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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

Small orbital transfer vehicle for shuttle operations

Small orbital transfer vehicles to place payloads in orbits with altitudes above those of the standard Shuttle operation are studied. Low energy earth orbits below those of the planned spinning solid upper stages are addressed. Tandem and clustered solids are considered along with controlled solids, monopropellant and bipropellant liquids, and staged solid/liquid combinations. The performance, airborne support equipment, and program costs for the selected candidate concepts are presented. The results show that the most economical way to deliver the low energy payloads is with a modular liquid bipropellant stage system for the large majority of the payloads. The remainder of the payloads would use the Shuttle with integral OMS and Scout from WTR for a few specialized payloads until the Shuttle is operational at WTR.

Sibila, A. I.↗

Parity propensities in rotational energy transfer of OH X 2Pi(i) with helium

Preliminary results of rotational energy transfer in ground state OH in collisions in He are reported. A surprising propensity is found: conservation of total parity is favored in collisions which change in spin-orbit component, the reversible reaction 2Pi3/2 yields 2Pi1/2. This has implications concerning the OH-He potential surface.

Wysong, Ingrid J.↗

Ferrule and use thereof for cooling a melt spun hollow glass fiber as it emerges from a spinnerette

An improvement in the process of melt spinning thin walled, hollow fibers from relatively low melting glasses results if cooling of the emerging fiber is accomplished by use of a thin layer of gas to transfer heat from the fiber to a ferrule which fits closely to the spinnerette face and the individual fiber. The ferrule incorporates or is in contact with a heat sink and is slotted or segmented so that it may be brought into position around the moving fiber. Thinner walled, more uniform fibers may be spun when this method of cooling is employed.

Brown, William E.↗

NICER Discovery of Millisecond X-Ray Pulsations and an Ultracompact Orbit in IGR J17494-3030

We report the detection of 376.05 Hz (2.66 ms) coherent X-ray pulsations in NICER observations of a transient outburst of the low-mass X-ray binary IGR J17494−3030 in 2020 October/November. The system is an accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar in a 75-minute ultracompact binary. The mass donor is most likely a ≃0.02 Mꙩ finite-entropy white dwarf composed of He or C/O. The fractional rms pulsed amplitude is 7.4%, and the soft (1–3 keV) X-ray pulse profile contains a significant second harmonic. The pulsed amplitude and pulse phase lag (relative to our mean timing model) are energy dependent, each having a local maximum at 4 and 1.5 keV, respectively. We also recovered the X-ray pulsations in archival 2012 XMM-Newton observations, allowing us to measure a long-term pulsar spin-down rate of ύ= -2.1(7) x (10)^(-14) Hz/s and to infer a pulsar surface dipole magnetic field strength of ≃10^(9)G. We show that the mass transfer in the binary is likely nonconservative, and we discuss various scenarios for mass loss from the system.

Mason Ng↗

Torque Reversal and Spin-Down of the Accretion-Powered Pulsar 4U 1626-67

Over 5 yr of hard X-ray (20-60 keV) monitoring of the 7.66 s accretion-powered pulsar 4U 1626-67 with the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory/BATSE large-area detectors has revealed that the neutron star is now steadily spinning down, in marked contrast to the steady spin-up and spin-down torques differ by only 15% with the neutron star spin changing on a timescale |v/v| approximately equals 5000 yr in both states. The current spin-down rate is itself decreasing on a timescale |v/v| approximately equals 26 yr. The long-term timing history shows small-amplitude variations on a 4000 day timescale, which are probably due to variations in the mass transfer rate. The pulsed 20-60 keV emission from 4U 1626-67 is well-fitted by a power-law spectrum with photon index gamma = 4.9 and a typical pulsed intensity of 1.5 x 10(exp -10) ergs cm (exp -2)s(exp -1). The low count rates with BATSE prohibited us from constraining the reported 42 minute binary orbit, but we can rule out long-period orbits in the range 2 days < or = P(orb) < or = 900 days. We compare the long-term torque behavior of 4U 1626-67 to other disk-fed accreting pulsars and discuss the implications of our results for the various theories of magnetic accretion torques. The abrupt change in the sign of the torque is difficult to reconcile with the extremely smooth spin-down now observed. The strength of the torque noise in 4U 1626-67, approximately 10(exp -22) Hz(exp 2)s(exp -2) Hz(exp -1), is the smallest ever measured for an accreting X-ray pulsar, and it is comparable to the timing noise seen in young radio pulsars. We close by pointing out that the core temperature and external torque (the two parameters potentially relevant to internal sources of timing noise) of an accreting neutron star are also comparable to those of young radio pulsars.

