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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 631 records · Page 35

High altitude turbulence for supersonic cruise vehicles

The characteristics of high altitude turbulence and its associated meteorological features are reviewed. Findings based on data from NASA flight research programs with prototype military aircraft, the XB-70 and YF-12A, are emphasized. An example of detailed numerical atmospheric simulations, which may provide greatly increased understanding of these earlier turbulence observations, is presented. Comparisons between observation and numerical simulation should help to delineate the limitations of analysis techniques and improve our understanding of atmospheric processes in the stratosphere.

Ehernberger, L. J.↗

JANNAF liquid rocket combustion instability panel research recommendations

The Joint Army, Navy, NASA, Air Force (JANNAF) Liquid Rocket Combustion Instability Panel was formed in 1988, drawing its members from industry, academia, and government experts. The panel was charted to address the needs of near-term engine development programs and to make recommendations whose implementation would provide not only sufficient data but also the analysis capabilities to design stable and efficient engines. The panel was also chartered to make long-term recommendations toward developing mechanistic analysis models that would not be limited by design geometry or operating regime. These models would accurately predict stability and thereby minimize the amount of subscale testing for anchoring. The panel has held workshops on acoustic absorbing devices, combustion instability mechanisms, instability test hardware, and combustion instability computational methods. At these workshops, research projects that would meet the panel's charter were suggested. The JANNAF Liquid Rocket Combustion Instability Panel's conclusions about the work that needs to be done and recommendations on how to approach it, based on evaluation of the suggested research projects, are presented.

Klem, Mark D.↗

JANNAF Liquid Rocket Combustion Instability Panel Research Recommendations

The Joint Army, Navy, NASA, Air Force (JANNAF) Liquid Rocket Combustion Instability Panel was formed in 1988, drawing its members from industry, academia, and government experts. The panel was chartered to address the needs of near-term engine development programs and to make recommendations whose implementation would provide not only sufficient data but also the analysis capabilities to design stable and efficient engines. The panel was also chartered to make long-term recommendations toward developing mechanistic analysis models that would not be limited by design geometry or operating regime. These models would accurately predict stability and thereby minimize the amount of subscale testing for anchoring. The panel has held workshops on acoustic absorbing devices and combustion instability computational methods. At these workshops, research projects that would meet the panel's charter were suggested. The panel's conclusions about the work that needs to be done and recommendations on how to approach it, based on evaluation of the suggested research projects, are presented.

Klem, Mark D.↗

Fully Implicit Ablation and Thermal Response Program for Spacecraft Heatshield Analysis

A fully implicit ablation and thermal response program has been developed for the simulation of one-dimensional transient transport of thermal energy in a multilayer stack of isotropic materials and structure which can ablate from a front surface and decompose in-depth. Equations and numerical procedures for solution are described. Solutions are compared with those of Aerotherm Charring Material Thermal Response and Ablation Program, and with the arcjet data. The code is numerically more stable, and solves much wider range of problems compared with the existing explicit code. Applications of the code for the analysis of aeroshell heatshields of Stardust, Mars 2001, and Mars Microprobe using the advanced Light Weight Ceramic Ablators developed at the NASA Ames Research Center are presented and discussed in detail.

Chen, Y. K.↗

Program of Research in Flight Dynamics, The George Washington University at NASA Langley Research Center

The program objectives are fully defined in the original proposal entitled Program of Research in Flight Dynamics in GW at NASA Langley Research Center, which was originated March 20, 1975, and in the renewals of the research program from January 1, 2003 to September 30, 2005. The program in its present form includes three major topics: 1. the improvement of existing methods and development of new methods for wind tunnel and flight data analysis, 2. the application of these methods to wind tunnel and flight test data obtained from advanced airplanes, 3. the correlation of flight results with wind tunnel measurements, and theoretical predictions.

