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27 Years of Satellite Ozone Data: Merging of Data Records from Multiple Instruments to Observe Global Trends and Recovery

Satellite measurements provide a unique global view of the stratospheric ozone layer. The perspective from satellites allowed for the early mapping of the extent of the phenomenon that became known as the ozone hole. The use of the satellite data for global trends outside of the ozone hole confronts the problem of the possible drift of the calibration of the instrument. The TOMS and SBUV instruments on Nimbus 7 lasted for more than a decade. During that time, the diffuser plate used to reflect sunlight into the measurement degraded (darkened) and the instruments each had a number of events that made calibration determination difficult. Initially the TOMS data were used for global trends by adjusting the overall calibration to agree with a set of ground-based measurement stations. But this was unsatisfactory because the record was not independent of those ground measurements and problems were found in many of the ground stations by using TOMS as a transfer standard. After many years of dedicated work, the TOMS/SBUV team learned how to correct for instrument drift, remove the interfering effects of aerosols, and establish instrument-to-instrument calibrations resulting in a long-term record that can be used for accurate trend and recovery determination. The global view of the satellites allows for determination not only of temporal change in ozone, but spatial fingerprints that allow more confidence in assigning cause to observed changes.

Stolarski, Richard S.

Estimating Transmitted-Signal Phase Variations for Uplink Array Antennas

A method of estimating phase drifts of microwave signals distributed to, and transmitted by, antennas in an array involves the use of the signals themselves as phase references. The method was conceived as part of the solution of the problem of maintaining precise phase calibration required for proper operation of an array of Deep Space Network (DSN) antennas on Earth used for communicating with distant spacecraft at frequencies between 7 and 8 GHz. The method could also be applied to purely terrestrial phased-array radar and other radio antenna array systems. In the DSN application, the electrical lengths (effective signal-propagation path lengths) of the various branches of the system for distributing the transmitted signals to the antennas are not precisely known, and they vary with time. The variations are attributable mostly to thermal expansion and contraction of fiber-optic and electrical signal cables and to a variety of causes associated with aging of signal-handling components. The variations are large enough to introduce large phase drifts at the signal frequency. It is necessary to measure and correct for these phase drifts in order to maintain phase calibration of the antennas. A prior method of measuring phase drifts involves the use of reference-frequency signals separate from the transmitted signals. A major impediment to accurate measurement of phase drifts over time by the prior method is the fact that although DSN reference-frequency sources separate from the transmitting signal sources are stable and accurate enough for most DSN purposes, they are not stable enough for use in maintaining phase calibrations, as required, to within a few degrees over times as long as days or possibly even weeks. By eliminating reliance on the reference-frequency subsystem, the present method overcomes this impediment. In a DSN array to which the present method applies (see figure), the microwave signals to be transmitted are generated by exciters in a signal-processing center, then distributed to the antennas via optical fibers. At each antenna, the signals are used to drive a microwave power-amplifier train, the output of which is coupled to the antenna for transmission. A small fraction of the power-amplifier-train output is sent back to the signal-processing center along another optical fiber that is part of the same fiber-optic cable used to distribute the transmitted signal to the antenna. In the signal-processing center, the signal thus returned from each antenna is detected and its phase is compared with the phase of the signal sampled directly from the corresponding exciter. It is known, from other measurements, that the signal-propagation path length from the power-amplifier-train output port to the phase center of each antenna is sufficiently stable and, hence, that sampling the signal at the power-amplifier-train output port suffices for the purpose of characterizing the phase drift of the transmitted signal at the phase center of the antenna

Paal, Leslie

Upland tidal brackish marsh specific conductivity and salinity measurements, PIE LTER, Plum Island Sound, MA, 2023

