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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 793 records · Page 44
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NASA NTRS1989

DSN 70-meter antenna X- and S-band calibration. Part 1: Gain measurements

Aperture efficiency measurements made during 1988 on the three 70-m stations (DSS-14, DSS-43, and DSS-63) at X-band (8420 MHz) and S-band (2295 MHz) have been analyzed and reduced to yield best estimates of antenna gain versus elevation. The analysis has been carried out by fitting the gain data to a theoretical expression based on the Ruze formula. Newly derived flux density and source-size correction factors for the natural radio calibration sources used in the measurements have been used in the reduction of the data. Peak gains measured at the three stations were 74.18 (plus or minus 0.10) dBi at X-band, and 63.34 (plus or minus 0.03) dBi at S-band, with corresponding peak aperture efficiencies of 0.687 (plus or minus 0.015) and 0.762 (plus or minus 0.006), respectively. The values quoted assume no atmosphere is present, and the estimated absolute accuracy of the gain measurements is approximately plus or minus 0.2 dB at X-band and plus or minus 0.1 dB at S-band (1-sigma values).

Richter, P. H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

DSN 70-meter antenna X- and S-band calibration. Part 2: System noise temperature measurements and telecommunications link evaluation

The X- and S-band system operating noise temperatures of the Deep Space Network (DSN) 70-m antennas are presented. Models of atmosphere and ground noise temperature contributions, as they affect the antenna calibrations, are given for future use in telecommunications link modeling. The measured 70-m antenna network gain/system noise temperature (G/T) performance is presented. Compared with the earlier 64-m antenna network, G/T improvements of from 1.8 dB to 2.5 dB, depending on elevation angle, were achieved. G/T comparisons are made with the DSN/Flight Project Design Handbook and the Voyager telecommunications design control table. Actual Voyager telecommunications link performance is compared with predictions made by TPAP (the Voyager telecommunications prediction and analysis program) and with measured performance of the individual 70-m antennas. A modification in the use of antenna gain, system noise temperature, and atmospheric attenuation in existing telecommunications design control tables is suggested.

Slobin, S. D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Near-field testing of the 15-meter hoop-column antenna

A 15-m-diameter antenna was tested to verify that dimensional tolerances for acceptable performance could be achieved and to verify structural, electromagnetic, and mechanical performance predictions. This antenna utilized the hoop column structure, a gold plated molybdenum mesh reflector, and 96 control cables to adjust the reflector conformance with a paraboloid. The dimensional conformance of the antenna structure and surface was measured with metric camera and theodolites. Near field pattern data were used to assess the electromagnetic performance at five frequencies from 2.225 to 11.6 GHz. The reflector surface was adjusted to greatly improve electromagnetic performance with a finite element model and the surface measurements. Measurement results show that antenna surface figure and adjustments and electromagnetic patterns agree well with predictions.

Schroeder, Lyle C.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Sidewall boundary-layer removal effects on wall adaptation in the Langley 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel

This paper describes the Langley 0.3-m transonic cryogenic tunnel sidewall boundary-layer removal system and is integrated operation with the adaptive wall adjustment. Empty test section measurements show the sidewall boundary-layer displacement thickness at the model station is reduced from about 1.0 to 0.6 percent of the test section width when the maximum boundary-layer removal conditions are applied. Tests with a supercritical airfoil model show the iterative top and bottom wall adaptation process performs satisfactorily with sidewall boundary-layer removal.

Murthy, A. V.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A demonstration of sub-meter GPS orbit determination and high precision user positioning

It was demonstrated that the submeter GPS (Global Positioning System) orbits can be determined using multiday arc solutions with the current GPS constellation subset visible for about 8 h each day from North America. Submeter orbit accuracy was shown through orbit repeatability and orbit prediction. North American baselines of 1000-2000 km length can be estimated simultaneously with the GPS orbits to an accuracy of better than 1.5 parts in 108 (3 cm over 2000 km distance) with a daily precision of two parts in 108 or better. The most reliable baseline solutions are obtained using the same type of receivers and antennas at each end of the baseline. Baselines greater than 1000 km distance from Florida to sites in the Caribbean region have also been determined with daily precision of 1-4 parts in 108. The Caribbean sites are located well outside the fiducial tracking network and the region of optimal GPS common visibility. Thus, these results further demonstrate the robustness of the multiday arc GPS orbit solutions.

