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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 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Meteoroid flux from passive seismic experiment data

The meteoroid flux hitting the moon is recomputed using new information on the decrease of seismic signal amplitude with range. The new data are principally 17 large meteoroid impacts whose locations have been computed from recordings at all four of the operating Passive Seismic Experiment stations. These data suggest a rapid decrease in amplitudes beyond about 2200 km (chord range) which was not suspected earlier. The new estimate predicts the abundance of meteoroids with masses between 500 and 50,000 g. The result is considerably lower than estimates from earth-based observations, and close to our previous estimate from long-period lunar seismic data.

Duennebier, F.↗
NASA NTRS1978

On-board data processing for the IRAS telescope system

Onboard data processing has been developed for the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) telescope system to effectively utilize the RF bandwidth and minimize the ground-data processing costs. Use of filtering techniques, data deglitching circuits, and data encoding algorithms are combined with a microprocessor-controlled telescope system to achieve a system dynamic range of 100,000 with a noise equivalent flux density of no less than 10 to the minus 19th W/sq cm. Extraneous data, e.g., noise due to radiation hits, will be removed prior to transmission, thereby optimizing ground-data processing for the highest sensitivity and reliability. Simulation results are presented which demonstrate the advantages gained through the use of onboard data processing and illustrate the possible merging of these techniques with an array for the future evolution of 'smart' sensors.

Lum, H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Hail risk model for solar collectors

This report presents the results of a study assessing the probability of solar arrays being struck by hailstones of various sizes as a function of geographic location and service life. The study complements parallel studies of solar array sensitivity to hail damage, the final objective being an estimate of the most cost effective level for solar array hail protection. A key element of this study involves the generation of a statistical model describing the probability of impact by hailstones of various sizes and estimating the mean time between hits.

Gonzalez, C.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The REH theory of protein and nucleic acid divergence - A retrospective update

The random evolutionary hits (REH) theory of evolutionary divergence, originally proposed in 1972, is restated with attention to certain aspects of the theory that have caused confusion. The theory assumes that natural selection and stochastic processes interact and that natural selection restricts those codon sites which may fix mutations. The predicted total number of fixed nucleotide replacements agrees with data for cytochrome c, a-hemoglobin, beta-hemoglobin, and myoglobin. The restatement analyzes the magnitude of possible sources of errors and simplifies calculational methodology by supplying polynomial expressions to replace tables and graphs.

Holmquist, R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Containerless materials processing in the laboratory

Drop tube makes possible preparation of exotic materials. The 100 foot tube is oriented precisely vertical to prevent free-falling drop from hitting tube walls. Inert-gas supply, evacuation pumps, viewing ports, and flexibility in choice of melt technique allow precise control and monitoring of solidification.

Lacy, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A fundamental study of liquid spray evaporation at a heated surface

The influence of feedwater temperature and the influence of pulsing nozzle flow on the heat transfer characteristics in the spray evaporative cooling process were investigated. A commercial water circulation heater was installed in the feedwater line between the supply reservoir and the nozzle. A pass through the heater provided water at temperatures up to 50 C at the nozzle; higher temperatures were obtained by multiple heater passes. A thermocouple installed in the water line just upstream of the nozzle provided a measure of the feedwater temperature. Initial tests were run with belljar exhaust orifice number two which provided a pressure in a range about 7mm Hg abs. The feedwater temperature was heated to a temperature of 45 C. Results indicate that for a given system operating pressure, there is an upper limit on the feedwater temperature above which the spray will flash to vapor before hitting the surface to be cooled.

Wierum, F. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Extracting spatial information from large aperture exposures of diffuse sources

The spatial properties of large aperture exposures of diffuse emission can be used both to investigate spatial variations in the emission and to filter out camera noise in exposures of weak emission sources. Spatial imaging can be accomplished both parallel and perpendicular to dispersion with a resolution of 5-6 arc sec, and a narrow median filter running perpendicular to dispersion across a diffuse image selectively filters out point source features, such as reseaux marks and fast particle hits. Spatial information derived from observations of solar system objects is presented.