This dataset includes raw and corrected specific conductivity, temperature, and calculated salinity measurements collected at 10 cm depth in a Typha angustifolia-dominated tidal brackish wetland at the upper estuary of Plum Island Sound in Newbury, Massachusetts (MA) within the Plum Island Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research (PIE LTER) site. Measurements were taken to evaluate temporal variation in porewater salinity (a proxy for porewater sulfate concentration) in high frequency to assess soil and plant responses to changes in salinity. Measurements were collected using an Onset HOBO U24-002 Saltwater Conductivity/Salinity data logger deployed in a well. Specific conductivity was corrected using non-linear temperature compensation, and salinity was calculated using the Practical Salinity Scale 1978 via Onset's HOBOware software. Reference conductivity measurements to correct for sensor drift were taken at the start and end of each deployment using a HACH HQ14D Portable Conductivity Meter. Data were then filtered in MATLAB to remove values logged while the sensor was out of the well or during post-deployment equilibration. Detailed metadata, including variable descriptions, sampling methods, QA/QC procedures, and site information, are provided in the files: Typha_ctd_salinity_dd.csv and Typha_MI_ctd_salinity_2023_flmd.csv.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Upland tidal brackish marsh specific conductivity and salinity measurements, PIE LTER, Plum Island Sound, MA, May-December 2022

This dataset includes raw and corrected specific conductivity, temperature, and calculated salinity measurements collected at 10 cm depth in a Typha angustifolia-dominated tidal brackish wetland at the upper estuary of Plum Island Sound in Newbury, Massachusetts (MA) within the Plum Island Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research (PIE LTER) site. Measurements were taken to evaluate temporal variation in porewater salinity (a proxy for porewater sulfate concentration) in high frequency to assess soil and plant responses to changes in salinity. Measurements were collected using an Onset HOBO U24-002 Saltwater Conductivity/Salinity data logger deployed in a well. Specific conductivity was corrected using non-linear temperature compensation, and salinity was calculated using the Practical Salinity Scale 1978 via Onset's HOBOware software. Reference conductivity measurements to correct for sensor drift were taken at the start and end of each deployment using a HACH HQ14D Portable Conductivity Meter. Data were then filtered in MATLAB to remove values logged while the sensor was out of the well or during post-deployment equilibration. Detailed metadata, including variable descriptions, sampling methods, QA/QC procedures, and site information, are provided in the files: Typha_ctd_salinity_dd.csv and Typha_MI_ctd_salinity_2023_flmd.csv.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Shuttle infrared telescope facility pointing and control system

The Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) is being designed as a 0.85 m cryogenically cooled telescope capable of a three order of magnitude improvement over currently available infrared instruments. The SIRTF requires that the image at the focal plane be stabilized to better than 0.25 arcsec with an absolute accuracy of 1.0 arcsec. Current pointing-mount performance simulations indicate that neither of these requirements can be met without additional stabilization. The SIRTF pointing and control system will utilize gyro outputs, star field position measurements from a focal plane fine guidance sensor, and a steerable secondary mirror to provide the necessary stabilization and pointing control. The charge coupled device fine guidance sensor tracks multiple stars simultaneously and, through the use of multistar processing algorithms in a high performance microcomputer, generates three-axis attitude errors and gyro-drift estimates to correct the pointing-mount gyros. A high-bandwidth feedforward loop, driven directly from the pointing-mount gyro package, controls the steering mirror in order to correct disturbances not compensated for by the pointing-mount control system. A prototype design for the SIRTF pointing and control system is described in detail. Performance analyses made using a digital simulation of the pointing and control system as well as experimental data obtained in laboratory and field test measurements are presented.

Lorell, K. R.

Hydrogen masers with cavity frequency switching servos

The stability of the free-running hydrogen maser is limited by pulling of the unperturbed hydrogen transition frequency due to instability of the cavity resonance frequency. While automatic spin-exchange tuning is in principle the more basic and accurate method, the required beam intensity switching and the long servo time constant result in reduced stability for measuring intervals up to 10(exp 6) seconds. More importantly, the spin-exchange tuning method requires a second stable frequency source as a reference, ideally a second hydrogen maser, to get the best results. The cavity frequency switching servo, on the other hand, has very little effect on the maser short term stability, and is fast enough to correct for cavity drift while maintaining the cavity at the spin-exchange tuned offset required to minimize instability due to beam intensity fluctuations. Not only does the cavity frequency switching servo not require a second stable frequency source, but the frequency reference is the atomic hydrogen radiated beam signal, so that no extra RF connections need be made to the cavity, and externally generated signals that would perturb the hydrogen atom need not be transmitted through the cavity. The operation of the cavity frequency switching stabilization method is discussed and the transient response of the servo and certain other aspects of the technique that have potential for achieving improved basic accuracy are illustrated.

