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At least 523 records · Page 29

Model systems for life processes on Mars

In the evolution of life forms nonphotosynthetic mechanisms are developed. The question remains whether a total life system could evolve which is not dependent upon photosynthesis. In trying to visualize life on other planets, the photosynthetic process has problems. On Mars, the high intensity of light at the surface is a concern and alternative mechanisms need to be defined and analyzed. In the UV search for alternate mechanisms, several different areas may be identified. These involve activated inorganic compounds in the atmosphere, such as the products of photodissociation of carbon dioxide and the organic material which may be created by natural phenomena. In addition, a life system based on the pressure of the atmospheric constituents, such as carbon dioxide, is a possibility. These considerations may be important for the understanding of evolutionary processes of life on another planet. Model systems which depend on these alternative mechanisms are defined and related to presently planned and future planetary missions.

Mitz, M. A.↗

An Operational Configuration of the ARPS Data Analysis System to Initialize WRF in the NM'S Environmental Modeling System

The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is the next generation community mesoscale model designed to enhance collaboration between the research and operational sectors. The NM'S as a whole has begun a transition toward WRF as the mesoscale model of choice to use as a tool in making local forecasts. Currently, both the National Weather Service in Melbourne, FL (NWS MLB) and the Spaceflight Meteorology Group (SMG) are running the Advanced Regional Prediction System (AIRPS) Data Analysis System (ADAS) every 15 minutes over the Florida peninsula to produce high-resolution diagnostics supporting their daily operations. In addition, the NWS MLB and SMG have used ADAS to provide initial conditions for short-range forecasts from the ARPS numerical weather prediction (NWP) model. Both NM'S MLB and SMG have derived great benefit from the maturity of ADAS, and would like to use ADAS for providing initial conditions to WRF. In order to assist in this WRF transition effort, the Applied Meteorology Unit (AMU) was tasked to configure and implement an operational version of WRF that uses output from ADAS for the model initial conditions. Both agencies asked the AMU to develop a framework that allows the ADAS initial conditions to be incorporated into the WRF Environmental Modeling System (EMS) software. Developed by the NM'S Science Operations Officer (S00) Science and Training Resource Center (STRC), the EMS is a complete, full physics, NWP package that incorporates dynamical cores from both the National Center for Atmospheric Research's Advanced Research WRF (ARW) and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction's Non-Hydrostatic Mesoscale Model (NMM) into a single end-to-end forecasting system. The EMS performs nearly all pre- and postprocessing and can be run automatically to obtain external grid data for WRF boundary conditions, run the model, and convert the data into a format that can be readily viewed within the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System. The EMS has also incorporated the WRF Standard Initialization (SI) graphical user interface (GUT), which allows the user to set up the domain, dynamical core, resolution, etc., with ease. In addition to the SI GUT, the EMS contains a number of configuration files with extensive documentation to help the user select the appropriate input parameters for model physics schemes, integration timesteps, etc. Therefore, because of its streamlined capability, it is quite advantageous to configure ADAS to provide initial condition data to the EMS software. One of the biggest potential benefits of configuring ADAS for ingest into the EMS is that the analyses could be used to initialize either the ARW or NMM. Currently, the ARPS/ADAS software has a conversion routine only for the ARW dynamical core. However, since the NIvIM runs about 2.5 times faster than the ARW, it is quite advantageous to be able to run an ADAS/NMM configuration operationally due to the increased efficiency.

