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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 865 records · Page 48
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

The distribution of dust in the inner coma of comet IRAS-Araki-Alcock (1983d)

The behavior and characteristics of the inner coma of the Comet IRAS-Araki-Alcock (IAA) were examined for five nights in May 1983 using a ground-based 2.2 m CCD telescope. A highly variable, asymmetric sunward emission was detected, along with a long filamentary structure. The brightness was highest in the sunward direction, with radial brightnesses diminishing more slowly than predicted with a 1/r model. The slow fall-off is attributed to the emission of conglomerate dust grains which fragment while traveling through the inner coma and increase the effective surface area of the dust. Significant day-to-day variations were observed, and the filamentary features were indicative of a centralized region on a mantled nucleus which rotated. The nucleus is estimated to be no more than 17 km in diameter.

Storrs, A. D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A nonlinear programming method for system design with results that have been implemented

A general nonlinear programming algorithm (NICO) is discussed. An academic optimization example is given. The NICO multi-input, multi-output control system design is discussed. NICO applications relative to launch vehicle autopilot design, space shuttle static balance, transient response criteria in the design of a reentry vehicle control system, and waterjet propulsion and lift system components sized to a large surface effect ship are noted.

Hauser, F.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Preliminary results of SMM exposed aluminized Kapton and silvered Teflon

Early Space Shuttle flights revealed that organic materials, such as those used in thermal control blankets and paints in the payload bay, were adversely affected in the low Earth orbit environment. Examination of eroded surfaces on these early flights and materials experiments performed on subsequent flights led to the conclusion that atomic oxygen present at Shuttle operating altitudes was responsible for surface degradation. The Solar Maximum Mission provided surfaces that had been exposed in real time to atomic oxygen and ultraviolet radiation. Preliminary results of studies of the microscopic surface effects on silvered Teflon and aluminized Kapton used for thermal control on the Solar Maximum Mission are presented.

Santos-Mason, B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A hillock and cloud model for faculae

A hillock model is used here to explain facular contrasts, allowing faculae to emit more energy than the surrounding unmagnetized photosphere. For downflows, horizontal motions converge near the photosphere and many fibril flux tubes are drawn together to form a large dark area, the sunspot. For upflows, the motions diverge near the photosphere and fibril flux tubes are dispersed over a larger area associated with faculae. The upflows transport material and energy, resulting in hotter than normal temperatures, which in turn cause the gas to expand compared with its surroundings. Buoyancy thus causes a 'network' of patchy hillocks, clouds, or geysers to form which allows the sun to reradiate the energy deficit associated with sunspots by locally increasing the effective surface area of the sun beyond that of a sphere. The consequences of this model for the physical form of the facular manifestation, the appearance of faculae from earth, and the 'energy balance' in active regions are addressed.

Schatten, Kenneth H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Color rendering of color camera data

Conditions under which a computational procedure can be applied to arbitrary camera sensors to permit estimation of the human photoreceptor response are considered. The adopted procedures recover the effective surface reflectance at the time of measurement, and the reflectance estimates depend not only on the surface, but upon the viewing geometry. The present method for color rendering assumes that the observer's state of adaptation at the time of viewing the original and the rendered images is the same. The analysis aids in specifying which classes of surfaces are required to be accurately rendered, and for which surfaces some error can be tolerated.

Wandell, Brian A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Development of response models for the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) sensors. Part 1: Dynamic models and computer simulations for the ERBE nonscanner, scanner and solar monitor sensors

Dynamic models and computer simulations were developed for the radiometric sensors utilized in the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE). The models were developed to understand performance, improve measurement accuracy by updating model parameters and provide the constants needed for the count conversion algorithms. Model simulations were compared with the sensor's actual responses demonstrated in the ground and inflight calibrations. The models consider thermal and radiative exchange effects, surface specularity, spectral dependence of a filter, radiative interactions among an enclosure's nodes, partial specular and diffuse enclosure surface characteristics and steady-state and transient sensor responses. Relatively few sensor nodes were chosen for the models since there is an accuracy tradeoff between increasing the number of nodes and approximating parameters such as the sensor's size, material properties, geometry, and enclosure surface characteristics. Given that the temperature gradients within a node and between nodes are small enough, approximating with only a few nodes does not jeopardize the accuracy required to perform the parameter estimates and error analyses.

Halyo, Nesim↗
NASA NTRS1988

Lateral stability and control derivatives extracted from space shuttle Challenger flight data

Flight data taken from six flights of the Space Transportation System shuttle Challenger (STS-6, 7, 8, 11, 13 and 17) during atmospheric entry are analyzed to determine the shuttle lateral aerodynamic characteristics. Maximum likelihood estimation is applied to data derived from accelerometer and rate gyro measurements and trajectory, meteorological and control surface data to estimate lateral-directional stability and control derivatives. The vehicle stability and control surface effectiveness are compared across the flights and to preflight predicted values.

