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At least 1,099 records · Page 61

Research and technology, fiscal year 1986, Marshall Space Flight Center

The Marshall Space Flight Center is continuing its vigorous efforts in space-related research and technology. Extensive activities in advanced studies have led to the approval of the Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle as a new start. Significant progress was made in definition studies of liquid rocket engine systems for future space transportation needs and the conceptualization of advanced laucnch vehicles. The space systems definition studies have brought the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility and Gravity Probe-B to a high degree of maturity. Both are ready for project implementation. Also discussed include significant advances in low gravity sciences, solar terrestrial physics, high energy astrophysics, atmospheric sciences, propulsion systems, and on the critical element of the Space Shuttle Main Engine in particular. The goals of improving the productivity of high-cost repetitive operations on reusable transportation systems, and extending the useful life of such systems are examined. The research and technology highlighted provides a foundation for progress on the Hubble Space Telescope, the Space Station, all elements of the Space Transportation System, and the many other projects assigned to this Center.

Source record↗

An inadvertent capture cell for orbital debris and micrometeorites - The main electronics box thermal blanket of the solar maximum satellite

The physical properties of impact features in the Solar Max main electronics box thermal blanket are consistent with hypervelocity impacts of particles in the near-earth space environment. The majority of particles are orbital debris and include spacecraft paints and bismuth-rich particles. At least 30 percent of all impact features are caused by micrometeorites, which include silicates and sulfides. Some micrometeorites survive impact with only minor shock-metamorphic effects or chemical fractionation. Currently calibration experiments are under way to relate flux to particle diameter (or mass).

Rietmeijer, F. J. M.↗

Planetary submillimeter spectroscopy

The aim is to develop a comprehensive observational and analytical program to study solar system physics and meterology by measuring molecular lines in the millimeter and submillimeter spectra of planets and comets. A primary objective is to conduct observations with new JPL and Caltech submillimeter receivers at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. A secondary objective is to continue to monitor the time variable planetary phenomena (e.g., Jupiter and Uranus) at centimeter wavelength using the NASA antennas of the Deep Space Network (DSN).

Klein, M. J.↗

Soho and Cluster - The scientific instruments

The mission goals and instrumentation of the Soho and cluster spacecraft to be launched in 1995 as part of the international Solar-Terrestrial Science Program are discussed. Instruments such as normal-incidence, grazing-incidence, and EUV coronal spectrometers aboard the Soho spacecraft will study the origin of the solar wind and the physical properties of the solar atmosphere. The four Cluster spacecraft will measure electric and magnetic fields, plasmas, and energetic particles using instruments including a wide-band receiver system, a relaxation sounder, and a search coil magnetometer.

Domingo, V.↗

Report from upper atmospheric science

Most of the understanding of the thermosphere resulted from the analysis of data accrued through the Atmosphere Explorer satellites, the Dynamics Explorer 2 satellite, and observations from rockets, balloons, and ground based instruments. However, new questions were posed by the data that have not yet been answered. The mesosphere and lower thermosphere have been less thoroughly studied because of the difficulty of accessibility on a global scale, and many rather fundamental characteristics of these regions are not well understood. A wide variety of measurement platforms can be used to implement various parts of a measurement strategy, but the major thrusts of the International Solar Terrestrial Physics Program would require Explorer-class missions. A remote sensing mission to explore the mesosphere and lower thermosphere and one and two Explorer-type spacecraft to enable a mission into the thermosphere itself would provide the essential components of a productive program of exploration of this important region of the upper atomsphere. Theoretical mission options are explored.

