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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 667 records · Page 37
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NASA NTRS2001

Explorers Program Management

The mission of the Explorer Program is to provide frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space within the following space science themes: 1) Astronomical Search for Origins and Planetary Systems; 2) Structure and Evolution of the Universe; and 3) The Sun-Earth Connection. America's space exploration started with Explorer 1 which was launched February 1, 1958 and discovered the Van Allen Radiation Belts. Over 75 Explorer missions have flown. The program seeks to enhance public awareness of, and appreciation for, space science and to incorporate. educational and public outreach activities as integral parts of space science investigations.

Volpe, Frank↗
NASA NTRS2002

Laboratory Astrophysics White Paper: Summary of Laboratory Astrophysics Needs

The NASA Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop (NASA LAW) met at NASA Ames Research Center from 1-3 May 2002 to assess the role that laboratory astrophysics plays in the optimization of NASA missions, both at the science conception level and at the science return level. Space missions provide understanding of fundamental questions regarding the origin and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. In all of these areas the interpretation of results from NASA's space missions relies crucially upon data obtained from the laboratory. We stress that Laboratory Astrophysics is important not only in the interpretation of data, but also in the design and planning of future missions. We recognize a symbiosis between missions to explore the universe and the underlying basic data needed to interpret the data from those missions. In the following we provide a summary of the consensus results from our Workshop, starting with general programmatic findings and followed by a list of more specific scientific areas that need attention. We stress that this is a 'living document' and that these lists are subject to change as new missions or new areas of research rise to the fore.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2008

James Webb Space Telescope Project (JWST) Overview

This presentation provides an overview of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Project. The JWST is an infrared telescope designed to collect data in the cosmic dark zone. Specifically, the mission of the JWST is to study the origin and evolution of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. It is a deployable telescope with a 6.5 m diameter, segmented, adjustable primary mirror. outfitted with cryogenic temperature telescope and instruments for infrared performance. The JWST is several times more sensitive than previous telescope and other photographic and electronic detection methods. It hosts a near infrared camera, near infrared spectrometer, mid-infrared instrument and a fine guidance sensor. The JWST mission objection and architecture, integrated science payload, instrument overview, and operational orbit are described.

Dutta, Mitra↗
NASA NTRS2008

Jupiter System Observer

This slide presentation reviews the scientific philosophy that is guiding the planning behind the Jupiter System Observer (JSO). The JSO would be a long-term platform for studying Jupiter and the complete Jovian system. The goal is to advance the understanding of the fundamental processes of planetary systems, their formation and evolution.

Jupiter↗
NASA NTRS2012

Diagnosing the Nature of Land-Atmosphere Coupling: A Case Study of Dry/Wet Extremes

Land-atmosphere (L-A) interactions play a critical role in determining the diurnal evolution of land surface and planetary boundary layer (PBL) temperature and moisture states and fluxes. In turn, these interactions regulate the strength of the connection between surface moisture and precipitation in a coupled system. To address deficiencies in numerical weather prediction and climate models due to improper treatment of L-A interactions, recent studies have focused on development of diagnostics to quantify the strength and accuracy of the land-PBL coupling at the process-level. In this study, a diagnosis of the nature and impacts oflocalland-atmosphere coupling (LoCo) during dry and wet extreme conditions is presented using a combination of models and observations during the summers of2006-7 in the U.S. Southern Great Plains. Specifically, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model has been coupled to NASA's Land Information System (LIS), which provides a flexible and high-resolution representation and initialization of land surface physics and states. A range of diagnostics exploring the links and feedbacks between soil moisture and precipitation are examined for the dry/wet regimes of this region, along with the behavior and accuracy of different land-PBL scheme couplings under these conditions. In addition, we examine the impact of improved specification ofland surface states, anomalies, and fluxes that are obtained through the use of a hew optimization and uncertainty module in LIS, on the L-A coupling in WRF forecasts. Results demonstrate how LoCo diagnostics can be applied to coupled model components in the context of their integrated impacts on the process-chain connecting the land surface to the PBL and support of hydrological anomalies.

