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At least 91 records · Page 5

OSIRIS-REx Encounters Bennu: Initial Assessment from the Approach Phase

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft launched on September 8, 2016, on a seven-year journey to return samples from asteroid (101955) Bennu. This presentation summarizes the scientific results from the Approach and Preliminary Survey phases. Bennu observations are set to begin on August 17, 2018,when the asteroid is bright enough for detection by the PolyCam. PolyCam and MapCam collect data to survey the asteroid environment for any hazards and characterize the asteroid point-source photometric properties. Resolved images acquired during final approach, starting in late October 2018, allow the creation of a shape model using stereophotoclinometry (SPC), needed by both the navigation team and science planners. The OVIRS and OTES spectrometers characterize the point- source spectral properties over a full rotation period, providing a first look at any features and thermophysical properties. TAGSAM is released from the launch container and deployed into the sampling configuration then returned to the stow position.Preliminary Survey follows the Approach Phase in early December 2018. This phase consists of a series of hyperbolic trajectories that cross over the North and South poles and the equator of Bennu at a close-approach distance of 7 km. Images from these Preliminary Survey passes provide data to complete the 75-cm resolution SPC global shape model and solve for the rotation state. Once the shape model is complete, the asteroid coordinate system is defined for co-registration of all data products. These higher-resolution images also constrain the photometric properties and allow for an initial assessment of the geology. In Preliminary Survey the team also obtains the first OLA data, providing a measure of the surface topography. OVIRS and OTES collect data as "ride-along" instruments, with the spacecraft pointing driven by imaging constraints. These data provide a first look at the spectral variation across the surface of Bennu. Radio science measurements, combined with altimetry and imagery, determine Bennu's mass, a prerequisite to placing the spacecraft into orbit in late December 2018. Together, data from the Approach and Preliminary Survey phases set the stage for the extensive mapping planned for 2019. These dates are the baseline plan. Any contingency or unexpected discovery may change this mission profile.

Lauretta, Dante S.↗

Diffraction Modeling of Finite Subband EFC Probing on Dark Hole Contrast with WFIRST-CGI Shaped Pupil Coronagraph

The current NASA WFIRST (Wide-Field InfraRed Survey Telescope) coronagraph instrument (CGI) design allocates two subband filters per each full science band in order to contain system complexity and cost. We present our detailed investigation results on the adequacy of such a limited number of finite subband filters in achieving broadband dark hole contrast with a shaped pupil coronagraph (SPC). The study is based on diffraction propagation modeling with realistic WFIRST optics, where each subband’s image plane electric field is estimated from pairwise pupil plane deformable mirror (DM) probing and image plane intensity averaging of the resulting fields of multiple (subband) wavelengths. Multiple subband choices and probing and control strategies are explored, including standard subband probing; mixed wavelength and/or weighted Jacobian matrix; subband probing with intensity subtraction; and extended subband probing with intensity subtraction. Overall, the investigation shows that the achievable contrast with a limited number of finite subbands is about 2~2.5x worse than the designed contrast for the current SPC. The result suggests that future shaped pupil designs should be optimized for slightly broader bandwidths than the intended science bandpasses if limited subbands are used for wavefront sensing via probing.

WFIRST↗

Autonomous Small Body Mapping and Spacecraft Navigation

Current methods for pose and shape estimation of small bodies, such as comets and asteroids, rely on extensive ground support and significant use of radiometric measurements using the Deep Space Network. The Stereo-Photoclinometry (SPC) technique is currently used to provide detailed topological information about a small body as well as its absolute orientation and position. While this technique has produced very accurate estimates, the core algorithm cannot be run in real-time and requires a team of scientists on the ground who must communicate with the spacecraft in order to oversee SPC operations. Autonomous onboard navigation addresses these limitations by eliminating the need for human oversight. In this paper, we present an optimization-based estimation algorithm for navigation that allows the spacecraft to autonomously approach and maneuver around an unknown small body by mapping its geometric shape, estimating its orientation, and simultaneously determining the trajectory of the center of mass of the small body. We show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm using simulated data from a previous flight mission to Comet 67P.

