Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Clark, S. P., Jr..
The effectiveness of accretional capture is studied with the aid of a simple model involving a small secondary body in a hyperbolic orbit which approaches a large primary body. When the separation is a minimum, the mass of the primary body increases. An investigation is conducted regarding the conditions under which this change in mass will result in an elliptic orbit with capture.
The nonhomogeneous-accumulation model for the formation of the terrestrial planets is described, and its consequences for the formation of the Venusian atmosphere are assayed in the context of our knowledge of the composition of the earth and carbonaceous chondrites. The relative abundances of the low-temperature condensibles in the reservoirs at the earth's surface are applied to Venus. Although carbonaceous chondrites show similar properties for the chemically bound elements, they show large deficiencies for the rare gases. The major gases on Venus, by volume, are predicted to be 98.12% CO2, 1.86% N2 and 0.02% Ar-40.
Problems related to the feasibility of measuring lunar heat flow at the lunar surface are analyzed, and the findings which required that a drill be developed for lunar use are discussed. Numerical simulations were made of the in situ measurement of lunar thermal conductivity using a circular ring source of heat. The results of these simulations formed the basis for the criteria used in designing a subsurface thermal probe for ALSEP. Preliminary analyses are presented on the data obtained from the Apollo 15 and 17 missions.
The heat flow experiment installed on the lunar surface during the Apollo 15 flight is described. Subjects discussed are: (1) the experiment concept and design, (2) the operations of the experiment, (3) the employment of the experiment on the lunar surface at Hadley Rille site, (4) subsurface lunar temperatures, and (5) extrapolation of sensor temperatures to equilibrium values. Graphs of the data obtained from the experiment are provided.
Apollo 13 lunar surface heat flow experiment to measure vertical temperature gradients as function of time and soil thermal conductivity
Model for accumulation of earth and planets from primitive solar nebula, implying inhomogeneous chemical composition of bodies in solar system
Theory and model calculations for heat flow measurements at lunar site using cylindrical ring source
Measuring lunar heat flow at surface or in shallow hole - study of steady periodic temperatures, steady state flux perturbation, and blanket measurement method
Determination of lunar interior heat flux, and surface material thermal properties