Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Grounding line”

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 379 records · Page 21

Experiment T002: Manual navigation sightings

Navigation-type measurements through the window of the stabilized Gemini 12 spacecraft by the use of a hand-held sextant are reported. The major objectives were as follows: (1) to evaluate the ability of the crewmen to make accurate navigational measurements by the use of simple instruments in an authentic space flight environment; (2) to evaluate the operational feasibility of the measurement techniques by the use of the pressure suit with the helmet off and with the helmet on and the visor closed; (3) to evaluate operational problems associated with the spacecraft environment; and (4) to validate ground based simulation techniques by comparison of the inflight results with base line data obtained by the pilot by the use of simulators and celestial targets from ground based observatories.

Smith, D.↗

Hot Gas in Planetary Nebulae

It was successfully obtained the FUSE spectra of all targets awarded. The analysis of the spectra has been a complex task due to the superposition of the P-Cygni profile from the wind of the central star and absorption components from low ionization and molecular species in the nebular shell. In six of the eight targets there are narrow O VI absorption components that may arise from the interface layer between the hot (l0(exp 6) K) interior gas and the surrounding warm (l0(exp 4) K) dense nebular shell. To better determine whether these narrow O VI absorption lines arise from the interface region we have obtained ground-based high-dispersion spectroscopic observations of the central star and nebula to pin-point the precise line-of-sight velocity of the nebular emission lines. The comparison between these optical spectra with the far-UV spectra obtained with FUSE is complete. The analysis shows that in most cases the narrow O VI absorption components have velocities slightly redshifted from the emission lines which arise from the approaching side of the nebular shell. Preliminary results have been published in two papers.

Gruendl, Robert A.↗

Broadband Via-Less Microwave Crossover Using Microstrip-CPW Transitions

The front-to-back interface between microstrip and CPW (coplanar waveguide) typically requires complex fabrication or has high radiation loss. The microwave crossover typically requires a complex fabrication step. The prior art in microstrip-CPW transition requires a physical vias connection between the microstrip and CPW line on a separate layer. The via-less version of this transition was designed empirically and does not have a close form solution. The prior art of the micro wave crossover requires either additional substrate or wire bond as an air bridge to isolate two microwave lines at the crossing junction. The disadvantages are high radiation loss, no analytical solution to the problem, lengthy simulation time, and complex fabrication procedures to generate air bridges or via. The disadvantage of the prior crossover is a complex fabrication procedure, which also affects the device reliability and yield. This microstrip-CPW transition is visualized as two microstrip-slotline transitions combined in a way that the radiation from two slotlines cancels each other out. The invention is designed based on analytical methods; thus, it significantly reduces the development time. The crossover requires no extra layer to cross two microwave signals and has low radiation loss. The invention is simple to fabricate and design. It produces low radiation loss and can be designed with low insertion loss, with some tradeoff with signal isolation. The microstrip-CPW transition is used as an interface to connect between the device and the circuit outside the package. The via-less microwave crossover is used to allow two signals to cross without using an extra layer or fabrication processing step to enable this function. This design allows the solution to be determined entirely though analytical techniques. In addition, a planar via-less microwave crossover using this technique was proposed. The experimental results show that the proposed crossover at 5 GHz has a minimum isolation of 32 dB. It also has low in-band insertion loss and return loss of 1.2 dB and 18 dB, respectively, over more than 44 percent of bandwidth at room temperature. This microstrip-CPW transition requires the microstrip line to be split into two sections. Each section is connected to a microstrip quarter-wavelength openended stub. A slotline is also placed perpendicular to the microstrip section. The slot is connected to a grounded-end quarter-wavelength slotline and generates a microstrip-slotline transition. When two of these sections are placed in parallel and with the microstrip section combined at transition, a microstrip- CPW transition is formed. The slotline radiation is suppressed as two slots are excited with the electric field in an opposite direction, which cancels the radiation in far field. The invention on the crossover consists of the invented microstrip-CPW transitions combined back-to-back and a microstrip low-pass filter. One signal is crossed through to the microstrip layer, while the other signal is crossed through the CPW line located on the ground plane of the microstrip line. The microstrip low-pass filter produces a narrow line at the crossing point to enhance the system isolation. It also produces broadband response in the operating frequency band. The microstrip-CPW transition allows a microwave signal to travel from microstrip line to CPW line with low radiation loss. The crossover allows two microwave signals to cross with minimal parasitic coupling.

