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Central Africa Energy: Utilizing NASA Earth Observations to Explore Flared Gas as an Energy Source Alternative to Biomass in Central Africa

Much of Central Africa's economy is centered on oil production. Oil deposits lie below vast amounts of compressed natural gas. The latter is often flared off during oil extraction due to a lack of the infrastructure needed to utilize it for productive energy generation. Though gas flaring is discouraged by many due to its contributions to greenhouse emissions, it represents a waste process and is rarely tracked or recorded in this region. In contrast to this energy waste, roughly 80% of Africa's population lacks access to electricity and in turn uses biomass such as wood for heat and light. In addition to the dangers incurred from collecting and using biomass, the practice commonly leads to ecological change through the acquisition of wood from forests surrounding urban areas. The objective of this project was to gain insight on domestic energy usage in Central Africa, specifically Angola, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo. This was done through an analysis of deforestation, an estimation of gas flared, and a suitability study for the infrastructure needed to realize the natural gas resources. The energy from potential natural gas production was compared to the energy equivalent of the biomass being harvested. A site suitability study for natural gas pipeline routes from flare sites to populous locations was conducted to assess the feasibility of utilizing natural gas for domestic energy needs. Analyses and results were shared with project partners, as well as this project's open source approach to assessing the energy sector. Ultimately, Africa's growth demands energy for its people, and natural gas is already being produced by the flourishing petroleum industry in numerous African countries. By utilizing this gas, Africa could reduce flaring, recuperate the financial and environmental loss that flaring accounts for, and unlock a plentiful domestic energy source for its people. II. Introduction Background Africa is home to numerous burgeoning economies; a significant number rely on oil production as their primary source of revenue. Relative to its size and population density, the continent has a wealth of natural resources, including oil and natural gas deposits. The exploration of these resources is not a new endeavor, but rather one that spans decades, up to a century in some places. Their resources, if realized, could provide a great means of economic and social mobility for the people of Africa. Currently, Africa represents about 12 % of the energy market, yet at the same time, consumes only 3 % of the world's energy (Kasekende 2009). The higher

Jones, Amber↗

Ramdb: The NASA Raman Spectral Database (version 1.00).

Given that, in most instances, minimal sample preparation is required and due to its contactless instrument design, Raman spectroscopy is one of the most versatile vibrational spectroscopic techniques for the chemical analysis of environmental and biological specimens. The diversity of applications of Raman spectroscopy ranges anywhere from art [1] to planetary science missions [2]. The advancement in the use of Raman spectroscopy in Solar System missions, notably in post-mission sample return analysis, requires a spectral library holding the broad range of specimens that could be found in Solar System sources. For this purpose, we have initiated the development of a Raman spectral database (Ramdb) at NASA Ames Research Center. Currently, the database includes experimental and theoretical Raman spectra of PAHs [3, 4], as well as laboratory Raman spectra of amino acids, carbon allotropes, minerals, and analogs relevance to Earth Sciences [5], Exobiology [6], Planetary [7], and Astrochemistry [8] to name just a few examples. Ramdb can be found on the web at www.astrochemistry.org/ramdb, where raw and processed Raman spectra can be downloaded in CSV format. The laboratory Raman spectra are measured using a laser Raman spectrometer (JASCO NRS-5500-532QRI). The Raman instrument is equipped with three excitation lasers, with wavelengths of 405, 532, and 785 nm. A clean silicon substrate is used as the internal standard for wavenumber calibration. Powdered samples were prepared (microscopic >10 um, grounded microscopic < 10 um) on glass slides. Some raw data exhibited a background signal arising as a combination of laser-induced fluorescence from the sample. To correct this background, we developed a Python pipeline that uses open-source Python libraries. Ramdb provides both raw and processed (using Python pipeline) data, which includes tabulated Raman shift transitions and other measurement details. The theoretical Raman band positions of PAHs (pyrene monomers and tetramer clusters) were computed using density functional theory (DFT) with the help of the Gaussian 16 suite of programs [9]. In the near future, Ramdb will serve as a repository of Raman spectral data from Laboratory Astrophysics and Planetary Science experiments involving the irradiation of organic compounds under simulated space and planetary conditions. In addition, online and offline tools will be developed for utilising the database for comparison to the user’s sample.

