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At least 163 records · Page 9

Hardware math for the 6502 microprocessor

A floating-point arithmetic unit is described which is being used in the Ground Facility of Large Space Structures Control Verification (GF/LSSCV). The experiment uses two complete inertial measurement units and a set of three gimbal torquers in a closed loop to control the structural vibrations in a flexible test article (beam). A 6502 (8-bit) microprocessor controls four AMD 9511A floating-point arithmetic units to do all the computation in 20 milliseconds.

Kissel, R.

Performance characteristics of omnidirectional antennas for spacecraft using NASA networks

Described are the performance capabilities and critical elements of the shaped omni antenna developed for NASA for space users of NASA networks. The shaped omni is designed to be operated in tandem for virtually omnidirectional coverage and uniform gain free of spacecraft interference. These antennas are ideal for low gain data requirements and emergency backup, deployment, amd retrieval of higher gain RF systems. Other omnidirectional antennas that have flown in space are described in the final section. A performance summary for the shaped omni is in the Appendix. This document introduces organizations and projects to the shaped omni applications for NASA's space use. Coverage, gain, weight, power, and implementation and other performance information for satisfying a wide range of data requirements are included.

Hilliard, Lawrence M.

Thermal Stability of Distillate Hydrocarbon Fuels

Thermal stability of fuels is expected to become a severe problem in the future due to the anticipated use of broadened specification and alternative fuels. Future fuels will have higher contents of heteroatomic species which are reactive constituents and are known to influence fuel degradation. To study the degradation chemistry of selected model fuels, n-dodecane and n-dodecane plus heteroatoms were aerated by bubbling air through the fuels amd stressed on a modified Jet Fuel Thermal Oxidation Tester facility operating at heater tube temperatures between 200 to 400 C. The resulting samples were fractionated to concentrate the soluble products and then analyzed using gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques to quantify and identify the stable reaction intermediate and product specifically. Heteroatom addition showed that the major soluble products were always the same, with and without heteroatoms, but their distributions varied considerably.

Reddy, Kishenkumar Tadisina

Performance of 10-kW class xenon ion thrusters

Presented are performance data for laboratory and engineering model 30 cm-diameter ion thrusters operated with xenon propellant over a range of input power levels from approximately 2 to 20 kW. Also presented are preliminary performance results obtained from laboratory model 50 cm-diameter cusp- and divergent-field ion thrusters operating with both 30 cm- amd 50 cm-diameter ion optics up to a 20 kW input power. These data include values of discharge chamber propellant and power efficiencies, as well as values of specific impulse, thruster efficiency, thrust and power. The operation of the 30 cm- and 50 cm-diameter ion optics are also discussed.

Patterson, Michael J.

Atmospheric entry heating of micrometeorites

A computer simulation of the atmospheric entry deceleration and heating of cosmic dust particles has been developed and the predicted peak temperatures are compared to the earlier closed-form mathematical solutions of Whipple (195) and Fraundorf (1980). A 20-micron diameter particle of density 1 gm/cu cm having a velocity of 10 km/s at infinity and entering the atmosphere at normal incidence reaches a peak temperature of 1159 K. The duration of the heating pulse is about 8 s but the particle remains within 100 K of the peak temperature for only 1.0 s. As the angle of incidence decreases, the peak temperature reached on entry also decreases, and the duration of the temperature pulse increases. Comparison with the Whipple amd Fraundorf models indicates that they accurately assess the entry heating for cosmic dust particles of moderate or higher densities and entry angles near normal incidence. As particle density decreases or the entry angle nears grazing incidence, they overestimate the peak temperature.

Flynn, G. J.

Solar wind control of Jupiter's hectometric radio emission

Radio, plasma, and magnetic field data obtained by Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 were used to examine the manner in which the Jovian hectometric radio emission (HOM) is controlled by the solar wind. Using the method of superposed epochs, it was found that the higher energy HOM is correlated with the IMF as well as with the solar wind density and pressure. However, unlike the Io-independent decametric radio emission (Non-Io DAM), the HOM displayed no correlation with the solar wind velocity, although this radio component appear to be also influenced by the IMF. The results suggest separate HOM amd Non-Io DAM sources.

Barrow, C. H.

NASA ground terminal communication equipment automated fault isolation expert systems

