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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
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NASA NTRS1972

Multi-asteroid comet missions using solar electric propulsion.

Multitarget flyby missions to asteroids and comets are attractive candidates for solar electric propulsion (SEP) application because SEP can efficiently provide the thrust required for carefully chosen sequences of encounters. In this paper, techniques for finding encounter sequences for these missions are described, and examples involving flyby and rendezvous missions to P/Encke, P/Kopff and 20/Massalia are presented. In addition, examples of four asteroid flyby sequences are given. Encounters typically have flyby speeds on the order of 5-10 km/sec and are limited only by navigational capability as regards flyby distance, which is taken as zero in the study. Flights traversing the asteroid belt can be modified by SEP to pass one or more asteroids, and the performance penalty is small if the encounters are properly spaced.

Bender, D. F.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Plasma waves in the dayside polar cusp. I - Magnetospheric observations.

General survey of the Ogo 5 plasma-wave measurements for the dayside polar-cusp encounters of Nov. 1, 1968, and detailed analysis of the observations at the low-altitude (r approximately 3 to 5 earth radii) cusp boundaries. The survey section contains an overall discussion of the ULF magnetic-field wave levels and the VLF electric-field amplitude ranges measured from perigee out to 9 earth radii on Nov. 1, 1968. These cusp-associated observations are compared with those made on Oct. 27 and Nov. 6, 1968, when Ogo 5 traversed the dayside magnetosphere without encountering the cusp. It is shown that at the November 1 low-altitude cusp boundaries intense wave levels were detected over a broad spectral region at the steep gradients in cusp plasma density and thermal energy. The results are interpreted in terms of drift instabilities for low-beta plasmas with hot ions, and associated wave-particle and wave-wave interactions are briefly discussed.

Scarf, F. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Laser Doppler anemometer for water tunnel applications.

A laser Doppler anemometer for three-dimensional velocity measurement in liquids and gases under a wide range of laboratory conditions has been developed. The instrument is particularly well suited for water tunnel applications. It is portable, easily aligned, and inexpensive (excluding electronic units). It operates in backscatter or forward scatter mode. In both cases all optical components, including laser and photomultiplier, remain on a common base. The system has built-in traversing capability and an aiming device for visualizing the focal (test) point. Design details and representative velocity measurements are given.

Bossel, H. H.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Where on the moon - An Apollo systems engineering problem.

Approaches used in the selection of lunar landing sites are discussed, giving attention to a survey of major constraints affecting site selection. The science objectives of lunar exploration are considered, taking into account exploration goals, the acquisition of required data, mission science planning, orbital science, lunar surface traverse capability, the mare basalts, lunar interior composition, regolith, breccias, lunar chronology, lunar surface processes, and the origin of the moon. Subjects examined in connection with Apollo system capabilities include the Apollo missions, development missions, lunar exploration missions, mission design requirements, navigation, launch vehicle considerations, methods of determining accessibility, lunar module descent considerations, landing site redesignation, and questions of landability.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1972

Structure of ion acoustic solitons and shock waves in a two-component plasma.

Time-independent solitary waves and shocks are investigated in a two-component plasma using a fluid model and kinetic theory. It is found that very small concentrations of a light ion can drastically alter the structure, changing the potential maximum by an order of magnitude. For a fixed Mach number, a critical density ratio of light to heavy ions is found at which the potential maximum changes discontinuously from a value large enough to reflect the light ions to one which allows them to traverse the shock front and enter the downstream flow. The downstream oscillatory structure normally seen in a shock is completely quenched by dissipation due to light ion reflection at concentrations of 3-8% He in an Ar plasma for typical electron to ion temperature ratios and Mach number values.

White, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Lunar roving vehicle thermal control system.

A thermal control system was incorporated into the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) to maintain temperature sensitive components within appropriate temperature limits during the translunar transportation phase, lunar surface operation, and quiescent periods between lunar traverses. This paper describes the thermal control system and discusses its thermal characteristics during all phases of operation. The basic concept is a passive system which stores internally generated energy during operation with subsequent radiation to space. The external environments are regulated by selected radiative surface finishes. Multi-layer insulation blankets, space radiators, flexible thermal straps, and fusible mass heat sinks were designed to control the temperatures of the electronic components.

Elliott, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Evidence of a diffuse magnetopause boundary.

