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NASA NTRS2017

Mind the Gap: Exploring the Underground of the NASA Space Cancer Risk Model

The REID quantifies the lifetime risk of death from radiation-induced cancer in an exposed astronaut. The NASA Space Cancer Risk (NSCR) 2012 mode incorporates elements from physics, biology, epidemiology, and statistics to generate the REID distribution. The current model quantifies the space radiation environment, radiation quality, and dose-rate effects to estimate a NASA-weighted dose. This weighted dose is mapped to the excess risk of radiation-induced cancer mortality from acute exposures to gamma rays and then transferred to an astronaut population. Finally, the REID is determined by integrating this risk over the individual's lifetime. The calculated upper 95% confidence limit of the REID is used to restrict an astronaut's permissible mission duration (PMD) for a proposed mission. As a statistical quantity characterized by broad, subjective uncertainties, REID estimates for space missions result in wide distributions. Currently, the upper 95% confidence level is over 350% larger than the mean REID value, which can severely limit an astronaut's PMD. The model incorporates inputs from multiple scientific disciplines in the risk estimation process. Physics and particle transport models calculate how radiation moves through space, penetrates spacecraft, and makes its way to the human beings onboard. Epidemiological studies of exposures from atomic bombings, medical treatments, and power plants are used to quantify health risks from acute and chronic low linear energy transfer (LET) ionizing radiation. Biological studies in cellular and animal models using radiation at various LETs and energies inform quality metrics for ions present in space radiation. Statistical methodologies unite these elements, controlling for mathematical and scientific uncertainty and variability. Despite current progress, these research platforms contain knowledge gaps contributing to the large uncertainties still present in the model. The NASA Space Radiation Program Element (SRPE) defines the knowledge gaps that impact our understanding of the cancer risks. These gaps are outlined in NASA's Human Research Roadmap [4], which identifies the research questions and actions recommended for reducing the uncertainty in the current NSCR model and for formulation of future models. The greatest contributors to uncertainty in the current model include radiation quality, dose rate effects, and the transfer of exposure-based risk from other populations to an astronaut population. Future formulations of the risk model may benefit from including other potential sources of uncertainty such as space dosimetry, errors in human epidemiology data, and the impact of microgravity and other spaceflight stressors. Here, we discuss the current capabilities of the NSCR-2012 model and several immediate research needs, highlighting areas expected to have an operational impact on the current model schema. The following subway-style route map outlines the NSCR-2012 model (Green Line), emphasizing the research gaps in the Human Research Roadmap for risk of radiation-induced carcinogenesis (Stops on Dashed Lines). The map diagrams how these research gaps feed specific portions of the model.

Chappell, L. J.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Modeling of Ice Flow and Internal Layers Along a Flow Line Through Swiss Camp in West Greenland

An anisotropic ice flow line model is applied to a flow line through Swiss Camp (69.57 N, 49.28 W) in West Greenland to estimate the dates of internal layers detected by Radio-Echo Sounding measurements. The effect of an anisotropic ice fabric on ice flow is incorporated into the steady state flow line model. The stress-strain rate relationship for anisotropic ice is characterized by an enhancement factor based on the laboratory observations of ice deformation under combined compression and shear stresses. By using present-day data of accumulation rate, surface temperature, surface elevation and ice thickness along the flow line as model inputs, a very close agreement is found between the isochrones generated from the model and the observed internal layers with confirmed dates. The results indicate that this part of Greenland ice sheet is primarily in steady state.

Wang, W. L.↗

NASA NTRS2005

Sensitivity of Stratospheric Retrievals from Radio Occultations on Upper Boundary Conditions

The main uncertainty in the stratospheric retrievals from GPS radio occultation (RO) measurements comes from the lack of reliable measurements in the upper stratosphere and above where the bending due to the neutral atmosphere is weak and residual ionospheric effects are strong. In this work, we quantify the bias and uncertainty of the refractivity and temperature retrievals due to different upper boundary strategies using a simulation study. We use lidar refractivity and temperature profiles as the input states in generating the synthetic occultations. Random noise levels commensurate with the CHAMP RO measurements are then added to the simulated data. Through this study, the sensitivity of stratospheric retrievals to upper boundary methods and parameters are examined. Such error characterizations are important prerequisites towards the effective use of GPS RO data in climate monitoring.

