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A method for preparing a natural gas storage vessel for shipment is presented. The gas is stored at 3,000 pounds per square inch. The safety precautions to be observed are emphasized. The equipment and process for purging the tank and sampling the exit gas flow are described. A diagram of the pressure vessel and the equipment is provided.
The Mir Cooperative Solar Array (MCSA) was developed jointly by the United States (US) and Russia to provide approximately 6 kW of photovoltaic power to the Russian space station Mir. After final assembly in Russia, the MCSA was shipped to the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in the summer of 1995 and launched to Mir in November 1995. Program managers were concerned of the potential for MCSA damage during the transatlantic shipment and the associated handling operations. To address this concern, NASA Lewis Research Center (LERC) developed an innovative dark-forward electrical test program to assess the gross electrical condition of each generator following shipment from Russia. The use of dark test techniques, which allow the array to remain in the stowed configuration, greatly simplifies the checkout of large area solar arrays. MCSA dark electrical testing was successfully performed at KSC in July 1995 following transatlantic shipment. Data from this testing enabled engineers to quantify the effects of potential MCSA physical damage that would degrade on-orbit electrical performance. In this paper, an overview of the principles and heritage of photovoltaic array dark testing is given. The specific MCSA dark test program is also described including the hardware, software, testing procedures and test results. The current-voltage (4) response of both solar cell circuitry and by-pass diode circuitry was obtained. To guide the development of dark test hardware, software and procedures, a dedicated FORTRAN computer code was developed to predict the dark 4 responses of generators with a variety of feasible damage modes. By comparing the actual test data with the predictions, the physical condition of the generator could be inferred. Based on this data analysis, no electrical short-circuits or open-circuits were detected. This suggested the MCSA did not sustain physical damage that affected electrical performance during handling and shipment from Russia to the US. Good agreement between the test data and computational predictions indicated MCSA electrical performance was amenable to accurate analysis and was well understood.
This report continues studies on cells made with low temperature (<400degC) single-cycle, lithium diffusion schedules. Measurements of concentration of lithium at the back surface showed that C(sub S) changes with time consisting of a build-up to a maximum value (above 10(exp 17) cm(exp -3)) with gradual decrease at longer diffusion times. Using the estimated C(sub S) values, theoretical lithium profiles were calculated. The calculated concentration near the PN junction was higher than those measured by the capacitance voltage (C-V) technique. The calculated concentration gradients were one-seventh of those measured by C-V methods. Both the concentration and its gradient were proportional to C(sub S). Estimates of C(sub S) obtained by extrapolating from C-V measured values of concentration and gradient near the PN junction, showed a decrease in C(sub S) for longer diffusion times. This fact supported the trend observed in Shipment C-13, where,, at longer times, the spread in values of V(sub oc), lithium concentration, and gradient became greater. The general conclusion was that the I-V characteristics were well controlled, with good cell output, but for longer diffusion times the lithium concentration gradient could have wider spread. The work described has led to greater insight into the lithium distribution dependence on the surface conditions. The surface conditions could be changed by varying the method used to apply lithium. Vacuum evaporation of lithium shows promise, and another exhaustive test of this method is in progress. Shipment C-13 is summarized, and the succeeding lots (C-14, C-15) are described. It is felt that improved monitoring of cell properties is at hand, and that the control of cell fabrication processes has advanced to where the effects of subtle differences in lithium distribution can now be seen. Evaluation is continuing on the best method to scale up the fabrication steps. A different sequence of fabrication is planned for Shipments C-14 and C-15.
Transportation requirements are considered during the engine design layout reviews and maintenance engineering analyses. Where designs cannot be influenced to avoid transportation problems, the transportation representative is advised of the problems permitting remedies early in the program. The transportation representative will monitor and be involved in the shipment of development engine and GSE hardware between FRDC and vehicle manufacturing plant and thereby will be provided an early evaluation of the transportation plans, methods and procedures to be used in the space tug support program. Unanticipated problems discovered in the shipment of development hardware will be known early enough to permit changes in packaging designs and transportation plans before the start of production hardware and engine shipments. All conventional transport media can be used for the movement of space tug engines. However, truck transport is recommended for ready availability, variety of routes, short transit time, and low cost.
The Anti-Coincidence Detector (ACD), the outermost detector layer in the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) Large Area Telescope (LAT), is designed to detect and veto incident cosmic ray charged particles, which outnumber cosmic gamma rays by 3-4 orders of magnitude. The challenge in ACD design is that it must have high (0.9997) detection efficiency for singly-charged relativistic particles, but must also have a low probability for self-veto of high-energy gammas by backplash radiation from interactions in the LAT calorimeter. Simulations and tests demonstrate that the ACD meete its design requirements. The performance of the ACD has remained stable thrugh stand-alone environmental testing, shipment across the U.S. installation onto the LAT, shipment back across the U.S., LAT environmental testing, and shipment to Arizona. As part of the fully-assembled GLAST observatory, the ACD is being readied for final testing before launch.
