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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 541 records · Page 30

Utilization of the Spacehab module as a microgravity carrier

Spacehab Incorporated has proposed the use of its mid-deck augmentation module as a near term microgravity test bed. The orbital flight dynamics and payload accommodation capabilities of a Space Shuttle with the Spacehad module were investigated to assess this proposal. It was found that the module will provide a 1 microG (32.2 x 10(exp 6) ft/sq sec) quasi-steady state environment for limited periods of time when the shuttle is actively controlled. A passively stable attitude will provide a 4 microG environment for longer periods. Shuttle imposed constraints on the composite payload center of gravity, however, severely limit the possibilities for co-manifesting additional payloads. The analysis leading to those conclusions are detailed.

Sasamoto, Washito A.↗

Refraction effects on the Galileo probe telemetry carrier frequency

As the Galileo probe relay radio link (RRL) signal propagates outward through the Jovian atmosphere, the atmosphere will manifest itself in two ways. First, the geometric path length of the signal is increased, resulting in a small change of the RRL signal departure angle from the proble (transmitter). Secondly, the velocity of the signal is decreased. For a spherical, static atmosphere with a known profile of refractivity versus altitude the effects of refraction on the RRL frequency can be found using a variation of standard ray-tracing techniques, whereby the ray departure angle is found by an iterative process. From the dispersive characteristics of a mixture of hydrogen and helium with trace amounts of methane and ammonia a simple model of the Jovian atmosphere is constructed assuming spherical symmetry and uniform mixing. The contribution to the RRL Doppler frequency arising from refraction is calculated, and its effect on the Doppler wind measurements is discussed.

Atkinson, D. H.↗

Digital carrier demodulator employing components working beyond normal limits

In a digital device, having an input comprised of a digital sample stream at a frequency F, a method is disclosed for employing a component designed to work at a frequency less than F. The method, in general, is comprised of the following steps: dividing the digital sample stream into odd and even digital samples streams each at a frequency of F/2; passing one of the digital sample streams through the component designed to work at a frequency less than F where the component responds only to the odd or even digital samples in one of the digital sample streams; delaying the other digital sample streams for the time it takes the digital sample stream to pass through the component; and adding the one digital sample stream after passing through the component with the other delayed digital sample streams. In the specific example, the component is a finite impulse response filter of the order ((N + 1)/2) and the delaying step comprised passing the other digital sample streams through a shift register for a time (in sampling periods) of ((N + 1)/2) + r, where r is a pipline delay through the finite impulse response filter.

Hurd, William J.↗

Reusable ultralight personnel carrier (RUPC)

Attention is given to a personnel-carrying space vehicle concept developed to minimize the cost of access to LEO. The RUPC could provide alternate access to Space Station Freedom (SSF) for six passengers per flight. It can also bring and return small amounts of cargo, up to and including one SSF double rack. These capabilities are ideal for utilization flights during man-tended operations at SSF and for crew rotation during permanently manned periods. The RUPC is a reusable conical reentry vehicle and disposable adapter with propulsion and power subsystems. Avionics subsystem benefit from advanced low-power high-performance microelectronics developed for both the civilian and military space sectors. The RUPC core cabin concept has growth potential for other applications, including assured crew return, ground-launched crew rescue, delivery and retrieval of SSF cargo, and crew cabin for flights to the moon.

Clark, B. C., III↗

On ionized napthalene (C10H8(+)) as a carrier of diffuse interstellar bands

A recent laboratory study of ionized napthalene (C10H8(+)) has led to the suggestion that some of the unidentified diffuse interstellar bands may be formed by this molecular ion in the diffuse interstellar medium. In particular, there is a close match between a laboratory feature at 6741 A and a weak diffuse band at 6742 A, and some near-coincidences at other wavelengths. The same laboratory data show that other diffuse bands may be found, including one at 6151 A, if indeed C10H8(+) is responsible. This paper reports a search for the 6151 A feature, with negative results. The derived upper limits appear to be in conflict with the C10H8(+) hypothesis, but may not be, due to uncertainties in the expected width of the predicted interstellar feature, and due to the fact that the observations do not include data on the 6742 A band, so it is not known whether this putative C10H8(+) feature is present in the observed clouds.

Snow, Theodore P.↗

Full-scale wind-tunnel tests of high-lift system modifications on a carrier based fighter aircraft

Modifications to the high-lift system of a full-scale F/A-I8A were tested in the 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel of the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex at the NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California. The objective was to measure the effect of simple modifications on the aerodynamic performance of the high-lift system. The modifications included the placement of a straight fairing in the shroud cove above the trailing-edge flap and the addition of seals to prevent air leakage through the hinge lines of the leading-edge flap, the trailing-edge shroud, and the wing fold. The test was carried out on an actual F/A-18A with it's flaps deployed in the landing approach configuration. The angle of attack ranged from 0 to 16 degrees and the wind speed was 100 knots. At an angle of attack of 8 degrees, the trimmed lift coefficient was improved by 0.09 with all wing seals in place. This corresponds to a reduction in the approach speed for the F/A-I8A of about 5 knots. The seal along the wing fold hinge, a feature present on many naval aircraft, provided one third of the total increment in trimmed lift. A comparison of the full-scale wind-tunnel results with those obtained from flight test is also presented.

