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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 361 records · Page 20

In-flight jet engine noise measurement system

An instrumentation system in flight tests for noise research is described which utilizes miniature transducers to measure low-amplitude, high-frequency fluctuating pressures in a jet engine mounted under the wing of a turboprop aircraft. The system employs a rotor-mounted FM telemeter to acquire data from eight fan-blade-mounted transducers which are subjected to up to 75,000 g's of loading. Data is transmitted from the rotor to an antenna mounted in the inlet-duct wall using a low-power, close-coupled RF link. The blade pressures and other inlet and stator-vane fluctuating pressures are recorded on airborne, magnetic-tape recorders. The flight instrumentation described also includes PCM techniques to encode and record a variety of quasi-static measurements to provide engine and aircraft performance data. The instrumentation and experimental measurements are of value to an improved understanding of noise sources in jet engines and for the advancement of jet-engine ground noise testing techniques.

Knight, V. H., Jr.↗

Applications of Landsat imagery to a coastal inlet stability study

Polcyn and Lyzenga (1975) and Middleton and Barber (1976) have demonstrated that it is possible to correlate the radiance values of a multispectral imagery, such as Landsat imagery, with the depth related information. The present study is one more example of such an effort. Two sets of Landsat magnetic tape were obtained and displayed on the screen of an Image-100 computer. Spectral analysis was performed to produce various signatures, their extent, and location. Subsequent ground truth observations and measurements were gathered by means of hydrographic surveys and low altitude aerial photographs for interpretation and calibration of the Landsat data. Finally, a coastal engineering assessment based on the Landsat data was made. Recommendations regarding the navigational canal alignment and dredging practice are presented in the light of inlet stability.

Wang, Y.-H.↗

Radiometry with nighttime DMSP images in digital form

The USAF Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) spacecraft sends images to earth in the form of numbers. It has been common practice to erase the only digital records, the magnetic tapes, for reuse, after films (resembling photographs) have been created from the numbers. While the DMSP images have been widely used, their application in research has been hindered by both the lack of digital data and the lack of an authoritative source of related technical information. The character of the digital form is considered. Each image is essentially a three-dimensional list (X,Y,Z) in which X and Y represent the position coordinates of a pixel and Z is its associated radiance. Only the value of Z is given and the X-Y position must be deduced from adjunct information. Each original scan composed of 1464 pixels represents an area on the earth's surface about 3 km wide and 3000 km long. Strengths and weaknesses of the system with respect to research applications are considered, and concepts for the design of a nocturnal imager are discussed.

Croft, T. A.↗

A compilation of unsteady turbulent boundary-layer experimental data

An extensive literature search was conducted and those experiments related to unsteady boundary layer behavior were cataloged. In addition, an international survey of industrial, university, and governmental research laboratories was made in which new and ongoing experimental programs associated with unsteady turbulent boundary layer research were identified. Pertinent references were reviewed and classified based on the technical emphasis of the various experiments. Experiments that include instantaneous or ensemble averaged profiles of boundary layer variables are stressed. The experimental apparatus and flow conditions are described and summaries of acquired data and significant conclusions are summarized. Measurements obtained from the experiments which exist in digital form were stored on magnetic tape. Instructions are given for accessing these data sets for further analysis.

Carr, L. W.↗

Viking lander imaging investigation during extended and continuation automatic missions. Volume 2: Lander 2 picture catalog of experiment data record

Images returned by the two Viking landers during the extended and continuation automatic phases of the Viking Mission are presented. Information describing the conditions under which the images were acquired is included with skyline drawings showing the images positioned in the field of view of the cameras. Subsets of the images are listed in a variety of sequences to aid in locating images of interest. The format and organization of the digital magnetic tape storage of the images are described. A brief description of the mission and the camera system is also included.

Jones, K. L.↗

Advanced Space Shuttle simulation model

A non-recursive model (based on von Karman spectra) for atmospheric turbulence along the flight path of the shuttle orbiter was developed. It provides for simulation of instantaneous vertical and horizontal gusts at the vehicle center-of-gravity, and also for simulation of instantaneous gusts gradients. Based on this model the time series for both gusts and gust gradients were generated and stored on a series of magnetic tapes, entitled Shuttle Simulation Turbulence Tapes (SSTT). The time series are designed to represent atmospheric turbulence from ground level to an altitude of 120,000 meters. A description of the turbulence generation procedure is provided. The results of validating the simulated turbulence are described. Conclusions and recommendations are presented. One-dimensional von Karman spectra are tabulated, while a discussion of the minimum frequency simulated is provided. The results of spectral and statistical analyses of the SSTT are presented.

