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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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NASA NTRS1981

Technology development of the Space Transportation System mission and terrestrial applications of satellite technology

The Space Transportation System (STS) is discussed, including the launch processing system, the thermal protection subsystem, meteorological research, sound supression water system, rotating service structure, improved hypergol or removal systems, fiber optics research, precision positioning, remote controlled solid rocket booster nozzle plugs, ground operations for Centaur orbital transfer vehicle, parachute drying, STS hazardous waste disposal and recycle, toxic waste technology and control concepts, fast analytical densitometry study, shuttle inventory management system, operational intercommunications system improvement, and protective garment ensemble. Terrestrial applications are also covered, including LANDSAT applications to water resources, satellite freeze forecast system, application of ground penetrating radar to soil survey, turtle tracking, evaluating computer drawn ground cover maps, sparkless load pulsar, and coupling a microcomputer and computing integrator with a gas chromatograph.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1981

The solar irradiance from 200 to 330 nm

The full disk solar spectrum over the wavelength range 200-330 nm is measured with a spectral resolution of 0.12 nm. The measurement is performed by using a double monochromator pointed at the sun from a high altitude parachute. Only small corrections are required to account for atmospheric absorption. Good agreement is obtained with previously reported measurements.

Mentall, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1982

The direct and scattered solar flux within the stratosphere

Solar ultraviolet flux data obtained within the atmosphere by using Fastie-Ebert double monochromators carried on a balloon-borne gondola and a rocket payload are analyzed. Both the direct and scattered components of the solar ultraviolet flux at wavelengths from 190 to 320 nm are measured at the balloon float altitude of 40 km. The nearly identical spectrometer carried on the rocket flight measures the direct solar flux from 60 to 38 km during a parachute descent. The ozone column content above 40 km and the temperature profile and ozone density below 40 km are deduced using the scattered and direct solar flux components. It is shown that the Nimbus 7 solar flux data are consistent with the present data and with the ozone absorption cross sections of Inn and Tanake (1959). The calculated and measured values of the scattered solar flux are found to agree fairly closely.

Herman, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Space shuttle solid rocket booster reentry and decelerator system loads and dynamics

Recovery of the space shuttle solid rocket boosters required development of a heavy duty large decelerator subsystem. Successful recovery of the first launch pair of boosters demonstrated the adequacy of the design. Flight data consisting of accelerometers and parachute attach point loads provide a basis for evaluation of the decelerator subsystem performance. These results are summarized and compared to preflight predictions.

Moog, R.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Galileo - Mission to Jupiter

The payloads, mission, and performance characteristics of the Galileo probe, to be launched by a Centaur boost from the Orbiter in 1985, are described. The Galileo is intended to determine the chemical compositions and physical states of the Jovian atmosphere and of the Jovian satellites, and to investigate the structure and dynamics of the Jovian magnetosphere. The orbiting part of the spacecraft will carry a near-IR mapping spectrometer, a photopolarimeter radiometer, a solid state imaging camera, a UV spectrometer, and five fields and particles instruments. A probe will be dropped for parachute descent into the Jovian atmosphere, carrying an atmospheric structure instrument, a neutral mass spectrometer, a He abundance interferometer, a nephelometer, and a radiometer. A retrorocket burn during the encounter with Jupiter will place the Galileo in an orbit calculated to pass close to all the Jovian moons over 12 orbits spanning 20 mos.

Yeates, C. M.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Evidence for beam-stimulated precipitation of high energy electrons

Observations have been made in conjunction with two active magnetospheric experiments (Araks and Trigger) in which an electron beam apparently stimulated the precipitation of high-energy electrons from the deep magnetosphere. In both experiments, the data were obtained from rocket-boosted, parachute-borne X-ray bremsstrahlung detectors which were initially deployed at an altitude of 80 km near the foot of the flux tubes affected by each experiment. The X-ray results from these experiments are discussed and compared in terms of beam physics. It is concluded that artificial electron beams injected from ionosphere can stimulate pitch angle scattering and precipitation of higher energy electrons in the magnetosphere via a particle-wave-particle interaction. This mechanism operates over at least one order of magnitude of injection energy.

Bering, E.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Wind structure and small-scale wind variability in the stratosphere and mesosphere during the November 1980 Energy Budget Campaign

Rocket observations made from two sites in northern Scandinavia between November 6 and December 1, 1980, as part of the Energy Budget Campaign are discussed. It was found that significant vertical and temporal changes in the wind structure were present and that they coincided with different geomagnetic conditions, that is, quiet and enhanced. Before November 16, the meridional wind component above 60 km was found to be positive (southerly), whereas the magnitude of the zonal wind component increased with altitude. After November 16 the meridional component became negative (northerly), and the magnitude of the zonal wind component was observed to decrease with altitude. Time sections of the perturbations of the zonal wind reveal the presence of vertically propagating waves, suggesting gravity wave activity. The waves are found to increase in wavelength from 3-4 km near 40 km to more than 12 km near 80 km. The observational techniques made use of chaff foil, chemical trails, inflatable spheres, and parachutes.

