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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

Piecewise simulaton proton test of gallium arsenide and thin silicon solar cells

Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) solar cells are viewed as a potential primary power source on certain future Earth orbiting satellites. However, the relative merits of gallium arsenide over silicon in a space radiation environment are largely unknown because a general degradation model for gallium arsenide does not exist. The results of a test simulating the proton radiation environment existing in a polar orbit and the concomitant effects on GaAs and thin silicon (Si) solar cells are presented. The objectives and methodology of the simulation test were discussed. The electrical characteristics of GaAs and Si solar cells are given in graph form. It was concluded that GaAs cells are viable for use on satellites in low Earth orbit.

Peterson, D. G.↗

The organic aerosols of Titan

The optical properties and chemical composition of thiolin, an organic solid synthesized by high-energy-electron irradiation in a plasma discharge (Sagan et al., 1984) to simulate the high-altitude aerosols of Titan, are investigated experimentally using monochromators, ellipsometers, and spectrometers (on thin films deposited by continuous dc discharge) and sequential and nonsequential pyrolytic gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (of the volatile component), respectively. The results are presented in tables and graphs and characterized. The real and imaginary elements of the complex refractive index in the visible are estimated as 1.65 and 0.004-0.08, respectively, in agreement with observations of Titan, and the IR absorption features include the nitrile band at 4.6 microns. The molecules identified in the volatile part of thiolin include complex species considered important in theoretical models of the origin of life on earth.

Khare, B. N.↗

Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) experiment M0003 meteoroid and debris survey

A survey of the meteoroid and space debris impacts on LDEF experiment M0003 was performed. The purpose of this survey was to document significant impact phenomenology and to obtain impact crater data for comparison to current space debris and micrometeoroid models. The survey consists of the following: photomicrographs of significant impacts in a variety of material types; accurate measurements of impact crater coordinates and dimensions for selected experiment surfaces; and databasing of the crater data for reduction, manipulation, and comparison to models. Large area surfaces that were studied include the experiment power and data system (EPDS) sunshields, environment exposure control canister (EECC) sunshields, and the M0003 signal conditioning unit (SCU) covers. Crater diameters down to 25 microns were measured and cataloged. Both leading (D8) and trailing (D4) edge surfaces were studied and compared. The EPDS sunshields are aluminum panels painted with Chemglaze A-276 white thermal control paint, the EECC sunshields are chromic acid-anodized aluminum, and the SCU covers are aluminum painted with S13GLO white thermal control paint. Typical materials that have documented impacts are metals, glasses and ceramics, composites, polymers, electronic materials, and paints. The results of this survey demonstrate the different response of materials to hypervelocity impacts. Comparison of the survey data to curves derived from the Kessler debris model and the Cour-Palais micrometeoroid model indicates that these models overpredict small impacts (less than 100 micron) and may underpredict large impacts (greater than 1000 micron) while having fair to good agreement for the intermediate impacts. Comparison of the impact distributions among the various surfaces indicates significant variations, which may be a function of material response effects, or in some cases surface roughness. Representative photographs and summary graphs of the impact data are presented.

Meshishnek, M. J.↗

A Cloud-Based Global Flood Disaster Community Cyber-Infrastructure: Development and Demonstration

Flood disasters have significant impacts on the development of communities globally. This study describes a public cloud-based flood cyber-infrastructure (CyberFlood) that collects, organizes, visualizes, and manages several global flood databases for authorities and the public in real-time, providing location-based eventful visualization as well as statistical analysis and graphing capabilities. In order to expand and update the existing flood inventory, a crowdsourcing data collection methodology is employed for the public with smartphones or Internet to report new flood events, which is also intended to engage citizen-scientists so that they may become motivated and educated about the latest developments in satellite remote sensing and hydrologic modeling technologies. Our shared vision is to better serve the global water community with comprehensive flood information, aided by the state-of-the- art cloud computing and crowdsourcing technology. The CyberFlood presents an opportunity to eventually modernize the existing paradigm used to collect, manage, analyze, and visualize water-related disasters.

CyberFlood↗

A preliminary study of the particulate fallout from the space shuttle (STS-1)

Prediction of acid fallout and the dry deposition of Al2O2 was the objective of this investigation. Sampling was done at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The models available were not appropriate and the data available was negligible. Thus, a bimodal particle distribution was assumed normalized to the few existing data points and used as a foundation for a crude zeroth order approximation for the acid fallout. In addition, a settling spectrum for the Al2O3 particles was devised as a table look-up since the graphs in the literature at first pass could not be fitted with reasonable analytic functions. Consulting services were rendered to researchers. Special emphasis was placed on improving current techniques and adding LIDAR (Light Radar). Suggestions for future studies are made.

