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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 433 records · Page 24
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Mathematical Models for Doppler Measurements

Error analysis increases precision of navigation. Report presents improved mathematical models of analysis of Doppler measurements and measurement errors of spacecraft navigation. To take advantage of potential navigational accuracy of Doppler measurements, precise equations relate measured cycle count to position and velocity. Drifts and random variations in transmitter and receiver oscillator frequencies taken into account. Mathematical models also adapted to aircraft navigation, radar, sonar, lidar, and interferometry.

Lear, William M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Estimation of unmodeled forces on a low-thrust space vehicle

The application of a sequential estimation algorithm, which compensates for random errors in the dynamic model, to the problem of estimating the state of a continuously thrusting solar electric propulsion space vehicle is investigated. The dynamic model errors, due to random anomalies in the propulsion system, are approximated successfully by both first order and second order Gauss-Markov processes to obtain a more accurate and stable orbit determination algorithm. The importance of correct dynamic and measurement modeling in achieving accurate estimates is demonstrated.

Tapley, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A review of contamination issues associated with an orbiting Space Station external environment

Techniques for measuring, modeling, and limiting the effluent contamination of external spacecraft and instrument surfaces are reviewed, with an emphasis on their application to the Space Station. The major factors addressed by contamination studies are outlined; typical contamination sources are characterized; the critical measurement parameters are defined (molecular column density, background spectral intensity from UV to IR, particle size and velocity distribution, molecular deposition on ambient and cryogenic surfaces, molecular return flux for gaseous species, particulate deposition on surfaces, and optical-surface degradation); and measurement instrumentation is described. Contamination limits for quiescent operation periods of the Space Station are proposed, including column density 10 to the 11th/sq cm for H2O + CO2, 10 to the 13th/sq cm for O2 + N2, and 10 to the 10th/sq cm for other species; particle release no greater than 15-micron particle/orbit/0.00001 sr FOV for a 1-m telescope, and surface deposition 4 pg/sq cm sec for 298-K surfaces and 10 pg/sq cm sec for 4-K surfaces.

Smith, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Spaceflight Holography Investigation in a Virtual Apparatus

The movement of a particle in a fluid is one of the most fundamental processes in physics and plays an important role in materials science. For example, the physics of crystal growth from a nucleation site in solution can be dominated by movement of the solution over the crystal surface. Gravity usually dominates the equations of motion, but in microgravity other terms can dominate, making the equation much more complex. Until recently, the equations were solved only by numerical methods and/or by neglecting terms. During this study, we discovered an exact solution to the equations, which shows that the usually neglected terms become extremely important in microgravity. We also developed diagnostic recording methods using holography to save all of the particle field data, allowing the experiment to essentially be transferred from space back to earth in what we call the virtual apparatus . We will record holograms of particle distributions in motion in microgravity and bring them back to earth for analysis, allowing the study of the full three-dimensional motion of sets of particles, allowing us to test the new analytical solutions. The experiment will also provide accurate measurements of the quasi-steady acceleration of the space platform and other interesting microgravity and g-jitter effects. This program will produce the flight definition for an experiment in the microgravity environment of space to validate the theoretical model. We will design an experiment with the help of the theoretical model that is optimized for testing the model, measuring g, g-jitter, and other microgravity phenomena.

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NASA NTRS1982

Models and techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of aircraft computing systems

Models, measures, and techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of aircraft computing systems were developed. By "effectiveness" in this context we mean the extent to which the user, i.e., a commercial air carrier, may expect to benefit from the computational tasks accomplished by a computing system in the environment of an advanced commercial aircraft. Thus, the concept of effectiveness involves aspects of system performance, reliability, and worth (value, benefit) which are appropriately integrated in the process of evaluating system effectiveness. Specifically, the primary objectives are: the development of system models that provide a basis for the formulation and evaluation of aircraft computer system effectiveness, the formulation of quantitative measures of system effectiveness, and the development of analytic and simulation techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of a proposed or existing aircraft computer.

Meyer, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Rotary-balance experiments on a modern fighter aircraft configuration at high Reynolds numbers

NASA Ames Research Center's research program to investigate high-angle-of-attack aerodynamic phenomena associated with high-performance aircraft includes the development and use of rotary balance apparatuses for wind balance apparatuses for wind tunnel tests of airplane models in a coning motion. A large scale apparatus, developed for testing models at high Reynolds numbers in the Ames 12-Foot Pressure Wind Tunnel, was recently tested with an 0.05-scale F-15 fighter model. Measurements were made at low subsonic Mach numbers and chord Reynolds numbers of 1 to 5.5 million, with angles of attack from 0 to 90 deg and sideslip angles from -15 to +15 deg. Effects of Reynolds number, spin-rate parameter, model attitude, presence of a nose boom, and model/sting mounting angle were investigated.