Peters, Harry E.

High time-resolution imaging with the MAMA detector systems

Current uses of the MAMA detector which utilize the photon time-tagging capabilities of these detectors are reported. These applications currently include image stabilization by means of post-processing corrections of platform drift and speckle interferometry. The initial results of a sounding rocket experiment to obtain UV images of NGC 6240 and results from speckle interferometry of Neptune's moon Triton are presented.

Morgan, Jeffrey S.

Ion radial diffusion in an electrostatic impulse model for stormtime ring current formation

Two refinements to the quasi-linear theory of ion radial diffusion are proposed and examined analytically with simulations of particle trajectories. The resonance-broadening correction by Dungey (1965) is applied to the quasi-linear diffusion theory by Faelthammar (1965) for an individual model storm. Quasi-linear theory is then applied to the mean diffusion coefficients resulting from simulations of particle trajectories in 20 model storms. The correction for drift-resonance broadening results in quasi-linear diffusion coefficients with discrepancies from the corresponding simulated values that are reduced by a factor of about 3. Further reductions in the discrepancies are noted following the averaging of the quasi-linear diffusion coefficients, the simulated coefficients, and the resonance-broadened coefficients for the 20 storms. Quasi-linear theory provides good descriptions of particle transport for a single storm but performs even better in conjunction with the present ensemble-averaging.

Chen, Margaret W.

Carotid Baroreflex Function During Prolonged Exercise

Astronauts are often required to work (exercise) at moderate to high intensities for extended periods while performing extra-vehicular activities (EVA). Although the physiologic responses associated with prolonged exercise have been documented, the mechanisms involved in blood pressure regulation under these conditions have not yet been fully elucidated. An understanding of this issue is pertinent to the ability of humans to perform work in microgravity and complies with the emphasis of NASA's Space Physiology and Countermeasures Program. Prolonged exercise at a constant workload is know to result in a progressive decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) concomitant with a decrease in stroke volume and a compensatory increase in heart rate. The continuous decrease in MAP during the exercise, which is related to the thermoregulatory redistribution of circulating blood volume to the cutaneous circulation, raises the question as to whether there is a loss of baroreflex regulation of arterial blood pressure. We propose that with prolongation of the exercise to 60 minutes, progressive increases on central command reflect a progressive upward resetting of the carotid baroreflex (CBR) such that the operating point of the CBR is shifted to a pressure below the threshold of the reflex rendering it ineffectual in correcting the downward drift in MAP. In order to test this hypothesis, experiments have been designed to uncouple the global hemodynamic response to prolonged exercise from the central command mediated response via: (1) continuous maintenance of cardiac filling volume by intravenous infusion of a dextran solution; and (2) whole body surface cooling to counteract thermoregulatory cutaneous vasodialation. As the type of work (exercise) performed by astronauts is inherently arm and upper body dependent, we will also examine the physiologic responses to prolonged leg cycling and arm ergometry exercise in the supine positions with and without level lower body negative pressure (-10 torr) to mimic spaceflight- related decreases in cardiac filling volumes.

Raven, P. B.

Calibration of TOMS Radiances From Ground Observations

Verification of a stratospheric ozone recovery remains a high priority for environmental research and policy definition. Models predict an ozone recovery at a much lower rate than the measured depletion rate observed to date. Therefore improved precision of the satellite and ground ozone observing systems are required over the long term to verify its recovery. We show that validation of radiances from the ground can be a very effective means for correcting long term drifts of backscatter type satellite measurements and can be used to cross calibrate all BUV instruments in orbit (TOMS, SBUV/2, GOME, SCIAMACHY, OMI, GOME-2, OMPS). This method bypasses the retrieval algorithms used to derive ozone products from both satellite and ground based measurements that are normally used to validate the satellite data. Radiance comparisons employ forward models, but they are inherently more accurate than the retrieval This method employs very accurate comparisons between ground based zenith sicy radiances and satellite nadir radiances and employs two well established capabilities at the Goddard Space Flight Center, 1) the SSBUV calibration facilities and 2) the radiative transfer codes used for the TOMS and SBUV/2 algorithms and their subsequent refinements. The zenith sky observations are made by the SSBUV where its calibration is maintained to a high degree of accuracy and precision. Radiative transfer calculations show that ground based zenith sky and satellite nadir backscatter ultraviolet comparisons can be made very accurately under certain viewing conditions. Initial ground observations taken from Goddard Space Flight Center compared with radiative transfer calculations has indicated the feasibility of this method. The effect of aerosols and varying ozone amounts are considered in the model simulations and the theoretical comparisons. The radiative transfer simulations show that the ground and satellite radiance comparisons can be made with an uncertainty of less than l\% without the knowledge of the amount ozone viewed by either instrument on ground or in space. algorithms.

