Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Completion Design”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 865 records · Page 48

A seismic signal processor suitable for use with the NOAA/GOES satellite data collection system

Because of the high data-rate requirements, a practical system capable of collecting seismic information in the field and relaying it, via satellite, to a central collection point is not yet available. A seismic signal processor has been developed and tested for use with the NOAA/GOES satellite data collection system. Performance tests on recorded, as well as real time, short period signals indicate that the event recognition technique used is nearly perfect in its rejection of environmental noise and other non-seismic signals and that, with the use of solid state buffer memories, data can be acquired in many swarm situations. The design of a complete field data collection platform is discussed based on the prototype evaluation.

Webster, W. J., Jr.↗

Mod-2 wind turbine system cluster research test program. Volume 1: Initial plan E-1290

Upon completion of the design and development of three Mod-2 wind turbines, a series of research experiments are planned to gather data on and evaluate the performance, environmental effects, and operation of a cluster as well as a single, large multimegawatt wind turbine. Information on the program objectives, a Mod-2 system description, a planned schedule, organizational roles, and responsibilities, is included.

Gordon, L. H.↗

Fiber optic experiment for the Shuttle long-duration exposure facility

The present investigation is concerned with an active fiber-optic data transmission experiment which has been under development for a planned orbital exposure on the Shuttle Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) and subsequent recovery for laboratory evaluation. The LDEF is a space shuttle payload which is designed to carry a large number of independent tray-mounted experiments into low earth orbit for exposure to the space environment. The LDEF is then to be recovered by a later shuttle flight for postflight examination. Data is stored on a tape recorder within the experiment tray; no telemetry is provided. A description is given of two independent experiment trays which are being prepared. The experiments are to be conducted to gain experience in the design of a complete fiber link for the space environment and to confirm that the effects of the critical environments in space, in particular particle radiation and temperature extremes, are not detrimental to satisfactory link operation.

Johnston, A. R.↗

A noninteractive procedure for land-use determination

A complete operational procedure designed for use by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the determination of land-use information for hydrologic planning purposes is reported. The procedure combines photo interpretation techniques and the batch-mode computer analysis of Landsat digital data. Since the operational constraints preclude the use of dedicated, interactive image processing facilities, several novel approaches to geometric correction, classification, and data input/output were developed. The procedure is summarized, and examples of the application of the procedure to urban watersheds are described. In spite of the constraints, the procedure provides results comparable in accuracy and lower in cost than those provided by commercial services using interactive techniques.

Ford, G. E.↗

The boundary layer on compressor cascade blades

The flow field about an airfoil in a cascade at chord Reynolds number (R sub C) near 50,000. The program is experimental and combines laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) with flow visualization techniques in order to obtain detailed flow data (e.g., boundary layer profiles, points of separation and the transition zone) on a cascade of highly-loaded compressor blades. The information provided is to serve as benchmark data for the evaluation of current and future compressor cascade predictive models, in this way aiding in the compressor design process. The completed pressure surface mean velocity profiles, as well as two detailed near wake velocity profiles, all at a single incidence angle are provided.

Deutsch, S.↗

Space station data system analysis/architecture study. Task 3: Trade studies, DR-5, volume 2

Results of a Space Station Data System Analysis/Architecture Study for the Goddard Space Flight Center are presented. This study, which emphasized a system engineering design for a complete, end-to-end data system, was divided into six tasks: (1); Functional requirements definition; (2) Options development; (3) Trade studies; (4) System definitions; (5) Program plan; and (6) Study maintenance. The Task inter-relationship and documentation flow are described. Information in volume 2 is devoted to Task 3: trade Studies. Trade Studies have been carried out in the following areas: (1) software development test and integration capability; (2) fault tolerant computing; (3) space qualified computers; (4) distributed data base management system; (5) system integration test and verification; (6) crew workstations; (7) mass storage; (8) command and resource management; and (9) space communications. Results are presented for each task.

Source record↗

Telescope technology for the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE)

Preliminary engineering studies are in progress to define a telescope for FUSE. General science objectives include high resolution spectroscopy in the 900-1200 A spectral region, low or moderate resolution spectroscopy in the 100-900 A range, and long slit imaging over a 1-arcmin field at a spatial resolution of 1 arcsec. Telescope design studies indicate that a 1-m-diameter Wolter-Schwarzschild type II glancing-incidence telescope with an effective collecting area of 3000 sq cm is required to meet the primary science objectives. A baseline optical design has been completed, and initial alignment sensitivities derived to begin the process of error allocation for the entire system.

Osantowski, J. F.↗

Thermionic space power system concept

A 100 kWe thermionic nuclear power system conceptual design has been completed as part of the SP-100 space power program. The configuration and performance of the baseline system and its components are described along with the rationale for the selection of coolant and structural material. Growth and scalability are also discussed.

Snyder, Harold J.↗

Yaw Control At High Angles Of Attack

Hinged, conformal forebody strakes provide control when rudders become ineffective. Device consists of symmetric pair of longitudinally hinged strakes designed to fold completely into forebody contour. Strakes rotate individually out into external flow. Asymmetric flow produced by deployed strake generates sideward force causing aircraft to yaw.