N Punnakayathil↗

Developing Concepts of Operations Using Multi-Step Tool Techniques With Large Language Models

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Air Mobility Pathfinders (AMP) project is developing and evaluating concepts of operations (ConOps) for safe, secure, and scalable Urban Air Mobility (UAM) operations. The AMP project’s Operational Concepts, Architecture, and Requirements Integration (OCARI) Team is using a Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) approach for integration, interoperability, and traceability of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystems centered around urban air taxi services. The team’s goal is to define structures and behaviors needed for system feasibility, readiness, and interoperability, establish a UAM knowledge base, and trace and validate assumptions and requirements relevant to AAM. NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) is spearheading an innovative digital engineering approach to integrate, communicate, and facilitate the research of multi-modal transportation systems. The Knowledge-based Digital Platform (KbDP) is a concept being developed that ties the workflows of Project Managers (PM), Principal Investigators (PI), and System Engineers together across organizational boundaries. It does so through the management of an information database defined by mathematical, data science, and system engineering principles. Machine Learning (ML) algorithms play a key role in this concept by extracting meaningful knowledge from relational and graph databases, document repositories, and system artifacts, which the human user leverages to greatly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their research. Recent advancements in the field of Large Language Models (LLMs), specifically models trained for tool use, such as Command-R , now allow for the reliable implementation of single-step and multi-step tool-centric systems. These techniques provide the LLM with a set of tools, in our case Python functions, that can be called on to answer a much wider range of questions compared to LLMs implemented using a traditional single-source or Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) approach. Through this method, the LLM can pull information from multiple data sources, such as relational or graph databases, document repositories, application programming interfaces (APIs), and SysML artifacts depending on the user’s question. The LLM can also output the information in a variety of different formats, using output generation tools, such as CSV, UML, or SysML artifacts. Additionally, tools can be assigned roles and can work together to provide answers to queries in an “agent” like approach, similar to that implemented by Microsoft’s AutoGen framework where different agents can converse with each other to accomplish tasks. Previously, our team developed a chatbot system with “agent like” functionality in the form of different “modes” the user could select from a user interface (UI), this architecture can be seen on the left in figure 1. Three different modes were implemented, the first mode allowed the LLM to utilize the structures and algorithms within a graph database to trace UAM requirements. The second mode gave the LLM access to a vector search capable of providing relevant information from thousands of document pages related to UAM ConOps and requirements. The third mode served as a general assistant where users could enter open-ended questions and custom prompts to utilize the LLM for different use-cases. This system improved the process surrounding generating and analyzing information related to UAM requirements, however, the implementation provided a clunky user experience. Users were required to know what mode to select within the UI in advance before entering their question to the selected tool. Moreover, the different tools were isolated from each other, they lacked bidirectional links that would allow for tools to collaborate to generate better responses. Our team is working on a new architecture, seen on the right in the below figure, with the goal to address many of the UX shortcomings of our original system while improving the accuracy and depth of responses from the LLM. This new system will automatically select the appropriate tool to use based off the user’s question. Each tool will be capable of calling on any of the other tools available to the LLM, resulting in a collaborative pipeline where tools can pass data between other tools until enough data is received to generate an answer to the user’s question. Using a locally deployed, open-source, LLM, the NASA OCARI team, in collaboration with Collins Aerospace, will implement a prototype application that will bridge knowledge across multiple sources to assist System Engineers (SEs) with requirements discovery and tracing, research question and use case identification, and assumption validation. Such a system will also allow SEs to more easily, and intuitively, explore the AAM ecosystem, ultimately improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the SE's research and decision-making processes surrounding ConOps development and validation. In this session, our team will provide a video demonstration of our new prototype architecture in action. We will also present an overview of our prototype system architecture and talk about its advantages over traditional LLM deployments along with how those advantages can provide additional value to the field of System Engineering.