Case, Jonathan↗

A 3D Printable Alloy Designed for Extreme Environments

Multiprincipal-element alloys are an enabling class of materials owing to their impressive mechanical and oxidation-resistant properties, especially in extreme environments. Here we develop a new oxide-dispersion-strengthened NiCoCr-based alloy using a model-driven alloy design approach and laser-based additive manufacturing. This oxide-dispersion-strengthened alloy, called GRX-810, uses laser powder bed fusion to disperse nanoscale Y 2 O 3 particles throughout the microstructure without the use of resource-intensive processing steps such as mechanical or in situ alloying. We show the successful incorporation and dispersion of nanoscale oxides throughout the GRX-810 build volume via high-resolution characterization of its microstructure. The mechanical results of GRX-810 show a twofold improvement in strength, over 1,000-fold better creep performance and twofold improvement in oxidation resistance compared with the traditional polycrystalline wrought Ni-based alloys used extensively in additive manufacturing at 1,093 °C. The success of this alloy highlights how model-driven alloy designs can provide superior compositions using far fewer resources compared with the ‘trial-and-error’ methods of the past. These results showcase how future alloy development that leverages dispersion strengthening combined with additive manufacturing processing can accelerate the discovery of revolutionary materials.

Timothy M. Smith↗

SCRL-Model for Human Space Flight Operations Enterprise Supply Chain

This paper will present a Supply Chain Readiness Level (SCRL) model that can be used to evaluate and configure adaptable and sustainable program and mission supply chains at an enterprise level. It will also show that using SCRL in conjunction with Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRLs) and National Aeronautics Space Administrations (NASA s) Project Lifecycle Process will provide a more complete means of developing and evaluating a robust sustainable supply chain that encompasses the entire product, system and mission lifecycle. In addition, it will be shown that by implementing the SCRL model, NASA can additionally define supplier requirements to enable effective supply chain management (SCM). Developing and evaluating overall supply chain readiness for any product, system and mission lifecycle is critical for mission success. Readiness levels are presently being used to evaluate the maturity of technology and manufacturing capability during development and deployment phases of products and systems. For example, TRLs are used to support the assessment of the maturity of a particular technology and compare maturity of different types of technologies. MRLs are designed to assess the maturity and risk of a given technology from a manufacturing perspective. In addition, when these measurement systems are used collectively they can offer a more comprehensive view of the maturity of the system. While some aspects of the supply chain and supply chain planning are considered in these familiar metric systems, certain characteristics of an effective supply chain, when evaluated in more detail, will provide an improved insight into the readiness and risk throughout the supply chain. Therefore, a system that concentrates particularly on supply chain attributes is required to better assess enterprise supply chain readiness.

Tucker, Brian↗

Uranus Global Reference Atmospheric Model (Uranus-GRAM) 2024: User Guide

Engineers and mission planners designing vehicles that pass through Uranus’ atmosphere require an atmospheric model that calculates the mean values and variations of atmospheric properties. The Uranus Global Reference Atmospheric Model(Uranus-GRAM)is an engineering- oriented model that provides this information based on data from Voyager observations. Uranus- GRAM is designed to offer mission planners the flexibility to select input parameters such as time, latitude, and longitude. Uranus-GRAM outputs atmospheric constituent data and mean values for atmospheric density, temperature, pressure, and zonal wind along a user defined path. Uranus-GRAM also provides dispersions of density and zonal wind. Uranus-GRAM is one option in the GRAM Suite that shares a common software core with the other planetary GRAMs while maintaining Uranus specific models. Additionally, documentation, including this User Guide, a Programmer’s Manual, and trajectory code interfaces has been made available with the software release. This Technical Memorandum summarizes the atmospheric data model in Uranus-GRAM and provides a guide for the user to obtain, set up, and run the code in various configurations. Section 2 describes the input atmospheric data files and how they are used in Uranus-GRAM. Section 3 explains the process to obtain the Uranus-GRAM code, the data files, and how to set up and run the program. Appendices A through E provide additional details regarding the Uranus-GRAM input and output files. Appendix F provides a history of Uranus-GRAM revisions.

atmospheric models↗

Comet thermal modeling

The past year was one of tremendous activity because of the appearance of Halley's Comet. Observations of the comet were collected from a number of sources and compared with the detailed predictions of the comet thermal modeling program. Spacecraft observations of key physical parameters for cometary nucleus were incorporated into the thermal model and new cases run. These results have led to a much better understanding of physical processes on the nucleus and have pointed the way for further improvements to the modeling program. A model for the large-scale structure of cometary nuclei was proposed in which comets were envisioned as loosely bound agglomerations of smaller icy planetesimals, essentially a rubble pile of primordial dirty snowballs. In addition, a study of the physical history of comets was begun, concentrating on processes during formation and in the Oort cloud which would alter the volatile and nonvolatile materials in cometary nuclei from their pristine state before formation.

