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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 1,477 records · Page 82

The Penn State ORSER system for processing and analyzing ERTS and other MSS data

The Office for Remote Sensing of Earth Resources (ORSER) of the Space Science and Engineering Laboratory (SSEL) at the Pennsylvania State University has developed an extensive operational system for processing and analyzing ERTS-1 and similar multispectral data. The ORSER system was developed for use by a wide variety of researchers working in remote sensing. Both photointerpretive techniques and automatic computer processing methods have been developed and used, separately and in a combined approach. A Remote Job Entry (RJE) system permits use of an IBM 370/168 computer from any compatible remote terminal, including equipment tied in by long-distance telephone connections. An elementary cost analysis has been prepared for the processing of ERTS data.

Mcmurtry, G. J.↗

Development of a high capacity bubble domain memory element and related epitaxial garnet materials for application in spacecraft data recorders. Item 2: The optimization of material-device parameters for application in bubble domain memory elements for spacecraft data recorders

Bubble domain materials and devices are discussed. One of the materials development goals was a materials system suitable for operation of 16 micrometer period bubble domain devices at 150 kHz over the temperature range -10 C to +60 C. Several material compositions and hard bubble suppression techniques were characterized and the most promising candidates were evaluated in device structures. The technique of pulsed laser stroboscopic microscopy was used to characterize bubble dynamic properties and device performance at 150 kHz. Techniques for large area LPE film growth were developed as a separate task. Device studies included detector optimization, passive replicator design and test and on-chip bridge evaluation. As a technology demonstration an 8 chip memory cell was designed, tested and delivered. The memory elements used in the cell were 10 kilobit serial registers.

Besser, P. J.↗

Use of accelerated helium-3 ions for determining oxygen and carbon impurities in some pure materials

Methods are developed for the determination of O impurity in Be and Si carbide and concurrent determination of C and O impurities in Si and W by irradiation with accelerated He-3 ions and subsequent activity measurements of C-11 and F-18 formed from C and O with the aid of a gamma-gamma coincidence spectrometer. Techniques for determining O in Ge and Ga arsenide with radiochemical separation of F-18 are also described.

Aleksandrova, G. I.↗

Bioorganic chemistry and the emergence of the first cell

It is suggested that the best way to study the evolution of cells from primordial compounds is to attempt to assemble a protocell, i.e., a primordial cell. Simulation of processes that occurred in archaic times would require inductive reasoning and constructionist techniques rather than the analytic approach in which cell components are separated and studied in isolation. Advantages to primordial life which would result from protocell formation are surveyed, and the proteinoid microsphere, a model of the protocell, is discussed. A photoreactive proteinoid is considered.

Fox, S. W.↗

Numerical aerodynamic simulation facility

Critical to the advancement of computational aerodynamics capability is the ability to simulate flows about three-dimensional configurations that contain both compressible and viscous effects, including turbulence and flow separation at high Reynolds numbers. Analyses were conducted of two solution techniques for solving the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations describing the mean motion of a turbulent flow with certain terms involving the transport of turbulent momentum and energy modeled by auxiliary equations. The first solution technique is an implicit approximate factorization finite-difference scheme applied to three-dimensional flows that avoids the restrictive stability conditions when small grid spacing is used. The approximate factorization reduces the solution process to a sequence of three one-dimensional problems with easily inverted matrices. The second technique is a hybrid explicit/implicit finite-difference scheme which is also factored and applied to three-dimensional flows. Both methods are applicable to problems with highly distorted grids and a variety of boundary conditions and turbulence models.

Bailey, F. R.↗

The results of initial analysis of OSTA-1/Ocean Color Experiment (OCE) imagery

Ocean view images from the Ocean Color Experiment (OCE) were produced at three widely separated locations on the Earth. Digital computer enhancement and band ratioing techniques were applied to radiometrically corrected OCE spectral data to emphasize patterns of chlorophyll distribution and, in one shallow, clear water case, bottom topography. The chlorophyll pattern in the Yellow Sea between China and Korea was evident in a scene produced from Shuttle Orbit 24. The effects of the discharge from the Yangtze and other rivers were also observed. Two scenes from orbits 30 and 32 revealed the movement of patches of plankton in the Gulf of Cadiz. Geometrical corrections to these images permitted the existing ocean current velocities in the vicinity to be deduced. The variability in water depth over the Grand Bahama Bank was estimated by using the blue-green OCE channel. The very clear water conditions in the area caused bottom reflected sunlight to produce a sensor signal which was related inversely to the depth of the water.

