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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 145 records · Page 8

Solar Variability and the Near-Earth Environment: Mining Enhanced Low Dose Rate Sensitivity Data From the Microelectronics and Photonics Test Bed Space Experiment

This effort is a detailed analysis of existing microelectronics and photonics test bed satellite data from one experiment, the bipolar test board, looking to improve our understanding of the enhanced low dose rate sensitivity (ELDRS) phenomenon. Over the past several years, extensive total dose irradiations of bipolar devices have demonstrated that many of these devices exhibited ELDRS. In sensitive bipolar transistors, ELDRS produced enhanced degradation of base current, resulting in enhanced gain degradation at dose rates <0.1 rd(Si)/s compared to similar transistors irradiated at dose rates >1 rd(Si)/s. This Technical Publication provides updated information about the test devices, the in-flight experiment, and both flight-and ground-based observations. Flight data are presented for the past 5 yr of the mission. These data are compared to ground-based data taken on devices from the same date code lots. Information about temperature fluctuations, power shutdowns, and other variables encountered during the space flight are documented.

Turflinger, T.↗

Seeds in space experiment

Two million seeds of 120 different varieties representing 106 species, 97 genera, and 55 plant families were flown aboard the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). The seeds were housed in one sealed canister and in two small vented canisters. After being returned to earth, the seeds were germinated and the germination rates and development of the resulting plants were compared to the performance of the control seeds that stayed in the Park Seed's seed storage facility. There was a better survival rate in the sealed canister in space than at the storage facility at Park Seed. At least some of the seeds in each of the vented canisters survived the exposure to vacuum for almost six years. The number of observed apparent mutations was very low.

Jim A Alston↗

Test and space experience with protoflight spacecraft

Data are presented on environmental testing of protoflight spacecraft, which are defined as spacecraft designed in advance to serve as both a prototype and a flight model. Protoflight spacecraft discussed include DME-A, IMP-F, RAE-A, ISIS-A, TIROS-M, SAS-A, IMP-I, ISIS-B, SSS, ERTS-A, IMP-H, SAS-B, RAE-B, IMP-J, AE-C, and SMS-A. Comparative data on conventional and protoflight test programs are given together with results of the in-test performance of the 16 protoflight craft and a comparison of the space performance of 53 conventional flight spacecraft and the 16 protoflight ones. It is concluded that: (1) based on system-level test results, some additional risk of space failures appears to exist when a protoflight spacecraft is launched instead of a flight craft; (2) the space performance of all protoflight craft to date has been satisfactory, with failure rates slightly less than those for conventional flight craft; and (3) the results of the present study support the continued use of the protoflight concept.

Timmins, A. R.↗

Limitations on vibration isolation for microgravity space experiments

The vibration-isolation limitations of spaceborne microgravity experiments are largely due to isolation-system volume restrictions. In the present one-degree-of-freedom representation of an experimental aircraft, assuming an ideal vibration actuator, wall motion is characterized as sinusoidal at a single frequency. The result is a kinematic representation which poses the problem of the minimum acceleration trajectory within a pair of moving walls; analysis then yields a simple condition under which a closed-form solution is available. The results obtained demonstrate that isolation from low-frequency vibration requires more interior space than is available for vibration isolation on manned orbiters.

Knospe, C.↗

Arabidopsis seed production limited by CO2 in simulated space experiments

Several generations of Arabidopsis thaliana were grown axenically from seed to seed on nutrient agar medium. The Arabidopsis plants produce seeds within 30 days after seeding, when grown either in containers open to the ambient atmosphere or in large sealed jars, but not in sealed test tubes. Moreover, the plant height was directly proportional to the size of the sealed container. Periodic analyses of the CO2 levels in the sealed containers has shown a decrease during the first week, but a tenfold increase in the following weeks. It is speculated that, by the end of the second week, the cotyledons entering the senescence stage would release ethylene into the culture atmosphere with a concomitant release of CO2, which in turn would induce further release of ethylene, hastening the senescence process in other tissues. Thus, in a controlled ecological life-support system of a space station, various components of the plant atmosphere may have to be maintained within the prescribed limits.