Bojkov, B. R.

Electrical capacitance clearanceometer

A hot gas turbine engine capacitive probe clearanceometer is employed to measure the clearance gap or distance between blade tips on a rotor wheel and its confining casing under operating conditions. A braze sealed tip of the probe carries a capacitor electrode which is electrically connected to an electrical inductor within the probe which is inserted into a turbine casing to position its electrode at the inner surface of the casing. Electrical power is supplied through a voltage controlled variable frequency oscillator having a tuned circuit in which the probe is a component. The oscillator signal is modulated by a change in electrical capacitance between the probe electrode and a passing blade tip surface while an automatic feedback correction circuit corrects oscillator signal drift. A change in distance between a blade tip and the probe electrode is a change in capacitance therebetween which frequency modulates the oscillator signal. The modulated oscillator signal which is then processed through a phase detector and related circuitry to provide an electrical signal is proportional to the clearance gap.

Hester, Norbert J.

Receiver Gain Modulation Circuit

A receiver gain modulation circuit (RGMC) was developed that modulates the power gain of the output of a radiometer receiver with a test signal. As the radiometer receiver switches between calibration noise references, the test signal is mixed with the calibrated noise and thus produces an ensemble set of measurements from which ensemble statistical analysis can be used to extract statistical information about the test signal. The RGMC is an enabling technology of the ensemble detector. As a key component for achieving ensemble detection and analysis, the RGMC has broad aeronautical and space applications. The RGMC can be used to test and develop new calibration algorithms, for example, to detect gain anomalies, and/or correct for slow drifts that affect climate-quality measurements over an accelerated time scale. A generalized approach to analyzing radiometer system designs yields a mathematical treatment of noise reference measurements in calibration algorithms. By treating the measurements from the different noise references as ensemble samples of the receiver state, i.e. receiver gain, a quantitative description of the non-stationary properties of the underlying receiver fluctuations can be derived. Excellent agreement has been obtained between model calculations and radiometric measurements. The mathematical formulation is equivalent to modulating the gain of a stable receiver with an externally generated signal and is the basis for ensemble detection and analysis (EDA). The concept of generating ensemble data sets using an ensemble detector is similar to the ensemble data sets generated as part of ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) with exception of a key distinguishing factor. EEMD adds noise to the signal under study whereas EDA mixes the signal with calibrated noise. It is mixing with calibrated noise that permits the measurement of temporal-functional variability of uncertainty in the underlying process. The RGMC permits the evaluation of EDA by modulating the receiver gain using an external signal. Without the RGMC, samples of calibrated references from radiometers form an ensemble data set of the natural occurring fluctuations within a receiver. By driving the gain of an otherwise stable receiver with an external signal, the conceptual framework and generalization of the mathematics of EDA can be tested. A series of measurements was conducted to evaluate and characterize the performance of the RGMC. Test signals stepped the RGMC across its dynamic range of performance using a radiometer that sampled four noise references; analysis indicates that the RGMC successfully modulated the receiver gain with an external signal. Calibration algorithms applied to four noise references demonstrate the RGMC produced ensemble data sets of the external signal.

