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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 451 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

Estimate of contribution of jet aircraft operations to trace element concentration at or near airports

Samples of ASTM type A jet fuel were analyzed for trace-element content by instrumental neutron activation techniques. Forty-nine elements were sought. Only ten, aluminum, gold, indium, lanthanum, titanium, vandium, barium, dysprosium, tellurium, and uranium, were observed at levels above the detection limits encountered; of these only aluminum, titanium, and barium were present at concentrations greater than 0.1 ppm. Estimates of exhaust gas concentrations are made, and the ambient contribution at or near airports is calculated by using the Los Angeles International Airport dispersion model. It is shown that the ambient contribution is about an order of magnitude below typical urban levels for virtually all elements sought.

Fordyce, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A catalogue of solar cosmic ray events: IMPS 4 and 5, May 1967 - December 1972

This catalogue of solar cosmic ray events has been prepared for the use of solar physicists and other interested scientists. It contains some 185 solar particle events detected by the Goddard Space Flight Center Cosmic Ray Experiments on IMP's IV and V (Explorer 34 and 41) for the period May 1967 - December 1972. The data is presented in the form of hourly averages for three proton energy intervals - 0.9 - 1.6 MeV; 6 - 20 MeV and 20 - 80 MeV. In addition the time histories of .5 - 1.1 MeV electrons are shown on a separate scale. To assist in the identification of related solar events, the onset time of the electron event is indicated. The details of the instrumentation and detector techniques are described. Further descriptions of data reduction procedure and on the time-history plots are given.

Vanhollebeke, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Results of investigating the physicomechanical properties of a sample of lunar surface material in a research chamber in nitrogen

Results are reported on an investigation of the mechanical properties of the lunar surface material sample returned by the Luna 16 automatic station. The study included determination of the specific weight of the surface material, the nature of its disintegration, and the determination of its compressibility characteristics, shear resistance, and bearing capacity. Quantitative data are presented on mechanical properties for the lunar surface material, many of which are determined for the first time. The instruments and experimental techniques are described.

Leonovich, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Earth Observatory Satellite system definition study. Report 5: System design and specifications. Volume 1: Baseline system description

A system baseline design oriented to the requirements of the next generation of Earth Observatory Satellite missions is presented. The first mission (EOS-A) is envisioned as a two-fold mission which (1) provides a continuum of data of the type being supplied by ERTS for the emerging operational applications and also (2) expands the research and development activities for future instrumentation and analysis techniques. The baseline system specifically satisfies the requirements of this first mission. However, EOS-A is expected to be the first of a series of earth observation missions. Thus the baseline design has been developed so as to accommodate these latter missions effectively as the transition is made from conventional, expendable launch vehicles and spacecraft to the Shuttle Space Transportation System era. Further, a subset of alternative missions requirements including Seasat, SEOS, SMM and MSS-5 have been analyzed to verify that the spacecraft design to serve a multi-mission role is economically sound. A key feature of the baseline system design is the concept of a modular observatory system whose elements are compatible with varying levels of launch vehicle capability. The design configuration can be used with either the Delta or Titan launch vehicles and will adapt readily to the space shuttle when that system becomes available in the early 1980's.

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NASA NTRS1974

Ground truth data for test sites (SL-4)

Field measurements performed simultaneous with Skylab overpass in order to provide comparative calibration and performance evaluation measurements for the EREP sensors are presented. Wavelength region covered include: solar radiation (400 to 1300 nanometer), and thermal radiation (8 to 14 micrometer). Measurements consisted of general conditions and near surface meteorology, atmospheric temperature and humidity vs altitude, the thermal brightness temperature, total and diffuse solar radiation, direct solar radiation (subsequently analyzed for optical depth/transmittance), and target reflectivity/radiance. The particular instruments used are discussed along with analyses performed. Detailed instrument operation, calibrations, techniques, and errors are given.