Hoshizaki, T.↗

Research study on materials processing in space experiment number M512

Adhesion of the melted metals to the adjacent solid metals, and cohesion of the liquid metal to itself appeared to be equally as strong in zero gravity as on earth. Similar cut edge bead periodicity in cut thin plate, and similar periodic chevron patterns in full penetration welds were seen. The most significant practical result is that the design of braze joints for near zero gravity can be very tolerant of dimensional gaps in the joint. This conclusion is based on a comparison of narrow, wide and variable gap widths. Brazing is very practical as a joining or repairing technique for metal structures at zero gravity. The operation of the hardware developed to locate successive small (0.6 cm) diameter cylinders in the focus of the battery powered EB unit, melt the various metal specimens and deploy some liquid metal drops to drift in space, was generally successful. However, the sphericity and surface roughness were far from those of ball bearings.

Tobin, J. M.↗

Space experiment thermal design

Thermal analysis and temperature control for spacecraft components and subsystems and thermal insulation procedures

Schach, M.↗

New astronomy space experiments with television scanning.

Application of data from the Celescope Catalog of Ultraviolet Observations to various problems of stellar and interstellar astrophysics. These include refinements in the incorporation of line blanketing in theoretical stellar-atmosphere models, variations in the law of interstellar extinction from one region of the sky to another, and selection and identification of various types of peculiar stars for further investigation. In addition, the data were analyzed to determine the photometric and astrometric accuracy of the Celescope equipment.

Davis, R. J.↗

Research study of materials processing in space Experiment M512

Ground based studies of two proposed experiments which were to be conducted aboard the Skylab Laboratory are reported; metals melting experiment, and sphere forming experiment. These studies were conducted with the objectives of clarifying the effects of gravity and optimizing the experiments within the constraints of existing hardware. All process phenomena were considered, with particular attention given to adhesion-cohesion studies with emphasis on the fluid dynamics of the molten metal. Detailed thermal histories were generated for three-dimensional specimen geometry including radiation, conduction and vaporization losses with allowances for variable properties. In addition quantitative techniques were used to establish the gravitational level (magnitude and direction) for KC-135 aircraft flights and the actual Skylab mission for both experiments.

Brashears, M. R.↗

Research study on materials processing in space, experiment M512

Gallium arsenide, a commercially valuable semiconductor, has been prepared from the melt (M.P. 1237C), by vapor growth, and by growth from metallic solutions. It has been established that growth from metallic solution can produce material with high, and perhaps with the highest possible, chemical homogeneity and crystalline perfection. Growth of GaAs from metallic solution can be performed at relatively low temperatures (about 600C) and is relatively insensitive to temperature fluctuations. However, this type of crystal growth is subject to the decided disadvantage that density induced convection currents may produce variations in rates of growth at a growing surface. This problem would be minimized under reduced gravity conditions.

Rubenstein, M.↗

Research study on materials processing in space experiment number M512

Conclusions of the team of specialists can be generalized as: (1) Brazing and welding of metal structures in an orbital near zero gravity condition are quite feasible. (2) Design of joints for fabrication in zero gravity will place less emphasis on the tolerances and proximity of the adjacent structures than on the quantity of liquid metal available. (3) Brazing of metallic joints has many advantages over electron beam welding for practical reasons: simplicity, launch weight, development costs, joint design tolerances, remotization, etc. (4) No evidence of different physical or mechanical properties of liquid metals in zero gravity was observed. However, many differences in liquid behavior were observed. Many of these effects have been called adhesion-cohesion phenomena.

Tobin, J. M.↗

Some statistical analysis techniques for the effect of systematic instrument errors on the results of measurements in a space experiment

Mathematical models of certain systematic telemetry signal errors arising during the passage of the signal through the recording and transmitting blocks of the physical instruments aboard the spacecraft are classified and constructed. Statistical analysis methods are used to determine the background function and relative sensitivity coefficients of the channels of a charged particle detector. Results are presented. A block diagram for a method taking into account the effect of distortions is given.

Kondakov, S. P.↗