Engineering topics

Pike, C. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Pike, C. P..

15 records

NASA NTRS1995

O(1)S 557.7nm and O(1)D 630 nm emissions in shuttle thruster plumes

Radiation resulting from interaction between the effluent cloud of a space shuttle thruster and the ambient atmosphere was observed with a spectograph aboard the shutttle. The spectral measurements were made between 400 and 800 nm with a resolutoion of 3 nm. The primary emissions are identified as NO2, HNO, O(1)D, and O(1)S. These are the first observations od O(1)S emission in the shuttle plume. These data are compared with the previous measurements, and possible excitation mechanisms are discussed. The results are also compared with a Monte Carlo simulation of thruster plume-atmosphere interaction radiation.

Viereck, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Spectrographic observation at wavelengths near 630 nm of the interaction between the atmosphere and the Space Shuttle exhaust

The interaction between the Space Shuttle exhaust and the ambient atmosphere was studied using spectra in the wavelength region near 630 nm, obtained from the Air Force Maui Optical Station were the temporal, spatial, and spectral distribution of the emission in this region was recorded. The results show that, when the Space Shuttle exhaust gases interact with the atmosphere in the ram direction, an intense long-lasting emission is generated at 630 nm due to O(1D - 3P). A substantial amount of O(1D) is swept back onto the orbiter. Two processes responsible for the formation of O(1D) are proposed.

Broadfoot, A. L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Spectral characteristics of Shuttle glow

The glowing cloud near the ram surfaces of the Space Shuttle was observed with a hand-held, intensified spectrograph operated by the astronauts from the aft-flight-deck of the Space Shuttle. The spectral measurements were made between 400 and 800 nm with a resolution of 3 nm. Analysis of the spectral response of the instrument and the transmission of the Shuttle window was performed on orbit using earth-airglow OH Meinel bands. This analysis resulted in a correction of the Shuttle glow intensity in the spectral region between 700 and 800 nm. The data presented in this report is in better agreement with laboratory measurements of the NO2 continuum.

Viereck, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Medium resolution spectra of the shuttle glow in the visible region of the spectrum

Recent spectral measurements of the visible shuttle glow (lambda = 400 - 800 nm) at medium resolution (1 nm) reveal the same featureless continuum with a maximum near 680 nm that was reported previously. This is also in good agreement with recent laboratory experiments that attribute the glow to the emissions of NO2 formed by the recombination of O + NO. The data that are presented were taken from the aft flight deck with a hand-held spectrograph and from the shuttle bay with a low-light-level television camera. Shuttle glow images and spectra are presented and compared with laboratory data and theory.

Viereck, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Origin of the Shuttle glow

On a recent Shuttle mission four gases, NO, CO2, Xe, and Ne were released for a plasma experiment. Unintentionally, enough gas was scattered onto the surfaces of the Shuttle tail that when NO was released a much more intense version of Shuttle glow was observed. The other gases did not affect the normal Shuttle glow. Under normal conditions the adsorbed NO that causes the glow probably come either from the ambient atmosphere or from reactions in exhaust gases from the Shuttle thrusters.

Viereck, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Photometric analysis of a space shuttle water venting

Presented here is a preliminary interpretation of a recent experiment conducted on Space Shuttle Discovery (Mission STS 29) in which a stream of liquid supply water was vented into space at twilight. The data consist of video images of the sunlight-scattering water/ice particle cloud that formed, taken by visible light-sensitive intensified cameras both onboard the spacecraft and at the AMOS ground station near the trajectory's nadir. This experiment was undertaken to study the phenomenology of water columns injected into the low-Earth orbital environment, and to provide information about the lifetime of ice particles that may recontact Space Shuttle orbits later. The findings about the composition of the cloud have relevance to ionospheric plasma depletion experiments and to the dynamics of the interaction of orbiting spacecraft with the environment.

Viereck, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Visible light emission excited by interaction of Space Shuttle exhaust with the atmosphere

Ground-based video photography of firings of Space Shuttle Primary Reaction Control System (PRCS) engines show optical emissions extending nearly 4 km form the vehicle after steady state is reached. The total intensity and spatial distribution of these emissions depend on the angle between the spacecraft velocity vector and the engine exhaust axis. Candidate sources for this radiation are reviewed and the conclusion is reached that it is most likely due to vibrationally excited OH, formed by the reaction of fast ambient O atoms and H2O molecules in the exhaust.

Murad, E.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Release of liquid water from the Space Shuttle

Groundbased and onboard video images of a sunlit Shuttle Orbiter water dump are interpreted as showing that the continuous 1-mm-diameter liquid stream quickly breaks up in near-vacuum to form ice/snow particles of two characteristic sizes. Discrete large droplets are most evident in the close-in photographs, and unresolved submicron 'fog' from recondensation of overexpanded evaporated water appears to dominate the ground-telescope photographs of the 2.5 km long optically detectable trail. The mean diameter of the smaller particles was estimated from the spatial distribution of visible radiance using a model of their energy balance, (small) surface roughening as they sublime, and Mie scattering of pre-dawn sunlight. The results are consistent with those from recent space-tank simulations.