Jones, Hollis

Analysis of Suomi - NPP VIIRS Vignetting Functions Based on Yaw Maneuver Data

The Suomi NPP Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) reflective bands are calibrated on-orbit via reference to regular solar observations through a solar attenuation screen (SAS) and diffusely reflected off a Spectralon (Registered Trademark) panel. The degradation of the Spectralon panel BRDF due to UV exposure is tracked via a ratioing radiometer (SDSM) which compares near simultaneous observations of the panel with direct observations of the sun (through a separate attenuation screen). On-orbit, the vignetting functions of both attenuation screens are most easily measured when the satellite performs a series of yaw maneuvers over a short period of time (thereby covering the yearly angular variation of solar observations in a couple of days). Because the SAS is fixed, only the product of the screen transmission and the panel BRDF was measured. Moreover, this product was measured by both VIIRS detectors as well as the SDSM detectors (albeit at different reflectance angles off the Spectralon panel). The SDSM screen is also fixed; in this case, the screen transmission was measured directly. Corrections for instrument drift and degradation, solar geometry, and spectral effects were taken into consideration. The resulting vignetting functions were then compared to the pre-launch measurements as well as models based on screen geometry.

Xiong, Xiaoxiong

Post-Flight EDL Entry Guidance Performance of the 2011 Mars Science Laboratory Mission

The 2011 Mars Science Laboratory was the first Mars guided entry which safely delivered the rover to a landing within a touchdown ellipse of 19.1 km x 6.9 km. The Entry Terminal Point Controller guidance algorithm is derived from the final phase Apollo Command Module guidance and, like Apollo, modulates the bank angle to control the range flown. The guided entry performed as designed without any significant exceptions. The Curiosity rover was delivered about 2.2 km from the expected touchdown. This miss distance is attributed to little time to correct the downrange drift from the final bank reversal and a suspected tailwind during heading alignment. The successful guided entry for the Mars Science Laboratory lays the foundation for future Mars missions to improve upon.

Mendeck, Gavin F.

Temporal Gain Correction for X-Ray Calorimeter Spectrometers

Calorimetric X-ray detectors are very sensitive to their environment. The boundary conditions can have a profound effect on the gain including heat sink temperature, the local radiation temperature, bias, and the temperature of the readout electronics. Any variation in the boundary conditions can cause temporal variations in the gain of the detector and compromise both the energy scale and the resolving power of the spectrometer. Most production X-ray calorimeter spectrometers, both on the ground and in space, have some means of tracking the gain as a function of time, often using a calibration spectral line. For small gain changes, a linear stretch correction is often sufficient. However, the detectors are intrinsically non-linear and often the event analysis, i.e., shaping, optimal filters etc., add additional non-linearity. Thus for large gain variations or when the best possible precision is required, a linear stretch correction is not sufficient. Here, we discuss a new correction technique based on non-linear interpolation of the energy-scale functions. Using Astro-HSXS calibration data, we demonstrate that the correction can recover the X-ray energy to better than 1 part in 104 over the entire spectral band to above 12 keV even for large-scale gain variations. This method will be used to correct any temporal drift of the on-orbit per-pixel gain using on-board calibration sources for the SXS instrument on the Astro-H observatory.

