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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

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NASA NTRS1991

Remote compositional mapping of lunar titanium and surface maturity

Lunar ilmenite (FeTiO3) is a potential resource capable of providing oxygen for life support and spacecraft propellant for future lunar bases. Estimates of TiO2 content in mature mare soils can be made using an empirical relation between the 400/500 nm reflectance ratio and TiO2 wt percent. A TiO2 abundance map was constructed for the entire near-side lunar maria accurate to + or - 2 wt percent TiO2 using CCD images obtained at the Tumamoc Hill 0.5 m telescope in Tucson, employing bandpass filters centered at 400 and 560 nm. Highest TiO2 regions in the maria are located in western Mare Tranquillitatis. Greater contrast differences between regions on the lunar surface can be obtained using 400/730 nm ratio images. The relation might well be refined to accommodate this possibly more sensitive indicator of TiO2 content. Another potential lunar resource is solar wind-implanted He-3 which may be used as a fuel for fusion reactors. Relative soil maturity, as determined by agglutinate content, can be estimated from 950/560 nm ration images. Immature soils appear darker in this ratio since such soils contain abundant pyroxene grains which cause strong absorption centered near 950 nm due Fe(2+) crystal field transitions. A positive correlation exists between the amount of He-3 and TiO2 content in lunar soils, suggesting that regions high in TiO2 should also be high in He-3. Reflectance spectrophotometry in the region 320 to 870 nm was also obtained for several regions. Below about 340 nm, these spectra show variations in relative reflectance that are caused by as yet unassigned near-UV absorptions due to compositional differences.

Johnson, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Survey of resource opportunities and critical evaluation of economic requirements

A series of mission analyses were performed to evaluate human mission to Mars and the moon with and without the aid of planetary resource utilization. The types of trade studies that are considered include the use of resources to manufacture propellant, food, habitat atmospheric gases, and lander habitat structure. Also, the potential for export of resources from the moon, Mars, Phobos, Deimos, and selected asteroids is also examined. In all cases, mass leveraging is evaluated. For certain cases, economic factors are evaluated as well. It is concluded that some uses are highly leveraging on the mission, whereas others have lesser impact and, therefore, should be afforded lesser priority in resource utilization studies. This survey is made with a consistent set of scaling laws for spacecraft propulsion and habitation systems and subsystems, and therefore, provides a rational basis for comparing different resource locations and use strategies.

Clark, Benton C.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The meteoritic contribution to the regoliths of Mars, Deimos, and Phobos

The mass influx of meteoritic material at Earth exhibits two distinct peaks: one centered at 10-5 grams, corresponding to the continuous, planet-wide flux of micrometeorites, and a second corresponding to the rare impacts of objects larger than 1014 grams. Using the measured flux of meteoritic material at Earth and estimates of the Mars/Earth flux ration, it was calculated that the micrometeorites add between 2,700 and 59,000 tons of meteoritic material to the surface of Mars annually. This corresponds to the accretion of between 1.8 and 40 cm of meteoritic material per billion years. On the Moon this meteoritic component constitutes 1 to 2 percent of the mare soils. Depending on the indigenous regolith production rate on Mars, the meteoritic material on Mars may be present in sufficient concentration to serve as a resource for the volatile and siderophile elements common in chondritic meteorites but rare in basaltic crustal material. Since a significant fraction of the micrometeorites less than 1200 mm in diameter survive atmospheric entry on Mars without melting, they carry into the regolith the solar wind ions, including H, He, and noble gases, implanted during their space exposure.

Flynn, G. J.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Supersonic quasi-axisymmetric vortex breakdown

An extensive computational study of supersonic quasi-axisymmetric vortex breakdown in a configured circular duct is presented. The unsteady, compressible, full Navier-Stokes (NS) equations are used. The NS equations are solved for the quasi-axisymmetric flows using an implicit, upwind, flux difference splitting, finite volume scheme. The quasi-axisymmetric solutions are time accurate and are obtained by forcing the components of the flowfield vector to be equal on two axial planes, which are in close proximity of each other. The effect of Reynolds number, for laminar flows, on the evolution and persistence of vortex breakdown, is studied. Finally, the effect of swirl ration at the duct inlet is investigated.

Kandil, Osama A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The Au Cathode in the System Li2CO3-CO2-CO at 800 to 900 C

The lithium-CO2 battery has recently been proposed as an advanced concept for missions to Mars or Venus, planets with carbon dioxide atmospheres. This article discusses the initial evaluation of gold as a catalyst for the cathodic reduction of carbon dioxide in molten lithium carbonate. An attempt is then made to rationalize the experimental results by proposing a phenomenological model for the sequence of reactions at and around the electrode. Finally, inferences are made as to the viability of gold as a cathode catalyst for the proposed battery.

