Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “prompt loss”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2001

Soluble TNF-alpha receptor 1 and IL-6 plasma levels in humans subjected to the sleep deprivation model of spaceflight

BACKGROUND: The extent to which sleep loss may predispose astronauts to a state of altered immunity during extended space travel prompts evaluation with ground-based models. OBJECTIVE: We sought to measure plasma levels of selected cytokines and their receptors, including the putative sleep-regulation proteins soluble TNF-alpha receptor (sTNF-alpha R) I and IL-6, in human subjects undergoing 2 types of sleep deprivation during environmental confinement with performance demands. METHODS: Healthy adult men (n = 42) were randomized to schedules that varied in severity of sleep loss: 4 days (88 hours) of partial sleep deprivation (PSD) involving two 2-hour naps per day or 4 days of total sleep deprivation (TSD). Plasma samples were obtained every 6 hours across 5 days and analyzed by using enzyme-linked immunoassays for sTNF-alpha RI, sTNF-alpha RII, IL-6, soluble IL-2 receptor, IL-10, and TNF-alpha. RESULTS: Interactions between the effects of time and sleep deprivation level were detected for sTNF-alpha RI and IL-6 but not for sTNF-alpha RII, soluble IL-2 receptor, IL-10, and TNF-alpha. Relative to the PSD condition, subjects in the TSD condition had elevated plasma levels of sTNF-alpha RI on day 2 (P =.04), day 3 (P =.01), and across days 2 to 4 of sleep loss (P =.01) and elevated levels of IL-6 on day 4 (P =.04). CONCLUSIONS: Total sleep loss produced significant increases in plasma levels of sTNF-alpha RI and IL-6, messengers that connect the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. These changes appeared to reflect elevations of the homeostatic drive for sleep because they occurred in TSD but not PSD, suggesting that naps may serve as the basis for a countermeasures approach to prolonged spaceflight.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS1986

The ultraviolet spectrum of the eclipsing binary IM Aurigae

Low dispersion IUE spectra have been obtained at primary and secondary minima, together with a high dispersion spectrum near maximum, for the eclipsing Algol-type IM Aurigae system. The weak, sharp absorption features noted at two distinct velocities in the high dispersion data are attributed to circumbinary gaseous shells and/or gas streams between the stellar components. The implications of these results for the recently observed increase in O-C values of the primary minimum, which prompted this UV spectral search for evidence of a recent mass-loss event, are discussed.

Bruhweiler, F. C.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Using Artificial Intelligence to Inform Pilots of Weather

An automated system to assist a General Aviation (GA) pilot in improving situational awareness of weather in flight is now undergoing development. This development is prompted by the observation that most fatal GA accidents are attributable to loss of weather awareness. Loss of weather awareness, in turn, has been attributed to the difficulty of interpreting traditional preflight weather briefings and the difficulty of both obtaining and interpreting traditional in-flight weather briefings. The developmental automated system not only improves weather awareness but also substantially reduces the time a pilot must spend in acquiring and maintaining weather awareness.

Spirkovska, Lilly↗
NASA NTRS2001

Quantifying and Improving International Space Station Survivability Following Orbital Debris Penetration

The increase of the orbital debris environment in low-earth orbit has prompted NASA to develop analytical tools for quantifying and lowering the likelihood of crew loss following orbital debris penetration of the International Space Station (ISS). NASA uses the Manned Spacecraft and Crew Survivability (MSCSurv) computer program to simulate the events that may cause crew loss following orbital debris penetration of ISS manned modules, including: (1) critical cracking (explosive decompression) of the module; (2) critical external equipment penetration (such as hydrazine and high pressure tanks); (3) critical internal system penetration (guidance, control, and other vital components); (4) hazardous payload penetration (furnaces, pressure bottles, and toxic substances); (5) crew injury (from fragments, overpressure, light flash, and temperature rise); (6) hypoxia from loss of cabin pressure; and (7) thrust from module hole causing high angular velocity (occurring only when key Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) equipment is damaged) and, thus, preventing safe escape vehicle (EV) departure. MSCSurv is also capable of quantifying the 'end effects' of orbital debris penetration, such as the likelihood of crew escape, the probability of each module depressurizing, and late loss of station control. By quantifying these effects (and their associated uncertainties), NASA is able to improve the likelihood of crew survivability following orbital debris penetration due to improved crew operations and internal designs.