Observational evidence is presented to show that the magnetosphere-magnetopause boundary was diffuse during the Pioneer 8 magnetopause traversal on Dec. 14 and 15, 1967. This boundary was characterized by proton fluxes of significantly lower intensity than those observed in the magnetosheath. In addition, the angles of flow associated with the fluxes at the boundary were more diverse than those observed in the magnetosheath. Proton energy spectra are presented to indicate the change in the spectral shape at the boundary. The observational evidence is consistent with calculations by Axford and Dryer of a viscous magnetopause boundary layer, which is a function of an anomalous nonclassical kinematic viscosity. The observational evidence presented for the diffuse magnetosphere boundary may also be consistent with Dungey's model reconnection of magnetic field lines and an open magnetosphere.

Intriligator, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS1962

Proceedings of the Symposium on the Protection Against Radiation Hazards in Space Book 1: Radiation Environment in Space. Effects of Space Radiation on Radio Sensitive Objects. Biological Effects of Space Radiation

The realization in recent years that outer space is traversed by high-energy radiations has caused man to reevaluate the feasibility of manned or even instrumented exploration outside our atmosphere. Fortunately, it is possible to determine the nature and intensities of these radiations and to produce similar radiations on earth by means of accelerators. Thus we can learn how to attenuate them and to design capsules which afford protection against them. Of course this protection carries a weight penalty so that there is a premium on optimizing the shield design. Many groups in the United states are engaged in research to this end,and it was the purpose of this symposium to bring these groups together so that they could exchange information. To make the meeting more comprehensive, sessions on the nature of the radiations and their effects on people and things were included. However, the major part of the meeting was devoted to discussions on shielding research, comprising theoretical calculations and experiments carried out mainly with high-energy accelerators. The symposium committee feels that the aims of the symposium were met and that progress in space research program was greatly accelerated thereby.

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NASA NTRS1973

Laser velocimeter for simultaneous two-dimensional velocity measurements

Laser velocimeter provides simultaneous orthogonal measurements in manner which minimizes many problems attending prior systems, and allows spatial traversing of flowfield in order to obtain velocity profiles. Velocimeter permits rapid interrogation of unsteady flows where area of interest is of the order of one meter in extent and flow does not vary appreciably over time of about one second.

Orloff, K. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Rotor blade boundary layer measurement hardware feasibility demonstration

A traverse mechanism which allows the measurement of the three dimensional boundary layers on a helicopter rotor blade has been built and tested on a full scale rotor to full scale conditions producing centrifugal accelerations in excess of 400 g and Mach numbers of 0.6 and above. Boundary layer velocity profiles have been measured over a range of rotor speeds and blade collective pitch angles. A pressure scanning switch and transducer were also tested on the full scale rotor and found to be insensitive to centrifugal effects within the normal main rotor operating range. The demonstration of the capability to measure boundary layer behavior on helicopter rotor blades represents the first step toward obtaining, in the rotating system, data of a quality comparable to that already existing for flows in the fixed system.

Clark, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

An analysis of the relaxation of laminar boundary layer on a flat plate after passage of an interface with application to expansion-tube flows

The relaxation of the accelerating-gas boundary layer to the test-gas boundary layer over a flat plate in an expansion tube is analyzed. Several combinations of test gas and acceleration gas are considered. The problem is treated in two conically similar limits: (1) when the time lag between the arrival of the shock and the interface at the leading edge of the plate is very large, and (2) when this lag is negligible. The time-dependent laminar-boundary-layer equations of a binary mixture of perfect gases are taken as the flow-governing equations. This coupled set of differential equations, written in terms of the Lam-Crocco variables, has been solved by a line-relaxation finite-difference techniques. The results presented include the Stanton number and the local skin-friction coefficient as functions of shock Mach number and the nondimensional distance-time variable. The results indicate that more than 95 percent of the test-gas boundary layer exists over a length, measured from the leading edge of the plate, equal to about three-tenths of the distance traversed by the interface in the free stream.

