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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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NASA NTRS1992

Utility of imaging spectrometry for lithologic mapping in Greenland

Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) multispectral image data and field-based spectral reflectance measurements for a portion of the island of Storo, southwestern Greenland, were used to evaluate the potential of imaging spectrometry for lithologic mapping in arctic terrains. TM data allow mapping of tundra vegetation that typically covers moraines at lower elevations, and lichen-covered bedrock exposed at higher elevations. However, the ubiquitous lichen cover, combined with the limited spectral and radiometric capabilities of TM, severely hamper mapping of the amphibolite, anorthosite, gneiss, and granite outcrops on the island. Diagnostic mineral signatures can be discerned from high spectral and radiometric resolution observations, because lichen cover is patchy at mineral and outcrop scales. Results imply that high resolution imaging spectrometer data (e.g., from the HIRIS sensor to fly on the Earth Observing System), detailed field work, and application of subpixel mixing models will dramatically improve the ability to identify and map bedrock in similar terrains.

Rivard, Benoit↗
NASA NTRS1992

Supersonic acoustic source mechanisms for free jets of various geometries

The aeroacoustic performance of several generic nozzle geometries was tested to evaluate the potential benefits of using non-round jet exit geometries to reduce noise from combat military aircraft. Both the aerodynamics and far field acoustics of several M(sub d) = 1.5 and 2.0 round, elliptic, and rectangular nozzles, including an augmented deflector exhaust nozzle (ADEN), were studied to assess noise emission. The nozzles were operated to jet total temperatures, T(sub 0) = 1160 degree R, and the data scaled to constant thrust. The data were propagated to 1500 ft. and corrected to perceived noise level. The aerodynamic results of the study show that the non-round nozzle geometries mix much faster with the surrounding medium than does an equivalent round nozzle plume. Both the ADEN and elliptic nozzles provide significant reduction of noise, 6 to 7 PNdB, along the major axis direction with little expected impact on nozzle performance. Shock noise processes are eliminated for elliptic nozzles, but are still significant with rectangular nozzles. Comparison of measurements to theoretical predictions of noise using the quasi-linear instability wave model demonstrates good qualitative agreement.

Seiner, John M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Analysis of film cooling in rocket nozzles

Progress during the reporting period is summarized. Analysis of film cooling in rocket nozzles by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computer codes is desirable for two reasons. First, it allows prediction of resulting flow fields within the rocket nozzle, in particular the interaction of the coolant boundary layer with the main flow. This facilitates evaluation of potential cooling configurations with regard to total thrust, etc., before construction and testing of any prototype. Secondly, CFD simulation of film cooling allows for assessment of the effectiveness of the proposed cooling in limiting nozzle wall temperature rises. This latter objective is the focus of the current work. The desired objective is to use the Finite Difference Navier Stokes (FDNS) code to predict wall heat fluxes or wall temperatures in rocket nozzles. As prior work has revealed that the FDNS code is deficient in the thermal modeling of boundary conditions, the first step is to correct these deficiencies in the FDNS code. Next, these changes must be tested against available data. Finally, the code will be used to model film cooling of a particular rocket nozzle. The third task of this research, using the modified code to compute the flow of hot gases through a nozzle, is described.

Woodbury, Keith A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Modal identification experiment

The Modal Identification Experiment (MIE) is a proposed on-orbit experiment being developed by NASA's Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology wherein a series of vibration measurements would be made on various configurations of Space Station Freedom (SSF) during its on-orbit assembly phase. The experiment is to be conducted in conjunction with station reboost operations and consists of measuring the dynamic responses of the spacecraft produced by station-based attitude control system and reboost thrusters, recording and transmitting the data, and processing the data on the ground to identify the natural frequencies, damping factors, and shapes of significant vibratory modes. The experiment would likely be a part of the Space Station on-orbit verification. Basic research objectives of MIE are to evaluate and improve methods for analytically modeling large space structures, to develop techniques for performing in-space modal testing, and to validate candidate techniques for in-space modal identification. From an engineering point of view, MIE will provide the first opportunity to obtain vibration data for the fully-assembled structure because SSF is too large and too flexible to be tested as a single unit on the ground. Such full-system data is essential for validating the analytical model of SSF which would be used in any engineering efforts associated with structural or control system changes that might be made to the station as missions evolve over time. Extensive analytical simulations of on-orbit tests, as well exploratory laboratory simulations using small-scale models, have been conducted in-house and under contract to develop a measurement plan and evaluate its potential performance. In particular, performance trade and parametric studies conducted as part of these simulations were used to resolve issues related to the number and location of the measurements, the type of excitation, data acquisition and data processing, effects of noise and nonlinearities, selection of target vibration modes, and the appropriate type of data analysis scheme. The purpose of this talk is to provide an executive-summary-type overview of the modal identification experiment which has emerged from the conceptual design studies conducted to-date. Emphasis throughout is on those aspects of the experiment which should be of interest to those attending the subject utilization conference. The presentation begins with some preparatory remarks to provide background and motivation for the experiment, describe the experiment in general terms, and cite the specific technical objectives. This is followed by a summary of the major results of the conceptual design studies conducted to define the baseline experiment. The baseline experiment which has resulted from the studies is then described.

