of the preprocessor programs (totaling about 2000 lines of source code in FORTRAN and IBM Assembly languages) are indicated. The system is able to read the TM image tapes, extract areas of interest to particular studies, and register the extracted imagery to suitable references. Ancillary programs include image enhancement, rotation, filtering and pixel-size modification.

Gilbert, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Integrated remote sensing of the earth from low earth orbit in the 1990's

Trends in the areas of science, data systems, instruments and space technologies and their related infrastructures that will be experienced in earth remote sensing activities from LEO in the 1990s are discussed. Interdisciplinary studies will examine the flow of energy through the earth system, encompassing surveys of atmospheric and ocean circulations, the hydrologic cycle, and biogeochemical cycles. Mainframe computer assimilation of large data inputs will be associated with distributed microcomputer processing and analyses. Single satellite antennas will scan several microwave frequencies simultaneously, e.g., taking data on vegetation, water, and ice. Broadening the range of simultaneous observations will require multiinstrumented free-flying platforms, placed in orbit, repaired and/or retrieved by the Shuttle. Future instrumentation will include visible/IR imagers and the multifrequency microwave sounders with capabilities mainly limited by the availability of sufficient data-handling facilities.

Butler, D. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Laboratory test results on the High Resolution Spectrograph (HRS) for the Space Telescope (ST)

Some of the laboratory measured performance parameters of the HRS are reported. Then a description is given of three aspects of performance of particular importance to astronomers: (1) the capability of detecting very weak features against a continuum, (2) the capability of producing reliable line profiles, and (3) the capability of assigning accurate wavelengths to spectral features. Specific technical descriptions of the performance of the HRS detectors (Eck and Beaver, this volume), gratings (Bottema et al., this volume), and control and data-handling system (Becker, this volume) are reported separately.

Brandt, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1986

SIR-B - The second Shuttle Imaging Radar experiment

On October 5, 1984, the second Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-B) was launched into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. SIR-B is part of an evolutionary radar program designed to progressively develop a multifrequency, multipolarization synthetic aperture radar with a variable earth-imaging geometry. The SIR-B instrument is an upgraded version of SIR-A, with the additional capability of tilting the antenna mechanically to acquire imagery at variable incidence angles ranging from 15 to 60 deg. The variable look angle capability provided a means of acquiring multiple incidence angle imagery over specific targets on successive days of the mission. These data are being used to classify surface features by their backscatter signatures as a function of incidence angle and for topographic mapping. In addition to the antenna tilt capability, a digital data-handling system was added to increase the dynamic range, the resolution was improved by a factor of two over SIR-A, and a calibration subsystem was added to improve the radiometric accuracy of the data. The mission had a number of problems, including loss of the primary digital data path between the Shuttle and the ground. In spite of these problems, approximately 20 percent of the planned digital data were collected over the 8-day Shuttle mission corresponding to an areal coverage of about 6.4 million sq km.

Cimino, J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Handling Flight-Research Data In Real Time

Researchers at widely separated locations able to participate in tests and analyze data immediately. Basic data-handling needs common: Communicates with vehicle, pilot, and test team; Acquires, computes, and displays data; knows exact location of research vehicle at all times. Continuing challenge for designers and operators of ground support facilities to perform tasks in real time and present integrated results to research team in real time. Paper presents several approaches to satisfaction of requirements of representative types of aircraft research programs at NASA Western Aeronautical Test Range of Ames Research Center.

Moore, Archie L.↗