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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

LANL Meteorological Program: 2022 Data Completeness/Quality Report

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) operates seven mesa-top instrumented meteorology towers: Technical Area (TA) 6, TA-49, TA-53, TA-54, TA-63, TA-54B, and TA-16B. An additional instrumented tower is located in Mortandad Canyon (TA-5 MDCN), and there is a rain gauge at North Community (NCOM), located within the town of Los Alamos. The 10 meter (m) towers at TA-63, TA- 54B, and TA-16B were installed in 2021, and will be included in the 2023 data completeness/quality report. A description of the meteorology monitoring network, prior to the installation of the TA-63, TA-54B, and TA-16B is found in Dewart and Boggs (2014). Four of the mesa-top towers (e.g., TA-6, TA-49, TA-53, and TA-54) are instrumented at the 1.2 m, 11.5 m, 23 m, and 46 m levels. In addition, the TA-6 tower is instrumented at the 92 m level. The TA-5 MDCN tower is 10 m in height and is instrumented at 1.2 m and 10 m. Data are collected and averaged every 15 minutes. Range checking is performed on each measurement every 15 minutes; data that are beyond normal ranges are eliminated from the data set and replaced by a code for missing data. In addition, data are reviewed weekly by qualified meteorologists to identify bad data not identified by the range checking technique. The data steward eliminates these data from the data set and replaces them with a code for missing data. The instrument technicians also review that data and schedule instrument replacement, as required. All instruments are calibrated at a frequency that meets the criteria identified in ANSI/ANS-3.11-2015. Data completeness is determined by the number of total 15-minute records available versus the number of possible measurements for the entire year. As a rule, the meteorologists do not attempt to estimate data that are eliminated as bad data. Original datalogger records, including bad data, can be recalled from program archival storage.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Performance Audit Report: Automated Meteorological Monitoring Stations, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

The Waste and Air Quality Offices Group at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory operates two main meteorological monitoring sites near Livermore, California. The primary met tower (Site 200) is located in the northwest corner of the lab and consists of a fifty-two (52) meter tower with vertical wind speed sensors, horizontal wind speed and direction sensors and air temperature sensors at fifty-two (52) meters, twenty-three (23) meters and ten (10) meters. In addition, there is a temperature and humidity probe at ten (10) meters. At two (2) meters there are upward and downward facing solar and infrared radiation sensors, an air temperature sensor, barometric pressure sensor and a temperature and relative humidity probe. At ground level there is a tipping bucket rain gauge located to the southwest of the tower. The datalogger, communication peripherals and the barometric pressure sensor are housed in a small building near the tower. The Site 300 met site is located approximately 10 miles east of Livermore within the boundary of the LLNL blast test site. This site also consists of a 52-meter tower which is configured the same as the 52-meter tower at Site 200. There is also a building at this site that houses the datalogger, communication peripherals and the barometric pressure sensor. At both Site 200 and Site 300, data are collected by Ethernet with telephone modem collection as a backup. The data collection interval for both sites is fifteen (15) minutes via workstations running Loggernet software located at the main lab facility. The audits of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s two automated meteorological stations located near Livermore, California were performed on October 24 & 25, 2023. These audits were performed under the guidelines of the Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems, Volume IV, Version 2 and the On-Site Meteorological Program Guidance for Regulatory Modeling Applications, U.S. EPA.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

LANL Meteorological Program: 2023 Data Completeness/Quality Report

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) operates seven mesa-top instrumented meteorology towers: Technical Area (TA) 6, TA-49, TA-53, TA-54, TA-63, TA-54B, and TA-16B. An additional instrumented tower is located in Mortandad Canyon (TA-5 MDCN), and there is a rain gauge at North Community (NCOM), located within the town of Los Alamos. The 10 meter (m) towers at TA-63, TA-54B, and TA-16B have been in testing since they were installed in 2021, and will be included in a future data completeness report. A description of the meteorology monitoring network, prior to the installation of the TA-63, TA-54B, and TA-16B is found in Dewart and Boggs (2014). Four of the mesa-top towers (e.g., TA-6, TA-49, TA-53, and TA-54) are instrumented at the 1.2 m, 11.5 m, 23 m, and 46 m levels. In addition, the TA-6 tower is instrumented at the 92 m level. The TA-5 MDCN tower is 10 m in height and is instrumented at 1.2 m and 10 m. Data are collected and averaged every 15 minutes. Range checking is performed on each measurement every 15 minutes; data that are beyond normal ranges are eliminated from the data set and replaced by a code for missing data. In addition, data are reviewed weekly by qualified meteorologists to identify bad data not identified by the range checking technique. The data steward eliminates these data from the data set and replaces them with a code for missing data. The instrument technicians also review that data and schedule instrument replacement, as required. All instruments are calibrated at a frequency that meets the criteria identified in ANSI/ANS-3.11-2015. Data completeness is determined by the number of total 15-minute records available versus the number of possible measurements for the entire year. As a rule, the meteorologists do not attempt to estimate data that are eliminated as bad data. Original datalogger records, including bad data, can be recalled from program archival storage.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