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NASA NTRS1975

Lunar polymict breccia 14321 - A compositional study of its principal components

Forty-nine sub-samples of the polymict breccia 14321,184 have been excavated from the rock and analyzed by instrumental activation analysis techniques, specially modified to allow examination of small samples. Two distinct types of microbreccia clasts were analysed. A mare-type basalt of unusual composition is present as several discrete clasts. Mixing models for the clastic components of the breccia illustrate that at least three stages of assembly may be distinguished on compositional grounds. The first was at a site such that KREEP-rich materials dominated the clastic rocks formed, although a variety of lithic fragments were apparently present. The second assembly stage may have been primarily that of comminution and mixing of the more primitive materials, with addition of mare-type basalt clasts. The third stage saw addition of clasts of 14321-type basalt. In the final assembly stage, the light matrix was apparently formed entirely by mutual abrasion of the pre-existing clasts, resulting in little or no change in bulk composition.

Duncan, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Jupiter's atmosphere - Problems and potential of radio occultation

The atmospheric temperature-pressure profiles derived from the Pioneer 10-Pioneer 11 radio occultation experiment are mutually consistent but differ markedly from the results of other investigations. Current studies indicate that the occultation interpretation contains errors that were made very large by an inherent magnification effect, and that these errors have both geometrical and equipment sources. The apparent consistency between the Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 results must be considered fortuitous. Despite these difficulties, the occultation technique, when optimally instrumented and carefully interpreted, retains its potential for atmospheric profile measurements of high accuracy and resolution.

Eshleman, V. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Estimate of contribution of jet aircraft operations to trace element concentration at or near airports

Samples of ASTM type A jet fuel were analyzed for trace element content by instrumental neutron activation techniques. Forty-nine elements were sought. Only ten, aluminum, gold, indium, lanthanum, titanium, vanadium, barium, dysprosium, tellurium, and uranium, were observed at levels above the detection limits encountered; of these only aluminum, titanium, and barium were present at concentrations greater than 0.1 ppm. Estimates of exhaust gas concentrations are made, and the ambient contribution at or near airports is calculated by using the Los Angeles International Airport dispersion model. It is shown that the ambient contribution is about an order of magnitude below typical urban levels for virtually all elements sought.

Fordyce, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Flight testing air-to-air missiles for flutter

The philosophy of the design of air-to-air missiles and hence of flight testing them for flutter differs from that of manned aircraft. Primary emphasis is put on analytical and laboratory evaluation of missile susceptibility to aeroelastic and aero-servo-elastic instabilities and uses flight testing for confirmation of the absence of such instabilities. Flight testing for flutter is accomplished by using specially instrumented programmed missiles, air or ground launched with a booster to reach the extreme flight conditions of tactical use, or by using guided missiles with telemetered performance data. The instrumentation and testing techniques are discussed along with the success of recent flight tests.

Kutschinski, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The measurement of carbon monoxide and methane in the National Capital Air Quality Control Region. I - Measurement systems

The Carbon Monoxide Pollution Experiment (COPE) and the National Capital Air Quality Control Region (NCAQCR) undertook a series of measurements of atmospheric CO and CH4 to determine the accuracy of the airborne COPE Correlation Interfer4meter. The device, a modified Michelson interferometer, measures the atmospheric column density of CO and CH4 at 2.3 microns with tropospheric measurement sensitivities of 70 and 10 PPB, respectively. Data for evaluating the remote measurements included atmospheric column density measurements at a ground truth site using a van-mounted infrared Fourier spectrometer; continuous ground level gas chromatographic measurements; and chromatographic data from atmospheric grab samples collected by aircraft and at ground locations. The instruments and sampling techniques used in the experiment are described in detail.

Lebel, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Reports of planetary geology program, 1976 - 1977

One hundred seventeen investigations undertaken in the NASA Planetary Geology Program in 1976-1977 are reported in abstract form. Topics discussed include solar system formation; planetary interiors; planetary evolution; asteroids, comets and moons; cratering; volcanic, eolian, fluvial and mass wasting processes; volatiles and the Martian regolith; mapping; and instrument development and techniques. An author index is provided.