Santanello, Joseph A., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Diagnosing the Nature of Land-Atmosphere Coupling During the 2006-7 Dry/Wet Extremes in the U. S. Southern Great Plains

Land-atmosphere (L-A) interactions play a critical role in determining the diurnal evolution of land surface and planetary boundary layer (PBL) temperature and moisture states and fluxes. In turn, these interactions regulate the strength of the connection between surface moisture and precipitation in a coupled system. To address deficiencies in numerical weather prediction and climate models due to improper treatment of L-A interactions, recent studies have focused on development of diagnostics to quantify the strength and accuracy of the land-PBL coupling at the process-level. In this study, a diagnosis of the nature and impacts of local land-atmosphere coupling (LoCo) during dry and wet extreme conditions is presented using a combination of models and observations during the summers of2006-7 in the U.S. Southern Great Plains. Specifically, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model has been coupled to NASA's Land Information System (LIS), which provides a flexible and high resolution representation and initialization of land surface physics and states. A range of diagnostics exploring the links and feedbacks between soil moisture and precipitation are examined for the dry/wet regimes of this region, along with the behavior and accuracy of different land-PBL scheme couplings under these conditions. Results demonstrate how LoCo diagnostics can be applied to coupled model components in the context of their integrated impacts on the process-chain connecting the land surface to the PBL and support of hydrological anomalies.

Santanello, Joseph A.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Nanosims Imaging of Volatile Elements (H, C, F and S) in Shergottites

Volatiles, especially water, play a critical role in the evolution of Mars and other planetary bodies. Though the detection limit and spatial resolution in measuring volatiles in different phases of Martian meteorites have been greatly improved using ion microprobes (SIMS), it remains a challenge to accurately determine volatile concentrations due to contamination by terrestrial volatiles. Most Martian meteorites experienced cracking and shattering from the high-pressure shock either on the Martian surface and/or when coming to Earth. Martian meteorites generally contain volatiles in cracks even after careful sample preparation for SIMS analysis. We used the Cameca NanoSIMS 50L at Carnegie Institution of Washington to image volatile (H, C, F and S) distributions in two shergottite meteorites, LAR 06319 (L2) and Y-980456 (Y3). The mapping of volatiles in these meteorites greatly assisted us in understanding the distribution of volatile contamination and in improving future volatile measurement methods

Wang, J.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Diagnosing the Nature of Land-Atmosphere Coupling: A Case Study of Dry/Wet Extremes in the U. S. Southern Great Plains

Land-atmosphere (L-A) interactions play a critical role in determining the diurnal evolution of land surface and planetary boundary layer (PBL) temperature and moisture states and fluxes. In turn, these interactions regulate the strength of the connection between surface moisture and precipitation in a coupled system. To address model deficiencies, recent studies have focused on development of diagnostics to quantify the strength and accuracy of the land- PBL coupling at the process-level. In this paper, a diagnosis of the nature and impacts of local land-atmosphere coupling (LoCo) during dry and wet extreme conditions is presented using a combination of models and observations during the summers of 2006 and 2007 in the U.S. Southern Great Plains. A range of diagnostics exploring the links and feedbacks between soil moisture and precipitation are applied to the dry/wet regimes exhibited in this region, and in the process a thorough evaluation of nine different land-PBL scheme couplings is conducted under the umbrella of a high-resolution regional modeling testbed. Results show that the sign and magnitude of errors in land surface energy balance components are sensitive to the choice of land surface model, regime type, and running mode. In addition, LoCo diagnostics show that the sensitivity of L-A coupling is stronger towards the land during dry conditions, while the PBL scheme coupling becomes more important during the wet regime. Results also demonstrate how LoCo diagnostics can be applied to any modeling system (e.g. reanalysis products) in the context of their integrated impacts on the process-chain connecting the land surface to the PBL and in support of hydrological anomalies.

