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Smith, R. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Smith, R. E..

At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Post sunset behavior of the 6300 A atomic oxygen airglow emission

A theoretical model of the 6300 A OI airglow emission was developed based on the assumptions that both the charged and neutral portions of the Earth's upper atmosphere are in steady state conditions of diffusive equilibrium. Intensities of 6300 A OI emission line were calculated using electron density true height profiles from a standard C-4 ionosonde and exospheric temperatures derived from Fabry-Perot interferometer measurements of the Doppler broadened 6300 A emission line shape as inputs to the model. Reaction rate coefficient values, production mechanism efficiencies, solar radiation fluxes, absorption cross sections, and models of the neutral atmosphere were varied parametrically to establish a set of acceptable inputs which will consistently predict 6300 A emission intensities that closely agree with intensities observed during the post-sunset twilight period by an airglow observatory consisting of a Fabry-Perot interferometer and a turret photometer. Emission intensities that can only result from the dissociative recombination of molecular oxygen ions were observed during the latter portion of the observational period. Theoretical calculations indicate that contamination of the 6300 A OI emission should be on the order of or less than 3 percent; however, these results are very sensitive to the wavelengths of the individual lines and their intensities relative to the 6300 A OI intensity. This combination of a model atmosphere, production mechanism efficiencies, and quenching coefficient values was used when the dissociative photoexcitation and direct impact excitation processes were contributing to the intensity to establish best estimates of solar radiation fluxes in the Schumann--Runge continuum and associated absorption cross sections. Results show that the Jacchia 1971 model of the upper atmosphere combined with the Ackerman recommended solar radiation fluxes and associated absorption cross sections produces theoretically calculated intensities that more closely agree with the observed intensities than all the other combinations.

Smith, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Digital time slot display for Omega receiver

Methods of decoding a digital word to display alpha-numeric characters for driving a standard seven-segment LED display have been devised for Omega station identification. The circuit could replace the system now being used in Ohio University's Omega receivers, which lights one of eight LED's to signify the Omega time slot being received. The letters A through H, representing the Omega stations, can be read directly from the seven-segment display.

Smith, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Observation of severe weather activities by Doppler sounder array

A three-dimensional, nine-element, high-frequency CW Doppler sounder array has been used to detect ionospheric disturbances during periods of severe weather, particularly during periods with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. One typical disturbance recorded during a period of severe thunderstorm activity and one during a period of tornado activity have been chosen for analysis in this note. The observations indicate that wave-like disturbances possibly generated by the severe weather have wave periods in the range 2-8 min which place them in the infrasonic wave category.

Smith, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Propagation of acoustic modes in the transitional ionosphere

Continuum theory is unsatisfactory for describing wave propagation in the transitional ionosphere, since the mean free path is of the same order as the characteristic length (i.e., Knudsen number in this region is of the order of unity). Therefore a transition model in which isotropic electrons behave as a fluid while the ions are governed by the kinetic equation modified by ion-electron collision effects is proposed to study acoustic wave propagation in the upper atmosphere in the altitude region from 500 to 2000 km. The results show that the dissipation of acoustic waves by electrons is through the viscous and thermal conduction effects, and the dissipation of acoustic waves by ions is through Landau damping. Comparisons of the characteristics of acoustic mode propagation and wave dissipation mechanisms in the collision-dominated, transitional from collisional to collisionless, and collisionless media are also discussed.

Hung, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Skylab fluid mechanics demostration - A study of water droplet oscillations in space

In the Skylab experiment a drop of water was caused to oscillate at its natural oscillation frequency. The drop was observed until its oscillation began to decay due to its internal damping. A determination of the change in amplitude with time made it possible to verify the applicability of a theoretical model. The fundamental concept of the model is that fluid surfaces tend to an equilibrium shape produced by the balance of the forces of fluid pressure and surface tension. The theoretical model is based on the assumption that the wave amplitude is small compared with the wavelength.

Vaughan, O. H.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A zero-gravity demonstration of the collision and coalescence of water droplets

The mechanics of the collision and coalescence of liquid droplets is one of the main research areas in the fields of nuclear physics, astrophysics, meteorology and fluid mechanics. The crew members on the Skylab 3 and 4 missions were requested to perform demonstrations of the collision and coalescence of water droplets under the low gravity environment at orbital altitude. In Skylab 4 two water droplets with equal volumes, 30 cu cm each, were used. A dark colored droplet (contaminated with grape drink) moving with a velocity of 3.14 cm/sec collided with a stationary pink colored droplet (contaminated with strawberry drink) and coalescence occurred. Theoretical models are proposed to study the various stages of the collision-coalescence processes. Special considerations are concentrated in the investigation of the bounce-coalescence and coalescence-instability processes. The surface tension of the coalesced droplets was calculated to be 52 dynes/cm in perfect agreement with laboratory measurements made after the flight using a reproduction of the liquids.

Hung, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The dynamical responses of the thermosphere due to a geomagnetic storm

A theoretical model for the dynamic responses to geomagnetic storms in the thermosphere is derived from magnetohydrodynamic theory. The validity claim for this model is based on the assumption that the thermosphere behaves like an electrically conductive fluid. In order to test the proposed model, a numerical example is presented. Recommendations for improving the model are also offered.

Wu, S. T.↗
NASA NTRS1974

V/STOL flying qualities research using the X-22A

The X-22A has four ducted propellers and four engines. The engines are connected to a common system of rotating shafts which distribute propulsive power to the four propellers. Changes in the direction of the thrust vector are accomplished by rotating the ducts, which are interconnected so that all rotate through the same angle. Thrust magnitude is determined by a collective pitch lever, very similar to a helicopter. There are four variable stability system (VSS) controllers: thrust, pitch, roll, and yaw, and three artificial feel servos for the evaluation pilot cockpit controls, each employing electrohydraulic servos. Longitudinal flying qualities for STOL landing approach, and lateral-directional flying qualities and control power requirements for STOL landing approach are discussed. Attention is given to the data acquisition and processing system.