GPS↗

NASA NTRS2007

Calculating Nozzle Side Loads using Acceleration Measurements of Test-Based Models

As part of a NASA/MSFC research program to evaluate the effect of different nozzle contours on the well-known but poorly characterized "side load" phenomena, we attempt to back out the net force on a sub-scale nozzle during cold-flow testing using acceleration measurements. Because modeling the test facility dynamics is problematic, new techniques for creating a "pseudo-model" of the facility and nozzle directly from modal test results are applied. Extensive verification procedures were undertaken, resulting in a loading scale factor necessary for agreement between test and model based frequency response functions. Side loads are then obtained by applying a wide-band random load onto the system model, obtaining nozzle response PSD's, and iterating both the amplitude and frequency of the input until a good comparison of the response with the measured response PSD for a specific time point is obtained. The final calculated loading can be used to compare different nozzle profiles for assessment during rocket engine nozzle development and as a basis for accurate design of the nozzle and engine structure to withstand these loads. The techniques applied within this procedure have extensive applicability to timely and accurate characterization of all test fixtures used for modal test.A viewgraph presentation on a model-test based pseudo-model used to calculate side loads on rocket engine nozzles is included. The topics include: 1) Side Loads in Rocket Nozzles; 2) Present Side Loads Research at NASA/MSFC; 3) Structural Dynamic Model Generation; 4) Pseudo-Model Generation; 5) Implementation; 6) Calibration of Pseudo-Model Response; 7) Pseudo-Model Response Verification; 8) Inverse Force Determination; 9) Results; and 10) Recent Work.

Brown, Andrew M.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Optimal stabilization of discrete event systems

An optimal stabilization problem for discrete event systems (DES) is addressed. A class of not necessarily finite state 'logical' DES models is utilized which can also model the costs for events to occur. Let P and A denote two such models. Suppose that P characterizes the valid behavior of a dynamical system and A represents certain design objectives which specify the allowable DES behavior which is 'contained in' the valid behavior. An optimal control problem for P and A is how to choose the sequence of inputs to P so that the DES behavior lies in A (i.e., it is allowable) and so that a performance index defined in terms of the costs of the events is minimized. Two solutions are provided to an optimal stabilization problem, i.e. how to find a sequence of inputs that results in an optimal state trajectory which cycles in a pre-specified set.

Passino, Kevin M.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Analysis and visualization of single-trial event-related potentials

In this study, a linear decomposition technique, independent component analysis (ICA), is applied to single-trial multichannel EEG data from event-related potential (ERP) experiments. Spatial filters derived by ICA blindly separate the input data into a sum of temporally independent and spatially fixed components arising from distinct or overlapping brain or extra-brain sources. Both the data and their decomposition are displayed using a new visualization tool, the "ERP image," that can clearly characterize single-trial variations in the amplitudes and latencies of evoked responses, particularly when sorted by a relevant behavioral or physiological variable. These tools were used to analyze data from a visual selective attention experiment on 28 control subjects plus 22 neurological patients whose EEG records were heavily contaminated with blink and other eye-movement artifacts. Results show that ICA can separate artifactual, stimulus-locked, response-locked, and non-event-related background EEG activities into separate components, a taxonomy not obtained from conventional signal averaging approaches. This method allows: (1) removal of pervasive artifacts of all types from single-trial EEG records, (2) identification and segregation of stimulus- and response-locked EEG components, (3) examination of differences in single-trial responses, and (4) separation of temporally distinct but spatially overlapping EEG oscillatory activities with distinct relationships to task events. The proposed methods also allow the interaction between ERPs and the ongoing EEG to be investigated directly. We studied the between-subject component stability of ICA decomposition of single-trial EEG epochs by clustering components with similar scalp maps and activation power spectra. Components accounting for blinks, eye movements, temporal muscle activity, event-related potentials, and event-modulated alpha activities were largely replicated across subjects. Applying ICA and ERP image visualization to the analysis of sets of single trials from event-related EEG (or MEG) experiments can increase the information available from ERP (or ERF) data. Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Non-NASA Center↗

