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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

A structural and thermal packaging approach for power processing units for 30-cm ion thrusters

Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) is currently being studied for possible use in a number of near earth and planetary missions. The thruster subsystem for these missions would consist of 30 centimeter ion thrusters with Power Processor Units (PPU) clustered in assemblies of from two to ten units. A preliminary design study of the electronic packaging of the PPU has been completed at Lewis Research Center of NASA. This study evaluates designs meeting the competing requirements of low system weight and overall mission flexibility. These requirements are evaluated regarding structural and thermal design, electrical efficiency, and integration of the electrical circuits into a functional PPU layout.

Maloy, J. E.↗

Fraction-storage unit for drug-identification system

Device, connecting outputs of all gas chromatographs to single, relatively inexpensive IR spectrometer, reduces costs of system. Storage unit provides buffer storage of samples until infrared spectrometer is ready to accept them. Storage unit can be used to separate overlapping peaks.

Campen, C. F.↗

The foot-controlled maneuvering unit: Summary report on Skylab experiment T-020

Skylab experiment T-020 was conducted to study the maneuvering capabilities of astronauts using a relatively simple experimental self-locomotive device, referred to as the foot-controlled maneuvering unit, and to evaluate the effectiveness of ground-based facilities simulating the operation of this device in weightless conditions of space. The final results as presented of this experiment which includes comparison of the tests performed during missions SL-3 and SL-4 of the Skylab with those performed on the simulators. Some of the results of this experiment and those of Skylab experiment M509, which employed an experimental hard-controlled maneuvering unit, are discussed in terms of the development of a possible future operational maneuvering system.

Hewes, D. E.↗

Redundancy management of multiple KT-70 inertial measurement units applicable to the space shuttle

Results of an investigation of velocity failure detection and isolation for 3 inertial measuring units (IMU) and 2 inertial measuring units (IMU) configurations are presented. The failure detection and isolation algorithm performance was highly successful and most types of velocity errors were detected and isolated. The failure detection and isolation algorithm also included attitude FDI but was not evaluated because of the lack of time and low resolution in the gimbal angle synchro outputs. The shuttle KT-70 IMUs will have dual-speed resolvers and high resolution gimbal angle readouts. It was demonstrated by these tests that a single computer utilizing a serial data bus can successfully control a redundant 3-IMU system and perform FDI.

Cook, L. J.↗

United States societal experiments via the Communications Technology Satellite

The Communications Technology Satellite (CTS) is a cooperative experimental program of the United States and Canadian governments. The CTS uses a high-power transponder at the frequencies of 14/12 GHz for two-way television and voice communication. The United States and Canada have agreed to share equally in the use of CTS. The U.S. program includes a variety of societal experiments. The ground stations for these experiments are located from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The satellite communications capabilities and the antenna coverage for the U.S. are summarized. Emphasis is placed on the U.S. societal experiments in the areas of education, health care, and community and special services; nine separate experiments are discussed.

Donoughe, P. L.↗

The S sub 10 /V/ unit of surface brightness

Some discrepancies in the use of the unit of zodiacal light measurements - S sub 10 (V), which is the equivalent number of tenth magnitude stars of solar spectral type per square degree - are discussed. It is suggested that: (1) the S sub 10 (V) unit be understood to represent 10th magnitude solar (G2V) stars per square degree at mean solar distance, (2) the V refers to the visual color in the UBV system defined by Johnson and Morgan (1953), (3) the apparent solar visual magnitude be taken as -26.73 and the B-V index as .63, (4) the solar spectral irradiance values of Labs and Neckel (1970) be used, and (5) when using Vega as a standard to obtain brightnesses in S sub 10 (V), +.04 be used as its magnitude at all wavelengths and the irradiance values of Hayes and Latham (1975) be used.

Sparrow, J. G.↗

The United Nations contribution towards an international agreement on remote sensing

The recommendations of the Legal Subcommittee of the United Nations committee for the Peaceful Uses of Space concerning satellite remote sensing are considered. Detailed studies of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of this committee are discussed with emphasis on three draft proposals submitted to it on remote sensing by (1) France and the USSR, (2) Latin American countries, and (3) the United States.

Menter, M.↗

CTS United States experiments - A progress report

The Communications Technology Satellite (CTS) is a high-power broadcast satellite launched by NASA on January 17, 1976. CTS is the first satellite to operate at a frequency of 12 gigahertz and incorporates technology making possible new satellite telecommunications services. CTS is a cooperative program of the United States and Canada. This paper presents the results of the United States experimental activity to date. Wide segments of the population are involved in the Experiments Program, including the scientific community, other government agencies, industry, and the education and health entities. The experiments are associated with both technological objectives and the demonstration of new community and social services via satellite.