Bhaskaran, Shyamkumar↗

A Comparison of Bearing Measurements to Surface Features Generated Using Stereophotoclinometry and Surface Feature Navigation Techniques

The Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission to the asteroid Bennu completed successful two-and-a-half year proximity operations in May 2021. The mission comprehensively mapped Bennu at unprecedented detail and collected a sample of Bennu’s surface to return to Earth. Throughout proximity operations, the OSIRIS-REx navigation team used the maps made of Bennu’s surface to navigate in the Bennu environment with high accuracy through the use of precise and accurate optical navigation data, radiometric data, and force modelling. The primary type of optical navigation measurements extracted from the images captured by OSIRIS-REx (particularly after first entering orbit around Bennu) were observations of known features on Bennu’s surface. Two related but different techniques/tools were used to extract these observations from the images: the Goddard Image Analysis and Navigation Tool Surface Feature Navigation (GIANT SFN) and Stereophotoclinometry (SPC) Autoregister. In this paper we compare the differences between the observables extracted using GIANT SFN and SPC Autoregister, explain the differences, and discuss where each technique is best suited.

Andrew Liounis↗

Bennu Shape Model Validation Methods and Results

The OSIRIS-REx Independent Shape Modeling Team, staffed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), has used stereophotoclinometry (SPC) to produce a three-dimensional shape model of Bennu. The SPC process is informed by (but is separate from) orbit determination, so it is important to ensure that the resulting shape model is consistent with all available spacecraft tracking data. Specifically, checking the shape model’s consistency with LIDAR measurements can illuminate any discrepancies, because LIDAR measurements are highly correlated with the shape model. This study focuses on the JPL experience with these LIDAR measurements and the greater context of the shape model validation process.

Lauretta, Dante S.↗

Out-of-Distribution Detection and Radiological Data Monitoring Using Statistical Process Control

Abstract Machine learning (ML) models often fail with data that deviates from their training distribution. This is a significant concern for ML-enabled devices as data drift may lead to unexpected performance. This work introduces a new framework for out of distribution (OOD) detection and data drift monitoring that combines ML and geometric methods with statistical process control (SPC). We investigated different design choices, including methods for extracting feature representations and drift quantification for OOD detection in individual images and as an approach for input data monitoring. We evaluated the framework for both identifying OOD images and demonstrating the ability to detect shifts in data streams over time. We demonstrated a proof-of-concept via the following tasks: 1) differentiating axial vs. non-axial CT images, 2) differentiating CXR vs. other radiographic imaging modalities, and 3) differentiating adult CXR vs. pediatric CXR. For the identification of individual OOD images, our framework achieved high sensitivity in detecting OOD inputs: 0.980 in CT, 0.984 in CXR, and 0.854 in pediatric CXR. Our framework is also adept at monitoring data streams and identifying the time a drift occurred. In our simulations tracking drift over time, it effectively detected a shift from CXR to non-CXR instantly, a transition from axial to non-axial CT within few days, and a drift from adult to pediatric CXRs within a day—all while maintaining a low false positive rate. Through additional experiments, we demonstrate the framework is modality-agnostic and independent from the underlying model structure, making it highly customizable for specific applications and broadly applicable across different imaging modalities and deployed ML models.

