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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 379 records · Page 21
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NASA NTRS1972

Capabilities of the Skylab-A spectrometer (S191) for remote sensing of surface targets in the thermal-infrared spectral region

The effects of some of the factors which fundamentally limit the amount of information which can be deduced from spectrometer (S191) measurements, made from the orbital altitude of Skylab-A, of the thermal-infrared power radiated into space from typical surface targets are discussed. The particular significance of this spectral region is that the power radiated at night is comparable in intensity to that in daylight. Calculations were made which simulate the quality of spectrometer data that could be expected from spectral measurements made in space, of the thermal-infrared radiation emitted from typical rocks on the surface. The results indicate that the reststrahlen structure in these spectra is not distinctive enough to permit reliable identification of the rocks. This conclusion is confirmed by relevant data which have already been obtained from aircraft and spacecraft.

Newsome, R. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Rocket flight performance of a preprototype Apollo 17 UV spectrometer S-169

The design, construction, testing, calibration, flight performance and flight data of an Ebert ultraviolet spectrometer are described which is an accurate representation of the conceptual design of the Apollo 17 UV spectrometer. The instrument was flown in an Aerobee 350 rocket from Wallops Island, Va., at 7:10 p.m. EDT on June 10, 1971 to an altitude of 328 km with a solar elevation angle of about 11 deg.

Fastie, W. G.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Solar wind spectrometer experiment

With the deployment of the Apollo 15 lunar surface experiments package, two identical solar-wind spectrometers (SWS), separated by approximately 1100 km, are now on the lunar surface. The spectrometers provide the first opportunity to measure the properties of the solar plasma simultaneously at two locations a fixed distance apart. It is hoped that these simultaneous observations will yield new information about the plasma and its interaction with the Moon and the geomagnetic field. At the time of preparation of this report, magnetic tapes of only 20 hours of simultaneous data had been received. These data are discussed.

Clay, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Lunar orbital mass spectrometer experiment

The experiment to measure the composition and distribution of the ambient lunar atmosphere by mass spectrometer is reported. The lunar orbital mass spectrometer is described along with the calibration procedures for the instrument. Preliminary results indicate that a large number of gas molecules were observed in the vicinity of the spacecraft in lunar orbit. Many of these molecules are considered to be of spacecraft origin.

Hoffman, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Lunar mass spectrometer test program

The procedures are described along with results obtained in a test program conducted to demonstrate the performance of a candidate lunar mass spectrometer. The instrument was designed to sample and measure gases believed to exist in the lunar atmosphere at the surface. The subject instrument consists of a cold cathode ion source, a small quadrupole mass analyzer and an off axis electron multiplier ion counting detector. The major program emphasis was placed on demonstrating instrument resolution, sensitivity and S/N ratio over the mass range 0-150 amu and over a partial pressure range from 10 to the minus 9th power to 10 to the minus 13th power torr. Ultrahigh vacuum tests were conducted and the minimum detectable partial pressure for neon, argon, krypton and xenon was successfully determined for the spectrometer using isotopes of these gases. With the exception of neon, the minimum detectable partial pressure is approximately 4 x 10 to the minus 14th power torr for the above gases.

Torney, F. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A versatile Mossbauer spectrometer and its applications in vibration measurement

A Fe-57 Mossbauer spectrometer, equally efficient in transmission and reflection geometries, is described. The radiation detector consists of a 1.524- by 5.08 by 5.08-cm rectangular NaI(Tl) crystal with a hole 1.524 cm in diameter. The front and back faces of the crystal are covered with beryllium windows 0.0127 cm thick and 3.81 cm in diameter. The energy of the radiation accepted for counting ranges from 6.3 keV conversion X-rays to the 14.4 keV reemitted gamma rays. The spectrometer was used to measure various types of low frequency (10 Hz) and low amplitude (0.254 mm) periodic motion of steel specimens.

Singh, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

The NRL OSO-4 Bragg crystal spectrometer instrument

Two Bragg crystal spectrometers were placed on the OSO-4 satellite to study solar flare plasmas by their spectral emissions. The solar flare plasma parameters were measured with these spectrometers, which together covered a total wavelength range of 0.6 to 8.4 A. With these instruments, knowledge could be gained into the mechanisms governing the plasma behavior in the high temperature-low density regime of flare production and in solar evolution and elemental abundances in the sun. However, spacecraft limitations forced many restrictions on the design of the instrument, so the final instrument could not measure all the solar flare plasma state parameters.

Meekins, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A preliminary design study for a cosmic X-ray spectrometer

The results are described of theoretical and experimental investigations aimed at the development of a curved crystal cosmic X-ray spectrometer to be used at the focal plane of the large orbiting X-ray telescope on the third High Energy Astronomical Observatory. The effort was concentrated on the development of spectrometer concepts and their evaluation by theoretical analysis, computer simulation, and laboratory testing with breadboard arrangements of crystals and detectors. In addition, a computer-controlled facility for precision testing and evaluation of crystals in air and vacuum was constructed. A summary of research objectives and results is included.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1971

A Bragg spectrometer for stellar X-ray astronomy.