Kvaternik, Raymond G.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Lunar NTR vehicle design and operations study

The results of a lunar nuclear thermal rocket (NTR) vehicle design and operations study are presented in text and graphic form. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the potential applications of a specific NTR design to past and current (First Lunar Outpost) mission profiles for piloted and cargo lunar missions, and to assess the applicability of utilizing lunar vehicle design concepts for Mars missions.

Hodge, John↗
NASA NTRS1993

The HYDICE instrument design and its application to planetary instruments

The Hyperspectral Digital Imagery Collection Experiment (HYDICE) instrument represents a significant advance in the state of the art in hyperspectral sensors. It combines a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and significantly better spatial and spectral resolution and radio metric accuracy than systems flying on aircraft today. The need for 'clean' data, i.e., data free of sampling artifacts and excessive spatial or spectral noise, is a key driver behind the difficult combination of performance requirements laid out for HYDICE. Most of these involve the sensor optics and detector. This paper presents an optimized approach to those requirements, one that comprises push broom scanning, a single, mechanically cooled focal plane, a double-pass prism spectrometer, and an easily fabricated yet wide-field telescope. Central to the approach is a detector array that covers the entire spectrum from 0.4 to 2.5 microns. Among the major benefits conferred by such a design are optical and mechanical simplicity, low polarization sensitivity, and coverage of the entire spectrum without suffering the spectral gaps caused by beam splitters. The overall system minimizes interfaces to the C-141 aircraft on which it will be flown, can be calibrated on the ground and in flight to accuracies better than those required, and is designed for simple, push-button operation. Only unprocessed data are recorded during flight. A ground data processing station provides quick-look, calibration correction, and archiving capabilities, with a throughput better than the requirements. Overall performance of the system is expected to provide the solid database required to evaluate the potential of hyperspectral imagery in a wide variety of applications. HYDICE can be regarded as a test bed for future planetary instruments. The ability to spectrally image a wide field of view over multiple spectral octaves offers obvious advantages and is expected to maximize science return for the required cost and weight.

Basedow, R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Polarimetric Multispectral Imaging Technology

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is developing a remote sensing technology on which a new generation of compact, lightweight, high-resolution, low-power, reliable, versatile, programmable scientific polarimetric multispectral imaging instruments can be built to meet the challenge of future planetary exploration missions. The instrument is based on the fast programmable acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) of tellurium dioxide (TeO2) that operates in the wavelength range of 0.4-5 microns. Basically, the AOTF multispectral imaging instrument measures incoming light intensity as a function of spatial coordinates, wavelength, and polarization. Its operation can be in either sequential, random access, or multiwavelength mode as required. This provides observation flexibility, allowing real-time alternation among desired observations, collecting needed data only, minimizing data transmission, and permitting implementation of new experiments. These will result in optimization of the mission performance with minimal resources. Recently we completed a polarimetric multispectral imaging prototype instrument and performed outdoor field experiments for evaluating application potentials of the technology. We also investigated potential improvements on AOTF performance to strengthen technology readiness for applications. This paper will give a status report on the technology and a prospect toward future planetary exploration.

Cheng, L.-J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Observations and analysis of oil spills using polarized imagery

On Saturday, July 28, 1990, a train of barges collided with the Greek tanker Shinoussa in Galveston Bay off Red Fish Island near Texas City, Texas. The first barge sank and the second began to leak while the third barge in the chain and the Shinoussa both escaped without damage. The NASA Flight Science Support Office sponsored a graduate student from SUNY - College of Environmental Science and Forestry and a student from Texas, to survey the damage. The purpose of these surveys was to correlate aircraft base data with orbital data obtained during the Space Shuttle Polarization Experiment and existing laboratory data to evaluate the potential for an application such as oil spill monitoring and mapping. NASA has no charter with the local response agencies to support oil spill monitoring and cleanup.