Zamzmi, Ghada↗

An extensive assessment of the performance of pairwise and many-body interaction potentials in reproducing ab initio benchmark binding energies for water clusters n = 2–25

We assess the performance of 7 pairwise additive (TIP3P, TIP4P, TIP4P-ice, TIP5P, OPC, SPC, SPC/E) and 8 families of many-body potentials (q-AQUA, HIPPO, AMOEBA, EFP, TTM, WHBB, MB-pol, MB-UCB) in reproducing high-level ab initio benchmark values, CCSD(T) or MP2 at the complete basis set (CBS) limit for the binding energy and the many-body expansion (MBE) of water clusters n = 2–11, 16–17, 20, 25. By including a large range of cluster sizes having dissimilar hydrogen bonding networks, we obtain an understanding of how these potentials perform for different hydrogen bonding arrangements that are mostly outside of their parameterization range. While it is appropriate to compare the results of ab initio based many-body potentials directly to the electronic binding energies (D e 's), the pairwise additive ones are compared to the enthalpies at T = 298 K, ΔH(298 K), as the latter class of force fields are parametrized to reproduce enthalpies (implicitly accounting for zero-point energy corrections) rather than binding energies. We find that all pairwise additive potentials considered overestimate the reference ΔH values for the n = 2–25 clusters by >13%. For the water dimer (n = 2) in particular, the errors are in the range 83–119% for the pairwise additive potentials studied since these are based on an effective rather than the true 2-body interaction specifically designed as a means of partially accounting for the missing many-body terms. This stronger 2-body interaction is achieved by an enhanced monomer dipole moment that mimics its increase from the gas phase monomer to the condensed phase value. Indeed, for cluster sizes n ≥ 4 the percent deviations become slightly smaller (albeit all exceeding 13%). In contrast, we find that the many-body potentials perform more accurately in reproducing the electronic binding energies (D e 's) throughout the entire cluster range (n = 2–25), all reproducing the ab initio benchmark binding energies within ±7% of the respective CBS values. We further assess the ability of a subset of the many-body potentials (MB-UCB, q-AQUA, MB-pol, and TTM2.1-F) to also reproduce the magnitude of the ab initio many-body energy terms for water cluster sizes n = 7, 10, 16 and 17. The potentials show an overall good agreement with the available benchmark values. However, we identify characteristic differences upon comparing the many-body terms at both the ab initio-optimized geometries and the respective potential-optimized geometries to the reference ab initio values. Additionally, by applying this analysis to a wide range of cluster sizes, trends in the MBE of the potentials with increasing cluster size can be identified. Finally, in an attempt to draw a parallel between the pairwise additive and many-body potentials, we report the analysis of the individual molecular dipole moments for water clusters with 1 to ~4 solvation shells with the TTM2.1-F potential. We find that the internally solvated water molecules have in general a larger molecular dipole moment ranging from 2.6–3.0 D. This justifies the use of an enhanced, with respect to the gas-phase value, molecular dipole moment for the pairwise additive potentials, which is intended to fold in the many body terms into an effective (enhanced) pairwise interaction through the choice of the charges. These results have important implications for the development of future generations of efficient, transferable, and highly accurate classical interaction potentials in both the pairwise additive and many-body categories.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The NEWS-G detector at SNOLAB

The New Experiments With Spheres-Gas (NEWS-G) collaboration intends to achieve sub-GeV/c 2 Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) detection using Spherical Proportional Counters (SPCs). SPCs are gaseous detectors relying on ionisation with a single ionization electron energy threshold. The latest generation of SPC for direct dark matter searches has been installed at SNOLAB in Canada in 2021. This article details the different processes involved in the fabrication of the NEWS-G experiment. Also outlined in this paper are the mitigation strategies, measurements of radioactivity of the different components, and estimations of induced background event rates that were used to quantify and address detector backgrounds.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Quenching factor measurements of neon nuclei in neon gas

The NEWS-G collaboration uses spherical proportional counters (SPCs) to search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). Here, in this paper, we report the first measurements of the nuclear quenching factor in neon gas at 2 bar using an SPC deployed in a neutron beam at the TUNL facility. The energy-dependence of the nuclear quenching factor is modeled using a simple power law: $αE^{β}_{nr}$; we determine its parameters by simultaneously fitting the data collected with the detector over a range of energies. We measured the following parameters in Ne : CH 4 at 2 bar: α= 0.2801±0.0050 (fit) ±0.0045 (sys) and β=0.0867±0.020 (fit) ±0.006 (sys). Our measurements do not agree with expected values from SRIM or Lindhard theory. We demonstrated the feasibility of performing quenching factor measurements at sub-keV energies in gases using SPCs and a neutron beam.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Measurements of the ionization efficiency of protons in methane

