Space astronomy - Present reality and future prospects
OAO continuous observation capability, Project STAR telescopes, solar and X ray instruments and resupply missions based on space shuttle concept
Purcell, J.↗
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Results for “PROSPECT”
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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Feedback stabilization of hydromagnetic continua - Review and prospects
MHD continua z-theta pinch stabilization, discussing analytical models for determining feedback spatial and temporal resolution
Melcher, J. R.↗
Prospects for actively cooled hypersonic transports
Feasibility assessment of hypersonic transports with actively cooled airframe structure, considering liquid hydrogen fuel use as coolant
Becker, J. V.↗
The prospects for laminar flow on hypersonic airplanes
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Seiff, A.↗
In-flight aeroacoustic environments on prospective space shuttle vehicles
The problem of in-flight aerodynamic noise has been studied by reliable estimates of full scale surface-pressure fluctuations from scale model tests in wind tunnels. Scaling relationships have been verified, and many details of the fluctuating pressure characteristics such as spatial correlation and convection velocities are understood. The effects of the wind tunnel environmental turbulence and noise have also been investigated sufficiently so that threshold levels of usable data are known.
Dods, J. B., Jr.↗
Prospects for low wing-loading STOL transports with ride smoothing.
Airplanes with low wing-loadings provide STOL capability without reliance on auxiliary propulsion or augmented lift, but require a ride smoothing control system to provide acceptable passenger comfort. A parametric study produced a configuration having a .35 thrust-to-weight ratio and a 50 psf wing loading, and which satisfied specified mission requirements and airworthiness standards. A ride-smoothing control system (RCS) synthesis was then performed which consisted of ride quality criteria definition, RCS concept trades, and analysis of RCS performance benefits at significant flight conditions. Within the limitations of the study it is concluded that this is a viable approach to STOL airplane design.
Holloway, R. B.↗
Prospective space developments - Blue sky and non-blue sky.
Discussion of the significance for man's future of the practical benefits to be yielded by developments successfully concluded or still in progress over the wide range of technologies involved in current and future space activities. Reviewed benefit potentials pertain to space-age communications, transportation, computer developments, information networks, education, home communications centers, holography, life-support systems, power systems, manufacturing in space, meteorology, and earth resources. A strong case is made for the indissoluble involvement of this nation's self-interest in the achievement of national space goals.
Von Braun, W.↗
The prospects for mineral analysis by remote infrared spectroscopy.
An investigation of the effects of physical parameters on the spectra of minerals has been carried out, and an attempt made to develop a comprehensive theory of the reflectance (or emittance) spectra of particulate surfaces. The theory involves the effects of particle size, surface roughness, porosity, and mixing ratios on the spectra of mineralogical assemblages. The true spectral information is represented by the refractive indices and absorption coefficients of the constituent minerals. The present theory and the Mie theory for a cloud of well separated quartz particles are compared, as well as theoretical and experimental reflectances of quartz powders, glass beads, and corundum powders. Experimental results of abrading sapphire are presented.
Aronson, J. R.↗
The outer planets - Fly-by prospects
The projected benefits of flyby missions to the outer planets are discussed. Possible changes in existing theories of planetary composition as a result of such missions are also discussed.
Demarcus, W. D.↗
The Prospects of Utilizing Remotely Sensed Data in the Preparation of Environmental-Sociological Models
The use of remote sensing to acquire needed data concerning soils, water conditions, microclimatic conditions, flora, land use, recreational potential, and cultural conditions was studied for solving data needs. The procedures and means whereby such data can be acquired and processed into an information format are demonstrated.
Honea, R. B.↗
ERTS-1 imagery use in reconnaissance prospecting: Evaluation of commercial utility of ERTS-1 imagery in structural reconnaissance for minerals and petroleum
The author has identified the following significant results. Five areas in North America (North Slope-Alaska, Superior Province-Canada, Williston Basin-Montana, Colorado, and New Mexico-West Texas) are being studied for discernibility of geological evidence on ERTS-1 imagery. Evidence mapped is compared with known mineral/hydrocarbon accumulations to determine the value of the imagery in commercial exploration programs. Evaluation has proceeded in the New Mexico-Texas area, and to date, results have been better than expected. Clearly discernible structural lineaments in this area are evident on the photographs. Comparison of this evidence with known major mining localities in New Mexico indicates a clear pattern of coincidence between the lineaments and mining localities. In West Texas, lineament and geomorphological evidence obtainable from the photographs define the petroleum-productive Central Basin Platform. Based on evaluation of results in the New Mexico-West Texas area and on cursory results in the other four areas of North America, it is concluded that ERTS-1 imagery will be extremely valuable in defining the regional and local structure in any commercial exploration program.