Murri, Daniel G.↗

Status of magnetic suspension technology

The reasons for the continuing interest in the Magnetic Suspension and Balance System (MSBS) are highlighted. Typical problems that can arise because of model-support interference in a transonic wind tunnel are shown to illustrate the need for MSBS. The two magnetic suspension systems in operation at Langley are the only ones active in the U.S. One of these systems is the 13 inch MSBS which was borrowed from the Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Center. The other system is the 6 inch MSBS which was developed by MIT Aerophysics Laboratory with NASA and DOD funding. Each of these systems is combined with a subsonic wind tunnel. Ongoing research in both of these systems is covered. Last year, Madison Magnetics, Inc., completed a contractual design and cost study utilizing some advance concepts for a large MSBS which would be compatible with an 8 foot transonic wind tunnel and the highlights of the study are presented. Sverdrup Technology, Inc., recently performed a study under contract for Langley on the potential usefulness to the aerospace industry of a proposed large MSBS combined with a suitable transonic wind tunnel. The results of that study are discussed. Langley has partially funded the MSBS work at the University of Southampton for about 6 years under a grant arrangement and the major results are summarized.

Boyden, Richmond P.↗

Social factors in space station interiors

Using the example of the chair, which is often written into space station planning but which serves no non-cultural function in zero gravity, difficulties in overcoming cultural assumptions are discussed. An experimental approach is called for which would allow designers to separate cultural assumptions from logistic, social and psychological necessities. Simulations, systematic doubt and monitored brainstorming are recommended as part of basic research so that the designer will approach the problems of space module design with a complete program.

Cranz, Galen↗

A research laboratory in space

The current status of the Space Station program is briefly reviewed. A three-year definition and preliminary design study, now completed, has produced the Revised Baseline Configuration featuring a 110-m-long horizontal boom with four pressurized models attached that are connected by resource nodes outfitted with Station subsystems. One of the modules is a habitat; the other three are laboratories provided by the U.S., Europe, and Japan. The main components and systems of the Revised Baseline Configuration are characterized, and some aspects of project management and international cooperation are discussed.

Stofan, Andrew J.↗

Design of a force reflecting hand controller for space telemanipulation studies

The potential importance of space telemanipulator systems is reviewed, along with past studies of master-slave manipulation using a generalized force reflecting master arm. Problems concerning their dynamic interaction with the human operator have been revealed in the use of these systems, with marked differences between 1-g and simulated weightless conditions. A study is outlined to investigate the optimization of the man machine dynamics of master-slave manipulation, and a set of specifications is determined for the apparatus necessary to perform this investigation. This apparatus is a one degree of freedom force reflecting hand controller with closed loop servo control which enables it to simulate arbitrary dynamic properties to high bandwidth. Design of the complete system and its performance is discussed. Finally, the experimental adjustment of the hand controller dynamics for smooth manual control performance with good operator force perception is described, resulting in low inertia, viscously damped hand controller dynamics.

Paines, J. D. B.↗

GaussFit - A system for least squares and robust estimation

GaussFit is a new computer program for solving least-squares and robust estimation problems. It has a number of unique features, including a complete programming language designed especially to formulate estimation problems, a built-in compiler and interpreter to support the programming language, and a built-in algebraic manipulator for calculating the required partial derivatives analytically. These features make GaussFit very easy to use, so that even complex problems can be set up and solved with minimal effort. GaussFit can correctly handle many cases of practical interest: nonlinear models, exact constraints, correlated observations, and models where the equations of condition contain more than one observed quantity. An experimental robust estimation capability is built into GaussFit so that data sets contaminated by outliers can be handled simply and efficiently.

Jefferys, W. H.↗

Designing Corrector Optics

Image-spot radii reduced by factors ranging from 5 to 25. Corrector Surface Design Software (CORFIG) calculates optimum figure of corrector surface for optical system based on real ray traces. Generates corrector figure in form of spline data-point table and/or list of polynomial coefficients. Number of spline data points as well as number of coefficients specified by user. Optimizes figure of corrector surface for on-axis images at single wavelength only. CORFIG also significantly improves quality of field images and images formed at wavelengths other than design wavelength. Written completely in VAX FORTRAN.

Dantzler, A.↗

Advanced altimetry

The radar altimeter being developed for the Ocean Topography Experiment (TOPEX) will have an inherent instrument precision of 2 to 3 cm. While some minor refinements may be possible in the future, major geophysical advances could be made if altimetric measurements over a wide swath of the Earth's surface were possible. The NASA Headquarters Oceanic Processes Branch is supporting a 3-year investigation of the technological issues inherent in the precision measurement of topography from spaceborne platforms at angles off-nadir. To explore the off-nadir measurement of topography, a flexible, airborne radar instrument system is being developed. Its hardware design is now complete, and it is made up of several subsystems. The antenna selected is a dielectric lens of .894 m diameter. The RF subsystem uses phase-locked oscillators, FET solid-state amplifiers, and times four frequency multipliers to develop a transmit signal at a frequency of 36.0 GHz and a local oscillator signal at a frequency of 35.4 GHz. Lecroy 6880 digitizers under computer control digitize the five receiver outputs. The digital subsystem consists of six single-board Heurikon processors. At this time, the instrument construction continues with final system integration planned for November 1988.

Parsons, C. L.↗

The detection and location of lightning from geostationary orbit

The development of a lightning mapper sensor to detect and locate lightning over large areas of the earth's surface, mark the time of their occurrence, and measure their radiant energy is discussed. The possible applications of a mapper in geostationary orbit and previous satellite lightning experiments are reviewed. The components of a lightning mapper sensor and the operation and data processing of the sensor are described. The factors which would determine the overall performance of a lightning mapper are considered. It is expected that the proposed lightning mapper design will be completed in time to include it on the GOES M satellite.

Christian, H. J.↗