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At least 127 records · Page 7

The Apollo lunar surface experiment package suprathermal ion detector experiment

A compilation of reports and scientific papers is presented for the following topics: (1) the lunar ionosphere; (2) electric potential of the lunar surface; (3) ion activity on the lunar nightside; (4) bow shock protons; (5) magnetosheath and magnetotail; (6) solar wind-neutral gas cloud interactions at the lunar surface; (7) penetrating solar particles; and (8) rocket exhaust products from Apollo missions. Descriptions and photographs of ion detecting equipment at the lunar sites of Apollo 12, 13, 14, and 15 are given.

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An iridium-rich iron micrometeorite with silicate inclusions from the Moon

We have found a 0.1 mg iron micrometeorite containing meteoritic silicate inclusions in an agglutinate from 2-2.5 cm deep in regolith core 60014. The metal is 93 percent iron, 6.5 percent nickel, 0.5 percent cobalt, approximately 150 ppm iridium, and less than 2 ppm gold. Although the Ir concentration is higher than that reported previously for any iron meteorite group, it lies on the extrapolation to low Ni and high Ir concentrations of several meteorite groups on Ni,Ir plots (groups 2C,D,E, and 3AB,E,F). Tiny, subrounded silicate inclusions comprise low-Ca pyroxene (En83), olivine (FO80), and albitic and potassic feldspars, as mixtures of minerals or glasses. Minor phases include oldhamite (CaS) and, tentatively, hercynite (FeAl2O4). The inclusions have pyroxene FeO/MnO of approximately 25 and olivine FeO/MnO of 40-60. In comparison with known iron meteorites, the inclusions are most similar to those in type 2E, e.g., Weekeroo Station, Colomera, and Kodaikanal. As far as we know, this is the first observation of an iron meteorite with silicate inclusions from a lunar sample. No metal fragments with meteoritic, nonmetallic inclusions were reported in several previous, exhaustive studies of soil particles.

Jolliff, Bradley L.↗

Soot Aerosols in the Atmosphere: Contributions by Aircraft

Interest in the distribution of black carbon (soot) aerosol (BCA) in the atmosphere is based on the following: (1) Because BCA has the highest absorption cross section of any compound know, it can absorb solar radiation to cause atmospheric warming; (2) Because BCA is a strong adsorber of gases, it can catalyze heterogeneous chemical reactions to modify the chemical composition of the atmosphere; (3) If aircraft emission is the major source of BCA, it can serve as an atmospheric tracer of aircraft exhaust. We collect BCA particles as small as 0.02 micrometers by wires mounted on both the DC-8 and ER-2 aircraft. After return to the laboratory, the wires are examined with a field emission scanning electron microscope to identify BCA particles by their characteristics morphology, Typically, BCA exists in the atmosphere as small particles of complex morphology. The particle sizes at the source are measured in tens of Angstrom units; after a short residence time in the atmosphere, individual particles coalesce to loosely packed agglomerates of typical dimensions 0.01 to 0.1 micrometer. We approximate the size of each BCA aggregate by that of a sphere of equivalent volume. This is done by computing the volume of a sphere whose diameter is the mean between averaged minimum and maximum dimensions of the BCA particle. While this procedure probably underestimates the actual surface area, it permits us to compare BCA size distributions among themselves and with other types of aerosols.

Pueschel, R. F.↗

An Assessment of NASA Glenn's Aeroacoustic Experimental and Predictive Capabilities for Installed Cooling Fans: Aerodynamic Performance - Part 1

Driven by the need for low production costs, electronics cooling fans have evolved differently than the bladed components of gas turbine engines which incorporate multiple technologies to enhance performance and durability while reducing noise emissions. Drawing upon NASA Glenn's experience in the measurement and prediction of gas turbine engine aeroacoustic performance, tests have been conducted to determine if these tools and techniques can be extended for application to the aerodynamics and acoustics of electronics cooling fans. An automated fan plenum installed in NASA Glenn's Acoustical Testing Laboratory was used to map the overall aerodynamic and acoustic performance of a spaceflight qualified 80 mm diameter axial cooling fan. In order to more accurately identify noise sources, diagnose performance limiting aerodynamic deficiencies, and validate noise prediction codes, additional aerodynamic measurements were recorded for two operating points: free delivery and a mild stall condition. Non-uniformities in the fan s inlet and exhaust regions captured by Particle Image Velocimetry measurements, and rotor blade wakes characterized by hot wire anemometry measurements provide some assessment of the fan aerodynamic performance. The data can be used to identify fan installation/design changes which could enlarge the stable operating region for the fan and improve its aerodynamic performance and reduce noise emissions.

