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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 163 records · Page 9

A versatile silver oxide-zinc battery for synchronous orbit and planetary missions.

A new kind of silver-zinc cell has been developed and tested under NASA support which can withstand severe heat sterilization requirements. These cells could be used on planetary lander mission which require wet-stand periods of over a year, a modest number of cycles (400 to 500) and may require dry heat sterilization. The weight advantage of these cells over the traditional nickel-cadmium batteries also makes it an attractive alternative for synchronous orbit service where 400 to 500 cycles would be required over a 5 year period.

Schwartz, H. J.

Versatile logic system for use in nuclear experiments on scientific satellites.

An improved fast low-power-drain logic system has been developed for use in nuclear experiments on scientific satellites. The basic unit of the system is an AND-NAND gate which has a response in the 10-nsec range, a power drain of 2.0 mw and operates over the temperature range of -40 to +80 C. In addition to providing the AND-NAND logic functions, one or more of the basic units may be connected to yield a monostable pulse generator, a pulse generator proceeding an output pulse at the leading edge of the input pulse, a delay, a threshold detector, and a bistable circuit. The system requires relatively simple circuitry for interfacing at its outputs and inputs.

Cancro, C. A.

Delta's inexpensive, reliable, and versatile third generation upper stage

The need for larger diameter fairings to encapsulate spacecraft designed to use Delta's increased lifting capabilities resulted in hammer-head design configurations that would have unaccepably degraded vehicle flight characteristics. This situation led to the development of the Straight Eight configuration. The towed mode arrangement for the second stage negated the requirement for the engine compartment structure, thus establishing the potential for an improved packaging of the hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Therefore, with cost reduction and reliability improvement objectives, a second stage propulsion system improvement program was initiated. The paper will describe these improvements and their system benefits.

Bonnett, E. W.

A versatile silver oxide-zinc battery for synchronous orbit and planetary missions

A new kind of silver-zinc cell has been developed and tested under NASA support which can withstand severe heat sterilization requirements and does not display the traditional life limiting aspect of zinc electrodes - i.e., shape change. These cells could be used on a planetary lander mission which requires wet-stand periods of over a year, a modest number of cycles (400 to 500) and may require dry heat sterilization. The weight advantage of these cells over the traditional nickel-cadmium batteries makes them also an attractive alternative for synchronous orbit service where 400 to 500 cycles would be required over a five-year period.

Schwartz, H. J.

Versatile data handling system study

The objective of the study is discussed to arrive at recommendations for the most suitable image recording equipment for the use with various spaceborne earth observation sensors. Future sensors presently under consideration were included in the study, as well as existing sensors and those under development.

Source record

A versatile data acquisition system for Goldstone

A data acquisition system set up at Goldstone was described. It is capable of recording a wide variety of parameters from widely separated geographical locations with varying integration times and recording speeds. It is fast, accurate, and modular in form so that it can be readily expanded. The accuracies of the system are discussed, and examples of data recorded with the system's capability of operation with preprocessing are given.

Reid, M. S.

Space acquired imagery, a versatile tool in the development of energy sources

The two-dimensional images acquired by satellite-borne instruments are continuous, they supplement surface data, subsurface data, and other geophysical data, and they can cut the amount of field work required for a given task by a whole order of magnitude. Images acquired with instruments mounted on the Apollo and Skylab orbiting spacecraft, and on the RB-57 and U-2 aircraft, are displayed and discussed.

Amsbury, D. L.

A versatile system for biological and soil chemical tests on a planetary landing craft. I - Scientific objectives

We describe an approach for the remote detection and characterization of life in planetary soil samples. A mass spectrometer is used as the central sensor to monitor changes in the gas phase in eleven test cells filled with soil. Many biological assays, ranging from general 'in situ' assays to specific metabolic processes (such as photosynthesis, respiration, denitrification, etc.) can be performed by appropriate additions to the test cell via attached preloaded injector capsules. The system is also compatible with a number of chemical assays such as the analysis of atmospheric composition (both chemical and isotopic), the status of soil water, and the determination of compounds of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur in the soil.

Radmer, R. J.