X-ray detector X-ray spectrometer X-ray calorimete

Trace Elemental Abundances in Calcium-Aluminum-Rich Inclusions in CV Chondrites

Introduction: Calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs), are the first formed solids that define the age of the Solar System [1,2]. CAIs are thought to have condensed from nebular gas [3,4] within the first <1 Ma of Solar System formation [5,6]. CAIs have experienced numerous early Solar System processes including condensation, evaporation, melting, recrystallization, and aqueous alteration [e.g., 7]. The chemical, mineralogical, and textural diversity among CAIs results from a range of chemical and physical processes recorded during nebular and parent body epoch. This study aims to explore the mineralogical, textural, and chemical compositions of CAIs including the trace elemental abundances in CAI phases to determine the early Solar System processes recorded in them. Samples and Analytical Methods: We analyzed one CAI each from CV3 chondrites Northwest Africa (NWA) 5508 designated as ‘Saguaro’, and Northwest Africa (NWA) 12772 designated as ‘Hoopoe’. Back-scatter electron (BSE) images were collected using a Phenom XL scanning electron microscope (SEM) at the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) and the JEOL JXA-8530F electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) at Johnson Space Center (JSC)-NASA. Additionally, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) elemental maps of select areas for these samples were collected using a 15.0kV beam energy and a 40µA emission current. Using the EPMA, wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDS) quantitative data were collected. In-situ trace element measurements for both CAIs were determined at JSC-NASA using a Photon Machines 193nm laser ablation system and a Thermo-Scientific Element-XR inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Analyses consisted of 30s ablations at 10Hz, spot sizes of 20-25µm, and a fluence of 6.0 J/cm2 for anorthite and melilite, and a 3.5 J/cm2 fluence for all other phases. NIST612 was used to correct for instrument drift, while BHVO-2g was used as a primary calibration standard. BCR-2g and in-house mineral standards were regularly measured as unknowns to ensure accuracy. Results: Saguaro is a coarse-grained CAI, ~11 x 6 mm in dimensions. Saguaro contains spinel, Al-rich pyroxene, anorthite, Mg-rich melilite, and minor perovskite in its interior and is therefore classified as a Type B CAI. Individual melilite grains shows normal compositional zoning with an Ak content ranging from ~24 to 54 with no apparent trend from the core to the edge of the CAI. The spinel appears euhedral and occurs both as clusters and as spinel palisades [8]. Two rim sequences surround most of the sample: the inner rim being a Wark-Lovering (WL) rim (~10-35 µm) containing pyroxene, spinel, and melilite (or anorthite), and the outer rim is a finer-grained, thicker (~100 µm), accretionary rim (Fig. 1). The mineral phases in Saguaro record an overall flat REE pattern with an average negative Eu anomaly in pyroxene, and an average positive Eu anomaly in anorthite and melilite respectively. Anorthite, melilite, and pyroxene have a minor depletion in Tm (Fig. 2). The Hoopoe CAI is a compact, coarse-grained ~6 × 4 mm in size. The major mineralogy includes hibonite, spinel, melilite, anorthite, and perovskite. Therefore, it is classified as a compact transitional type A and B. (?)zoning was observed in some hibonites. Individual melilite grains show both reverse and normal zoning, where the Ak content ranges from ~6- to 28. Melilite shows two distinct textures. One texture consisted of smooth melilite that appeared homogenous, while the second appeared to consist of many fine fractures. The spinel also often appears clustered. The WL-rim sequence surrounding Hoopoe is ~25 µm thick and composed of spinel, perovskite, hibonite, and melilite/anorthite. It is then partially surrounded by an outer accretionary rim (~75µm). Like before, refractory metal nuggets appeared concentrated near the WL rims. Other metal assemblages rich in Fe and Ni were also observed. All major mineral phases in Hoopoe display relatively flat REE patterns, except for varying Eu and Tm between phases (Fig. 2). There is a prominent negative Eu anomaly in perovskite and an average positive Eu anomaly in spinel, anorthite, and hibonite respectively (Fig. 2, 3). The mixed phases along the rim of the CAI also display a negative Eu anomaly, and all phases the CAI were depleted in Pb. Discussion: The CV3 CAIs analyzed in this study were classified based on their mineralogy and textures into Type A versus Type B CAIs [10]. Hibonite appears to be pseudomorphically replacing the spinel, (i.e., is hibonite in composition, but appears in the shape of spinel). Spinel palisades. The presence of spinel palisades present in Saguaro are consistent with the melting and recrystallization experienced by this CAI. Trace elemental analyses. Saguaro and Hoopoe display similar trace element patterns to each other, with both appearing generally flat, with anomalies in Eu, and Tm. Melilite and anorthite display positive Eu anomalies in both CAIs, in addition to the hibonite in Hoopoe (Fig. 2). The phases that are depleted in Eu are pyroxene and perovskite in both Saguaro and Hoopoe, respectively (Fig. 3). Given that Eu is volatile in reducing environments [11], this could possibly indicate reducing conditions at the time anorthite and melilite crystallized, with the gas they formed from containing Eu. As these CAIs continued to form, this gas as a result would become depleted in Eu. This also could be supported by the propensity of anorthite and melilite to take up Eu from its surroundings and incorporate it into their structure [12]. In addition, analyzing the assemblage of the phases in the Saguaro, melilite and anorthite (Eu enriched) often surround the pyroxene (Eu depleted) as they are crystallized. This intergrowth of phases and the proximity of the phases would support that the Eu is being incorporated into some phases, preventing it from incorporating into other. Trace elemental analyses of the CAI rims will be evaluated in more detail, as they are complicated by the transient signal being composed of a mixture of mineral phases. Broadly, however, the patterns in the rims of both CAIs are comparable to each other, and for Hoopoe, to the mixed phase patterns in the core (Fig. 3). Other studies have found that CAI rims can be depleted in Ce and Yb [13], however we did not observe these anomalies in the two CAIs discussed here. Given their similarity, the trace elemental analyses of the mixed interior (i.e. core) and rim phases could be interpreted as forming from similar, if not the same, reservoirs. The REE abundance between the rim and core of Hoopoe are also similar, indicating they may have formed from a gas of the same or similar composition. Acknowledgments: We thank the ASU Center for Meteorite Studies for loaning the samples used in this work and Tabb Prissel for his assistance with the analysis. Mouti Al-Hashimi thanks Sam Crossley and Cyrena Goodrich for their help with the LPI SEM training. This work was supported by the LPI Summer Intern Program in Planetary Science and the LPI Cooperative Agreement. References: [1] Connelly J.N. (2012) Science, 338, 651-655. [2] MacPherson G. J. (2014) Treatise on Geochem., 2, 139-179. [3] Grossman L. (1972) GCA, 36, 597-619. [4] Ebel, D.S. (2006) Meteorites and the Early Solar System II (D. S. Lauretta & H. Y. McSween, Eds.) 253-277. [5] MacPherson G. J. (2012) Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 331-332, 43-54. [6] MacPherson G.J. (2017) GCA, 201, 65-82. [7] Krot A.N. (1995) Meteoritics & Planet. Sci., 30, 748-775. [8] Wark and Lovering (1982) GCA, 46, 2595-2607. [9] Palme H. and Jones A. (2003) Treatise on Geochemistry (H. D. Holland and K. K. Turekian Eds.), 1, 41-61. [10] Grossman L. (1980) Ann. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci., 8, 559-608. [11] Floss C. et al. (1996) GCA, 60, 1975-1997. [12] Mason B. and Martin P. M. (1974) Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 22, 141-144. [13] Wark B. and Boynton W. V. (2001) Meteoritics & Planet. Sci., 36, 1135-1166.