Kim, H. H.↗

OSTA-1/Ocean Color Experiment

Ocean Color Experiment (OCE) on the OSTA-1 mission acquired ocean images at several widely separated locations on the earth. Digital computer enhancement and band ratioing techniques were used to emphasize patterns of chlorophyll and sediment distribution in the Yellow Sea and, in one case, of bottom topography in the Great Bahama Bank. Two scenes in the Gulf of Cadiz from orbits 30 and 32 were geometrically corrected to show the movement of plankton patches. This technique enabled ocean current velocities to be deduced. A duplicate of the OCE instrument mounted on a DFVLR aircraft was flown over an area of the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Portugal during the Shuttle mission.

Kim, H. H.↗

Honeycomb mirrors of borosilicate glass

The fabrication of different types of honeycomb mirrors with various kinds of borosilicate glass is discussed. Borosilicate glass is much less expensive to make than zero expansion glass, and can be used for ground-based applications. A mirror 60 cm in diameter made with a slotted strut or egg-crate honeycomb of 6 mm polished Pyrex plate is shown. The faceplates are 12 mm thick, laminated from the same 6 mm sheet. The result of an interferometric test is shown, with residual errors of about wavelength/8 RMS. An alternative fabrication technique for very large mirrors which require high quality bonds between separate sheets of thick Pyrex is described. The result of a recent test casting of a 60 cm honeycomb structure made in a mold with towers 14 cm square and 6 mm gaps between is shown, and methods to cast an entire mirror in one operation are discussed.

Angel, J. R. P.↗

Special opportunities in helicopter aerodynamics

Aerodynamic research relating to modern helicopters includes the study of three dimensional, unsteady, nonlinear flow fields. A selective review is made of some of the phenomenon that hamper the development of satisfactory engineering prediction techniques, but which provides a rich source of research opportunities: flow separations, compressibility effects, complex vortical wakes, and aerodynamic interference between components. Several examples of work in progress are given, including dynamic stall alleviation, the development of computational methods for transonic flow, rotor-wake predictions, and blade-vortex interactions.

Mccroskey, W. J.↗

A study of altitude and flight path angle dynamics for a singularly perturbed fuel optimization problem

This short paper will demonstrate that the separation of altitude and flight path angle dynamics using singular perturbation techniques for a transport fuel optimization problem results in an unacceptable oscillation in altitude. A technique for damping this oscillation by adding a penalty term to the cost function for the optimization problem will be discussed. This technique will be compared with a different approach that linearizes the altitude and flight path angle boundary layers.

Price, D. B.↗

Mathematical analysis study for radar data processing and enhancement. Part 1: Radar data analysis

A study is performed under NASA contract to evaluate data from an AN/FPS-16 radar installed for support of flight programs at Dryden Flight Research Facility of NASA Ames Research Center. The purpose of this study is to provide information necessary for improving post-flight data reduction and knowledge of accuracy of derived radar quantities. Tracking data from six flights are analyzed. Noise and bias errors in raw tracking data are determined for each of the flights. A discussion of an altiude bias error during all of the tracking missions is included. This bias error is defined by utilizing pressure altitude measurements made during survey flights. Four separate filtering methods, representative of the most widely used optimal estimation techniques for enhancement of radar tracking data, are analyzed for suitability in processing both real-time and post-mission data. Additional information regarding the radar and its measurements, including typical noise and bias errors in the range and angle measurements, is also presented. This is in two parts. This is part 1, an analysis of radar data.

James, R.↗

Mathematical analysis study for radar data processing and enchancement. Part 2: Modeling of propagation path errors

A study is performed under NASA contract to evaluate data from an AN/FPS-16 radar installed for support of flight programs at Dryden Flight Research Facility of NASA Ames Research Center. The purpose of this study is to provide information necessary for improving post-flight data reduction and knowledge of accuracy of derived radar quantities. Tracking data from six flights are analyzed. Noise and bias errors in raw tracking data are determined for each of the flights. A discussion of an altitude bias error during all of the tracking missions is included. This bias error is defined by utilizing pressure altitude measurements made during survey flights. Four separate filtering methods, representative of the most widely used optimal estimation techniques for enhancement of radar tracking data, are analyzed for suitability in processing both real-time and post-mission data. Additional information regarding the radar and its measurements, including typical noise and bias errors in the range and angle measurements, is also presented. This report is in two parts. This is part 2, a discussion of the modeling of propagation path errors.