Weissman, Paul R.↗

Mars-GRAM 2010: Additions and Resulting Improvements

The Mars Global Reference Atmospheric Model (Mars-GRAM) is an engineering-level atmospheric model widely used for diverse mission applications. Mars-GRAM has been utilized during previous aerobraking operations in the atmosphere of Mars. Mars-GRAM has also been used in the prediction and validation of Mars Pathfinder hypersonic aerodynamics, the aerothermodynamic and entry dynamics studies for Mars Polar Lander, the landing site selection process for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), the Mars Aerocapture System Study (MASS) as well as the Aerocapture Technology Assessment Group (TAG). Most recently, Mars-GRAM 2010 was used to develop the onboard atmospheric density estimator that is part of the Autonomous Aerobraking Development Plan. The most recent release of Mars-GRAM 2010 contains several changes including an update to Fortran 90/95 and the addition of adjustment factors. Following the completion of a comparison analysis between Mars-GRAM, Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES), as well as Mars Global Surveyor (MGS), Mars Odyssey (ODY), and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) aerobraking density data, adjustment factors were added to Mars-GRAM 2010 that alter the input data from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Mars General Circulation Model (MGCM) and the University of Michigan Mars Thermospheric General Circulation Model (MTGCM) for the mapping year 0 user-controlled dust case. The addition of adjustment factors resolved the issue of previous versions of Mars-GRAM being less than realistic when used for sensitivity studies for mapping year 0 and large optical depth values, such as tau equal to 3. Mars-GRAM was evaluated at locations and times of TES limb observations and adjustment factors were determined. For altitudes above 80 km and below 135 km, Mars-GRAM (MTGCM) densities were compared to aerobraking densities measured by Mars Global Surveyor (MGS), Mars Odyssey (ODY), and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) to determine the adjustment factors. The adjustment factors generated by this process had to satisfy the gas law as well as the hydrostatic relation and are expressed as a function of height (z), Latitude (Lat) and areocentric solar longitude (Ls). The greatest adjustments are made at large optical depths such as tau greater than 1. The addition of the adjustment factors has led to better correspondence to TES Limb data from 0-60 km altitude as well as better agreement with MGS, ODY and MRO data at approximately 90-130 km altitude. Improved Mars-GRAM atmospheric simulations for various locations, times and dust conditions on Mars will be presented at the workshop session. The latest results validating Mars-GRAM 2010 versus Mars Climate Sounder data will also be presented. Mars-GRAM 2010 updates have resulted in improved atmospheric simulations which will be very important when beginning systems design, performance analysis, and operations planning for future aerocapture, aerobraking or landed missions to Mars.

Justh, Hilary L.↗

Additively Manufactured Balances for Propulsive Force Measurement

Propulsive forces and moments during powered descent are not understood well enough to design an entry, decent, and landing vehicle with high confidence using solely computational fluid dynamics modelling (CFD). Therefore, wind tunnel testing is required to quantify uncertainties in computational modeling and simulation. Wind tunnel balances are structural, high-precision, multi-axis force transducers that provide direct measurement of these aerodynamic forces and moments, however their complex designs make them costly and time consuming to produce and approaches used to manufacture them have not changed significantly since the 1960s. This work demonstrates that additive manufacturing (AM) can be used to manufacture wind tunnel balances with significantly reduced fabrication time and expense. Moreover, the design flexibility afforded by the additive manufacturing process has the potential to enable new capabilities with respect to measuring propulsion forces during entry, decent, and landing testing. Here we present two novel balance designs enabled by AM. One will provide direct measurement of aerodynamic interference forces and moments on powered descent models (retropropulsion forces) to support CFD validation and further development of Mars human landing vehicle concepts. The second design will be used to characterize a reaction control system during entry decent and landing testing over a wide Mach number range.