The amount of energy released by a nuclear recoil ionizing the atoms of the active volume of detection appears “quenched” compared to an electron of the same kinetic energy. This different behavior in ionization between electrons and nuclei is described by the Ionization Quenching Factor (IQF) and it plays a crucial role in direct dark matter searches. For low kinetic energies (below 50 keV ), IQF measurements deviate significantly from common models used for theoretical predictions and simulations. We report measurements of the IQF for proton, an appropriate target for searches of Dark Matter candidates with a mass of approximately 1 GeV , with kinetic energies in between 2 keV and 13 keV in 100 mbar of methane. We used the Comimac facility in order to produce the motion of nuclei and electrons of controlled kinetic energy in the active volume, and a NEWS-G SPC to measure the deposited energy. The Comimac electrons are used as a reference to calibrate the detector with 7 energy points. A detailed study of systematic effects led to the final results well fitted by IQF (E K )=E$^α_K$ / (β+E$^α_K$) with α=0.70±0.08 and β=1.32±0.17 . In agreement with some previous works in other gas mixtures, we measured less ionization energy than predicted from SRIM simulations, the difference reaching 33% at 2 keV .

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Time-series dissolved oxygen, other bigeochemically-relevant analytes, and pressure gradients associated with the manuscript “Dissolved oxygen sensor in an automated hyporheic sampling system reveals biogeochemical dynamics”

This dataset contains time-series data from a vertical profile within the bed and banks of the Columbia river near Richland, WA. Water was sampled through 3 small tubes embedded in the sediment at 50,100, and 200 cm below the sediment-water interface. The goal of this study was to observe the correlations between hydraulic drivers and biogeochemical responses. The results of this study are published in the manuscript “Dissolved oxygen sensor in an automated hyporheic sampling system reveals biogeochemical dynamics”. The file types included in the data package are all time-series spreadsheet data, including hydraulic head gradients, physical parameters (temperature, pressure, SpC (specific conductivity)), and biogeochemical parameters (dissolved oxygen, pH, NO3 (nitrate) and ORP (oxidation-reduction potential)).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

South Plains College Requirements Analysis Report

EPOC uses the Deep Dive process to discuss and analyze current and planned science, research, or education activities and the anticipated data output of a particular use case, site, or project to help inform the strategic planning of a campus or regional networking environment. This includes understanding future needs related to network operations, network capacity upgrades, and other technological service investments. A Deep Dive comprehensively surveys major research stakeholders’ plans and processes in order to investigate data management requirements over the next 5–10 years. Between October 2021 and January 2022, staff members from the Engagement and Performance Operations Center (EPOC) met with researchers and staff from LEARN and South Plains College (SPC) for the purpose of a Deep Dive into scientific and research drivers. The goal of this activity was to help characterize the requirements for a number of campus use cases, and to enable cyberinfrastructure support staff to better understand the needs of the researchers within the community.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

An Overview of Manufacturing Controls for Production of High-Consequence, Single-Use Systems

Extended Testing (Crowder, et al. (2025) ) is a reliability demonstration technique that can be used to dramatically reduce sample size requirements. Manufacturing controls are needed to supplement extended testing by identifying production issues that a reduced sample sizes might overlook, especially built-in, or latent, manufacturing defects. This report focuses on some of the most commonly used, yet most impactful, manufacturing control tools that are used to limit production-related defects and efficiently screen any remaining defects at final inspection. These tools include statistical process control (SPC), acceptance sampling, environmental stress screening (HASS and ESS), and mistake proofing. The goal is to minimize the probability that built-in defects ever reach the customer. In terms of nuclear weapons (NW), the goal is to prevent defective units from ever entering the nation’s NW stockpile. Examples of each of the techniques are illustrated with case studies.

