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At least 37 records · Page 2

Characteristics of Impact Craters and Interior Deposits: Analysis of the Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Volatiles in the Highlands of Mars

The martian southern highlands contain impact craters that display pristine to degraded morphologies, and preserve a record of degradation that can be attributed to fluvial, eolian, mass wasting, volcanic and impact-related processes. However, the relative degree of modification by these processes and the amounts of material contributed to crater interiors are not well constrained. Impact craters (D>10 km) within Terra Cimmeria (0deg-60degS, 190deg-240degW), Terra Tyrrhena (0deg-30degS, 260deg-310degW) and Noachis Terra (20deg-50degS, 310deg-340degW) are being examined to better understand the degradational history and evolution of highland terrains. The following scientific objectives will be accomplished. 1) Determine the geologic processes that modified impact craters (and surrounding highland terrains). 2) Determine the sources (e.g. fluvial, lacustrine, eolian, mass wasting, volcanic, impact melt) and relative amounts of material composing crater interior deposits. 3) Document the relationships between impact crater degradation and highland fluvial systems. 4) Determine the spatial and temporal relationships between degradational processes on local and regional scales. And 5) develop models of impact crater (and highland) degradation that can be applied to these and other areas of the martian highlands. The results of this study will be used to constrain the geologic, hydrologic and climatic evolution of Mars and identify environments in which subsurface water might be present or evidence for biologic activity might be preserved.

Mest, S. C.↗

General aviation aircraft interior noise problem: Some suggested solutions

Laboratory investigation of sound transmission through panels and the use of modern data analysis techniques applied to actual aircraft is used to determine methods to reduce general aviation interior noise. The experimental noise reduction characteristics of stiffened flat and curved panels with damping treatment are discussed. The experimental results of double-wall panels used in the general aviation industry are given. The effects of skin panel material, fiberglass insulation and trim panel material on the noise reduction characteristics of double-wall panels are investigated. With few modifications, the classical sound transmission theory can be used to design the interior noise control treatment of aircraft. Acoustic intensity and analysis procedures are included.

Roskam, J.↗

Torque Balances on the Taylor Cylinders in the Geomagnetic Data Assimilation

In this presentation we report on our continuing effort in geomagnetic data assimilation, aiming at understanding and predicting geomagnetic secular variation on decadal time scales. In particular, we focus on the effect of the torque balances on the cylindrical surfaces in the core co-axial with the Earth's rotation axis (the Taylor cylinders) on the time evolution of assimilated solutions. We use our MoSST core dynamics,model and observed geomagnetic field at the Earth's surface derived via Comprehensive Field Model (CFM) for the geomagnetic data assimilation. In our earlier studies, a model solution is selected randomly from our numerical database. It is then assimilated with the observations such that the poloidal field possesses the same field tomography on the core-mantel boundary (CMB) continued downward from surface observations. This tomography change is assumed to be effective through out the outer core. While this approach allows rapid convergence between model solutions and the observations, it also generates sevee numerical instabilities: the delicate balance between weak fluid inertia and the magnetic torques on the Taylor cylinders are completely altered. Consequently, the assimilated solution diverges quickly (in approximately 10% of the magnetic free-decay time in the core). To improve the assimilation, we propose a partial penetration of the assimilation from the CMB: The full-scale modification at the CMB decreases linearly and vanish at an interior radius r(sub a). We shall examine from our assimilation tests possible relationships between the convergence rate of the model solutions to observations and the cut-off radius r(sub a). A better assimilation shall serve our nudging tests in near future.

Kuang, Weijia↗

Study of effects of design details on structural response to acoustic excitation

The normal mode vibration characteristics of one-dimensional and two-dimensional panel arrays were investigated analytically and experimentally. The finite element displacement method was used to formulate the structural models. The structural models include a stiffness and consistent mass matrix for thin-walled open-section beams not previously reported, and a modification of a rectangular plate bending element to include a fundamental interior mode for the element as a generalized coordinate. Provision for adding lumped masses to represent accelerometers is also included. For the one-dimensional panel, the normal mode stress resultants are obtained by integrating the equilibrium equations directly. For the two-dimensional panel arrays, the solution for the stress resultants in the cover sheet was attempted by introducing stress functions dependent upon the displacement field of the plate element. This approach, although incomplete, is a natural extension of the one-dimensional analysis for plate elements. The exerimental program which was used to verify the analysis is described and experimental results are compared with the analysis.