Hudson, G. M.↗

The dynamics and control of large flexible space structures-IV

The effects of solar radiation pressure as the main environmental disturbance torque were incorporated into the model of the rigid orbiting shallow shell and computer simulation results indicate that within the linear range the rigid modal amplitudes are excited in proportion to the area to mass ratio. The effect of higher order terms in the gravity-gradient torque expressions previously neglected was evaluated and found to be negligible for the size structures under consideration. A graph theory approach was employed for calculating the eigenvalues of a large flexible system by reducing the system (stiffness) matrix to lower ordered submatrices. The related reachability matrix and term rank concepts are used to verify controllability and can be more effective than the alternate numerical rank tests. Control laws were developed for the shape and orientation control of the orbiting flexible shallow shell and numerical results presented.

Bainum, P. M.↗

The numerical simulation of subsonic flutter

The present paper describes a numerical simulation of unsteady, subsonic aeroelastic responses. The technique accounts for aerodynamic nonlinearities associated with angles of attack, vortex-dominated flow, static deformations, and unsteady behavior. The fluid and the wing together are treated as a single dynamic system, and the equations of motion for the structure and flowfield are integrated simultaneously and interactively in the time domain. The method employs an iterative scheme based on a predictor-corrector technique. The aerodynamic loads are computed by the general unsteady vortex-lattice method and are determined simultaneously with the motion of the wing. Two models are used to demonstrate the technique: a rigid wing on an elastic support experiencing plunge and pitch about the elastic axis, and a continuous wing rigidly supported at the root chord experiencing spanwise bending and twisting. The time domain solution coupled with the unsteady vortex-lattice method provides the capability of graphically depicting wing and wake motion. Several graphs that illustrate the time domain behavior of the wing and wake are presented.

Strganac, Thomas W.↗

Near-infrared spectroscopy of classical novae in the coronal phase

Spectroscopic observations of V1819 Cyg, V827 Her, and V2214 Oph, obtained at 1-2.5 microns using a 32-channel InSb array detector at the Cassegrain focus of the 2.7-m telescope at McDonald Observatory during 1986-1989, are reported. The data are presented in extensive tables and graphs and characterized in detail, with a focus on the nature of the 'coronal' emission. The ratios of Br-gamma (2.167 microns) and forbidden Si VI (1.960 microns) are found to be consistent with coronal gas temperatures of about 10,000 K and with photoionization as the primary mechanism of origin for the coronal species. Severe constraints on theoretical models involving shock heating and collisional ionization are inferred.

Benjamin, Robert A.↗

Thrust Augmentation Measurements for a Pulse Detonation Engine Driven Ejector

Thrust augmentation results of an ongoing study of pulse detonation engine driven ejectors are presented and discussed. The experiments were conducted using a pulse detonation engine (PDE) setup with various ejector configurations. The PDE used in these experiments utilizes ethylene (C2H4) as the fuel, and an equi-molar mixture of oxygen and nitrogen as the oxidizer at an equivalence ratio of one. High fidelity thrust measurements were made using an integrated spring damper system. The baseline thrust of the PDE engine was first measured and agrees with experimental and modeling results found in the literature. Thrust augmentation measurements were then made for constant diameter ejectors. The parameter space for the study included ejector length, PDE tube exit to ejector tube inlet overlap distance, and straight versus rounded ejector inlets. The relationship between the thrust augmentation results and various physical phenomena is described. To further understand the flow dynamics, shadow graph images of the exiting shock wave front from the PDE were also made. For the studied parameter space, the results showed a maximum augmentation of 40%. Further increase in augmentation is possible if the geometry of the ejector is tailored, a topic currently studied by numerous groups in the field.