Tatom, F. B.↗

Detection and analysis of radio frequency lightning emissions

The feasibility study of detection of lightning discharges from a geosynchronous satellite requires adequate ground-based information regarding emission characteristics. In this investigation, a measurement system for collection of S-band emission data is set up and calibrated, and the operations procedures for rapid data collection during a storm activity developed. The system collects emission data in two modes; a digitized, high-resolution, short duration record stored in solid-state memory, and a continuous long-duration record on magnetic tape. Representative lightning flash data are shown. Preliminary results indicate appreciable RF emissions at 2 gHz from both the leader and return strokes portions of the cloud-to-ground discharge with strong peaks associated with the return strokes.

Jalali, F.↗

Satellite-derived ice data sets no. 1: Antarctic monthly average microwave brightness temperatures and sea-ice concentrations, 1973 - 1976

A summary data set concerning 4 years of Antarctic sea-ice conditions was created and is available on magnetic tape. The data were derived from electrically scanning microwave radiometer brightness temperatures and were mapped into a polar stereographic grid enclosing the 50 deg S latitude circle. The grid size varies from about 32 by 32 sq km at the poles to about 28 by 28 sq km at 50 deg S. The microwave brightness temperatures of Antarctic sea ice are predominantly characteristic of first-year ice with an emissivity of 0.92 at 19 GHz frequency. Sea ice concentrations were calculated from the brightness temperature data for each grid element with an algorithm that uses an emissivity value of 0.92 and an ice physical temperature estimate from climatological surface air temperatures. Monthly, multiyear monthly, and yearly maps of brightness temperatures and sea ice concentrations were created for the 4 years, except for 7 months for which useable data were insufficient.

Zwally, H. J.↗

Use of thermal inertia determined by HCMM to predict nocturnal cold prone areas in Florida

The HCMM transparency scenes for the available winter of 1978-1979 were evaluated; scenes were identified on processed magnetic tapes; other remote sensing information was identified; and a soil heat flux model with variable-depth thermal profile was developed. The Image 100 system was used to compare HCMM and GOES transparent images of surface thermal patterns. Excellent correspondence of patterns was found, with HCMM giving the greater resolution. One image shows details of thermal patterns in Florida that are attributable to difference in near surface water contents. The wide range of surface temperatures attributable to surface thermal inertia that exist in the relatively flat Florida topography is demonstrated.

Allen, L. H., Jr.↗

Documentation for the machine-readable version of the catalogue of stars within 25 parsecs of the Sun

The machine-readable version of the Catalogue of Stars within twenty-five parsecs of the Sun contains essentially all information given in Table Ia of the published catalog, plus positional data and all cross references to other catalog numbers given in Table IIa. Not included from Table Ia are the flags (asterisks appended to catalog numbers) indicating notes in the published catalog, nor are the notes in machine-readable form. Omitted from Table IIa are the finding chart identifiers (Lowell G numbers or notes reference) and miscellaneous cross identifications to other names and catalog identifiers. The machine-readable version of the subject catalog is currently available on magnetic tape from the Astronomical Data Center.

Warren, W. H., Jr.↗

Advanced Space Shuttle simulation model

The effects of atmospheric turbulence in horizontal and near-horizontal flight during the return of the Space Shuttle are important for determining design, control, and pilot-in-the-loop effects. A nonrecursive model (based on vonKarman spectra) for atmospheric turbulence along the flight path of the Shuttle Orbiter has been developed which provides for simulation of instantaneous vertical and horizontal gusts at the vehicle center-of-gravity and also for simulation of instantaneous gust gradients. Based on this model the time series for gusts and gust gradients have been generated and stored on a series of magnetic tapes which are entitled Shuttle Simulation Turbulence Tapes (SSTT). The time series are designed to represent atmospheric turbulence from ground level to an altitude of 120,000 meters. A description of the turbulence generation procedure is provided, the results of validating the simulated turbulence are described, and conclusions and recommendations are presented. Appendices provide tabulated one-dimensional vonKarman spectra, a discussion of the minimum frequency simulated, and the results of spectral and statistical analyses of the SSTT.

Tatom, F. B.↗

Documentation for the machine-readable version of OAO 2 filter photometry of 531 stars of diverse types

A magnetic tape version of the ultraviolet photometry of 531 stars observed with the Wisconsin Experiment Package aboard the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO 2) is described. The data were obtained with medium band interference filters and were reduced to a uniform magnitude system. They represent a subset of partially reduced data currently on file at the National Space Science Data Center. The document is intended to enable users of the tape file to read and process data without problems or guesswork. For technical details concerning the observations, instrumentation limitations, and interpretation of the data the reference publication should be consulted. This document was designed for distribution with any machine-readable version of the OAO 2 photometric data.

