Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Proving”

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 415 records · Page 23

Gamma-neutrino angular correlations in muon capture.

Using a high-resolution Ge(Li) spectrometer, it proved possible to observe several Doppler-broadened gamma-ray transitions in Al-28 excited by muon capture in Si-28. Several of these transitions are shown to be suitable for analysis in terms of angular correlations between the neutrino and a deexcitation nuclear gamma-ray. The observed transitions are interpreted in terms of gamma-neutrino correlation coefficients which are functions of the weak-interaction coupling constants.

Miller, G. H.↗

Vegetation-terrain feature relationships in southeast Arizona

There are no author-identified significant results in this report. Studies of relationships of vegetation distribution to geomorphic characteristics of the landscape and of plant phenological patterns to vegetation identification of satellite imagery indicate that there exists positive relationships between certain plant species and certain terrain features. Not all species were found to exhibit positive relationships with all terrain feature variables, but enough positive relationships seem to exist to indicate that terrain feature variable-vegetation relationship studies have a definite place in plant ecological investigations. Even more importantly, the vegetation groups examined appeared to be successfully discriminated by the terrain feature variables. This would seem to indicate that spatial interpretations of vegetation groups may be possible. While vegetational distributions aren't determined by terrain feature differences, terrain features do mirror factors which directly influence vegetational response and hence distribution. As a result, those environmental features which can be readily and rapidly ascertained on relatively small-scale imagery may prove to be valuable indicators of vegetation distribution.

Schrumpf, B. J.↗

Effects of simulated artificial gravity on human performance

The ability of test subjects to perform operational type tasks was evaluated at rotational rates to 6 rpm and radii to 78 ft (24 m). The tasks included fine motor activity, mental operations, postural equilibrium, cargo handling, radial and tangential locomotion. Performance data indicate that 6 rpm presents a physiological limit at radii to 75 ft (23 m). Radial locomotion was not found to produce excessive adverse stimuli, and tangential locomotion was readily accomplished at walking rates of 2 of 4.8 ft/s (.6 to 1.4 m/s). The absence of vision dramatically reduced an individual's postural equilibrium during rotation. The use of selected anti-motion pharmaceuticals had, generally, a positive effect upon psychomotor performance at 6 rpm, but did not prove to be a panacea for the adverse effects of rotation at this rate.

Green, J. A.↗

Evaluate ERTS imagery for mapping and detection of changes of snowcover on land and on glaciers

The author has identified the following significant results. Preliminary results on the feasibility of mapping snow cover extent have been obtained from a limited number of ERTS-1 images of mountains in Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington. The snowline on land can be readily distinguished, except in heavy forest where such distinction appears to be virtually impossible. The snowline on very large glaciers can also be distinguished remarkably easily, leading to a convenient way to measure glacier accumulation area ratios or equilibrium line altitude. Monitoring of large surging glaciers appears to be possible, but only through observation of a change in area and/or medial moraine extent. Under certain conditions, ERTS-1 imagery appears to have high potential for mapping snow cover in mountainous areas. Distinction between snow and clouds appears to require use of the human eye, but in a cloud-free scene the snow cover is sufficiently distinct to allow use of automated techniques. This technique may prove very useful as an aid in the monitoring of the snowpack water resource and the prediction of summer snowmelt runoff volume.

Meier, M. F.↗

Geologic remote sensing study of the Hayden pass-Orient Mine Area, Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado

Remote sensor data from a NASA Convair 990 radar flight and Mission 101 and 105 have been interpreted and evaluated. Based on interpretation of the remote sensor data, a geologic map has been prepared and compared with a second geologic map, prepared from interpretation of both remote sensor data and field data. Comparison of the two maps gives one indication of the usefulness and reliability of the remote sensor data. Color and color infrared photography provided the largest amount of valuable information. Multiband photography was of lesser value and side-looking radar imagery provided no new information that was not available on small scale photography. Thermal scanner imagery proved to be a very specialized remote sensing tool that should be applied to areas of low relief and sparse vegetation where geologic features produce known or suspected thermal contrast. Low sun angle photography may be a good alternative to side-looking radar imagery but must be flown with critical timing.