Malcolm, G. N.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Visible-infrared remote-sensing model and applications for ocean waters

Remote sensing has become important in the ocean sciences, especially for research involving large spatial scales. To estimate the in-water constituents through remote sensing, whether carried out by satellite or airplane, the signal emitted from beneath the sea surface, the so called water-leaving radiance (L(w)), is of prime importance. The magnitude of L(w) depends on two terms: one is the intensity of the solar input, and the other is the reflectance of the in-water constituents. The ratio of the water-leaving radiance to the downwelling irradiance (E(d)) above the sear surface (remote-sensing reflectance, R(sub rs)) is independent of the intensity of the irradiance input, and is largely a function of the optical properties of the in-water constituents. In this work, a model is developed to interpret r(sub rs) for ocean water in the visible-infrared range. In addition to terms for the radiance scattered from molecules and particles, the model includes terms that describe contributions from bottom reflectance, fluorescence of gelbstoff or colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), and water Raman scattering. By using this model, the measured R(sub rs) of waters from the West Florida Shelf to the Mississippi River plume, which covered a (concentration of chlorophyll a) range of 0.07 - 50 mg/cu m, were well interpreted. The average percentage difference (a.p.d.) between the measured and modeled R(sub rs) is 3.4%, and, for the shallow waters, the model-required water depth is within 10% of the chart depth. Simple mathematical simulations for the phytoplankton pigment absorption coefficient (a(sub theta)) are suggested for using the R(sub rs) model. The inverse problem of R(sub rs), which is to analytically derive the in-water constituents from R(sub rs) data alone, can be solved using the a(sub theta) functions without prior knowledge of the in-water optical properties. More importantly, this method avoids problems associated with a need for knowledge of the shape and value of the chlorophyll-specific absorption coefficient. The simulation was tested for a wide range of water types, including waters from Monterey Bay, the West Florida Shelf, and the Mississippi River plume. Using the simulation, the R(sub rs)-derived in-water absorption coefficients were consistent with the values from in-water measurements (r(exp 2) greater than 0.94, slope approximately 1.0). In the remote-sensing applications, a new approach is suggested for the estimation of primary production based on remote sensing. Using this approach, the calculated primary production (PP) values based upon remotely sensed data were very close to the measured values for the euphotic zone (r(exp 2) = 0.95, slope 1.26, and 32% average difference), while traditional, pigment-based PP model provided values only one-third the size of the measured data. This indicates a potential to significantly improve the accuracy of the estimation of primary production based upon remote sensing.

Lee, Zhongping↗
NASA NTRS1991

Computer programs for the calculation of dual sting pitch and roll angles required for an articulated sting to obtain angles of attack and sideslip on wind-tunnel models

Two programs were developed to calculate the pitch and roll position of the conventional sting drive and the pitch of a high angle articulated sting to position a wind tunnel model at the desired angle of attack and sideslip and position the model as near as possible to the centerline of the tunnel. These programs account for the effects of sting offset angles, sting bending angles, and wind-tunnel stream flow angles. In addition, the second program incorporates inputs form on-board accelerometers that measure model pitch and roll with respect to gravity. The programs are presented and a description of the numerical operation of the programs with a definition of the variables used in the programs is given.

Peterson, John B., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Non-Contact Thrust Stand Calibration Method for Repetitively-Pulsed Electric Thrusters

A thrust stand calibration technique for use in testing repetitively-pulsed electric thrusters for in-space propulsion has been developed and tested using a modified hanging pendulum thrust stand. In the implementation of this technique, current pulses are applied to a solenoidal coil to produce a pulsed magnetic field that acts against the magnetic field produced by a permanent magnet mounted to the thrust stand pendulum arm. The force on the magnet is applied in this non-contact manner, with the entire pulsed force transferred to the pendulum arm through a piezoelectric force transducer to provide a time-accurate force measurement. Modeling of the pendulum arm dynamics reveals that after an initial transient in thrust stand motion the quasisteady average deflection of the thrust stand arm away from the unforced or zero position can be related to the average applied force through a simple linear Hooke s law relationship. Modeling demonstrates that this technique is universally applicable except when the pulsing period is increased to the point where it approaches the period of natural thrust stand motion. Calibration data were obtained using a modified hanging pendulum thrust stand previously used for steady-state thrust measurements. Data were obtained for varying impulse bit at constant pulse frequency and for varying pulse frequency. The two data sets exhibit excellent quantitative agreement with each other as the constant relating average deflection and average thrust match within the errors on the linear regression curve fit of the data. Quantitatively, the error on the calibration coefficient is roughly 1% of the coefficient value.