systems engineering↗

INCREASING THE TRANSPARENCY AND REPRODUCIBILITY OF SPACE RADIATION SCIENCE: THE RADIATION BIOLOGY ONTOLOGY

Among the primary objectives of the Open/Open-Source Science paradigm are making scientific investigation data transparent and results reproducible [1], objectives shared by the FAIR principles [2]. To accomplish this, the conceptual framework that includes all the investigation objects needs to be accurately captured and communicated to all data consumers. A large part of this requires using metadata standards to annotate data collected. These standards should be readily accessible, informed by scientific community consensus and sufficiently specific to encompass all of the important aspects of the investigation. Starting in 2020 we have been co-leading an open consortium to develop a new metadata standard, the Radiation Biology Ontology (RBO), through the Open Biological and Biomedical Ontologies (OBO) Foundry [3]. We began by transforming many of the terms from the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement into concepts that can be formally related to existing OBO Foundry classes or attributes. We then identified and imported into the RBO existing OBO Foundry classes that have obvious relevance for radiation biomedicine (for example, concepts from the Environment Ontology that describe radiative processes, and concepts from the Gene Ontology dealing with molecular and cellular responses to radiation). Finally, we scrutinized datasets from investigations of radiation effects held in NASA GeneLab and LSDA repositories and added additional classes, instances, and attributes into the RBO that should be used to annotate these data. We developed the RBO using the open-source tools of GitHub and publish the RBO periodically through the NIH/NCBI BioPortal website, so systems worldwide can leverage the knowledge it contains [4]. This initial phase of concept modeling has yielded an RBO that at present has more than 300 declared concepts, with more than 3500 additional concepts imported from other OBO Foundry ontologies. While this first phase has focused on concepts for annotating samples, environments, exposures, and measurements, the next phase will center on supporting annotation of results and findings, such as concept models of molecular, cellular and tissue effects. The value of the RBO will be determined in part by our ability to engage the community in its development, and we have established a Radiobiology Informatics Consortium with unrestricted membership as the owner of the RBO in order to encourage investigators, system owners and other to join in this effort. Anyone can report issues or request new concept modeling or other features directly on GitHub. By using the BioPortal application programming interface, systems can pose dynamic queries to the latest version of the RBO for information on individual classes or entire hierarchies; this design eliminates the need for systems to be updated in order to use newer versions of the RBO. We hope to contribute to the advancement of open radiobiological science through the continued, open development of the RBO, that will provide more precise, machine-interpretable descriptions of investigations, as well as support data meta-analysis through machine learning or other artificial intelligence methods. REFERENCES [1] Open science in space. Nature Medicine, 2021. 27(9): p. 1485-1485. [2] Wilkinson, M.D., et al., The FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management and stewardship. Sci Data, 2016. 3: p. 160018. [3] Smith, B., et al., The OBO Foundry: coordinated evolution of ontologies to support biomedical data integration. Nat Biotechnol, 2007. 25(11): p. 1251-5. [4] Whetzel, P.L., et al., BioPortal: enhanced functionality via new Web services from the National Center for Biomedical Ontology to access and use ontologies in software applications. Nucleic Acids Res, 2011. 39(Web Server issue): p. W541-5.

