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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 397 records · Page 22
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2022

Compositional Measurements of Saturn's Upper Atmosphere and Rings From Cassini INMS: An Extended Analysis of Measurements From Cassini's Grand Finale Orbits

The Cassini spacecraft's final orbits sampled Saturn's atmosphere and returned surprisingly complex mass spectra from the Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS). Signal returned from the instrument included native Saturn species, as expected, as well as a significant amount of signal attributed to vaporized ices and higher mass organics believed to be owing into Saturn's atmosphere from the rings. In this paper, we present an in-depth compositional analysis of the mass spectra returned from Cassini's last few orbits. We use a mass spectral deconvolution algorithm designed specifically to handle the complexities involved with unit resolution spaceflight mass spectrometry data to determine the relative abundance of species detected in the observations. We calculate the downward external flux and mass deposition rates of ring volatile species into Saturn's atmosphere and conclude that during these observations ring material was being deposited into Saturn's equatorial region at a rate on the order of 10(exp 4) kg/s.

Saturn↗
NASA NTRS2022

Compositional Measurements of Saturn's Upper Atmosphere and Rings From Cassini INMS: An Extended Analysis of Measurements From Cassini's Grand Finale Orbits

The Cassini spacecraft's final orbits sampled Saturn's atmosphere and returned surprisingly complex mass spectra from the Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS). Signal returned from the instrument included native Saturn species, as expected, as well as a significant amount of signal attributed to vaporized ices and higher mass organics believed to be flowing into Saturn's atmosphere from the rings. In this paper, we present an in-depth compositional analysis of the mass spectra returned from Cassini's last few orbits. We use a mass spectral deconvolution algorithm designed specifically to handle the complexities involved with unit resolution spaceflight mass spectrometry data to determine the relative abundance of species detected in the observations. We calculate the downward external flux and mass deposition rates of ring volatile species into Saturn's atmosphere and conclude that during these observations ring material was being deposited into Saturn's equatorial region at a rate on the order of 10(exp 4) kg/s.

Saturn↗
NASA NTRS1965

Hydrogen and helium ions

Hydrogen and helium ions - Theoretical considerations and observations obtained by ion mass spectrometry on spacecraft, ground-based backscatter, and VLF observations on satellites

BACKSCATTER↗
NASA NTRS1972

Analysis of chemical components from plant tissue samples

Information is given on the type and concentration of sterols, free fatty acids, and total fatty acids in plant tissue samples. All samples were analyzed by gas chromatography and then by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry combination. In each case the mass spectral data was accumulated as a computer printout and plot. Typical gas chromatograms are included as well as tables describing test results.

Laseter, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The in situ exobiological investigation of the Martian surface mineralogy during unmanned missions

An important goal of exobiological research is to determine if life arose on planets other than Earth. The only other planet known, to date, on which life may have arisen is Mars. The data suggest that the physical environment of early Mars (i.e., temperature, pressure, and radiation regimes) was suitable for life to arise. Thus far, the data also suggest that early Mars possessed sufficient quantities of the required building blocks and a number of the chemical compounds necessary for life to arise. It is not known, however, if water existed in the appropriate state (i.e., liquid) in sufficient quantities long enough for life to arise. Determining the mineralogy and components of the Martian soil through in situ analyses during missions to Mars will provide information from which an assessment can be made for the probability of the origin of life on Mars. Missions to Mars in the near future will be unmanned and capable of in situ analyses. Our studies have shown that differential thermal analysis coupled with gas chromatography (DTA/GC) is a more appropriate analytical technique than, x-ray fluorescence, x-ray diffraction, alpha-proton backscatter, gamma-ray spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry coupled with mass spectrometry (DSC/MS), or DSC/GC to identify the mineralogy of the Martian surface material in situ. DTA/GC is an advancement over the pyrolytic techniques flown on previous missions that have supplied only limited mineralogical information (Biemann et al. 1977).

Mancinelli, Rocco L.↗
NASA NTRS1964

Lunar atmospheric measurements

Maximum densities and gaseous contents of lunar atmosphere - use of optical or mass spectrometry for translunar, lunar orbit, transearth, and lunar surface phases of Apollo mission

GAS COMPOSITION↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Selected Studies in High Temperature Chemistry at the NASA Glenn Research Center

Several high temperature chemistry studies, which support NASA missions in both Aeronautics and Space, will be discussed. As will be discussed, collaboration with partners both within NASA and outside of NASA was essential to attaining the goals of each study. The following studies will be presented: 1. Oxidation of the reinforced carbon/carbon on the wing leading edge of the Space Shuttle Orbiter. This was conducted for the Leading Edge Subsystem Problem Resolution Team and involved experts in mass transport, non-destructive evaluation, and mechanical properties. 2. Thermodynamic activity measurement in rare earth silicates for coatings of ceramic hot stage parts in aircraft combustors. This was conducted with colleagues at NASA in support of a larger project involving NASA and the major engine companies. 3. Planetary Science in conjunction with universities a. Thermochemical modeling to describe parts of the Venus atmosphere. b. High temperature vapor studies to describe the possible atmospheres of hot, rocky exoplanets. c. High temperature mass spectrometry for K/Ar dating of minerals. These problems are all addressed with basic laboratory studies and collaboration across multiple disciplines is necessary.

Mass spectrometry, thermodynamics, high temperatur↗