Wong, Andrea R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Precise tracking of the Magellan and Pioneer Venusorbiters by same-beam interferometry. Part 1: Dataaccuracy analysis

Simultaneous tracking of two spacecraft in orbit about a distant planet by two widely separated Earth-based radio antennas provides more-accurate positioning information than can be obtained by tracking each spacecraft separately. A demonstration of this tracking technique, referred to as same-beam interferometry (SBI), is currently being done using the Magellan and Pioneer 12 orbiters at Venus. Signals from both spacecraft fall within the same beamwidth of the Deep Space Station antennas. The plane-of-sky position difference between spacecraft is precisely determined by doubly differenced phase measurements. This radio metric measurement naturally complements line-of-sight Doppler. Data was first collected from Magellan and Pioneer 12 on August 11-12, 1990, shortly after Magellan was inserted into Venus orbit. Data were subsequently acquired in February and April 1991, providing a total of 34 hours of same-beam radio metric observables. Same-beam radio metric residuals have been analyzed and compared with model measurement error predictions. The predicted error is dominated by solar plasma fluctuations. The rms of the residuals is less than predicted by about 25 percent for 5-min averages. The shape of the spectrum computed from residuals is consistent with that derived from a model of solar plasma fluctuations. This data type can greatly aid navigation of a second spacecraft when the first is well-known in its orbit.

Border, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Computer programs for calculation of sting pitch and roll angles required to obtain angles of attack and sideslip on wind tunnel models

Two programs have been developed to calculate the pitch and roll angles of a wind-tunnel sting drive system that will position a model at the desired angle of attack and and angle of sideslip in the wind tunnel. These programs account for the effects of sting offset angles, sting bending angles and wind-tunnel stream flow angles. In addition, the second program incorporates inputs from on-board accelerometers that measure model pitch and roll with respect to gravity. The programs are presented in the report and a description of the numerical operation of the programs with a definition of the variables used in the programs is given.

Peterson, John B., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Constraints on the origin and interior structure of the major planets

Fitting models to the external gravity field of the major planets (Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter, and Saturn), it is found that certain interior characteristics may be common to all four. For Uranus and Neptune, a model with a central iron-silicate core of approximately four earth masses, an 'ice' layer of H2O, CH4, and NH3 in solar proportions of about 10 earth masses, and an H2-He atmosphere of about 1-2 earth masses gives a good fit to available constraints, including heat flow measurements. Models of Jupiter and Saturn have cores very similar to those of Uranus and Neptune; the H2-He layer, however, is markedly more extensive. Modes of origin that are consistent with these features are discussed. Models of this type predict a considerable enrichment of deuterium relative to primordial solar abundances in Uranus and Neptune. Such enrichment is not observed in Uranus; implications are discussed for interior structure and origin.

Hubbard, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1993

An improved gravity model for Mars: Goddard Mars Model 1

Doppler tracking data of three orbiting spacecraft have been reanalyzed to develop a new gravitational field model for the planet Mars, Goddard Mars Model 1 (GMM-1). This model employs nearly all available data, consisting of approximately 1100 days of S band tracking data collected by NASA's Deep Space Network from the Mariner 9 and Viking 1 and Viking 2 spacecraft, in seven different orbits, between 1971 and 1979. GMM-1 is complete to spherical harmonic degree and order 50, which corresponds to a half-wavelength spatial resolution of 200-300 km where the data permit. GMM-1 represents satellite orbits with considerably better accuracy than previous Mars gravity models and shows greater resolution of identifiable geological structures. The notable improvement in GMM-1 over previous models is a consequence of several factors: improved computational capabilities, the use of otpimum weighting and least squares collocation solution techniques which stabilized the behavior of the solution at high degree and order, and the use of longer satellite arcs than employed in previous solutions that were made possible by improved force and measurement models. The inclusion of X band tracking data from the 379-km altitude, nnear-polar orbiting Mars Observer spacecraft should provide a significant improvement over GMM-1, particularly at high latitudes where current data poorly resolve the gravitational signature of the planet.