informatics↗

2018 NISAR Applications Workshop: Forest and Disturbance; Workshop Report

Forest lands cover the globe and are important sources for providing ecosystem services including: carbon sequestration, biodiversity, timber, air and water quality. As such, counties around the world have dedicated programs for managing them. Accurate and timely information concerning the status of these forests (moisture, biomass, disturbance type, etc.) is essential to those Nations’ human and ecological health as well as economy. The joint NASA/US Forest Service workshop focused on arming forest land managers with observations and remote sensing information from the upcoming NASA-ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) (NISAR) satellite mission (expected to launch early 2022). Participants included representatives from different US Federal Agencies, private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGO) that are key players in facilitating integration of Earth Observations (EO) into forest management and decision support workflows. They included scientists, technicians, and program managers with a responsibility for data acquisition and exploitation such as product development, delivery, and use, and capacity building. Discussions were held over two days to convey the broader forest and disturbance community information needs for various representative participants and programs and to facilitate the delivery of NISAR mission geospatial products and observational capabilities. Case studies were presented to demonstrate the current state of practice in the use of SAR remote sensing for applications of direct importance to forest and disturbance land management community. Eleven organizations presented their information requirements in response to a set of questions provided by the NASA team, then the NASA team responded by describing the degree to which NISAR could meet these requirements. Discussion ensued about needed data product specifications to increase utility (e.g., projection, latency, etc.), tools and capacity building. The general findings of this workshop were that (a) NISAR observations will be particularly useful to the global forest carbon and disturbance monitoring applications, but that certain data product design decisions (projections and radiometric and terrain corrections) need to be considered to increase utility; b) the biomass and disturbance detection algorithms meet many of the community needs, however there are other information products of value (e.g., soil moisture or disturbance classification, not just detection) and all products should be compliant with existing community standards for reporting uncertainty; c) providing SAR education to the community will be key specifically thinking about putting the information first and the SAR theory second, providing a simple guide of standard data processing steps (e.g., dB (decibel) to power conversion and speckle filtering); d) the community needs a user-friendly interface for finding free, archived data over their geographic regions of interest; e) user-friendly tools that connect to open-sources GIS (Global Information System) software (e.g., QGIS (Quantum GIS)) that include a graphical user interface (GUI) for SAR processing that enables both download and cloud processing. To integrate these findings and prepare the community before NISAR launches, it was suggested that there be a dedicated NISAR Forest and Disturbance Applications Working Group (as per the specifications in the NISAR Utilization Plan). After launch, it was decided that the community continue capacity building activities.

Stavros, Natasha↗

The measurement of chemically reactive atmospheric constituents by mass spectrometers carried on high-speed spacecraft

The quasi-open-source mass spectrometer carried on the Atmospheric Explorer-C satellite has a mode of operation which utilizes the velocity of the vehicle to distinguish between incoming ambient particles and ambient particles which have struck instrument surfaces and become accommodated. Utilization of this mode has made possible the simultaneous measurement of atomic and molecular ambient oxygen without the ambiguity which usually arises due to surface reactions in the instrument. The method appears promising as a means for analyzing planetary atmospheres or the gas surrounding comets.

Nier, A. O.↗

Atomic nitrogen measurements in the upper atmosphere

The open-source neutral mass spectrometer (OSS) on the Atmosphere Explorer-C satellite (AE-C) measures the neutral constituents of the upper atmosphere. It has been found that atomic nitrogen densities can be determined at altitudes above 380 km. Most of the nitrogen atoms combine with oxygen adsorbed on the walls of the ion source to form NO. The measured net peaks at 14 amu and 30 amu show the scale height expected for atomic nitrogen; both peaks have a pronounced diurnal variation. Absolute number densities at 400 km are computed for a time period between February and April 1974 when measurements were taken in the northern hemisphere. Minimum and maximum densities of atomic nitrogen occur between 4 and 6 hr LST in the morning and around 16 hr LST in the afternoon, respectively. At 400 km, the minimum particle density is 100,000/cu cm and the maximum density 1.5 million/cu cm. In contrast to the response of N2 to geomagnetic activity, atomic N shows no appreciable effect.

Mauersberger, K.↗

Rocket-borne time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Theoretical and numerical analyses are made of planar, cylindrical and spherical-electrode two-field time-of-flight mass spectrometers in order to optimize their operating conditions. A method is introduced which can improve the resolving power of these instruments by a factor of 7.5. Potential barrier gating in time-of-flight mass spectrometers is also analyzed. Experimental studies of a miniature cylindrical-electrode and a hemispherical-electrode time-of-flight mass spectrometer are presented. Their sensitivity and ability to operate at D-region pressures with an open source make them ideal instruments for D-region ion composition measurements. A sounding rocket experiment package carrying a cylindrical electrode time-of-flight mass spectrometer was launched. The data indicate that essentially 100% of the positive electric charge on positive ions is carried by ions with mass-to-charge ratios greater than 500 below an altitude of 92 km. These heavy charge carriers were present at altitudes up to about 100 km.