Rudder, F. F., Jr.↗

Closed cycle MHD power generation experiments in the NASA Lewis Facility

Many modifications were made in the MHD facility. These include a redesign of the MHD duct interior, addition of mixing bars, increased electrical isolation of all the high temperature components from each other and from ground, and experimentation with various cesium seed vaporization and injection techniques. With the exception of the cesium system which needs further improvement the above modifications were quite successful and resulted in improvements in generator performance. The facility was run for a total of 400 hours in the past year, with 70 hours of this operation at temperatures of 2000 K or more with hot generator walls. With the exception of replacing one cracked brick in the MHD channel no repairs were required in the high temperature loop components for the duration of these tests. Uniform Faraday and Hall voltage profiles were obtained and the Faraday open circuit voltage varied from 90 to 100 percent of the ideal uBh. The magnitudes of the measured parameters are: Faraday open circuit voltage approximately 70 V, total Faraday current approximately 20 A, Hall voltage approximately 250 V, power output approximately 300 W, and power density .036 W/cu cm.

Sovie, R. J.↗

On hydromagnetic oscillations in a rotating cavity.

Time-dependent hydromagnetic phenomena in a rotating spherical cavity are investigated in the framework of an interior boundary-layer expansion. The first type of wave is a modification of the hydrodynamic inertial wave, the second is a pseudo-geostrophic wave and is involved in spinup, and the third is related to the MAC waves of Braginskii (1967). It is shown that the MAC waves must satisfy more than the usual normal boundary conditions, and that reference must be made to the boundary-layer solution to resolve the ambiguity regarding which conditions are to be taken. The boundary-layer structure is investigated in detail to display the interactions between applied field, viscosity, electrical conductivity, frequency and latitu de.

Gans, R. F.↗

Interior Noise

The generation and control of flight vehicle interior noise is discussed. Emphasis is placed on the mechanisms of transmission through airborne and structure-borne paths and the control of cabin noise by path modification. Techniques for identifying the relative contributions of the various source-path combinations are also discussed along with methods for the prediction of aircraft interior noise such as those based on the general modal theory and statistical energy analysis.

Mixson, John S.↗

Multispectral processing based on groups of resolution elements

Several nine-point rules are defined and compared with previously studied rules. One of the rules performed well in boundary areas, but with reduced efficiency in field interiors; another combined best performance on field interiors with good sensitivity to boundary detail. The basic threshold gradient and some modifications were investigated as a means of boundary point detection. The hypothesis testing methods of closed-boundary formation were also tested and evaluated. An analysis of the boundary detection problem was initiated, employing statistical signal detection and parameter estimation techniques to analyze various formulations of the problem. These formulations permit the atmospheric and sensor system effects on the data to be thoroughly analyzed. Various boundary features and necessary assumptions can also be investigated in this manner.

Richardson, W.↗

Igneous intrusion models for floor fracturing in lunar craters

Lunar floor-fractured craters are primarily located near the maria and frequently contain ponded mare units and dark mantling deposits. Fracturing is confined to the crater interior, often producing a moat-like feature near the floor edge, and crater depth is commonly reduced by uplift of the crater floor. Although viscous relaxation of crater topography can produce such uplift, the close association of modification with surface volcanism supports a model linking floor fracture to crater-centered igneous intrusions. The consequences of two intrusion models for the lunar interior are quantitatively explored. The first model is based on terrestrial laccoliths and describes a shallow intrusion beneath the crater. The second model is based on cone sheet complexes where surface deformation results from a deeper magma chamber. Both models, their fit to observed crater modifications and possible implications for local volcanism are described.

Wichman, R. W.↗

Voice-Recognition System Records Inspection Data

Main Injector Voice Activated Record (MIVAR) system acts on vocal commands and processes spoken inspection data into electronic and printed inspection reports. Devised to improve acquisition and recording of data from borescope inspections of interiors of liquid-oxygen-injecting tubes on main engine of Space Shuttle. With modifications, system used in other situations to relieve inspectors of manual recording of data. Enhances flow of work and quality of data acquired by enabling inspector to remain visually focused on workpiece.