Robbins, W. H.↗

Inspection of two Brayton rotating units after extensive endurance testing

A system was designed to produce 2-10 kW net continuous electric power for at least 5 years. The turbine-alternator-compressor power conversion unit in the system is designated Brayton Rotating Unit (BRU). Four BRU's were fabricated and extensively tested. One BRU has accumulated 11,000 hours of operation, and another has accumulated in excess of 21,000 hours. Testing has demonstrated that the BRU's have met or exceeded performance objectives. Two BRU's were disassembled and given a thorough post-test inspection. The inspection results show that after 21,000 hours of operation there is no apparent wear or failure mode that will prevent the attainment of the 5-year life objective.

Dunn, J. H.↗

A study of geothermal prospects in the western United States

The commercial development potential of 13 underdeveloped geothermal prospects in the Western United States was examined, and the prospects were ranked in order of relative potential for development on the basis of investment considerations. The following were considered in the ranking: geotechnical and engineering data, energy market accessibility, administrative constraints, and environmental and socio-economic factors. The primary ranking criterion is the unit cost of energy production expected from each prospect. Secondary criteria are administrative constraints, environmental factors and the quality of the geotechnical data.

Source record↗

United States benefits of improved worldwide wheat crop information from a LANDSAT system overview

The value of improvements in worldwide information on wheat crops provided by LANDSAT was measured in the context of world wheat markets. These benefits were based on exiting LANDSAT technical goals and assumed that information would be made available to the United States and other countries at the same time. The benefits to the United States of such public LANDSAT information on wheat crops were found to be 174 million dollars a year on the average. The benefits from improved wheat crop information compare favorably with the annual system's cost of about $62 million. A detailed empirical sample demonstration of the effect of improved information was developed. The history of wheat commodity prices for 1971-72 was reconstructed and the price changes from improved vs. historical information were compared.

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Flight test results of the Strapdown hexad Inertial Reference Unit (SIRU). Volume 1: Flight test summary

Flight test results of the strapdown inertial reference unit (SIRU) navigation system are presented. The fault-tolerant SIRU navigation system features a redundant inertial sensor unit and dual computers. System software provides for detection and isolation of inertial sensor failures and continued operation in the event of failures. Flight test results include assessments of the system's navigational performance and fault tolerance.

Hruby, R. J.↗

Considerations in the development of a high performance per unit cost solar collector

A flat plate collector employing a mild steel, pressure-expanded absorber plate has been developed. It is capable of energy output levels commensurate with the requirements of driving an absorption refrigeration system while operating at efficiency levels in the 35-40% range. Selective absorber surfaces of black chrome over nickel and black copper over copper were analyzed and prototype collectors containing each type of absorber plating were fabricated and tested for performance. Criteria applied to the cost effectiveness analysis of the collector included both the energy output per unit area and the collector fabrication cost per unit area.

Sims, W. H.↗

Results of analysis of flight and ground observation materials for first year of first stage of ""Program of experimental research to develop methods for remote sounding of soils and vegetation on analogous sections of the United States and USSR for 1975-1980''

A joint U.S.S.R. and United States program to develop methods for remote sounding of soils and vegetation is reported. The program is being conducted on similar sections of land in the USSR and the United States. Details of the data obtained and the type of sensing equipments employed are provided in the appendices.

Source record↗

Flight test results of the strapdown hexad inertial reference unit (SIRU). Volume 2: Test report

Results of flight tests of the Strapdown Inertial Reference Unit (SIRU) navigation system are presented. The fault tolerant SIRU navigation system features a redundant inertial sensor unit and dual computers. System software provides for detection and isolation of inertial sensor failures and continued operation in the event of failures. Flight test results include assessments of the system's navigational performance and fault tolerance. Performance shortcomings are analyzed.

Hruby, R. J.↗

Flight test results of the Strapdown hexad Inertial Reference Unit (SIRU). Volume 3: Appendices A-G

Results of flight tests of the Strapdown Inertial Reference Unit (SIRU) navigation system are presented. The fault tolerant SIRU navigation system features a redundant inertial sensor unit and dual computers. System software provides for detection and isolation of inertial sensor failures and continued operation in the event of failures. Flight test results include assessments of the system's navigational performance and fault tolerance. Selected facets of the flight tests are also described in detail and include some of the following: (1) flight test plans and ground track plots; (2) navigation residual plots; (3) effects of approximations in navigation algorithms; (4) vibration spectrum of the CV-340 aircraft; and (5) modification of the statistical FDICR algorithm parameters for the flight environment.

Hruby, R. J.↗

Pivoting output unit control systems activated by jacks

An invention to be used for controlling aircraft flaps is described. It is applicable to control systems with two coaxial output units which pivot simultaneously with respect to two fixed units and which are activated by two opposed, straight coaxial jacks.

Belliere, P.↗