Reiter, R. F.↗

Atomic nitrogen densities in the thermosphere

Recently atomic nitrogen densities of about one million per cu cm were measured at 400 km by the open source mass spectrometer on the Atmosphere Explorer-C satellite (AE-C). Daytime N densities about 50 million per cu cm at 160 km have also been inferred from airglow and other measurements on AE-C. It is shown that atomic nitrogen densities of this magnitude result in significantly lower values for the O2(+) concentration than those measured on AE-C over the altitude range to 160 to 200 km, because of the removal process O2(+) + N k3 yields NO(+) + O. The discrepancy can be explained in terms of latitudinal variations in both the N and O2 densities. Evidence is presented which indicates that k3 could be as low as 0.1 billionth per cu cm at ionospheric temperatures. K3 is the rate constant for the reaction of O2(+) with N(4-S).

Torr, D. G.↗

Seasonal variation of neutral thermospheric constituents in the Northern Hemisphere

The Atmosphere Explorer-C satellite carries a large number of experiments including an open source neutral mass spectrometer. Among the measurements obtained with this instrument were ones of particle densities of N2, O, and He at northern latitudes in early February and late June 1974. The orbital geometry of the satellite was such that comparisons could be made between the winter and summer values at the same altitudes and latitudes and at similar local solar times. The helium density shows in midmorning a winter to summer enhancement of a factor of 29 at 400 km. The enhancement at other altitudes, both higher and lower, is less. At 250 km the winter/summer oxygen ratio is 1.7, whereas the winter/summer nitrogen ratio is 0.6. Both ratios decrease with increasing altitudes. The analysis identifies an oxygen enhancement at low altitudes in winter and at high altitudes in summer.

Mauersberger, K.↗

Diurnal variation of atomic nitrogen

When the perigee of the Atmospheric Explorer C satellite reached the northern latitudes (68 deg) by mid-April 1974, descending and ascending portions of the orbits stretched symmetrically across the Northern Hemisphere. Corresponding local solar times at altitudes above 400 km were 1700 hours and 0200 hours, respectively, thus providing the opportunity to study the diurnal variation of the neutral constituents. Atomic nitrogen densities, measured with the open-source neutral mass spectrometer, show a pronounced diurnal variation. At 400 km, the density ratios derived from measurements of the descending and ascending portions are 5.2 for N, 4.9 for N2, and 2.0 for O. Absolute densities of atomic nitrogen agree within a factor of 2 or 3 with densities derived from neutral-ion reactions. Measurements taken close to the geomagnetic pole show a decrease in atomic nitrogen densities when an increase in molecular nitrogen is observed.

Mauersberger, K.↗

A direct measurement of the winter helium bulge

In late December 1975, the orbital configuration of the Atmosphere Explorer-D satellite made possible the measurement of the winter helium bulge within a single perigee pass. Shortly after the winter solstice, the perigee of the polar-orbiting AE-D satellite crossed the equator, at which time descending and ascending portions of the orbit stretched symmetrically over the Southern and Northern Hemispheres. The open-source neutral mass spectrometer (OSS) on board AE-D measured helium densities between the perigee (about 150 km) and altitudes of 650 km. During the time the perigee was at the equator, altitudes above approximately 550 km were located north and south at latitudes greater than 50-deg. Helium showed, in the winter hemisphere, densities that were a factor of 20 higher than at corresponding altitudes and latitudes in the Southern (summer) Hemisphere. Absolute densities of helium agree well with previous measurements.

Mauersberger, K.↗

Determination of exospheric neutral gas temperatures

The Atmosphere Explorer satellites (AE-C, -D, and -E) were initially placed into highly elliptical orbits with perigees around 140 km and apogees of 4000 km. As a result of such an orbital geometry, measurements of neutral constituents at high altitudes represent mainly vertical changes in densities. The influence of horizontal density gradients on measurements above 400 km is small. Under geomagnetically quiet conditions, the density profiles can be used to derive scale-height temperatures of the exosphere. The open-source neutral mass spectrometer (OSS) flown on all three AE-satellites measured neutral constituents such as N2, O, and N well above 400 km. The temperatures derived from scale heights show a good agreement among the constituents and the expected close correlation with the F10.7-cm solar flux. Satellites with highly elliptical orbits provide the opportunity to measure simultaneously both densities and temperatures.