A versatile detector system to measure the change states, mass compositions and energy spectra of interplanetary and magnetosphere ions

An instrument is described for measuring the mass and charge state composition as well as the energy spectra and angular distributions of 0.5 to 350 kev/charge ions in interplanetary space and in magnetospheres of planets such as Jupiter and earth. Electrostatic deflection combined with a time-of-flight and energy measurement allows three-parameter analysis of output signals from which the mass, charge states, and energy are determined. Post-acceleration by 30 kV extends the energy range of the detector system into the solar wind and magnetosphere plasma regime. Isotopes of H and He are easily resolved as are individual elements up to Ne and the dominant elements up to and including Fe. This instrument has an extremely large dynamic range in intensity and is sensitive to rare elements even in the presence of high intensity radiation, and is adapted for interplanetary, deep-space, and out-of-the-ecliptic missions, as well as for flights on spacecraft orbiting Jupiter and earth.

Gloeckler, G.

Coaxial isolator has versatile interface

Approach increases system-packaging flexibility. Isolators are constructed with removable connectors that can be changed to meet user's requirements. Technique reduces development scheduling problems. Isolators can be procured before package design is firm and then readily reconfigured to meet final design requirements. Changes to existing designs to incorporate removable connectors are minimal. Small adapter plates increase size modestly; weight increase is negligible.

Olsson, D. L.

Versatile LDV burst simulator

A device for generating burst signals is reported that can be used to determine whether or not a laser Doppler velocimeter is operating properly. A high frequency signal which corresponds to the information frequency of the laser Doppler velocimeter is modulated by a low frequency signal to provide an envelope for the high frequency signal. The high frequency signal is modulated by any modulator means such as, for example, an analog multiplier. The low frequency signal is added to the modulated signal to provide pedestals for the resulting series of burst pulses. The means are provided for selecting different combinations of these burst signals. Also means are provided for making the burst signals asymmetrical as desired. In addition, means are provided for varying the frequencies, and amplitudes of the information, envelope and pedestal frequency signals in the burst signals.

Youngbluth, O., Jr.

A versatile microprocessor-controlled hybrid receiver

A hybrid receiver has been designed for the Galileo Project. The receiver, located on the Galileo Orbiter, will autonomously acquire and track signals from the first atmospheric probe of Jupiter as well as demodulate, bit-synchronize, and buffer the telemetry data. The receiver has a conventional RF and LF front end but performs multiple functions digitally under firmware control. It will be a self-acquiring receiver that operates under a large frequency uncertainty; it can accommodate different modulation types, bit rates, and other parameter changes via reprogramming. A breadboard receiver and test set demonstrate a preliminary version of the sequential detection process and verify the hypothesis that a fading channel does not reduce the probability of detection.

Grant, T. L.

A versatile burst generator for LDV

A laser-Doppler velocimeter (LDV) burst generator developed for calibration of an LDV before an actual test is described. This generator uses voltage-controlled oscillators to produce the information frequency up to 1 MHz and the pedestal frequency up to 10 MHz. The amplitude and the frequency of each signal can be adjusted independently, and the generator is capable of producing a single burst or a variety of periodic and aperiodic bursts. Variable symmetry in the burst signal can be introduced to the point of producing the 'double-pulse' burst. An LED display is used for the readout of the information and the pedestal frequencies.

Youngbluth, O., Jr.

A versatile tunnel acts as a flexible duct

Tunnel activated by cable assembly can be expanded, contracted, and bent similar to flexible duct without uncoupling at either end. Tunnel was developed to join reusable space vehicle with cargo module and could be modified to be used as hydraulic or pneumatic hose or duct connecting complex moveable joints in remote manipulators and earth moving machinery.

Brown, N. D.

Versatile modular scaffolds

Movable and fixed modular scaffolds can be tailored to most scaffolding needs by interconnecting only 4 basic structural elements: platforms, rails, vertical-support angles, and stiffener. Standard nuts and bolts are used to join elements, simplifying construction, and reducing costs. Scaffolds are rigid and can be made any length. They are stable on unlevel ground and can extend to well over 50 feet in height. Scaffolds allow for internal elevators and for wheels and air mounts so that same elements can be used for standing or movable scaffold.

Kerley, J.