Pal, S.↗

Radiometric Performance Model for AVIRIS

This slide presentation reviews the radiometric performance model for Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS). This model allows for an estimation of the signal throughput and noise properties of AVIRIS for the components. This understanding can point to areas for improvements of the components.. The signal to noise ratio properties may be estimated. An accurate radiometric performance model is essential for the use of existing instruments and the design of new instruments. Included in the presentation is a design view and a picture of the AVIRIS instrument. There is discussion of the signal, the signal area solid angle product, aspects of area solid angle time, the idealized radiometer photon calculation and noise both instrument read and photon counting noise. Graphs of signal throughput efficiency, input radiance, photons at the detector, signal e-, noise e- and the signal to noise ratio are presented.

imaging spectroscopy↗

Reliability Based Design for a Raked Wing Tip of an Airframe

A reliability-based optimization methodology has been developed to design the raked wing tip of the Boeing 767-400 extended range airliner made of composite and metallic materials. Design is formulated for an accepted level of risk or reliability. The design variables, weight and the constraints became functions of reliability. Uncertainties in the load, strength and the material properties, as well as the design variables, were modeled as random parameters with specified distributions, like normal, Weibull or Gumbel functions. The objective function and constraint, or a failure mode, became derived functions of the risk-level. Solution to the problem produced the optimum design with weight, variables and constraints as a function of the risk-level. Optimum weight versus reliability traced out an inverted-S shaped graph. The center of the graph corresponded to a 50 percent probability of success, or one failure in two samples. Under some assumptions, this design would be quite close to the deterministic optimum solution. The weight increased when reliability exceeded 50 percent, and decreased when the reliability was compromised. A design could be selected depending on the level of risk acceptable to a situation. The optimization process achieved up to a 20-percent reduction in weight over traditional design.

Patnaik, Surya N.↗

Link Analysis in the Mission Planning Lab

The legacy communications link analysis software currently used at Wallops Flight Facility involves processes that are different for command destruct, radar, and telemetry. There is a clear advantage to developing an easy-to-use tool that combines all the processes in one application. Link Analysis in the Mission Planning Lab (MPL) uses custom software and algorithms integrated with Analytical Graphics Inc. Satellite Toolkit (AGI STK). The MPL link analysis tool uses pre/post-mission data to conduct a dynamic link analysis between ground assets and the launch vehicle. Just as the legacy methods do, the MPL link analysis tool calculates signal strength and signal- to-noise according to the accepted processes for command destruct, radar, and telemetry assets. Graphs and other custom data are generated rapidly in formats for reports and presentations. STK is used for analysis as well as to depict plume angles and antenna gain patterns in 3D. The MPL has developed two interfaces with the STK software (see figure). The first interface is an HTML utility, which was developed in Visual Basic to enhance analysis for plume modeling and to offer a more user friendly, flexible tool. A graphical user interface (GUI) written in MATLAB (see figure upper right-hand corner) is also used to quickly depict link budget information for multiple ground assets. This new method yields a dramatic decrease in the time it takes to provide launch managers with the required link budgets to make critical pre-mission decisions. The software code used for these two custom utilities is a product of NASA's MPL.

McCarthy, Jessica A.↗

A computer-controlled, on-board data acquisition system for wind-tunnel testing

A computer-controlled data acquisition system has been developed for the 40x80-foot wind tunnel at Ames Research Center. The system, consisting of several small onboard units installed in the model and a data-managing, data-displaying ground station, is capable of sampling up to 256 channels of raw data at a total sample rate of 128,000 samples/sec. Complete signal conditioning is contained within the on-board units. The sampling sequence and channel gain selection is completely random and under total control of the ground station. Outputs include a bar-graph display, digital-to-analog converters, and digital interface to the tunnel's central computer, an SEL 840MP. The system can be run stand-alone or under the control of the SEL 840MP.

Finger, H. J.↗

Model-size reduction for the non-linear dynamic analysis of quasi-symmetric structures

A numerical technique is developed to reduce the size of models describing the nonlinear dynamic response of quasi-symmetric structures (i.e., structures with unsymmetric geometry). The response vectors of the structure are approximated by a linear combination of the symmetric and antisymmetric vectors at each time step. The mathematical formulation and numerical implementation of the method are described in detail, and results for a shallow laminated anisotropic panel of quadrilateral planform are presented in graphs and normalized contour plots.