Carignan, G. R.↗

Launch window expansion and trajectory correction strategies prior to the first lunar swingby

Double lunar swing-by (DLSB) orbits will be employed by 'Geotail' and other spacecraft in the International Solar Terrestrial Physics program in order to conduct observations in the geomagnetic tail and front field regions of the earth begining in 1992. For these missions, first swing-by dates are virtually fixed due to the dependency of the inertial frame apsis direction on them; in addition, the relative velocity magnitude to the moon is defined so that the DLSB condition will hold rigorously. These two conditions entail that the spacecraft intercept the moon on the prescribed dates. Several revolutions in intermediate transfer orbits are required prior to the first swing-by, in order to adjust flight time while maintaining the requisite lunar swing-by date.

Engel, Cheryl↗

Engineering support for an ultraviolet imager for the ISTP mission

Design and development activities were carried out for the Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) to be flown on the Polar Spacecraft of the INternational Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) Mission. The following tasks were performed: (1) design and fabrication of prototype/engineering model of the UVI imager; (2) preliminary design review; (3) vacuum ultraviolet filter design; (4) auroral energy deposition code; (5) model of LBH vehicle glow; (6) laboratory measurement program of collision cross-sections; and (7) support of ISTP meetings.

Torr, Douglas G.↗

A launch window study for GEOTAIL's double lunar swingby trajectory

The GEOTAIL spacecraft of the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Program will use a series of paired lunar swingbys to explore distant parts of the earth's magnetic tail. A 21-day launch window has been calculated for GEOTAIL, in July and August 1992, to start its distant-tail phase with a first lunar swingby (S1) on September 8, 1992. The main launch window in July utilizes 4.5 revolutions in a transfer orbit to S1, with a mid-August contingency window that uses 2.5 transfer-orbit revolutions before S1. Designing a good distant-tail trajectory, and then accurately matching it at S1 for every day in the launch window, seems to be the easiest and most reliable strategy. However, the total delta-V costs of the current designs can probably be reduced, possibly with the help of new interactive software that can be run on personal computers.

Dunham, David W.↗

The ISTP Program - An opportunity for collaboration in the investigation of solar-terrestrial relationships in the Americas

The ESA-NASA-ISAS International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) project has come to involve more than 2000 scientists worldwide; its investment of $2 billion by the U.S., the E.E.C., and Japan constitutes an excellent opportunity for participation of Latin American scientists in the analysis of geophysical observational data. The range of scientific problems addressed by ISTP are presently discussed with a view to the participation of Latin American researchers equipped with work stations of the requisite power.

Acuna, Mario H.↗

Space astrophysics with large structures - CASES and P/OF

Space instruments for remote sensing, of the types used for astrophysics and solar-terrestrial physics among many disciplines, will grow to larger physical sizes in the future. The zero-g space environment does not inherently restrict such growth, because relatively lightweight structures can be used. Active servo control of the structures can greatly increase their size for a given mass. The Pinhole/Occulter Facility, a candidate Space Station attached payload, offers an example: it will achieve 0.2 arc s resolution by use of a 50-m baseline for coded-aperture telescopes for hard X-ray and gamma-ray imagers.

Hudson, Hugh S.↗

Development of visual programming techniques to integrate theoretical modeling into the scientific planning and instrument operations environment of ISTP

The goal of this project is to investigate the use of visualization software based on the visual programming and data-flow paradigms to meet the needs of the SPOF and through it the International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) science community. Specific needs we address include science planning, data interpretation, comparisons of data with simulation and model results, and data acquisition. Our accomplishments during the twelve month grant period are discussed below.

Goodrich, Charles C.↗

Innovation: Key to the future

The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Annual Report is presented. A description of research and development projects is included. Topics covered include: space science; space systems; transportation systems; astronomy and astrophysics; earth sciences; solar terrestrial physics; microgravity science; diagnostic and inspection system; information, electronic, and optical systems; materials and manufacturing; propulsion; and structures and dynamics.