Stevenson, Thomas↗

Tethered Vehicle Control and Tracking System

A kite system includes a kite and a ground station. The ground station includes a sensor that can be utilized to determine an angular position and velocity of the kite relative to the ground station. A controller utilizes a fuzzy logic control system to autonomously fly the kite. The system may include a ground station having powered winding units that generate power as the lines to the kite are unreeled. The control system may be configured to fly the kite in a crosswind trajectory to increase line tension for power generation. The sensors for determining the position of the kite are preferably ground-based.

North, David D.↗

Tethered Vehicle Control and Tracking System

A kite system includes a kite and a ground station. The ground station includes a sensor that can be utilized to determine an angular position and velocity of the kite relative to the ground station. A controller utilizes a fuzzy logic control system to autonomously fly the kite. The system may include a ground station having powered winding units that generate power as the lines to the kite are unreeled. The control system may be configured to fly the kite in a crosswind trajectory to increase line tension for power generation. The sensors for determining the position of the kite are preferably ground-based.

North, David D.↗

Experimental and Computational Study fo CH, CH*, and OH* in an Axisymmetric Laminar Diffusion Flame

In this study, we extend the results of previous combined numerical and experimental investigations of an axisymmetric laminar diffusion flame in which difference Raman spectroscopy, laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), and a multidimensional flame model were used to generate profiles of the temperature and major and minor species. A procedure is outlined by which the number densities of ground-state CH (X(sup 2)II) excited-state CH (A(sup 2)Delta, denoted CH*), and excited-state OH (A(sup 2)Sigma, denoted OH*) are measured and modeled. CH* and OH* number densities are deconvoluted from line-of-sight flame-emission measurements. Ground-state CH is measured using linear LIF. The computations are done with GRI Mech 2.11 as well as an alternate hydrocarbon mechanism. In both cases, additional reactions for the production and consumption of CH* and OH* are added from recent kinetic studies. Collisional quenching and spontaneous emission are responsible for the de-excitation of the excited-state radicals. As with our previous investigations, GRI Mech 2.11 continues to produce very good agreement with the overall flame length observed in the experiments, while significantly under predicting the flame lift-off height. The alternate kinetic scheme is much more accurate in predicting lift-off height but overpredicts the over-all flame length. Ground-state CH profiles predicted with GRI Mech 2.11 are in excellent agreement with the corresponding measurements, regarding both spatial distribution and absolute concentration (measured at 4 ppm) of the CH radical. Calculations of the excited-state species show reasonable agreement with the measurements as far as spatial distribution and overall characteristics are concerned. For OH*, the measured peak mole fraction, 1.3 x 10(exp -8), compared well with computed peaks, while the measured peak level for CH*, 2 x 10(exp -9), was severely underpredicted by both kinetic schemes, indicating that the formation and destruction kinetics associated with excited-state species in flames require further research.

Walsh, K. T.↗

Line profile variations in M giants - Clues to mass-loss and chromospheric heating mechanisms

Analysis is presented of time-series, high dispersion spectra of the Mg II, k, Ca II H, and K lines of the semiregular giants Rho Per (M4 II-III, periodicity of about 50 days), R Lyr (M5 III, period of about 46 days), and g Her (M6 III, period of about 90 days). The fine error sensor on the IUE satellite and ground based UBV photometry was used to relate line profile variations to photospheric variations. The above mentioned stars were selected to study the relative importance of convective motions and global stellar pulsations in determining the structure of the outer atmospheres. Small amplitude changes, but substantial changes in the profiles of Mg II and Ca II lines were detected. It is contended that the observed variability is due to changes in chromospheric conditions and not variations within the circumstellar shell. The picture of a steady state chromosphere, which is modulated on long time scales, is corroborated by these observations. Localized heating is found in g Her.