Carbon dioxide↗

NASA NTRS1990

Evolutionary use of nuclear electric propulsion

Evolving new propulsion technologies through a rational and conscious effort to minimize development costs and program risks while maximizing the performance benefits is intuitively practical. A phased approach to the evolution of nuclear electric propulsion from use on planetary probes, to lunar cargo vehicles, and finally to manned Mars missions with a concomitant growth in technology is considered. Technology levels and system component makeup are discussed for nuclear power systems and both ion and magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters. Mission scenarios are described, which include analysis of a probe to Pluto, a lunar cargo mission, Martian split, all-up, and quick-trip mission options. Evolutionary progression of the use of NEP in such missions is discussed.

Hack, K. J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Metal matrix composites microfracture - Computational simulation

Fiber/matrix fracture and fiber-matrix interface debonding in a metal matrix composite (MMC) are computationally simulated. These simulations are part of a research activity to develop computational methods for microfracture, microfracture propagation and fracture toughness of the metal matrix composites. The three-dimensional finite element model used in the simulation consists of a group of nine unidirectional fibers in three by three unit cell array of SiC/Ti15 metal matrix composite with a fiber volume ration of 0.35. This computational procedure is used to predict the fracture process and establish the hierarchy of fracture modes based on strain energy release rate. It is also used to predict stress redistribution to surrounding matrix-fibers due to initial and progressive fracture of fiber/matrix and due to debonding of fiber-matrix interface. Microfracture results for various loading cases such as longitudinal, transverse, shear and bending are presented and discussed. Step-by-step procedures are outlined to evaluate composite microfracture for a given composite system.

Mital, S. K.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Determination of the thermal stability of fluids by tensimetry - Instrumentation and procedure

A computerized tensimeter and experimental procedure for determination of the thermal decomposition temperature (T sub d) of perfluoro alkylethers were developed and tested. Both the apparatus and the procedure are described in detail. Results of testing with bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and trimethylolpropane triheptanoate demonstrate that the reciprocal of the decomposition temperature is a linear function of the logarithm of the gas volume/heated liquid volume ratio. The T sub d obtained for each compound at a gas volume/heated liquid volume ration of one was similar to the value previously reported using an isoteniscope technique. Results of testing with a polymer of hexafluoropropylene oxide demonstrate that this instrument and procedure can be used to determine the T sub d of perfluoro alkylethers.

Helmick, Larry S.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Neural computation of arithmetic functions

An area of application of neural networks is considered. A neuron is modeled as a linear threshold gate, and the network architecture considered is the layered feedforward network. It is shown how common arithmetic functions such as multiplication and sorting can be efficiently computed in a shallow neural network. Some known results are improved by showing that the product of two n-bit numbers and sorting of n n-bit numbers can be computed by a polynomial-size neural network using only four and five unit delays, respectively. Moreover, the weights of each threshold element in the neural networks require O(log n)-bit (instead of n-bit) accuracy. These results can be extended to more complicated functions such as multiple products, division, rational functions, and approximation of analytic functions.

Siu, Kai-Yeung↗

NASA NTRS1991

Transition operators in acoustic-wave diffraction theory. I - General theory. II - Short-wavelength behavior, dominant singularities of Zk0 and Zk0 exp -1

A formal theory of the scattering of time-harmonic acoustic scalar waves from impenetrable, immobile obstacles is established. The time-independent formal scattering theory of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, in particular the theory of the complete Green's function and the transition (T) operator, provides the model. The quantum-mechanical approach is modified to allow the treatment of acoustic-wave scattering with imposed boundary conditions of impedance type on the surface (delta-Omega) of an impenetrable obstacle. With k0 as the free-space wavenumber of the signal, a simplified expression is obtained for the k0-dependent T operator for a general case of homogeneous impedance boundary conditions for the acoustic wave on delta-Omega. All the nonelementary operators entering the expression for the T operator are formally simple rational algebraic functions of a certain invertible linear radiation impedance operator which maps any sufficiently well-behaved complex-valued function on delta-Omega into another such function on delta-Omega. In the subsequent study, the short-wavelength and the long-wavelength behavior of the radiation impedance operator and its inverse (the 'radiation admittance' operator) as two-point kernels on a smooth delta-Omega are studied for pairs of points that are close together.

Hahne, G. E.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Automated frequency domain system identification of a large space structure

This paper presents the development and experimental results of an automated on-orbit system identification method for large flexible spacecraft that yields estimated quantities to support on-line design and tuning of robust high performance control systems. The procedure consists of applying an input to the plant, obtaining an output, and then conducting nonparametric identification to yield the spectral estimate of the system transfer function. A parametric model is determined by curve fitting the spectral estimate to a rational transfer function. The identification method has been demonstrated experimentally on the Large Spacecraft Control Laboratory in JPL.

Yam, Y.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The linear stability of plane stagnation-point flow against general disturbances

The linear-stability theory of plane stagnation-point flow against an infinite flat plate is re-examined. Disturbances are generalized from those of Goertler type to include other types of variations along the plate. It is shown that Hiemenz flow is linearly stable and that the Goertler-type modes are those that decay slowest. This work then rationalizes the use of such self-similar disturbances on Hiemenz flow and shows how questions of disturbance structure can be approached on other self-similar flows.