NASA NTRS2010

Improving Realism in Reduced Gravity Simulators

Since man was first determined to walk on the moon, simulating the lunar environment became a priority. Providing an accurate reduced gravity environment is crucial for astronaut training and hardware testing. This presentation will follow the development of reduced gravity simulators to a final comparison of environments between the currently used systems. During the Apollo program era, multiple systems were built and tested, with several NASA centers having their own unique device. These systems ranged from marionette-like suspension devices where the subject laid on his side, to pneumatically driven offloading harnesses, to parabolic flights. However, only token comparisons, if any, were made between systems. Parabolic flight allows the entire body to fall at the same rate, giving an excellent simulation of reduced gravity as far as the biomechanics and physical perceptions are concerned. While the effects are accurate, there is limited workspace, limited time, and high cost associated with these tests. With all mechanical offload systems only the parts of the body that are actively offloaded feel any reduced gravity effects. The rest of the body still feels the full effect of gravity. The Partial Gravity System (Pogo) is the current ground-based offload system used to training and testing at the NASA Johnson Space Center. The Pogo is a pneumatic type system that allows for offloaded motion in the z-axis and free movement in the x-axis, but has limited motion in the y-axis. The pneumatic system itself is limited by cylinder stroke length and response time. The Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) is a next generation groundbased offload system, currently in development, that is based on modern robotic manufacturing lines. This system is projected to provide more z-axis travel and full freedom in both the x and y-axes. Current characterization tests are underway to determine how the ground-based offloading systems perform, how they compare to parabolic flights, and which of the systems is preferable for specific uses. These tests were conducted with six degree of freedom robots and manual inputs. Initial results show a definitive difference in abilities of the two offload systems.

Cowley, Matthew↗

NASA NTRS2010

Characterization of Photoreceivers for LISA

LISA will use quadrant photo receivers as front-end devices for the phase meter measuring the motion of drag-free test masses in both angular orientation and separation. We have set up a laboratory testbed for the characterization of photo receivers. Some of the limiting noise sources have been identified and their contribution has been either measured or determined from the measured data. We have built a photo receiver with a 0.5 mm diameter quadrant photodiode with an equivalent input noise of better than 1.8 pA/(square root of)Hz below 20 MHz and a 3 dB bandwidth of 34 MHz.

Cervantes, F. Guzman↗

NASA NTRS2018

Developing a Remotely Sensed Drought Monitoring Indicator for Morocco

Drought is one of the most serious climatic and natural disasters inflicting serious impacts on the socio-economy of Morocco, which is characterized both by low-average annual rainfall and high irregularity in the spatial distribution and timing of precipitation across the country. This work aims to develop a comprehensive and integrated method for drought monitoring based on remote sensing techniques. The main input parameters are derived monthly from satellite data at the national scale and are then combined to generate a composite drought index presenting different severity classes of drought. The input parameters are: Standardized Precipitation Index calculated from satellite-based precipitation data since 1981 (CHIRPS), anomalies in the day-night difference of Land Surface Temperature as a proxy for soil moisture, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index anomalies from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data and Evapotranspiration anomalies from surface energy balance modeling. All of these satellite-based indices are being used to monitor vegetation condition, rainfall and land surface temperature. The weighted combination of these input parameters into one composite indicator takes into account the importance of the rainfall-based parameter (SPI). The composite drought index maps were generated during the growing seasons going back to 2003. These maps have been compared to both the historical, in situ precipitation data across Morocco and with the historical yield data across different provinces with information being available since 2000. The maps are disseminated monthly to several main stakeholders' groups including the Ministry of Agriculture and Department of Water in Morocco.