Schmidlin, F. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Return to Jupiter - Project Galileo

The mission profile, instrumentation, and mission objectives of the Galileo probe are described. Scheduled for Shuttle launch in 1986, with a boost from the Centaur upper stage, the probe will require over 2 yr to reach the Jovian system. An atmospheric entry probe will be released during Jupiter approach, and the orbiting module will relay the temperature, pressure, radio signals, spectroscopy, magnetometry, and particle counts, originating from the parachuting probe. The orbiting module will then continue on to a series of flybys and orbits around the Jovian moons by using a gravity assist from Jupiter after each pass of a moon. The orbiter will record spectrometric, radiometric, dust, visual, magnetic, and radio propagation data. The television camera is a CCD device with 640,000 diodes forming an 800 x 800 array in one square centimeter.

Johnson, T. V.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Eclipse-related measurements of middle-atmosphere electrical parameters

Measurements of electrical conductivity and its constituent parameters, charge density and ion mobility, are presented for the solar eclipse rocket campaign conducted at Red Lake, Ontario, Canada. Three parachute-borne probes (two Gerdien condensers and a blunt probe) were flown during the eclipse which occurred on 26 February 1979. Additional payloads launched at other times provided important supplemental background measurements. The entire launch series occurred during aurorally active conditions, as indicated by the probe measurements. Specifically, positive conductivity enhancements above 45 km demonstrate the dominance of auroral ionization as a source for positive ions in the region. Such effects evidenced during the eclipse make it difficult to determine the extent to which the decrease in positive conductivity above 60 km is eclipse-related. The negative conductivity component associated with free electrons displays solar dependence both during the eclipse and for the other measurement periods. In spite of the aurorally active conditions, rapid electron loss was observed during totality, thus indicating the importance of non-ionizing solar effects on electrons in the region.

Mitchell, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Nitric oxide in the upper stratosphere - Measurements and geophysical interpretation

A rocket-borne parachute-deployed chemiluminescence instrument has obtained seven new measurements of atmospheric nitric oxide for altitudes between 30 and 50 km at mid-latitudes. These results, when combined with profiles measured by an earlier version of the instrument, cover all four seasons and provide a more comprehensive picture of upper stratospheric nitric oxide than has been available previously. At the highest altitudes studied, the vertical gradient in mixing ratio displays positive and negative values during different observations, with the largest values tending to appear at the greatest heights in summer. Examination of the differences among the profiles, which exceed a factor of 3 near the stratopause, suggests that they arise from the action of transport processes which carry air into the mid-latitude upper stratosphere from regions of the atmosphere that contain widely different odd-nitrogen abundances.

Harvath, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Silicone-Rubber Stitching Seal

Fabric products protected from raveling by coating threads and filling stitching holes with silicone rubber. Uncored silicone rubber applied to stitching lines with air-pressurized sealant gun. Next, plastic release film placed on coated side, and blanket flipped over so release film lies underneath. Blanket then bagged and adhesive cured under partial vacuum of about 3.5 psi or under pressure. Applications include balloons, parachutes, ultralight aircraft, sails, rescue harnesses, tents, or other fabric products highly stressed in use.

Wang, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Solid rocket booster retrieval operations

Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval operations are discussed in detail. The recovery of expended boosters and associated hardware without damage attributable to retrieval procedures is the main goal. The retrieval force consists tof ship's personnel and retrieval team members, each of whom has been trained and is highly skilled in multi-faceted operations. The retrieval force is equipped with two specially-built, highly maneuverable ships outfitted with parachute reels, retrieval cranes, towing winches, large volume-low pressure air compressors, SCUBA diving gear, inflatable boats with outboard motors and diver-operated SRB dewatering devices. The two ships are deployed in sufficient time to conduct an electronic and visual search of the impact area prior to launch. Upon search completeion, each ship takes station a safe distance from the predetermined impact point initiating both visual and electronic search in the direction of flight path, ensuring SRB acquisition at splashdown. When safe, the ships enter the impact area and commence recovery of all floating flight hardware which is subsequently returned to the Disassembly Facility for refurbishment and reuse. Retrieval techniques have evolved in parallel with equipment and flight hardware configuration changes. Additional changes have been initiated to improve personnel safety.