Mauersberger, K.↗

Molecular oxygen measurements at 200 km from AE-D near winter solstice, 1975

Utilizing the fly-through mode, the open source neutral mass spectrometer on Atmosphere Explorer-D (AE-D) has measured O2 densities, as well as N2 densities and in situ neutral temperatures, at midmorning during winter solstice over the latitude range 90 degrees S to 90 degrees N. The expected seasonal variation in N2 was found at 200 km together with a more complex behavior in molecular oxygen than might be expected from a diffusive equilibrium model with constant lower boundary values. Under geomagnetically quiet conditions the equatorial 200 km value of O2 was about 1.7 x 10 to the 8th/cu cm. A local maximum in the 200 km O2 densities was found near 70 degrees N, where an average quiet time value was 2.5 x 10 to the 8th/cu cm, implying a 120 km density of 8.3 x 10 to the 10th/cu cm. The in situ temperature measurements confirm the presence of higher temperatures near 70 degrees N latitude, even during geomagnetically quiet conditions.

Kayser, D. C.↗

Direct measurements of neutral wave characteristics in the thermosphere

The elliptical and circular phases of the Atmosphere Explorer-C satellite have provided the basis for a study of the neutral wave characteristics in the thermosphere using data collected by the open source mass spectrometer used to measure both reactive (O,N) and nonreactive (O2, N2, He, Ar) constituents. The phase relationships between the constituents are discussed and the results of a wave occurrence and amplitude survey covering 338 despun orbits in which the local time and latitude characteristics of the waves are presented are discussed. Conclusions based on this survey are tested in a study of waves measured at high latitudes during a geomagnetic storm.

Potter, W. E.↗

Recombination of O2/+/ in the ionosphere

In spite of the excellent agreement between various laboratory measurements of the recombination rate of O2(+) with electrons, it is still questionable whether the laboratory results apply in the ionosphere, because although the radiative lifetime of vibrating O2(+) is not well known, indications are that it may be very long. Whether the laboratory results apply in the atmosphere depends on whether the recombination rate is dependent on the vibrational state of the O2(+) ion and on whether the ions are deactivated (or not) in both the laboratory experiments and the atmosphere prior to recombination. To obtain reliable answers to these questions, the present study was carried out to determine the recombination of O2(+) in the ionosphere from in situ measurements of the relevant temperatures and densities made by the open source mass spectrometer carried by the AE-C satellite. The photochemistry involved is discussed. The results show that the ionospheric determination of the recombination rate of O2(+) with electrons agrees with the laboratory measurements of Walls and Dunn (1974) for electron temperatures between 1200 and 2000 K.

Torr, D. G.↗

In situ measurements of neon in the thermosphere

The open source neutral mass spectrometer on the Atmosphere Explorer-C satellite has measured neon in the thermosphere. The absolute density of Ne is close to that predicted by using the ground level fraction by volume of Ne along with the assumption of diffusive equilibrium above 100 km. Data is presented for both geomagnetically quiet and disturbed circular orbits. At 290 km, a typical low latitude value of Ne is 3.0 x 10 to the 4th/cu cm. At this altitude Ne appears to be predominantly controlled by temperature except during magnetic disturbances, when offsetting forces due to wind systems may be present.

Potter, W. E.↗

Empirical model of atomic nitrogen in the upper thermosphere

Atomic nitrogen number densities in the upper thermosphere measured by the open source neutral mass spectrometer (OSS) on Atmosphere Explorer-C during 1974 and part of 1975 have been used to construct a global empirical model at an altitude of 375 km based on a spherical harmonic expansion. The most evident features of the model are large diurnal and seasonal variations of atomic nitrogen and only a moderate and latitude-dependent density increase during periods of geomagnetic activity. Maximum and minimum N number densities at 375 km for periods of low solar activity are 3.6 x 10 to the 6th/cu cm at 1500 LST (local solar time) and low latitude in the summer hemisphere and 1.5 x 10 to the 5th/cu cm at 0200 LST at mid-latitudes in the winter hemisphere.

Engebretson, M. J.↗