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At least 1,369 records · Page 76

HRMA calibration handbook: EKC gravity compensated XRCF models

This document, consisting of hardcopy printout of explanatory text, figures, and tables, represents one incarnation of the AXAF high resolution mirror assembly (HRMA) Calibration Handbook. However, as we have envisioned it, the handbook also consists of electronic versions of this hardcopy printout (in the form of postscript files), the individual scripts which produced the various figures and the associated input data, the model raytrace files, and all scripts, parameter files, and input data necessary to generate the raytraces. These data are all available electronically as either ASCII or FITS files. The handbook is intended to be a living document and will be updated as new information and/or fabrication data on the HRMA are obtained, or when the need for additional results are indicated. The SAO Mission Support Team (MST) is developing a high fidelity HRMA model, consisting of analytical and numerical calculations, computer software, and databases of fundamental physical constants, laboratory measurements, configuration data, finite element models, AXAF assembly data, and so on. This model serves as the basis for the simulations presented in the handbook. The 'core' of the model is the raytrace package OSAC, which we have substantially modified and now refer to as SAOsac. One major structural modification to the software has been to utilize the UNIX binary pipe data transport mechanism for passing rays between program modules. This change has made it possible to simulate rays which are distributed randomly over the entrance aperture of the telescope. It has also resulted in a highly efficient system for tracing large numbers of rays. In one application to date (the analysis of VETA-I ring focus data) we have employed 2 x 10(exp 7) rays, a substantial improvement over the limit of 1 x 10(exp 4) rays in the original OSAC module. A second major modification is the manner in which SAOsac incorporates low spatial frequency surface errors into the geometric raytrace. The original OSAC included the ability to use Legendre-Fourier polynomials to describe deviations from the basic optical prescription. To this we have added bicubic splines to address a deficiency in the handling of the sharper deformations in the areas of mirror support pads. SAO has developed software (TRANS-FIT) to translate the most common finite element analysis models into these forms for incorporation into the raytrace program.

Tananbaum, H. D.↗

Correspondence between discrete and continuous models of excitable media: trigger waves

We present a theoretical framework for relating continuous partial differential equation (PDE) models of excitable media to discrete cellular automata (CA) models on a randomized lattice. These relations establish a quantitative link between the CA model and the specific physical system under study. We derive expressions for the CA model's plane wave speed, critical curvature, and effective diffusion constant in terms of the model's internal parameters (the interaction radius, excitation threshold, and time step). We then equate these expressions to the corresponding quantities obtained from solution of the PDEs (for a fixed excitability). This yields a set of coupled equations with a unique solution for the required CA parameter values. Here we restrict our analysis to "trigger" wave solutions obtained in the limiting case of a two-dimensional excitable medium with no recovery processes. We tested the correspondence between our CA model and two PDE models (the FitzHugh-Nagumo medium and a medium with a "sawtooth" nonlinear reaction source) and found good agreement with the numerical solutions of the PDEs. Our results suggest that the behavior of trigger waves is actually controlled by a small number of parameters.

Non-NASA Center↗

PacRIM II: A review of AirSAR operations and system performance

In this paper we briefly review the AirSAR system, its expected performance, and quality of data obtained during that mission. We discuss the system hardware calibration methodologies, and present quantitative performance values of radar backscatter and interferometric height errors (random and systematic) from PACRIM II calibration data.

PacRIM II AirSAR radar remote-sensing↗

Orion MPCV Service Module Avionics Ring Pallet Testing, Correlation, and Analysis

The NASA Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) is being designed to replace the Space Shuttle as the main manned spacecraft for the agency. Based on the predicted environments in the Service Module avionics ring, an isolation system was deemed necessary to protect the avionics packages carried by the spacecraft. Impact, sinusoidal, and random vibration testing were conducted on a prototype Orion Service Module avionics pallet in March 2010 at the NASA Glenn Research Center Structural Dynamics Laboratory (SDL). The pallet design utilized wire rope isolators to reduce the vibration levels seen by the avionics packages. The current pallet design utilizes the same wire rope isolators (M6-120-10) that were tested in March 2010. In an effort to save cost and schedule, the Finite Element Models of the prototype pallet tested in March 2010 were correlated. Frequency Response Function (FRF) comparisons, mode shape and frequency were all part of the correlation process. The non-linear behavior and the modeling the wire rope isolators proved to be the most difficult part of the correlation process. The correlated models of the wire rope isolators were taken from the prototype design and integrated into the current design for future frequency response analysis and component environment specification.

