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At least 379 records · Page 21

Overview of Recent EAST Testing, Modeling & Analysis

Shock Layer Radiation at NASA Ames - Background: Complex aerothermal and thermochemical phenomena of planetary entry define convective and radiative heating. A spacecraft's TPS (Thermal Protective System) mitigates heat transfer to substructure. Successful TPS design relies on verifiable characterization of these phenomena in the anticipated flight environment. - Approach: EAST (Electric Arc Shock Tube) [facility at Ames] simulates high-enthalpy, real-gas phenomena encountered by hypersonic vehicles entering planetary atmospheres by spectrally imaging the flow behind a moving shock wave. - Goal: Validate aerothermal models (DPLR (Data Parallel Line Relaxation Code) and NEQAIR (Nonequilibrium Radiative Transport and Spectra Program)), inform model improvements, reduce uncertainty and quantify design uncertainties. - Recent Relevant Projects: MSL (Mars Science Laboratory) & Mars 2020, InSight, OSIRIS-REx (Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security Regolith Explorer), Orion EFT-1 (Exploration Flight-1) and EM-1 (Exploration Mission-1) and New Frontiers.

Brandis, Aaron↗

Characterization Testing of Space-Flight Lockheed Martin Micro1-2 Cryocooler for the Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE)

The Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE) instrument on the Europa Clipper mission uses a Lockheed Martin “high-power” Micro1-2 pulse tube cryocooler with a heat rejection temperature around 220 K to provide cooling at 80 K. This paper describes the thermal performance and exported forces characterization testing and results of the space-flight Lockheed Martin Micro1-2 cooler optimized for these conditions. Prior to these characterization tests, the cooler passed random vibration and thermal vacuum cycling at Lockheed Martin.

Rodriguez, Jose↗

Voyager spacecraft images of Jupiter and Saturn

The Voyager imaging system is described, noting that it is made up of a narrow-angle and a wide-angle TV camera, each in turn consisting of optics, a filter wheel and shutter assembly, a vidicon tube, and an electronics subsystem. The narrow-angle camera has a focal length of 1500 mm; its field of view is 0.42 deg and its focal ratio is f/8.5. For the wide-angle camera, the focal length is 200 mm, the field of view 3.2 deg, and the focal ratio of f/3.5. Images are exposed by each camera through one of eight filters in the filter wheel on the photoconductive surface of a magnetically focused and deflected vidicon having a diameter of 25 mm. The vidicon storage surface (target) is a selenium-sulfur film having an active area of 11.14 x 11.14 mm; it holds a frame consisting of 800 lines with 800 picture elements per line. Pictures of Jupiter, Saturn, and their moons are presented, with short descriptions given of the area being viewed.

Birnbaum, M. M.↗

Multimode-Optical-Fiber Imaging Probe

Currently, endoscopic surgery uses single-mode fiber-bundles to obtain in vivo image information inside the orifices of the body. This limits their use to the larger natural orifices and to surgical procedures where there is plenty of room for manipulation. The knee joint, for example, can be easily viewed with a fiber optic viewer, but joints in the finger cannot. However, there are a host of smaller orifices where fiber endoscopy would play an important role if a cost effective fiber probe were developed with small enough dimensions (less than or equal to 250 microns). Examples of beneficiaries of micro-endoscopes are the treatment of the Eustatian tube of the middle ear, the breast ducts, tear ducts, coronary arteries, fallopian tubes, as well as the treatment of salivary duct parotid disease, and the neuro endoscopy of the ventricles and spinal canal. This work describes an approach for recovering images from tightly confined spaces using multimode. The concept draws upon earlier works that concentrated on image recovery after two-way transmission through a multimode fiber as well as work that demonstrated the recovery of images after one-way transmission through a multimode fiber. Both relied on generating a phase conjugated wavefront, which was predistorted with the characteristics of the fiber. The approach described here also relies on generating a phase conjugated wavefront, but utilizes two fibers to capture the image at some intermediate point (accessible by the fibers, but which is otherwise visually inaccessible).

