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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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A comparison is made of the lubricating oil recycling methods used in the Deep Space Station 43 test and the basic requirements which could favor recycling of oil for continuous reuse. The basic conditions for successful recycling are compared to the conditions that exist in the Deep Space Network (DSN). This comparison shows that to recycle used oil in the DSN would not only be expensive but also nonproductive.
The possible use of an optical for high rate data transmission from a deep space vehicle to an Earth-orbiting relay satellite while RF links are envisioned for the relay to Earth link was studied. A preliminary link analysis is presented for initial sizing of optical components and power levels, in terms of achievable data rates and feasible range distances. Modulation formats are restricted to pulsed laser operation, involving bot coded and uncoded schemes. The advantage of an optical link over present RF deep space link capabilities is shown. The problems of acquisition, pointing and tracking with narrow optical beams are presented and discussed. Mathematical models of beam trackers are derived, aiding in the design of such systems for minimizing beam pointing errors. The expected orbital geometry between spacecraft and relay satellite, and its impact on beam pointing dynamics are discussed.
A review of the Deep Space Network's (DSN) use of precision Doppler-tracking of deep space vehicles is presented. The review emphasizes operational and configurational aspects and considers: the projected configuration of the DSN's frequency and timing system; the environment within the DSN provided by the precision atomic standards within the frequency and timing system--both current and projected; and the general requirements placed on the DSN and the frequency and timing system for both the baseline and the nominal gravitational wave experiments. A comment is made concerning the current probability that such an experiment will be carried out in the foreseeable future.
The facilities, functions, and operations capabilities of the Deep Space Network are summarized. Network activities in support of planned future as well as ongoing deep space missions are described as are activities in support of radio astronomy experiments and the Astronomical Radio Interferometric Earth Surveying (ARIES) Network.
The procedures used by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to select and recommend frequencies to be used for deep space telecommunications are explained. The frequency selection process described deals only with the potential for radio frequency interference between deep space telecommunication links. Channel plans based on bandwidth, hardware implementation, and frequency ratio considered are used. The channel selection process is based on calculations and analysis of interference-to-signal power ratios as a function of time for each possible pair of missions. The modes of interference and the interference protection ratio are explained, and the interference analysis procedure described. Equations used in calculating the downlink and uplink interference analyses are presented.
Topical communication in the context of a deep space communication link. Communication link analysis at the optical frequencies differs significantly from that at microwave frequencies such as the traditional S and X-bands used in deep space applications, due to the different technology of transmitter, antenna, modulators, and receivers. In addition, the important role of quantum noise in limiting system performance is quite different than that of thermal noise. The optical link design is put in a design control table format similar to a microwave telecom link design. Key considerations unique to the optical link are discussed.
Developments in the area of deep space tracking and navigation during the last decade are briefly reviewed, and advantages offered by wideband differential Very Long Baseline Interferometry (Delta VLBI) are discussed. Delta VLBI data from a spacecraft and an angularly nearby extragalactic radio source promise to provide a factor of five improvement in deep space navigation accuracies as compared with those presently obtained by conventional radiometric tracking. Results of a restricted bandwidth demonstration of wideband Delta VLBI employing the Voyager spacecraft are analyzed.
To elucidate the focal mechanism of deep moonquakes, S-wave polarizations of deep moonquake signals from the A(1) source region are analyzed. At station 12, where the available data are of the highest quality, the variation of polarization angle with the anomalistic phase of the moon indicates agreement with that expected from the focal mechanism model of Nakamura (1978). Focal mechanism solutions were derived for eight A(1) moonquakes assuming that moonquakes are, like earthquakes, caused by a shear fracture on a fault plane. The mechanism solutions generally indicate a nearly horizontal or almost vertical faulting. The slip directions estimated from the solutions are different from one another, again suggesting variation of focal mechanisms as a function of the tidal phase of the moon.
The radiation induced deep-level defects and the recombination parameters in the proton irradiated AlGaAs-GaAs p-n junction solar cells were investigated over a wide range of proton energies (from 50 KeV to 10 MeV) and proton fluences (from 10 to the 10th to 10 to the 13th P/sq cm), using DLTS, I-V, C-V, and SEM-EMIC measurement techniques. The measurements were used to determine the defect and recombination parameters such as defect density and energy level, carrier lifetimes, and the hole diffusion lengths in the GaAs LPE layers. Results show that a good correlation was obtained between the measured defect parameters and the dark recombination current as well as the performance parameters of the solar cells. The most damages to the cell were produced by the 200 KeV protons. In addition, the effects of low temperatures (200 to 400 C) thermal annealing on the deep-level defects and the dark current of the 200 KeV proton irradiated samples were examined.
The identification and measurement of hydrogen recombination in sealed nickel-cadium cells makes deep reconditioning on a battery basis safe and feasible. Deep reconditioning improves performance and increases life of nickel-cadium batteries in geosynchronous orbit applications. The hydrogen mechanism and supporting data are presented. Parameter cell design experiments are described which led to the definition of nickel-cadium cells capable of high rate overdischarge without detriment to specific energy. Nickel-cadium calls of identical optimum design were successfully cycled for 7 seasons in simulation of geosynchronous orbit at 75 percent depth-of-discharge with extensive midseason and end-of-season overdischarge at rates varying from C/20 to C/4. Destructive physical analysis and cyclin data indicated no deterioration or the development of dangerous pressures as a result of the cycling with overdischarge.
