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NASA NTRS1989

Estimating biogeochemical fluxes across sagebrush-steppe landscapes with Thematic Mapper imagery

Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite data were coupled to an ecosystem simulation model to simulate variation in nitrogen mineralization over time and space in a sagebrush steppe. This system of data inputs and calculations provides estimates of ecosystem properties including rates of biogeochemical processes over extensive and complex landscapes, and under changing management and climatic conditions. The landscape surface was divided into three sagebrush ecosystem types plus one other class consisting of nonsagebrush vegetation. This classification presented a complex mosaic of ecosystem types that shifted markedly in composition from one end of the 933-sq km study area to the other. Annual N-mineralization rates ranged from 5 to 25 kg N/ha among the three sagebrush types. The most active type comprised 42 percent of the entire area but contributed 60 percent to the nitrogen mineralization throughout the landscape.

Reiners, W. A.↗

NASA NTRS2009

Effect of Space Radiation Processing on Lunar Soil Surface Chemistry: X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Studies

Current understanding of the chemistry and microstructure of the surfaces of lunar soil grains is dominated by a reference frame derived mainly from electron microscopy observations [e.g. 1,2]. These studies have shown that the outermost 10-100 nm of grain surfaces in mature lunar soil finest fractions have been modified by the combined effects of solar wind exposure, surface deposition of vapors and accretion of impact melt products [1,2]. These processes produce surface-correlated nanophase Feo, host grain amorphization, formation of surface patinas and other complex changes [1,2]. What is less well understood is how these changes are reflected directly at the surface, defined as the outermost 1-5 atomic monolayers, a region not easily chemically characterized by TEM. We are currently employing X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to study the surface chemistry of lunar soil samples that have been previously studied by TEM. This work includes modification of the grain surfaces by in situ irradiation with ions at solar wind energies to better understand how irradiated surfaces in lunar grains change their chemistry once exposed to ambient conditions on earth.

Dukes, C.↗

NASA NTRS2013

Atmospheric Dissolved Iron Depostiion to the Global Oceans: Effects of Oxalate-Promoted Fe Dissolution, Photochemical Redox Cycling, and Dust Mineralogy

Mineral dust deposition is suggested to be a significant atmospheric supply pathway of bioavailable iron (Fe) to Fe-depleted surface oceans. In this study, mineral dust and dissolved Fe (Fed) deposition rates are predicted for March 2009 to February 2010 using the 3-D chemical transport model GEOS-Chem implemented with a comprehensive dust-Fe dissolution scheme. The model simulates Fed production during the atmospheric transport of mineral dust taking into account inorganic and organic (oxalate)-promoted Fe dissolution processes, photochemical redox cycling between ferric (Fe(III)) and ferrous (Fe(II)) forms of Fe, dissolution of three different Fe-containing minerals (hematite, goethite, and aluminosilicates), and detailed mineralogy of windblown dust from the major desert regions. Our calculations suggest that during the yearlong simulation is approximately 0.26 Tg (1 Tg = 1012 g) of Fed was deposited to global oceanic regions. Compared to simulations only taking into account proton-promoted Fe dissolution, the addition of oxalate to the dust-Fe mobilization scheme increased total annual model-predicted Fed deposition to global oceanic regions by approximately 75%. The implementation of Fe(II)/Fe(III) photochemical redox cycling in the model allows for the distinction between different oxidation states of deposited Fed. Our calculations suggest that during the daytime, large fractions of Fed deposited to the global oceans is likely to be in Fe(II) form, while nocturnal fluxes of Fed are largely in Fe(III) form. Model simulations also show that atmospheric fluxes of Fed can be strongly influenced by the mineralogy of Fe-containing compounds. This study shows that Fed deposition to the oceans is controlled by total dust-Fe mass concentrations, mineralogy, the surface area of dust particles, atmospheric chemical composition, cloud processing, and meteorological parameters and exhibits complex and spatiotemporally variable patterns. Our study suggests that the explicit model representation of individual processes leading to Fed production within mineral dust are needed to improve the understanding of the atmospheric Fe cycle, and quantify the effect of dust-Fe on ocean biological productivity, carbon cycle, and climate.