New insights into the drainage of inundated ice-wedge polygons using fundamental hydrologic principles

Abstract. The pathways and timing of drainage from the inundated centers of ice-wedge polygons in a warming climate have important implications for carbon flushing, advective heat transport, and transitions from methane to carbon dioxide dominated emissions. Here, we expand on previous research using a recently developed analytical model of drainage from a low-centered polygon. Specifically, we perform (1) a calibration to field data identifying necessary model refinements and (2) a rigorous model sensitivity analysis that expands on previously published indications of polygon drainage characteristics. This research provides intuition on inundated polygon drainage by presenting the first in-depth analysis of drainage within a polygon based on hydrogeological first principles. We verify a recently developed analytical solution of polygon drainage through a calibration to a season of field measurements. Due to the parsimony of the model, providing the potential that it could fail, we identify the minimum necessary refinements that allow the model to match water levels measured in a low-centered polygon. We find that (1) the measured precipitation must be increased by a factor of around 2.2, and (2) the vertical soil hydraulic conductivity must decrease with increasing thaw depth. Model refinement (1) accounts for runoff from rims into the ice-wedge polygon pond during precipitation events and possible rain gauge undercatch, while refinement (2) accounts for the decreasing permeability of deeper soil layers. The calibration to field measurements supports the validity of the model, indicating that it is able to represent ice-wedge polygon drainage dynamics. We then use the analytical solution in non-dimensional form to provide a baseline for the effects of polygon aspect ratios (radius to thaw depth) and coefficient of hydraulic conductivity anisotropy (horizontal to vertical hydraulic conductivity) on drainage pathways and temporal depletion of ponded water from inundated ice-wedge polygon centers. By varying the polygon aspect ratio, we evaluate the relative effect of polygon size (width), inter-annual increases in active-layer thickness, and seasonal increases in thaw depth on drainage. The results of our sensitivity analysis rigorously confirm a previous analysis indicating that most drainage through the active layer occurs along an annular region of the polygon center near the rims. This has important implications for transport of nutrients (such as dissolved organic carbon) and advection of heat towards ice-wedge tops. We also provide a comprehensive investigation of the effect of polygon aspect ratio and anisotropy on drainage timing and patterns, expanding on previously published research. Our results indicate that polygons with large aspect ratios and high anisotropy will have the most distributed drainage, while polygons with large aspect ratios and low anisotropy will have their drainage most focused near their periphery and will drain most slowly. Polygons with small aspect ratios and high anisotropy will drain most quickly. These results, based on parametric investigation of idealized scenarios, provide a baseline for further research considering the geometric and hydraulic complexities of ice-wedge polygons.

Harp, Dylan R. (ORCID:0000000197778000)↗
DOE OSTI2020

KAZRARSCL-c0-Cloud Boundaries subset

The KAZR-ARSCL VAP provides cloud boundaries and best-estimate time-height fields of radar moments. The VAP merges corrected, but uncalibrated, KAZR moments from all active radar modes with cloud base and cloud mask observations from the micropulse lidar (MPL), cloud base from the ceilometer, as well information from soundings, rain gauge, and microwave radiometer instruments to produce two data streams, one with best-estimate cloud base and cloud layer boundaries, and another which also includes best-estimate time-height fields of radar moments. This DOI is for the data stream that contain cloud layer boundaries only. Please note that the reflectivity used in this level c0 product is uncalibrated.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

BNF C-band Scanning ARM Precipitation Radar 2nd Generation (CSAPR-2) Extracted Radar Columns and In-Situ Sensors (RadCLss)

