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NASA NTRS2000

Contributions of the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel to Launch Vehicle and Spacecraft Development

The NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT) has provided wind-tunnel experimental validation and research data for numerous launch vehicles and spacecraft throughout its forty year history. Most of these tests have dealt with some aspect of aeroelastic or unsteady-response testing, which is the primary purpose of the TDT facility. However, some space-related test programs that have not involved aeroelasticity have used the TDT to take advantage of specific characteristics of the wind-tunnel facility. In general. the heavy gas test medium, variable pressure, relatively high Reynolds number and large size of the TDT test section have made it the preferred facility for these tests. The space-related tests conducted in the TDT have been divided into five categories. These categories are ground wind loads, launch vehicle dynamics, atmospheric flight of space vehicles, atmospheric reentry. and planetary-probe testing. All known TDT tests of launch vehicles and spacecraft are discussed in this report. An attempt has been made to succinctly summarize each wind-tunnel test, or in the case of multiple. related tests, each wind-tunnel program. Most summaries include model program discussion, description of the physical wind-tunnel model, and some typical or significant test results. When available, references are presented to assist the reader in further pursuing information on the tests.

Cole, Stanley R.↗

NASA NTRS2011

Testing Gravitational Physics with Space-based Gravitational-wave Observations

Gravitational wave observations provide exceptional and unique opportunities for precision tests of gravitational physics, as predicted by general relativity (GR). Space-based gravitational wave measurements, with high signal-to-noise ratios and large numbers of observed events may provide the best-suited gravitational-wave observations for testing GR with unprecedented precision. These observations will be especially useful in testing the properties of gravitational waves and strong-field aspects of the theory which are less relevant in other observations. We review the proposed GR test based on observations of massive black hole mergers, extreme mass ratio inspirals, and galactic binary systems.

Baker, John G.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Saving Space and Time: The Tractor That Einstein Built

In 1984, NASA initiated the Gravity Probe B (GP-B) program to test two unverified predictions of Albert Einstein s theory of general relativity, hypotheses about the ways space, time, light, and gravity relate to each other. To test these predictions, the Space Agency and researchers at Stanford University developed an experiment that would check, with extreme precision, tiny changes in the spin direction of four gyroscopes contained in an Earth satellite orbiting at a 400-mile altitude directly over the Earth s poles. When the program first began, the researchers assessed using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to control the attitude of the GP-B spacecraft accurately. At that time, the best GPS receivers could only provide accuracy to nearly 1 meter, but the GP-B spacecraft required a system 100 times more accurate. To address this concern, researchers at Stanford designed high-performance, attitude-determining hardware that used GPS signals, perfecting a high-precision form of GPS called Carrier-Phase Differential GPS that could provide continuous real-time position, velocity, time, and attitude sensor information for all axes of a vehicle. The researchers came to the realization that controlling the GP-B spacecraft with this new system was essentially no different than controlling an airplane. Their thinking took a new direction: If this technology proved successful, the airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were ready commercial markets. They set out to test the new technology, the "Integrity Beacon Landing System," using it to automatically land a commercial Boeing 737 over 100 times successfully through Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS technology. The thinking of the researchers shifted again, from automatically landing aircraft, to automating precision farming and construction equipment.

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NASA NTRS2012

Prospects for Probing Strong Gravity with a Pulsar-Black Hole System

The discovery of a pulsar (PSR) in orbit around a black hole (BH) is expected to provide a superb new probe of relativistic gravity and BH properties. Apart from a precise mass measurement for the BH, one could expect a clean verification of the dragging of space-time caused by the BH spin. In order to measure the quadrupole moment of the BH for testing the no-hair theorem of general relativity (GR), one has to hope for a sufficiently massive BH. In this respect, a PSR orbiting the super-massive BH in the center of our Galaxy would be the ultimate laboratory for gravity tests with PSRs. But even for gravity theories that predict the same properties for BHs as GR, a PSR-BH system would constitute an excellent test system, due to the high grade of asymmetry in the strong field properties of these two components. Here we highlight some of the potential gravity tests that one could expect from different PSR-BH systems.

gravity↗

NASA NTRS2004

Optical design for the Laser Astrometric Test of Relativity

This paper discusses the Laser Astrometric Test of Relativity (LATOR) mission. LATOR is a Michelson-Morley-type experiment designed to test the pure tensor metric nature of gravitation the fundamental postulate of Einstein's theory of general relativity. With its focus on gravity's action on light propagation it complements other tests which rely on the gravitational dynamics of bodies.

Laser Astrometric Test of Relativity (LATOR)↗

NASA NTRS1984

Internal rotation of the sun

The frequency difference between prograde and retrograde sectoral solar oscillations is analyzed to determine the rotation rate of the solar interior, assuming no latitudinal dependence. Much of the solar interior rotates slightly less rapidly than the surface, while the innermost part apparently rotates more rapidly. The resulting solar gravitational quadrupole moment is J2 = (1.7 + or - 0.4) x 10 to the -7th and provides a negligible contribution to current planetary tests of Einstein's theory of general relativity.

