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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 109 records · Page 6

Ames Heat Pipe Experiment (AHPE) experiment description document

A gas-controlled variable-conductance heat pipe was qualified for flight aboard orbiting astronomical observatory (OAO3). Experiments were conducted to determine the performance and reliability of the pipe in the vacuum environment of space, and to demonstrate in a specific engineering application its effectiveness in providing temperature stability for spacecraft equipment which experiences varying electronic duty cycles and changing thermal boundary conditions. System design and hardware are discussed in detail.

Marcus, B. D.

Atmospheric variability experiment /AVE II/ pilot experiment

The Atmospheric Variability Experiment (AVE II) was conducted in May 1974. Rawinsonde releases were made at 54 upper-air stations in two thirds of the eastern U.S. at 3-hr intervals for a 24-hr period. Radar data were obtained from 11 stations located near the center of the observational area, and as many data as possible were collected from the Nimbus 5, NOAA 2, ATS-3, and DMSP satellites. The present paper provides an overview of the experiment and describes how the user community can obtain copies of the data.

Turner, R. E.

Experiment definition phase shuttle laboratory. LDRL-10.6 experiment

The work completed on the experiment definition phase of the shuttle laboratory LDRL 10.6 micrometers experiment from 27 September 1975 to 26 January 1976 was reported. This work included progress in the following areas: (1) optomechanical system: completion of detail drawings, completion of the beryllium subassembly, fabrication, checking, and weighing of approximately 95% of the detailed parts, dry film lubrication of the bearings and gears, and initiation of assembly of the gimbals; (2) optics: update of the detailed optical layout, receipt of nine mirrors and the pre-expander; (3) miscellaneous: delivery of draft material for the final report, completion of optical testing of the 10.6 micrometers receiver, and receipt, assembly, and checkout of NASA test console.

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Principles of equivalence, Eotvos experiments, and gravitational red-shift experiments - The free fall of electromagnetic systems to post-post-Coulombian order

Free fall in an external static gravitational field of a composite test body consisting of electromagnetically interacting charged particles is analyzed using the TH-epsilon-mu formalism developed by Lightman and Lee (1973). The Lightman and Lee calculation that was carried out to 'post-Coulombian' order is extended to 'post-post-Coulombian' order, and violations of the weak equivalence principle are found which result from the magnetostatic self-energy of the test body. The current generation of Eotvos experiments is shown to test the cited formalism at first order in the external gravitational potential to an accuracy of 4 by 10 to the -10th power for electrostatic energies and 6 by 10 to the -6th power for magnetostatic energies. It is concluded that although the formalism can be tested to an accuracy of 0.04 for electrostatic energies at second order in the gravitational potential, a significant second-order test for magnetostatic energies would require Eotvos experiments accurate to better than one part in 10 to the 15th power.

Haugan, M. P.

Definition of Atmospheric Science Experiments and Techniques: Wake Zone Mapping Experiments

The development of a subsatellite system has been proposed for the shuttle program which would provide to the scientific community a platform for experiments which would be tethered to the shuttle spacecraft orbiting at about 200 km altitude. Experiments which can perform measurements of aeronomic interest onboard or utilizing the tethered satellite concept are described and recommended.

Taeusch, D. R.

ISEE-1 and ISEE-2 fast plasma experiment and the ISEE-1 solar wind experiment

Identical fast plasma experiment (FPE) systems were placed on the ISEE-1 and ISEE-2 spacecraft. The FPE consists of three high efficiency 90 deg spherical section electrostatic analyzers using large secondary emitters and discrete dynode multipliers to detect analyzed particles. Two of them, viewing in opposite directions, produce complete 2D velocity distribution measurements of both protons and electrons every spacecraft revolution. A third FPE analyzer with a divided emitter measures 3D distributions at a slower rate. ISEE-1 also carries a solar-wind experiment (SWE) to measure solar-wind ions with high resolution. The SWE is composed of two 150 deg spherical section analyzers using the same set of plates. The two acceptance fans are tilted with respect to each other so that 3D characteristics of the ion distributions can be derived.

Bame, S. J.

The 30/20 GHz flight experiment system, phase 2. Volume 2: Experiment system description

A detailed technical description of the 30/20 GHz flight experiment system is presented. The overall communication system is described with performance analyses, communication operations, and experiment plans. Hardware descriptions of the payload are given with the tradeoff studies that led to the final design. The spacecraft bus which carries the payload is discussed and its interface with the launch vehicle system is described. Finally, the hardwares and the operations of the terrestrial segment are presented.

Bronstein, L.

AgRISTARS. Preliminary technical results review of FY81 experiments, volume 2: Fiscal year 1981/1982 "corn and soybeans pilot" experiment

The performance of the technology exhibited significant proportion estimation errors, specifically, high mean error in both corn and soybeans area estimation. The data systems, technical approaches, and data assessment of the pilot experiment were reviewed. Results of proportion estimations procedure performance evaluations, and sensitivity evaluations are presented. The role of the pilot experiment in foreign technology development is discussed.

Source record

Solar Array Experiment (SAE) Flight Experience

The space flight testing of a large, flat, flexible panel solar array is examined. The experiment objectives are: to demonstrate the functional operational of the wind deployment and packaging system; Electrical performance; Thermal performance; and dynamic performance. A complete description of the experiment and the flight results are given.

Hill, H. C.

Shuttle Laser Technology Experiment Facility (LTEF)-to-airplane lasercom experiment: Airplane considerations

NASA is considering the use of various airplanes for a Shuttle Laser Technology Experiment Facility (LTEF)-to-Airplane laser communications experiment. As supporting documentation, pertinent technical details are included about the potential use of airplanes located at Ames Research Center and Wallops Flight Facility. The effects and application of orbital mechanics considerations are also presented, including slant range, azimuth, elevation, and time. The pros and cons of an airplane equipped with a side port with a bubble window versus a top port with a dome are discussed.