Poor energy resolution and the steeply varying continuum spectrum make it impossible to obtain with proportional counters an unambiguous identification of certain emission features of Sco X-1. For this reason a Bragg crystal spectrometer was constructed. The instrument, flown successfully aboard an Aerobee-170 rocket, scanned the spectral range from 2.4 to 2.9 keV. The spectrometer consists of two large reflecting crystals of synthetic graphite. The results obtained during the flight of the instrument clearly indicate that the Bragg method can yield much higher sensitivity to line emission than can proportional counter methods.

Kestenbaum, H.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Superconducting magnetic spectrometer for cosmic ray nuclei.

This paper describes the design, calibration, and operation of a magnetic spectrometer for particle astronomy. The spectrometer consists of a superconducting magnet, optical spark chambers, scintillation detectors, and associated electronics. The instrument has been flown in a balloon gondola to 4.8 g/sq cm residual atmosphere, where it was used to analyze the charge and differential rigidity spectra of primary nuclei from 5 to 100 GeV/c.

Smith, L. H.↗
NASA NTRS1972

On the determination of thermospheric atomic-oxygen densities with rocket-borne mass spectrometers.

The experimental investigation of the atomic oxygen response of an open-source mass spectrometer conducted in a high-velocity molecular-beam facility is described, and its results are evaluated. These preliminary results illustrate the value of studies of this type and tentatively support the thesis that in rocket flights of open-source mass spectrometers atomic oxygen loss is not a serious problem.

Neir, A. O.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Broadening of fast-beam spectral lines due to diffraction at the entrance slit of a spectrometer.

Experimental and theoretical demonstration of the necessity to take into account the effects of diffraction at a spectrometer's entrance slit in adjusting the spectrometer for observation of fast-beam spectral lines under conditions of minimum linewidth. An approximate expression is obtained for the optimum entrance slit width to be used in order to avoid the pronounced broadening of the spectral lines that occurs for very narrow entrance slits.

Leavitt, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Mariner 6 and 7 ultraviolet spectrometer experiment - Photometry and topography of Mars.

From data obtained by the ultraviolet spectrometers aboard the Mariner 6 and 7 Mars missions the reflectivity of the illuminated disk of Mars was found to have two distinct spectral types, associated with polar and nonpolar regions. In this work the characteristic spectrum of nonpolar regions on Mars is discussed. An interpretation of the variation of the intensity at 3050 A due to surface pressure variations is given. A comparison of the ultraviolet observations with pressures inferred by the infrared spectrometer is used to test this interpretation and to determine physical parameters of Mars which lead to the observed reflectance. Earth based pressures obtained by broadening of the one-micron band of CO2 and radar topography are compared with the ultraviolet results.

Hord, C. W.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Development and testing of the ultraviolet spectrometer for the Mariner Mars 1971 spacecraft

The Mariner Mars 1971 ultraviolet spectrometer is an Ebert-Fastie type of the same basic design as the Mariner Mars 1969 instrument. Light enters the instrument and is split into component wavelengths by a scanning reflection diffraction grating. Two monochrometer exit slits allow the use of two independent photomultiplier tube sensors. Channel 1 has a spectral range of 1100 to 1692 A with a fixed gain, while Channel 2 has a spectral range of 1450 to 3528 A with an automatic step gain control, providing a dynamic range over the expected atmosphere and surface brightness of Mars. The scientific objectives, basic operation, design, testing, and calibration for the Mariner Mars 1971 ultraviolet spectrometer are described. The design discussion includes those modifications that were necessary to extend the lifetime of the instrument in order to accomplish the Mariner Mars 1971 mission objectives.

Farrar, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Test report: Vibration testing of the electron/proton spectrometer structural test unit

The structural test unit of the electron-proton spectrometer was tested to a random vibration spectra and to a sinusoidal resonant search to comply with the requirements of a verification plan for the spectrometer. The test item consisted of mass simulated electronic and printed circuit boards mounted in a flight type electronic housing. The arrangement, center of gravity, and weight were as proposed for flight units.

Vincent, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Test report: Shock test of the electron/proton spectrometer structural test unit

A shock test of the electron-proton spectrometer structural test unit was conducted. The purpose of the shock test was to verify the structural integrity of the electron-spectrometer design and to obtain data on the shock response of the electronics and electronic housing. The test equipment is described and typical shock response data are provided.

Vincent, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Design certification review assessment report. Electron/proton spectrometer

The characteristics of the electron-photon spectrometer developed for the Skylab program are presented. The spectrometer is externally mounted on the Skylab module complex and provides omnidirectional measurement of electrons and protons which result from solar flares or enhancement of the radiation belts. The data are applied to the determination of relative biological effectiveness factors as a safety factor for manned space flight.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1972

Special report, exit slit mirrors for the Ebert spectrometer

The use of a very long straight entrance slit in an Ebert grating spectrometer with two plane mirrors at the shorter exit slit to increase the energy density is described. This system has been employed in a far ultraviolet rocket spectrometer to provide higher sensitivity than has been achieved previously. The imaging properties and required slit and mirror adjustments are presented. Experimental results are included.

Fastie, W. G.↗