Israel, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Microelectrode-based technology for the detection of low levels of bacteria

A microelectrode-based electrochemical detection method was used for quantitation of bacteria in water samples. The redox mediator, benzoquinone, was used to accept electrons from the bacterial metabolic pathway to create a flow of electrons by reducing the mediator. Electrochemical monitoring electrodes detected the reduced mediator as it diffused out of the cells and produced a small electrical current. By using a combination of microelectrodes and monitoring instrumentation, the cumulative current generated by a particular bacterial population could be monitored. Using commercially available components, an electrochemical detection system was assembled and tested to evaluate its potential as an emerging technology for rapid detection and quantitation of bacteria in water samples.

Rogers, Tom D.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Interaction of H2 with simple metal surfaces - A model based on the anisotropic effective medium theory

Calculations are presented for the interaction of H2 with surfaces of Cu, Ag, Au and Al. The repulsive part of the potential is evaluated using the results of anisotropic effective medium theory (AEMT) while the attractive part is calculated from anisotropic damped dipole-dipole and damped dipole-quadrupole interactions. The model does not have any fitting parameters and its predictions are in excellent agreement with the available experimental data. The anisotropy of H2 is included in the model but our results show that this effect is very small.

Karimi, M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Experimental segregation of iron-nickel metal, iron-sulfide, and olivine in a thermal gradient: Preliminary results

Speculation about the possible mechanisms for core formation in small asteroids raises more questions than answers. Petrologic evidence from iron meteorites, pallasites, and astronomical observations of M asteroids suggests that many small bodies were capable of core formation. Recent work by Taylor reviews the geochemical evidence and examines the possible physical/mechanical constraints on segregation processes. Taylor's evaluation suggests that extensive silicate partial melting (preferably 50 vol. percent or greater) is required before metal can segregate from the surrounding silicate and form a metal core. The arguments for large degrees of silicate partial melting are two-fold: (1) elemental trends in iron meteorites require that the metal was at is liquidus; and (2) experimental observations of metal/sulfide inclusions in partially molten silicate meteorites show that the metal/sulfide tends to form spherules in the liquid silicate due to surface tension effects. Taylor points out that for these metal spherules to sink through a silicate mush, high degrees of silicate partial melting are required to lower the silicate yield strength. Although some qualitative experimental data exists, little is actually known about the behavior of metals and liquid sulfides dispersed in silicate systems. In addition, we have been impressed with the ability of cumulative olivine to expel trapped liquid when placed in a thermal gradient. Consequently, we undertook to accomplish the following: (1) experimentally evaluate the potential for metal/sulfide/silicate segregation in a thermal gradient; and (2) obtain quantitative data of the wetting parameters of metal-sulfide melts among silicate grains.

Jurewicz, Stephen R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

An observing system simulation experiment for the Laser Atmospheric Wind Sounder (LAWS)

The present observing system-simulation experiments evaluate the potential of a Laser Atmospheric Wind Sounder (LAWS) instrument for 5-day forecasting, using a primitive-equation multilevel spectral global circulation model. A 55-deg-inclined and a 98-deg sun-synchronous orbit are examined, by adding LAWS wind profiles into a global 4D data-assimilation system, and comparing both the analyses and forecasts to a control experiment. The 4D data-assimilation system consists of a multivariate optimum interpolation analysis and a nonlinear, normal-mode intialization, using the aforementioned global circulation model.

Rohaly, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Shear coaxial injector instability mechanisms

There is no definitive knowledge of which of several concurrent processes ultimately results in unstable combustion within liquid rocket chambers employing shear coaxial injectors. Possible explanations are a detrimental change in the atomization characteristics due to a decrease in the gas-to-liquid velocity ratio, a change in the gas side injector pressure drop allowing acoustic coupling to the propellant feed system or the disappearance of a stabilizing recirculation region at the base of the LOX post. The aim of this research effort is to investigate these proposed mechanisms under conditions comparable to actual engine operation. Spray characterization was accomplished with flash photography and planar laser imaging to examine the overall spray morphology and liquid jet breakup processes and with a PDPA to quantify the spatial distribution of droplet size and mean axial velocity. A simplified stability model based on the Rayleigh criterion was constructed for the flow dynamics occurring within the chamber and injector to evaluate the potential coupling between the chamber and injector acoustic modes and was supported by high frequency measurements of chamber and injector pressure oscillations. To examine recirculation within the LOX post recess, velocity measurements were performed in the recess region by means of LDV. Present experiments were performed under noncombusting conditions using LOX/GH2 stimulants at pressures up to 4 MPa.