Wychgram, D. C.↗

Design and development of pressure and repressurization purge system for reusable space shuttle multilayer insulation system

The experimental determination of purge bag materials properties, development of purge bag manufacturing techniques, experimental evaluation of a subscale purge bag under simulated operating conditions and the experimental evaluation of the purge pin concept for MLI purging are discussed. The basic purge bag material, epoxy fiberglass bounded by skins of FEP Teflon, showed no significant permeability to helium flow under normal operating conditions. Purge bag small scale manufacturing tests were conducted to develop tooling and fabrication techniques for use in full scale bag manufacture. A purge bag material layup technique was developed whereby the two plys of epoxy fiberglass enclosed between skins of FEP Teflon are vacuum bag cured in an oven in a single operation. The material is cured on a tool with the shape of a purge bag half. Plastic tooling was selected for use in bag fabrication. A model purge bag 0.6 m in diameter was fabricated and subjected to a series of structural and environmental tests simulating various flight type environments. Pressure cycling tests at high (450 K) and low (200 K) temperature as well as acoustic loading tests were performed. The purge bag concept proved to be structurally sound and was used for the full scale bag detailed design model.

Source record↗

A study of numerical methods for computing reentry trajectories for shuttle-type space vehicles

The reuseable exterior insulation system (REI) is studied to determine the optimal reentry trajectory for a space shuttle, which minimizes the heat input to the fuselage. The REI is composed of titanium, covered by a surface insulation material. The method of perturbation functions was used to generate the trajectories, and proved to be an effective technique for generating families of solutions, once an initial trajectory has been obtained.

Source record↗

A pertinent solution of helicopter rotor flapping stability

The stability of the flapping motion of a single blade of a helicopter rotor is examined using the techniques of perturbation theory. The equation of motion studied is linear, with periodic aerodynamic coefficients due to the forward speed of the rotor. Solutions are found for four cases: small and large advance ratio and small and large Lock number. The perturbation techniques appropriate to each case are discussed and illustrated in the course of the analysis. The application of perturbation techniques to other problems in rotor dynamics is discussed. It is concluded that perturbation theory is a powerful mathematical technique which should prove very useful in analyzing some of the problems of helicopter dynamics.

Johnson, W.↗

Public health applications of remote sensing of the environment, an evaluation

The available techniques were examined in the field of remote sensing (including aerial photography, infrared detection, radar, etc.) and applications to a number of problems in the wide field of public health determined. The specific areas of public health examined included: air pollution, water pollution, communicable disease, and the combined problems of urban growth and the effect of disasters on human communities. The assessment of the possible applications of remote sensing to these problems was made primarily by examination of the available literature in each field, and by interviews with health authorities, physicists, biologists, and other interested workers. Three types of programs employing remote sensors were outlined in the air pollution field: (1) proving ability of sensors to monitor pollutants at three levels of interest - point source, ambient levels in cities, and global patterns; (2) detection of effects of pollutants on the environment at local and global levels; and (3) routine monitoring.

Source record↗

Survey of the seasonal snow cover of Alaska

The author has identified the following significant results. The delineation of the transient snow cover can generally be made directly from any of the RBV of MSS images. On many glaciers, however, there seems to be a relatively small difference between the reflectivities of snow and ice in the visible portion of the spectrum (corresponding to MSS bands 4 and 5). On the other hand, the reflectivity is distinctly lower for ice than for snow in the near infrared (MSS bands 6 and 7). By applying the sensors of the latter spectral bands the position of the transient snowline, indicative of the mass balance, can in many cases be determined with what appears to be a satisfactory accuracy. This circumstance should prove especially useful in studies of regional variations of glacier mass balances. It had been found that the effect of winds early in the fall seasons can be seen on the arctic slope when a light dusting of snow is present. Winds channeled by topography redistribute the snow and actually remove it from regions. After freeze up has occurred and a continuous snow cover exists it is possible to identify open water reaches on streams flowing through the region. Such cases are identifiable on the ERTS images especially on the MSS 7 images.