Murphy, Patrick C.↗

Computing observation geometry for small satellites

Most solar system science missions need a variety of observation geometry–quantities such as position and velocity, range and altitude, viewing latitude and longitude, and lighting angles– to support mission engineering, science planning, and science data analysis activities. NASA's "SPICE" system offers one popular, multi-mission means for doing just that. SPICE comprises both data files, called kernels, and a SPICE software Toolkit that is available in many popular languages. A mission operations center produces the SPICE kernel files. Scientists and engineers write their own applications programs to address some need, and they include a few SPICE subroutines within that code to do the needed geometry computations. The SPICE system has been in use throughout NASA’s planetary science mission domain since 1991, and it has slowly spread to most major space agencies around the globe since then. The SPICE software is available in most popular languages, and for most popular platforms. The code is thoroughly tested before being released, and new versions of the Toolkit are always backwards compatible. The SPICE components are freely offered to everyone, and have no export, licensing or similar restrictions. Maybe using SPICE would work for your CubeSat or SmallSat mission?

Acton, Charles H.↗

Enabling Biological Discovery Through Biospecimen Sharing: The Nasa Biological Institutional Scientific Collection

Understanding biological impacts from spaceflight hazards and the subsequent development of countermeasures are a high priority to enable humanity to venture back to the Moon, and then to Mars and beyond. Experiments have been conducted with model organisms flown to space and analogous investigations terrestrially, to identify biological mechanistic impacts from spaceflight hazards and to develop mitigation countermeasures, thus contributing towards basic and applied science goals. However, sending organisms into space is a costly endeavor. To maximize scientific return, all biospecimens not required by spaceflight-relevant Principal Investigators are harvested, preserved, and archived in the NASA Biological Institutional Scientific Collection (NBISC). Biospecimens are collected and preserved according to well-established standard operating procedures to maintain scientific quality and are available on-request by the international scientific community. NBISC currently stores over 32,000 biospecimens from Shuttle, International Space Station, and ground-based space analog investigations. Tissue sharing has resulted in at least 33 publications since 2011 and 51 requests since 2016. Many requests for NBISC biospecimens come from first-time investigators who subsequently submit grants as their point-of-entry into the field of spaceflight biology and health. The NBISC biorepository is part of the NASA ‘Open Science for Life in Space’ collaborative group of projects, which includes NASA Genelab, the Space Biology Program’s Biospecimen Sharing Program, Physical Sciences Informatics, and the Ames Life Sciences Data Archive. NBISC biospecimens have been awarded to NASA Genelab, who then generated various open access science ‘omics datasets through the GeneLab Sample Processing laboratory, with resulting data widely used for biological study. Other NBISC biospecimen awards have led to studies on fecal microbiome analysis, DNA damage analysis using single-cell DNA sequencing, enzymatic-pathway identification involved in spaceflight muscle atrophy, and characterization of ocular morphological changes. Of note, NBISC is expanded to include a new Space Microbial Culture Collection (SMCC) for the collection, identification, documentation, long-term preservation, and distribution of space-related microbial isolates.

Biospecimens↗

Small Aircraft Transportation System Simulation Analysis of the HVO and ERO Concepts

It is acknowledged that the aviation and aerospace industries are primary forces influencing the industrial development and economic well being of the United States and many countries around the world. For decades the US national air transportation system has been the model of success - safely and efficiently moving people, cargo, goods and services and generating countless benefits throughout the global community; however, the finite nature of the system and many of its components is becoming apparent. Without measurable increases in the capacity of the national air transportation system, delays and service delivery failures will eventually become intolerable. Although the recent economic slowdown has lowered immediate travel demands, that trend is reversing and cargo movement remains high. Research data indicates a conservative 2.5-3.0% annual increase in aircraft operations nationwide through 2017. Such growth will place additional strains upon a system already experiencing capacity constraints. The stakeholders of the system will continue to endure ever-increasing delays and abide lesser levels of service to many lower population density areas of the country unless more efficient uses of existing and new transportation resources are implemented. NASA s Small Aircraft Transportation System program (SATS) is one of several technologies under development that are aimed at using such resources more effectively. As part of this development effort, this report is the first in a series outlining the findings and recommendations resulting from a comprehensive program of multi-level analyses and system engineering efforts undertaken by NASA Langley Research Center s Systems Analysis Branch (SAB). These efforts are guided by a commitment to provide systems-level analysis support for the SATS program. Subsequent efforts will build upon this early work to produce additional analyses and benefits studies needed to provide the technical and economic basis for national investment and policy decisions related to further development and potential deployment of a small aircraft transportation system. This report primarily serves two purposes. First, it presents results attained from an initial evaluation and analysis of the Higher Volume Operations (HVO) and EnRoute Operations (ERO) concepts - both designated operational capabilities within the SATS Program s Concept of Operations (CONOPS) document. It further outlines areas of the concepts that would benefit from follow-on analyses and system engineering efforts. It is intended that these processes will aid continued maturation of the concepts and promote additional studies of their effects and influences in combination with other designated CONOPS currently under development. In essence, it establishes a baseline of data upon which subsequent analyses and studies can be built and identifies performance characteristics the concept must exhibit in order to provide, at minimum, levels of safety and usage equal to or better than the current system.