Rochester, Larry L.↗

Theoretical evaluation of engine auxiliary inlet design for supersonic V/STOL aircraft

A higher order panel method is used to evaluate the potential flow of a two dimensional supersonic V/STOL inlet. A non-symmetric analytical inlet model is developed to closely match a wind tunnel model. The analytical inlet is analyzed for flow characteristics around the lower cowl lip and auxiliary inlets. The results are obtained from the output of a computer program that is based on the Hess Panel Method which determines source strengths of panels distributed over a three dimensional body. The analytical model was designed for the implementation of drooped/translated cowl lip and auxiliary inlets as flow improvement concepts. A 40 or 70 degree droop lip can be incorporated on the inlet to determine if these geometry modifications result in flow improvements which may reduce the propensity for flow separation on the interior portion of the lip. Auxiliary inlets are employed to decrease the mass flow over the inlet lip. Thus, the peak flow velocity is reduced at the lip which also lessens the likelihood of flow separation on the interior portion of the lip. A 2, 4, and 6 inch translated lip can be employed to also decrease mass flow over the inlet lower lip in the same manner as the auxiliary inlet. The performance results of the flow improvement concepts show that three possible inlet configurations provide a situation where separation is less likely to occur. A 70 degree droop lip maintains flow conditions such that attached flow over the lower cowl lip may exist for the entire angle of attack range studied. A 0 degree droop and translated lip combination provides similar results for the angle of attack range. The third configuration consists of a 0 degree droop and auxiliary inlet combination. This configuration provides slightly less favorable results than the other two, but still allows for conditions favorable to attached flow within the inlet.

Boles, Michael A.↗

Modified Tubular Combustors as High-temperature Gas Generators

A pair of combustors and transition liners in a quarter-annular, direct-connect assembly was operated at temperatures up to 2400 degrees F to determine the feasibility of using production-type combustor systems as high-tmeperature gas generators for turbine-cooling studies. Operation at high temperatures for 32 hours was possible when minor liner modifications were made that provided greater cooling-air flow between the turbine casing and interior components.

Friedman, Robert↗

Continued Development of the Discontinuous Galerkin Method for Computational Aeroacoustic Applications

The formulation and the implementation of boundary conditions within the context of the quadrature-free form of the discontinuous Galerkin method are presented for several types of boundary conditions for the Euler equations. An important feature of the discontinuous Galerkin method is that the interior point algorithm is well behaved in the neighborhood of the boundary and requires no modifications. This feature leads to a simple and accurate treatment for wall boundary conditions and simple inflow and outflow boundary conditions. Curved walls are accurately treated with only minor changes to the implementation described in earlier work. The 'perfectly matched layer' approach to nonreflecting boundary conditions is easily applied to the discontinuous Galerkin. The compactness of the discontinuous Galerkin method makes it better suited for buffer-zone-type methods than high-order finite-difference methods. Results are presented for wall, characteristic inflow and outflow, and nonreflecting boundary conditions.

Atkins, H. L.↗

Geology of the lunar farside crater Necho

The ejecta morphology and distribution as well as the interior materials of the 30-km-diameter, Necho lunar crater is discussed and the effects of regional preimpact topography on the formation structure and modification of the crater are described. Three types of ejecta: hummocky, lineated, and smooth, that are concentrated in a band extending from the rim crest to a distance of less than one crater diameter are examined. The crater's interior, divided into floor units of textured, bubbled, and smooth material is analyzed and hypotheses of their origin are presented. The last area of study is the preimpact setting, characterized by a series of large, degraded, pre-Nectarian craters. Results showed that the Necho, in comparison with surrounding craters, was the freshest, insuring that the data from its excavation was preserved without a significant amount of degradation.

Gifford, A. W.↗

Motion Sickness and Concerns for Urban Air Mobility Vehicles: A Literature Review