Source record↗

Design for a complete SOHO mission under the ISTP

The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) occupies a crucial slot in the International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) program, which investigates the energy and material flows in key regions of the geospace. Prior space missions which have brought understanding of the corona to what it is today are reviewed. Similarly, space science programs on the horizon will build on SOHO discoveries and insights. SOHO program structure and cost control methods are sketched; tasks have been transferred off the spacecraft where possible, and capabilities will be delivered just before needed. The team analyses of data will be augmented by a SOHO guest investigator program after launch. Theorists on teams would similarly be joined by participants in a proposed SOHO theory program. The ISTP program is built on a foundation of collaborative science, implying the need for observational campaigns directed from a user friendly operations center.

Wagner, W. J.↗

AIAA/NASA International Symposium on Space Information Systems, 2nd, Pasadena, CA, Sept. 17-19, 1990, Proceedings. Vols. 1 & 2

These proceedings overview major space information system projects and lessons learned from current missions. Other topics include the science information system requirements for the 1990s, an information systems design approach for major programs, the technology needs and projections, the standards for space data information systems, the artificial intelligence technology and applications, international interoperability, and spacecraft data systems and architectures advanced communications. Other topics include the software engineering technology and applications, the multimission multidiscipline information system architectures, the distributed planning and scheduling systems and operations, and the computer and information systems architectures. Paper presented include prospects for scientific data analysis systems for solar-terrestrial physics in the 1990s, the Columbus data management system, data storage technologies for the future, the German aerospace research establishment, and launching artificial intelligence in NASA ground systems.

Tavenner, Leslie A.↗

Radio observations of solar and stellar coronae

Recent results of radio observations of the solar and stellar coronae are reviewed. Attention is given to the results obtained on quiet-sun fine structures; the active region observations, with particular consideration given to the soft X-ray and radio comparisons of observations made during the Coronal Magnetic Structures Observing Campaign and the strength of the magnetic fields in the corona; the radio observations of solar flares; and the radio observations of stellar coronae of the RS Canum Venaticorum binaries, M dwarf stars, pre-main-sequence stars, and chemically-peculiar B stars. Also discussed are current issues in stellar radiophysics and perspectives in solar radio physics.

Kundu, M. R.↗

Far ultraviolet filters for the ISTP UV imager

The far ultraviolet (FUV) imager for the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) mission is designed to image four features of the aurora: O I lines at 130.4 nm and 135.6 nm and the N2 Lyman-Birge-Hopfield (LBH) bands between 140 nm-160 nm (LBH long) and 160 nm-180 nm (LBH long). We report the design and fabrication of narrow-band and broadband filters for the ISTP FUV imager. Narrow-band filters designed and fabricated for the O I lines have a bandwidth of less than 5 nm and a peak transmittance of 22.3 and 29.6 percent at 130.4 nm and 135.6 nm, respectively. Broadband filters designed and fabricated for LBH bands have the transmittance greater than 40 percent for LBH short and close to 60 percent for LBH long. Blocking of out-of-band wavelengths for all filters is better than 0.001 percent with the transmittance at 121.6 nm of less than 10 exp -6 percent.

Zukic, Muamer↗

Report on Computing and Networking in the Space Science Laboratory by the SSL Computer Committee

The Space Science Laboratory (SSL) at Marshall Space Flight Center is a multiprogram facility. Scientific research is conducted in four discipline areas: earth science and applications, solar-terrestrial physics, astrophysics, and microgravity science and applications. Representatives from each of these discipline areas participate in a Laboratory computer requirements committee, which developed this document. The purpose is to establish and discuss Laboratory objectives for computing and networking in support of science. The purpose is also to lay the foundation for a collective, multiprogram approach to providing these services. Special recognition is given to the importance of the national and international efforts of our research communities toward the development of interoperable, network-based computer applications.

Gallagher, D. L.↗

Rad-hard computer elements for space applications

Space Hardened CMOS computer elements emulating a commercial microcontroller and microprocessor family have been designed, fabricated, qualified, and delivered for a variety of space programs including NASA's multiple launch International Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) program, Mars Observer, and government and commercial communication satellites. Design techniques and radiation performance of the 1.25 micron feature size products are described.

Krishnan, G. S.↗