Millsaps, Gary D.↗

Incorporating geometric and radiative effects into infrared scanning computer analysis

A NASA program, the SILTS experiment (Shuttle Infrared Leeside Temperature Sensing) will utilize an infrared scanning system mounted at the tip of the vertical stabilizer to remotely measure the surface temperature of the leeside of the Space Shuttle during entry from orbit. Scans of the fuselage and one wing will be made alternately. The experiment will correlate real full scale data to ground-based information. In order to quantitatively assess the temperature profile of the surface, an algorithm is required which incorporates the Space Shuttle shape, location of specific materials on the surface, and the measurement geometry between the camera and the surface. This paper will discuss the algorithm.

Myrick, D. L.↗

Data handling and visualization for NASA's science programs

Advanced information systems capabilities are essential to conducting NASA's scientific research mission. Access to these capabilities is no longer a luxury for a select few within the science community, but rather an absolute necessity for carrying out scientific investigations. The dependence on high performance computing and networking, as well as ready and expedient access to science data, metadata, and analysis tools is the fundamental underpinning for the entire research endeavor. At the same time, advances in the whole range of information technologies continues on an almost explosive growth path, reaching beyond the research community to affect the population as a whole. Capitalizing on and exploiting these advances are critical to the continued success of space science investigations. NASA must remain abreast of developments in the field and strike an appropriate balance between being a smart buyer and a direct investor in the technology which serves its unique requirements. Another key theme deals with the need for the space and computer science communities to collaborate as partners to more fully realize the potential of information technology in the space science research environment.

Bredekamp, Joseph H.↗

How should Fitts' Law be applied to human-computer interaction?

The paper challenges the notion that any Fitts' Law model can be applied generally to human-computer interaction, and proposes instead that applying Fitts' Law requires knowledge of the users' sequence of movements, direction of movement, and typical movement amplitudes as well as target sizes. Two experiments examined a text selection task with sequences of controlled movements (point-click and point-drag). For the point-click sequence, a Fitts' Law model that used the diagonal across the text object in the direction of pointing (rather than the horizontal extent of the text object) as the target size provided the best fit for the pointing time data, whereas for the point-drag sequence, a Fitts' Law model that used the vertical size of the text object as the target size gave the best fit. Dragging times were fitted well by Fitts' Law models that used either the vertical or horizontal size of the terminal character in the text object. Additional results of note were that pointing in the point-click sequence was consistently faster than in the point-drag sequence, and that pointing in either sequence was consistently faster than dragging. The discussion centres around the need to define task characteristics before applying Fitts' Law to an interface design or analysis, analyses of pointing and of dragging, and implications for interface design.

NASA Program Space Human Factors↗

LDEF radiation measurements: preliminary results

The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), retrieved by the Space Shuttle mission STS-32 after nearly 6 yr in orbit, is the focus of a broad-based study of the radiation environment in low Earth orbit (LEO) and its effects on materials. A combination of passive techniques has been used to study this environment via detectors which were contained in experiments aboard the LDEF spacecraft and through analysis of induced radioactivities. Preliminary results for absorbed dose measurements and for induced activities in various materials are presented. A number of effects have been observed which reflect the anisotropy of the charged particle flux in low Earth orbit. Quantitative results from these measurements should provide an accurate means of confirming environmental flux models and techniques for predicting radiation encountered in future LEO missions, particularly those of extended duration.