Williamsen, Joel↗
NASA NTRS2014

Deleterious Effects of Simulated Spaceflight on Bone and Microvasculature in Adult Mice

Long-term spaceflight leads to extensive changes in the musculoskeletal system attributable, in part, to unloading during microgravity exposure. Additionally, irradiation at doses similar to that of a solar flare or a round-trip sojourn to Mars may cause significant depletion of stem/progenitor cell pools throughout the body as well as inflammation associated with prompt skeletal-tissue degradation. Previously, we demonstrated that irradiation leads to rapid bone loss, which can be mitigated in the short term by injection of a potent antioxidant (-lipoic acid). Furthermore, simulated weightlessness in adult mice adversely affects skeletal responses to low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation (137Cs). Here, we hypothesized that simulated weightlessness exacerbates the adverse effects of simulated space radiation (including both protons and 56Fe ions) by adversely affecting skeletal structure and functions as well as associated vasculature. Furthermore, we hypothesized that an antioxidant cocktail, which has been shown to be protective in other tissues, mitigates space radiation induced bone loss.

Shirazi-Fard, Y.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Under Pressure: The Artemis I Heatshield Char Loss Investigation and Artemis II’s Successful Entry

Following the successful Artemis I skip reentry on December 11, 2022, unexpected char liberation from the Orion heat- shield prompted formation of an Anomaly Response Team to determine root cause and establish flight rationale and corrective actions for subsequent missions. Through a comprehensive investigation including detailed hardware analysis, modeling & simulation, and ground testing, the team determined that the low permeability Avcoat experienced extreme internal gas pressure buildup during the skip entry that could not adequately outgas, leading to crack formation and char liberation. Key discoveries included significant performance differences between permeable and impermeable heatshield regions and successful replication of the anomaly through ground testing. Based on extensive ground testing and analysis, Artemis II flew a modified trajectory without the skip entry to minimize crack-inducing conditions, and successfully splashed down on April 10, 2026 with significantly reduced char loss. For Artemis III and beyond, a corrective action was implemented to produce a more permeable version of Avcoat that will substantially reduce internal pressure accumulation during entry.

Artemis II↗
NASA NTRS1998

A Microstrip Reflect Array Using Crossed Dipoles

Microstrip reflect arrays offer a flat profile and light weight, combined with many of the electrical characteristics of reflector antennas. Previous work [1]-[7] has demonstrated a variety of microstrip reflect arrays, using different elements at a range of frequencies. In this paper we describe the use of crossed dipoles as reflecting elements in a microstrip reflectarray. Theory of the solution will be described, with experimental results for a 6" square reflectarray operating at 28 GHz. The performance of crossed dipoles will be directly compared with microstrip patches, in terms of bandwidth and loss. We also comment on the principle of operation of reflectarray elements, including crossed dipoles, patches of variable length, and patch elements with tuning stubs. This research was prompted by the proposed concept of overlaying a flat printed reflectarray on the surface of a spacecraft solar panel. Combining solar panel and antenna apertures in this way would lead to a reduction in weight and simpler deployment, with some loss of flexibility in independently pointing the solar panel and the antenna. Using crossed dipoles as reflectarray elements will minimize the aperture blockage of the solar cells, in contrast to the use of elements such as microstrip patches.

Pozar, David M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Bone growth and composition in weanling and mature rats exposed to chronic centrifugation

The primary objective of the study is to determine the effect of continuous exposure to hypergravity on the development and composition of weight-bearing bone. The experimental results are seen to suggest that many, if not all, of the changes observed in bone growth and composition derive from the retarded growth rate of the centrifuged rats. Both centrifuged weanling and mature rats exhibit a significant reduction in femur length and mass. The changes in femur size are more apparent in the weanlings since they are exposed to hypergravity during their most rapid phase of skeletal development. In addition to a slower growth rate, the body mass of the mature and weanling animals is reduced even further by the depletion of body fat. The rapid loss of body fat observed in rats and mice during centrifugation, it is found, can produce a prompt and significant rise in relative femur mass after two weeks of exposure. After adaptation to centrifugation, however, relative femur mass is similar to that of controls at four and eight weeks. At 18 weeks, the centrifuged rats again exhibit an increase in relative femur mass. It is thought that this increase in relative femur mass may be generated by the difference in fat deposition between the 1-G controls and the high-G rats.

