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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

Wide-Field Imaging of Galactic Halos with a Near-Infrared Rocket-Borne Telescope

We successfully completed both of the proposed flights by May of 1998, on schedule and on budget. In both flights the instrument worked flawlessly, achieving sensitivities slightly better than the specification (1 nW/sq m sr per pixel). The payload was recovered with only minor damage after both flights. The results from the first flight, which targeted the nearby edge-on spiral NCG 4565, have been published. Analysis of the data failed to detect any significant emission, from the halo around the galaxy, and set a very stringent 2 sigma lower limit on the M/L ratio of the halo of greater than 260 in solar units. The results from the second flight, which targeted the infamous NGC 5907, have taken longer to analyze because of an offset in the absolute pointing of the payload which broke the symmetry of the scan pattern about the galaxy, thus complicating the analysis, After careful analysis, Caltech graduate student, Sarah Yost, has recovered the full sensitivity of the experiment, setting a 2 sigma lower limit on the M/L ratio of the halo of greater than 280 in solar units. This result rules out the hypothesis that a significant portion of the halo around NGC 5907 is composed of low-mass stars, as previous observations had suggested. NITE probes directly the halo at 10 to 30 kpc from the disk, a region far too dim for other experiments. Our conclusion is that observations of a significant IR signature associated with the halo at less than approximately 5kpc radius where contaminated by tidally disrupted disk population of stars. In order to test the idea that we could study faint surface-brightness fluctuations in the diffuse background using NITE, we have analyzed the data from the 1997 flight which targeted NCG 4565 (this target is in a region of lower stellar confusion than is NGC 5907). We have detected a significant correlation in the noise at zero-lag, with an amplitude that corresponds to brightness fluctuations of 3.04 plus or minus 0.16 nW/sq m sr. This work will be submitted for publication later this year. An important accomplishment of our sub-orbital program is the training graduate students and postdocs who will become future leaders in NASA's space astrophysics program. The PI has mentored 7 scientists that now hold tenure-track faculty positions or the equivalent at NASA research centers.

Lange, Andrew E.↗

Evaluation and Improvement of Earth Radiation Budget Data Sets

The tasks performed during this grant are as follows: (1) Advanced scan patterns for enhanced spatial and angular sampling of ground targets; (2) Inter-calibration of polar orbiter in low Earth orbits (LEO) and geostationary (GEO) broadband radiance measurements; (3) Synergism between CERES on TRMM and Terra; (4) Improved surface solar irradiance measurements; (5) SW flux observations from Ultra Long Duration Balloons at 35 km altitude; (6) Nighttime cloud property retrieval algorithm; (7) Retrievals of overlapped and mixed-phase clouds.

Haeffelin, Martial P. A.↗

Datasets, Technologies and Products from the NASA/NOAA Electronic Theater 2002

An in depth look at the Earth Science datasets used in the Etheater Visualizations will be presented. This will include the satellite orbits, platforms, scan patterns, the size, temporal and spatial resolution, and compositing techniques used to obtain the datasets as well as the spectral bands utilized.

Hasler, A. Fritz↗

Data Analysis for the SOLIS Vector Spectromagnetograph

The National Solar Observatory's SOLIS Vector Spectromagnetograph (VSM), which will produce three or more full-disk maps of the Sun's photospheric vector magnetic field every day for at least one solar magnetic cycle, is in the final stages of assembly. Initial observations, including cross-calibration with the current NASA/NSO spectromagnetograph (SPM) will soon be carried out at a test site in Tucson. This paper discusses data analysis techniques for reducing the raw data, calculation of line-of-sight magnetograms and both quick-look and high-precision inference of vector fields from Stokes spectral profiles. Existing SPM algorithms, suitably modified to accomodate the cameras, scanning pattern, and polarization calibration optics for the VSM, will be used to "clean" the raw data and to process line-of-sight, magnetograms. A recent. version of the High Altitude Observatory Milne-Eddington (HAO-ME) inversion code (Skumanich and Lites; 1987, 11)J 322, p. 473) will he used for high-precision vector fields since the algorithm has been extensively tested, is well understood, and is fast enough to complete data analysis within 24 hours of data acquisition. The simplified inversion algorithm of Auer, Heasley. arid House (1977, Sol. Phys. 55, p. 47) forms the initial guess for this version of the HAO-ME code and will be used for quick-look vector analysis of VSM data since its performance on simulated Stokes profiles is better than other candidate methods. Improvements (e.g., principal components analysis or neural networks) are under consideration and will be straightforward to implement. However, current resources are sufficient to store the original Stokes profiles only long enough for high-precision analysis. Retrospective reduction of Stokes data with improved methods will not be possible, and modifications will only be introduced when the advantages of doing so are compelling enough to justify discontinuity in the long-term data stream.