Johnson, M. S.↗

NASA NTRS2013

An Overview of Regional Experiments on Biomass Burning Aerosols and Related Pollutants in Southeast Asia: From BASE-ASIA and the Dongsha Experiment to 7-SEAS

By modulating the Earth-atmosphere energy, hydrological and biogeochemical cycles, and affecting regional-to-global weather and climate, biomass burning is recognized as one of the major factors affecting the global carbon cycle. However, few comprehensive and wide-ranging experiments have been conducted to characterize biomass-burning pollutants in Southeast Asia (SEA) or assess their regional impact on meteorology, the hydrological cycle, the radiative budget, or climate change. Recently, BASEASIA (Biomass-burning Aerosols in South-East Asia: Smoke Impact Assessment) and the 7-SEAS (7- South-East Asian Studies) Dongsha Experiment were conducted during the spring seasons of 2006 and 2010 in northern SEA, respectively, to characterize the chemical, physical, and radiative properties of biomass-burning emissions near the source regions, and assess their effects. This paper provides an overview of results from these two campaigns and related studies collected in this special issue, entitled Observation, modeling and impact studies of biomass burning and pollution in the SE Asian Environment. This volume includes 28 papers, which provide a synopsis of the experiments, regional weatherclimate, chemical characterization of biomass-burning aerosols and related pollutants in source and sink regions, the spatial distribution of air toxics (atmospheric mercury and dioxins) in source and remote areas, a characterization of aerosol physical, optical, and radiative properties, as well as modeling and impact studies. These studies, taken together, provide the first relatively complete dataset of aerosol chemistry and physical observations conducted in the sourcesink region in the northern SEA, with particular emphasis on the marine boundary layer and lower free troposphere (LFT). The data, analysis and modeling included in these papers advance our present knowledge of source characterization of biomass-burning pollutants near the source regions as well as the physical and chemical processes along transport pathways. In addition, we raise key questions to be addressed by a coming deployment during springtime 2013 in northern SEA, named 7-SEASBASELInE (Biomass-burning Aerosols Stratocumulus Environment: Lifecycles and Interactions Experiment). This campaign will include a synergistic approach for further exploring many key atmospheric processes (e.g., complex aerosol-cloud interactions) and impacts of biomass burning on the surface-atmosphere energy budgets during the lifecycles of biomass burning emissions.

aerosol/biomass burning↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Land Ice Representation in the NASA Goddard Seasonal Forecasting System

Models used in seasonal forecasting systems have aimed for a level of sophistication comparable to Earth system models by incorporating complex physical processes, including those relevant to the polar regions. Here, we examine the polar surface climate in version 3 of the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System Sub-seasonal to Seasonal prediction system (GEOS S2S v3). The model is composed of the ⅟₂̊ resolution Jason4.0version of the GEOS AGCM and the MOM5 ocean model at ⅟₄̊ resolution. The GEOSS2S model incorporates interactive aerosols and two-moment cloud microphysics. As compared to version 2, the model incorporates improved radiative transfer and are designed diurnal cycle atmosphere-ocean interface layer. This study aims to understand how the version 3 model compares with version 2, and with contemporary Earth system models.

Richard I Cullather↗

NASA NTRS2006

Metallurgical Mechanisms Controlling Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Alloy 2219 Produced by Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication

The electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF3) layer-additive manufacturing process has been developed to directly fabricate complex geometry components. EBF3 introduces metal wire into a molten pool created on the surface of a substrate by a focused electron beam. Part geometry is achieved by translating the substrate with respect to the beam to build the part one layer at a time. Tensile properties demonstrated for electron beam deposited aluminum and titanium alloys are comparable to wrought products, although the microstructures of the deposits exhibit cast features. Understanding the metallurgical mechanisms controlling mechanical properties is essential to maximizing application of the EBF3 process. Tensile mechanical properties and microstructures were examined for aluminum alloy 2219 fabricated over a range of EBF3 process variables. Unique microstructures were observed within the deposited layers and at interlayer boundaries, which varied within the deposit height due to microstructural evolution associated with the complex thermal history experienced during subsequent layer deposition. Microstructures exhibited irregularly shaped grains with interior dendritic structures, described based on overall grain size, morphology, distribution, and dendrite spacing, and were correlated with deposition parameters. Fracture features were compared with microstructural elements to define fracture paths and aid in definition of basic processing-microstructure-property correlations.