Gupta, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A Study of Heavy Trans-Iron Primary Cosmic Rays (Z More than or Equal to 55) with a Fast Film Cerenkov Detector

The detection and measurement of the cosmic ray charge spectrum for nuclei heavier than iron (Fe, Z = 26) are discussed. These trans-iron nuclei are of great interest for several reasons. They promise to be one of the more sensitive clocks for use in determining the age of cosmic rays. The discovery of radioactive nuclides and their decay products in the primary flux, will allow an estimation of the elapsed time since these cosmic rays were synthesized. In addition, the relatively short interaction length of the very heavy trans-iron particles makes their relative abundance a source of information regarding the amount of interstellar matter that they had to traverse to reach the earth. A study of the trans-iron cosmic rays may provide clues as to the very processes of nucleosyntheses by which the bulk of the trans-iron nuclei in the universe are produced. This in turn may shed light on the mechanics of the supernova, which is postulated to be the major source of all cosmic rays. Finally, trans-iron cosmic ray experiments may demonstrate the existence of the recently postulated super-heavy nuclei.

Pinsky, L. S.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Apollo 16 time and motion study

A time and motion study is presented of astronaut lunar surface activity on Apollo 16 which consists of five distinct analyses: an evaluation of lunar mobility, a comparison of task performance in 1-g training and lunar EVA, a study of metabolic costs and adaptation, a discussion of falls, and retrieval of fallen objects. Two basic mobility patterns, the hop or canter and the traditional walking gait, were consistently utilized in longer traverses. The metabolic rates associated with these two mobility types, each used by a different astronaut, were relatively equivalent. The time to perform tasks on the lunar surface was significantly longer (on the order of 70%) than the time to perform the same tasks during the last 1-g training session. These results corroborated the findings on Apollo 15 and were not significantly different from them. There was general improvement in lunar EVA performance upon repetition of tasks. Metabolic rate (BTU/hr.) and metabolic cost (BTU) decreased over successive EVAs. Specifically, the metabolic rate associated with riding the lunar roving vehicle (LRV) decreased by approximately 18% from EVA 1 to EVA 2 and by 15% from EVA 2 to EVA 3.

Kubis, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Phenomena after meteoroid penetration of a bumper plate

The results are presented of a study to obtain a computer program for the penetration of a thin plate of aluminum by a sphere of rock. The study was divided into two projects. One project covers the initial impact, the crushing of the sphere of rock, the break up of the aluminum sheet, and the conversion of the sufficiently shock-compressed regions of rock and aluminum into a plasma. The other project considers the ejection of a cone of plasma with entrained particles from the impact zone, its expansion as it traverses a region of free space, and its impact on a stack of paper sheets. The ablation of fragments in penetrating the stack of paper sheets is also considered.

Todd, F. C.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Ground-Commanded Television Assembly (GCTA)

A ground-commanded color television assembly (GCTA) was designed for use on lunar explorations associated with NASA manned Apollo missions. The camera system as seen on Apollo 15 provided television coverage in the vicinity of the lunar module (LM) landing site, and was mounted on the lunar roving vehicle (LRV) to provide color coverage of astronaut activity and lunar topography during traverses on the surface. Remote control of the camera from earth was accomplished through the existing real-time Apollo command links. The assembly is illustrated. The configuration satisfied all anticipated requirements of the Apollo 15 mission and was fully responsive to specifications. The technical approach was based on proven designs and offered maximum mission flexibility, potential growth, and capability to withstand environmental extremes encountered on the lunar surface.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1972

Representations of the language recognition problem for a theorem prover

Two representations of the language recognition problem for a theorem prover in first order logic are presented and contrasted. One of the representations is based on the familiar method of generating sentential forms of the language, and the other is based on the Cocke parsing algorithm. An augmented theorem prover is described which permits recognition of recursive languages. The state-transformation method developed by Cordell Green to construct problem solutions in resolution-based systems can be used to obtain the parse tree. In particular, the end-order traversal of the parse tree is derived in one of the representations. An inference system, termed the cycle inference system, is defined which makes it possible for the theorem prover to model the method on which the representation is based. The general applicability of the cycle inference system to state space problems is discussed. Given an unsatisfiable set S, where each clause has at most one positive literal, it is shown that there exists an input proof. The clauses for the two representations satisfy these conditions, as do many state space problems.

Minker, J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Crew observations

The observations by the astronauts on the Apollo 16 flight are reported. Topics discussed include: lunar orbit and landing, surface experiment deployment, lunar traverse geology, EVA-1, EVA-2, EVA-3, orbital observations, and general observations.

Young, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Preliminary geologic investigation of the Apollo 16 landing site

Preliminary results of examining the lunar rock samples from the Apollo 16 flight are reported. Topics discussed include: premission geologic studies, geologic objectives, description of the site and traverse routes, superficial deposits, and station descriptions.

Muehlberger, W. R.↗