Wind tunnel balance↗

Database Design Strategies for Coordinated Simulation and Testing in Additive Manufacturing

The qualification and certification (Q&C) process presents a significant challenge for widespread adoption of additive manufacturing (AM) materials and processes for aerospace applications. A relational database framework will be presented as a tool for data curation of coordinated experimental and computational materials modeling research activities. A comparison of relational and hierarchical data structures in this domain will be emphasized through the evolution of a database design strategy. This framework’s mission is to support the advancement of computational materials-informed Q&C by providing the necessary data infrastructure to trace reliability and reproducibility measures through unified AM materials simulation and experimental testing. FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) data will be highlighted as a necessary precursor for automation of specific actions, which ultimately reduces the time and expense burden for Q&C. The discussion will be mostly limited to back-end design elements, though a few front-end user experience examples will also be shared.

Qualification↗

Mathematical models of the open magnetosphere - Application to dayside auroras.

Two static mathematical models of the open or Dungey model of the magnetosphere are constructed. The process of construction is similar to that for early closed magnetosphere models, such as the Taylor-Hones model. The first model in fact is simply an addition of an interplanetary field in arbitrary direction to a Taylor-Hones image dipole model. In order to preserve the shape of the magnetosphere at high latitudes, and to partially exclude the exterior field, another model is constructed with the magnetopause approximated by a diamagnetic sphere. We find that there are some interplanetary field lines connected to the earth for all orientations of the interplanetary field other than strictly northward, and that the maximum number of connected field lines occurs with a due southward field. For an average spiral hose angle of the interplanetary field, the dayside neutral point occurs on the magnetopause at about 10 o'clock local time. Dayside auroras, convection patterns, and other phenomena may exhibit symmetry about this local time. For a positive (negative) interplanetary field sector, energetic, anisotropic particle fluxes should have direct access to the northern (southern) polar caps, as is supported by many recent observations.

Forbes, T. G.↗

The JPL orbit determination software system

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) orbit determination software system is described. Consisting of a set of computer programs, this system has been developed at JPL for the primary purpose of determining the flight path of deep-space mission spacecraft in NASA's planetary program. Secondary uses include science studies in celestial mechanics and extraterrestrial atmospherics. Attention is given to such features as the capability for processing 30 data types from up to 15 tracking stations, and for precise navigation to natural satellites of outer planets. In addition, the system contains models for such conditions as mascons, atmospheric drag, attitude control, and finite motor burns, to provide for extensive solve-on capabilities.

Ekelund, J. E.↗

Helicopter Pilot Performance for Discrete-maneuver Flight Tasks

This paper describes a current study of several basic helicopter flight maneuvers. The data base consists of in-flight measurements from instrumented helicopters using experienced pilots. The analysis technique is simple enough to apply without automatic data processing, and the results can be used to build quantitative matah models of the flight task and some aspects of the pilot control strategy. In addition to describing the performance measurement technqiue, some results are presented which define the aggressiveness and amplitude of maneuvering for several lateral maneuvers including turns and sidesteps.

Heffley, R. K.↗

Effect of 0.1 at. pct Zirconium on the cyclic oxidation resistance of beta-NiAl

The effect of 0.1 at. pct Zr on the cyclic oxidation of hipped beta-NiAl was studied. Oxidation testing was performed in static air at 1100-1200 C, using 1-hr exposure cycles for test times up to 3000 hr. The weight change versus time data were modeled with the COSP computer program to analyze and predict cyclic-oxidation behavior. Zr additions significantly change the nature of the scale-spalling process during cooling, so that the oxide spalls near the oxide-air interface at a relatively low depth within the scale. Without Zr, the predominantly alpha-Al2O3 scale tends to spall randomly to bare metal at relatively high effective-scale-loss rates, particularly at 1150 C and 1200 C. This leads to higher rates of Al consumption for the Zr-free aluminide and much earlier depletion of Al, leading to eventual breakaway (i.e., failure).