Judge, P. G.↗

Theoretical intensity ratios for the UV lines of Mg VII, Si IX and S XI

Energy levels, oscillator strengths, and electron collision strengths have been computed for the configurations 2s2 2p2, 2s 2p3, 2p4 of Mg VII, Si IX, and S XI. Level populations for the ground configuration and theoretical intensity ratios for the UV lines are tabulated for electron densities and temperatures appropriate to the solar atmosphere. The identification of the Mg VII, Si IX, and S XI UV lines is discussed.

Mason, H. E.↗

The HST quasar absorption line key project. 9: An emission-line study of PG 2251+113

We present Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and quasi-simultaneous ground-based observations of the z = 0.3252 QSO PG 2251+113. We find a correlation between line widths and the critical density for de-excitation of the forbidden emission lines observed in this object. We can show that this correlation also applies to the semiforbidden and possibly also the permitted lines which arise in the broad emission-line region. While this result was predicted from statistical studies, it has never previously been shown to hold in detail in any individual object. This relationship between the narrow and broad emission-line regions may help constrain dynamical models of both regions. We examine the implications of this result for a simple radial infall model of the emitting gas developed to explain the origin of narrow-line profiles.

Espey, Brian R.↗

Line Profile Measurements of Atomic Oxygen at 1300 A with a VUV Raman Shifter

We are currently developing an atomic oxygen diagnostic to study the degree of oxygen dissociation in ground-based facilities. The absorption of the (sub 3)P - (sup 3)S(sup 0) resonance triplet in the vacuum ultraviolet is a direct measure of the ground state number density of atomic oxygen. Although the integrated line strength is well known for these transitions, the line profile is not. We report the results of a series of experiments in which the line profile is measured in shock-heated oxygen. An ArF excimer laser and a hydrogen Raman shifter generate tunable VUV radiation at the resonance wavelength. The test gas is dissociated oxygen, generated in the Electric Arc Shock Tube (EAST) Facility at NASA-Ames Research Center. By measuring the absorption of known concentrations of atomic oxygen, we are able to study the absorption line profile. The results will serve as a calibration to apply this diagnostic in other flowfields.

Sharma, Surendra P.↗

Collaborative Study for Analysis of High Resolution Infrared Atmospheric Spectra Between NASA Langley Research Center and the University of Denver

The Langley-D.U. collaboration on the analysis of high resolultion infrared atmospheric spectra covered a number of important studies of trace gases identification and quantification from field spectra, and spectral line parameters analysis. The collaborative work included: 1) Quantification and monitoring of trace gases from ground-based spectra available from various locations and seasons and from balloon flights; 2) Identification and preliminary quantification of several isotopic species, including oxygen and Sulfur isotopes; 3) Search for new species on the available spectra, including the use of selective coadding of ground-based spectra for high signal to noise; 4) Update of spectroscopic line parameters, by combining laboratory and atmospheric spectra with theoretical spectroscopy methods; 5) Study of trends and correlations of atmosphere trace constituents; and 6) Algorithms developments, retrievals intercomparisons and automatization of the analysis of NDSC spectra, for both column amounts and vertical profiles.

Goldman, A.↗

Effective mie-scattering and CO2 absorption in the dust-laden Martian atmosphere and its impact on radiative-convective temperature changes in the lower scale heights

A time dependent computer model of radiative-convective-conductive heat transfer in the Martian ground-atmosphere system was refined by incorporating an intermediate line strength CO2 band absorption which together with the strong-and weak-line approximation closely simulated the radiative transmission through a vertically inhomogeneous stratification. About 33,000 CO2 lines were processed to cover the spectral range of solar and planetary radiation. Absorption by silicate dust particulates, was taken into consideration to study its impact on the ground-atmosphere temperature field as a function of time. This model was subsequently attuned to IRIS, IR-radiometric and S-band occultation data. Satisfactory simulations of the measured IRIS spectra were accomplished for the dust-free condition. In the case of variable dust loads, the simulations were sufficiently fair so that some inferences into the effect of dust on temperature were justified.