Schiess, James R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Numerical study of multicomponent droplet vaporization at near critical conditions

A comprehensive numerical analysis of multicomponent droplet vaporization at near critical conditions has been carried out. The model is based on the full time-dependent conservation equations and accommodates various important high-pressure phenomena. As an example, the case involving a two-component (n-pentane and n-octane) fuel droplet in nitrogen gas is studied. The influences of transient effects, surface regression, ambient gas solubility, and phase-equilibrium relations on vaporization mechanisms are examined in detail.

Hsieh, Kwang-Chung↗
NASA NTRS1987

Charged drop dynamics experiment using an electrostatic-acoustic hybrid system

The design and the performance of an electrostatic-acoustic hybrid system and its application to a charge drop rotation experiment are presented. This system can levitate a charged drop electrostatically and induce drop rotation or oscillation by imposing an acoustic torque or an oscillating acoustic pressure. Using this system, the equilibrium shapes and stability of a rotating charged drop were experimentally investigated. A 3 mm size water drop was rotated as a rigid body and its gyrostatic equilibrium shapes were observed. Families of axisymmetric shapes, two-lobed shapes, and eventual fissioning have been observed. With the assumption of 'effective surface tension' in which the surface charge simply modified the surface tension of neutral liquid, the results agree exceptionally well with the Brown and Scriven's (1980) prediction for uncharged drops.

Rhim, W. K.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Wake model for helicopter rotors in high speed flight

Two alternative approaches are developed to calculate blade-vortex interaction airloads on helicopter rotors: second order lifting-line theory, and a lifting surface theory correction. The common approach of using a larger vortex core radius to account for lifting-surface effects is quantified. The second order lifting-line theory also improves the modeling of yawed flow and swept tips. Calculated results are compared with wind tunnel measurements of lateral flapping, and with flight test measurements of blade section lift on SA349/2 and H-34 helicopter rotors. The tip vortex core radius required for good correlation with the flight test data is about 20 percent chord, which is within the range of measured viscous core sizes for helicopter rotors.

Johnson, Wayne R.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A proposed non-intrusive method for finding coefficients of slip and molecular reflectivity in microgravity

A proposed experimental program to look at a series of vapor transport properties measured along solid and liquid surfaces is described. The research objectives proposed are: (1) with accuracy otherwise unobtainable on ground, to determine the coefficient of slip measured between gases and the surfaces of liquids and solids; (2) for the first time, to classify and tabulate dominant surface effects found for a variety of solids, particularly those crystalized by vapor transport; and (3) to extend understanding of settling rates predicted for cosmic dust and condensed vapor falling through planetary atmospheres. The method used to obtain these objectives, has aided, to an order of magnitude, understanding of various liquid-gas interfaces such as oil and water. But to date, no similar characterization has proved successful for solids or liquids of uncertain densities. Likewise, no data exist in either ground-based research or as part of a microgravity program that, when collected with the high accuracy expected in low gravity, could definitely settle outstanding questions in kinetic theory, molecular dynamics, and cosmic physics.

Noever, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Calculation of blade-vortex interaction airloads on helicopter rotors

Two alternative approaches area developed to calculate blade-vortex interaction airloads on helicopter rotors, second-order lifting-line theory and a lifting-surface theory correction. The common approach of using a larger vortex core radius to account for lifting-surface effects is quantified. The second-order lifting-line theory also improves the modeling of low aspect-ratio blades yawed flow, and swept tips. Calculated results are compared with wind-tunnel measurements of lateral flapping, and with flight test measurements of blade section lift on SA349/2 and H-34 helicopter rotors. The tip vortex core radius required for good correlation with the flight test data is about a 20-percent chord, which is within the range of measured viscous core sizes for helicopter rotors.

Johnson, Wayne↗
NASA NTRS1989

Experimental observations and finite element analysis of the initiation of fiber microbuckling in notched composite laminates

An understanding was developed of the factors that determine the semi-circular edge-notched compressive strength and the associated failure mode(s) were identified of thermoplastic composite laminates with multidirectional stacking sequences. The experimental observations and the detailed literature review suggest at least four factors that affected the determination of the strain levels at which fiber microbuckling initiates and thus, partially control the composite's compression strength. The dependent variables studied are the compressive strength of a reduced gage section compression specimen and the compression strength of a compression specimen with two semi-circular edge notches (no opposite free edges) centered along the gage section. In this research, specimens containing two semi-circular edge notches (no opposite free edges) were loaded in compression at a relatively slow rate to provide more stable development of fiber microbuckling damage. The results indicate that the local constraints (free surfaces, supporting ply orientation, and resin-rich regions) significantly affect the strain level for the initiation of in-plane fiber microbuckling. Preliminary results at an elevated temperature, 77 C, showed the shear stress yield strength of the resin was reduced and consequently, the resistance to fiber microbuckling was also reduced. The finite element analysis of the perfectly straight fiber problem indicates that the free surface effect causes a 10 percent reduction in the critical buckling strain. However, the experimentally measured reduction for fibers with an initial fiber curvature, was 35 percent.