Chakrabarty, Deepto L.↗

Two lunar global asymmetries

The Moon's center of mass is displaced from its center of figure about 2 km in a roughly earthward direction. Most maria are on the side of the Moon which faces the Earth. It is assumed that the Moon was initially spherically symmetric. The emplacement of mare basalts transfers mass which produces most of the observed center of mass displacement toward the Earth. The cause of the asymmetric distribution of lunar maria was examined. The Moon is in a spin orbit coupled relationship with the Earth and the effect of the Earth's gravity on the Moon is asymmetric. The earth-facing side of the Moon is a gravitational favored location for the extrusion of mare basalt magma in the same way that the topographically lower floor of a large impact basin is a gravitationally favored location. This asymmetric effect increases inversely with the fourth power of the Earth Moon distance. The history of the Earth-Moon system includes: formation of the Moon by accretion processes in a heliocentric orbit ner that of the Earth; a gravitational encounter with the Earth about 4 billion years ago resulting in capture of the Moon into a geocentric orbit and heating of the Moon through dissipation of energy related to tides raised during close approaches to the Earth(5) to produce mare basalt magma; and evolution of the Moon's orbit to its present position, slowly at first to accommodate more than 500 million years during which magmas were extruded.

Hartung, J. B.↗

Identification and properties of molecular systems of potential use in solar-pumped lasers

The concepts and computational tools of theortical chemistry are used to investigate molecular properties needed in direct solar-pumped lasers. Compounds of the type RR'CXY, with R and R' organic groups, and X and Y halide atoms were identified as likely candidates because of their highly enhanced absorption coefficients over compounds with a single halide atom. The use of a combination of vibrational excitation followed by electronic excitation to enhance quantum yields at certain wavelengths is indicated. A self-consistent eikonal approximation to state-to-state transitions was tested for CH3I and is useful for other problems involving electronic energy and charge transfer. An approach to calculate potential energy surfaces and transition dipoles was developed which is based on the generation of eigenstates of the nonrelativisitc Hamiltonian followed by incorporation of the spin-orbit coupling by configuration interaction.

Micha, D. A.↗

Unlocking the Commercial Value of NASA Technology Investments

Success in executing NASA's ambitious aerospace missions requires solutions to difficult technical challenges that build on proven capabilities, as well as development of new capabilities. Early and continuous investments in aeronautics over 76 years in Cleveland at NASA Glenn have led to Ohio being the number one supplier to both Boeing and Airbus. New technologies that NASA Glenn is working on, the Center's efforts to engage US industry in the global space exploration efforts, and ways GRC is leading spin-offs of NASA IP are enabling new industries from clean water technologies to biomedical applications.

Innovation↗

Investigation of technical problems related to retrieval of uncooperative orbiting objects

Preliminary work on high altitude deployment of payloads was carried out. The problem of optimal transfer of the retrieval package from space shuttle to target was studied. The problem was characterized as a nonlinear boundary value problem with a terminal constraint on approach direction. Methods of identifying spin axis and direction are considered.