Motion sickness is a general term for a constellation of signs and symptoms, generally due to exposure to abrupt, periodic, or unnatural accelerations, especially when traveling in a vehicle. Motion sickness results from a mismatch of the visual and nonvisual (vestibular and kinesthetic) information, the observed scene and the motion felt or lack of it. Motion sickness onset is associated with a pattern of physiological changes in heart rate, peripheral blood flow, respiration, and skin conductance and the pattern is repeatable for a particular subject but variable between subjects. Demographic factors such as gender and age that affect motion sickness are well known with children, women, and older adults more likely to be susceptible. Often motion sickness is assessed and quantified using variations of the motion sickness susceptibility questionnaires including the Pensacola Diagnostic Rating Scale and the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. Even though symptoms are easily identified by such questionnaires, they commonly are subjective. Tools such as these questionnaires for screening individuals susceptible to motion sickness are useful, however, they are only mildly predictive. Moreover, models for predicting motion sickness, which have largely been developed for sea sickness, do not consider task characteristics. Predictions of motion sickness rates and prevalence for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicles are not possible at present because data from actual flight or full-fidelity simulation are simply not yet available. Extrapolation from other modes of transportation (i.e., automobiles, buses, trains, boats, other types of aircraft) is difficult because of differences in the motion stimulus experienced, trip duration, and other factors. How UAM vehicles will change the social dynamics of passenger interaction and vehicle interior design changes (e.g., seat orientations) is unknown. Should motion sickness prove to be an issue, vehicle design modifications such as having passengers face forward, providing additional seat recline, giving each person their own climate control for airflow, perhaps ensuring the horizon is visible to all passengers (reducing visual occlusion by the headrest) and visually stabilizing displays on carry-on devices (smart phones, tablets, etc.) may benefit passengers. Several commercial companies provide wearable devices for physiological monitoring that have been validated and are suitable for use with passengers in UAM vehicles or high-fidelity simulators. Potential countermeasures for motion sickness include user-worn devices, anti-motion sickness medications, and non-pharmacological approaches such as biofeedback and Autogenic Feedback Training Exercise. Both simulator and in-vehicle UAM research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of any potential countermeasure.

motion sickness↗

Construction and analysis of simulated Venera and Magellan images of Venus

The 1-3 km resolution Venera 15 and 16 images of Venus and the expected 120-300 m resolution Magellan mission image data are presently simulated through a digital processing of Seasat radar images covering a desert dune complex in the Gran Desierto of Sonora, accreted terranes in the central interior of Alaska, and the Appalachian Valley and Ridge Province. The simulations suggest that the nature and extent of terrain modification on Venus by such exogenic processes as atmosphere-surface weathering, erosion, and deposition, will remain uncertain, since the length scale of features indicative of such processes may be too small to be discerned from Venera data; Magellan data may provide this critical fine-scale morphological data, however, and thereby allow the testing of the two competing resurfacing scenarios.

Arvidson, R. E.↗

Probing Supraglacial Debris on Mars 2: Crater Morphology

Lobate debris aprons (LDA), lineated valley fill (LVF), and concentric crater fill (CCF) on Mars, interpreted to bedebris-covered glaciers, possess craters with a suite of distinct interior landforms (called "ring-mold craters")that have been attributed to the presence of glacial ice at depth or surface modification processes. We testedcurrent hypotheses for the formation of ring-mold craters by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the size andmorphology of 16,457 impact craters 125m in diameter formed within glacial deposits in DeuteronilusMensae. Two major groups, bowl-shaped craters and ring-mold craters, are found, with at least nine distinctcrater types. While there is statistical difference in median diameters between these crater types, this differenceis relatively small and is within the estimated uncertainty in diameter measurements and may be related to moreenhanced erosion of the rims of ring-mold craters. Clear degradation sequences are observed, supporting a rolefor post-impact modification in producing at least some of the diversity in crater landforms. The spatial densityof ring-mold craters is also directly correlated with the development of LDA, LVF, and CCF surface textures. Flowlineations cross-cut two ring-mold crater types but they maintain their circular planforms in some cases, suggestingthat the craters initially formed completely within mantling layers deposited after glacial flow hadceased. We also find analogous craters in non-glacial units; glacial ice is therefore not required to form theobserved morphologic diversity. Our observations are most consistent with formation of crater landforms byemplacement and modification of at least two depositional episodes of icy dust (i.e., "mantle"). This mantle wasinitially tens of meters in thickness to support crater formation, and has experienced much downwasting anderosion since emplacement. Derived crater retention ages of 460 Ma for LDA, LVF, and CCF features in the regiontherefore reflect deposition of mantle units and only give a very minimum age for the formation of LDA, LVF, andCCF

Geological↗

Crater formation and modification on the icy satellites of Uranus and Saturn - Depth/diameter and central peak occurrence

Fresh crater shapes, in particular crater depth/diameter ratios d/D, have been measured for craters on nine of the icy satellites. Crater depths were determined from photoclinometry plus some shallow measurements. Interior morphology, including rimwall slope, was also examined from photoclinometry profiles. Central peak statistics and the characteristic break in slope of d/D curves were determined in order to estimate the transition diameter from simple to complex craters. Crater morphology and transition diameters on the icy satellites were then compared with crater morphology on the terrestrial rocky planets in order to separate or evaluate the relative importance and similarity of surface gravity and target characteristics in controlling crater formation and modification in icy and rocky targets. Estimates of effective rheologies of the target materials were also obtained based on morphologic changes.

Schenk, Paul M.↗