Staab, Lucas↗

NASA Engineering and Safety Center Technical Bulletin No. 19-01-1: Mitigating Risks of Single-Event Effects in Space Applications

Since most Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical (EEE) parts are intended for terrestrial applications, they are susceptible to a range of radiation threats in the space environment if the resulting effects are not properly characterized and mitigated. Even specially designed radiation-hardened parts may not be tolerant to all types of radiation effects. Radiation hardness is a multi-dimensional property of any part that describes intrinsic abilities to tolerate various radiation environments [1,2]. Effects to be concerned with include total ionizing dose, total non-ionizing dose, and single-event effects (SEE) – all of which depend on the mission, environment, application, and lifetime. Radiation effects concerns may be the same whether a EEE part is Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS), MIL-SPEC, or some other variant, all of which are susceptible to the same radiation threats [3]. SEE consequences range from recoverable faults to catastrophic failure. Like other random faults, SEE can be mitigated with informed circuit design practices at the device, card, and/or system level.

Single-event effects↗

Throughput Analytics of Data Transfer Infrastructures

To support increasingly distributed scientific and big-data applications, powerful data transfer infrastructures are being built with dedicated networks and software frameworks customized to distributed file systems and data transfer nodes. The data transfer performance of such infrastructures critically depends on the combined choices of file, disk, and host systems as well as network protocols and file transfer software, all of which may vary across sites. The randomness of throughput measurements makes it challenging to assess the impact of these choices on the performance of infrastructure or its parts. We propose regression-based throughput profiles by aggregating measurements from sites of the infrastructure, with RTT as the independent variable. The peak values and convex-concave shape of a profile together determine the overall throughput performance of memory and file transfers, and its variations show the performance differences among the sites. We then present projection and difference operators, and coefficients of throughput profiles to characterize the performance of infrastructure and its parts, including sites and file transfer tools. In particular, the utilization-concavity coefficient provides a value in the range [0, 1] that reflects overall transfer effectiveness. We present results of measurements collected using (i) testbed experiments over dedicated 0–366 ms 10 Gbps connections with combinations of TCP versions, file systems, host systems and transfer tools, and (ii) Globus GridFTP transfers over production infrastructure with varying site configurations.

Rao, Nageswara S.↗

multiplex gas chromatography: A novel analytical technique for future planetary studies

Determination of molecular species comprised of the biogenic elements in the atmospheres of planets and moons of the solar system is one the foremost requirements of the exobiologist studying chemical evolution and the origin of life. Multiplex chromatography is a technique where many samples are pseudo-randomly introduced to the chromatograph without regard to elution of preceding components. The resulting data are then reduced using mathematical techniques such as cross correlation or Fourier Transforms. To demonstrate the utility of this technique for future solar system exploration, chemical modulators were developed. Several advantages were realized from this technique in combination with these modulators: improvement in detection limits of several orders of magnitude, improvement in the analysis of complex mixtures by selectively modulating some of the components present in the sample, increase in the number of analyses that can be conducted in a given period of time, and reduction in the amount of expendables needed to run an analysis. In order to apply this technique in a real application, methane in ambient air was monitored continuously over a period of one week. By using ambient air as its own carrier all expendables beyond power were eliminated.

Valentin, J. R.↗

A simple data-driven level finding method of many-electron atoms and heavy nuclei based on statistical outlier detection

Here, we report a simple and pure data-driven method to find new energy levels of quantum many-body systems only from observed line wavelengths. In our method, all the possible combinations are computed from known energy levels and wavelengths of unidentified lines. As each excited state exhibits many transition lines to different lower levels, the true levels should be reconstructed coincidentally from many level-line combinations, while the wrong combinations distribute randomly. Such a coincidence can be easily detected statistically. We demonstrate this statistical method by finding new levels for various atomic and nuclear systems from unidentified line lists available online.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Floquet Prethermalization with Lifetime Exceeding 90 s in a Bulk Hyperpolarized Solid