Domack, Marcia S.↗

NASA NTRS1998

An Integrated Tool for the Coupled Thermal and Mechanical Analysis of Pyrolyzing Heatshield Materials

Materials that pyrolyze at elevated temperature have been commonly used as thermal protection materials in hypersonic flight, and advanced pyrolyzing materials for this purpose continue to be developed. Because of the large temperature gradients that can arise in thermal protection materials, significant thermal stresses can develop. Advanced applications of pyrolytic materials are calling for more complex heatshield configurations, making accurate thermal stress analysis more important, and more challenging. For non-pyrolyzing materials, many finite element codes are available and capable of performing coupled thermal-mechanical analyses. These codes do not, however, have a built-in capability to perform analyses that include pyrolysis effects. When a pyrolyzing material is heated, one or more components of the original virgin material pyrolyze and create a gas. This gas flows away from the pyrolysis zone to the surface, resulting in a reduction in surface heating. A porous residue, referred to as char, remains in place of the virgin material. While the processes involved can be complex, it has been found that a simple physical model in which virgin material reacts to form char and pyrolysis gas, will yield satisfactory analytical results. Specifically, the effects that must be modeled include: (1) Variation of thermal properties (density, specific heat, thermal conductivity) as the material composition changes; (2) Energy released or absorbed by the pyrolysis reactions; (3) Energy convected by the flow of pyrolysis gas from the interior to the surface; (4) The reduction in surface heating due to surface blowing; and (5) Chemical and mass diffusion effects at the surface between the pyrolysis gas and edge gas Computational tools for the one-dimensional thermal analysis these materials exist and have proven to be reliable design tools. The objective of the present work is to extend the analysis capabilities of pyrolyzing materials to axisymmetric configurations, and to couple thermal and mechanical analyses so that thermal stresses may be efficiently and accurately calculated.

Pronchick, Stephen W.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Reactivity of pi-complexes of Ti, V, and Nb towards dithioacetic acid: Synthesis and structure of novel metal sulfur-containing complexes

In order to use sulfur-containing resources economically and with minimal environmental damage, it is important to understand the desulfurization processes. Hydrodesulfurization, for example, is carried out on the surface of a heterogeneous metal sulfide catalyst. Studies of simple, soluble inorganic systems provide information regarding the structure and reactivity of sulfur-containing compounds with metal complexes. Further, consistent with recent trends in materials chemistry, many model compounds warrant further study as catalyst precursors. The reactivity of low-valent organometallic sandwich pi-complexes toward dithiocarboxylic acids is described. For example, treatment of bisbenzene vanadium with CH3CSSH affords a divanadium tetrakis(dithioacetate) complex. The crystallographically determined V-V bond distance, 2.800(2), is nearly the same as the V-V bond distance in a V(mu-nu squared-S2)2V' unit in the mineral patonite (VS4)n. The stability of the V2S4 core in the dimer is demonstrated by evidence of V2S4(+) in the mass spectrum (70 eV, solid probe) of the vanadium dimer. Several other systems relevant to HDS catalysis are also discussed.

Duraj, Stan A.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Pterodactyl: Aerodynamic and Aerothermal Modeling for a Symmetric Deployable Earth Entry Vehicle with Flaps

NASA’s Pterodactyl project has investigated a deployable atmospheric entry vehicle integrated with a flap control system that provides precision targeting during reentry. The control system consists of eight flaps mounted at the edge of a heatshield that can deflect in and out of the flow. An aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic analysis process was developed for preliminary vehicle design and aerodynamic database generation using engineering and CFD tools with varying levels of fidelity. The objective of this analysis was to: 1) understand the inherent aerodynamics, 2) provide an aerodynamics database for stability and control analysis, and 3) provide qualitative and quantitative aeroheating analysis for Thermal Protection System modeling of the flaps. A high fidelity Euler code, Cart3D, was used to resolve complex flow features such as secondary shocks and shock impingement. A wide range of supersonic (Mach 2) and hypersonic Mach numbers (up to Mach 40) were tested with an Earth atmosphere model. A process was developed to utilize the adaptive volume mesh generator utility of the perfect gas model of Cart3D to create meshes with high cell efficiency and numerical stability prior to running a 2nd order accurate solution with a real gas model. High-fidelity aerothermal CFD simulations were performed using US3D to further improve the aerothermal analysis on hypersonic flow around a complex entry vehicle shape including viscosity, chemical reactions of air species, vibrational energy, and catalytic surface reactions. In this process, it was found that the flap control system provided multi-axis control that can be utilized for entry precision targeting. Additionally, the Pterodactyl vehicle can achieve up to a trim L/D of 0.2. Finally, the increased fidelity of the aerothermal heating environments revealed that the shear stress contributes to increasing the heating on the flaps.