Santanello, Joseph A. Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2014

James Webb Space Telescope: The First Light Machine

NASA James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will search for the first luminous objects of the Universe to help answer fundamental questions about how the Universe came to look like it does today. At 6.5 meters in diameter, JWST will be the world's largest space telescope. Its architecture, e.g. aperture, wavelength range and operating temperature, is driven by JWST's science objectives. Introduction: Scheduled to start its 5 year mission after 2018, JWST will study the origin and evolution of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. Its science mission is to: Identify the first bright objects that formed in the early Universe, and follow the ionization history. Determine how galaxies form. Determine how galaxies and dark matter, including gas, stars, metals, overall morphology and active nuclei evolved to the present day. Observe the birth and early development of stars and the formation of planets. And, study the physical and chemical properties of solar systems for the building blocks of Life. Principle: To accomplish the JWST science objectives requires a larger aperture infrared cryogenic space telescope. A large aperture is required because the objects are very faint. The infrared spectral range is required because the objects are so far away that their ultraviolet and visible wavelength spectral lines are red-shifted into the infrared. Because the telescope is infrared, it needs to be cryogenic. And, because of the telescope is infrared, it must operate above the Earth's atmosphere, i.e. in space. JWST is probably the single most complicated mission that humanity has attempted. It is certainly the most difficult optical fabrication and testing challenge of our generation. The JWST 6.5 m diameter primary mirror is nearly a parabola with a conic constant of -0.9967 and radius of curvature at 30K of 15.880 m. The primary mirror is divided into 18 segments with 3 different prescriptions; each with its own off-axis distance and aspheric departure. The radius of curvature for all 18 segments must match to +/- 0.150 mm at 30K. JWST is diffraction limited at 2 micrometers which translates into a transmitted wavefront specification of 156 nm rms. Of that amount, 50 nm rms is allocated to the primary mirror. Each segment is allocated 22 nm rms surface error. At the start of the JWST program, the capability to make such a mirror did not exist. In 1996, NASA began a systematic and comprehensive mirror technology development effort which resulted in JWST. This program resulted in a qualified mirror fabrication process being approved in 2006. Today, all JWST primary mirror segments meet their requirements and are on schedule for a 2018 launch. The next step is system level assembly, integration and test. Ambient tests will be conducted at Goddard Space Flight Center and cryogenic system level testing will be performed in Chamber A at the Johnson Space Center.

Stahl, H. Philip↗
NASA NTRS2017

Petrology of Zircon-Bearing Diogenite Northwest Africa 10666

The howardite, eucrite, and diogenite (HED) meteorites are a group of achondrites thought to be derived from the asteroid 4 Vesta, though there is active debate as to whether all diogenites are part of the HED suite. Petrologic investigation of the HED meteorite group provides a means of understanding early planetary differentiation processes and early evolution of planets in our solar system. Diogenites are predominantly coarse grained ortho-pyroxenites with some samples containing appreciable amounts of clinopyroxene, olivine, chromite, and plagioclase. Accessory metal, troilite, and apatite are common. Many diogenites are brecciated, however, there are few poorly to unbrecciated samples. Diogenites are important because they may represent the lower crust of 4 Vesta. Although Mg isotope data indicates that the sources of diogenites are ancient, their crystallization ages are difficult to constrain due to their protracted thermal histories. The limited chronologic data for diogenites also limits the ability to test petrogenetic connections with eucrites and even parent body. A reliable and high closure-temperature isotope system, such as U-Pb in zircon, is needed to address the timing of diogenite igneous crystallization. Description of the textures and mineralogy of diogenites are essential to their classification and understanding their formation, in particular, whether all phases are petrogenetically related. Here, we present detailed petrographic data from a rare zircon-bearing feldspathic diogenite, Northwest Africa (NWA) 10666 and provide textural evidence for igneous crystallization of the zircon.

Tanner, T. B.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Diagnosing the Nature of Land-Atmosphere Coupling: A Case Study of Dry/Wet Extremes in the U.S. Southern Great Plains

Land-atmosphere (L-A) interactions play a critical role in determining the diurnal evolution of land surface and planetary boundary layer (PBL) temperature and moisture states and fluxes. In turn, these interactions regulate the strength of the connection between surface moisture and precipitation in a coupled system. To address model deficiencies, recent studies have focused on development of diagnostics to quantify the strength and accuracy of the land-PBL coupling at the process level. In this paper, a diagnosis of the nature and impacts of local land-atmosphere coupling (LoCo) during dry and wet extreme conditions is presented using a combination of models and observations during the summers of 2006 and 2007 in the U.S. southern Great Plains. A range of diagnostics exploring the links and feedbacks between soil moisture and precipitation is applied to the dry/wet regimes exhibited in this region, and in the process, a thorough evaluation of nine different land-PBL scheme couplings is conducted under the umbrella of a high-resolution regional modeling test bed. Results show that the sign and magnitude of errors in land surface energy balance components are sensitive to the choice of land surface model, regime type, and running mode. In addition, LoCo diagnostics show that the sensitivity of L-A coupling is stronger toward the land during dry conditions, while the PBL scheme coupling becomes more important during the wet regime. Results also demonstrate how LoCo diagnostics can be applied to any modeling system (e.g., reanalysis products) in the context of their integrated impacts on the process chain connecting the land surface to the PBL and in support of hydrological anomalies.