Kalil, Ford

The Solar Array Module Plasma Interactions Experiment (SAMPIE): A shuttle-based plasma interaction experiment

The SAMPIE flight experiment, tentatively scheduled to fly on a shuttle mission in mid 1992, will investigate plasma interactions of high voltage space power systems. Solar cells representing a number of technologies will be biased to high voltage to study both negative potential arching and positive potential current collection characteristics. Additionally, several idealized metal/insulator mockups will be flown to study the basic nature of these interactions. Described here is the basic rationale for a space experiment as well as the measurements to be made and the significance of the expected results. The current design status of the flight hardware is presented.

Hillard, G. Barry

In-Space technology experiments program. A high efficiency thermal interface (using condensation heat transfer) between a 2-phase fluid loop and heatpipe radiator: Experiment definition phase

Space Station elements and advanced military spacecraft will require rejection of tens of kilowatts of waste heat. Large space radiators and two-phase heat transport loops will be required. To minimize radiator size and weight, it is critical to minimize the temperature drop between the heat source and sink. Under an Air Force contract, a unique, high-performance heat exchanger is developed for coupling the radiator to the transport loop. Since fluid flow through the heat exchanger is driven by capillary forces which are easily dominated by gravity forces in ground testing, it is necessary to perform microgravity thermal testing to verify the design. This contract consists of an experiment definition phase leading to a preliminary design and cost estimate for a shuttle-based flight experiment of this heat exchanger design. This program will utilize modified hardware from a ground test program for the heat exchanger.

Pohner, John A.

EPR experiment and 2-photon interferometry: Report of a 2-photon interference experiment

After a very brief review of the historical Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen (EPR) experiments, a new two-photon interference type EPR experiment is reported. A two-photon state was generated by optical parametric down conversion. Pairs of light quanta with degenerate frequency but divergent directions of propagation were sent to two independent Michelson interferometers. First and second order interference effectors were studied. Different than other reports, we observed that the second order interference visibility vanished when the optical path difference of the interferometers were much less than the coherence length of the pumping laser beam. However, we also observed that the second order interference behaved differently depending on whether the interferometers were set at equal or different optical path differences.

Shih, Y. H.

PROBE (Precision Reflector Orbital Build Experiment): A proposed flight experiment to study EVA assembly of precision segmented reflectors

PROBE (Precision Reflector Orbital Build Experiment) is a Shuttle flight demonstration experiment designed to study extravehicular activity (EVA) assembly of precision segmented reflectors. PROBE will support missions being considered for NASA's Global Change Technology Initiative as well as other missions in astrophysics and spacecraft optical communications requiring large precision reflectors. Such reflectors are envisioned to consist of a low-mass backup truss to which the optical surface is attached. Because of their large size, these reflectors will be constructed on-orbit from smaller pieces which can be packaged in the launch vehicle. The technology to be developed with PROBE also has application for construction of solar dynamic collectors which are planned for the enhanced configuration of Space Station Freedom. Viewgraphs of PROBE are presented.

Heard, Walter

Middeck 0-gravity dynamics experiment: Fluid slosh experiments

Viewgraphs on the Middeck 0-gravity Dynamics Experiment fluid slosh experiments are presented. Graphs of frequency versus planar slosh force and planar slosh force phase angle are provided for the following conditions: silicone oil in a flat bottom tank; silicon oil in a 3.1 cm diameter flat bottom tank; water in a flat bottom tank for earth; and water in a 3.1 cm diameter flat bottom tank.

Vanschoor, Marthinus C.

Scientific basis for the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment - A USMP-2 space flight experiment

NASA has planned three flight experiments, designated as the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE), to be performed on three of the United States Microgravity Payload (USMP) flights. IDGE is designed to provide microgravity data on dendritic growth for a critical test of theory. Terrestrial gravity, g sub 0, and the associated phenomenon of buoyancy driven convection, prevent a truly quantitative test of pure, diffusocapillary dendritic growth theory. However, recent theoretical analysis provides a fluid mechanics framework for estimating the effects of reduced gravity on the dendritic solidification of pure succinonitrile (SCN), the model material selected for the first IDGE flight. The results (dendritic tip radii and velocities) of the recent fully integrated ground-based tests on the IDGE prototype engineering hardware is in general agreement with the 'historical' ground based data for SCN. At undercoolings of 0.5 K or less, a microgravity environment of approximately 10 exp -3 g sub 0 or lower would have a significant difference from the g sub 0 dendritic growth of SCN.

Glicksman, M. E.

Cryogenic fluid management (base R/T): Cryogenic fluid systems, Cryogenic Orbital Nitrogen Experiment (CONE), Cryogenic Orbital Hydrogen Experiment (COHE). (Transportation focused technology)

The topics presented are covered in viewgraph form. The concluded remarks are: (1) advanced cryogenic fluid systems technology is enhancing or enabling to all known transportation scenarios for space exploration; (2) an integrated/coordinated program involving LeRC/MSFC has been formulated to address all known CFM needs - new needs should they develop, can be accommodated within available skills/facilities; (3) all required/experienced personnel and facilities are finally in place - data from initial ground-based experiments is being collected and analyzed - small scale STS experiments are nearing flight - program is beginning to yield significant results; (4) future proposed funding to primarily come from two sources; and (5) cryogenic fluid experimentation is essential to provide required technology and assure implementation in future NASA missions.

Symons, Pat