Corrected Moments in Antenna Coordinates (CMAC) calculates quantitative precipitation estimates (QPE) from empirical relationships based on equivalent radar reflectivity factor, specific differ- ential phase, and specific attenuation. To evaluate these empirical relationships, the Extracted Radar Columns and In-Situ Sensors (RADclss) product was developed. Utilizing Py-ART, RAD- clss extracts CMAC radar columns above various ARM and partner locations. These columns are then spatiotemporally synced with in-situ observations at the surface utilizing the Atmospheric data Community Toolkit (ACT; Theisen et al. 2025), allowing direct comparison of radar parameters with rain gauges and laser disdrometers for further investigation.

bankhead↗
NASA NTRS1972

The influence of polarization on millimeter wave propagation through rain

A program for the measurement and analysis of the depolarization and differential attenuation that occur when millimeter wave signals propagate through rain is described. Initial data are taken along a 1.43 km path at 17.65 GHz and a supporting theoretical model is developed to relate the propagation effects to rainfall rate and wind velocity. A block diagram of the overall experiment is included. It consists of: (1) an RF system (millimeter wave transmitter and receiver), (2) transmitting and receiving antennas, (3) a weather system with rain gauges, wind sensors, and drop counters, and (4) a digital control, processing, and data storage system.

Bostian, C. W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

An experimental study of the temporal statistics of radio signals scattered by rain

A fixed-beam bistatic CW experiment designed to measure the temporal statistics of the volume reflectivity produced by hydrometeors at several selected altitudes, scattering angles, and at two frequencies (3.6 and 7.8 GHz) is described. Surface rain gauge data, local meteorological data, surveillance S-band radar, and great-circle path propagation measurements were also made to describe the general weather and propagation conditions and to distinguish precipitation scatter signals from those caused by ducting and other nonhydrometeor scatter mechanisms. The data analysis procedures were designed to provide an assessment of a one-year sample of data with a time resolution of one minute. The cumulative distributions of the bistatic signals for all of the rainy minutes during this period are presented for the several path geometries.

Hubbard, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Review of data analysis procedures for the ATS-6 millimeter wave experiment

Predictions of satellite downlink attenuation through the use of ground based measurements form a substantial part of the ATS-6 millimeter wave experiment (MWE). At the downlink frequencies (20 and 30 GHz), the major causes of attenuation are the density and the size distribution of rain drops along the propagation path. Ground station data, which include radar and rain gauge records, measure quantities related to the meteorological parameters of interest and thereby provide a prediction of downlink attenuation with which the measured attenuation can be compared. The calibration and data analysis procedures used in the MWE are reviewed with the object of improving the accuracy of such ground based predictions.

Meneghini, R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

ATS-6 - Millimeter Wave Propagation and Communications Experiments at 20 and 30 GHz

The Applications Technology Satellite (ATS-6) Millimeter Wave Experiment, developed and implemented by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, has provided the first direct measurements of 20- and 30-GHz earth-space links from an orbiting satellite. Studies at eleven locations in the continental United States were directed at an evaluation of rain attenuation effects, scintillations, depolarization, site diversity, coherence bandwidth, and analog and digital communications techniques. In addition to direct measurements on the 20- and 30-GHz links, methods of attenuation prediction with radars, rain gauges, and radiometers were developed and compared with the directly measured attenuation. This paper presents a review of the major results of the first year of measurements with ATS-6, with emphasis on the impact of the measurements on millimeter wave space systems design.

Ippolito, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A microcomputer based data acquisition system and experiment controller

A data acquisition system is described. The system monitors and records the signal strength of a radio beacon sent to Earth from a geosynchronous satellite. It acquires data from several devices such as a radar, a radiometer, and a rain gauge which monitor the meteorological conditions along the Earth space propagation path. The acquired data are stored in digital format on magnetic tape for analysis at the computer center. A detailed description of the design and operation of the system's various hardware components is given. Schematic diagrams, the theory of operation, and normal operating procedures are presented.

Ganz, M. W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Variability of rainfall over small areas

A preliminary investigation was made to determine estimates of the number of raingauges needed in order to measure the variability of rainfall in time and space over small areas (approximately 40 sq miles). The literature on rainfall variability was examined and the types of empirical relationships used to relate rainfall variations to meteorological and catchment-area characteristics were considered. Relations between the coefficient of variation and areal-mean rainfall and area have been used by several investigators. These parameters seemed reasonable ones to use in any future study of rainfall variations. From a knowledge of an appropriate coefficient of variation (determined by the above-mentioned relations) the number rain gauges needed for the precise determination of areal-mean rainfall may be calculated by statistical estimation theory. The number gauges needed to measure the coefficient of variation over a 40 sq miles area, with varying degrees of error, was found to range from 264 (10% error, mean precipitation = 0.1 in) to about 2 (100% error, mean precipitation = 0.1 in).