Bertiger, Willy I.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Demonstration of sub-meter GPS orbit determination and 1.5 parts in 10 to the 8th three-dimensional baseline accuracy

Strategies for the estimation of precise GPS orbits and ground baselines, designed to minimize error sources related to the GPS orbit accuracy and the tropospheric delay, are demonstrated. Using GPS data from field experiments conducted in 1985 and 1986, it is shown that, by carefully selecting well-known stations to serve as reference points and by using the GPS data to determine high-accuracy GPS orbits and to solve for wet tropospheric delay fluctuations, the 2000-km baselines in North America can now be estimated with the accuracy better than 1.5 parts in 10 to the 8th. Using these strategies, better than l-m accuracy was achieved for the two best-tracked satellites (of the seven total operational GPS satellites).

Lichten, Stephen M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Structural concepts for very large (400-meter-diameter) solar concentrators

A general discussion of various types of large space structures is presented. A brief overview of the history of space structures is presented to provide insight into the current state-of-the art. Finally, the results of a structural study to assess the viability of very large solar concentrators are presented. These results include weight, stiffness, part count, and in-space construction time.

Mikulas, Martin M., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Performance effects of tie-truss modifications for a 70-meter centerline beam waveguide antenna

The elevation-axis tie truss of the 70-m antennas would have to be modified to accommodate a centerline beam waveguide. To accomplish this, the center section of the tie truss has to be altered, causing a change in the tie-truss compliance and affecting structural performance. Even with the center section completely removed, the worst-case rms pathlength error due to gravity load is increased from 0.025 to only 0.030 inches. Using a simple postprocessor technique, the effects of modifying the compliance can be predicted without resorting to multiple and costly re-analyses of large finite-element models on a mainframe computer.

Cucchissi, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Disturbance torque rejection properties of the NASA/JPL 70-meter antenna axis servos

Analytic methods for evaluating pointing errors caused by external disturbance torques are developed and applied to determine the effects of representative values of wind and friction torque. The expressions relating pointing errors to disturbance torques are shown to be strongly dependent upon the state estimator parameters, as well as upon the state feedback gain and the flow versus pressure characteristics of the hydraulic system. Under certain conditions, when control is derived from an uncorrected estimate of integral position error, the desired type 2 servo properties are not realized and finite steady-state position errors result. Methods for reducing these errors to negligible proportions through the proper selection of control gain and estimator correction parameters are demonstrated. The steady-state error produced by a disturbance torque is found to be directly proportional to the hydraulic internal leakage. This property can be exploited to provide a convenient method of determining system leakage from field measurements of estimator error, axis rate, and hydraulic differential pressure.

Hill, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Structural fatigue in the 34-meter HA-Dec antennas

Structural modifications to the 34-m hour-angle-declination antennas, coupled with the use of the antennas beyond their intended lifespans, have led to structural fatigue, as evidenced by damage to the declination drive gear and cracks on the structural members and gussets. An analysis and simulation were made of the main antenna structural members. The analysis showed that the total stress to the antenna structure substantially exceeds the maximum levels recommended by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). Although each of the separate static conditions of stress is only 50 percent of the total stress and does not reach the AISC reduced yield limit, fatigue can and did occur, causing the material to crack in the weakest places.