Here, we report the observation of long-lived Floquet prethermal states in a bulk solid composed of dipolar-coupled 13 C nuclei in diamond at room temperature. For precessing nuclear spins prepared in an initial transverse state, we demonstrate pulsed spin-lock Floquet control that prevents their decay over multiple-minute-long periods. We observe Floquet prethermal lifetimes $T^{'}_{2}$≈90.9 s, extended >60 000-fold over the nuclear free induction decay times. The spins themselves are continuously interrogated for ~10 min, corresponding to the application of ≈5.8×10 6 control pulses. The 13 C nuclei are optically hyperpolarized by lattice nitrogen vacancy centers; the combination of hyperpolarization and continuous spin readout yields significant signal-to-noise ratio in the measurements. This allows probing the Floquet thermalization dynamics with unprecedented clarity. We identify four characteristic regimes of the thermalization process, discerning short-time transient processes leading to the prethermal plateau and long-time system heating toward infinite temperature. This Letter points to new opportunities possible via Floquet control in networks of dilute, randomly distributed, low-sensitivity nuclei. In particular, the combination of minutes-long prethermal lifetimes and continuous spin interrogation opens avenues for quantum sensors constructed from hyperpolarized Floquet prethermal nuclei.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Evaluating the Impact of Managed EV Charging for Reliable Operation of Bulk Power Systems with High Non-Dispatchable Generation

The growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and variable-generation (VG) sources introduces new challenges for power-system operations. This study introduces a modeling framework and evaluates five EV charging strategies under projected 2040 grid conditions in the Evergy service territory with high non-dispatchable generation. Using realistic EV behavior and generation models, their impacts on system peak demand, ramp rate, and reserve capacity are evaluated. Results show that only the peak-avoidance strategy effectively reduces system peak demand, while decentralized strategies-particularly cost based dynamic charging-can exacerbate peaks due to synchronized user behavior. However, ramp-rate minimization strategy significantly reduce the stress on dispatchable generation achieving the lowest maximum absolute ramp rate (MARR) (56.81 MW) and lowest reserve requirement (2.39 GW). In contrast, unmanaged and TOU random strategies increase the stress on dispatchable generation sources with increased MARR and reserve requirements. These findings highlight the importance of coordinated, system-aware managed charging strategies to ensure reliable and affordable grid operation in the presence of EVs and VG sources.

14 - SOLAR ENERGY↗

Friction Factor Characterization for High-Porosity Random Fiber Regenerators

NASA Glenn Research Center, the Department of Energy (DOE), and Stirling Technology Company (STC) of Kennewick, Washington are developing a Stirling convertor for a high-efficiency Stirling Radioisotope Power System to provide electric power for NASA Space Science Missions. STC is developing the 55-We Technology Demonstration Convertor (TDC) under contract to DOE. Steady-flow tests were completed to determine the friction factor for the high-porosity regenerators that are used in the TDC. STC fabricated a flow test fixture and three random fiber regenerator test samples, one each at approximately 80, 88, and 96 percent porosities. The flow tests were then completed by the NASA Glenn Flow Calibration Laboratory, and the data reduced to Reynolds number and friction factor. The results showed that the 80 and 88 percent porosity samples had similar characteristics while the 96 percent porosity sample had significantly higher friction factors for given Reynolds numbers compared to the samples with lower porosities. Comparisons were also made between the test data and existing correlations. STC used this data to derive a modified regenerator friction factor correlation for use in the Stirling design code GLIMPS for porosities greater than 88 percent. Using this new correlation, the final optimized regenerator design porosity was reduced from 96 to 90 percent.

Thieme, Lanny G.↗

Toward a Dynamically Reconfigurable Computing and Communication System for Small Spacecraft

Future science missions will require the use of multiple spacecraft with multiple sensor nodes autonomously responding and adapting to a dynamically changing space environment. The acquisition of random scientific events will require rapidly changing network topologies, distributed processing power, and a dynamic resource management strategy. Optimum utilization and configuration of spacecraft communications and navigation resources will be critical in meeting the demand of these stringent mission requirements. There are two important trends to follow with respect to NASA's (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) future scientific missions: the use of multiple satellite systems and the development of an integrated space communications network. Reconfigurable computing and communication systems may enable versatile adaptation of a spacecraft system's resources by dynamic allocation of the processor hardware to perform new operations or to maintain functionality due to malfunctions or hardware faults. Advancements in FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) technology make it possible to incorporate major communication and network functionalities in FPGA chips and provide the basis for a dynamically reconfigurable communication system. Advantages of higher computation speeds and accuracy are envisioned with tremendous hardware flexibility to ensure maximum survivability of future science mission spacecraft. This paper discusses the requirements, enabling technologies, and challenges associated with dynamically reconfigurable space communications systems.