NASA Discipline Number 00-00↗

Meteorological Necessities for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is joint program with NASA and DLR (German Aerospace Center) of a highly modified Boeing 747-SP. The purpose of this modification is to include a 2.5 m infrared telescope in a rear bulkhead of the airplane, with a retractable door open to the atmosphere. The NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) is responsible for verifying that the aerodynamics, acoustics, and flying qualities of the modified aircraft stay within safe limits. Flight testing includes determining meteorological limitations of the aircraft, which is done by setting strict temporary operating limits and verifying through data analysis, what conditions are acceptable. Line operations are calibration tests of various telescope instruments that are done on the ground prior to flights. The method in determining limitations for this type of operation is similar to that of flight testing, but the meteorological limitations are different. Of great concern are the particulates near the surface that could cause damage to the telescope, as well as condensation forming on the mirror. Another meteorological involvement for this program is the process of obtaining Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) Certification from the FAA. This heavily involves obtaining atmospheric data pertinent to the flight, analyzing data to actual conditions for validity, and computing necessary results for comparison to aircraft instrumentation.

Houtas, Franzeska↗

Mars Exploration Rovers Landing Dispersion Analysis

Landing dispersion estimates for the Mars Exploration Rover missions were key elements in the site targeting process and in the evaluation of landing risk. This paper addresses the process and results of the landing dispersion analyses performed for both Spirit and Opportunity. The several contributors to landing dispersions (navigation and atmospheric uncertainties, spacecraft modeling, winds, and margins) are discussed, as are the analysis tools used. JPL's MarsLS program, a MATLAB-based landing dispersion visualization and statistical analysis tool, was used to calculate the probability of landing within hazardous areas. By convolving this with the probability of landing within flight system limits (in-spec landing) for each hazard area, a single overall measure of landing risk was calculated for each landing ellipse. In-spec probability contours were also generated, allowing a more synoptic view of site risks, illustrating the sensitivity to changes in landing location, and quantifying the possible consequences of anomalies such as incomplete maneuvers. Data and products required to support these analyses are described, including the landing footprints calculated by NASA Langley's POST program and JPL's AEPL program, cartographically registered base maps and hazard maps, and flight system estimates of in-spec landing probabilities for each hazard terrain type. Various factors encountered during operations, including evolving navigation estimates and changing atmospheric models, are discussed and final landing points are compared with approach estimates.

Knocke, Philip C.↗

Mars Exploration Rovers landing dispersion analysis

Landing dispersion estimates for the Mars Exploration Rover missions were key elements in the site targeting process and in the evaluation of landing risk. This paper addresses the process and results of the landing dispersion analyses performed for both Spirit and Opportunity. The several contributors to landing dispersions (navigation and atmospheric uncertainties, spacecraft modeling, winds, and margins) are discussed, as are the analysis tools used. The JPL MarsLS program, a MATLAB-based landing dispersion visualization and statistical analysis tool, was used to calculate the probability of landing within hazardous areas. By convolving this with the probability of landing within flight system limits (in-spec landing) for each hazard area, a single overall measure of landing risk was calculated for each landing ellipse. In-spec probability contours were also generated, allowing a more synoptic view of site risks, illustrating the sensitivity to changes in landing location, and quantifying the possible consequences of anomalies such as incomplete maneuvers. Data and products required to support these analyses are described, including the landing footprints calculated by NASA Langley's POST program and the JPL AEPL program, cartographically registered base maps and hazard maps, and flight system estimates of in-spec landing probabilities for each hazard terrain type. Various factors encountered during operations, including evolving navigation estimates and changing atmospheric models, are discussed and final landing points are compared with approach estimates.