Warren, W. H., Jr.↗

Documentation for the machine-readable version of a catalogue of homogeneous photometry of bright stars on the DDO system

The magnetic tape version of the Catalog of Homogeneous Photometry of Bright Stars on the DDO System is described. The catalog represents a compilation of DDO photometry of 2196 bright G and K stars prepared from observations made at Kitt Peak National and Cerro Tololo Inter-American observatories. Stars representative of good velocities, spectral types, and freedom from companion contamination are presented.

Warren, W. H., Jr.↗

Documentation for the machine-readable AGK3-BD and BD-AGK3 cross-index catalogues

The machine-readable cross identification catalogs were prepared by extracting AGK3 and BD numbers from the magnetic tape version of the AGK3 Catalog. After preparation of the AGK3-BD file, which contains all stars in the AGK3 catalog, the file was sorted according to BD number and rearranged so that the BD number occurs at the beginning of each record. During the sorting operation, all AGK3 stars having no BD numbers were omitted. The BD-AGK3 file is especially useful for finding BD stars in the AGK3 catalog, since precession has moved stars across declination boundaries and it often was necessary to examine more than one AGK3 zone to locate a BD star in the catalog. The contents of the cross index files is described so that users can read and process the tape without problems, guesswork, or consulting the parent catalog.

Warren, W. H., Jr.↗

Long-pathlength absorption spectroscopy of CH4

Infrared spectra of methane and ammonia are taken. The methane data base accumulated is described. The spectral region from 4,000 to 6,500 cm is covered at moderate resolution (0.15 cm), working at three temperatures (118, 191, and 272K), and with the (pressure - pathlength) product ranging over a factor of a thousand. Methane spectra broadened by hydrogen and helium have also been taken. Normalized spectra are stored on magnetic tapes, at a resolution slightly better than 0.25 cm.

Silvaggio, P.↗

Remote sensing of benthic microalgal biomass with a tower-mounted multispectral scanner

A remote sensing instrument was mounted on a 50-ft tower overlooking North Inlet Estuary, South Carolina in order to conduct a remote sensing study of benthic microalgae. The instrument was programmed to take multispectral imagery data along a 90 deg horizontal frame in six spectral bands ranging from 400-1050 nm and had a ground resolution of about 3 cm. Imagery measurements were encoded in digital form on magnetic tape and were stored, decoded, and manipulated by computer. Correlation coefficients were calculated on imagery data and chlorophyll a concentrations derived from ground truth data. The most significant correlation occurred in the blue spectral band with numerical values ranging from -0.81 to -0.88 for three separate sampling periods. Mean values of chlorophyll a for a larger section of mudflat were estimated using regression equations. The scanner has provided encouraging results and promises to be a useful tool in sampling the biomass of intertidal benthic microalgae.

Jobson, D. J.↗

No evidence of rings around Neptune

The results of two observations of stellar occultations of Neptune to determine if the planet has a ring system are reported. The sightings were made from Mt. Stromlo, Mauna Kea, and Cerro Tololo, noting that an equatorial ring would subtend only two arcsec of view. An upper accretion limit was defined to set the region around Neptune where rings, rather than satellites, could form. The intensities of the starlight from the two selected stars were recorded by photometers on magnetic tape during the occultation period. One of the stars did not occult, but passed through the entire region where a ring system might be present. No definitive evidence for rings was found, although an optical depth for a Neptunian ring was calculated at 0.07, with a width of more than 5 km and a radius of 31,400 km.

Elliot, J. L.↗

Description and evaluation of the Acoustic Profiling of Ocean Currents (APOC) system used on R. V. Oceanus cruise 96 on 11-22 May 1981

The underway current profiling system which consists of a microprocessor controlled data logger that collects and formats data from a four beam Ametek-Straza 300 kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler, heading from the ship's gyrocompass, and navigation information from a Loran-C receiver and a satellite navigation unit is discussed. Data are recorded on magnetic tape and real time is calculated. Time averaging is required to remove effects of ship motion. An intercomparison is made with a moored vector measuring current meter (VMCM). The mean difference in hourly averaged APOC and VMCM currents over the four hour intercomparison is a few mm s minus including: two Gulf Stream crossings, a warm core ring survey, and shallow water in a frontal zone to the east of Nantucket Shoals.

Joyce, T. M.↗