Jackson, Deborah↗

MapX: An In Situ, Full-Frame X-Ray Spectroscopic Imager for the Biogenic Elements

Microbial life exploits microscale disequilibria at boundaries where valence, chemical potential, pH, Eh, etc. vary on a length scale commensurate with the organisms themselves - tens to hundreds of micrometers. These disequilibria can exist within cracks or veins in rocks and ice, at inter- or intra-crystalline boundaries, at sediment/water or sediment/atmosphere interfaces, or even within fluid inclusions trapped inside minerals. The detection of accumulations of the biogenic elements C,N,O,P,S at appropriate concentrations on or in a mineral/ice substrate would constitute permissive evidence of extant life, but context is also required. Does the putative biosignature exist in a habitable environment? Under what conditions of P, T, and chemical potential was the host mineralogy formed? MapX is an arm-deployed contact instrument that directly images the biogenic elements C, N, O, P, S, as well as the cations of the rock-forming minerals (Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe) and important anions such as Cl, Fl. The instrument provides element images having ≤100 micron lateral spatial resolution over a 2.5 cm X 2.5 cm area, as well as quantitative XRF spectra from ground-selected or instrument-selected Regions of Interest (ROI) on the sample. Quantitative XRF spectra from ROI can be translated into mineralogies using ground- or instrument-based algorithms. Either an X-ray tube source (X-ray fluorescence) or a radioisotope source such as 244-Cm (alpha-particle and gamma-ray fluorescence) can be used, and characteristic X-rays emitted from the sample are imaged onto an X-ray sensitive CCD through an X-ray MicroPore Optic (MPO). As a fluorescent source, 244-Cm is highly desirable in a MapX instrument intended for life detection since high-energy alpha-particles are unrivaled in fluorescence yield for the low-Z elements. The MapX design as well as baseline performance requirements for a MapX instrument intended for life detection/identification of habitable environments will be presented.

micro-XRF spectrometer↗

On-Orbit Performance of the TES Pulse Tube Cryocooler System and the Instrument - Six Years in Space

The Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) instrument pulse tube cryocoolers began operation 36 days after launch of the NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) Aura spacecraft on July 15, 2004. TES is designed with four infrared Mercury Cadmium Telluride focal plane arrays in two separate housings cooled by a pair of Northrup Grumman Aerospace Systems (NGAS) single-stage pulse tube cryocoolers. The instrument also makes use of a two-stage passive cooler to cool the optical bench. The instrument is a high-resolution infrared imaging Fourier transform spectrometer with 3.3-15.4 micron spectral coverage. After four weeks of outgassing, the instrument optical bench and focal planes were cooled to their operating temperatures to begin science operations. During the early months of the mission, ice contamination of the cryogenic surfaces including the focal planes led to increased cryocooler loads and the need for periodic decontamination cycles. After a highly successful 5 years of continuous in-space operations, TES was granted a 2 year extension. This paper reports on the TES cryogenic system performance including the two-stage passive cooler. After a brief overview of the cryogenic design, the paper presents detailed data on the highly successful space operation of the pulse tube cryocoolers and instrument thermal design over the past six years since the original turn-on in 2004. The data shows the cryogenic contamination decreased substantially to where decontamination cycles are now performed every six months. The cooler stroke required for constant-temperature operation has not increased indicating near-constant cooler efficiency and the instrument's thermal design has also provided a nearly constant heat rejection sink. At this time TES continues to operate in space providing important Earth science data.

cryocoolercraft↗

High speed photography, videography, and photonics III; Proceedings of the Meeting, San Diego, CA, August 22, 23, 1985

Papers are presented on the picosecond electronic framing camera, photogrammetric techniques using high-speed cineradiography, picosecond semiconductor lasers for characterizing high-speed image shutters, the measurement of dynamic strain by high-speed moire photography, the fast framing camera with independent frame adjustments, design considerations for a data recording system, and nanosecond optical shutters. Consideration is given to boundary-layer transition detectors, holographic imaging, laser holographic interferometry in wind tunnels, heterodyne holographic interferometry, a multispectral video imaging and analysis system, a gated intensified camera, a charge-injection-device profile camera, a gated silicon-intensified-target streak tube and nanosecond-gated photoemissive shutter tubes. Topics discussed include high time-space resolved photography of lasers, time-resolved X-ray spectrographic instrumentation for laser studies, a time-resolving X-ray spectrometer, a femtosecond streak camera, streak tubes and cameras, and a short pulse X-ray diagnostic development facility.