Drought monitoring↗

NASA NTRS2019

Fast Steering Mirror Disturbance Effects on Overall System Optical Performance for the Large Ultraviolet/optical/infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR) Concept Using a Non-Contact Vibration Isolation and Precision Pointing System

As the optical performance requirements of space telescopes get more stringent, the need to analyze all possible error sources early in the mission design becomes critical. One large telescope with tight performance requirements is the Large Ultraviolet / Optical / Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR) concept. The LUVOIR concept includes a 15-meter-diameter segmented-aperture telescope with a suite of serviceable instruments operating over a range of wavelengths between 100nm to 2.5um. Using an isolation architecture that involves no mechanical contact between the telescope and the host spacecraft structure allows for tighter performance metrics than current space-based telescopes being flown. Because of this separation, the spacecraft disturbances can be greatly reduced and disturbances on the telescope payload contribute more to the optical performance error. A portion of the optical performance error comes from the disturbances generated from the motion of the Fast Steering Mirror (FSM) on the payload. Characterizing the effects of this disturbance gives insight into the specifications on the FSM needed to achieve the tight optical performance requirements of the overall system. Through analysis of the LUVOIR finite element model and linear optical model given a range of input disturbances at the FSM, the optical performance of the telescope and recommendations for FSM specifications can be determined. The LUVOIR observatory control strategy consists of a multi-loop control architecture including the spacecraft Attitude Control System (ACS), Vibration Isolation and Precision Pointing System (VIPPS), and FSM. This paper focuses on the control loop containing the FSM disturbances and their effects on the telescope optical performance.

Sacks, Lia W.↗

NASA NTRS2016

Characterization Testing of Lockheed Martin Standard Micro Pulse Tube Cryocooler

This paper describes the thermal performance, exported vibration, and magnetics testing and results of a Lockheed Martin standard micro pulse tube cryocooler. The thermal performance of the microcooler was measured in vacuum for heat reject temperatures between 150 and 300 K. The cooler was driven with Thales XPCDE4865 drive electronics for input powers ranging from 4 to 20 W and drive frequency between 84 and 98 Hz. The optimal drive frequency was dependent on both input power and heat reject temperature. In addition, the exported forces and torques of the cooler were measured with the cooler driven by Thales CDE7232 drive electronics for input powers ranging from 4 to 20 W and drive frequency between 88 and 96 Hz. The exported forces were dependent on both input power and drive frequency. Moreover, the automatic vibration reduction function of the drive electronics was able to decrease the force in the compressor axis to below 10 mN 0-peak. Finally, the DC and AC magnetic fields around the cooler were measured at various locations.

McKinley, I. M.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Conditional Pseudo-Reversible Normalizing Flow for Surrogate Modeling in Quantifying Uncertainty Propagation

We introduce a conditional pseudo-reversible normalizing flow (PR-NF) that directly learns conditional probability distributions from noisy physical models to efficiently quantify both forward and inverse uncertainty propagation. Traditional surrogate modeling approaches approximate only the deterministic component of physical models, requiring separate noise characterization and computationally expensive sampling methods for inverse problems. Here, in this work, we develop the conditional PR-NF model to directly learn and efficiently generate samples from the conditional probability density functions (PDFs). The training process utilizes dataset consisting of input-output pairs without requiring prior knowledge about the noise and the function. Once trained, our model efficiently generates samples from conditional PDFs for any input within the training domain. Moreover, the pseudo-reversibility feature allows for the use of fully connected neural network architectures, which simplifies the implementation and enables theoretical analysis. We provide a rigorous convergence analysis of the conditional PR-NF model, showing its ability to converge to the target conditional PDF using the Kullback−Leibler divergence. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our method, we apply it to several benchmark tests and a real-world geologic carbon storage problem.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NASA NTRS1985