42 ENGINEERING↗

NPLOT: an Interactive Plotting Program for NASTRAN Finite Element Models

The NPLOT (NASTRAN Plot) is an interactive computer graphics program for plotting undeformed and deformed NASTRAN finite element models. Developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the program provides flexible element selection and grid point, ASET and SPC degree of freedom labelling. It is easy to use and provides a combination menu and command driven user interface. NPLOT also provides very fast hidden line and haloed line algorithms. The hidden line algorithm in NPLOT proved to be both very accurate and several times faster than other existing hidden line algorithms. A fast spatial bucket sort and horizon edge computation are used to achieve this high level of performance. The hidden line and the haloed line algorithms are the primary features that make NPLOT different from other plotting programs.

Jones, G. K.↗

DSN frequency and timing system, Mark 4-85

As part of the Deep Space Network (DSN) Mark IVA implementation program, the DSN frequency and timing system is currently undergoing changes. With the implementation of signal processing centers (SPC) at each deep space communications complex (DSCC), major changes to the frequency and timing distribution equipment were necessary. A functional description of the Mark IVA frequency and timing system (FTS) as it exists today and planned capabilities through 1988 is given.

Falin, B. W.↗

An SSE approach to reusability

The SSE project has engineering analysis and design efforts under way for the development of the SSE reusability library management system. An ad hoc committee on reuse has been meeting for several months identifying design considerations and learning about Ruben Prieto-Diaz faceted classification, CAMP domain analysis, SPC activities, SEI activities, and SPS activities. A standard format was developed for the Ada prologue for reusable components (both specification and body). The SSE reusability process can be viewed as a transformation process with minimized losses and difficulties.

Badal, David L.↗

Experiments and other methods for developing expertise with design of experiments in a classroom setting

The only way to gain genuine expertise in Statistical Process Control (SPC) and the design of experiments (DOX) is with repeated practice, but not on canned problems with dead data sets. Rather, one must negotiate a wide variety of problems each with its own peculiarities and its own constantly changing data. The problems should not be of the type for which there is a single, well-defined answer that can be looked up in a fraternity file or in some text. The problems should match as closely as possible the open-ended types for which there is always an abundance of uncertainty. These are the only kinds that arise in real research, whether that be basic research in academe or engineering research in industry. To gain this kind of experience, either as a professional consultant or as an industrial employee, takes years. Vast amounts of money, not to mention careers, must be put at risk. The purpose here is to outline some realistic simulation-type lab exercises that are so simple and inexpensive to run that the students can repeat them as often as desired at virtually no cost. Simulations also allow the instructor to design problems whose outcomes are as noisy as desired but still predictable within limits. Also the instructor and the students can learn a great deal more from the postmortum conducted after the exercise is completed. One never knows for sure what the true data should have been when dealing only with real life experiments. To add a bit more realism to the exercises, it is sometimes desirable to make the students pay for each experimental result from a make-believe budget allocation for the problem.

Patterson, John W.↗

Analytical flow/thermal modeling of combustion gas flows in Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor test joints

A one-dimensional analytical tool, TOPAZ (Transient One-dimensional Pipe flow AnalyZer), was used to model the flow characteristics of hot combustion gases through Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) joints and to compute the resultant material surface temperatures and o-ring seal erosion of the joints. The capabilities of the analytical tool were validated with test data during the Seventy Pound Charge (SPC) motor test program. The predicted RSRM joint thermal response to ignition transients was compared with test data for full-scale motor tests. The one-dimensional analyzer is found to be an effective tool for simulating combustion gas flows in RSRM joints and for predicting flow and thermal properties.

Woods, G. H.↗