Jones, Harrison P.↗

Effects of an Approach Spacing Flight Deck Tool on Pilot Eyescan

An airborne tool has been developed based on the concept of an aircraft maintaining a time-based spacing interval from the preceding aircraft. The Advanced Terminal Area Approach Spacing (ATAAS) tool uses Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) aircraft state data to compute a speed command for the ATAAS-equipped aircraft to obtain a required time interval behind another aircraft. The tool and candidate operational procedures were tested in a high-fidelity, full mission simulator with active airline subject pilots flying an arrival scenario using three different modes for speed control. Eyetracker data showed only slight changes in instrument scan patterns, and no significant change in the amount of time spent looking out the window with ATAAS, versus standard ILS procedures.

Oseguera-Lohr, Rosa M.↗

Evaluation of Operational Procedures for Using a Time-Based Airborne Inter-arrival Spacing Tool

An airborne tool has been developed based on the concept of an aircraft maintaining a time-based spacing interval from the preceding aircraft. The Advanced Terminal Area Approach Spacing (ATAAS) tool uses Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) aircraft state data to compute a speed command for the ATAAS-equipped aircraft to obtain a required time interval behind another aircraft. The tool and candidate operational procedures were tested in a high-fidelity, full mission simulator with active airline subject pilots flying an arrival scenario using three different modes for speed control. The objectives of this study were to validate the results of a prior Monte Carlo analysis of the ATAAS algorithm and to evaluate the concept from the standpoint of pilot acceptability and workload. Results showed that the aircraft was able to consistently achieve the target spacing interval within one second (the equivalent of approximately 220 ft at a final approach speed of 130 kt) when the ATAAS speed guidance was autothrottle-coupled, and a slightly greater (4-5 seconds), but consistent interval with the pilot-controlled speed modes. The subject pilots generally rated the workload level with the ATAAS procedure as similar to that with standard procedures, and also rated most aspects of the procedure high in terms of acceptability. Although pilots indicated that the head-down time was higher with ATAAS, the acceptability of head-down time was rated high. Oculometer data indicated slight changes in instrument scan patterns, but no significant change in the amount of time spent looking out the window between the ATAAS procedure versus standard procedures.

Oseguera-Lohr, Rosa M.↗

Automated Status Notification System

NASA Lewis Research Center's Automated Status Notification System (ASNS) was born out of need. To prevent "hacker attacks," Lewis' telephone system needed to monitor communications activities 24 hr a day, 7 days a week. With decreasing staff resources, this continuous monitoring had to be automated. By utilizing existing communications hardware, a UNIX workstation, and NAWK (a pattern scanning and processing language), we implemented a continuous monitoring system.

Source record↗

Evaluation of a Tool for Airborne-Managed In-Trail Approach Spacing

The Advanced Terminal Area Approach Spacing (ATAAS) tool uses Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast aircraft state data to compute a speed command for an ATAAS-equipped aircraft to follow and obtain a required time interval behind another aircraft. The ATAAS tool and candidate operational procedures were tested in a high-fidelity, full mission simulator with active airline subject pilots flying an arrival scenario to obtain pilot perceptions of acceptability and workload for the concept. The aircraft consistently achieved the target spacing interval within 1 s when the ATAAS speed guidance was autothrottle-coupled and a slightly greater (4 - 5 s) but consistent interval with pilot-controlled speed changes. The subject pilots rated the ATAAS workload as similar to one with standard procedures for a nominal Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach. They also rated highly various procedural aspects (including amount of head-down time required). Eyetracker data showed only slight changes in instrument scan patterns for ATAAS versus standard ILS procedures.