James, R.↗

Special opportunities in helicopter aerodynamics

Aerodynamic research relating to modern helicopters includes the study of three dimensional, unsteady, nonlinear flow fields. A selective review is made of some of the phenomenon that hamper the development of satisfactory engineering prediction techniques, but which provides a rich source of research opportunities: flow separations, compressibility effects, complex vortical wakes, and aerodynamic interference between components. Several examples of work in progress are given, including dynamic stall alleviation, the development of computational methods for transonic flow, rotor-wake predictions, and blade-vortex interactions.

Mccroskey, W. J.↗

Cryogenic star-tracking telescope for Gravity Probe B

This paper describes the design, development and preliminary testing of the cryogenic star-tracking telescope used as an optical reference for the gyroscopes in the Gravity Probe B Relativity Gyroscope experiment. The telescope is operated at 1.8 K; it is fabricated entirely from fused quartz components held together by optical contacting; it has a physical length of 14 in., a focal length of 150 in. and an aperture of 5.6 in. Readout is by two photomultiplier chopper-detector assemblies at ambient satellite temperature. When fully operational, the telescope may be expected to have a precision approaching 0.1 milliarcsec over a linear range of 70 + or 70 milliarcsec. Its projected noise performance corresponds to an angular resolution of 1 milliarcsec in 1 Hz bandwidth. The paper includes a theoretical analysis, a description of the design and fabrication of a laboratory version of the telescope, a discussion of techniques of optical contacting, an account of vibration tests on a separate mass model of the telescope, a description of the artificial star developed for optical tests, and an account of preliminary experimental results.

Everitt, C. W. F.↗

Advanced techniques for the storage and use of very large, heterogeneous spatial databases. The representation of geographic knowledge: Toward a universal framework

A new approach to building geographic data models that is based on the fundamental characteristics of the data is presented. An overall theoretical framework for representing geographic data is proposed. An example of utilizing this framework in a Geographic Information System (GIS) context by combining artificial intelligence techniques with recent developments in spatial data processing techniques is given. Elements of data representation discussed include hierarchical structure, separation of locational and conceptual views, and the ability to store knowledge at variable levels of completeness and precision.

Peuquet, Donna J.↗

Turbulent properties of axisymmetric shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction flows

A combined experimental and computational investigation of an axisymmetric turbulent shock-wave boundary-layer interaction flow is presented. Experimental measurements include both mean and fluctuating data obtained by LDV techniques and identify large scale unsteady motions associated with shock induced separation. Computations using the compressible Navier-Stokes equations, and a two-equation turbulence model are in relatively good agreement with experimental measurements. It is found that the large scale unsteady motions do not appear to have a critical impact on the ability to compute the mean properties of the flows investigated in this paper.

Brown, J. L.↗

An electrically scanned thinned array radiometer for Earth remote sensing

Interferometric aperture synthesis is being investigated as an alternative to real aperture measurements of the brightness temperature of the earth from low earth orbit. Aperture synthesis allows for the realization of space borne microwave systems with attractive spatial resolution characteristics. Radio astronomers have performed aperture synthesis by cross-correlating spatially separated antenna element pairs for some time. The application of this technique to the observation of a distributed source, as opposed to a point source in radio astronomy, presents a novel and challenging application of aperture synthesis. The demonstration of this geophysical application of aperture synthesis was carried out by constructing and flight testing a phototype instrument, the Electrically Scanned Thinned Array Radiometer (ESTAR). The subsequent data analysis and image reconstruction yielded an image of the eastern shore of Virginia. In the past year, more data of the same region were taken and analyzed, as well as for other regions of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maine. Improvements were made in the image reconstruction technique and in the system electronics for the current and upcoming instruments (ESTAR00 and ESTAR0, respectively), particularly in terms of calibration instrumentation and techniques.

Griffis, Andrew J.↗

Typical testing experience in cryogenic wind tunnels

Airfoil testing as a major activity of many wind tunnels is considered, and emphasis is placed on airfoil testing with sidewall boundary-layer removal, oscillating airfoil testing, and three-dimensional wake topology. Buffeting as the structural response of an aircraft or test model to the aerodynamic excitation produced by separated flows is analyzed, as well as flutter problems and testing techniques. Strain-gage balance studies, optical methods and visualization techniques, and fluid mechanics are examined. Focus is placed on a two-spot laser as a boundary-layer probe, hot-film gages, fluctuating-pressure measurements, skin-friction balance, and nonadiabatic airfoil testing. Boattail afterbody pressure tests are covered, and Space Shuttle Orbiter base drag and launch configuration are discussed.

Kilgore, Robert A.↗