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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 415 records · Page 23

Ulysses - An investigation of the polar regions of the heliosphere

This paper describes the Ulysses mission, a cooperative NASA/ESA mission for exploring the heliosphere within 1 to 2 AU of the sun. The nine instruments of the Ulysses spacecraft will collect information continuously, recording and compressing data for a playback through NASA's Deep Space Network. Prominent features of the Ulysses include the 1.65-m parabolic high-gain antenna pointing continuously toward earth, which will provide the earth-to-spacecraft communications link; the Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator; and the 5.5-m radial boom which will provide an electromagnetically clean environment for certain experiments. Individual studies will include investigations of solar-wind plasma, solar-wind ion composition, cosmic dust, magnetic field, solar X-rays/cosmic gamma ray bursts, energetic-particle composition, low energy ions and electrons, cosmic rays/solar particles, radio and plasma waves, coronal plasma sounding, and gravitational waves.

Meeks, Willis G.↗

A feasibility study of a hypersonic real-gas facility

A four month feasibility study of a hypersonic real-gas free flight test facility for NASA Langley Research Center (LARC) was performed. The feasibility of using a high-energy electromagnetic launcher (EML) to accelerate complex models (lifting and nonlifting) in the hypersonic, real-gas facility was examined. Issues addressed include: design and performance of the accelerator; design and performance of the power supply; design and operation of the sabot and payload during acceleration and separation; effects of high current, magnetic fields, temperature, and stress on the sabot and payload; and survivability of payload instrumentation during acceleration, flight, and soft catch.

Gully, J. H.↗

Lightning and plasma wave observations from the Galileo flyby of Venus

Durig the Galileo flyby of Venus the plasma wave instrument was used to search for impulsive radio signals from lightning and to investigate locally generated plasma waves. A total of nine events were detected in the frequency range from 100 kilohertz to 5.6 megahertz. Although the signals are weak, lightning is the only known source of these signals. Near the bow shock two types of locally generated plasma waves were observed, low-frequency electromagnetic waves from about 5 to 50 hertz and electron plasma oscillation at about 45 kilohertz. The plasma oscillations have considerable fine structure, possibly because of the formation of soliton-like wave packets.

Gurnett, D. A.↗

Electromagnetic sensors for general lightning application

Electromagnetic sensors for general lightning applications in measuring environment are discussed as well as system response to the environment. This includes electric and magnetic fields, surface current and charge densities, and currents on conductors. Many EMP sensors are directly applicable to lightning measurements, but there are some special cases of lightning measurements involving direct strikes which require special design considerations for the sensors. The sensors and instrumentation used by NMIMT in collecting data on lightning at South Baldy peak in central New Mexico during the 1978 and 1979 lightning seasons are also discussed. The Langmuir Laboratory facilities and details of the underground shielded instrumentation room and recording equipment are presented.

Baum, C. E.↗

Wave emissions from dc and modulated electron beams on STS 3

During the third Space Shuttle Columbia flight (STS 3) in March 1982, investigations were conducted to assess the electrical, electromagnetic, and plasma environment of the orbiter and to diagnose wave emissions and related plasma effects due to the injection of an electron beam into the surrounding ionosphere. Attention is given to wave emissions and related plasma processes which were stimulated by the first electron beam emissions from the Space Shuttle. The on-orbit measurements are compared to measurements made in a space simulation chamber. Instrumentation and operations are considered along with the plasma effects of beam emissions, wave emissions from dc beams, wave emissions from VLF-modulated beams, and wave emissions from ELF-modulated beams.

Shawhan, S. D.↗

Fiber-optic applications for space-based engines

The use of fiber optic technology is discussed with respect to the instrumentation systems for space based rocket engines. Optical fiber technologies are reviewed with specific attention given to the reliability, light weight, small fiber diameter, and operating life of the components in the space environment. An optical system can facilitate the incorporation of an optical health monitoring system, increase the space available for necessary redundancy, and safe high bandwidth communications that are immune to the effects of electromagnetic radiation.

Sovie, Amy L.↗

Observation of intense wave bursts at very low altitudes within the Venus nightside ionosphere

Intense ELF (100 Hz) bursts were detected by the Pioneer Venus (PV) Orbiter plasma wave instrument during the final operations of the spacecraft prior to atmospheric entry. These bursts were detected at approx. 130 km altitude around 0400 local time. The wave activity lasted for several tens of seconds. Furthermore the bursts were not symmetric about periapsis, unlike instrument noise caused by neutral impacts on the spacecraft. The bursts had a vertical attenuation scale height of the order 1 km, consistent with that expected for whistler-mode waves propagating through a collisional ionosphere. Since the decay of the signals appears to be due to attenuation, the source must persist for several tens of seconds. The wave bursts could therefore be the signature of electromagnetic radiation entering the bottomside ionosphere from several distant sources, as would be expected if lightning were a relatively persistent phenomenon within the Venus atmosphere.