Kifle, Muli↗

ML-Based Power System Stability Assessment Considering Network Topology Changes: WECC 20,000+ Bus System Case Study

Modern power grids are fast-changing and thus require real-time monitoring and online stability assessment. With the rapid development of machine learning (ML) techniques, using data-driven models to provide fast and accurate estimations of power system stability marginal information, such as frequency nadir for frequency stability and critical clearing time (CCT) for transient stability, have become possible. However, despite the numerous research on ML-based methods for frequency nadir and CCT prediction, there is limited work on the impact of different network topology changes. Furthermore, most previous studies only focused on small or synthetic systems, and there is a lack of research on actual large power system models. In this paper, the above issues are addressed by studying the actual U.S. Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) system model with more than 20,000 buses. Massive simulations are conducted in PowerWorld Simulator to study the impact of various topology change scenarios on both frequency stability and transient stability. System operating information is extracted from the success dispatch cases of various network topologies to generate a comprehensive dataset for ML-based models. Two ML methods, random forest (RF) and multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network, are trained and tested for both frequency nadir prediction and CCT prediction. Test results have proven the models are capable of online stability assessment for large power networks such as the WECC system with sufficient accuracy.

critical clearing time↗

A bi-fidelity method for the multiscale Boltzmann equation with random parameters

In this paper, we study the multiscale Boltzmann equation with multi-dimensional random parameters by a bi-fidelity stochastic collocation (SC) method developed in [52], [70], [71]. By choosing the compressible Euler system as the low-fidelity model, we adapt the bi-fidelity SC method to combine computational efficiency of the low-fidelity model with high accuracy of the high-fidelity (Boltzmann) model. With only a small number of high-fidelity asymptotic-preserving solver runs for the Boltzmann equation, the bi-fidelity approximation can capture well the macroscopic quantities of the solution to the Boltzmann equation in the random space. Additionally, a priori estimate on the accuracy between the high- and bi-fidelity solutions together with a convergence analysis is established. Finally, we present extensive numerical experiments to verify the efficiency and accuracy of our proposed method.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

STS-1 operational flight profile. Volume 5: Descent cycle 3. Appendix D: GRTLS six degree of freedom Monte Carlo dispersion analysis

The results of a six degree of freedom (6-DOF) nonlinear Monte Carlo dispersion analysis for the latest glide return to landing site (GRTLS) abort trajectory for the Space Transportation System 1 Flight are presented. For this GRTLS, the number two main engine fails at 262.5 seconds ground elapsed time. Fifty randomly selected simulations, initialized at external tank separation, are analyzed. The initial covariance matrix is a 20 x 20 matrix and includes navigation errors and dispersions in position and velocity, time, accelerometer bias, and inertial platform misalinements. In all 50 samples, speedbrake, rudder, elevon, and body flap hinge moments are acceptable. Transitions to autoland begin before 9,000 feet and there are no tailscrapes. Navigation derived dynamic pressure accuracies exceed the flight control system constraints above Mach 2.5. Three out of 50 landings exceeded tire specification limit speed of 222 knots. Pilot manual landings are expected to reduce landing speed by landing farther downrange.

Montez, M. N.↗

Theoretical Analysis of the EPR Spectrum Saturation Effect with Account for Spectral Diffusion in a System with a Gaussian Distribution of Spin Resonance Frequencies