Kaplan, M. H.↗

Effect of radiation forces on disk accretion by weakly magnetic neutron stars

Radiation forces are shown to be more important than general relativistic corrections to Newtonian gravitational forces in determining the motion of particles accreting onto a slowly rotating neutron star if the luminosity of the star is greater than about 1 percent of the Eddington critical luminosity (ECL). This is so even if the radius of the star is less than the radius of the innermost stable orbit. In particular, radiation drag causes matter accreting from a disk to lose angular momentum and spiral inward. At luminosities greater than about 0.2 ECL, a substantial fraction of the accreting matter can transfer most of its angular momentum and gravitational binding energy to the radiation field before reaching the stellar surface. These results have important implications for the X-ray spectra, time variability, and spin evolution of neutron stars with very weak magnetic fields and the prospects for detecting general relativistic effects near such stars.

Miller, M. C.↗

On the origin and persistence of long-period pulsating X-ray sources

Mounting observational evidence and theoretical results suggest that most pulsing X-ray sources, including those with massive companions, are disk fed when significant mass transfer is taking place. Regardless of whether or not substantial braking has occurred before the onset of disk accretion, once it begins the resulting strong braking torque on fast rotators is sufficient to spin-down a neutron star from an initial period approx. 1 sec to a period approx. greater than 100 sec in a time short compared to the main-sequence lifetime of a massive companion and even, in many cases, in a time short compared to the star's lifetime as a bright X-ray source. It is argued that sources with longer periods have larger magnetic moments, or lower mean luminosities, or both, whereas sources with shorter periods have smaller magnetic moments, or higher mean luminosities, or both.

Elsner, R. F.↗

Satellite measurement of aerosol mass over land

The estimation of aerosol optical thickness and mass from satellite observations over land is demonstrated using data from the GOES Visible/IR Spin-Scan Radiometer for the eastern U.S. The post-launch calibration technique is described; the algorithm used to derive optical thickness from the radiance of scattered sunlight (by means of a radiative-transfer model in which the optical characteristics of the aerosol are assumed) is presented; and data on aerosol S for July 31, 1980 are analyzed. The results are presented in a series of graphs and maps and compared with ground-based data. The errors in the optical thickness and columnar mass are estimated as 15 and 40 percent, respectively, and the need for independent-data-set validation of satellite-based mass, transport, and divergence values is indicated.

Fraser, R. S.↗

Angular momentum transfer in low velocity oblique impacts - Implications for asteroids

An experimental study has been conducted for the low-velocity oblique impact efficiency of angular momentum transfer, which is defined as that fraction of incident angular momentum that is transferred to the rotation of a target. The results obtained suggest that more energetic impacts are able to transfer angular momentum more efficiently. In the cases of ricochetted projectiles, the fraction of angular momentum carried off by the ejecta was noted to be less than 30 percent. It is suggested that, if asteroid spin rates are due to mutual noncatastrophic collisions and the taxonomic classes are indicative of bulk properties, the differences between corresponding spin rates will be smaller than expected from a consideration of relative strength and density alone.

Yanagisawa, Masahisa↗

Variable Speed CMG Control of a Dual-Spin Stabilized Unconventional VTOL Air Vehicle

This paper describes an approach based on using both bias momentum and multiple control moment gyros for controlling the attitude of statically unstable thrust-levitated vehicles in hover or slow translation. The stabilization approach described in this paper uses these internal angular momentum transfer devices for stability, augmented by thrust vectoring for trim and other outer loop control functions, including CMG stabilization/ desaturation under persistent external disturbances. Simulation results show the feasibility of (1) improved vehicle performance beyond bias momentum assisted vector thrusting control, and (2) using control moment gyros to significantly reduce the external torque required from the vector thrusting machinery.

Lim, Kyong B.↗

Spin State and Moment of Inertia of Venus

Fundamental properties of the planet Venus, such as its internal mass dis-tribution and variations in length of day, have remained unknown. We usedEarth-based observations of radar speckles tied to the rotation of Venus ob-tained in 2006–2020 to measure its spin axis orientation, spin precession rate,moment of inertia, and length-of-day variations. Venus is tilted by 2.6392±0.0008 degrees (1σ) with respect to its orbital plane. The spin axis precessesat a rate of 44.58±3.3 arcseconds per year (1σ), which gives a normalized mo-ment of inertia of 0.337±0.024 and yields a rough estimate of the size of thecore. The average sidereal day on Venus in the 2006–2020 interval is 243.0226±0.0013 Earth days (1σ). The spin period of the solid planet exhibits variationsof 61 ppm (∼20 minutes) with a possible diurnal or semidiurnal forcing. Thelength-of-day variations imply that changes in atmospheric angular momentumof at least∼4% are transferred to the solid planet.