Keil, L. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Spaceborne Imaging Radar Project

In June of 1985 the Project Initiation Agreement was signed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the NASA Office of Space Science and Applications for the Spaceborne Imaging Radar Project (SIR). The thrust of the Spaceborne Imaging Radar Project is to continue the evolution of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) science and technology developed during SEASAT, SIR-A and SIR-B missions to meet the needs of the Earth Observing System (EOS) in the mid 1990's. As originally formulated, the Project plans were for a reflight of the SIR-B in 1987, the development of a new SAR, SIR-C, for missions in mid 1989 and early 1990, and the upgrade of SIR-C to EOS configuration with a qualification flight aboard the shuttle in the 1993 time frame (SIR-D). However, the loss of the shuttle Challenger has delayed the first manifest for SIR to early 1990. This delay prompted the decision to drop SIR-B reflight plans and move ahead with SIR-C to more effectively utilize this first mission opportunity. The planning for this project is discussed.

Herman, Neil↗
NASA NTRS1987

The effect of neutrino transport on the collapse of iron stellar cores

A multigroup flux-limited diffusion approximation to neutrino transport, correct to first order in material velocities, is described. The role of neutrino-electron scattering in determining core deleptonization is studied using a modified Fokker-Planck approximation in which adjacent neutrino energy groups are coupled. The moderate deleptonizaton obtained during infall restricts homologous core masses to less than 0.8 solar mass. With 0.6-0.8 solar mass of outer core to traverse, nuclear dissociation alone stalls the shock waves produced at core bounce. In addition, neutrino energy losses remove at least another 4 x 10 to the 51st ergs. In no case is matter ejected promptly as a direct result of the initial shock wave.

Myra, E. S.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Understanding Solar Energetic Particles With STEREO HET

The project evaluates solar energetic particles (SEPs) in the Heliosphere utilizing in situ data from the STEREO mission. More specifically, raw data from the High Energy Telescope (HET) corresponding to the abundances and energy spectra of electrons, protons, He, and heavier nuclei was extracted. C codes were modified and written to analyze Pulse heights and fluxes in a readable format. Plots of the data were formulated in Python. Low fluxes of heavier elements prompted a revaluation of the onboard binning process. New selection criteria will be generated to orient the particle energy loss in the detectors with the expected locations of the energy tracks corresponding to each element.

Energetic Particles↗
NASA NTRS1992

Low cost, SPF aluminum cryogenic tank structure for ALS

Past production work has shown that cryogenic tank structure for the Shuttle Booster Rockets and the Titan system have very high life cycle costs for the fuel tank structure. The tanks are machined stiffener-skin combination that are subsequently formed into the required contour after machining. The material scrap rate for these configurations are usually high, and the loss of a tank panel due to forming or heat treatment problems is very costly. The idea of reducing the amount of scrap material and scrapped structural members has prompted the introduction of built-up structure for cryogenic tanks to be explored on the ALS program. A build-up structure approach that has shown improvements in life cycle cost over the conventional built-up approach is the use of superplastically formed (SPF) stiffened panels (reducing the overall part count and weight for the tank) resistance spot welded (RSW) to outer tank skin material. The stiffeners provide for general stability of the tank, while the skin material provides hoop direction continuity for the loads.