Ponseggi, B. G.↗

Broadening the interface bandwidth in simulation based training

Currently most computer based simulations rely exclusively on computer generated graphics to create the simulation. When training is involved, the method almost exclusively used to display information to the learner is text displayed on the cathode ray tube. MICROEXPERT Systems is concentrating on broadening the communications bandwidth between the computer and user by employing a novel approach to video image storage combined with sound and voice output. An expert system is used to combine and control the presentation of analog video, sound, and voice output with computer based graphics and text. Researchers are currently involved in the development of several graphics based user interfaces for NASA, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy. Here, the focus is on the human factors considerations, software modules, and hardware components being used to develop these interfaces.

Somers, Larry E.↗

The Effects of B/L-Dependent Heating on the Formation and Evolution of a Multi-Threaded Prominence

We have developed a comprehensive, multi-threaded, three-dimensional model of the plasma dynamics and energetics of a prominence and its overlying arcade (Luna et al. 2012). In this model, the basic magnetic structure is that of two interacting sheared arcades, while the cool condensations composing the prominence are formed by the well-studied thermal nonequilibrium mechanism. In a given filament-channel flux tube, the mass is evaporated from the chromosphere by heating localized near the footpoints, and condenses in the form of transient blobs or a persistent thread. Our previous studies of thermal nonequilibrium used steady or impulsive heating functions with no dependence on local physical. However, parametric active-region models with steady heating proportional to B/L, where B is the flux-tube magnetic field strength at each footpoint and L is the flux-tube length, yield the best agreement with observations (e.g., Schrijver et al. 2008). We have determined the effects of this active-region heating function on our model for the formation and evolution of prominence mass. We have also expanded the range of our computational domain to include more ofthe overlying arcade (the so-called "cavity") than in Luna et al. (2012), and have increased the number of selected flux tubes from 125 to 533. We will illustrate the time-dependent plasma behavior produced by the B/L heating function with synthetic images in several ALA passbands, and compare the resulting prominence properties with those predicted by our model with steady heating.

Karpen, Judith T.↗

Progress in Interferometric Rayleigh Scattering to Measure Fluctuations Spectra of Velocity and Temperature in High Speed Flows

A new, spectrally-resolved, Rayleigh scattering setup at NASA Ames is further developed to measure fluctuations in velocity and temperature. Using a combination of a continuous-wave laser, a stabilized Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI), an EMCCD camera, and a photo-multiplier tube, the setup was demonstrated to provide fairly accurate measurements of time-averaged velocity, temperature, density and spectrum of density fluctuations in a high-speed free jet (Panda & White, 2018). This paper describes further progress in fast measurement of the Rayleigh-Brillouin spectrum via a 16-anode linear-array of photo-multiplier tube and a multi-channel, photo-electron counter. Rayleigh scattered light from a 0.4mm long probe volume was directly imaged through the FPI and was imaged on the linear array. Synchronous photo-electron counting over a series of short, contiguous gates provided time-evolution of the fringes at a 10 kHz sampling rate. Sample spectra collected from a Mach 0.98 jet show spectral content floating on high noise-floor. Efforts to collect longer time series of data and different schemes of extracting velocity and temperature information are now in progress.