VanZante, Dale E.↗

Numerical Analysis of Rocket Exhaust Cratering

Supersonic jet exhaust impinging onto a flat surface is a fundamental flow encountered in space or with a missile launch vehicle system. The flow is important because it can endanger launch operations. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a landing rocket s exhaust on soils. From numerical simulations and analysis, we developed characteristic expressions and curves, which we can use, along with rocket nozzle performance, to predict cratering effects during a soft-soil landing. We conducted a series of multiphase flow simulations with two phases: exhaust gas and sand particles. The main objective of the simulation was to obtain the numerical results as close to the experimental results as possible. After several simulating test runs, the results showed that packing limit and the angle of internal friction are the two critical and dominant factors in the simulations.

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Impact of Variable Perpendicular Transport Coefficients in WEST Simulations Using SolEdge-HDG

Plasma–wall interaction is one of the key research topics on the way to controlled fusion. To study the best operational designs with reduced heat and particle fluxes onto tokamak plasma facing components (PFCs) comprehensive plasma simulations are required. A recent implementation of a hybridized discontinuous Galerkin scheme into a new version of SolEdge code has the advantage of using magnetic equilibrium-free mesh. This allows us to conduct pioneering 2-D transport simulations of a full discharge in the WEST tokamak. In this work, we implemented plasma transport coefficients as functions of coordinate in the poloidal plane and neutral diffusion as a function of neutral mean free path. Moreover, the perpendicular convection flux terms were added to the code. Using the new features, a few test cases were investigated. Finally, the influence of nonconstant transport coefficients on the simulated particle and heat fluxes onto the WEST tokamak PFCs are demonstrated.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Effluent sampling of Scout D and Delta launch vehicle exhausts

Characterization of engine-exhaust effluents (hydrogen chloride, aluminum oxide, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide) has been attempted by conducting field experiments monitoring the exhaust cloud from a Scout-Algol III vehicle launch and a Delta-Thor vehicle launch. The exhaust cloud particulate size number distribution (total number of particles as a function of particle diameter), mass loading, morphology, and elemental composition have been determined within limitations. The gaseous species in the exhaust cloud have been identified. In addition to the ground-based measurements, instrumented aircraft flights through the low-altitude, stabilized-exhaust cloud provided measurements which identified CO and HCI gases and Al2O3 particles. Measurements of the initial exhaust cloud during formation and downwind at several distances have established sampling techniques which will be used for experimental verification of model predictions of effluent dispersion and fallout from exhaust clouds.

Hulten, W. C.↗

MOSAiC studies of long-lasting mixed-phase cloud events and analysis of the liquid-phase properties of Arctic clouds

Vertically resolved observations of the temporal evolution of mixed-phase clouds (MPCs) were performed over the central Arctic during the MOSAiC (Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate) expedition, which lasted from October 2019 to September 2020. The research icebreaker Polarstern , drifting with the pack ice for more than 7 months, mostly at latitudes > 85° N, served as a platform for state-of-the-art remote sensing of aerosols and clouds. The use of the recently introduced dual field-of-view (FOV) polarization lidar technique in combination with the well-established lidar-radar retrieval technique provided, for the first time, a robust instrumental basis to monitor the evolution of the liquid and the ice phase of MPCs and the interplay between the two phases. Two long-lasting Arctic MPC events observed close to the North Pole in mid-winter (December 2019) and late summer (September 2020) are discussed to provide new insight into Arctic MPC evolution processes. In the second part of the article, cloud statistics, covering all seasons of a year, are presented. The focus is on the optical and microphysical properties of the liquid phase. These results are solely derived from the dual-FOV lidar observations. The key findings of the study can be summarized as follows: persistent activation of aerosol particles to form water droplets is of great importance for the longevity of MPCs. The observations confirm that ice formation occurs predominantly via immersion freezing. The field studies suggest that the free tropospheric reservoirs of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and of ice-nucleating particles (INPs) were always well filled, i.e., the clouds did not exhaust their supply of activatable and activated particles. The observation of long-lasting MPC events, low ice production rates, and a sufficiently large INP reservoir leads to the recommendation to use a time-dependent immersion freezing parameterization in MPC modeling efforts.

Jimenez, Cristofer [Leibniz Inst. for Tropospheric↗

Probe samples components of rocket engine exhaust

Water-cooled, cantilevered probe samples the exhaust plume of rocket engines to recover particles for examination. The probe withstands the stresses of a rocket exhaust plume environment for a sufficient period to obtain a useful sample of the exhaust components.