Saunders, D. F.↗
Overall fluctuating pressure levels on prospective space shuttle launch configurations at Mach numbers from 0.8 to 2.2
Overall fluctuating pressure levels of seven space shuttle launch configurations are presented. The model was a 4-percent-scale space shuttle vehicle, tested in both a 11- by 11-foot transonic wind tunnel and a 9- by 7-foot supersonic wind tunnel. Mach numbers varied from 0.8 to 2.2, and the angle of attack range was from -8 deg to 8 deg at angles of sideslip of -5 deg, and 5 deg. The model configurations included both series-burn and parallel-burn configurations, two canopy configurations, two positions of the orbiter nose relative to the HO tank nose and two HO tank nose-cone angles (15 deg and 20 deg). The fluctuating pressure levels are presented in three forms.
Dods, J. B., Jr.↗
Some problems and prospects for marine transportation of oil in the 1970s
The problems associated with, and the financial resources required for ocean transportation of petroleum in the 1970s are discussed in terms of the energy crisis. Spot rate fluctuations for tankers are examined along with the financial requirements for ocean transportation.
Zannetos, Z. S.↗
Automating the design process - Progress, problems, prospects, potential.
The design process for large aerospace vehicles is discussed, with particular emphasis on structural design. Problems with current procedures are identified. Then, the contributions possible from automating the design process (defined as the best combination of men and computers) are considered. Progress toward automated design in the aerospace and other communities is reviewed, including NASA studies of the potential development of Integrated Programs for Aerospace-Vehicle Design (IPAD). The need for and suggested directions of future research on the design process, both technical and social, are discussed. Although much progress has been made to exploit the computer in design, it is concluded that technology is available to begin using the computer to speed communications and management as well as calculations in the design process and thus build man-computer teams that can design better, faster and cheaper.
Heldenfels, R. R.↗
The prospect of life on Jupiter.
We have simulated electrical discharges in the Jovian atmosphere, using anhydrous methane-ammonia mixtures, and shown the formation of simple aliphatic nitriles, amino-nitriles, and their oligomers. Including hydrogen sulfide in the gas mixture, it appears that sulfur-containing amino-nitriles are not formed, since the hydrolysate of the products did not contain the corresponding amino-acids. There is a strong analogy between these reactions and the classical spark reactions simulating the primitive earth's atmosphere. We are attempting a closer simulation of Jupiter's atmosphere by using appropriate temperature and pressure conditions. It seems that prebiotic synthesis on Jupiter may have reached an advanced state. As an alternative approach we have tested the survival ability of common terrestrial microorganisms in aqueous media at 102 atmospheres pressure and at 20 C in a simulated Jovian atmosphere. E. coli, S. marcescens, A. aerogenes, and B. subtilis will all tolerate 24 hr under these conditions with little death.
Ponnamperuma, C.↗
Energy supply and its effect on aircraft of the future. II - Liquid-hydrogen-fueled aircraft: Prospects and design issues.
The performance of hydrogen-fueled commercial aircraft is examined in the subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic speed regime and compared with JP-fueled systems. Hydrogen aircraft are shown to provide substantial improvements in range and payload fraction as well as to minimize or eliminate many environmental problems. The major elements of a development program required to make hydrogen-fueled aircraft a commercial reality are also outlined and the rationale for and characteristics of both a subsonic demonstrator and a high speed research airplane are described.
Kirkham, F. S.↗
Prospects for nuclear-gamma-ray astronomy
Two sources of gamma rays from outside the solar system are considered. In particular, nucleosynthesis-supernova explosion and inelastic collisions are discussed.
Clayton, D. D.↗
ERTS-1 imagery use in reconnaissance prospecting: Evaluation of commercial utility of ERTS-1 imagery in structural reconnaissance for minerals and petroleum
The author has identified the following significant results. This study was performed to investigate applications of ERTS-1 imagery in commercial reconnaissance for mineral and hydrocarbon resources. ERTS-1 imagery collected over five areas in North America (Montana; Colorado; New Mexico-West Texas; Superior Province, Canada; and North Slope, Alaska) has been analyzed for data content including linears, lineaments, and curvilinear anomalies. Locations of these features were mapped and compared with known locations of mineral and hydrocarbon accumulations. Results were analyzed in the context of a simple-shear, block-coupling model. Data analyses have resulted in detection of new lineaments, some of which may be continental in extent, detection of many curvilinear patterns not generally seen on aerial photos, strong evidence of continental regmatic fracture patterns, and realization that geological features can be explained in terms of a simple-shear, block-coupling model. The conculsions are that ERTS-1 imagery is of great value in photogeologic/geomorphic interpretations of regional features, and the simple-shear, block-coupling model provides a means of relating data from ERTS imagery to structures that have controlled emplacement of ore deposits and hydrocarbon accumulations, thus providing a basis for a new approach for reconnaissance for mineral, uranium, gas, and oil deposits and structures.
Saunders, D. F.↗