Barrett, Charles A.↗

Reliability growth modeling analysis of the space shuttle main engines based upon the Weibull process

The Weibull process, identified as the inhomogeneous Poisson process with the Weibull intensity function, is used to model the reliability growth assessment of the space shuttle main engine test and flight failure data. Additional tables of percentage-point probabilities for several different values of the confidence coefficient have been generated for setting (1-alpha)100-percent two sided confidence interval estimates on the mean time between failures. The tabled data pertain to two cases: (1) time-terminated testing, and (2) failure-terminated testing. The critical values of the three test statistics, namely Cramer-von Mises, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, and chi-square, were calculated and tabled for use in the goodness of fit tests for the engine reliability data. Numerical results are presented for five different groupings of the engine data that reflect the actual response to the failures.

Wheeler, J. T.↗

Monthly mean global satellite data sets available in CCM history tape format

Satellite data for climate monitoring have become increasingly important over the past decade, especially with increasing concern for inadvertent antropogenic climate change. Although most satellite based data are of short record, satellites can provide the global coverage that traditional meteorological observations network lack. In addition, satellite data are invaluable for the validation of climate models, and they are useful for many diagnostic studies. Herein, several satellite data sets were processed and transposed into 'history tape' format for use with the Community Climate Model (CCM) modular processor. Only a few of the most widely used and best documented data sets were selected at this point, although future work will expand the number of data sets examined as well as update the archived data sets. An attempt was made to include data of longer record and only monthly averaged data were processed. For studies using satellite data over an extended period, it is important to recognize the impact of changes in instrumentation, drift in instrument calibration, errors introduced by retrieval algorithms and other sources of errors such as those resulting from insufficient space and/or time sampling.

Hurrell, James W.↗

Measurement and analysis of operating system fault tolerance

This paper demonstrates a methodology to model and evaluate the fault tolerance characteristics of operational software. The methodology is illustrated through case studies on three different operating systems: the Tandem GUARDIAN fault-tolerant system, the VAX/VMS distributed system, and the IBM/MVS system. Measurements are made on these systems for substantial periods to collect software error and recovery data. In addition to investigating basic dependability characteristics such as major software problems and error distributions, we develop two levels of models to describe error and recovery processes inside an operating system and on multiple instances of an operating system running in a distributed environment. Based on the models, reward analysis is conducted to evaluate the loss of service due to software errors and the effect of the fault-tolerance techniques implemented in the systems. Software error correlation in multicomputer systems is also investigated.

Lee, I.↗

Phenomenological Theory of the Translational Relaxation Times in Gases

The exact solution to the classical equations governing the translational dispersion and absorption of sound in a gas obscures its relaxational character because of its mathematical complexity. The approach taken here is to solve the secular equation by the method of Pade approximants, which even to the relatively low order R(sub 11) yields a remarkably close approximation to the exact solution over a wide range of frequency/pressure (f/P) ratios. As a result, translational relaxation can be formulated in terms of a conventional relaxation process with well-defined relaxation times, relaxation strength, collision numbers, additivity relations, etc. To extend the theory to high values of f/P ratio, a model is proposed to account for the noncontinuum behavior of the transport coefficients (viscosity and thermal conductivity) as the molecular mean free path approaches the acoustical enclosure dimensions. The theoretical dispersion and absorption show good agreement with measurements in argon over the classical and transition regions of f/P, but a discrepancy appears at higher values of f/P, where collective propagating modes, assumed in the theory, give way to single-particle modes, prevailing in the experiments.

Zuckerwar, Allan J.↗

Test Results of a 200 W Class Hall Thruster

The performance of a 200 W class Hall thruster was evaluated. Performance measurements were taken at power levels between 90 W and 250 W. At the nominal 200 W design point, the measured thrust was 11.3 mN. and the specific impulse was 1170 s excluding cathode flow in the calculation. A laboratory model 3 mm diameter hollow cathode was used for all testing. The engine was operated on laboratory power supplies in addition to a breadboard power processing unit fabricated from commercially available DC to DC converters.

Jacobson, David↗