Schumacher, P. E.↗

John F. Kennedy Space Center's Technology Development and Application 2006-2007 Report

Topics covered include: Reversible Chemochromic Hydrogen Detectors; Determining Trajectory of Triboelectrically Charged Particles, Using Discrete Element Modeling; Using Indium Tin Oxide To Mitigate Dust on Viewing Ports; High-Performance Polyimide Powder Coatings; Controlled-Release Microcapsules for Smart Coatings for Corrosion Applications; Aerocoat 7 Replacement Coatings; Photocatalytic Coatings for Exploration and Spaceport Design; New Materials for the Repair of Polyimide Electrical Wire Insulation; Commodity-Free Calibration; Novel Ice Mitigation Methods; Crack Offset Measurement With the Projected Laser Target Device; New Materials for Structural Composites and Protective Coatings; Fire Chemistry Testing of Spray-On Foam Insulation (SOFI); Using Aerogel-Based Insulation Material To Prevent Foam Loss on the Liquid-Hydrogen Intertank; Particle Ejection and Levitation Technology (PELT); Electrostatic Characterization of Lunar Dust; Numerical Analysis of Rocket Exhaust Cratering; RESOLVE Projects: Lunar Water Resource Demonstration and Regolith Volatile Characterization; Tribocharging Lunar Soil for Electrostatic Beneficiation; Numerically Modeling the Erosion of Lunar Soil by Rocket Exhaust Plumes; Trajectory Model of Lunar Dust Particles; Using Lunar Module Shadows To Scale the Effects of Rocket Exhaust Plumes; Predicting the Acoustic Environment Induced by the Launch of the Ares I Vehicle; Measuring Ultrasonic Acoustic Velocity in a Thin Sheet of Graphite Epoxy Composite; Hail Size Distribution Mapping; Launch Pad 39 Hail Monitor Array System; Autonomous Flight Safety System - Phase III; The Photogrammetry Cube; Bird Vision System; Automating Range Surveillance Through Radio Interferometry and Field Strength Mapping Techniques; Next-Generation Telemetry Workstation; GPS Metric Tracking Unit; and Space-Based Range.

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Contrails Measurement and Testing Capabilities in NASA's Particulate Aerosol Laboratory

The NASA Glenn Research Center Particulate Aerosol Laboratory (PAL) is a ground test facility for studying emissions and contrails at upper atmospheric conditions. The facility consists of a small-scale combustor that generates hot combustion gases and soot nanoparticles, which flow through a transition pipe into a jet nozzle, which exhausts into an altitude chamber. Thermodynamic conditions experienced in flight are matched in the altitude chamber, allowing the study of ice particle formation of simulated aircraft engine exhaust plumes. A non-intrusive optical diagnostic technique based on Mie scattering provides ice particle size, number density, and mass density. A suite of commercial extractive particle measurement instruments provides estimates of soot number density, size, and black carbon mass distributions. Measurements are presented for various fuels at chamber conditions covering an altitude range of 20,000 ft (6 km) to 45,000 ft (14 km) altitude and ambient temperatures from -48°C to -68°C. The data presented demonstrate the effect of soot number density, altitude, and fuel-to-air equivalence ratio on the contrail ice particle formation. Ice mass density measurements are compared to values predicted by a thermodynamic plume similarity solution.

Optical Instrumentation↗

Surface chloride salt formation on Space Shuttle exhaust alumina

Aluminum oxide samples from the exhaust of Space Shuttle launches STS-1, STS-4, STS-5, and STS-6 were collected from surfaces on or around the launch pad complex and chemically analyzed. The results indicate that the particulate solid-propellant rocket motor (SRM) alumina was heavily chlorided. Concentrations of water-soluble aluminum (III) ion were large, suggesting that the surface of the SRM alumina particles was rendered soluble by prior reactions with HCl and H2O in the SRM exhaust cloud. These results suggest that Space Shuttle exhaust alumina particles are good sites for nucleation and condensation of atmospheric water. Laboratory experiments conducted at 220 C suggest that partial surface chloriding of alumina may occur in hot Space Shuttle exhaust plumes.