Duvall, T. L., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Unique cryogenic features of the Gravity Probe B (GP-B) experiment

Cryogenic designs to simplify launch-pad operations for the Gravity Probe B experiment (an orbital test of Einsteins's general theory of relativity using gyroscopes) while achieving an orbital lifetime of two years are discussed. The proposed system allows the probe to be loaded into a cold dewar, provides good structural support and thermal contact after insertion, and eliminates the need for a pumping system during ground hold. The use of a gamma alumina/epoxy minimizes the parasitic heat loads into the dewar through the telescope aperture and the tank supports.

Parmley, Richard T.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Installing scientific instruments into a cold LHe dewar - The Gravity Probe B approach

Gravity Probe B is an orbital test of Einstein's general theory of relativity using gyroscopes. The precession of the gyroscopes will measure both the geodetic effect (6.6 arcsec/yr) through the curved space-time surrounding the earth and the motional effect (0.042 arcsec/yr) due to the rotating earth dragging space-time around with it. To achieve the extraordinary accuracies needed to measure these small precessions, it is necessary to have the gyroscopes operating in the following environments: a vacuum of less than 10 exp -10 torr; an acceleration level of less than 10 exp -10 g's; a magnetic field of less than 10 exp -7 gauss; and a temperature near 2 K. This paper discusses designs that allow scientific instruments to be installed into a dewar at 4.2 K. Methods for structurally supporting the instruments, transferring heat across joints at low temperature in vacuum, and excluding air during the insertion process are discussed. The structural support method is designed for Shuttle launch loads.

Parmley, Richard T.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Getting to the Point in Pinpoint Landing

Assisted by Langley Research Center's Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program, IntegriNautics has developed a commercialized precision landing system. The idea finds its origins in Stanford University work on a satellite test of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, where Stanford has designed a new high-performance altitude-determining hardware.

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NASA NTRS2005

The Effect of 17-4 PH Stainless Steel on the Lifetime of a Pennzane(Trademark) Lubricated Microwave Limb Sounder Antenna Actuator Assembly Ball Screw for the AURA Spacecraft

During ground based life testing of a Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) Antenna Actuator Assembly (AAA) ball-screw assembly, lubricant darkening and loss were noted when approximately 10 percent of required lifetime was completed. The MLS-AAA ball screw and nut are made from 17-4 PH steel, the nut has 440C stainless steel balls, and the assembly is lubricated with a Pennzane formulation containing a three weight percent lead naphthenate additive. Life tests were done in dry nitrogen at 50 C. To investigate the MLS-AAA life test anomaly, Spiral Orbit Tribometer (SOT) accelerated tests were performed. SOT results indicated greatly reduced relative lifetimes of Pennzane formulations in contact with 17-4 PH steel compared to 440C stainless steel. Also, dry nitrogen tests yielded longer relative lifetimes than comparable ultrahigh vacuum tests. Generally, oxidized Pennzane formulations yielded shorter lifetimes than non-oxidized lubricant. This study emphasizes surface chemistry effects on the lubricated lifetime of moving mechanical assemblies.

Jones, William R., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Newly-Developed 3D GRMHD Code and its Application to Jet Formation

We have developed a new three-dimensional general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic code by using a conservative, high-resolution shock-capturing scheme. The numerical fluxes are calculated using the HLL approximate Riemann solver scheme. The flux-interpolated constrained transport scheme is used to maintain a divergence-free magnetic field. We have performed various 1-dimensional test problems in both special and general relativity by using several reconstruction methods and found that the new 3D GRMHD code shows substantial improvements over our previous model. The . preliminary results show the jet formations from a geometrically thin accretion disk near a non-rotating and a rotating black hole. We will discuss the jet properties depended on the rotation of a black hole and the magnetic field strength.

Mizuno, Y.↗

NASA NTRS2006

GRMHD Simulations of Jet Formation with a New Code

Mizuno, Y.↗

NASA NTRS2007

GRMHD and GRPIC Simulations

We have developed a new three-dimensional general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) code by using a conservative, high-resolution shock-capturing scheme. The numerical fluxes are calculated using the HLL approximate Riemann solver scheme. The flux-interpolated constrained transport scheme is used to maintain a divergence-free magnetic field. We have performed various 1-dimensional test problems in both special and general relativity by using several reconstruction methods and found that the new 3D GRMHD code shows substantial improvements over our previous code. The simulation results show the jet formations from a geometrically thin accretion disk near a nonrotating and a rotating black hole. We will discuss the jet properties depended on the rotation of a black hole and the magnetic field configuration including issues for future research. A General Relativistic Particle-in-Cell Code (GRPIC) has been developed using the Kerr-Schild metric. The code includes kinetic effects, and is in accordance with GRMHD code. Since the gravitational force acting on particles is extreme near black holes, there are some difficulties in numerically describing these processes. The preliminary code consists of an accretion disk and free-falling corona. Results indicate that particles are ejected from the black hole. These results are consistent with other GRMHD simulations. The GRPIC simulation results will be presented, along with some remarks and future improvements. The emission is calculated from relativistic flows in black hole systems using a fully general relativistic radiative transfer formulation, with flow structures obtained by GRMHD simulations considering thermal free-free emission and thermal synchrotron emission. Bright filament-like features protrude (visually) from the accretion disk surface, which are enhancements of synchrotron emission where the magnetic field roughly aligns with the line-of-sight in the co-moving frame. The features move back and forth as the accretion flow evolves, but their visibility and morphology are robust. We would like to extend this research using GRPIC simulations and examine a possible new mechanism for certain X-ray quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) observed in blackhole X-ray binaries.