Deep-discharge reconditioning (DDR) can be of great benefit to battery performance, especially in geosynchronous orbit, if performed properly and regularly, and can be essential to operation of batteries at the high depths of discharge (DOD) required to minimize weight. The procedure should be tailored to fit the nature of the degradation occuring during regular cycling. DDR is not without its drawbacks, however, and these differ depending on the normal DOD to be sustained and/or whether the discharge is done at the battery or the cell level. Battery-level discharge carries the minimum weight penalty but raises questions of the effects of low-rate cell reversal that as yet have no firm answers. Cell level discharge avoids cell reversal but carries significant penalties of weight and complexity. Thus no universal procedure or method of implementation of deep-discharge reconditioning is now available and thus the various approaches must be evaluated for each application.
Current oscillations thermally activated by the release of electrons from deep levels in undoped semiinsulating GaAs were observed for the first time. They were attributed to electric field-enhanced capture of electrons by the dominant deep donor EL2 (antisite AsGa defect). This enhanced capture is due to the configurational energy barrier of EL2, which is readily penetrated by hot electrons.
This report continues the energy consumption analysis and verification study of the tracking stations of the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex, and presents an audit of the Venus Deep Space Station (DSS 13). Due to the non-continuous radioastronomy research and development operations at the station, estimations of energy usage were employed in the energy consumption simulation of both the 9-meter and 26-meter antenna buildings. A 17.9% decrease in station energy consumption was experienced over the 1979-1981 years under study. A comparison of the ECP computer simulations and the station's main watt-hour meter readings showed good agreement.
The overall objective of this program is the development of device design and process techniques for the fabrication of a double-injection, deep-impurity (DI)(2) silicon switch that operates in the 1-10 kV range with conduction current of 10 and 1A, respectively. Other major specifications include a holding voltage of 0 to 5 volts at 1 A anode current, 10 microsecond switching time, and power dissipation of 50 W at 75 C. This report describes work that shows how the results obtained at the University of Cincinnati under NASA Grant NSG-3022 have been applied to larger area and higher voltage devices. The investigations include theoretical, analytical, and experimental studies of device design and processing. Methods to introduce deep levels, such as Au diffusion and electron irradiation, have been carried out to "pin down' the Fermi level and control device-switching characteristics. Different anode, cathode, and gate configurations are presented. Techniques to control the surface electric field of planar structures used for (DI)(2) switches are examined. Various sections of this report describe the device design, wafer-processing techniques, and various measurements which include ac and dc characteristics, 4-point probe, and spreading resistance.
The responsibilities and structural organization of the Operations Planning Group of NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) Operations are outlined. The Operations Planning group establishes an early interface with a user's planning organization to educate the user on DSN capabilities and limitations for deep space tracking support. A team of one or two individuals works through all phases of the spacecraft launch and also provides planning and preparation for specific events such as planetary encounters. Coordinating interface is also provided for nonflight projects such as radio astronomy and VLBI experiments. The group is divided into a Long Range Support Planning element and a Near Term Operations Coordination element.
An optical communications experiment between a deep space vehicle and an earth terminal is under consideration for later in this decade. The experimental link would be incoherent (direct detection) and would employ two-way cooperative pointing. The deep space optical transceiver would ride piggyback on a spacecraft with an independent scientific objective. Thus, this optical transceiver is being designed for minimum spacecraft impact - specifically, low mass and low power. The choices of laser transmitter, coding/modulation scheme, and pointing mechanization are discussed. A representative telemetry link budget is presented.
North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) by being warmer and more saline than the average abyssal water parcel introduces heat and salt into the abyssal ocean. The source of these properties is upper layer or thermocline water considered to occupy the ocean less dense than sigma-theta of 27.6. That NADW convects even though it's warmer than the abyssal ocean is obviously due to the high salinity. In this way, NADW formation may be viewed as saline convection. The counter force removing heat and salinity (or introducing fresh water) is usually considered to to take place in the Southern Ocean where upwelling deep water is converted to cold fresher Antarctic water masses. The Southern ocean convective process is driven by low temperatures and hence may be considered as thermal convection. A significant fresh water source may also occur in the North Pacific where the northward flowing of abyssal water from the Southern circumpolar belt is saltier and denser than the southward flowing, return abyssal water. The source of the low salinity input may be vertical mixing of the low salinity surface water or the low salinity intermediate water.
The Deep Space Network (DSN), managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA, must maintain time and frequency within specified limits in order to accurately track the spacecraft engaged in deep space exploration. Various methods are used to coordinate the clocks among the three tracking complexes. These methods include Loran-C, TV Line 10, Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), and the Global Positioning System (GPS). Calculations are made to obtain frequency offsets and Allan variances. These data are analyzed and used to monitor the performance of the hydrogen masers that provide the reference frequencies for the DSN Frequency and Timing System (DFT). Areas of discussion are: (1) a brief history of the GPS timing receivers in the DSN, (2) a description of the data and information flow, (3) data on the performance of the DSN master clocks and GPS measurement system, and (4) a description of hydrogen maser frequency steering using these data.