southern plains↗
NASA NTRS2019

A Giant Impact as the Likely Origin of Different Twins in the Kepler-107 Exoplanet System

Measures of exoplanet bulk densities indicate that small exoplanets with radius less than 3 Earth radii (R(sub ⊕)) range from low-density sub-Neptunes containing volatile elements to higher-density rocky planets with Earth-like or iron-rich (Mercury-like) compositions. Such astonishing diversity in observed small exoplanet compositions may be the product of different initial conditions of the planet-formation process or different evolutionary paths that altered the planetary properties after formation. Planet evolution may be especially affected by either photoevaporative mass loss induced by high stellar X-ray and extreme ultraviolet (XUV) flux or giant impacts. Although there is some evidence for the former, there are no unambiguous findings so far about the occurrence of giant impacts in an exoplanet system. Here, we characterize the two innermost planets of the compact and near-resonant system Kepler-107 (ref. 9). We show that they have nearly identical radii (about 1.5–1.6R(sub ⊕)), but the outer planet Kepler-107 c is more than twice as dense (about 12.6 g cm–3) as the innermost Kepler-107 b (about 5.3 g cm−3). In consequence, Kepler-107 c must have a larger iron core fraction than Kepler-107 b. This imbalance cannot be explained by the stellar XUV irradiation, which would conversely make the more-irradiated and less-massive planet Kepler-107 b denser than Kepler-107 c. Instead, the dissimilar densities are consistent with a giant impact event on Kepler-107 c that would have stripped off part of its silicate mantle. This hypothesis is supported by theoretical predictions from collisional mantle stripping, which match the mass and radius of Kepler-107 c.

Bonomo, Aldo S.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Optical Engineering History of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

Mission Objective: Study the origin and evolution of galaxies, stars and planetary systems; Optimized for infrared observations (0.6 to 28 microns). Organization: Mission Lead, Goddard Space Flight Center; International collaboration with ESA (European Space Agency) & CSA (Canadian Space Agency); Prime Contractor, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems; Telescope Subcontractors, Ball Aero-pace, Harris Corp, Orbital ATK. Instruments: Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) - University of Arizona; Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) - ESA; Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) - JPL (Jet Propulsion Lab)/ESA; Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) - CSA; Operations: Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). Description: Deployable telescope with 6.5-meter-diameter segmented adjustable primary mirror; Cryogenic temperature telescope and instruments for infrared performance; 50 degrees Kelvin, minus 370 degrees Fahrenheit; 5-year science mission (10-year goal).

Feinberg, Lee↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Upping the TEMPO on Air Pollution Observations from Space for Enhanced Science Applications

The Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) mission was launched into Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) to 91°W longitude on April 7, 2023, and had a successful First Light period from July 31 – August 2 where the first hourly daytime scans across the TEMPO Field of Regard (FoR) covering greater North America were performed. First light images of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were released to the public on August 24. In addition to NO2, TEMPO will provide hourly daytime observations of formaldehyde (HCHO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), bromine (BrO), water vapor (H2O), and aerosols, at high spatial resolution (~2.0 x 4.75 km2) across the FoR. The hyperspectral ultraviolet-to-visible measurements from the TEMPO imaging grating spectrometer will permit an ozone profile retrieval capable of monitoring the diurnal evolution of ozone in the planetary boundary layer. The non-standard or special scan operations of TEMPO at sub-hourly frequency (e.g., 2-10 minutes) over selected slices of the FoR will further enhance monitoring capabilities during air quality disasters (e.g., wildfires, volcanic eruptions, dust storms, industrial accidents), research studies, and field campaign operations. A large diversity of stakeholders and end-users have been engaged in the TEMPO Early Adopters Program, supported by the NASA Applied Sciences Program, which aims to enhance health and air quality applications and maximize the societal benefit of TEMPO data when operational data becomes publicly available in the spring of 2024. Key outcomes from the Early Adopters Program include the pre-launch use of TEMPO proxy data to prepare the community for operational data, tailoring the data dissemination and visualization tools for the mission based on user needs, and enhancing the TEMPO special operations component of the mission through early adopter studies. This presentation will provide the latest TEMPO mission and Early Adopters Program updates, initiatives from the TEMPO special operations, and early demonstrations of science applications enabled through TEMPO data, while also showcasing the First Light imagery.