Guynn, E. Gail↗
NASA NTRS1990

Chromospheric Ca II H and K and H-alpha emission in single and binary stars of spectral types F6-M2

New observations of the Ca II H and K and H-epsilon region and/or the Balmer H-alpha line are presented for 100 mostly very active stars but also for weak or inactive stars with suspected activity. Correlations between chromospheric activity at Ca II H and K and H-alpha and effective surface temperature and rotation are identified, and several new stars with chromospheric Ca II H and K emission are discovered. No single activity-rotation relation can be derived for all luminosity classes, and there is clear evidence that evolved stars are generally more active than main-sequence stars of the same rotation period. Binary within the evolved stars appears to play no role, while main-sequence binary stars show generally higher levels of activity than their single counterparts. Chromospheric emission in the Ca II H and K lines depends on surface temperature in that flux declines with cooler temperature.

Strassmeier, Klaus G.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A fatigue study of electrical discharge machine (EDM) strain-gage balance materials

A fatigue study was undertaken to determine how much electrical-discharge-machine (EDM) processing affected the fatigue life of balance materials: EDM and regular milling-machine (MM) samples were compared. Simulation of a typical balance stress configuration was devised for the fatigue testing in order to obtain results more closely related to balance situations. The fatigue testing of the EDM and MM specimens has indicated that the EDM technique does indeed reduce the fatigue life of 15-5PH steel, the first balance material tested. This conclusion was based on comparisons of the specimen fatigue lives with theoretical and manufacturer's data. Hence the EDM surface effects are detrimental to the fatigue life of this balance material.

Rhew, Ray D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A model for atmospheric brightness temperatures observed by the special sensor microwave imager (SSM/I)

A closed-form mathematical model for the atmospheric contribution to microwave the absorption and emission at the SSM/I frequencies is developed in order to improve quantitative interpretation of microwave imagery from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I). The model is intended to accurately predict upwelling and downwelling atmospheric brightness temperatures at SSM/I frequencies, as functions of eight input parameters: the zenith (nadir) angle, the integrated water vapor and vapor scale height, the integrated cloud water and cloud height, the effective surface temperature, atmospheric lapse rate, and surface pressure. It is shown that the model accurately reproduces clear-sky brightness temperatures computed by explicit integration of a large number of radiosonde soundings representing all maritime climate zones and seasons.

Petty, Grant W.↗
NASA NTRS1990

IR detectors based on n-i-p-i superlattices

The principles of operation of n-i-p-i photodetectors are discussed. Special consideration is given to issues that are relevant to the performance of IR detectors such as noise, dark current, and surface effects. In addition, a novel IR detector that promises to provide information about the spectral distribution of the infrared radiation emitted from an object and, consequently, about its temperature, independent of the distance between detector and object is discussed. This detector makes use of the possibility to modulate the internal electric fields of an n-i-p-i superlattice with an applied voltage. By this technique the spectral responsivity of the detector may be controlled electrically and some information about the shape of the emission spectrum may be obtained.

Ruden, P. Paul↗
NASA NTRS1991

Feasibility of solar power for Mars

NASA, through Project Pathfinder, has put in place an advanced technology program to address future needs of manned space exploration. Included in the missions under study is the establishment of outposts on the surface of Mars. The Surface Power program in Pathfinder is aimed at providing photovoltaic array technology for such an application (as well as for the lunar surface). Another important application is for unmanned precursor missions, such as the photovoltaic-power aircraft, which will scout landing sites and investigate Mars geology for a 1 to 2 year mission without landing on the surface. Effective design and utilization of solar energy depend to a large extent on adequate knowledge of solar radiation characteristics in the region of solar energy system operation. The two major climatic components needed for photovoltaic system designs are the distributions of solar insolation and ambient temperature. These distributions for the Martian climate are given at the two Viking lander locations but can also be used, to the first approximation, for other latitudes. One of the most important results is that there is a large diffuse component of the insolation, even at high optical depth, so that solar energy system operation is still possible. If the power system is to continue to generate power even on high optical opacity days, it is thus important that the photovoltaic system be designed to collect diffuse irradiance as well as direct. In absence of long term insolation and temperature data for Mars, the data presented can be used until updated data are available. The ambient temperature data are given as measured directly by the temperature sensor; the insolation data are calculated from optical depth measurements of the atmosphere.

Appelbaum, Joseph↗