Clarke, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The estimation of genetic divergence

Consideration is given to the criticism of Nei and Tateno (1978) of the REH (random evolutionary hits) theory of genetic divergence in nucleic acids and proteins, and to their proposed alternative estimator of total fixed mutations designated X2. It is argued that the assumption of nonuniform amino acid or nucleotide substitution will necessarily increase REH estimates relative to those made for a model where each locus has an equal likelihood of fixing mutations, thus the resulting value will not be an overestimation. The relative values of X2 and measures calculated on the basis of the PAM and REH theories for the number of nucleotide substitutions necessary to explain a given number of observed amino acid differences between two homologous proteins are compared, and the smaller values of X2 are attributed to (1) a mathematical model based on the incorrect assumption that an entire structural gene is free to fix mutations and (2) the assumptions of different numbers of variable codons for the X2 and REH calculations. Results of a repeat of the computer simulations of Nei and Tateno are presented which, in contrast to the original results, confirm the REH theory. It is pointed out that while a negative correlation is observed between estimations of the fixation intensity per varion and the number of varions for a given pair of sequences, the correlation between the two fixation intensities and varion numbers of two different pairs of sequences need not be negative. Finally, REH theory is used to resolve a paradox concerning the high rate of covarion turnover and the nature of general function sites as permanent covarions.

Holmquist, R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Studies on wind tunnel straighteners

Tests using small-scale straighteners are reported. The studies allowed conclusions on the most favorable depth relationships, flow conditions behind the straightener and on the drag. The ways an obliquely hitting airflow is deflected by a straightener are examined. In addition the flow drag was measured and the manner in which the individual air columns emanating from the holes unite to form a homogeneous speed field was investigated.

Schultz-Grunow, F.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Baseline monitoring using aircraft laser ranging

The use of aircraft laser ranging for the determination of baselines between ground based retroreflectors was investigated via simulations and with tests at Wallops Flight Center using the Airborne Oceanographic Lidar (AOL) on the Wallops C-54 aircraft ranging to a reflector array deployed around one of the Wallops runways. The aircraft altitude and reflector spacing were chosen on the basis of scaled down modeling of spacecraft tracking from 1000 km of reflectors separated by some 52 km, or of high altitude (10 km) aircraft tracking of reflectors separated by some 500 m. Aircraft altitudes flown for different passes across the runway reflector array varied from 800 m to 1350 m, with 32 reflectors deployed over an approximtely 300 m x 500 m ground pattern. The AOL transmitted 400 pulses/sec with a scan rate of 5/sec in a near circular pattern, so that the majority of the pulses were reflected by the runway surface or its environs rather than by retroreflectors. The return pulse characteristics clearly showed the high reflectivity of portions of the runway, with several returns indistinguishable in amplitude from reflector returns. For each pass across the reflector field, typically six to ten reflector hits were identified, consistent with that predicted by simulations and the observed transmitted elliptical pulse size.

Krabill, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Thunderstorm hazards flight research - Program overview

The NASA thunderstorm hazards research program, designed to study the effects of lightning strikes on the design and operation of aircraft, is described. An all-weather F-106B is instrumented to document the EM characteristics of direct and nearby strikes, measure the field parameters and analyze the ambient atmospheric content, and film the strikes; X-ray detectors are also on board, along with instrumentation for determining the frequency of visible light waveforms. Data is either recorded on-board or sent by telemetry to base, while ground based telemetry is used to direct the pilot and craft into regions of optimal lightning activity. The sensing apparatus is described, and ongoing programs to correlate different storm parameters are reviewed, along with operational procedures and safety precautions. Continued use of the craft through 152 storms and 16 direct hits, with no fatalities or circuit breaker throw, confirms the ability of metal skinned aircraft to withstand lightning strikes; data gathered from flights during 1980 are provided.

Deal, P. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The ultraviolet spectrum of the Crab Nebula

Ultraviolet spectroscopy of the Crab Nebula done by the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite is described, and an estimate of the carbon abundance is made, noting data reduction to remove spectral defects caused by radiation hits. The important C IV 1549, He II 1640, and semiforbidden C III 1908 emission line intensities were measured and upper limits placed on other ultraviolet features for the brightest filamentary region in the Nebula. The emission lines imply an average ionic abundance ratio n(C+2)/n(O+2) in the range from 0.4 to 1.5 in the observed gaseous condensations. The elemental abundance ratio of carbon to oxygen is probably in the same range. Analysis shows that there is no perceptible excess of carbon due to presupernova nucleosynthesis in the observed region. The large helium abundance, small carbon and oxygen abundances, and presence of a neutron star in the Crab Nebula suggest that the presupernova star had a mass close to eight solar masses.