The prototype expert systems are described that diagnose the Distribution and Switching System I and II (DSS1 and DSS2), Statistical Multiplexers (SM), and Multiplexer and Demultiplexer systems (MDM) at the NASA Ground Terminal (NGT). A system level fault isolation expert system monitors the activities of a selected data stream, verifies that the fault exists in the NGT and identifies the faulty equipment. Equipment level fault isolation expert systems are invoked to isolate the fault to a Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) level. Input and sometimes output data stream activities for the equipment are available. The system level fault isolation expert system compares the equipment input and output status for a data stream and performs loopback tests (if necessary) to isolate the faulty equipment. The equipment level fault isolation system utilizes the process of elimination and/or the maintenance personnel's fault isolation experience stored in its knowledge base. The DSS1, DSS2 and SM fault isolation systems, using the knowledge of the current equipment configuration and the equipment circuitry issues a set of test connections according to the predefined rules. The faulty component or board can be identified by the expert system by analyzing the test results. The MDM fault isolation system correlates the failure symptoms with the faulty component based on maintenance personnel experience. The faulty component can be determined by knowing the failure symptoms. The DSS1, DSS2, SM, and MDM equipment simulators are implemented in PASCAL. The DSS1 fault isolation expert system was converted to C language from VP-Expert and integrated into the NGT automation software for offline switch diagnoses. Potentially, the NGT fault isolation algorithms can be used for the DSS1, SM, amd MDM located at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).

Tang, Y. K.

The role of condensation and heat conduction in the formation of prominences - An MHD simulation

The effects of condensation and thermal conduction on the formation of Kippenhahn-Schlueter (K-S) type prominences in quiet regions (QP) due to symmetric mass injection are investigated. To implement this investigation a self-consistent, two-dimensional, nonplanar, time-dependent MHD simulation model is developed. In the model, various values of the injection velocity, density, and magnetic field strength are used to determine the most favorable conditions for the QP formation. Based on these simulation results, it is found that the formation of a K-S type field configuration should be considered as a dynamic process which needs both condensation amd mass injection to supply enough mass to maintain such a configuration to complete the quiescent prominence formation process.

Wu, S. T.

Pitch angle and velocity diffusions of newborn ions by turbulence in the solar wind

The temporal evolution of the distribution function of newborn ions under the influence of intrinsic low-frequency solar wind turbulences is studied. In particular, an initial ring-beam distribution of newborn ions under the influence of hydromagnetic waves is considered. A simplified treatment of the resonance broadening effect is given, and its role in the pickup process is discussed. Two different configurations of wave polarization amd direction of propagation are considered. The conditions that lead either to the formation of anisotropic shells as a long-duration transient state or to rapid isotropization of the ion pitch angle distribution are discussed, as are the conditions which lead to significant acceleration of the ions.

Ziebell, L. F.

Numerical procedures for three-dimensional computational surface thermochemistry

Models and equations for surface thermochemistry and near-surface thermophysics of aerodynamically-heated thermal protection materials are reviewed, with particular emphasis on computational boundary conditions for surface mass and energy transfer. The surface energy and mass balances, coupled with an appropriate ablation or surface catalysis model, provide complete thermochemical boundary conditions for a true multidisciplinary solution of the fully coupled fluid-dynamics/solid mechanics problem. Practical approximate solutions can be obtained by using a detailed model with full thermophysics for either the solid or fluid phase amd a semianalytic method for the other half of the problem. A significant increase in the state-of-the-art in aerothermal computational fluid dynamics is possible by uniting CFD methodology with surface thermochemistry boundary conditions and the heat-balance-integral method.

Milos, Frank S.

Distribution of tropospheric ozone at Brazzaville, Congo, determined from ozonesonde measurements

An analysis of 33 ozonesonde launches in Brazzaville, Congo (4 deg S, 15 deg E), between June 1990 and May 1991 is presented. The data indicate highest tropospheric amounts between June and early October, coincident with the dry season and with the presence of enhanced widespread biomass burning. The seasonal cycle of ozone derived from the ozonesonde measurements is in good agreement with the climatological seasonal cycle inferred from the use of satellite data amd both seasonal cycles peak in September. Averaged throughout the year, the integrated amount of ozone derived from the ozonesondes is 44 Dobson units (DU) and is 39 DU using the satellite data. Within the troposphere the highest partial pressures are generally found at pressure levels near 700 mbar (about 3 km). Using simultaneous ozonesonde data from Ascension Island (8 deg S, 15 deg W), examples are presented illustrating that differences in the troposphere are primarily responsible for the observed spatial gradients of total ozone observed by TOMS.

Cros, Bernard

Integrated flexible manufacturing program for manufacturing automation and rapid prototyping

The Kansas City Division of Allied Signal Inc., as part of the Integrated Flexible Manufacturing Program (IFMP), is developing an integrated manufacturing environment. Several systems are being developed to produce standards and automation tools for specific activities within the manufacturing environment. The Advanced Manufacturing Development System (AMDS) is concentrating on information standards (STEP) and product data transfer; the Expert Cut Planner system (XCUT) is concentrating on machining operation process planning standards and automation capabilities; the Advanced Numerical Control system (ANC) is concentrating on NC data preparation standards and NC data generation tools; the Inspection Planning and Programming Expert system (IPPEX) is concentrating on inspection process planning, coordinate measuring machine (CMM) inspection standards and CMM part program generation tools; and the Intelligent Scheduling and Planning System (ISAPS) is concentrating on planning and scheduling tools for a flexible manufacturing system environment. All of these projects are working together to address information exchange, standardization, and information sharing to support rapid prototyping in a Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) environment.