Oseguera-Lohr, Rosa M.↗

Method and apparatus for dual amplitude dual time-of-flight ultrasonic imaging

A method and apparatus for ultrasonic imaging which includes scanning a test specimen located in a test fixture in a predetermined scan pattern. Propagating and receiving reflected pulses of ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic transducer directed to a surface of the test specimen. Detecting and generating data of both the amplitude and the depth of a defect in the test specimen from the pulses received from the test specimen. Merging the data of the amplitude and the data of the depth of the defect into composite data and then displaying the composite data in a three dimensional image whereby a mesh of both amplitude and depth data of the defect is displayed in a single image of the defect.

Chern, Engmin James↗

A Field Portable Hyperspectral Goniometer for Coastal Characterization

During an airborne multi-sensor remote sensing experiment at the Virginia Coast Reserve (VCR) Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site in June 2011 (VCR '11), first measurements were taken with the new NRL Goniometer for Outdoor Portable Hyperspectral Earth Reflectance (GOPHER). GOPHER measures the angular distribution of hyperspectral reflectance. GOPHER was constructed for NRL by Spectra Vista Corporation (SVC) and the University of Lethbridge through a capital equipment purchase in 2010. The GOPHER spectrometer is an SVC HR -1024, which measures hyperspectral reflectance over the range from 350 -2500 nm, the visible, near infrared, and short-wave infrared. During measurements, the spectrometer travels along a zenith quarter -arc track that can rotate in azimuth, allowing for measurement of the bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) over the whole hemisphere. The zenith arc has a radius of approximately 2m, and the spectrometer scan pattern can be programmed on the fly during calibration and validation efforts. The spectrometer and zenith arc assembly can be raised and lowered along a mast to allow for measurement of uneven terrain or vegetation canopies of moderate height. Hydraulics on the chassis allow for leveling of the instrument in the field. At just over 400 lbs, GOPHER is a field portable instrument and can be transformed into a compact trailer assembly for movement over long distances in the field.

Bachmann, Charles M.↗

Robotic External Leak Locator (RELL) Leak Plume Field Detection on the International Space Station (ISS)

The Robotic External Leak Locator (RELL) was deployed to the International Space Station (ISS) with the objective of demonstrating the ability to detect and locate small leaks. On-orbit operations began in late November 2016 and following scanning activities to characterize the natural and induced environment of the ISS, RELL focused on the United States External Active Thermal Control System (EATCS). RELL successfully detected ammonia related to a known small ammonia leak in the port-side EATCS, with the highest pressure values around the inboard Radiator Beam Valve Module 1 (RBVM 1). An additional day of scanning was subsequently performed in December 2017 to focus on RBVM 1. RELL was approved for additional external operations in February 2017 with the goal of fine tuning the location of the leak. Using grid scanning patterns, RELL detected ammonia around RBVM 1 and located the approximate source of the leak. The potential leak site was inspected by a crew member during an Extravehicular Activity (EVA) in March 2017, and the suspected radiator-side lines were isolated from the port-side EATCS coolant loop in April 2017. Subsequent monitoring of the system pressures showed that the leak has stopped, indicating RELL accurately located the source of the EATCS leak. These activities verify that RELL enhances the ISS Program's ability to not only locate small leaks, but isolate the source with minimal impact to the entire ISS system.

External Active Thermal Control System↗

X-57 Cockpit Display System Development and Features

The X-57 Maxwell airplane [1,2] cockpit display system includes multiple, pilot-selectable pages in a multifunction display with detailed statuses of critical parameters from each of the cruise motors (CMs), cruise motor controllers (CMCs), and battery control modules (BCMs), as well as air temperature measurements at reference locations in the passive ram-air cooling ducts for the motors, controllers, and auxiliary equipment. The user (pilot or ground-test crew) can select overview pages that are part of the standard instrument panel scan pattern or switch to a series of detail or debug pages as the system is operating using a rotary position switch in the cockpit. This paper presents and describes each of these displays, and gives an overview of the development and verification process. The critical data condensed for cockpit handling from each of the major electric propulsion and traction power systems are discussed.