The design, development, and tests of a 200 pound container for the shipment of liquid diborane are reported. A record of the correspondence with the DOT to obtain a permit for liquid diborane shipment is presented.
A shipment of advanced, high transmittance glass for solar thermal power applications is assessed. Results of both mirror and glass inspection are reported. Surface and bulk defects are identified as well as the number broken or chipped during shipment and handling. Of the panels received, the thicker 1.5 mm (0.060 in.) glass exhibited a smaller breakage rate than the thin 1.0 mm (0.040 in.) panels.
The data format specifications of the Goddard HDT inventory tapes (GHITS), which accompany shipments of archival digital multispectral scanner image data (HDT-AM tapes), are defined. The GHIT is a nine-track, 1600-BPI tape which conforms to the ANSI standard and serves as an inventory and description of the image data included in the shipment. The archival MSS tapes (HDT-AMs) contain radiometrically corrected but geometrically uncorrected image data plus certain ancillary data necessary to perform the geometric corrections.
The purpose of this evaluation was to determine if the self-contained, off-the-shelf, Environmental Data Recorder 3 (EDR-3) could be qualified to monitor shock, vibration, and temperature during rail transportation of space shuttle solid rocket components. The evaluation testing started in November 1989 and continued until June 1990. Two EDR-3 units were used to monitor both on- and off-plant shipments of shuttle components. In addition, extensive testing was performed at Thiokol's Vibration Test facility, T-53. Testing demonstrated that the EDR-3 is capable of successfully monitoring actual shipments of solid rocket hardware. Thiokol metrology has verified the accuracy of temperature monitoring. In addition, calibrated shock/vibration testing demonstrated that the EDR-3 does accurately record acceleration. It is recommended that the vendor modify the EDR-3 data recovery system to allow remote communication via a 30-foot cable. This would permit communication with the unit mounted on a case segment after a rail car cover is installed. The vendor will make this change and produce a new model, designated EDR-3-10. It is further recommended that Thiokol qualify the EDR-3-10 for transportation monitoring of redesigned solid rocket motor (RSRM) components.
A tool is designed which facilitates the forming of wire grids used in manufacturing strain gage grids. Flattening the grid wire by a cold working process produces a stabilized grid which can be readily handled for storage or shipment.
Information compiled on the shock and vibration environment encountered by items and equipment during shipment shows the distribution of drop heights for particular packages, distribution systems, and handling operations. Applications of the data to typical package design problems are discussed.
Perishable air cargo physiological characteristics effect on aircraft environmental control systems, noting handling systems for air shipment
The author has identified the following significant results. Various data compilation and analysis activities in support of ERTS-1 imagery interpretation are in progress or are completed. These include the compilation of mine accident data, areas of mine roof instability and the analysis of high altitude color infrared photography and low altitude color and color infrared photography which was acquired by NASA in support of the project. The photography reveals that many fracture lineaments are detectable through a varied thickness of glacial till. These data will be compiled on a series of 1:250,000 scale base maps and evaluated for a correlation between fracture zones and mine accidents and rooffalls. Due to high occurrence of cloud cover in the project area and to the delay in imagery shipments, little progress has been made in the analysis of ERTS-1 imagery.
Pertinent documents are reported of the correspondance with the Department of Transportation for obtaining and revising Special Permit no. 6522 for the shipment of diborane. The documents reported cover the period from 4 June 1971 to 22 September 1972. The design and performance of 200-pound diborane shipping containers are included along with the requests for permission to ship quantities less that 200 pounds, and less than 100 pounds.
An analytical and experimental program to study design techniques and to utilize these techniques to optimize the performance of an X-band 4 kW, CW traveling wave tube ultimately intended for satellite-borne television broadcast transmitters is described. The design is based on the coupled-cavity slow-wave circuit with velocity resynchronization to maximize the conversion efficiency. The design incorporates a collector which is demountable from the tube. This was done to facilitate multistage depressed collector experiments employing a NASA designed axisymmetric, electrostatic collector for linear beam microwave tubes after shipment of the tubes to NASA.
The contamination control program plan delineates the cleanliness requirements to be attained and maintained, and the methods to be utilized, in the fabrication, handling, test, calibration, shipment, pre-installation checkout and installation for the ultraviolet spectrometer experiment prototype, qualification and flight equipment.
The wind power potential of Alaska is assessed in order to determine promising windpower sites for construction of wind machines and for shipment of wind derived energy. Analyses of near surface wind data from promising Aleutian sites accessible by ocean transport indicate probable velocity regimes and also present deficiencies in available data. It is shown that winds for some degree of power generation are available 77 percent of the time in the Aleutians with peak velocities depending on location.
The requirements for processing, packaging, testing, and shipment of foods selected for use in the Apollo food system are presented. Specific foodstuffs chosen from the following categories are discussed: (1) soups; (2) juices; (3) breads; (4) meat and poultry products; (5) fruits and nuts; (6) desserts; and (7) beverages. Food procurement for the mobile quarantine facility and for Apollo preflight and postflight activities is also discussed.