Pallmann, A. J.↗

Effect of pictorial display configuration on the frequency of control reversals during aircraft landing approaches

A fixed-base simulator study to determine the effect of increased pictorial display realism on the frequency of control reversals made with an inside-out landing display was conducted. Display conditions included the effects of collimation and scale (head-up versus head-down presentation), horizon symbology (simple line versus white-black sky-ground surfaces), and ground plane realism (computer generated perspective versus a TV picture of a realistic model). The number of control reversals was moderately high on all displays. Control reversals to roll disturbances occurred nearly twice as frequently as reversals to either pitch or lateral rate disturbances. Though there were no significant differences among the numbers of small control reversals for the different displays, there was some evidence that this conclusion may not apply to large control reversals.

Lincoln, R.↗

DSS 14 operating noise temperature during Helios 1 near-sun tracking

When spacecraft are tracked near the line-of-sight of the sun, the ground antenna sidelobes see the solar noise. The solar noise increases the ground system operating noise temperature and degrades the downlink RF reception performance. At specific antenna azimuthal angles relative to the sun, noise peaks and nulls occur periodically throughout a day's tracking pass due to the quadripod support leg-generated sidelobes. This article documents this effect while tracking Helios 1, illustrates the time of the peaks, and compares the predicted time of the noise temperature peaks with the measured data.

Stelzried, C. T.↗

Line-of-sight electron density gradients as deduced from an empirical ionospheric model

A topside ionospheric model (Bent Ionospheric Model) was developed for an accurate prediction of integrated total electron content (TEC), from a global data acquired for the years 1962 to 1969. In this paper the effects of line-of-sight electron density gradients on ground to satellite measurements are discussed. The results of analyses show that in the presence of increasing density gradients, deduced values of vertical electron content or slab thicknesses will be too large, while for decreasing gradients these values will be smaller than they should be.

Nesterczuk, G.↗

A new search for insterstellar H2O absorption in the spectrum of Zeta Ophiuchi

Intensive Copernicus scans of the 1(11)-0(00) line of the F-X band of H2O were carried out, resulting in a 2 sigma upper limit of 1.04 mA for this line at 1114.225 A. The recently published f-value implies a column density limit of 5.3 x 10 to the 12th/sq cm, marginally above the level expected from recent chemical model calculations. A 1.8 sigma feature appears at the expected position of the H2O line, implying a column density for the ground rotational state of 2.8 x 10 to the 12th/sq cm.

Snow, T. P., Jr.↗

The laboratory millimeter and submillimeter spectrum of HCO

The rotational absorption frequencies of 68 new lines from the HCO radical in its ground electronic state have been measured in the millimeter and submillimeter spectral region. The large zero-field data set acquired has allowed the complex spectrum of this light asymmetric rotor with unpaired electronic spin and magnetic hyperfine interactions to be completely analyzed to within experimental accuracy for the first time. The wide range of states observed provides a highly accurate map of the rotational frequencies of the formyl radical, which should enable the abundance and excitation of interstellar HCO to be examined in detail.

Blake, G. A.↗

Interstellar O2. I - Abundance, excitation, and prospects for detection of O-16O-18 at radio frequencies

Molecular oxygen, O2, is predicted to be an important constituent of the interstellar gas, but it has not yet been detected in interstellar clouds. In this paper, the gas phase production and destruction of O2 are reconsidered, a non-LTE calculation of level populations at cloud temperatures is presented, and O2 column densities in diffuse and dark clouds are predicted. Ground-based detection of the 234 GHz line of O-16O-18 is shown to be feasible; if CO and O2 are comparable in abundance in clouds similar to the Taurus molecular cloud or in giant molecular clouds, the brightness temperature is predicted to be 0.1 K.

Black, J. H.↗