Adam Curry↗

PM 2.5 Concentrations over Major Metropolitan Regions Inferred from Airborne High Spectral Resolution Lidar Measurements Using Machine Learning Regression

We use measurements of near-surface aerosol backscatter, extinction, and depolarization acquired by four NASA Langley Research Center airborne High Spectral Resolution Lidars (HSRLs) to develop a machine learning regression methodology to infer PM2.5 concentrations at the surface and aloft. These airborne HSRL measurements were acquired over major metropolitan regions in the United States and Asia during more than 170 flights since 2010. Hourly surface PM2.5 measurements from the EPA air quality system and similar networks in other countries acquired within 10 km and 15 minutes of these near-surface HSRL measurements are used to train models that compute PM2.5 concentrations from the HSRL measurements. We examine several regression methods and find that exponential Gaussian Process algorithms consistently give the best performance in terms of the lowest root-mean-square (RMS) errors and the highest correlations. Model performance varies significantly depending on various combinations of HSRL aerosol measurements (e.g., aerosol backscatter, extinction, depolarization, backscatter color ratios, lidar ratios, aerosol optical thickness) and retrievals (e.g., mixed layer height, aerosol type) used in the regressions. Models that use near-surface measurements of aerosol backscatter and aerosol intensive properties such as depolarization, backscatter color ratio, and lidar ratio typically give the best performance with RMS errors around 4 mg/m3 and correlation coefficients above 0.9. HSRL measurements were often acquired when the aircraft flew systematic “raster-scan” patterns for several hours over these cities. These flight patterns enabled measurements of the spatial, temporal, and vertical variabilities in the distributions of aerosol backscatter and aerosol intensive properties and allowed us to derive the corresponding variabilities in PM2.5 concentrations. We present examples of such variabilities over urban areas in the United States as well as Asia. We describe also how the distribution of surface PM2.5 varies with aerosol type and use these retrievals to examine model simulations of surface PM2.5 in these metropolitan regions. We also discuss how this methodology may be applied to measurements from satellite lidars such as CALIOP on CALIPSO and ATLID on EarthCARE.

lidar↗

High-speed quantitative X-ray multi-contrast imaging with deep learning based modulated pattern analysis

The advent of X-ray multi-contrast imaging methods, providing absorption, phase, and dark-field images, holds tremendous promise for complementary and non-destructive visualization of inner structures within materials and bio-samples. However, the low efficiency in measuring and analyzing X-ray modulated patterns has hindered their application in high-resolution in situ imaging. In this work, the Enhanced Scanning Pattern-based Imaging Neural Network (ESPINNet) is introduced as a powerful tool for achieving high-speed, high-resolution quantitative imaging. ESPINNet is faster than correlation-based speckle tracking methods such as XSVT and UMPA, and provides a balanced performance in terms of resolution and speed for data collection by using fewer scanning images. In comparison with our previously developed neural network, ESPINNet introduces the capability to generate dark-field images, further enhancing its versatility. By leveraging scanning patterns, ESPINNet significantly improves resolution and measurement precision. Furthermore, its adaptability to various modulation patterns, including those produced by sandpaper, coded masks, or gratings, ensures broad applicability. These features enable real-time 2D and 3D multi-contrast imaging, positioning ESPINNet as a transformative solution for applications in materials science and biomedical research, particularly for high-speed and in situ measurements.

X-ray at-wavelength metrology↗

Three-Dimensional Ultrasonic Imaging Of The Cornea

Proposed technique generates pictures of curved surfaces. Object ultrasonically scanned in raster pattern generated by scanning transmitter/receiver. Receiver turned on at frequent intervals to measure depth variations of scanned object. Used for medical diagnoses by giving images of small curved objects as cornea. Adaptable to other types of reflection measurementsystems such as sonar and radar.

Heyser, Rrichar C.↗

RF MEMS and Their Applications in NASA's Space Communication Systems

Radio frequency (RF) and microwave communication systems rely on frequency, amplitude, and phase control circuits to efficiently use the available spectrum. Phase control circuits are required for electronically scanning phase array antennas that enable radiation pattern shaping, scanning, and hopping. Two types of phase shifters, which are the phase control circuits, are most often used. The first is comprised of two circuits with different phase characteristics such as two transmission lines of different lengths or a high pass and low pass filter and a switch that directs the RF power through one of the two circuits. Alternatively, a variable capacitor, or varactor, is used to change the effective electrical path length of a transmission line, which changes the phase characteristics. Filter banks are required for the diplexer at the front end of wide band communication satellites. These filters greatly increase the size and mass of the RF/microwave systems, but smaller diplexers may be made with a low loss varactor or a group of capacitors, a switch and an inductor.

Williams, W. Daniel↗