We have analyzed the effect of saturation of the EPR spectrum for the model situation when a set of resonance frequencies of spin packets is described by a Gaussian distribution and spectral diffusion, which is a random process without correlation, exists. We have obtained the form of the spectrum for arbitrary values of magnetic–resonant parameters: relaxation times for the longitudinal and transverse components of the magnetization vector of the system, the spectral diffusion rate, the dispersion of the Gaussian distribution of resonance frequency, and the magnetic induction of the microwave field. We have derived an analytic expression for the saturation curve of the EPR spectrum. Detailed analysis of the dependence of the spectrum saturation curve on the spin system parameters is performed for the optimal case when the microwave field frequency coincides with the average frequency of the Gaussian distribution for resonance frequencies. The value of the microwave field induction at which the peak of the saturation curve is attained has been determined for arbitrary values of the paramagnetic relaxation time, spectral diffusion rate, and dispersion of the Gaussian spin frequency distribution. We have formulated the algorithm for determining the spin–lattice relaxation time using the experimentally determined microwave field induction for which the saturation curve passes through the peak. It should be noted that numerical calculations have been performed for parameters typical of EPR spectroscopy. The general analytic expression derived for the shape of the spectrum in the saturation conditions and qualitative conclusions concerning the effect of spectral diffusion on the saturation of stationary spectra obtained in this study can also be used in other fields of spectroscopy.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Vibration Testing of Stirling Power Convertors

The NASA John H. Glenn Research Center (GRC) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are currently developing a high efficient, long life, free piston Stirling convertor for use as an advanced spacecraft power system for future NASA missions. As part of this development, a Stirling Technology Demonstrator Convertor (TDC), developed by Stirling Technology Company (STC) for DOE, was vibration tested at GRC s Structural Dynamics Laboratory (SDU7735) in November- December 1999. This testing demonstrated that the Stirling TDC is able to withstand the harsh random vibration (20 to 2000 Hertz) seen during a typical spacecraft launch and survive with no structural damage or functional power performance degradation, thereby enabling its usage in future spacecraft power systems. The Stirling Vibration Test Team at NASA GRC and STC personnel conducted tests on a single 55 electric watt TDC. The purpose was to characterize the TDC s structural response to vibration and determine if the TDC could survive the vibration criteria established by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for launch environments. The TDC was operated at full-stroke and full power conditions during the vibration testing. The TDC was tested in two orientations, with the direction of vibration parallel and perpendicular to the TDC s moving components (displacer and piston). The TDC successfully passed a series of sine and random vibration tests. The most severe test was a 12.3 Grms random vibration test (peak vibration level of 0.2 g2/Hz from 50 to 250 Hertz) with test durations of 3 minutes per axis. The random vibration test levels were chosen to simulate, with margin, the maximum anticipated launch vibration conditions. As a result of this very successful vibration testing and successful evaluations in other key technical readiness areas, the Stirling power system is now considered a viable technology for future application for NASA spacecraft missions. Possible usage of the Stirling power system would be to supply on- board electric spacecraft power for future NASA Deep-Space Missions, performing as an attractive alternative to Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTG). Usage of the Stirling technology is also being considered as the electric power source for future Mars rovers, whose mission profiles may exclude the use of photovoltaic power systems (such as exploring at high Martian latitudes or for missions of lengthy durations). GRC s Thermo-Mechanical Systems Branch (5490) provides Stirling technology expertise under a Space Act Agreement with the DOE. Additional vibration testing, by GRC s Structural Systems Dynamics Branch (7733, is planned to continue to demonstrate the Stirling power system s vibration capability as its technology and flight system designs progress.

Hughes, Bill↗

Structure and Thermodynamics of Hybrid Organic–Inorganic Diblock Copolymers with Salt

© 2019 American Chemical Society. We examine the phase behavior of a hybrid organic-inorganic diblock copolymer/salt mixtures. The experimental system comprises poly(ethylene oxide)-block-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (PEO-POSS) mixed with a lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI) salt. Although the diblock copolymers without salt exhibit a classical order-to-disorder transition behavior with increasing temperature, the PEO-POSS/salt mixtures exhibit disorder-to-order transitions with increasing temperature. The analysis of a small-angle X-ray scattering data from the disordered state using Leibler's random phase approximation enables the determination of an effective Flory-Huggins interaction parameter, χ eff , for the electrolytes. Unlike conventional systems, χ eff increases with increasing temperature. A simple expression is proposed to describe the dependence of χ eff on temperature and salt concentration. This enables the calculation of the segregation strength, χ eff N, for both ordered and disordered electrolytes. The composition of the electrolytes is quantified by f EO/LiTFSI , the volume fraction of the salt-containing poly(ethylene oxide)-rich phase. The morphology of electrolytes is presented on a χ eff N versus f EO/LiTFSI phase diagram. Finally, over the values of f EO/LiTFSI studied (0.61-0.91), only two ordered phases were found: lamellae and co-existing lamellae/hexagonally packed cylinders.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