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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 1,693 records · Page 94

Line blanketing in stars.

Scaled solar and gray-body temperature distribution models compared to determine stellar atmosphere

Swamy, K. S. K.↗

Empirical solar continuum models

Empirical solar photosphere continuum models, calculating temperature distribution for absolute intensities at center and limb darkening ratios

Remo, J. L.↗

On K-line central reversals

Solar atmosphere vertical temperature and density distribution measurements, using spatially averaged H and K resonance line profiles central reversals

Pasachoff, J. M.↗

New results and techniques in space radio astronomy.

The methods and results of early space radioastronomy experiments are reviewed, with emphasis on the RAE 1 spacecraft which was designed specifically and exclusively for radio astronomical studies. The RAE 1 carries two gravity-gradient-stabilized 229-m traveling-wave V-antennas, a 37-m dipole antenna, and a number of radiometer systems to provide measurements over the 0.2 to 9.2 MHz frequency range with a time resolution of 0.5 sec and an absolute accuracy of plus or minus 25%. Observations of solar bursts at frequencies down to 0.2 MHz provide new information on the density, plasma velocity, and dynamics of coronal streamers out to distances greater than 50 solar radii. New information on the distribution of the ionized component of the interstellar medium is being obtained from galactic continuum background maps at frequencies around 4 MHz. Cosmic noise background spectra measured down to 0.5 MHz produce new estimates on the interstellar flux of cosmic rays, on magnetic fields in the galactic halo, and on distant extragalactic radio sources.

Alexander, J. K.↗

Energy losses of galactic cosmic rays in the interplanetary medium.

Using realistic models of cosmic-ray propagation in interplanetary space we present, for electrons, protons and helium nuclei of a given energy near earth, calculations of their distribution in energy before entering the solar cavity and their mean energy loss. Interplanetary conditions appropriate for the epochs 1965 and 1969 have been used. Cosmic-ray energies in the range of 20 to 1000 MeV/nucleon have been considered.

Urch, I. H.↗

MSFC Skylab Orbital Workshop, volume 2

The design and development of the Skylab Orbital Workshop are discussed. The subjects considered are: (1) thrust attitude control system, (2) solar array system, (3) electrical power distribution system, (4) communication and data acquisition system, (5) illumination system, and (6) caution and warning system.

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Apollo 17 ultraviolet spectrometer experiment (S-169)

The scientific objectives of the ultraviolet spectrometer experiment are discussed, along with design and operational details, instrument preparation and performance, and scientific results. Information gained from the experiment is given concerning the lunar atmosphere and albedo, zodiacal light, astronomical observations, spacecraft environment, and the distribution of atomic hydrogen in the solar system and in the earth's atmosphere.

Fastie, W. G.↗

Scientific instrumentation of the Radio-Astronomy-Explorer-2 satellite

The instrumentation of the RAE-2 spacecraft is described. The instruments include a pair of long travelling-wave antennas, a 37-m dipole, two radiometers making one frequency scan every 144 sec, and two rapid-sampling total-power burst receivers which cover the range from 0.025 to 13.1 MHz in 32 discrete steps. Effects of terrestrial noise on RAE-1 and RAE-2 observations are discussed, and it is noted that RAE-2 is uniquely capable of observing repeated lunar occultations of strong radio sources at very low frequencies. Some observational programs are briefly noted, including observations of the galactic background distribution, measurements of lunar occultations of solar radio bursts, and searches for more radio sources among the planets, galactic objects, and extragalactic sources.

Alexander, J. K.↗

Space reflector technology and its system implications

The technical feasibility of providing nearly continuous solar energy to a world-distributed set of conversion sites by means of a system of orbiting, large-area, low-areal-density reflecting structures is examined. Requisite mirror area to provide a chosen, year-averaged site intensity is shown. A modeled reflector structure, with suitable planarity and ability to meet operational torques and loads, is discussed. Typical spatial and temporal insolation profiles are presented. These determine the sizing of components and the output electric power from a baselined photovoltaic conversion system. Technical and economic challenges which, if met, would allow the system to provide a large fraction of future world energy needs at costs competitive to circa-1995 fossil and nuclear sources are discussed.

Billman, K. W.↗

The radius and albedo of Hyperion

A measurement of the 20-micron thermal flux from Hyperion is reported, and the radius and surface geometric albedo of this outer satellite of Saturn are computed by the photometric/radiometric method. A corrected and normalized 20-micron thermal flux of 0.033 + or - 0.012 Jy is determined. A radius of 112 + or - 15 km and a surface geometric albedo of 0.47 + or - 0.11 are obtained by assuming values of unity for the phase integral, emissivity, and bolometric/visual geometric-albedo ratio. The sensitivity of the photometric/radiometric method to the assumed values of the parameters involved is discussed, and the results are compared with similar studies of Triton. It is concluded that neither Hyperion nor Triton appears to have a geometric albedo in the lower end of the distribution of small bodies in the solar system.