Smith, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Excitation and dissipation of Pc-1 micropulsations

A theoretical model based on hydromagnetic instabilities (including Alfven firehose and magnetoacoustic mirror instabilities), in the region where the electrons are in the transition from collisional to collisionless and ions are in the collisionless region, is proposed as a possible wave emission mechanism for Pc-1 pulsations. The model is compared with recent observations with good agreement between the theory and observations, especially for an emission source located at a distance L less than 5. Furthermore, a suggestion is made that the hydromagnetic instabilities could be relevant to the night and early morning hours emissions while the ion cyclotron instabilities could be responsible for the daytime emission of Pc-1 pulsations.

Hung, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Infrasonic waves in the ionosphere during severe thunderstorms

The coupling between the lower and upper atmosphere during severe weather and thunderstorms is investigated from the ionospheric Doppler frequency fluctuations recorded using a three dimensional CW Doppler sounder array. Two events typical of the severe thunderstorms that occurred on May 26, 1973 and March 20, 1974, are chosen for our investigation. The CW Doppler records show a wave-like disturbance with a periodicity of 3 to 5 minutes that persisted for 3 to 4 hours. A possible explanation, based on a theoretical model is presented. There is good agreement between the experimental observations and the model.

Rao, G. L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Ionospheric S-shaped Doppler fluctuations produced by the tornadoes

A three-dimensional nine element HF-CW Doppler sounder array has been used to detect ionospheric disturbances which may be due to tornadoes. The typical events chosen in the present study occurred on November 20 and 27, 1973. Both events are apparently associated with tornadoes sighted in the Huntsville, Alabama area. The Doppler records show S-shaped waves rather than the quasi-sinusoidal waves observed in conjunction with and apparently due to thunderstorms. The wave-periods are in the range of 6 to 8 minutes instead of the 3 to 5 minute periods associated with thunderstorms. Dissipation of waves is mostly due to the evanescent effect and they cannot propagate very far from the path of the tornado center. A theory is presented which is in good agreement with the observations.

Hung, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Propagation of hydromagnetic waves in the upper F2-region

The theory of hydromagnetic-wave in the upper F2-region, in which electrons are in a transitional regime from collisional to collisionless conditions and ions are in a collisionless state, is examined. Derivation of the governing equations is based on the fact that the isotropic electrons are fluid-like, and the anisotropic ions follow kinetic equations modified by ion-electron collisions. Magneto-acoustic waves of a period of from about 0.2 to 10 sec are dissipated by ion Landau damping and electron thermal conduction and viscosity. Numerical solutions under ionospheric conditions show that the dissipation of hydromagnetic waves is insufficient to modify the large scale heating of the ionosphere.

Hung, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Eight channel telephone telemetry system

A portable, indirectly coupled telephone system is reported which transmits/to a central receiving site eight channels of EEG data of sufficient fidelity for screening and/or limited diagnostic use. The system requires no electrical connection to the telephone at the transmitter or at the receiver and is compatible with common EEG recording practice for real-time recording. It accepts 8 input channels simultaneously with one telephone transmitter and one telephone receiver operates from standard power sources.

Smith, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Circadian phase relationships in monkeys

Two adult male pigtail monkeys were placed in an isolated, soundproofed chamber (entered for cleaning only) for a period of six months, during which time their deep body temperatures T sub DB, telemetered from transmitters implanted in the abdominal cavity), fluid intake, urinary output (UV), urinary sodium and potassium were continuously monitored. During the first 3 1/2 months, lights (L) were turned on at 0000 hours, off at 1200 hours. Photoperiod phase was then delayed (light span prolonged) 6 hours to a new schedule: L on at 0600 hours, off at 1800 hours. Six weeks later, photoperiod phase was advanced 6 hours to return to the original schedule. Prior to shift, T sub DB typically began a steep rise 0-5 hours prior to L on, a steep fall 3-4 hours prior to L off, relative plateaus in between. Urinary Na typically peaks 2 hours prior to L off, has a minimum 2-4 hours prior to L on; K tends both to peak and show a minimum 2-8 hours earlier than Na; in contrast, UV peaks at L on, has a minimum 2-6 hours after L off. Upon delaying photoperiod phase, T sub DB shift was completed in 8 days. UV shifted more rapidly but tended to overshoot the new phase. Within 5 days, UV and K completed their shifts, although Na did not fully resynchronize within the 6 week period monitored.

Smith, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

An experimental investigation of STOL longitudinal flying qualities in the landing approach using the variable stability X-22A aircraft.

The first in-flight flying qualities experiment using the variable stability X-22A aircraft investigated longitudinal flying qualities requirements for STOL aircraft in terminal area operations. Emphasis was placed on defining minimum requirements for the short-term response in VFR and IFR landing approaches at representative steep STOL approach conditions of 65 and 80 knots. Evaluation flights were conducted in negligible and moderate turbulence for a wide range of short-term frequencies and dampings. The results were compared with the short-term requirements of MIL-F-83300. The specified Level 1 and 2 VFR boundaries were found to be approximately valid in moderate turbulence for both VFR and IFR flight conditions. In negligible turbulence, the specified VFR Level 2 boundary was also approximately valid but the Level 1 boundary was found to be too stringent. Pilot rating gradients with damping were more apparent than with frequency for the range investigated.

Schuler, J. M.↗