Brooks, S. L.

LDEF polymeric materials: 10 months versus 5.8 years of exposure

The chemical characterization of several polymeric materials which received 10 months of exposure and 5.8 years of exposure on a Row 9 Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) experiment (A0134) is reported. Specimens include fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) teflon film, polysulfone film, and graphite fiber reinforced epoxy amd polysulfone matrix composites. The responses of these materials to the two LEO exposures are compared. The results of infrared, thermal, x-ray photoelectron, and scanning electron microscope analyses are reported. Solution property measurements of various molecular weight parameters are presented for the thermoplastic polysulfone materials. Molecular level effects attributable to exposure that were present in 10-month exposed specimens were not found in 5.8-year exposed specimens. This result suggests that increased atomic oxygen fluence toward the end of the LDEF mission may have eroded away selected environmentally induced changes in surface chemistry for 5.8-year exposure specimens.

Young, Philip R.

Interplanetary meteoroid debris in LDEF metal craters

We have examined craters in Al and Au LDEF surfaces to determine the nature of meteoroid residue in the rare cases where projectile material is abundantly preserved in the crater floor. Typical craters contain only small amounts of residue and we find that less than 10 percent of the craters in Al have retained abundant residue consistent with survival of a significant fraction (greater than 20 percent) of the projectile mass. The residue-rich craters can usually be distinguished optically because their interiors are darker than ones with little or no apparent projectile debris. The character of the meteoroid debris in these craters ranges from thin glass liners, to thick vesicular glass containing unmelted mineral fragments, to debris dominated by unmelted mineral fragments. In the best cases of meteoroid survival, unmelted mineral fragments preserve both information on projectile mineralogy as well as other properties such as nuclear tracks caused by solar flare irradiation. The wide range of the observed abundance and alteration state of projectile residue is most probably due to differences in impact velocity. The crater liners are being studied to determine the composition of meteoroids reaching the Earth. The compositional types most commonly seen in the craters are: (1) chondritic (Mg, Si, S, Fe in approximately solar proportions), (2) Mg silicate. amd (3) iron sulfide. These are also the most common compositional types of extraterrestrial particle types collected in the stratosphere. The correlation between these compositions indicates that vapor fractionation was not a major process influencing residue composition in these craters. Although the biases involved with finding analyzable meteoroid debris in metal craters differ from those for extraterrestrial particles collected in and below the atmosphere, there is a common bias favoring particles with low entry velocity. For craters this is very strong and probably all of the metal craters with abundant residue were caused by asteroidal dust impacting at minimum velocities.

Brownlee, D. E.

The Colorado IUE active galaxy survey. I - Blazars

This paper presents consistently reduced UV continuum flux densities amd spectra indices derived from all 499 usable archived IUE observations of blazars made through mid-1991. The extraction of 1D spectra and the measurement of spectral parameters are discussed. A detailed error analysis is presented, including a discussion of the difference in the calibration between the IUE long- and short-wavelength cameras. The resulting data are presented in tabular and graphical form and are available by electronic mail as well. These results will be most useful for variability studies, but can also be used to characterize the broad-band energy distributions and to compare blazar properties with those of other AGN. This is the first in a series of papers, in which extracted spectral parameters will be published for the over 4500 spectra of AGN in the IUE archives.

Edelson, Rick

FORTH direct execution processors in the Hopkins ultraviolet telescope

Engineers at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory have designed and built two computers which will control and monitor the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope, a 1986 Space Shuttle experiment. These computers implement a microcoded FORTH nucleus in a word-addressed AMD 2900 series bit-slice architecture. All programs for them are written in FORTH, which takes the place of assembly language in this architecture.

Ballard, Ben

Activities involving aeronautical, space science, and technology support for minority institutions

The Final Report addressed the activities with which the Interracial Council for Business Opportunity (ICBO) was involved over the past 12 months. ICBO was involved in the design and development of a CARES Student Tracking System Software (CARES). Cares is intended to provide an effective means of maintaining relevant current and historical information on NASA-funded students through a range of educational program initiatives. ICBP was extensively involved in the formation of a minority university consortium amd implementation of collaborative research activities by the consortium as part of NASA's Mission to Planet Earth/Earth Observing System. ICBO was involved in the formation of an HBCU/MI Consortium to facilitate technology transfer efforts to the small and minority business community in their respective regions.

Source record

First Galileo image of asteroid 243 Ida

The second spacecraft encounter with an asteroid has yielded an unprecedentedly high resolution portrait of 243 Ida. On 28 Aug. 1993, Galileo obtained an extensive data set on this small member of the Koronis family. Most of the data recorded on the tape recorder will be returned to Earth in spring 1994. A five-frame mosaic of Ida was acquired with good illumination geometry a few minutes before closest approach; it has a resolution of 31 to 38 m/pixel amd was played back during Sept. 1993. Preliminary analyses of this single view of Ida are summarized.

Chapman, C. R.