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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 721 records · Page 40

Mississippi Sound remote sensing study

Remote sensing techniques are being developed to study near shore marine waters in the Mississippi Sound. Specific elements of the investigation include: (1) evaluation of existing techniques and instrument capabilities for remote measurement of parameters which characterize near shore water; (2) integration of these parameters into a system which will make possible the definition of circulation characteristics; (3) conduct of applications experiments; and (4) definition of hardware development requirements and/or system specifications. Efforts have emphasized: (1) development of a satisfactory system of gathering ground truth over the entire area of Mississippi Sound to aid in evaluating remotely sensed data; (2) conduct of two data acquisition experiments; (3) analysis of individual sensor data from completed flights; and (4) pursuit of methods which will allow interrelations between data from individual sensors in order to add another dimension to the study.

Atwell, B. H.↗

The X-ray emissivity of the universe: 2 to 200 keV

Observational results on the diffuse X-ray background between 2 and about 200 keV are presented. Data were analyzed in relation to volume emissivity. The UHURU and OSO-3 satellites and balloon flights served as data sources for the analysis.

Schwartz, D.↗

Flutter Testing Techniques

Developments in methodology and data analysis techniques for flutter testing in flight and on the ground are discussed.

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A study to determine the characteristic shapes of helicopter visual approach profiles

On previous helicopter instrument approach studies, pilot comments frequently indicated that the deceleration profiles were characterized by 'unnatural cues', and it was found that the pilots were comparing the motion and attitude cues with those obtained during visual approaches. Prior to this study, the characteristic shape of visual approach profiles had not been formally documented. Over 200 visual approaches were flown using different helicopter types, test subjects, and initial conditions, and the altitude and groundspeed profiles were measured by a precision tracking radar. The data from each approach were then processed, and the characteristic shape of the altitude, groundspeed, and deceleration profiles was determined for each set of initial conditions. These flight data were processed further using graphical analysis techniques and parameterization, which, in turn, led to developing closed-form equations that accurately describe the characteristic groundspeed and deceleration profiles. Results from this study can be used to select instrument approach profiles, to develop instrument approach control laws, and to define the corresponding hardware requirements.

Moen, G. C.↗

A comprehensive solar energy system analysis data base in Huntsville, Alabama

The history of a comprehensive solar energy system analysis data base developed by NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center and the University of Alabama is presented, along with its current status. The Marshall Information Retrieval and Data Storage (MIRADS) system was chosen for the data base, and feedback systems were arranged to cope with changes in the needs of the program management for the type of data gathered. The final structure of the data base consists of 22 files divided into 6 topical sections: summaries, climatological, utility rates, architectural, equipment, and economics. The data base offers help to the solar industry in two ways: it provides information and it serves as a model for users trying to establish the climatic and socioeconomic variables they should take into account when they examine a potential market for solar energy equipment.

Goddard, J. P.↗

Interim Calibration Report for the SMMR Simulator

The calibration data obtained during the fall 1978 Nimbus-G underflight mission with the scanning multichannel microwave radiometer (SMMR) simulator on board the NASA CV-990 aircraft were analyzed and an interim calibration algorithm was developed. Data selected for the analysis consisted of in flight sky, first-year sea ice, and open water observations, as well as ground based observations of fixed targets with varied temperatures of selected instrument components. For most of the SMMR channels, a good fit to the selected data set was obtained with the algorithm.

Gloersen, P.↗

Space Construction Experiment Definition Study (SCEDS), part 2. Volume 2: Study results

The Space Construction Experiment (SCE) was defined for integration into the Space Shuttle. This included development of flight assignment data, revision and update of preliminary mission timelines and test plans, analysis of flight safety issues, and definition of ground operations scenarios. New requirements for the flight experiment and changes for a large space antenna feed mask test article were incorporated. The program plan and cost estimates were updated. Revised SCE structural dynamics characteristics were provided for simulation and analysis of experimental tests to define and verify control limits and interactions effects between the SCE and the Orbiter digital automatic pilot.

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Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Pogo testing and results

To effectively assess the Pogo stability of the space shuttle vehicle, it was necessary to characterize the structural, propellant, and propulsion dynamics subsystems. Extensive analyses and comprehensive testing programs were established early in the project as an implementation of management philosophy of Pogo prevention for space shuttle. The role of the space shuttle main engine (SSMF) in the Pogo prevention plans, the results obtained from engine ground testing with analysis, and measured data from STS-1 flight are discussed.