Cruikshank, D. P.↗

Solar Power Satellite (SPS) fiber optic link assessment

A feasibility demonstration of a 980 MHz fiber optic link for the Solar Power Satellite (SPS) phase reference distribution system was accomplished. A dual fiber-optic link suitable for a phase distribution frequency of 980 MHz was built and tested. The major link components include single mode injection laser diodes, avalanche photodiodes, and multimode high bandwidth fibers. Signal throughput was demonstrated to be stable and of high quality in all cases. For a typical SPS link length of 200 meters, the transmitted phase at 980 MHz varies approximately 2.5 degrees for every deg C of fiber temperature change. This rate is acceptable because of the link length compensation feature of the phase control design.

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The JPL flux mapper

The flux mapper is a device that can map the intensity distribution in three dimensions of concentrated solar energy at the focus of a concentrator. Intensities to 10,000 solar constants can be measured. Constructed to assist in concentrator and receiver development, it consists of a radiometer which is moved through the concentrated sunlight in a series of planes perpendicular to the optical axis by means of a mechanical rastering device. Various radiometer probes can be utilized depending on the time and accuracy requirements of the program. Energy levels are recorded as a function of location. Reduction of this data can be in various formats, e.g., contour maps, digital arrays, isometric visualizations and other displays as the user requires.

Owen, W. A.↗

The energy dependence of the ratios of secondary to primary elements in the cosmic radiation

The secondary to primary ratios B/C, N/O and (Sc-Mn)/Fe in the galactic cosmic rays have been measured in the overall energy interval 30-180 MeV/n with the University of Chicago cosmic ray telescope on board the satellite IMP-8 during the period 1974-1978. These results, together with the values of the same ratios measured at higher energies, have been compared to the results of cosmic ray propagation calculations using different pathlength distributions (PLD) and different levels of solar modulation, in order to select a single set of parameters consistent with all the measured ratios.

Garcia-Munoz, M.↗

An interstellar precursor mission

A mission out of the planetary system, launched about the year 2000, could provide valuable scientific data as well as test some of the technology for a later mission to another star. Primary scientific objectives for the precursor mission concern characteristics of the heliopause, the interstellar medium, stellar distances (by parallax measurements), low-energy cosmic rays, interplanetary gas distribution, and the mass of the solar system. Secondary objectives include investigation of Pluto. The mission should extend to 400-1000 AU from the sun. A heliocentric hyperbolic escape velocity of 50-100 km/sec or more is needed to attain this distance within a reasonable mission duration (20-50 years). The trajectory should be toward the incoming interstellar gas. For a year 2000 launch, a Pluto encounter and orbiter can be included. A second mission targeted parallel to the solar axis would also be worthwhile. The mission duration is 20 years, with an extended mission to a total of 50 years. A system using one or two stages of nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) was selected as a possible baseline. The most promising alternatives are ultralight solar sails or laser sailing, with the lasers in earth orbit, for example. The NEP baseline design allows the option of carrying a Pluto orbiter as a daughter spacecraft.

Jaffe, L. D.↗

Iron charge states observed in the solar wind

Solar wind measurements from the ULECA sensor of the Max-Planck-Institut/University of Maryland experiment on ISEE-3 are reported. The low energy section of approx the ULECA sensor selects particles by their energy per charge (over the range 3.6 keV/Q to 30 keV/Q) and simultaneously measures their total energy with two low-noise solid state detectors. Solar wind Fe charge state measurements from three time periods of high speed solar wind occurring during a post-shock flow and a coronal hole-associated high speed stream are presented. Analysis of the post-shock flow solar wind indicates the charge state distributions for Fe were peaked at approx +16, indicative of an unusually high coronal temperature (3,000,000 K). In contrast, the Fe charge state distribution observed in a coronal hole-associated high speed stream peaks at approx -9, indicating a much lower coronal temperature (1,400,000 K). This constitutes the first reported measurements of iron charge states in a coronal hole-associated high speed stream.

Ipavich, F. M.↗

Radio and UV Observations of High Latitude HI

Interstellar Lyman alpha observations toward high latitude stars, which give the column density of H I between Earth and the star, and 21 cm radio observations, which give the total H I column density to and beyond the star, can be combined to map out the amount of neutral gas as a function of distance from the Sun. Observations of the 21 cm and Lyman alpha lines made toward approximately 50 high latitude OB stars are presented. These data are used to discuss the distribution of H I in the solar neighborhood.

Lockman, F. J.↗

Influence of clouds on the earth's radiation budget determined from GOES data

Estimates of the cloud radiative effects on the earth's regional and zonal radiation budgets derived from GOES data during November 1978 are presented. The diurnal cloud cover variability is shown to affect both the radiation-budget measurements and the estimation of the overall effect of clouds on the net flux. For this data set, the cloud cover causes a decrease in the net flux from the clear-sky value. Thus, the cloud albedo effect outweights the greenhouse effect of the clouds. It is found that the value of the change in the radiation balance is closely related to the amount of incident solar radiation and to the zonal distributions of low, middle, and high cloud cover.

Harrison, E. F.↗