Vanhek, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

DSS 15, 45, and 65 34-meter high efficiency antenna radio frequency performance enhancement by tilt added to the subreflector during elevation angle changes

The focusing adjustments of the subreflectors of an az-el Cassegrainian antenna that uses only linear motions have always ended in lateral offsets of the phase centers at the subreflector's focus points at focused positions, which have resulted in small gain losses. How lateral offsets at the two focus points were eliminated by tilting the subreflector, resulting in higher radio frequency (RF) efficiencies at all elevation angles rotated from the rigging angles are described.

Katow, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The flexure assembly design for the SIRTF one-meter primary mirror

A titanium flexure assembly for the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) 1-m primary mirror has been designed to accommodate: (1) the cryogenic cool-down effect on the optical performance of the mirror, (2) the Shuttle launch-load environment, and (3) the support-baseplate manufacturing tolerances. Numerous iterations involving a multidimensional design space search led to an assembly design that provides the stiffness and strength in the vertical (optical axis) and tangential directions to accommodate launch loads, but is compliant radially to accommodate cryogenic cool down. A 'folded back' titanium flexure system was required because of the differential thermal contraction of the aluminum telescope baseplate support and the fused-silica mirror. This unique and innovative flexure assembly represents a totally passive mechanism for accommodating the design launch loads, cryogenic cool down, and out-of-plane baseplate effects.

Richard, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

On-orbit structural dynamic performance of a 15-meter microwave radiometer antenna

The on-orbit structural dynamic performance of a microwave radiometer antenna for Earth science applications is addressed. The radiometer is one of the Earth-observing instruments aboard a proposed geostationary platform as part of the Mission to the Planet Earth. A sequential approach is presented for assessing the ability of an antenna structure to retain its geometric shape subject to a representative onboard disturbance. This approach includes establishing the structural requirements of the antenna, developing the structural and disturbance models, performing modal and forced response analyses, and evaluating the resulting distortions in terms of the antenna's ability to meet stringent structural performance requirements. Two antenna configurations are discussed: free-flying and platform-mounted. These configurations are analyzed for a representative disturbance function which simulates rotation of the subreflector in order to perform a raster-type scan of the Earth disk. Results show that the scanning maneuver modeled would not induce antenna structural errors outside the specified limits.

Wahls, Deborah M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Predictive control and estimation algorithms for the NASA/JPL 70-meter antennas

A modified output prediction procedure and a new controller design is presented based on the predictive control law. Also, a new predictive estimator is developed to complement the controller and to enhance system performance. The predictive controller is designed and applied to the tracking control of the Deep Space Network 70 m antennas. Simulation results show significant improvement in tracking performance over the linear quadratic controller and estimator presently in use.

Gawronski, W.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Initial studies of array feeds for the 70-meter antenna at 32 GHz

The results of a study to determine the feasibility of using array feed techniques to improve the performance of the 70 m antenna at 32 GHz are presented. Changing from 8.4 to 32 GHz has the potential of increasing the gain by 11.6 dB, but recent measurements indicate that additional losses of from 3 to 7 dB occur at 32 GHz, depending on the elevation angle. Array feeds were proposed to recover some of the losses by compensating for surface distortions that contribute to these losses. Results for both surface distortion compensation and pointing error correction are discussed. These initial studies, however, had one significant restriction: The mechanical finite element model was used to characterize the surface distortions, not the measured distortions from three angle holography data, which would be more representative of the actual antenna. Further work is required to provide for a more accurate estimate of performance that utilizes holography data and, in particular, one that evaluates the performance in the focal plane region of the antenna.

Cramer, P. W.↗
NASA NTRS1990

MIT ASTROMAG 1.7 meter disk magnet design report

MIT has proposed a magnet design for ASTROMAG, which has demonstrated substantial improvement in performance as compared with the present HEAO baseline design. Several advantages of the MIT disk design are listed along with design characteristics. Details of field contours and active field regions are shown along with comparisons with other designs. Three alternative design configurations for the ASTROMAG disk coils are summarized. The parameters of the conductors are listed and basic parameters for each of the complete systems are shown.

Marston, P. G.↗