Smith, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1993

An improved gravity model for Mars: Goddard Mars Model-1 (GMM-1)

Doppler tracking data of three orbiting spacecraft have been reanalyzed to develop a new gravitational field model for the planet Mars, GMM-1 (Goddard Mars Model-1). This model employs nearly all available data, consisting of approximately 1100 days of S-bank tracking data collected by NASA's Deep Space Network from the Mariner 9, and Viking 1 and Viking 2 spacecraft, in seven different orbits, between 1971 and 1979. GMM-1 is complete to spherical harmonic degree and order 50, which corresponds to a half-wavelength spatial resolution of 200-300 km where the data permit. GMM-1 represents satellite orbits with considerably better accuracy than previous Mars gravity models and shows greater resolution of identifiable geological structures. The notable improvement in GMM-1 over previous models is a consequence of several factors: improved computational capabilities, the use of optimum weighting and least-squares collocation solution techniques which stabilized the behavior of the solution at high degree and order, and the use of longer satellite arcs than employed in previous solutions that were made possible by improved force and measurement models. The inclusion of X-band tracking data from the 379-km altitude, near-polar orbiting Mars Observer spacecraft should provide a significant improvement over GMM-1, particularly at high latitudes where current data poorly resolves the gravitational signature of the planet.

Smith, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Color graphics workstations used for simultaneous display of satellite and model data sets

Model-measurement display methods for studying actual or synthetic satellite measurements of cloudiness are developed. Visualization and animation techniques are employed to analyze the data. Two types of animation sequences, one based on Insat IR geosynchronous satellite imagery combined with upper level velocity potentials calculations and isoline depictions of the high amplitude centers of low frequency cloudiness activity, and the other combines a mesoscale cloud model simulation of a severe hail storm and synthetic microwave radiation signatures, are described.

Cooper, Harry J.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Isotopic Effects in Nuclear Fragmentation and GCR Transport Problems

Improving the accuracy of the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) environment and transport models is an important goal in preparing for studies of the projected risks and the efficiency of potential mitigations methods for space exploration. In this paper we consider the effects of the isotopic composition of the primary cosmic rays and the isotopic dependence of nuclear fragmentation cross sections on GCR transport models. Measurements are used to describe the isotopic composition of the GCR including their modulation throughout the solar cycle. The quantum multiple-scattering approach to nuclear fragmentation (QMSFRG) is used as the data base generator in order to accurately describe the odd-even effect in fragment production. Using the Badhwar and O'Neill GCR model, the QMSFRG model and the HZETRN transport code, the effects of the isotopic dependence of the primary GCR composition and on fragment production for transport problems is described for a complete GCR isotopic-grid. The principle finding of this study is that large errors ( 100%) will occur in the mass-flux spectra when comparing the complete isotopic-grid (141 ions) to a reduced isotopic-grid (59 ions), however less significant errors 30%) occur in the elemental-flux spectra. Because the full isotopic-grid is readily handled on small computer work-stations, it is recommended that they be used for future GCR studies.

Cucinotta, Francis A.↗
NASA NTRS2013

ARM Research in the Equatorial Western Pacific: A Decade and Counting

The tropical western Pacific (TWP) is an important climatic region. Strong solar heating, warm sea surface temperatures, and the annual progression of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) across this region generate abundant convective systems, which through their effects on the heat and water budgets have a profound impact on global climate and precipitation. In order to accurately evaluate tropical cloud systems in models, measurements of tropical clouds, the environment in which they reside, and their impact on the radiation and water budgets are needed. Because of the remote location, ground-based datasets of cloud, atmosphere, and radiation properties from the TWP region have come primarily from short-term field experiments. While providing extremely useful information on physical processes, these short-term datasets are limited in statistical and climatological information. To provide longterm measurements of the surface radiation budget in the tropics and the atmospheric properties that affect it, the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program established a measurement site on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, in 1996 and on the island republic of Nauru in late 1998. These sites provide unique datasets now available for more than 10 years on Manus and Nauru. This article presents examples of the scientific use of these datasets including characterization of cloud properties, analysis of cloud radiative forcing, model studies of tropical clouds and processes, and validation of satellite algorithms. New instrumentation recently installed at the Manus site will provide expanded opportunities for tropical atmospheric science.

tropical regions↗
NASA NTRS1975

Conference on Cloud Physics, Tucson, Ariz., October 21-24, 1974, Proceedings

Condensation and ice nucleation processes are considered, taking into account measurements of cloud nuclei and aerosol size spectra in the semiarid Southwest, the formation of sulfates and the enhancement of cloud condensation nuclei in clouds, biogenic sources of atmospheric ice nuclei, and the experimental determination of the deposition coefficient of water vapor onto ice. Other topics discussed are related to precipitation growth processes, the role of ice in cloud systems, cloud modeling, measurements in Colorado hailstorms during the national hail research experiment, cloud measurements, and measurement techniques. Attention is also given to cloud electrification, zero-gravity experiments, and the control of cloud development by larger scale motions. Individual items are announced in this issue.

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