Cofer, W. R., III↗

The Effect of Altitude Conditions on the Particle Emissions of a J85-GE-5L Turbojet Engine

Particles from a J85-GE-5L turbojet engine were measured over a range of engine speeds at simulated altitude conditions ranging from near sea level to 45,000 ft and at flight Mach numbers of 0.5 and 0.8. Samples were collected from the engine by using a specially designed probe positioned several inches behind the exhaust nozzle. A differential mobility particle sizing system was used to determine particle size. Particle data measured at near sea-level conditions were compared with Navy Aircraft Environmental Support Office (AESO) particle data taken from a GE-J85-4A engine at a sea-level static condition. Particle data from the J85 engine were also compared with particle data from a J85 combustor at three different simulated altitudes.

Rickey, June Elizabeth↗

Electron Mixing and Isotropization in the Exhaust of Asymmetric Magnetic Reconnection With a Guide Field

In this work, we investigate an exhaust crossing of asymmetric guide field reconnection observed by Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission at Earth's dayside magnetopause. One MMS spacecraft (MMS 4) observes multicomponent electron distributions, including two counterstreaming electron beams, while the other three MMS spacecraft, with a separation of ~30 km, record nearly isotropic electron distributions. As counterstreaming electrons are unstable for the electron two-stream instability, our observations suggest that the electrostatic waves generated by the fast-growing electron two-stream instability can contribute to the rapid isotropization of electron distributions in the reconnection exhaust, indicating that wave-particle interactions play an important role in electron dynamics.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Effect of ship-stack effluents on cloud reflectivity

Under stable meteorological conditions the effect of ship-stack exhaust on overlying clouds was detected in daytime satellite images as an enhancement in cloud reflectivity at 3.7 micrometers. The exhaust is a source of cloud-condensation nuclei that increases the number of cloud droplets while reducing droplet size. This reduction in droplet size causes the reflectivity at 3.7 micrometers to be greater than the levels for nearby noncontaminated clouds of similar physical characteristics. The increase in droplet number causes the reflectivity at 0.63 micrometer to be significantly higher for the contaminated clouds despite the likelihood that the exhaust is a source of particles that absorb at visible wavelengths. The effect of aerosols on cloud reflectivity is expected to have a larger influence on the earth's albedo than that due to the direct scattering and absorption of sunlight by the aerosols alone.

Coakley, James A., Jr.↗

Liquid metal walls

Here, the plasma performance of fusion devices depends strongly on the chosen wall materials. Solid plasma-facing components (PFCs) are predominantly used in present devices, and are the most investigated candidates for fusion designs. High-Z materials such as tungsten (W) are the leading solid PFC material candidates. To date, a material choice that scales to steady-state reactor conditions has not been identified. Moreover, if plasma transient events such as edge-localized modes and disruptions cannot be altogether avoided or sufficiently mitigated, the projected peak heat and particle loads far exceed the power exhaust capabilities of solids. Liquid metal (LM) PFCs represent an intrinsic self-healing boundary that are both resilient to surface damage from transients, and that could handle high steady-state heat and particle fluxes. Flowing LM PFCs can be designed to remove “slag,” the buildup of material erosion due to plasma-material interactions, including charge exchange sputtering in the main chamber. Further, LM offer the prospect to manage hydrogenic species otherwise retained in the PFCs, which is important from a safety and inventory standpoint. The two most promising LMs are lithium (Li) and tin (Sn), although Sn–Li eutectics may be considered. While Sn offers a higher temperature window with low vapor pressure and low hydrogen retention, Li offers the prospect of enhanced energy confinement and higher acceptable core contamination limits, and this section focuses on Li PFCs. An LM PFC development research program developed LM PFC concepts for a nuclear fusion device via engineering design calculations, single-effect experiments, and staged prototypical experiments. A self-consistent design window was identified with liquid Li flow speeds ~5–10 m/s; plasma contamination was negligible for predicted Li evolution rates. While these preconceptual designs hold promise, there is substantial R&D needed to advance the technical readiness levels of LM PFCs for application to fusion power plants.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Acid droplet generation in SRM exhaust clouds

A free energy analysis is applied to the co-condensation/evaporation of H2O and HCl vapors on wettable particles in open air in order to model droplet nucleation in solid rocket motor (SRM) exhaust clouds. Formulations are defined for the free energy change, the drop radius, the saturation ratio, the total number of molecules, and the mean molecular radius in solution, as well as the molecular volume and the concentration range. The free energy release in the phase transition for the AL2O3 nuclei in the SRM exhaust is examined as a function of the HCl molefraction and nucleating particle radius, based on Titan III launch exhaust cloud conditions 90 sec after ignition. The most efficient droplet growth is determined to occur at an HCl molefraction of 0.082 and a particle radius of 0.0000013 cm, i.e. a molality of 5.355.

Dingle, A. N.↗