Brattkus, K.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Flight payloads environmental approach

The Earth Observing System (EOS) and Space Station (SS) attached payload instruments to be developed by JPL will have a consistent implied level of reliability confidence based on the application of product assurance requirements. An important subset of these requirements is a set of detailed environmental design and test requirements. These requirements have a sound technical defense, are unambiguous in their level of detail, provide rational risk management as a function of payload classification, and are rigorously enforced with a comprehensive waiver process imposed on planned deviations.

Schlue, John W.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The automatic human

An overview is presented of the growth and role of automation in civil aircraft operations for both cockpit management and ground control. NASA has initiated a research program centered on furthering automation and developing a consistent and rational philosophy of human centered aircraft and air traffic control automation. Introduction of the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) has proved successful in bringing together pilots and ground controllers to report incidents of operational anomalies that can then be analyzed, leading to corrective action to prevent similar reoccurrences. Attention is given to the growing trend of extensive automation in the cockpit that appears to be leading to a diminution of management control of the aircraft by the decreasing number of flight crew members. A majority of reports indicate that there is a serious mismatch between new aircraft capabilities and ATC procedures, which were designed for older aircraft. ASRS has also kept research oriented toward real problems and community needs.

Billings, Charles↗

NASA NTRS1991

Response of a confined gas to volumetric heating in the absence of gravity. I - Slow transients

A one-dimensional model for bulk motion induced by a transient volumetric heat source in a confined gas at zero gravity is considered. Rational approximation methods are used to derive a quantitative theory for the gas response to a spatiallly distributed, time-dependent internal power deposition. The resulting low Mach number compressible flow equations are solved by using perturbation methods. Solutions are given for a conduction-free core and thin conductive boundary layers adjacent to the end walls. It is found that may any spatially nonuniform power deposition will cause fluid motion. Net mass transport in the closed container will occur for certain spatially distributed heating. The model mimics the thermal effects of an exothermic gas phase reaction in vapor transport experiments conducted in space. The solutions demonstrate that thermally induced mass transport can be as large as diffusive mass transport in a typical experiment.

Herczynski, A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Efficient parallel solution of parabolic equations - Implicit methods on the Cedar multicluster

A class of implicit methods for the parallel solution of linear parabolic differential equations based on Pade and Chebyshev rational approximations to the matrix exponential are presented. It is pointed out that this approach incorporates both natural hierarchical parallelism, improved intrinsic efficiency, and fewer timesteps. These advantages lead to an extremely fast family of methods for the solution of certain time-dependent problems. These techniques are illustrated with numerical experiments on the University of Illinois Cedar multicluster architecture. The experiments indicate that implicit methods of very high degree offer great promise for the solution of certain parabolic problems when in computational environment with parallel resources. Hierarchically organized parallel computers, such as the Cedar multicluster, are found to be especially attractive for these schemes.

Gallopoulos, E.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Compressible stability of growing boundary layers using parabolized stability equations

The parabolized stability equation (PSE) approach is employed to study linear and nonlinear compressible stability with an eye to providing a capability for boundary-layer transition prediction in both 'quiet' and 'disturbed' environments. The governing compressible stability equations are solved by a rational parabolizing approximation in the streamwise direction. Nonparallel flow effects are studied for both the first- and second-mode disturbances. For oblique waves of the first-mode type, the departure from the parallel results is more pronounced as compared to that for the two-dimensional waves. Results for the Mach 4.5 case show that flow nonparallelism has more influence on the first mode than on the second. The disturbance growth rate is shown to be a strong function of the wall-normal distance due to either flow nonparallelism or nonlinear interactions. The subharmonic and fundamental types of breakdown are found to be similar to the ones in incompressible boundary layers.

Chang, Chau-Lyan↗

NASA NTRS1991

Theoretical branching ratios for the 5I7 to 5I7 levels of Ho(3+) in the garnets A3B2C3O12 (A = Y,La,Lu,Gd; B = Al,Lu,Sc,Ga; C = Al,Ga)

Results are reported from an experimental study investigating triply ionized holmium in 10 garnets using the point-change model to predict theoretical energy levels and temperature-dependent branching ratios for the 5I7 to 5I8 manifolds for temperatures between 50 and 400 K. Plots were made for the largest lines at 300 K. YScAG was plotted twice, once for each set of X-ray data available. Energy levels are predicted based on theoretical crystal-field parameters, and good agreement to experiment is found. It is suggested that the present set of theoretical crystal-field parameters provides good estimates of the energy levels for the other hosts on which there are no experimental optical data. X-ray and index-of-refraction data are used to evaluate the performance of 10 lasers via a quantum mechanical model to predict the position of the energy levels and the temperature-dependent branching rations of the 5I7 to 5I8 levels of holmium. The fractional population inversion required for threshold is also evaluated.

Filer, Elizabeth D.↗