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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

Frosted Tracks

SAND2025-01893O Frosted Tracks is a software tool to group trajectories according to sequences of their behavior. The goal is to start with a very large number of trajectories and identify groups that exhibit similar behavior patterns. The application combines TICC and Metric DBSCAN clustering algorithms for behavioral segmentation and labeling of air/sea trajectory data. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.

Dalbey, Keith↗

Space Flight Handbooks. Volume 3, Planetary Flight Handbook: Mars Stopover Missions Using Venus Swingbys - Part 6

This volume of the NASA Planetary Flight Handbook contains trajectory data to aid the mission analyst in the planning of stopover missions to Mars that employ the Venus swingby mode. Compared to other mission modes, the Venus swingbys yield substantial reductions in propulsive velocity and Earth entry speed requirements when employed as part of a round trip stopover mission. Conversely, the swingbys are at best, of marginal utility for one-way missions. Consequently, this Handbook has been tailored expressly for use in the planning of round trip missions. The relevant charts, graphs, and tabular data are presented for the totality of such missions, i.e., in terms of total round trip mission duration and stopover time at Mars. Recognizing, however, that within the context of round trip missions the single-leg data can be of importance in certain phases of the mission analyses, all such data has been preserved on a master magnetic tape. Copies of this tape will be made available to interested organizations.

Source record↗

Fast Fourier Transform Spectral Analysis Program

Fast Fourier Transform Spectral Analysis Program is used in frequency spectrum analysis of postflight, space vehicle telemetered trajectory data. This computer program with a digital algorithm can calculate power spectrum rms amplitudes and cross spectrum of sampled parameters at even time increments.

Daniel, J. A., Jr.↗

Relativistic time corrections for Apollo 12 and Apollo 13

Results are presented of computer calculations on the relativistic time corrections relative to a ground-based clock of on-board clock readings for a lunar mission, using simple Newtonian gravitational potentials of earth and moon and based on actual trajectory data for Apollo 12 and Apollo 13. Although the second order Doppler effect and the gravitational red shift give rise to corrections of opposite sign, the net accumulated time corrections, namely a gain of 560 (+ or - 1.5) microseconds for Apollo 12 and gain of 326 (+ or - 1.3) microseconds for Apollo 13, are still large enough that with present day atomic frequency standards, such as the rubidium clock, they can be measured with an accuracy of about + or - 0.5 percent.

Lavery, J. E.↗

Mission strategy for combined comet-asteroid flybys.

Review of the currently consolidating interest in one or more relatively inexpensive small body exploration missions, and discussion of a proposed ballistic flyby of two asteroids and the periodic comet Forbes, to be launched in 1977. Trajectory data and target encounter conditions are presented for a selected set of missions which are compatible with the propulsion capabilities of a modified Pioneer F & G spacecraft.

Brooks, D. R.↗

Ionospheric disturbances caused by long period sound waves generated by Saturn-Apollo launches

Wavelike disturbances were observed in the ionosphere following several nuclear explosions in early 1960's. Supersonic shock waves within the atmosphere generated by large rockets can cause ionospheric electron density perturbations. A CW phase path Doppler array in the New York area was operated during the Saturn-Apollo 12 and 13 launches and recorded Doppler frequency fluctuations due to rocket launchings. Cross correlation and power spectral analyses of the phase path-path Doppler frequency variation records showed that the phase velocities of the signal arrivals were from south of the array with 700 - 800 m/sec corresponding to periods in the range of 2 to 4 minutes. Ionograms taken every 60 seconds from Wallops Islands showed clearly ionospheric disturbances due to rockets. The group velocities were estimated to be of the order of 450 m/sec 1 obtained from the earliest visible disturbances seen on CW phase path Doppler records and ionograms together with the rocket trajectory data.

Rao, G. L.↗

Projects SOLRAD and TIMATION: Space radiation exposure

The charged particle fluxes to be encountered by spacecraft in circular orbits with inclinations of 125 and 65 degrees, and altitudes of 13890 and 11111 kilometers, respectively were investigated. For these conditions, two nominal trajectories were generated corresponding to missions SOLRAD and TIMATION. The orbits and geomagnetic geometry, spectral profiles, peaks per orbit, trajectory data, and energetic solar proton fluxes are discussed. The tabulated results are analyzed.

Stassinopoulos, E. G.↗

The limitations of wind measurement accuracy for balloon systems

The error in horizontal wind field measurements as computed from the trajectory of balloons with linear and quadratic rise rates (as functions of altitude) has been derived. Balloon trajectories through light, moderate, and severe wind fields have been considered. Figures are presented which show the wind error vs altitude for various rise rates in each wind field, assuming linear smoothing of the trajectory data. The rise rate profile of the Jimsphere is analyzed as a special case. The results and figures presented are useful in determining the ultimate capability of rising balloon systems in general and for the Jimsphere system in particular for measuring wind from the surface to 18 km. Using the figures presented, it is possible to estimate the wind accuracy that can be achieved by any type of rising balloon by knowing only its rise rate behavior vs altitude. In addition, the results can be used in balloon design to determine what rise rate function is needed to achieve specified wind accuracies. A table is presented which shows the balloon radius for smooth and roughened spheres needed to achieve 2 to 20 m/sec rise rates at 10 and 14 km altitudes.

Luers, J. K.↗

Zero-G experiments in two-phase fluids flow regimes

The two-phase flows studied were liquid and gas mixtures in a straight flow channel of circular cross-section. Boundaries between flow regimes have been defined for normogravity on coordinates of gas quality and total mass velocity; and, when combined with boundary expressions having a Froude number term, an analytical model was derived predicting boundary shifts with changes in gravity level. Experiments with air and water were performed, first in the normogravity environment of a ground laboratory and then in 'zero gravity' aboard a KC-135 aircraft flying parabolic trajectories. Data reduction confirmed regime boundary shifts in the direction predicted, although the magnitude was a little less than predicted. Pressure drop measurements showed significant increases for the low gravity condition.

Heppner, D. B.↗

Test evaluation of potential heat shield contamination of an Outer Planet Probe's atmospheric sampling system

An Outer Planets Probe which retains the charred heatshield during atmospheric descent must deploy a sampling tube through the heatshield to extract atmospheric samples for analysis. Once the sampling tube is deployed, the atmospheric samples ingested must be free of contaminant gases generated by the heatshield. Outgassing products such as methane and water vapor are present in planetary atmospheres and hence, ingestion of such species would result in gas analyzer measurement uncertainties. This paper evaluates the potential for, and design impact of, the extracted atmospheric samples being contaminated by heatshield outgassing products. Flight trajectory data for Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus entries are analyzed to define the conditions resulting in the greatest potential for outgassing products being ingested into the probe's sampling system. An experimental program is defined and described which simulates the key flow field features for a planetary flight in a ground-based test facility. The primary parameters varied in the test include: sampling tube length, injectant mass flow rate and angle of attack. Measured contaminant levels predict the critical sampling tube length for contamination avoidance. Thus, the study demonstrates the compatibility of a retained heatshield concept and high quality atmospheric trace species measurements.

Kessler, W. C.↗

Space shuttle navigation filter development

Problems encountered in developing a high speed trajectory data processor for the shuttle ascent and entry phases are described. The development of a 19 state acceleration filter for the processor is reported.

Lear, W. M.↗