Fenwick, J. R.↗

An analysis of spanwise gust gradient data

Plots of winds encountered during flight are presented for severe turbulence cases from flights 6 and 7 of the Joint Airport Weather Studies (JAWS) Project (McCarthy et al., 1982). During run 10 of flight 7, analyzed here in considerable detail, the B-57B Cambera aircraft showed a sharp increase in airspeed of 15 m/sec over a distance of about 130 m and then a more gradual decrease of 20 to 25 m/sec over a distance of about 2 km. This suspected outflow feature was associated with a downdraft exceeding 10 m/sec. The horizontal wind direction changed nearly 180 deg during the pass through the feature. Unexpectedly, the intensity of the velocity differences decreased for all three components within the downdraft. Calculated probability density functions for u, v, and w show a jagged character, whereas delta-u, delta-v, and delta-w show a much smoother, unimodal behavior. The distributions for delta-u, delta-v, and delta-w are distinctly non-Gaussian.

Campbell, W.↗

Orbiter Entry Heating Lessons Learned from Development Flight Test Program

The Space Shuttle orbiter's thermal protection system (TPS), designed mainly on the basis of wind tunnel test data, has successfully completed its design, development, and flight test program. The flight test data provide an exceptional opportunity to evaluate the use of wind tunnel test data for the design of TPS for reentry vehicles. Comparisons of flight test data against wind tunnel data used to design the orbiter's TPS were developed. These flight data, though still in the preliminary analysis phases, generally support the use of wind tunnel test data in the design of TPS for hypersonic reentry vehicles.

Haney, J. W., Jr.↗

Shock response spectra variational analysis for pyrotechnic qualification testing of flight hardware

Shock response spectra data from flight certification tests were analyzed to determine envelope variation with respect to mean values in each axis. An overall variation of + or - 8.61 dB or 169 percent exists for the data. This large variation may be attributed to one or more of the following: (1) Instrumentation problems may exist. (2) Variations in the source charge (blasting caps) such as shape or explosive load may exist. (3) Two blasting caps were used to excite the pyrotechnic plate tester. Delay time between charge firings may have varied. The cause or causes of the variations need to be identified and researched to prevent future pyroshock problems.

Smith, J. L.↗

Measurements of the Fuel Mileage of a KC-135 Aircraft with and Without Winglets

The KC-135A Winglet Flight Research and Demonstration Program was a joint effort of the Air Force, NASA and the Boeing Military Airplane Company to flight test winglets on the KC-135A. The primary objective of the program was to verify the cruise performance improvements predicted by analysis and wind tunnel tests. Flight test data were obtained for winglets positioned at 15 deg cant/-2 deg incidence, 0 deg cant/-4 deg incidence, 15 deg cant/-4 deg incidence and for winglets off (baseline). Both fuel mileage and drag measurements were obtained. The 15 deg cant/-4 deg incidence winglet configuration provided the greatest performance improvement. The flight test measured fuel mileage improvement for a 0.78 Mach number was 3.1 percent at 8 x 10(5) pounds W/delta and 5.5 percent at 1.05 x 10(6) pounds W/delta. Correcting the flight measured data for surface pressure differences between wind tunnel and flight resulted in a fuel mileage improvement of 4.4 percent at 8 x 10(5) pounds W/delta and 7.2 percent at 1.05 x 10(6) pounds W/delta. The agreement between the fuel mileage and drag data was excellent.

Temanson, G. E.↗

Identification of vortex-induced clear-air turbulence using airline flight records

The nature and cause of clear-air turbulence is being investigated, in cooperation with the National Transportation Safety Board, using the flight records available from airline encounters with severe turbulence. This paper presents two case studies of severe turbulence which indicate that the airplanes involved encountered vortex arrays which were generated by destabilized wind-shear layers near the tropopause. In order to identify and analyze vortex patterns (i.e., vortex strength, size, and spacings), potential-flow models of vortex arrays were developed that describe reasonably well the wind patterns derived from the airliner flight records. The results of this analysis indicate that in the two cases studied, the vortex cores had diameters in the range of 900 to 1,200 ft with tangential velocities in the range of 70 to 85 ft/sec. This study presents the first identification and analysis of vortex arrays from airline flight data. The results are compared with theoretical predictions and previous observations.

Parks, E. K.↗

Production of pulsed atomic oxygen beams via laser vaporization methods

The generation of energetic pulsed atomic oxygen beams by laser-driven evaporation of cryogenically frozen ozone/oxygen films and thin indium-tin oxide (ITO) films is reported. Mass spectroscopy is used in the mass and energy characterization of beams from the ozone/oxygen films, and a peak flux of 3 x 10 to the 20th/sq m per sec at 10 eV is found. Analysis of the time-of-flight data suggests that several processes contribute to the formation of the oxygen beam. Results show the absence of metastable states such as the 2p(3)3s(1)(5S) level of atomic oxygen blown-off from the ITO films. The present process has application to the study of the oxygen degradation problem of LEO materials.

Brinza, David E.↗