Rasmussen, A. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Galileo

The Galileo consists of two main parts: a Jupiter orbiter and a probe. After a 1000 day journey, the Galileo will assume orbit around the giant planet, an orbit which will last for 200 days, in the hopes of astronomers. The orbit will carry the Galileo past its four Jovian satellites--Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto - a combined total of 11 times. This will enable scientists to study the atmosphere of not only the largest planet in the solar system, but its large moons as well. Sometime in August of 1988, the Galileo will approach Jupiter and begin its important activities. Fifty-six days away from planetary encounter, the Galileo will release the probe which will continue the trip to Jupiter and enter the atmosphere. As it descends through the atmosphere, the probe will unfurl a parachute to slow its speed as it broadcasts information back to the waiting orbiter, which will in turn relay it back to the waiting scientists on Earth. The probe's descent time is expected to be approximately 15 min before Jupiter's pressure and heat overwhelm the probe's protection. However, scientists are hopeful that the probe will survive longer than 15 min, possibly up to 60 min.

Hwang, C.↗

NASA NTRS1985

B-52B/DTV (Drop Test Vehicle) flight test results: Drop test missions

The NASA test airplane, B-52B-008, was a carrier for drop tests of the shuttle booster recovery parachute system. The purpose of the test support by Boeing was to monitor the vertical loads on the pylon hooks. The hooks hold the Drop Test Vehicle to the B-52 pylon during drop test missions. The loads were monitored to assure the successful completion of the flight and the safety of the crew.

Doty, L. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A life-saving device for ships

A life-saving device is described which can be used on either ships or airplanes. The device consists of an airtight container for passengers equipped with elements needed for survival (oxygen, food, medicines, etc.), an energy source, and a parachute. This device can be ejected from the plane or ship when an emergency arises.

Converti, P.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Space shuttle SRB TPS protective paint test and evaluation in NASA Hot Gas Facility and AEDC Tunnel C

The results and outcome of thermal tests conducted to evaluate the performance of the protective coat of paint on the solid rocket booster (SRB) thermal protection system are discussed. A problem was uncovered during a series of tests on the SRB instrumentation islands in AEDC Tunnel C on 13 January 1979. The white protective paint or the Turco coating on the thermal protection system panels began to flow soon after the panels were exposed to the flow. This presented a serious problem especially since the critical pressure sensing, parachute opening baroswitches located on the frustum of the SRB were most likely to be contaminated by the paint flowing down the sides of the SRB nose cone. Because the first two flight articles were already completed, it was necessary to find a solution to the existing paint problem. It was found that all the coatings tested, except the Hypalon, had similar undesirable flow characteristics. Also even the Hypalon, which did not flow, would bubble up and disintegrate when it was applied on top of the new Turco. Recently, the Turco coating was removed from an MSA-:11 panel by dissolving the paint with a certain agent. This was done in two ways, by dissolving and removing almost all of the paint on one side of the panel and dissolving and removing about 50% of the paint on the other. The panel was then coated with Hypalon and tested as before in the Hot Gas Facility. No evidence of any paint flow nor any adverse performance of MSA was observed.

Karu, Z. S.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Wind structure and variability in the middle atmosphere during the November 1980 energy budget campaign

Between November 6 and December 1, 1980 series of rocket observations were obtained from two sites in northern Scandinavia (68 deg N) as part of the Energy Budget Campaign, revealing the presence of significant vertical and temporal changes in the wind structure. These changes coincided with different geomagnetic conditions, i.e. quiet and enhanced. Large amounts of rocket data were gathered from high latitudes over such a short interval of time. Prior to November 16 the meridional wind component above 60 km was found to be positive (southerly), while the magnitude of the zonal wind component incresed with altitude. After November 16 the meridional component became negative (northerly) and the magnitude of the zonal wind component was noted to decrease with altitude. Time-sections of the perturbations of the zonal wind show the presence of vertically propagating waves, which suggest gravity wave activity. These waves increase in length from 1 km near 30 km to over 12 km near 80 km. The observational techniques employed Andoya (69 deg N), Norway, and Esrange (67.9 deg N), Sweden, consisted of chaff foil, instrumented rigid spheres, chemical trails, inflatable spheres and parachutes.

Schmidlin, F. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Stratospheric ClO - In-situ detection with a new approach

Stratospheric chlorine monoxide concentrations were measured in situ using a new and improved observational method in which the detection package is lowered on a tether from a balloon-borne platform floating near 40 km altitude and then reeled back up. Two reel down and reel up sequences covering 38 to 31 km produced (ClO) profiles which agree with each other to + or - 12 percent. The measured (ClO) profile falls within the envelope of nine previous fast parachute drop results, but exhibits a different shape, peaking near 32 km as opposed to approximately 39 km for the average of the previous profiles. These results are lower than but consistent with the profiles derived from remote sensing methods, and indicate the need for simultaneous measurements of relevant species.

Brune, Wm. H.↗