Strangeway, R. J.↗

Observation of Intense Wave Bursts at Very Low Altitudes Within the Venus Nightside Ionosphere

Intense ELF (100 Hz) bursts were detected by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter plasma wave instrument during the final operations of the spacecraft prior to atmospheric entry. These bursts were detected at approx. 130 km altitude around 0400 local time. The wave activity lasted for several tens of seconds. Furthermore the bursts were not symmetric about periapsis, unlike instrument noise caused by neutral impacts on the spacecraft. The bursts had a vertical attenuation scale height of the order 1 km, consistent with that expected for whistler-mode waves propagating through a collisional ionosphere. Since the decay of the signals appears to be due to attenuation, the source must persist for several tens of seconds. The wave bursts could therefore be the signature of electromagnetic radiation entering the bottomside ionosphere from several distant sources, as would be expected if lightning were a relatively persistent phenomenon within the Venus atmosphere.

Strangeway, R. J.↗

Integrated Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A). Test Report, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)/Electromagnetic Radiation(EMR) and Electromagnetic Capability (EMC) for the EOS/AMSU-A1

This document contains the procedure and the test results of the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A) Earth Observing System (EOS) Project, assembly part number 1356008-1, serial number 202, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Susceptibility (EMC) qualification test. The test was conducted in accordance with the approved EMI/EMC Test Plan/Procedure, Specification number AE-26151/8B, dated 10 September 1998. Aerojet intends that the presentation and submittal of this document, prepared in accordance with the objectives established by the aforementioned Test Plan/Procedure, document number AE-26151/8B, will satisfy the data requirement with respect to the AMSU-A/EOS instrument operational compliance of the EMI/EMC test requirement. Test for the AMSU-A/EOS instrument have been completed and all the requirements per General Interface Requirement Document (GIRD), GSFC 422-11-12-01, for EOS Common Spacecraft/Instruments, paragraph 10.11, were met with the exceptions of the test methods CE03, RE01, and RE02, as described in this document.

Paliwoda, L.↗

Development of techniques and instrumentation for the nondestructive evaluation of multi-layer insulation

The development of techniques and instrumentation suitable for the nondestructive evaluation of purged multilayer insulation prior to and after a shuttle orbiter flight is discussed. These techniques are desirable because of the possibility that corrosion, compression, or tearing of the insulation will degrade the performance of the insulation during subsequent flights. A second objective was the application of the developed technology to the evaluation of other insulation types. Three nondestructive evaluation techniques, electromagnetic, thermal, and acoustic were selected for evaluation. The results of evaluation of each technique are described.

Source record↗

Hand-held radiometry: A set of notes developed for use at the Workshop of Hand-held radiometry

A set of notes was developed to aid the beginner in hand-held radiometry. The electromagnetic spectrum is reviewed, and pertinent terms are defined. View areas of multiband radiometers are developed to show the areas of coincidence of adjacent bands. The amounts of plant cover seen by radiometers having different fields of view are described. Vegetation indices are derived and discussed. Response functions of several radiometers are shown and applied to spectrometer data taken over 12 wheat plots, to provide a comparison of instruments and bands within and among instruments. The calculation of solar time is reviewed and applied to the calculation of the local time of LANDSAT satellite overpasses for any particular location in the Northern Hemisphere. The use and misuse of hand-held infrared thermometers are discussed, and a procedure for photographic determination of plant cover is described. Some suggestions are offered concerning procedures to be followed when collecting hand-held spectral and thermal data. A list of references pertinent to hand-held radiometry is included.

Jackson, R. D.↗

Determining the operating characteristics of an ultraviolet interferometric spectrometer

A prototype interferometric spectrometer system is being built by NASA to explore the potential of the technique for applications involving the visible and near ultraviolet portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The system is limited only by the frequency bandpass of the optical components used in the system, the quality of the optical components, and ultimately by the memory capacity of the computer; tradeoffs between the wavenumber resolution of the produced spectrum, the bandpass limits of the optics, and the number of samples obtained from the interferogram must be delineated explicitly. The prototype Ultraviolet Interferometric Spectrometer (UVIS) instrument is expected to be configured several different ways to ascertain its suitability for various applications. To exploit its inherent flexibility, this reference document describes these parameter tradeoffs.