Panda, J.↗

Characterization Testing of Lockheed Martin Micro1-2 Cryocoolers Optimized for 220 K Environment

The Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE) Instrument on the Europa Clipper mission has baselined a Lockheed Martin high-power Micro1-2 pulse tube cryocooler operating at 135 Hz with a 220 K heat rejection temperature. This paper describes the testing and results of two Lockheed Martin Micro1-2 coolers optimized for these conditions. The thermal performance of the microcoolers was measured in vacuum for heat reject temperatures between 220 and 230 K. The coolers were operated with input powers ranging from 5 W to 40 W and drive frequency between 125 Hz and 145 Hz. The optimal drive frequency was strongly dependent on heat reject temperature. In addition, the exported forces and torques of the coolers were measured at 300 K heat rejection for input powers ranging from 5 W to 60 W and drive frequency between 120 Hz and 160 Hz. The exported forces were dependent on both piston amplitude and drive frequency. Moreover, the following were measured on one of the coolers: DC and AC magnetic fields at various locations, the off-state conductance of the pulse tube, and the effect of inclination angle of the pulse tube relative to gravity on the performance of the cooler. Finally, one of the coolers was subjected to random vibration testing.

Rodriguez, J.I.↗

Combining Multi-Faceted Laboratory Studies of 74001-2 and Regional Remote Sensing to Address How Pyroclastic Eruptions Record and Affect the Lunar Volatile Budget

Basaltic magmatism is an efficient process for bringing volatiles from a planetary interior to its surface, with the possibility of generation of a transient lunar atmosphere as abundant volcanic materials de-gassed. However, pyroclastic deposits are locations where trapped gases may be studied [e.g., 2,3]. Volatile-rich pyroclastic deposits occur over a wide surface area of the Moon, indicating that the transport of volatiles and associated pyroclastic materials from the Moon’s mantle to the surface was a wide-spread phenomenon. Numerous studies analyzing remotely sensed data and using empirical modeling have demonstrated that various stages of pyroclastic eruptions significantly influence gas release patterns, morphology, and mineralogy of the deposit. Many observations based on mare basalts and pyroclastic deposits have identified potential histories of gas release [e.g., 2-10] and their influence on volatiles and their stable isotopes [e.g., 11-13]. The best representation of these pyroclastic deposits in the sample collection is core sample 74001-74002 that was collected during the Apollo 17 mission to the Taurus-Littrow Valley (TLV). The double drive tube penetrated a part of a regional-scale pyroclastic deposit and sampled approximately 68.1 cm of that deposit in the TLV. Remnants of this and other pyroclastic depos-its are represented throughout and beyond the TLV [e.g., 14-16]. The stratigraphy of this core has been investigated and defined by numerous studies. The CASA Moon SSERVI research team is conducting a multi-faceted analytical study of this deposit. Data generated from revisiting the stratigraphy of 74001-74002 will be used to place stable isotopes (H, B, Cl, S, Zn, Cu, Rb, Ga, Pb), Ar-Ar and U-Pb chronology, geochemistry, nanometer-scale observations of mineral surfaces, orbital observations, and experiments and modeling within a stratigraphic, eruptive, and geologic context. It is important to place these data into such a context. For example, recent S isotope measurements reported by Dottin et al. show differences within this core that may be related to either changes in source or eruptive process over the course of the eruption (vs. multiple eruptions). A fuller understanding of the stratigraphy is fundamental to resolving this interpretation. This comprehensive approach can only be achieved within the context of a program such as SSERVI. In addition, imaging produced in this project will be incorporated into a citizen scientist program to further identify many of the textural features of this double drive tube.