Puissant, C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Gulf offshore satellite applications project (GOSAP) (ERS-1 Pilot Project PP-USA-1)

Project GOSAP is a multi organizational effort to determine how best to use remote sensing technology, and ERS-1 data in particular, to address offshore problems and operations faced by the exploration and marine engineering industries, in the Gulf of Mexico. Remotely sensed data integrated with sea truth are used to quantify meteorologic and oceanographic events, to detect and track ocean currents and gyres, to image the sea floor, map subsurface geology, or detect oil seeps from orbital altitudes. Participants are evaluating the potential for satellite based offshore exploration, ocean engineering, and environmental applications using combined satellite and airborne measurements constrained by real time sea truth.

Biegert, E. K.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Protocol for Atomic Oxygen Testing of Materials in Ground-Based Facilities

A second version of standard guidelines is proposed for improving materials testing in ground-based atomic oxygen environments for the purpose of predicting the durability of the tested materials in low Earth orbit (LEO). Accompanying these guidelines are background information and notes about testing. Both the guidelines and the additional information are intended to aid users who wish to evaluate the potential hazard of atomic oxygen in LEO to a candidate space component without actually flying the component in space, and to provide a framework for more consistent atomic oxygen testing in the future.

Minton, Timothy K.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Continued Development and Application of Circulation Control Pneumatic Technology to Advanced Transport Aircraft

Personnel of the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) Aerospace and Transportation Lab have completed a four-year grant program to develop and evaluate the pneumatic aerodynamic technology known as Circulation Control (CC) or Circulation Control Wing (CCW) for advanced transport aircraft. This pneumatic technology, which employs low-level blowing from tangential slots over round or near-round trailing edges of airfoils, greatly augments the circulation around a lifting or control surface and thus enhances the aerodynamic forces and moments generated by that surface. Two-dimensional force augmentations as high as 80 times the input blowing momentum coefficient have been recorded experimentally for these blown devices, thus providing returns of 8000% on the jet momentum expended. A further benefit is the absence of moving parts such as mechanical flaps, slats, spoilers, ailerons, elevators and rudders from these pneumatic surfaces, or the use of only very small, simple, blown aerodynamic surfaces on synergistic designs which integrate the lift, drag and control surfaces. The application of these devices to advanced aircraft can offer significant benefits in their performance, efficiency, simplicity, reliability, economic cost of operation, noise reduction, and safety of flight. To further develop and evaluate this potential, this research effort was conducted by GTRI under grant for the NASA Langley Research Center, Applied Aerodynamics Division, Subsonic Aerodynamics Branch, between June 14, 1993 and May 31, 1997.

Englar, Robert J.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Characterization of Al-Cu-Li Alloy 2090 Near Net Shape Extrusion

Aluminum-lithium (Al-Li) alloys near net shape extrusions are being evaluated for potential application in launch vehicle structures. The objective of this study was to determine tensile and fracture properties, corrosion resistance, and weldability of integrally stiffened panels of Al-Cu-Li alloy 2090 in the T8 temper. The microstructure was pre-dominantly unrecrystallized. Texture analyses revealed the presence of fiber components in the stiffeners and a combination of fiber and rolling components in the skin. Variations in grain morphology and texture through the extruded cross section were correlated with the tensile, fracture, and corrosion behavior. Tensile strengths at room and cryogenic temperatures of the 2090 extrusions were similar to other 2090 product forms and were higher than 2219-T87, the primary structural material in the Space Shuttle external tank; however, ductilities were lower. The fracture resistance of the 2090 extrusion was lower than 2219-T87 plate at room temperature. At cryogenic temperatures, tensile ductility and fracture behavior of the 2090 extrusion were similar to other 2090 product forms but were lower than 2219-T87 plate. The exfoliation and stress corrosion resistance of the 2090 extrusion compared favorably with the characteristics of other 2090 product forms. The weldability and weldment properties of the extrusions were similar to 2090 and 2219 plates.

Birt, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1998

On-Board Switching and Routing Advanced Technology Study

Future satellite communications is expected to be fully integrated into National and Global Information Infrastructures (NII/GII). These infrastructures will carry multi gigabit-per-second data rates, with integral switching and routing of constituent data elements. The satellite portion of these infrastructures must, therefore, be more than pipes through the sky. The satellite portion will also be required to perform very high speed routing and switching of these data elements to enable efficient broad area coverage to many home and corporate users. The technology to achieve the on-board switching and routing must be selected and developed specifically for satellite application within the next few years. This report presents evaluation of potential technologies for on-board switching and routing applications.

Yegenoglu, F.↗