Desai, Prasun N.↗

Correlation of Full-Scale Isolated Proprotor Performance and Loads

A full-scale isolated proprotor test is currently being conducted in the USAF National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames. The test article is a 3-bladed research rotor derived from the right-hand rotor of the AW609; this rotor was manufactured by Bell Helicopter under contract to NASA. In this paper, this research rotor is referred to as "699". The test, nearly completed, is an integral part of the initial checkout test of the newly developed Tiltrotor Test Rig (TTR), whose purpose is to test advanced, full-scale proprotors in the NFAC. Figure 1 shows the TTR/699 installed in the 40- by 80-Foot test section. The TTR rotor axis is horizontal and the rig rotates in yaw on the wind tunnel turntable for conversion (transition) and helicopter mode testing. To date, a substantial amount of wind tunnel test data has already been acquired. The completed operational conditions include hover, airplane mode (cruise, wind tunnel airspeed V=61 to 267 knots), and the helicopter and conversion conditions (with a comprehensive sweep of the TTR yaw angle ranging, to date, from 90-deg yaw helicopter mode to 30-deg yaw conversion mode, at varying airspeeds). This 699 proprotor performance and loads correlation study uses these newly acquired wind tunnel test data. This paper represents the third analytical study, coming after two earlier analytical studies on the TTR/699; that is, a 2018 paper on pre-test predictions of 699 performance and loads, Ref. 1, and an upcoming January 2019 paper on aeroelastic stability analysis of the TTR/699 installed in the 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel, Ref. 2. Reference 8 will present an overview of the entire TTR/699 test program. For completeness, Ref. 3 addresses the development and initial testing of the TTR. Background information on the TTR effort at NASA Ames can be found at the Aeromechanics website: https://rotorcraft.arc.nasa.gov/Research/Facilities/ttr.html. To the authors' knowledge, the full-scale results presented in this paper are the first of their kind. A literature survey brought up several existing correlation studies, but these were either based on small-scale test data (for example, the studies performed by the University of Maryland) or full-scale aircraft flight test data (for example, flight tests conducted by Bell Helicopter). Separately, the 2009 NASA study involving the JVX rotor is relevant (see Ref.4). The JVX is closely similar to the 699 in size and aerodynamics, and is accordingly a good reference for performance calculations. In Ref. 1 (as mentioned above), pre-test reality checks of the current analytical model were made by comparing JVX and 699 predictions in hover and forward flight (airplane mode).

Isolated Proprotor Performance↗

Advanced space program studies. Overall executive summary

NASA and DoD requirements and planning data were used in multidiscipline advanced planning investigations of space operations and associated elements (including man), identification of potential low cost approaches, vehicle design, cost synthesis techniques, technology forecasting and opportunities for DoD technology transfer, and the development near-, mid-, and far-term space initiatives and development plans with emphasis on domestic and military commonality. An overview of objectives and results are presented for the following studies: advanced space planning and conceptual analysis, shuttle users, technology assessment and new opportunities, standardization and program practice, integrated STS operations planning, solid spinning upper stage, and integrated planning support functions.

Wolfe, M. G.↗

Visualizing Geospatial Data through ESRI Story Maps for Earth Science Education: Lessons Learned from My NASA Data

For 20 years My NASA Data (MND) has curated NASA Earth science data and provided the data to educators in engaging learner-centered resources. MND has recently featured story maps as an innovative way to engage students in NASA Earth data. A story map is a cloud-based lesson that engages the learner in interactive geospatial maps using NASA data, and other multimedia content, text, and tasks that can be seamlessly incorporated in classroom instruction. This immersive technology eliminates the need for the user to move among tricky interfaces to access and visualize Earth science data, and no special software is required to be downloaded. Each story map integrates data from different NASA satellite missions, retrieved from Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs). Story maps also employ data analysis tools, such as time series options and swipe tools that allow learners to view and analyze relationships between scientific variables. MND has produced 25 story map lesson plans on the topics of air quality, the urban heat island effect, Earth’s energy budget, phytoplankton distribution, hurricane formation, solar eclipses, ocean circulation patterns, sea ice extent, and volcanic eruptions. Nine of them are extended story maps and written in the 5E format, which is internationally recognized as best practice based on how children learn science. Each story map resource is developed by the MND team featuring a GIS programming specialist, a lead scientist, and educational specialist/s to ensure the context, content, and methods are scientifically and educationally sound. The MND story maps are written for middle and high school science teachers and students as they connect with the Earth Systems Science phenomena featured in the Next Generation Science Standards. Each story map includes supporting resources for smooth integration in the classroom. During Fiscal Year 2023, The My NASA Data website received over 100,000 story map engagements during. These metrics highlight the interest in story maps as an Earth Science educational resource.

Desiray Wilson↗