SEARCH · Search NASA
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.
Observations of the binary X-ray source Circinus X-1 provide samples of a range of spectral and temporal behavior whose variety is thought to reflect a broad continuum of accretion conditions in an eccentric binary system. The data support an identification of three or more X-ray spectral components, probably associated with distinct emission regions.
A novel input filter compensation scheme for a buck regulator that eliminates the interaction between the input filter output impedance and the regulator control loop is presented. The scheme is implemented using a feedforward loop that senses the input filter state variables and uses this information to modulate the duty cycle signal. The feedforward design process presented is seen to be straightforward and the feedforward easy to implement. Extensive experimental data supported by analytical results show that significant performance improvement is achieved with the use of feedforward in the following performance categories: loop stability, audiosusceptibility, output impedance and transient response. The use of feedforward results in isolating the switching regulator from its power source thus eliminating all interaction between the regulator and equipment upstream. In addition the use of feedforward removes some of the input filter design constraints and makes the input filter design process simpler thus making it possible to optimize the input filter. The concept of feedforward compensation can also be extended to other types of switching regulators.
The density sensitivity of the emission lines within the UV 0.01 multiplet of C II near 2325 A was examined in additional late type giants and supergiants with deep LWR high dispersion exposures. The new data support the original contention based on these lines that noncoronal red giants possess geometrically extended chromospheres.
A correlation (both temporal and through the inhibitor, 2-deoxy-D-glucose) of callose deposition and ethylene evolution in mechanically perturbed (MP) bean or pine stems or in gravitationally stimulated corn shoots was demonstrated. It was suggested that the callose, which is deposited on the inside of the cell wall, and adjacent to the plasma membrane causes, in some way, the ethylene production. A hypothesis explaining the mechanism is discussed which states that there is a chemical activation of the enzyme system by the callose which is being deposited in apposition with it. Experimental data supporting the hypothesis are presented.
This report summarizes the overall history of the Flight Dynamics System (FDS) applications software conversion project. It describes the background and nature of the project; traces the actual course of conversion; assesses the process, product, and personnel involved; and offers suggestions for future projects. It also contains lists of pertinent reference material and examples of supporting data.
A review is presented of data whicih has been accumulated on the calcium and skeletal changes occurring in humans subjected to various periods of weightlessness. These data reveal that spaceflight induces an overall loss of calcium which continues unabated for at least three months. Urinary calcium levels reach a constant level within approximately four weeks while fecal calcium losses continue to increase throughout the flight period. A decline in the mineral density of weight-bearing bones accompanies these changes. Available data support the contention that the demineralization affects primarily the weight bearing bones. The rates of loss and recovery of calcium and bone mineral density are approximately equal to those observed during and following bedrest of comparable duration. No measure to wholly prevent these losses has yet been devised.
The evolutionary growth of the Space Station and the diverse activities onboard are expected to require a hierarchy of integrated,local area networks capable of supporting data, voice and video communications. In addition, fault tolerant network operation is necessary to protect communications between critical systems attached to the net and to relieve the valuable human resources onboard Space Station of day-to-day data system repair tasks. An experimental, local area network is being developed which will serve as a testbed for investigating candidate algorithms and technologies for a fault tolerant, integrated network. The establishment of a set of rules or protocols which govern communications on the net is essential to obtain orderly and reliable operation. A hierarchy of protocols for the experimental network is presented and procedures for data and control communications are described.
New data on the concentration of molybdenum in the mantle of the Earth and in lunar rocks confirm that most siderophile elements in lunar crustal rocks and lunar basalts derived from the interior have significantly lower concentrations than in the Earth's mantle and much lower concentrations compared to chrondritic meteorites. Different but correlated depletions of Co and P have been found in different lunar samples. The Mo data appear to be correlated with the P and Co depletions. The variations siderophile contents may be explained by small variations in the segregation of the siderophile element data which are consistent with theories for either a terrestrial gran independent origin for the Moon. It is suggested that the Moon formed from the Earth's mantle (depleted in siderophile elements) and segregation of metal within the Moon further lowered the concentrations compared to the Earth's mantle. The Mo data support evidence from other siderophile elements that the Moon almost certainly contains a metal core or pools of segregated metal.
Data from two deep passes of ISEE-3 through the earth's magnetotail are used to discuss the evolution of the plasmasheet magnetic field as a function of radial distance and geomagnetic activity (Kp). Attention is focused on plasmasheet intervals lasting at least 10 min as recorded during passes lasting 3 and 5 mos with apogees of 221 and 238 earth radii (ER). The dependencies of the By and Bz components on Kp were minimal, although Bz displayed a radial dependence. No relationship was observed between By and Bz. The Bz component changed from a northward orientation at 60-100 ER to a N-S dependence at 200-238 ER. Variations in field measurements indicated turbulence throughout the plasmasheet, also independent of Kp. The data support formation of a plasmoid during periods of high Kp, and can serve as limiting conditions for developing more accurate magnetotail models.
Theoretical ionization equilibrium models are combined with Copernicus ultraviolet observations to study a particular H II region absorption-line component in the spectra of Lambda Sco and Upsilon Sco. The Lambda Sco observations imply that the region is characterized by a hydrogen density of approximately 0.2/cu cm and an extent along the line of sight of approximately 16 pc. Three choices for the relative placement of Lambda Sco and Upsilon Sco are considered. Conclusions are that Lambda Sco is the primary source of ionization and that there is a separation of approximately 5 pc between the H II region and Lambda Sco. Observational data support an enhanced dielectronic recombination rate for S III. Comparison of the Upsilon Sco and Lambda Sco observations suggests that spatial variations of density may be present.