Parsons, C. L.↗

Self-Consistent Model of Magnetospheric Ring Current and Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves: The 2-7 May 1998 Storm

A complete description of a self-consistent model of magnetospheric ring current interacting with electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves is presented. The model is based on the system of two kinetic equations; one equation describes the ring current ion dynamics, and another equation describes the wave evolution. The effects on ring current ions interacting with electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves and back on waves are considered self-consistently by solving both equations on a global magnetospheric scale under nonsteady state conditions. The developed model is employed to simulate the entire 2-7 May 1998 storm period. First, the trapped number fluxes of the ring current protons are calculated and presented along with comparison with the data measured by the three- dimensional hot plasma instrument Polar/HYDRA. Incorporating in the model the wave-particle interaction leads to much better agreement between the experimental data and the model results. Second, examining of the wave (MLT, L shell) distributions produced by the model during the storm progress reveals an essential intensification of the wave emission about 2 days after the main phase of the storm. This result is well consistent with the earlier ground-based observations. Finally, the theoretical shapes and the occurrence rates of the wave power spectral densities are studied. It is found that about 2 days after the storm s main phase on 4 May, mainly non-Gaussian shapes of power spectral densities are produced.

Khazanov, G. V.↗

Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy

Secondary Ion mass Spectroscopy (SIMS), as the name suggests, involves characterizing metallic and other materials trough the spectroscopic analysis of secondary ions emanating from the surface of the material to be characterized by the impact of the high energy primary ions. The primary ion source including the choice of its gun, voltage and current can be selected and used depending on the purpose of the analysis. In most instruments more than one primary ion gun is lined up to the sample stage and can be activated with selected accelerating parameters (voltage and beam intensity). The impingement of primary ions on to the sample surface generates positive, negative or neutral ions, electrons, atoms and atomic clusters. Majority of these sample fragments being neutral, could not be utilized as such fragments cannot be manipulated through the use of electromagnetic or electrostatic lenses. Secondary ions that are positively or negatively charged possess large variation in velocity, charge, and mass. These ionic fragments eventually travel through a system of several lenses in very high vacuum to reach detector/counter. Relative amounts of alloying elements or impurities in an alloy can be calculated from the counts of related ions accumulated in the detector/counter.

Panda, Binayak↗

The dynamics of charged dust in the tail of Comet Giacobini-Zinner

A numerical simulation has been performed to calculate the distributions of dust particles of various sizes down the tail of comet P/Giacobini-Zinner. When the electrostatic charging of the grains in the plasma and radiative environment of the comet is taken into account, it is found that the distribution of the grains (particularly at the lowest end of the mass spectrum) in a plane normal to the orbital plane is entirely different from what is expected had the grains been uncharged. Although the NASA-ICE spacecraft, which will fly through the tail of this comet almost normal to its orbital plane on September 11, 1985, has no dedicated dust experiments, it is expected that the plasma wave instrument will serve as an indirect detector, even of the smallest grains, via the plasma clouds created by the high-velocity dust impacts. Knowledge of the spatial variation of the grain sizes encountered along the flight path of the spacecraft will provide us with the information necessary to calculate the electrostatic potential of the grains, which in turn will lead to an estimation of the role of the electromagnetic forces on the dynamics of such grains.

Horanyi, M.↗

Fiber-optic applications for space-based rocket engines

The use of fiber-optic technology is discussed with respect to the instrumentation systems for space-based rocket engines. Optical fiber technologies are reviewed with specific attention given to the reliability, light weight, small fiber diameter, and operating life of the components in the space environment. An optical system can facilitate the incorporation of an optical health-monitoring system, increase the space available for necessary redundancy, and safe high-bandwidth communications that are immune to the effects of electromagnetic radiation.

Sovie, Amy L.↗

Plasma Diagnostics by Antenna Impedance Measurements

The impedance of an electrically short antenna immersed in a plasma provides an excellent in situ diagnostic tool for electron density and other plasma parameters. By electrically short we mean that the wavelength of the free-space electromagnetic wave that would be excited at the driving frequency is much longer than the physical size of the antenna. Probes using this impedance technique have had a long history with sounding rockets and satellites, stretching back to the early 1960s. This active technique could provide information on composition and temperature of plasmas for comet or planetary missions. Advantages of the impedance probe technique are discussed and two classes of instruments built and flown by SDL-USU for determining electron density (the capacitance and plasma frequency probes) are described.

Swenson, C. M.↗

Highlights from Three Years of the Chandra X-Ray Observatory

August 12, 2002 marked the third anniversary of the first light observed with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory (CXO) which had been launched on July 23 of that same year. The CXO is the X-ray component of NASA's Great Observatory Program that also includes the Hubble Space Telescope for observations in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, the now defunct Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory and the soon-to-be-launched Space Infra-Red Telescope Facility. The scientific return from the Observatory has been spectacular. Images of objects as local as the moon's of Jupiter and comets, to those which show the details of the emission of the hot gas pervading clusters of galaxies have been obtained. The technical status of the instrumentation and the performance of the X-ray optics will be reviewed and an overview of some of the exciting results will be presented.

Weisskopf, Martin C.↗