Weller, G. E.↗

Use of ERTS imagery in air pollution and marine biology studies, tasks 1 through 3

There are no author-identified significant results in this report. The general suitability of ERTS imagery in detecting ground originated air pollution has proved to be excellent. The quality and resolution exceeded expectations and has permitted in some instances location of point sources to within a thousand feet. Suitable techniques have not yet been developed for determining or measuring area and line sources of air pollution. A major problem has been cloud cover that has persisted over the area of primary interest, the Chesapeake Bay. Work has been completed on mounting the shipboard transmissometer which will be used for investigations to relate the chlorophyll and suspended sediment content in the waters of the Lower Chesapeake Bay to ERTS-1 imagery. Water sampling, plankton analysis, and preparations for sea collection of water truth along the eastern continental shelf of the U.S. have been completed for use in comparisons with ERTS-1 data.

Copeland, G. E.↗

Use of satellite imagery for wildland resource evaluation

The author has identified the following significant results. Crested wheatgrass seedings have been quantified for the state of Nevada, and have been broken down by county and land status. The wide coverage of ERTS-1 has been found to be extremely useful for putting these seeded areas in the proper perspective for inventory. In the same manner, water bodies are being inventoried and changes relating to time are being monitored. Water resources are critical in Nevada, and this should prove useful to land owners and land managers throughout the state.

Tueller, P. T.↗

Longitudinal oscillation of launch vehicles

During powered flight a vehicle may develop longitudinal self-excited oscillations, so-called oscillations, of its structure. The energy supplying the vibration is tapped from the thrust by the activity of the system itself; that is, oscillation of the structure causes oscillation of the propellant system, especially of the pumps. In this way an oscillating thrust can be created that, by a feedback loop, may sustain the structural oscillation under certain circumstances. Two special features of the system proved to be essential for creation of instability. One is the effect of the inherent time interval that the thrust oscillation is lagging behind the structural oscillation. The other is the decreased of system mass caused by the exhausting of gas. The latter feature may cause an initially stable system to become unstable. To examine the stability of the system, a single mass-spring model, which is the result of a one-term Galerkin approach to the equation of motion, has been considered. The Nyquist stability criterion leads to a stability graph that shows the stability conditions in terms of the system parameter and also demonstrates the significance of time lag, feedback magnitude, and loss of mass. An important conclusion can be drawn from the analysis: large relative displacements of the pump-engine masses favor instability. This is also confirmed by flight measurements.

Glaser, R. F.↗

Evaluation of remote sensing in control of pink cotton bollworm

The author has identified the following significant results. The U-2 underflight photography has shown that the critical stages in cotton plow down (defoliation, shredding, and plowing) can be identified. This result will prove invaluable to a user agency whose purpose is to monitor the cotton season for compliance with California State law.

Lewis, L. N.↗

Determining density of maize canopy. 1: Digitized photography

The relationship between different densities of maize (Zea mays L.) canopies and the energy reflected by these canopies was studied. Field plots were laid out, representing four growth stages of maize, on a dark soil and on a very light colored surface soil. Spectral and spatial data were obtained from color and color infrared photography taken from a vertical distance of 10 m above the maize canopies. Estimates of ground cover were related to field measurements of leaf area index. Ground cover was predicted from leaf area index measurements by a second order equation. Color infrared photography proved helpful in determining the density of maize canopy on dark soils. Color photography was useful for determining canopy density on light colored soils. The near infrared dye layer is the most valuable in canopy density determinations.

Stoner, E. R.↗

Lunar libration point flight dynamics study

Two satellite concepts, Halo and Hummingbird, for a lunar libration point satellite to be used as a tracking and communications link with the far side of the moon were evaluated. Study areas included flight dynamics, communications, attitude control, propulsion, and system integration. Both concepts were proved feasible, but Halo was shown to be the better concept.

Source record↗

Active control of aeroelastic response

Conceptual and wind-tunnel programs leading to the development of technology for applying active controls to the suppression of flutter indicate that these methods may prove to be a powerful tool in providing required safety margins for flutter in future high-performance supersonic aircraft. The nature of flutter considerations in the design of the United States SST prototype aircraft has been described as an example of the type of application where active flutter suppression shows promise. Although this new technology is emerging, several years of additional development will be required in order to bring the technology to a complete state of readiness, particularly for civil applications.

A Gerald Rainey↗