Davidson, K.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The current status of REH theory

A response is made to the evaluation of Fitch (1980) of REH (random evolutionary hits) theory for the evolutionary divergence of proteins and nucleic acids. Correct calculations for the beta hemoglobin mRNAs of the human, mouse and rabbit in the absence and presence of selective constraints are summarized, and it is shown that the alternative evolutionary analysis of Fitch underestimates the total fixed mutations. It is further shown that the model used by Fitch to test for the completeness of the count of total base substitutions is in fact a variant of REH theory. Considerations of the variance inherent in evolutionary estimations are also presented which show the REH model to produce no more variance than other evolutionary models. In the reply, it is argued that, despite the objections raised, REH theory applied to proteins gives inaccurate estimates of total gene substitutions. It is further contended that REH theory developed for nucleic sequences suffers from problems relating to the frequency of nucleotide substitutions, the identity of the codons accepting silent and amino acid-changing substitutions, and estimate uncertainties.

Holmquist, R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Optimization of the performance of a tandem microchannel plate detector as a function of interplate spacing and voltage

The effect of varying the size of the gap voltage and spacing on the performance of a tandem pair of microchannel plates (MCP) is investigated. Results show that increasing the voltage in the gap increases the gain of the pair and also produces a narrower Gaussian pulse-height distribution, although beyond a critical voltage the gain of the channel plate pair is found to plateau. A model is developed which explains the nonlinear gain behavior of individual microchannels and the behavior of the electron cloud emitted from the first MCP as it spreads out between the two MCPs and hits the surface of the second. The model calculates the plateau voltage as a function of the gap size, the gain of each MCP, and the diameter of the channels, and is found to show good agreement with the observed results. It is concluded that interplate gaps of up to several millimeters can be accommodated without a significant degradation in pulse-height distribution.

Rogers, D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Linear energy transfer spectrum measurement experiment (P0006)

The linear energy transfer (LET) is the energy deposited per unit path length of charged particle traversing matter. For estimating the rate of damage from single-hit phenomena, the quantity that best combines the radiation environment, orbital situation, and spacecraft shielding is the linear energy transfer (LET) spectrum at the device location. This experiment will measure the LET spectrum behind different shielding configurations for approximately 1 year. The shielding will be increased in increments of approximately 1 G/sq cm up to a maximum shieldng of 16 G/sq cm. In addition to providing critical information to future spacecraft designers, these measurements will also provide data that will be extremely valuable to other experiments on LDEF.

Benton, E. V.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A numerical investigation of planetesimal collision trajectories with a Moon accumulating in Earth orbit

In the scenario of lunar origin in which the Moon is assumed to have accreted most of its mass while in orbit about the Earth, ismals on the accrea knowledge of the relative impact rates of heliocentric planetting Earth and Moon is essential for any attempt to establish dynamical constraints on lunar origin. Numerical integrations of the regularized equations of motion for four bodies (Sun, Earth, Moon, planetismal) were done. A planetismal impact trajectory was calculated by assuming that the planetismal has hit the surface of the Moon at an assumed location, traveling in an assumed direction, and with an assumed impact speed. Next, the equations of motion were numerically integrated backward in time in order to determine from where the planetismal has come. In this way those volumes in heliocentric orbital element space which contribute trajectories that directly impact the Moon.

Cox, L. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

An integrated dynamical and geochemical approach to lunar origin modelling

The three major categories of models of lunar origin which explain the Moon's properties are complete and a more general scenario is presented. The model presented is as the Earth grew by planetesimal bombardment, a circumterrestrial cloud of particles was created from a combination of impact ejected mantle material and planetismals captured directly into orbit around the Earth. The compositional properties are explained two ways: (1) a few big late planetismals of diverse composition are captured in orbit and/or hit the Earth; and (2) the circumterrestrial swarm acts as a filter, preferentially capturing small weak silicate bodies, while passing large iron planetismals.

Greenberg, R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Monte Carlo Modeling of Lunar Megaregolith Development

A Monte Carlo model of lunar megaregolith development is proposed. Minimum megaregolith depths are obtained in the preliminary model. The model impacts a gridded, initially flat surface area randomly, with points not constrained to grid intersections. Information is recorded at grid points on evolving topography, deepest depth impacted to, and number of hits at that location. Two types of lunar surfaces ar simulated, maria and highlands. Crater production functions are after run to densities that are multiples of observed lunar crater densities for craters of 8 km in diameter and larger. all craters are considered to have formed in a gravity scaled regime. Edge effect problems are corrected in this model by allowing craters forming outside the grid area or along its edges to effect the gridded area.

Cashore, J.↗