SSERVI↗

Laser Brazing of High Temperature Braze Alloy

The Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) consists of 1080 conical tubes, which are furnace brazed themselves, manifolds, and surrounding structural jacket making almost four miles of braze joints. Subsequent furnace braze cycles are performed due to localized braze voids between the coolant tubes. SSME nozzle experiences extremely high heat flux (180 mW/sq m) during hot fire. Braze voids between coolant tubes may result in hot combustion gas escape causing jacket bulges. The nozzle can be disqualified for flight or result in mission failure if the braze voids exceed the limits. Localized braze processes were considered to eliminate braze voids, however, damage to the parent materials often prohibited use of such process. Being the only manned flight reusable rocket engine, it has stringent requirement on the braze process. Poor braze quality or damage to the parent materials limits the nozzle service life. The objective of this study was to develop a laser brazing process to provide quality, localized braze joints without adverse affect on the parent materials. Gold (Au-Cu-Ni-Pd-Mn) based high temperature braze alloys were used in both powder and wire form. Thin section iron base superalloy A286 tube was used as substrate materials. Different Laser Systems including CO2 (10.6 micrometers, 1kW), ND:YAG (1.06 micrometers, 4kW). and direct diode laser (808nm. 150W) were investigated for brazing process. The laser process variables including wavelength. laser power, travel speed and angle of inclination were optimized according to bead geometry and braze alloy wetting at minimum heat input level, The properties of laser brazing were compared to that of furnace brazing. Microhardness profiles were used for braze joint property comparison between laser and furnace brazing. The cooling rate of laser brazing was compared to furnace brazing based on secondary dendritic arm spacing, Both optical and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) were used to evaluate the microstructures of the braze materials and tube substrate. Metallography of the laser braze joint was compared to the furnace braze. SEM Energy Disperse X-Ray Spectra (EDX) and back scattered imaging were used to analyze braze alloy segregation. Although all of the laser systems, CO2, ND:YAG, and direct diode laser produced good braze joint, the direct diode laser was selected for its system simplicity, compactness and portability. Excellent laser and braze alloy coupling is observed with powder alloy compared to braze alloy wire. Good wetting is found with different gold based braze alloys. The laser brazing process can be optimized so that the adverse affect on the parent materials can be eliminated. Metallography of the laser braze joint has shown that quality braze joint was produced with laser brazing process. Penetration of the laser braze to the substrate is at neglectable level. Zero penetration is observed. Microstructure examinations shown that no observable changes of the microstructure (grain structure and precipitation) in the HAZ area between laser braze and furnace braze. Wide gaps can be laser brazed with single pass for up to 0.024 inches. Finer dendritic structure is observed in laser brazing compared with equiaxial and coarser grain of the furnace brazing microstructure. Greater segregation is also found in the furnace braze. Higher hardness of the laser braze joint comparing to furnace braze is observed due to the fast cooling rate and Finer microstructure in the laser brazing. Laser braze joint properties meet or exceed the furnace joint properties. Direct diode laser for thin section tube brazing with high temperature braze alloys have been successfully demonstrated. The laser's high energy density and precise control has shown significant advantages in reducing process heat input to the substrates and provide high quality braze joints comparing to other localized braze process such as torch, TIG, and MPTA processes. Significant cost savings can be realized particularly with localized braze comparing to a full furnace braze cycle.

Gao, Y. P.↗

Observing Ice Sublimation From Water-Doped Lunar Simulant at Cryogenic Temperatures

NASA's Resource Prospector (RP) mission is intended to characterize the three-dimensional nature of volatiles in lunar polar and permanently shadowed regions. The Near-Infrared Volatile Spectrometer System (NIRVSS) observes while a drill penetrates to a maximum depth of 1 m. Any 10 cm increment of soil identified as containing water ice can be delivered to a heating crucible with the evolved gas delivered to a gas chromatograph / mass spectrometer. NIRVSS consists of two components; a spectrometer box (SB) and bracket assembly (BA), connected by two fiber optic cables. The SB contains separate short- and long-wavelength spectrometers, SW and LW respectively, that collectively span the 1600-3400 nm range. The BA contains an IR emitter (lamp), drill observation camera (DOC, 2048 x 2048 CMOS detector), 8 different wavelength LEDs, and a longwave calibration sensor (LCS) measuring the surface emissivity at four IR wavelengths. Tests of various RP sub-systems have been under-taken in a large cryo-vacuum chamber at Glenn Re-search Center. The chamber accommodates a tube (1.2 m high x 25.4 cm diameter) filled with lunar simulant, NU-LHT-3M, prepared with known abundances of water. Thermocouples are embedded at different depths, and also across the surface of the soil tube. In the chamber the tube is cooled with LN2 as the pressure is reduced to approx. 5-6x10(exp -6) Torr. For the May 2016 tests two soil tubes were prepared with initially 2.5 Wt.% water. The shroud surrounding the soil tube was held at different temperatures for each tube to simulate a warm and cold lunar environment. Table 1 provides a summary of experimental conditions and Figure 1 shows the nominal view of the NIRVSS components, the drill foot, and the top of the soil tube. Once the average soil temperature reached approx. 178 K, drilling commenced. During drilling activities NIRVSS was alternating between obtaining spectra and obtaining images. Here we discuss NIRVSS spectral data obtained during controlled drill percussions.