Anton, Claire E.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Assessment of Tropical Cyclone Induced Transgression of the Chandeleur Islands for Restoration and Wildlife Management

The Chandeleur Islands are the first line of defense against tropical storms and hurricanes for coastal Louisiana. They provide habitats for birds species and are a wildlife refuge; however, distressingly, they are eroding and transgressing at an alarming rate. In 1998, Hurricane Georges caused severe damage to the chain, prompting restoration and monitoring efforts by both Federal and State agencies. Since then, storm events have steadily diminished the condition of the islands. Quantification of shoreline erosion, vegetation, and land loss, from 1979 to 2009, was achieved through the analysis of imagery from Landsat 2-4 Multispectral Scanner, Landsat 4 & 5 Thematic Mapper, and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer sensors. QuickBird imagery was used to validate the accuracy of these results. In addition, this study presents an application of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer data to assist in tracking the transgression of the Chandeleur Islands. The use of near infrared reflectance calculated from MOD09 surface reflectance data from 2000 to 2009 was analyzed using the Time Series Product Tool. The scope of this project includes not only assessments of the tropical cyclonic events during this time period, but also the effects of tides, winds, and cold fronts on the spatial extent of the islands. Partnering organizations, such as the Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Research, will utilize those results in an effort to better monitor and address the continual change of the island chain.

Mitchell, Brandie↗
NASA NTRS1993

Diffusion of Na and K in the uppermost regolith of Mercury

We examine the conditions under which ions impacting the Hermean surface can act as a regional source of enhanced atmospheric column through ion implantation and subsequent release at the surface. At most latitudes, energetic (a few keV) Na or K ions which impact the nightside surface, are released quickly (well before noon) upon warming of the surface. We show that the relative sunrise/sunset difference produced by ion implantation is ((n)(sub SR) - (n)(sub SS)/(n)(sub Ave) = f, where f is the fraction of the photo-ions recycled, (n)(sub SR) is the average zenith column above the sunrise portion of the illuminated hemisphere, (n)(sub SS) is the average zenith column in the sunset portion, and (n)(sub Ave) is the average column over the sunlit disk. Thus, to produce a large sunrise/sunset difference via ion implantation and subsequent release requires efficient (close to total) recycling. We show that the most extensive set of available data reduced to Na column abundance does not show any sunrise enhancement. We argue that the K data do not permit an unambiguous interpretation in favor of sunrise/sunset differences. We further find that if an efficient surface loss process for the alkali is not operating after sunrise, the initial Na and K distribution will relax into the bulk of the solid. Preserved abundance gradients of Na and K in lunar glasses that the Arrhenius coefficients for impact glasses are likely more modest than those for laboratory glasses derived from rock by nonimpact processes, but the effect of the more modest diffusion rates is only to delay the efficient loss of Na by a few Earth days. We argue that implantation can lead to observable regional increases in the observed Na or K column densities only if it occurs at very high latitudes, where diffusion is slow. It is typically lower energy ions which impact at high latitude and these are both more numerous than the high energy ions and possess smaller average penetration depths; thus there are additional reasons to favor a high-latitude locus for any possible prompt return related increases in zenith column. We find that we cannot rule out sputtering as a source process, as the low-energy ions are efficient sputterers. Finally, we argue that the observed Na/K ratio in the atmopshere may be the expression of their different asymptotic rates of loss from the interiors of the regolith grains. If so, this allows us to fix the importance of sputtering and photon stimulated desorption relative to impact vaporization.

Killen, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Disturbance estimation for a STOL transport during landing

Transport aircraft can experience dangerously high sink rates if wind shear or thrust loss are encountered during landing approach. This is of special concern for STOL aircraft that use engine thrust for lift augmentation. Such conditions must be detected quickly and available power increased promptly to avoid serious flight path deviations. This study demonstrates the feasibility of designing constant-gain estimators, which use on-board instrumentation, to detect such conditions with sufficient speed and accuracy to provide adequate warning. Estimator design techniques are discussed and simulation results presented.