Noor, Ahmed K.↗

Software Testbed for Developing and Evaluating Integrated Autonomous Subsystems

To implement fault tolerant autonomy in future space systems, it will be necessary to integrate planning, adaptive control, and state estimation subsystems. However, integrating these subsystems is difficult, time-consuming, and error-prone. This paper describes Intelliface/ADAPT, a software testbed that helps researchers develop and test alternative strategies for integrating planning, execution, and diagnosis subsystems more quickly and easily. The testbed's architecture, graphical data displays, and implementations of the integrated subsystems support easy plug and play of alternate components to support research and development in fault-tolerant control of autonomous vehicles and operations support systems. Intelliface/ADAPT controls NASA's Advanced Diagnostics and Prognostics Testbed (ADAPT), which comprises batteries, electrical loads (fans, pumps, and lights), relays, circuit breakers, invertors, and sensors. During plan execution, an experimentor can inject faults into the ADAPT testbed by tripping circuit breakers, changing fan speed settings, and closing valves to restrict fluid flow. The diagnostic subsystem, based on NASA's Hybrid Diagnosis Engine (HyDE), detects and isolates these faults to determine the new state of the plant, ADAPT. Intelliface/ADAPT then updates its model of the ADAPT system's resources and determines whether the current plan can be executed using the reduced resources. If not, the planning subsystem generates a new plan that reschedules tasks, reconfigures ADAPT, and reassigns the use of ADAPT resources as needed to work around the fault. The resource model, planning domain model, and planning goals are expressed using NASA's Action Notation Modeling Language (ANML). Parts of the ANML model are generated automatically, and other parts are constructed by hand using the Planning Model Integrated Development Environment, a visual Eclipse-based IDE that accelerates ANML model development. Because native ANML planners are currently under development and not yet sufficiently capable, the ANML model is translated into the New Domain Definition Language (NDDL) and sent to NASA's EUROPA planning system for plan generation. The adaptive controller executes the new plan, using augmented, hierarchical finite state machines to select and sequence actions based on the state of the ADAPT system. Real-time sensor data, commands, and plans are displayed in information-dense arrays of timelines and graphs that zoom and scroll in unison. A dynamic schematic display uses color to show the real-time fault state and utilization of the system components and resources. An execution manager coordinates the activities of the other subsystems. The subsystems are integrated using the Internet Communications Engine (ICE). an object-oriented toolkit for building distributed applications.

Testbed↗

Design and dynamic testing of an instrumented spacecraft component

Details relating to the design and subsequent vibration and shock tests of a spacecraft component for a severe vibration and shock environment are presented. The design process and analysis method involve the use of finite element analysis coupled with the Modal Strain Energy method with risk graphs to determine the adequacy of the design. The vibration levels experienced by box parts are reduced by the application of passive constrained layer viscoelastic treatments that significantly improve component reliability. All significant internal components were fully instrumented in both the random vibration and shock tests, the latter being done on a mechanical impact pyro simulator. Correlation between analysis and test data is good, validating the modeling and analysis techniques.

Dwyer, Thomas J.↗

Space station advanced automation

In the development of a safe, productive and maintainable space station, Automation and Robotics (A and R) has been identified as an enabling technology which will allow efficient operation at a reasonable cost. The Space Station Freedom's (SSF) systems are very complex, and interdependent. The usage of Advanced Automation (AA) will help restructure, and integrate system status so that station and ground personnel can operate more efficiently. To use AA technology for the augmentation of system management functions requires a development model which consists of well defined phases of: evaluation, development, integration, and maintenance. The evaluation phase will consider system management functions against traditional solutions, implementation techniques and requirements; the end result of this phase should be a well developed concept along with a feasibility analysis. In the development phase the AA system will be developed in accordance with a traditional Life Cycle Model (LCM) modified for Knowledge Based System (KBS) applications. A way by which both knowledge bases and reasoning techniques can be reused to control costs is explained. During the integration phase the KBS software must be integrated with conventional software, and verified and validated. The Verification and Validation (V and V) techniques applicable to these KBS are based on the ideas of consistency, minimal competency, and graph theory. The maintenance phase will be aided by having well designed and documented KBS software.

Woods, Donald↗

Spatial deadlocks in task-level planning

We will formulate the problem of resolving spatial (space occupancy and support-stability) interactions in terms of tools developed in Operating Systems for the problems of deadlocks and synchronization. We show how to construct state graphs and to detect resource contentions and deadlocks from these state graphs. We describe an algorithm, called CONTAC, to deal with deadlocks where 'processes' represent the ordered motions of parts. The algorithm is a monitor-like process using preventative preemptive protocol to resolve higher-degree deadlocks. We develop the representation for knowledge about current allocations, pending requests, and synchronization constraints, to generate a contention-free sequence of actions. In this paper we focus on modeling deadlocks which are manifestations of spatial interactions.

Doshi, Rajkumar S.↗