Discrete Random Media Techniques for Microwave Modeling of Vegetated Terrain

Microwave remote sensing of vegetated terrain has been studied. Vegetation is modeled so that backscattered radar signals can be used to infer parameters which characterize the vegetation and underlying ground. The vegetation is modeled by discrete lossy dielectric scatterers with prescribed characteristics. The goal of the modeling effort is to remotely sense vegetation type (classification), growth stage, and plant/ground moisture. This information can then be used as input into agricultural, forestry and global circulation models. The microwave frequency spectrum, particularly L and C bands, are especially appropriate for this purpose since the wavelength is comparable to plant leaf and stem size. The resulting resonant interaction leads to backscattered data highly depend on plant shape and orientation. In addition, the transparent nature of the atmosphere in this frequency regime allows for algorithm development which requires no atmospheric correction.

Lang, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Strain-induced extinction of hydrogen-air counterflow diffusion flames - Effects of steam, CO2, N2, and O2 additives to air

A fundamental study was performed using axisymmetric nozzle and tubular opposed jet burners to measure the effects of laminar plug flow and parabolic input velocity profiles on the extinction limits of H2-air counterflow diffusion flames. Extinction limits were quantified by 'flame strength', (average axial air jet velocity) at blowoff of the central flame. The effects of key air contaminants, on the extinction limits, are characterized and analyzed relative to utilization of combustion contaminated vitiated air in high enthalpy supersonic test facilities.

Pellett, G. L.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Surface Emissivity Maps for Satellite Retrieval of the Longwave Radiation Budget

This paper presents a brief description of the procedure used to produce global surface emissivity maps for the broadband LW, the 8-12 micrometer window, and 12 narrow LW bands. For a detailed description of the methodology and the input data, the reader is referred to Wilber et al. (1999). These maps are based on a time-independent surface type map published by the IGBP, and laboratory measurements of spectral reflectances of surface materials. These maps represent a first attempt to characterize emissivity based on surface types, and many improvements to the methodology presented here are already underway. Effects of viewing zenith angle and sea state on the emissivity of ocean surface (Smith et al. 1996, Wu and Smith 1997, Masuda et al. 1988) will be taken into account. Measurements form ASTER and MODIS will be incorporated as they become available. Seasonal variation of emissivity based on changes in the characteristics of vegetation will be considered, and the variability of emissivity of barren land areas will be accounted for with the use of Zobler World Soil Maps (Zobler 1986). The current maps have been made available to the scientific community from the web site: http://tanalo.larc.nasa.gov:8080/surf_htmls/ SARB_surf.html

Gupta, Shashi K.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Spacelab Life Sciences flight experiments: an integrated approach to the study of cardiovascular deconditioning and orthostatic hypotension