A perturbation testing method has been developed and tested for predictive testing of fuel cells. This method involves application of small changes to the operating conditions of the cell in a predetermined sequence. The resultant response of the cell is then measured and statistically correlated with the corresponding test conditions. This method has been applied to the phosphoric acid fuel cell, and the effect of operating and cell-component variables on cell-performance degradation has been studied. A strong effect of the cell temperature and cathode potential on fuel-cell-performance degradation has been observed. A cell-performance degradation model has been formulated, and the unknown parameters in the model have been estimated by a regression analysis of the experimental data. A reasonable agreement between the fuel cell performance predicted by this model (derived from the perturbation experiments) and the unperturbed test data supports fthe applicability of the perturbation method.
Magnetic-reconstruction models of magnetospheric phenomena and the airborne and ground-based measurement data supporting such models are reviewed and illustrated with diagrams and graphs. The primary emphasis is on the correlation of east-west flows on the dayside with the y component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), and consideration is given to z-component IMF effects, magnetospheric convection for a northward IMF, and evidence based on particle distributions.
A candidate configuration, called the Entry Research Vehicle, is being proposed for a Shuttle launched flight experiment program. This vehicle will be used to demonstrate maneuverability in the upper atmosphere, test developing thermostructure concepts, and measure the atmospheric flight conditions encountered by the vehicle. The techniques used to predict the hypersonic aerodynamics of this vehicle through the various flight regimes in the upper atmosphere are discussed. Results of wind-tunnel data from the Langley Hypersonic Helium Tunnel and Shuttle flight data support the aerodynamic predictions.
The paper discusses postlaunch corrections made to the calibration lamp radiance values for band 3 of TM-5 (Thematic Mapper instrument on Landsat-5). It is hypothesized that the low in-orbit temperatures have caused the shutter arm to contract slightly, causing the detectors to view the lamps through different parts of the lens system. Owing to unevenness in the lenses this is introducing an odd-even channel discrepancy in the computed gains, resulting in striped imagery. The process used to compute the new values is presented along with supporting data and the old and new radiance numbers. The new values solve the relative radiometric correction problem of striping. However, the effect on the absolute radiometric correction performance is not quantitatively known.
This is the second Semiannual Report submitted under Grant NAGW-509 for the development of a Balloon-Borne Three-Meter Telescope for Far-Infrared and Submillimeter Astronomy. It covers the period 1 March 1984 through 31 August 1984. This grant covers work at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), University of Arizona (UA) and the University of Chicago (UC). SAO is responsible for program management, the gondola structure including the attitude control and aspect systems, mechanical systems, and telemetry and command systems; the UA is responsible for optics design and fabrication; the UC is responsible for determining provisions for focal-plane instrumentation. SAO and the UA share responsibility for the ground support data and control computer.
Langley Research Center is developing an integrated fault tolerant network to support data, voice, and video communications aboard Space Station. The question of transmitting the video data via dedicated analog channels or converting it to the digital domain for consistancy with the test of the data is addressed. The recommendations in this paper are based on a comparison in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the type of video processing required aboard Space Station, the applicability to Space Station, and how they integrate into the network.
Spectra in the H-alpha and H-beta regions of the peculiar double-lined RS CVn binary, RT Lacertae, were obtained in the fall of 1984. Limited International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) long wavelength low and high resolution spectra were obtained concurrently. The ground based spectra have shown an asymmetry with orbital phase in the H-alpha profile. The H-beta profiles were consistent with the same effect. One hemisphere showed excess emission and the other excess absorption, with a broad Gaussian emission component superposed upon the excess H-alpha line. An improved radial velocity curve, giving a better determined mass ratio and geometry was derived. This combined with the radii implied by the rotational broadening of the spectra, showed one component to be 80 to 90% filling the equilibrium Roche surface. The two-faced nature is, therfore, very likely due to mass transfer from the contact component impacting upon its companion. Low resolution ultraviolet data showed that the supposed cooler component is bluer than its companion. High resolution ultraviolet data taken during secondary eclipse showed Mg II emission strength which decreased more slowly than the area visible. The phase behavior of the low resolution data support the former situation, indicating traditional chromospheric activity.
New field observations and structurally restored geologic sections through the southern part of 3.5-3.6 Ga Barberton greenstone belt show that its mafic to ultramafic rocks form a pseudostratigraphy comparable to that of Phanerozoic ophiolites; this ancient ophiolite is referred to as the Jamestown ophiolite complex. It consists of an intrusive-extrusive mafic-ultramafic section, underlain by a high-temperature tectono-metamorphic residual peridotitic base, and is capped by a chert-shale sequence which it locally intrudes. Geochemical data support an ophiolitic comparison. Fraction of high temperature melting PGE's 2500 C in the residual rocks suggest a lower mantle origin for the precursors of this crust. An oceanic rather than arc-related crustal section can be inferred from the absence of contemporaneous andesites. The entire simatic section has also been chemically altered during its formation by hyrothermal interaction with the Archean hydrosphere. The most primitive parent liquids, from which the extrusive sequence evolved, may have been picritic in character. Rocks with a komatiitic chemistry may have been derived during crystal accumulation from picrite-crystal mushes (predominantly olivine-clinopyroxene) and/or by metasomatism during one or more subsequent episodes of hydration-dehydration. The Jamestown ophiolite complex provides the oldest record with evidence for the formation of oceanic lithosphere at constructive tectonic boundaries.