Roush, T. L.↗

Radiation sensitive area detection device and method

A radiation sensitive area detection device for use in conjunction with an X ray, ultraviolet or other radiation source is provided which comprises a phosphor containing film which releases a stored diffraction pattern image in response to incoming light or other electromagnetic wave. A light source such as a helium-neon laser, an optical fiber capable of directing light from the laser source onto the phosphor film and also capable of channelling the fluoresced light from the phosphor film to an integrating sphere which directs the light to a signal processing means including a light receiving means such as a photomultiplier tube. The signal processing means allows translation of the fluoresced light in order to detect the original pattern caused by the diffraction of the radiation by the original sample. The optical fiber is retained directly in front of the phosphor screen by a thin metal holder which moves up and down across the phosphor screen and which features a replaceable pinhole which allows easy adjustment of the resolution of the light projected onto the phosphor film. The device produces near real time images with high spatial resolution and without the distortion that accompanies prior art devices employing photomultiplier tubes. A method is also provided for carrying out radiation area detection using the device of the invention.

Carter, Daniel C.↗

Multimode-Optical-Fiber Imaging Probe

Currently, endoscopic surgery uses single-mode fiber-bundles to obtain in vivo image information inside orifices of the body. This limits their use to the larger natural bodily orifices and to surgical procedures where there is plenty of room for manipulation. The knee joint, for example can be easily viewed with a fiber optic viewer, but joints in the finger cannot. However, there are a host of smaller orifices where fiber endoscopy would play an important role if a cost effective fiber probe were developed with small enough dimensions (< 250 microns). Examples of beneficiaries of micro-endoscopes are the treatment of the Eustatian tube of the middle ear, the breast ducts, tear ducts, coronary arteries, fallopian tubes, as well as the treatment of salivary duct parotid disease, and the neuro endoscopy of the ventricles and spinal canal. To solve this problem, this work describes an approach for recovering images from. tightly confined spaces using multimode fibers and analytically demonstrates that the concept is sound. The proof of concept draws upon earlier works that concentrated on image recovery after two-way transmission through a multimode fiber as well as work that demonstrated the recovery of images after one-way transmission through a multimode fiber. Both relied on generating a phase conjugated wavefront which was predistorted with the characteristics of the fiber. The described approach also relies on generating a phase conjugated wavefront, but utilizes two fibers to capture the image at some intermediate point (accessible by the fibers, but which is otherwise visually unaccessible).

Jackson, Deborah↗

Magnetic flux tubes and their relation to continuum and photospheric features

An investigation is made of the relationship between photospheric 'filigree' light points, line-center brightness, and magnetic field, as inferred from sets of individual images and films showing a distinct difference between two classes of magnetic regions. While in the first such region the vertical velocity field is average and the magnetic field is mostly confined in narrow lanes, the granulation pattern of the second scale is much smaller, the vertical velocity is lower, and the magnetic field is less compact. Where granulation is normal, excellent correlation is obtained between bright continuum, line-center, and magnetic field line structure.

Title, A.↗

Image dissector photocathode solar damage test program

Image dissector sensors of the same type which will be used in the NASA shuttle star tracker were used in a series of tests directed towards obtaining solar radiation/time damage criteria. Data were evaluated to determine the predicted level of operability of the star tracker if tube damage became a reality. During the test series a technique for reducing the solar damage effect was conceived and verified. The damage concepts are outlined and the test methods and data obtained which were used for verification of the technique's feasibility are presented. The ability to operate an image dissector sensor with the solar image focussed on the photocathode by a fast optical lens under certain conditions is feasible and the elimination of a mechanical protection device is possible.

Smith, R. A.↗