Pike, C. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Spacecraft environmental interactions: A joint Air Force and NASA research and technology program

A joint Air Force/NASA comprehensive research and technology program on spacecraft environmental interactions to develop technology to control interactions between large spacecraft systems and the charged-particle environment of space is described. This technology will support NASA/Department of Defense operations of the shuttle/IUS, shuttle/Centaur, and the force application and surveillance and detection missions, planning for transatmospheric vehicles and the NASA space station, and the AFSC military space system technology model. The program consists of combined contractual and in-house efforts aimed at understanding spacecraft environmental interaction phenomena and relating results of ground-based tests to space conditions. A concerted effort is being made to identify project-related environmental interactions of concern. The basic properties of materials are being investigated to develop or modify the materials as needed. A group simulation investigation is evaluating basic plasma interaction phenomena to provide inputs to the analytical modeling investigation. Systems performance is being evaluated by both groundbased tests and analysis.

Pike, C. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Interactions measurement payload for Shuttle

The Interactions Measurement Payload for Shuttle (IMPS) consisted of engineering experiments to determine the effects of the space environment on projected Air Force space systems. Measurements by IMPS on a polar-orbit Shuttle flight will lead to detailed knowledge of the interaction of the low-altitude polar-auroral environment on materials, equipment and technologies to be used in future large, high-power space systems. The results from the IMPS measurements will provide direct input to MIL-STD design guidelines and test standards that properly account for space-environment effects.

Guidice, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Agreement for NASA/OAST - USAF/AFSC space interdependency on spacecraft environment interaction

A joint AF/NASA comprehensive program on spacecraft environment interactions consists of combined contractual and in house efforts aimed at understanding spacecraft environment ineraction phenomena and relating ground test results to space conditions. Activities include: (1) a concerted effort to identify project related environmental interactions; (2) a materials investigation to measure the basic properties of materials and develop or modify materials as needed; and (3) a ground simulation investigation to evaluate basic plasma interaction phenomena and provide inputs to the analytical modeling investigation. Systems performance is evaluated by both ground tests and analysis. There is an environmental impact investigation to determine the effect of future large spacecraft on the charged particle environment. Space flight investigations are planned to verify the results. The products of this program are test standards and design guidelines which summarize the technology, specify test criteria, and provide techniques to minimize or eliminate system interactions with the charged particle environment.

Pike, C. P.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Prediction of spacecraft potentials at geosynchronous orbit

Two relatively straightforward techniques are outlined for determining spacecraft potentials in the limit of a 'thick sheath' surrounding the spacecraft. A statistical model of the various features of the geosynchronous environment based on ATS-5 and ATS-6 data and an analytic model capable of detailed simulation of the low energy geosynchronous environment are also discussed. The results from these two environmental models are then combined with the charging models in order to provide estimates of the relationships between the geomagnetic index and spacecraft potential. The results are compared with actual potential measurements from ATS-5 and ATS-6.

Garrett, H. B.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Proceedings of the Spacecraft Charging Technology Conference

Over 50 papers from the spacecraft charging conference are included on subjects such as: (1) geosynchronous plasma environment, (2) spacecraft modeling, (3) spacecraft materials characterization, (4) spacecraft materials development, and (5) satellite design and test.

Pike, C. P.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Proceedings of the Spacecraft Charging Technology Conference: Executive Summary

Aerospace environments are reviewed in reference to spacecraft charging. Modelling, a theoretical scheme which can be used to describe the structure of the sheath around the spacecraft and to calculate the charging currents within, is discussed. Materials characterization is considered for experimental determination of the behavior of typical spacecraft materials when exposed to simulated geomagnetic substorm conditions. Materials development is also examined for controlling and minimizing spacecraft charging or at least for distributing the charge in an equipotential manner, using electrical conductive surfaces for materials exposed to space environment.

Pike, C. P.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Spacecraft charging investigation - A joint research and technology program

A jointly planned U.S. Air Force-NASA program has been established to investigate the spacecraft charging phenomenon that has caused electronic anomalies in satellites in geosynchronous orbits. The objectives of this program are to provide design criteria, techniques, and test methods to insure control of absolute and differential charging of spacecraft surfaces. These objectives will be updated continuously over the next four years as data become available from the combined contractual and in-house programs. The geosynchronous altitude environment will be defined, ground and flight tests will be conducted, and materials and charge control techniques will be developed as required. The ultimate output of the program will be a spacecraft charging design criteria and test specification document. The program will be coordinated by a spacecraft charging program review group which has both Air Force and NASA representation.

Lovell, R. R.↗