Nishikawa, K.-I.↗

NASA NTRS2008

Precision Lunar Laser Ranging For Lunar and Gravitational Science

Laser ranging to retroreflector arrays placed on the lunar surface by the Apollo astronauts and the Soviet Lunar missions over the past 39 years have dramatically increased our understanding of gravitational physics along with Earth and Moon geophysics, geodesy, and dynamics. Significant advances in these areas will require placing modern retroreflectors and/or active laser ranging systems at new locations on the lunar surface. Ranging to new locations will enable better measurements of the lunar librations, aiding in our understanding of the interior structure of the moon. More precise range measurements will allow us to study effects that are too small to be observed by the current capabilities as well as enabling more stringent tests of Einstein's theory of General Relativity. Setting up retroreflectors was a key part of the Apollo missions so it is natural to ask if future lunar missions should include them as well. The Apollo retroreflectors are still being used today, and nearly 40 years of ranging data has been invaluable for scientific as well as other studies such as orbital dynamics. However, the available retroreflectors all lie within 26 degrees latitude of the equator, and the most useful ones within 24 degrees longitude of the sub-earth meridian. This clustering weakens their geometrical strength.

Merkowitz, S. M.↗

NASA NTRS1977

The Viking Relativity Experiment

Measurements of the round-trip time of flight of radio signals transmitted from the earth to the Viking spacecraft are being analyzed to test the predictions of Einstein's theory of general relativity. According to this theory the signals will be delayed by up to approximately 250 microsec owing to the direct effect of solar gravity on the propagation. A very preliminary qualitative analysis of the Viking data obtained near the 1976 superior conjunction of Mars indicates agreement with the predictions to within the estimated uncertainty of 0.5%.

Shapiro, I. I.↗

NASA NTRS2006

General Theory of Relativity: Will It Survive the Next Decade?

The nature of gravity is fundamental to our understanding of our own solar system, the galaxy and the structure and evolution of the Universe. Einstein's general theory of relativity is the standard model that is used for almost ninety years to describe gravitational phenomena on these various scales. We review the foundations of general relativity, discuss the recent progress in the tests of relativistic gravity, and present motivations for high-accuracy gravitational experiments in space. We also summarize the science objectives and technology needs for the laboratory experiments in space with laboratory being the entire solar system. We discuss the advances in our understanding of fundamental physics anticipated in the near future and evaluate discovery potential for the recently proposed gravitational experiments.

dark matter↗

NASA NTRS1972

Einstein on the firing line.

A theoretical framework for testing theories of gravitation is considered. This framework separates theories into those that are viable and those that are nonviable by sending each through a series of tests. Most of these tests compare the theory's predictions with the results of experiment, but one test judges each theory's completeness, self-consistency and agreement with Newtonian physics at lowest order. Only a few theories, including general relativity, are currently viable, that is, pass all five tests in the framework. Einstein's 1912 theory is also ruled out because it predicts only half the observed time-delay effect. Future tests proposed include improvements of old experiments and a number of new experiments.

Will, C. M.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Gravimetric measurements of materials outgassing applied to graphite-epoxy laminates

The outgassing rates of two graphite-epoxy laminates, American Cyanamide 985B-626 and HST-7B-112, were obtained using a gravimetric method. The rates as a function of time and temperature were derived from the measurements of their mass losses at temperatures varying from 25 to 150 C and for a time span of up to 400 hours in a vacuum. The data from those measurements were reduced to obtain the outgassing activation energies, the mass losses per unit mass or area, and the corresponding outgassing rates. The rates are expressed in closed-form equations and are directly usable for medling computations. The procedures to obtain these parameters are shown and may be used for the evaluation of other materials. The results of the tests show that the activation energies of the two materials are: 4630 cal/mole for the 985B-626 materials and 4791 cal/mole for the HST-7B-112 sample no. 10 Graphite Exoxy. The outgassing rates of these materials are in the 10E-5 g/sq cm/hr range and they decay according to a power of time of 0.60 at 25 C, indicating that the outgassing process is mainly a diffusion at that temperature. The normalized mass losses versus time obtained from these tests were compared to the discrete results obtained from the ASTM-E595 tests. The comparison provides general indications on the effects of temperature and time in relation to the ASTM test values obtained at 125 C for a 24-hour test duration.

Scialdone, John J.↗