Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Test program”

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 451 records · Page 25

Test program to demonstrate the stability of hydrazine in propellant tanks

The suitability of stainless steels and Inconel for long-term hydrazine propellant-storage tanks is investigated. Rectangular coupon samples cut from propellent tanks were sealed with a measured amount of hydrazine in glass capsules, stored at 43 or 60 C, and removed after 6 to 24 months, when corrosion of the coupon and decomposition of the hydrazine was determined, and SEM and electron spectroscopy were performed on some coupons. Corrosion was found to be unmeasurably low for all the coupons, and hydrazine decomposition produced less than 1.0 cu cm of gas per sq cm of wetted surface per year, except in those few cases when catalysis or contamination were detected. Especially good stability was observed for type 304L stainless steel. The decomposition rates determined in the coupon tests are confirmed by preliminary results of actual tank storage trials.

Moran, C. M.↗

Preliminary results of penetrator field test program, Tonopah, Nevada, 16-28 April 1979

Subscale (0.63 scale) penetrators impacted various sizes of volcanic rocks resting on and within compacted plays sediments. All penetrators were identical in size, shape, weight, and impact velocity. Although minor variations in impact angle were documented, the final orientation of the buried penetrators was primarily a consequence of the size, shape, and depth of the rocks encountered during impact. In situ measurements of impacted penetrators revealed that surface and buried layers of rocks having diameters up to 3 times the penetrator diameter caused only small ( 10 deg) angles of deflection. Only large single rocks greater than 10 times the penetrator diameter caused deflections appreciably greater than 10 deg. The large deflection angles followed by the penetrator were strongly influenced by fracture planes that developed in the rock as it broke apart. No catastrophic failure of the penetrator occurred during these tests. A cross section of the path of each penetrator through the ground is shown together with details on orientation before, during, and after the tests. Comparisons are made with results of previous subscale penetrator tests, and conclusions are drawn with respect to full-scale Mars penetrator performance.

Blanchard, M. B.↗

Proposed test program and data base for LDEF polymer matrix composites

A survey of the polymer matrix composite materials that were flown on Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) is presented with particular attention to the effect of circumferential location (alpha) on the measured degradation and property changes. Specifically, it is known that atomic oxygen fluence (AO), VUV radiation dose, and number of impacts by micrometeoroids/debris vary with alpha. Thus, it is possible to assess material degradation and property damage changes with alpha for those materials that are common to three or more locations. Once the alpha-dependence functions were defined, other material samples will provide data that can readily be used to predict damage and property changes as a function of alpha as well. What data can be realistically obtained from these materials, how this data can be obtained, and the scientific/design value of the data to the user community is summarized. Finally, a proposed test plan is presented with recommended characterization methodologies that should be employed by all investigators to ensure consistency in the data base that will result from this exercise.

Tennyson, R. C.↗

Dish stirling solar receiver combustor test program

The operational and energy transfer characteristics of the Dish Stirling Solar Receiver (DSSR) combustor/heat exchanger system was evaluated. The DSSR is designed to operate with fossil fuel augmentation utilizing a swirl combustor and cross flow heat exchanger consisting of a single row of 4 closely spaced tubes that are curved into a conical shape. The performance of the combustor/heat exchanger system without a Stirling engine was studied over a range of operating conditions and output levels using water as the working fluid. Results show that the combustor may be started under cold conditions, controlled safety, and operated at a constant air/fuel ratio (10 percent excess air) over the required range of firing rates. Furthermore, nondimensional heat transfer coefficients based on total heat transfer are plotted versus Reynolds number and compared with literature data taken for single rows of closely spaced tubes perpendicular to cross flow. The data show enhanced heat transfer for the present geometry and test conditions. Analysis of the results shows that the present system meets specified thermal requirements, thus verifying the feasibility of the DSSR combustor design for final prototype fabrication.

Bankston, C. P.↗

Near Earth Asteroid Solar Sail Engineering Development Unit Test Program

The Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) Scout project is a 30x20x10cm (6U) cubesat reconnaissance mission to investigate a near Earth asteroid utilizing an 86m2 solar sail as the primary propulsion system. This will be the largest solar sail NASA will launch to date. NEA Scout is a secondary payload currently manifested on the maiden voyage of the Space Launch System in 2018. In development of the solar sail subsystem, design challenges were identified and investigated for packaging within a 6U form factor and deployment in cis-lunar space. Analysis furthered understanding of thermal, stress, and dynamics of the stowed system and matured an integrated sail membrane model for deployed flight dynamics. This paper will address design, fabrication, and lessons learned from the NEA Scout solar sail subsystem engineering development unit. From optical properties of the sail material to folding and spooling the single 86m2 sail, the team has developed a robust deployment system for the solar sail. This paper will also address expected and received test results from ascent vent, random vibration, and deployment tests.

Lockett, Tiffany Russell↗

Joint Lead-Free Solder Test Program for High Reliability Military and Space Applications

Current and future space and defense systems face potential risks from the continued use of tin-lead solder, including: compliance with current environmental regulations, concerns about potential environmental legislation banning lead-containing products, reduced mission readiness, and component obsolescence with lead surface finishes. For example, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has lowered the Toxic Chemical Release reporting threshold for lead to 100 pounds. Overseas, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and the Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Dicctives in Europe and similar mandates in Japan have instilled concern that a legislative body will prohibit the use of lead in aerospace/military electronics soldering. Any potential banning of lead compounds could reduce the supplier base and adversely affect the readiness of missions led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Before considering lead-free electronics for system upgrades or future designs, however, it is important for the DoD and NASA to know whether lead-free solders can meet their systems' requirements. No single lead-free solder is likely to qualify for all defense and space applications. Therefore, it is important to validate alternative solders for discrete applications. As a result of the need for comprehensive test data on the reliability of lead-free solders, a partnership was formed between the DoD, NASA, and several original equipment manufactures (OEMs) to conduct solder-joint reliability (laboratory) testing of three lead-free solder alloys on newly manufactured and reworked circuit cards to generate performance data for high-reliability (IPC Class 3) applications.

Brown, Christina↗