Deployable Entry Vehicle↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Pterodactyl: Aerodynamic and Aerothermal Modeling for a Symmetric Deployable Earth Entry Vehicle with Flaps

Deployable Entry Vehicle↗

NASA NTRS2006

Metallurgical Mechanisms Controlling Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Alloy 2219 Produced By Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication

The electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF3) layer-additive manufacturing process has been developed to directly fabricate complex geometry components. EBF3 introduces metal wire into a molten pool created on the surface of a substrate by a focused electron beam. Part geometry is achieved by translating the substrate with respect to the beam to build the part one layer at a time. Tensile properties have been demonstrated for electron beam deposited aluminum and titanium alloys that are comparable to wrought products, although the microstructures of the deposits exhibit features more typical of cast material. Understanding the metallurgical mechanisms controlling mechanical properties is essential to maximizing application of the EBF3 process. In the current study, mechanical properties and resulting microstructures were examined for aluminum alloy 2219 fabricated over a range of EBF3 process variables. Material performance was evaluated based on tensile properties and results were compared with properties of Al 2219 wrought products. Unique microstructures were observed within the deposited layers and at interlayer boundaries, which varied within the deposit height due to microstructural evolution associated with the complex thermal history experienced during subsequent layer deposition. Microstructures exhibited irregularly shaped grains, typically with interior dendritic structures, which were described based on overall grain size, morphology, distribution, and dendrite spacing, and were correlated with deposition parameters. Fracture features were compared with microstructural elements to define fracture paths and aid in definition of basic processing-microstructure-property correlations.

Domack, Marcia S.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Science Goals and Mission Concept for the Future Exploration of Titan and Enceladus

Saturn׳s moons, Titan and Enceladus, are two of the Solar System׳s most enigmatic bodies and are prime targets for future space exploration. Titan provides an analogue for many processes relevant to the Earth, more generally to outer Solar System bodies, and a growing host of newly discovered icy exoplanets. Processes represented include atmospheric dynamics, complex organic chemistry, meteorological cycles (with methane as a working fluid), astrobiology, surface liquids and lakes, geology, fluvial and aeolian erosion, and interactions with an external plasma environment. In addition, exploring Enceladus over multiple targeted flybys will give us a unique opportunity to further study the most active icy moon in our Solar System as revealed by Cassini and to analyse in situ its active plume with highly capable instrumentation addressing its complex chemistry and dynamics. Enceladus׳ plume likely represents the most accessible samples from an extra-terrestrial liquid water environment in the Solar system, which has far reaching implications for many areas of planetary and biological science. Titan with its massive atmosphere and Enceladus with its active plume are prime planetary objects in the Outer Solar System to perform in situ investigations. In the present paper, we describe the science goals and key measurements to be performed by a future exploration mission involving a Saturn-Titan orbiter and a Titan balloon, which was proposed to ESA in response to the call for definition of the science themes of the next Large-class mission in 2013. The mission scenario is built around three complementary science goals: (A) Titan as an Earth-like system; (B) Enceladus as an active cryovolcanic moon; and (C) Chemistry of Titan and Enceladus - clues for the origin of life. The proposed measurements would provide a step change in our understanding of planetary processes and evolution, with many orders of magnitude improvement in temporal, spatial, and chemical resolution over that which is possible with Cassini-Huygens. This mission concept builds upon the successes of Cassini-Huygens and takes advantage of previous mission heritage in both remote sensing and in situ measurement technologies.

future missions↗

NASA NTRS1989

The effects of viewpoint on the virtual space of pictures

Pictorial displays whose primary purpose is to convey accurate information about the 3-D spatial layout of an environment are discussed. How and how well, pictures can convey such information is discussed. It is suggested that picture perception is not best approached as a unitary, indivisible process. Rather, it is a complex process depending on multiple, partially redundant, interacting sources of visual information for both the real surface of the picture and the virtual space beyond. Each picture must be assessed for the particular information that it makes available. This will determine how accurately the virtual space represented by the picture is seen, as well as how it is distorted when seen from the wrong viewpoint.

Sedgwick, H. A.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Mars Pathfinder Landing Site: Evidence for a Change in Wind Regime from Lander and Orbiter Data

Surface features related to the wind are observed in the vicinity of the Mars Pathfinder (MPR landing site data from the lander and in data from orbit by the Viking Orbiter and Mars Global Surveyor missions. Features seen from the surface include wind tails associated with small rocks, barchanoid duneforms, ripplelike patterns, and ventifact flutes cut into some rocks. Features seen from orbit include wind tails associated with impact craters, ridges inferred to be duneforms, and modified crater rims interpreted to have been eroded and mantled by windblown material. The orientations of these features show two prevailing directions. One is inferred to represent winds from the northeast, which is consistent with strongest winds predicted by a general circulation model to occur during the Martian northern winter under current conditions. A second wind blowing from the ESE was responsible for modifying the crater rims and cutting some of the ventifacts. The two wind regimes could reflect a change in climate related to Mars' obliquity or some other, unknown factor. Regardless of the cause, the MPF area has been subjected to a complex pattern of winds and supply of small particles, and the original surface formed by sedimentary processes from Tiu and Ares Vallis flooding events has been modified by repeated burial and exhumation.