Air Quality↗
DOE OSTI2016

ROTATING STARS AND THE FORMATION OF BIPOLAR PLANETARY NEBULAE. II. TIDAL SPIN-UP

We present new binary stellar evolution models that include the effects of tidal forces, rotation, and magnetic torques with the goal of testing planetary nebulae (PNs) shaping via binary interaction. We explore whether tidal interaction with a companion can spin-up the asymptotic giant brach (AGB) envelope. To do so, we have selected binary systems with main-sequence masses of 2.5 M {sub ⊙} and 0.8 M {sub ⊙} and evolve them allowing initial separations of 5, 6, 7, and 8 au. The binary stellar evolution models have been computed all the way to the PNs formation phase or until Roche lobe overflow (RLOF) is reached, whatever happens first. We show that with initial separations of 7 and 8 au, the binary avoids entering into RLOF, and the AGB star reaches moderate rotational velocities at the surface (∼3.5 and ∼2 km s{sup −1}, respectively) during the inter-pulse phases, but after the thermal pulses it drops to a final rotational velocity of only ∼0.03 km s{sup −1}. For the closest binary separations explored, 5 and 6 au, the AGB star reaches rotational velocities of ∼6 and ∼4 km s{sup −1}, respectively, when the RLOF is initiated. We conclude that the detached binary models that avoid entering the RLOF phase during the AGB will not shape bipolar PNs, since the acquired angular momentum is lost via the wind during the last two thermal pulses. This study rules out tidal spin-up in non-contact binaries as a sufficient condition to form bipolar PNs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2005

Lithospheric Thickness on Venus from Magellan Gravity and Topography

This final report summarizes work carried out during my PGG funding for the period 3/1/02-2/28/05. Research under this award has focused on the areas described below and is represented in the publications list, invited departmental lectures and presentations at professional meetings. The grant has provided partial support for 1 graduate student, Renee Bulow, and provided 1 month per year of my summer salary. The linking theme of the research performed under this award is the manifestation of the thermal history of terrestrial planetary bodies through the existence and evolution of internally-generated magnetic fields (martian magnetism research, and beginnings of lunar magnetism research), mantle dynamical processes and their resulting surface expression (studies of Venusian coronae task) and the crust and upper mantle structure of a planetary body (lunar seismic structure task). The investigations build upon and extend my previous work supported by the PGG program.

Johnson, C. L.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Elemental Composition of Analogs to Mars Return Samples Studied with X-Ray Fluorescence Imaging at NSLS-II

In 2020, NASA will launch out into the first step of what may be an ambitious, multi-mission campaign with the goal to bring back for analysis in laboratories here to Earth a collection of rock, regolith, and atmosphere samples from Mars. It is the main objective of this endeavor to determine whether or not Mars was ever host to ancient microbial life. Finding evidence for extinct (or extant) life on Mars has the potential to fundamentally alter our view of the origin and evolution of life. It would provide proof for Earth being just one amongst others regarding the question of biological activity in the Solar System. Furthermore, returned Martian samples would provide a rich repository of information on the history of planetary accretion and differentiation, geochronology, atmospheric evolution, and the paleo-environmental history of Mars, adding tremendous additional value to such a mission beyond the issue of extraterrestrial life. Here the potential knowledge to be obtained by such a collection of samples will equal or exceed that of the Apollo lunar sample archive, which even today yields new insights on the history of the Solar System, over 40 years after they were returned to Earth.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