Jean-Luc Margot↗

The potential for bulk undercooling as an industrial process

The main focus is on solidification occurring in highly supercooled melts. Solidification rates in such melts are extremely high, an attractive feature from a commercial standpoint. Thus, the reported growth velocities for pure Ni and Co dendrites at a supercooling of 175 K are in excess of 180 km/hr. Rapidly quenched crystalline alloys produced by various atomization processes (e.g., centrifugal atomization or inert gas atomization) or melt spinning are examples of solidification processes, currently being intensively explored commercially, wherein extremely high solidification rates are achieved. Estimated dendrite tip growth rates are about 2 km/hr in a binary Al-4.5 wt % alloy, with a heat transfer coefficient of 6.4x10 sub 5 w/sq cm K or 15 cal/cu cm sK. In the limit, when the solidification rate exceeds a critical value, a glassy microstructure is obtained even in highly alloyed melts, which under normal conditions would solidity to form one or more crystalline phases. Glassy metals, also called metallic glasses, are candidate materials for distribution transformers because of their very low energy losses and are also being used in brazing and soldering applications.

Laxmanan, V.↗

Studies of magnetostriction and spin polarized band structures of rare earth intermetallics

Anisotropic magnetostriction measurements of R6Fe23, R = (Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er) were carried out from 77 K to room temperature. Magnetic fields up to 2.1 Tesla were applied. All the compounds exhibited large magnetostrictions at 77 K, the largest effect being obtained for Tb6Fe23. Saturation magnetostriction values for the compounds were also determined for 77 K and room temperature. Results of the temperature dependence of magnetostriction for Er6Fe23 are in good agreement with Callen and Callen's single ion theory. Therefore, the main sources of magnetostriction in this compound is the Er ion. The spin-up and spin-down electronic energy bands, the density of states and the magnetic moments of YCo5, SmCo5, and GdCo5 were calculated by the spin polarized augmented plane wave technique. The calculations obtained show the origin of the moment, provide good estimates of its magnitude and variation, and the reasons for those variations. They also show the important role of partial charge transfer and of d-d electronic coupling. Calculations for LaNi5 and GdNi5 systems are discussed.

Wallace, W. E.↗

Pulse-Timing Studies of X Ray Pulsars

The pulse-timing projects supported by NASA Grant NAG8-695 were motivated in large part by our long-standing interest in the physics of rotating neutron stars and particularly the variations in rotation due to internal and external fluctuating torques. For accretion-powered pulsars, observed as compact galactic X-ray sources, our work has been motivated by questions regarding the physics of matter accretion, mass transfer, and mass loss in these X-ray binary systems. For rotation-powered pulsars using X-ray, optical, and radio observations, we have examined the internal structure of neutron stars and mechanisms for secular spin-down. These issues are still central to the continuing process of understanding the complex behavior of these fascinating systems. The work supported by this grant is based mainly on Ginga observations of three pulsating X-ray sources. We observed two of these sources (Her X-1 and SMC X-1) within the framework of a NASA-ISAS program for U.S.-Japan collaborations to obtain and analyze Ginga observations. In addition, we joined with members of the Ginga team to apply our pulse-timing methods to PSR 0540-69 data obtained as a collateral benefit of the regular monitoring by Ginga of SN 1987A. In addition to these Ginga observations, there exist other relevant data on all three of these sources. The direction of our investigations has been affected by the necessity of including these supporting data in our analyses, and setting up the necessary collaborations has sometimes entailed extra work that was not anticipated in our proposals. Indeed, we have often taken the initiative in establishing these joint projects.

Deeter, John E.↗