Greeley, Ronald↗

NASA NTRS2022

Balancing Predictive and Reactive Science Planning for Mars 2020 Perseverance

The design of the science planning process for a space science mission needs to find a balance between operational and resource constraints and scientific decision-making. Science planning has previously been characterized as either predictive or reactive. Predictive science planning is needed when constraints drive science activities to be planned far in advance. For example, a combination of long one-way light time plus high-stakes science decisions drove the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn to have an extremely predictive planning process. On the other extreme, reactive science planning is needed when constraints drive science activities to be planned based on the results of the previous plan. For example, the Mars Exploration Rover mission interacted with the surface of Mars, and so the planning team needed to know the state of the rover at the end of each planning cycle before starting the next cycle. Operational and resource constraints that require management on intermediate timescales has led to the development of a science planning process between these two extremes. For example, the Mars Science Laboratory is a technically complex rover and has a parallel predictive process that allows the operations team to manage engineering constraints several days in advance while maintaining the reactive tactical planning process similar to that of MER. The Mars 2020 Perseverance rover is a technically complex rover in the MSL style, but has an added layer of science complexity: it is tasked with collecting a returnable cache of scientifically valuable samples of Mars within prime mission. Thus, the science planning process also needs to accommodate high-stakes longer-term science decisions in the style of Cassini. In order to balance the push-pull of these constraints, we have developed a science campaign-focused operational paradigm for Mars 2020 Perseverance that allows for both predictive planning to accommodate technological complexity and high-stakes science decisions as well as reactive planning to accommodate the realities of interacting with the martian surface. This paradigm influenced the design of operational processes and operational tools.

Spanovich, Nicole↗

NASA NTRS2005

It's a Sooty Problem: Black Carbon and Aerosols from Space

Our knowledge of atmospheric aerosols (smoke, pollution, dust or sea salt particles, small enough to be suspended in the air), their evolution, composition, variability in space and time and interaction with solar radiation, clouds and precipitation is lacking despite decades of research. Just recently we recognized that understanding the global aerosol system is fundamental for progress in climate change and hydrological cycle research. While a single instrument was used to demonstrate 50 yrs ago that the global CO2 levels are rising, posing thread to our climate, we need an may of satellites, surface networks of radiometers, elaborated laboratory and field experiments coupled with chemical transport models to understand the global aerosol system. This complexity of the aerosol problem results from their short lifetime (1 week), variability of the chemical composition and complex chemical and physical processes in the atmosphere. The result is a heterogeneous distribution of aerosol and their properties. The new generation of satellites and surface networks of radiometers provides exciting opportunities to measure the aerosol properties and their interaction with clouds and climate. However farther development in the satellite capability, aerosol chemical models and climate models is needed to fully decipher the aerosol secrets with accuracy required to predict future climates.

Kaufman, Yoram J.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Automating the Process of Optimization in Spacecraft Design

Spacecraft design optimization is a difficult problem, due to the complexity of optimization cost surfaces, and human expertise in optimization that is necessary in order to achieve good results. In this paper, we propose the use of a set of generic, metaheuristic optimization algorithms (e.g., generic algorithms, simulated annealing), which is configured for a particular optimization problem by an adaptive problem solver based on artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques. We describe work in progress on OASIS, a system for adaptive problem solving based on these principles.

optimization↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Additively Manufactured Ink-based Cell Batteries for Flexible Conformational Applications

With the rise of additively manufactured electronics, the importance of thin, flexible printed batteries has increased for shape-conformal electronics. Traditionally, battery cells such as industry-standard lithium-ion batteries, have been rigid and therefore unable to conform to time-variant surfaces such as smart cards/RFID devices, disposable battery-powered skin patches, foldable electronic devices, and IoT nodes. Aligned with the effort to advance technologies on printed electronics for habitat systems and advanced manufacturing, this proof-of-concept will focus on printing a 50 mAh Zn-Ag battery implementing a DIW Technique. After prototype manufacturing, electrical and environmental testing on the flexible battery cell will be conducted to the evaluate energy and power density over 50 charge cycles under standard atmosphere conditions. The project aims to provide PCB designers, fabricators, and assemblers an integrated battery package to eliminate external batteries, external wiring and connectors, and conformational complexity. Potential end uses of the printed battery process will be within Martian and lunar habitat systems, Gateway, and surface vehicles, or aerial robots where space and geometry is a restriction.

Printed Electronics↗