Runnels, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Proceedings of the Twelfth NASA Propagation Experimenters Meeting (NAPEX 12)

The NASA Propagation Experimenters Meeting was convened on June 9 and 10, 1988. Pilot Field Experiments propagation studies, mobile communication systems, signal fading, communication satellites rain gauge network measurements, atmospheric attenuation studies, optical communication through the atmosphere, and digital beacon receivers were among the topics discussed.

Davarian, Faramaz↗
NASA NTRS1988

Global precipitation derived from HIRS2/MSU soundings

Atmospheric and surface soundings for the FGGE obtained by the analysis of HIRS2/MSU sounding data (Susskind et al., 1987) were used, along with a modified version of the radiation code used in the Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres fourth-order GCM, to compute fields of total outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) for the FGGE year. A reasonable agreement was obtained between the computed OLR values and OLR radiation derived from measurements. Coefficients relating the global difference fields for each month of the FGGE year to precipitation derived from rain-gauge measurements for the FGGE year were derived. The results of this study demonstrate that precipitation is derivable from space on a global scale.

Wu, Man-Li C.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Olympus propagation studies in the US: Receiver development and the data acquisition system

Virginia Tech has developed two types of receivers to monitor the Olympus beacons, as well as a custom data acquisition system to store and display propagation data. Each of the receiver designs uses new hybrid analog/digital techniques. The data acquisition system uses a stand alone processor to collect and format the data for display and subsequent processing. The launch of the Olympus satellite with its coherent beacons offers new opportunities to study propagation effects at 12.5, 20, and 30 GHz. At Virginia Tech, the satellite is at 14 degrees in elevation, which allows us to measure low elevation angle effects. However, to make these measurements, a very accurate and stable measurement system is required. Virginia Tech has constructed a complex receiving system which monitors the Olympus beacons and all parameters associated with propagation research. In the current configuration, researchers have developed a receiver which frequency locks to the less fade susceptible 12.5 GHz beacon. Since all beacons on the satellite are driven from a single master oscillator, drift in the 12.5 GHz beacon implies corresponding drifts in the 20, and 30 GHz beacons. The receivers for the 20 and 30 GHz systems derive their frequency locking information from the 12.5 GHz system. This widens the dynamic range of the receivers and allows the receivers to maintain lock in severe fade conditions. In addition to monitoring the beacons, the sky noise is monitored with radiometers at each frequency. The radiometer output is used to set the clear air level for each beacon measurement. Researchers also measure the rain rate with several tipping bucket rain gauges placed along the propagation path.

Mckeeman, John C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Precipitation estimation over Sardinia from satellite infrared data

Three techniques for the estimate of rain rate from infrared satellite images have been examined and modified to be used over the western Mediterranean Sea. An attempt to optimize these techniques has been made by comparing the remotely-sensed precipitation with in situ data, obtained from the rain gauge network over Sardinia, for three different seasons of 1988. The results obtained so far clearly reveal the limitations of infrared remote sensing techniques when applied to precipitation retrievals. However, these results give the possibility of gaining some useful insights on the general problem and show that infrared remote sensing techniques can give acceptable area-time averages of precipitation which are useful for climatological studies.

Marrocu, M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Update on TAO moored ORG array

During the Coupled Ocean Atmosphere Response Experiment (COARE) six TAO moorings were equipped with optical rain gauges (ORG's). In late 1993 moorings deployed on the equator at 154E and 157.5E were recovered and not redeployed as they were augmentations to the TAO array for COARE only. In December 1993, four TAO moorings were equipped with ORG's: one each at 2N, 156E and 2S, 156E and ORG doublets on the equator at 0, 156E and 0, 165E. The 2N, 156E mooring has been lost. By the end of April all sites will have been serviced and six refurbished sensors will again be deployed in the same locations.

Freitag, H. Paul↗
NASA NTRS1994

Wallops Island natural rain data analysis

ScTI has performed a detailed analysis of four optical rain gauge ORG-105 sensors tested by Wallops Island on 8 May 1992. The four ORG's tested were S/N 2236, 2237, 2239, and 2241. Shown is a 30 minute time series of the individual ORG's, the ORG average, and the weighing gauge. The sensors tracked well with rainrates (RR) up to 45 mm/hr for the period. Also shown is a plot of accumulated rainfall over the same period. It can be seen that even though the ORG's tracked well, some ORG's tended to read higher and some read lower during the event.

Wang, TING-I.↗