X Mouti

Microbial Optical Data Processing: A Key Step in the Metabolic Assessment of Lunar Explorer Instrument for Space Biology Applications (LEIA) and Biosentinel’s Payload Data

The BioSensor payload platform on BioSentinel and LEIA autonomously collects optical data from microbial model organisms in liquid culture. The BioSensor is designed to monitor metabolic activity using absorbance measurements of cell density and alamarBlue, a readily available colorimetric redox indicator dye. BioSentinel, a pioneering NASA CubeSat, uses yeast to study deep space radiation. LEIA investigates radiation and lunar gravity response. The experimental setup includes 16 wells equipped with three LEDs (570, 630, and 850 nm) and their corresponding photodetectors. One well is a calibration control without biology while the rest have desiccated cultures. Autonomous rehydration initiates the experiment. Data from the BioSensor are received from the flight and ground units, enabling comparison to uncover location-based metabolic rate variations. This study presents a Python Jupyter notebook developed for efficient data processing of multiple CSV files containing date and time columns, temperature, and well illumination data. It offers a user-friendly interface while maintaining computational power, automatically recognizing and iteratively processing data files in a user-input path. A Hampel filter with a short window eliminates outlier artifacts from sensor dropout. Because absorbance is a relative measurement, conversion from raw illumination requires defining a “blank” value, so the first data points are averaged to provide the necessary denominator. A cube-root function correction mitigates undesired drift caused by air pockets during the fluidic card filling phase, maintaining optical path length consistency. Beer-Lambert's law is applied to further convert absorbance values to cell and dye form concentrations, the desired science parameters. The processed data are saved and visualized as SVG plots. Future plans include extracting specific science parameters from the processed data like growth rate and metabolic rate, and identification of features corresponding to metabolic and phenotypic shifts such as starvation, shifts from aerobic to anaerobic growth, and osmotic stresses.

Space biology

Spacecraft antenna pointing

Two degree of freedom spacecraft antenna pointing system evaluation based on geometry, attitude drift errors, and sensor error signal methods of correcting antenna position for attitude drift

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