Arvidson, R.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The solar-terrestrial observatory as a major module of a space station

The solar-terrestrial environment is a dynamic, tightly coupled system in which variable solar energy is transmitted through electromagnetic radiation and the solar wind to the earth's magnetosphere and atmosphere. The constantly changing solar input and the continuous redistribution of energy near the earth combine to determine the characteristics of our global environment. An understanding and subsequent management of this environment will require a coordinated set of observations of solar processes and the accompanying magnetospheric and atmospheric responses. A major element in this observational plan should be a Solar-Terrestrial Observatory module of a manned Space Station in which instruments and experimental techniques developed during short-duration Spacelab flights will be applied to extended missions in both low-altitude and geosynchronous orbits.

Chappell, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Global sensing of gaseous and aerosol trace species using automated instrumentation on 747 airliners

The Global Atmospheric Sampling Program (GASP) by NASA is collecting and analyzing data on gaseous and aerosol trace species in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Measurements are obtained from automated systems installed on four 747 airliners flying global air routes. Advances were made in airborne sampling instrumentation. Improved instruments and analysis techniques are providing an expanding data base for trace species including ozone, carbon monoxide, water vapor, condensation nuclei and mass concentrations of sulfates and nitrates. Simultaneous measurements of several trace species obtained frequently can be used to uniquely identify the source of the air mass as being typically tropospheric or stratospheric. A quantitative understanding of the tropospheric-stratospheric exchange processes leads to better knowledge of the atmospheric impact of pollution through the development of improved simulation models of the atmosphere.

Perkins, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

NASA satellite to track North Pole expedition

The proposed expedition of a lone explorer and the use of Nimbus 6 (NASA meteorological research satellite) to track his journey is reported. The journey is scheduled to start March 4, 1978, and will cover a distance of 6.000 Km (3,728 miles) from northern Canada to the North Pole and return, traveling the length of Greenland's isolated interior. The mode of transportation for the explorer will be by dog sled. Instrumentation and tracking techniques are discussed.

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NASA NTRS1978

A bibliography of planetary geology principal investigators and their associates, 1976-1978

This bibliography cites publications submitted by 484 principal investigators and their associates who were supported through NASA's Office of Space Sciences Planetary Geology Program. Subject classifications include: solar system formation, comets, and asteroids; planetary satellites, planetary interiors, geological and geochemical constraints on planetary evolution; impact crater studies, volcanism, eolian studies, fluvian studies, Mars geological mapping; Mercury geological mapping; planetary cartography; and instrument development and techniques. An author/editor index is provided.

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NASA NTRS1977

New frequency domain methods for system identification

This paper presents two new techniques for frequency domain identification of linear system parameters. The first technique uses the instrumental variables approach. The frequency domain formulation is shown to give a considerable insight into the selection of efficient and convergent instrumental variables. The new maximum likelihood formulation affords simplier numerical solution and provides a way to select parameter starting values in the gradient based optimization method.

Gupta, N. K.↗
NASA NTRS1978

What can earth tide measurements tell us about ocean tides or earth structure?

Current experimental problems in Earth tides are reviewed using comparisons of tidal gravity and tilt measurements in Europe with loading calculations are examples. The limitations of present day instrumentation and installation techniques are shown as well as some of the ways in which they can be improved. Many of the geophysical and oceanographic investigations that are possible with Earth tide measurements are discussed with emphasis on the percentage accuracies required in the measurements in order to obtain new information about Earth or its oceans.

Baker, T. F.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Global sensing of gaseous and aerosol trace species using automated instrumentation on 747 airliners

The Global Atmospheric Sampling Program (GASP) is collecting and analyzing data on gaseous and aerosol trace contaminants in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Measurements are obtained from automated systems installed on four 747 airliners flying global air routes. Improved instruments and analysis techniques are providing an expanding data base for trace species including ozone, carbon monoxide, water vapor, condensation nuclei, and mass concentration of sulfates and nitrates. Simultaneous measurements of several trace species obtained frequently can be used to identify the source of the air mass as being typically tropospheric or stratospheric.

Perkins, P. J.↗