Meyn, Larry A.↗

Probing hot-carrier transport and elastic scattering using ballistic-electron-emission microscopy

Ballistic-electron-emission microscopy (BEEM) has been used to characterize electron transport and scattering in metal/semiconductor structures. A SiO2 layer at the Au/Si interface was patterned to form transmitting and nontransmitting regions. By analyzing the BEEM current profiles at the boundaries of these regions, information on the spatial distribution of electrons after transport through the Au layer can be derived. A detailed comparison is made between the results presented here and models which involve modification of the electron distribution by scattering.

Milliken, A. M.↗

Quartz/fused silica chip carriers

The primary objective of this research and development effort was to develop monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) packaging which will operate efficiently at millimeter-wave frequencies. The packages incorporated fused silica as the substrate material which was selected due to its favorable electrical properties and potential performance improvement over more conventional materials for Ka-band operation. The first step towards meeting this objective is to develop a package that meets standard mechanical and thermal requirements using fused silica and to be compatible with semiconductor devices operating up to at least 44 GHz. The second step is to modify the package design and add multilayer and multicavity capacity to allow for application specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) to control multiple phase shifters. The final step is to adapt the package design to a phased array module with integral radiating elements. The first task was a continuation of the SBIR Phase 1 work. Phase 1 identified fused silica as a viable substrate material by demonstrating various plating, machining, and adhesion properties. In Phase 2 Task 1, a package was designed and fabricated to validate these findings. Task 2 was to take the next step in packaging and fabricate a multilayer, multichip module (MCM). This package is the predecessor to the phased array module and demonstrates the ability to via fill, circuit print, laminate, and to form vertical interconnects. The final task was to build a phased array module. The radiating elements were to be incorporated into the package instead of connecting to it with wire or ribbon bonds.

Source record↗

Performance, defect behavior and carrier enhancement in low energy, proton irradiated p+nn+ InP solar cells

The highest AMO efficiency (19.1 percent) InP solar cell consisted of an n+pp+ structure epitaxially grown on a p+ InP substrate. However, the high cost and relative fragility of InP served as motivation for research efforts directed at heteroepitaxial growth of InP on more viable substrates. The highest AMO efficiency (13.7 percent) for this type of cell was achieved using a GaAs substrate. Considering only cost and fracture toughness, Si would be the preferred substrate. The fact that Si is a donor in InP introduces complexities which are necessary in order to avoid the formation of an efficiency limiting counterdiode. One method used to overcome this problem lies in employing an n+p+ tunnel junction in contact with the cell's p region. A simpler method consists of using an n+ substrate and processing the cell in the p+ nn+ configuration. This eliminates the need for a tunnel junction. Unfortunately, the p/n configuration has received relatively little attention the best cell with this geometry having achieved an efficiency of 17 percent. Irradiation of these homoepitaxial cells, with 1 Mev electrons, showed that they were slightly more radiation resistant than diffused junction n/p cells. Additional p/n InP cells have been processed by some activity aimed at diffusion. Currently, there has been some activity aimed at producing heteroepitaxial p+nn+ InP cells using n+ Ge substrates. Since, like Si, Ge is an n-dopant in InP, use of this configuration obviates the need for a tunnel junction. Obviously, before attempting to process heteroepitaxial cells, one must produce a reasonably good homoepitaxial cell. In the present case we focus our attention on homoepitaxially on an n+ Ge substrate.

Weinberg, I.↗

Performance of residual carrier array-feed combining in correlated noise

An array feed combining system for the recovery of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loss due to antenna reflector deformation has been implemented and is currently being evaluated on the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's 34-meter DSS-13 antenna. In this system, the defocused signal field captured by a focal plane array feed is recovered using real-time signal-processing and signal-combining techniques. The current signal-processing and signal-combining algorithms are optimum under the assumption that the white Gaussian noise processes in the received signals from different array elements are mutually uncorrelated. Experimental data at DSS 13 indicate that these noise processes are indeed mutually correlated. The main result of this article is an analytical derivation of the actual SNR performance of the current suboptimal signal-combining algorithm in this correlated-noise environment. The analysis here shows that the combined signal SNR can either be improved or degraded depending on the relation between the array signal and noise correlation coefficient phases. Further performance improvement will require the development of signal-combining methods that take into account the correlated noises.

Tan, H. H.↗