The microgravity environment of spaceflight produces rapid cardiovascular changes which are adaptive and appropriate in that setting, but are associated with significant deconditioning and orthostatic hypotension on return to Earth's gravity. The rapidity with which these space flight induced changes appear and disappear provides an ideal model for studying the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of deconditioning and orthostatic hypotension, regardless of etiology. Since significant deconditioning is seen after flights of very short duration, muscle atrophy due to inactivity plays, at most, a small role. These changes in circulatory control associated with cephalad fluid shifts, rather than inactivity per se, are probably more important factors. In order to test this hypothesis in a systematic way, a multidisciplinary approach which defines and integrates inputs and responses from a wide variety of circulatory sub-systems is required. The cardiovascular experiments selected for Spacelab Life Sciences flights 1 and 2 provide such an approach. Both human and animal models will be utilized. Pre- and post-flight characterization of the payload crew includes determination of maximal exercise capacity (bicycle ergometry), orthostatic tolerance (lower body negative pressure), alpha and beta adrenergic sensitivity (isoproterenol and phenylephrine infusions), baroreflex sensitivity (ECG-gated, stepwise changes in carotid artery transmural pressure with a pneumatic neck collar), and responses to a 24 h period of 5 deg head-down tilt. Measurements of cardiac output (CO2 and C2H2 rebreathing), cardiac chamber dimensions (phased-array 2-dimensional echocardiography), direct central venous pressure, leg volume (Thornton sock), limb blood flow and venous compliance (occlusion plethysmography), blood and plasma volumes, renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rates, and various hormonal levels including catecholamines and atrial natriuretic factor will also be obtained. The central venous catheter will be inserted immediately pre-launch and monitored with heart rate and blood pressure in-flight until cardiac output, respiratory gas exchange and quantitative 2D echocardiography measurements can be performed. In-flight hemodynamic measurements will be repeated at rest and during submaximal exercise daily and also during maximal exercise midway through the flight to document the timecourse and extent of cardiovascular changes in the payload crew. Parallel studies are planned for the animals. In addition to measurements of right atrial and aortic pressures and cardiac output, a dorsal micro-circulatory chamber will allow determinations of changes in capillary and venular architecture and function in six of the rats. The techniques and findings from many of the SLS-1 and 2 supporting studies have already yielded significant information about circulatory regulation in patients with both hypo- and hypertension. The flight experiments themselves will provide new data to test the validity of both animal and human models currently used for simulating the fluid shifts of a micro-gravity environment. The development of effective countermeasures, not only for short and long duration space travellers, but also for Earth-bound medical patients can then be physiologically based on experimental data rather than anecdote.

Non-NASA Center↗

NASA NTRS2017

Sensitivity of Impact Risk to Uncertainty in Asteroid Properties and Entry Parameters

A central challenge in evaluating the threat posed by asteroids striking Earth is the large amount of uncertainty in potential asteroid properties and entry parameters, which can vary the resulting ground damage and affected population by orders of magnitude. We are using our Probabilistic Asteroid Impact Risk (PAIR) model to investigate the sensitivity of asteroid impact damage to these uncertainties. To assess the risk sensitivity, we alternately fix or vary the different input parameters and compare the damage distributions produced. In this study, we consider local ground damage from blast waves or thermal radiation for impactors 50-500m in diameter. The ongoing goal of this work is to help guide future efforts in asteroid characterization and model refinement by determining which properties most significantly affect the potential risk.

Wheeler, Lorien↗

NASA NTRS2019

Introducing NASA Ames' New Infrared Optical Constant Facility. Determinations of Complex Refractive Indices for Titan Aerosol Analogs and Other Applications

A new optical constant facility has been developed at NASA Ames that will allow the determination of optical constants in the infrared of various materials, analogs of (exo)planetary hazes and cloud particles. Our facility is composed of a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer continuously covering the Near-IR to Far-IR range (from 0.74 to 200 μm), coupled to variable angle transmittance and reflectance accessories that allow the characterization of the scattering properties of non-homogeneous samples (laboratory (exo)planetary aerosol analogs, films, slabs of material, crystals, powders, etc.) over a wide incidence and emittance angle range (0-90 degrees). This new experimental setup allows the characterization of angular light distribution in both transmission and reflection measurements, and enables the determination of the complex indices of refraction, n and k, over the full NIR-FIR range via modeling of the laboratory measurements. The resulting refractive indices are critical input parameters in radiative transfer models, microphysical models, cloud models, protoplanetary disk simulations and other models used for the interpretation of observational data from past, current and future (exo)planetary NASA missions. Here we present a description of the facility along with the first determination of optical constants for Titan aerosol analogs produced in the Titan Haze Simulation (THS) experiment on COSmIC, a unique experimental setup developed at NASA Ames that allows the simulation of Titan’s complex atmospheric chemistry at Titan-like temperature (200 K). We also introduce a new study of the optical properties of ammonium-bearing phosphates, potential cloud particles forming in temperate exoplanets and brown dwarfs.

Sciamma-O'Brien, Ella M.↗