Bossi, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1968

Data Acquisition and Prompt Analysis System for High Altitude Balloon Experiments

An inexpensive and simple data acquisition system has been developed for balloon borne experiments and has been tested with a gamma ray detector in a balloon flight launched from Palestine, Texas. The detector used for the test consisted of an NaI(T1) scintillation crystal encased in a 1/8 in. plastic scintillator-charged particle shield. The combination was viewed by a single photomultiplier and charged particle gating was accomplished by a conventional phoswich discriminator. The pulse height analysis of the NaI events, not associated with prompt charged particle interactions, is accomplished by converting to a time spectrum using an airborne height to time converter. A range of pulse widths from 5 microseconds to 250 microseconds corresponds to energy losses in NaI from 100 to 1000 keV. The time spectrum information, along with charged particle events and barometric pressure, is fed to a mixer which modulates a 252.4 Mc FM transmitter. The original scintillator spectrum is recovered on the ground utilizing conversion circuitry at the receiver video output and a 128 channel commercial pulse height analyzer. The charged particle events of standard time width are stored with the spectrum at a fixed channel position and are therefore represented by a sharp line riding on the lower part of the NaI energy loss spectrum. An energy loss greater than 1000 keV is presented by the maximum pulse width of the converter and stored in the last analyzer channel. Barometric pressure data is transmitted by low frequency modulation of the sme FM carrier. In flight operation, the receiver video output can be recorded on a wide band tape recorder and simultaneously analyzed by the 128 channel analyzer, or the telemetered data can be analyzed later. The flight system features high pulse resolution, essentially instantaneous time response, high data rate, and flexibility; and is of modest cost. A detailed description of the system and operating performance is discussed.

Sarkady, A. A.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Fluoroester Co-Solvents for Low-Temperature Li+ Cells

Electrolytes comprising LiPF6 dissolved in alkyl carbonate/fluoroester mixtures have been found to afford improved low-temperature performance and greater high-temperature resilience in rechargeable lithium-ion electrochemical cells. These and other electrolytes comprising lithium salts dissolved mixtures of esters have been studied in continuing research directed toward extending the lower limit of operating temperatures of such cells. This research at earlier stages, and the underlying physical and chemical principles, were reported in numerous previous NASA Tech Briefs articles. The purpose of the present focus on high-temperature resilience in addition to low-temperature performance is to address issues posed by the flammability of the esters and, at temperatures near the upper end (about 55 C) of their intended operating temperature range, by their high chemical reactivity. As used here, high-temperature resilience signifies, loosely, a desired combination of low flammability of an electrolyte mixture and the ability of a cell that contains the mixture to sustain a relatively small loss of reversible charge/discharge capacity during storage in the fully charged condition at high temperature. The selection of fluoroesters for study as candidate electrolyte solvent components to increase high-temperature resilience was prompted in part by the observation that like other halogenated compounds, fluoroesters have low flammability. The fluoroesters investigated in this study include trifluoroethyl butyrate (TFEB), ethyl trifluoroacetate (ETFA), trifluoroethyl acetate (TFEA), and methyl pentafluoropropionate (MPFP). Solvent mixtures were prepared by mixing these fluoroesters with two other esters: ethylene carbonate (EC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC).

Smart, Marshall↗
NASA NTRS1993

Changes in markers of bone formation and resorption in a bed rest model of weightlessness

To study the mechanism of bone loss in physical unloading, we examined indices of bone formation and bone resorption in the serum and urine of eight healthy men during a 7 day -6 degrees head-down tilt bed rest. Prompt increases in markers of resorption--pyridinoline (PD), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), and hydroxyproline (Hyp)/g creatinine--during the first few days of inactivity were paralleled by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) with significant increases in all these markers by day 4 of bed rest. An index of formation, skeletal alkaline phosphatase (SALP), did not change during bed rest and showed a moderate 15% increase 1 week after reambulation. In contrast to SALP, serum osteocalcin (OC) began increasing the day preceding the increase in Hyp, remained elevated for the duration of the bed rest, and returned to pre-bed rest values within 5 days of reambulation. Similarly, DPD increased significantly at the onset of bed rest, remained elevated for the duration of bed rest, and returned to pre-bed rest levels upon reambulation. On the other hand, the other three indices of resorption, Hyp, PD, and TRAP, remained elevated for 2 weeks after reambulation. The most sensitive indices of the levels of physical activity proved to be the noncollagenous protein, OC, and the collagen crosslinker, DPD. The bed rest values of both these markers were significantly elevated compared to both the pre-bed rest values and the post-bed rest values. The sequence of changes in the circulating markers of bone metabolism indicated that increases in serum OC are the earliest responses of bone to head-down tilt bed rest.

NASA Discipline Number 26-10↗