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NASA NTRS1993

Bi-directional reflectance and other radiation parameters of cirrus from ER-2 observations

Passive and active remote sensing of cirrus were acquired from the ER-2 high altitude aircraft in the 1991 Cirrus Experiment. The observations include direct measurements of cirrus bi-directional reflectance from a new translinear scanning radiometer and the previously employed measurements by lidar and visible-infrared imaging radiometers. For any cirrus radiative transfer application, it is necessary to know the appropriate model for visible reflectance in relation to angle and also the optical thickness and infrared emissivity of the clouds. At a more complicated level, for remote sensing and overall cloud effects it is ultimately required to understand effects from multiple cloud layers, broken clouds, and variable microphysics. Our overall data set from the scanning radiometers and lidar is intended to provide the necessary observations to investigate these problems.

Spinhime, James↗

NASA NTRS1998

Thin-Layer Composite Unimorph Ferroelectric Driver Sensor Properties

Tests were conducted on 13 different configurations of a new class of piezoelectric devices called THUNDER (thin layer composite unimorph ferroelectric driver and sensor). These configurations consisted of a combination of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 layers of 25.4 micron thick aluminium as a backing material, with and without a top layer of 25.4 micrometer aluminum. All of these configurations used the same piezoelectric ceramic wafer (PZT-5A) with dimensions of 5.08 x 3.81 x 0.018 cm. The above configurations were tested at two stages of the manufacturing process: before and after repoling. The parameters measured included frequency, driving voltage. displacement, capacitance, and radius of curvature. An optic sensor recorded the displacement at a fixed voltage(100 - 400 V peak to peak) over a predetermined frequency range (1 - 1000 Hz). These displacement measurements were performed using a computer that controlled the process of activating and measuring the displacement of the device. A parameter alpha was defined which can be used to predict the which configuration will produce the most displacement for a free standing device.

Mossi, Karla M.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Siderophilic Cyanobacteria: Implications for Early Earth.

Of all extant environs, iron-depositing hot springs (IDHS) may exhibit the greatest similarity to late Precambrian shallow warm oceans in regards to temperature, O2 gradients and dissolved iron and H2S concentrations. Despite the insights into the ecology, evolutionary biology, paleogeobiochemistry, and astrobiology examination of IDHS could potentially provide, very few studies dedicated to the physiology and diversity of cyanobacteria (CB) inhabiting IDHS have been conducted. Results. Here we describe the phylogeny, physiology, ultrastructure and biogeochemical activity of several recent CB isolates from two different greater Yellowstone area IDHS, LaDuke and Chocolate Pots. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes indicated that 6 of 12 new isolates examined couldn't be placed within established CB genera. Some of the isolates exhibited pronounced requirements for elevated iron concentrations, with maximum growth rates observed when 0.4-1 mM Fe(3+) was present in the media. In light of "typical" CB iron requirements, our results indicate that elevated iron likely represents a salient factor selecting for "siderophilicM CB species in IDHS. A universal feature of our new isolates is their ability to produce thick EPS layers in which iron accumulates resulting in the generation of well preserved signatures. In parallel, siderophilic CB show enhanced ability to etch the analogs of iron-rich lunar regolith minerals and impact glasses. Despite that iron deposition by CB is not well understood mechanistically, we recently obtained evidence that the PS I:PS II ratio is higher in one of our isolates than for other CB. Although still preliminary, this finding is in direct support of the Y. Cohen hypothesis that PSI can directly oxidize Fe(2+). Conclusion. Our results may have implications for factors driving CB evolutionary relationships and biogeochemical processes on early Earth and probably Mars.

Brown, I. I.↗

NASA NTRS1987

NASA's plans to observe the earth's atmosphere with lidar

The development of two active laser remote-sensing systems designed for the Earth Observing System (EOS) as part of the Space Station for the 1990s is discussed. The operational capabilities of lidar in the Lidar Atmospheric Sounder and Altimeter (LASA) are considered, and the synergistic use of LASA and EOS data, as in the combination of LASA-determined vertical profiles of water vapor and two-dimensional EOS depictions of water vapor distribution, is emphasized. The Laser Atmospheric Wind Sounder will measure wind profiles with an accuracy of a few meters per second, and will provide samples at intervals of about 100 km horizontally for layers 1 km thick.

Curran, Robert J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

The evolution of Florida thunderstorms on 23 September 1979 as observed by an airborne passive microwave radiometer

The observations made by the aircraft are examined in order to determine sensing parameters for future satellite missions. Minimum brightness temperatures substantially below atmospheric temperatures are revealed in the data. Scattering by an ice layer within the clouds is postulated as the cause. A one-dimensional cloud model initialized with a representative local sounding gives reasonable values for the height and thickness of this ice layer. The model cloud is similar to the observed cloud in both cloud top height and radar reflectivity. A 'mystery' feature observed by the microwave sensors as an area of enhanced scattering, suggesting an updraft core of graupel that in turn is indicative of a convective tower is considered of particular interest. It is noted that this feature was masked in the visible and infrared sensors by the presence of upper-level semitransparent cirrus. The detection of this mystery feature is seen as suggesting that passive microwave sensing of convective areas may provide information regarding the location and/or strength of the more active towers which cannot be detected now with conventional visible or infrared instruments because of a uniform higher-level cloud cover.

Hakkarinen, I. M.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Ceramic Strain Gages for Use at Temperatures up to 1500 Celsius

Indium-tin-oxide (ITO) thin film strain gages were successfully demonstrated at temperatures beyond 1500 C. High temperature static strain tests revealed that the piezoresistive response and electrical stability of the ceramic sensors depended on the thickness of the ITO films comprising the active strain elements. When 2.5 microns-thick ITO films were employed as the active strain elements, the piezoresistive response became unstable at temperatures above 1225 C. In contrast to this, ceramic sensors prepared with 5 microns-thick ITO were stable beyond 1430 C and sensors prepared with 8 microns-thick ITO survived more than 20 hr of operation at 1481 C. Very thick (10 microns) ITo strain gages were extremely stable and responsive at 1528 C. ESCA depth profiles confirmed that an interfacial reaction between the ITO strain gage and alumina substrate was responsible for the high temperature electrical stability observed. Similar improvements in high temperature stability were achieved by doping the active ITO strain elements with aluminum. Several Sic-Sic CMC constant strain beams were instrumented with ITO strain gages and delivered to NASA for testing. Due to the extreme surface roughness of the CMC substrates, new lithography techniques and surface preparation methods were developed. These techniques relied heavily on a combination of Sic and A12O3 cement layers to provide the necessary surface finish for efficient pattern transfer. Micro-contact printing using soft lithography and PDMS stamps was also used to successfully transfer the thin film strain gage patterns to the resist coated CMC substrates. This latter approach has considerable potential for transferring the thin film strain gage patterns to the extremely rough surfaces associated with the CMC's.

Gregory, Otto↗

NASA NTRS1998

Sea Ice on the Southern Ocean

Year-round satellite records of sea ice distribution now extend over more than two decades, providing a valuable tool to investigate related characteristics and circulations in the Southern Ocean. We have studied a variety of features indicative of oceanic and atmospheric interactions with Antarctic sea ice. In the Amundsen & Bellingshausen Seas, sea ice extent was found to have decreased by approximately 20% from 1973 through the early 1990's. This change coincided with and probably contributed to recently warmer surface conditions on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula, where air temperatures have increased by approximately 0.5 C/decade since the mid-1940's. The sea ice decline included multiyear cycles of several years in length superimposed on high interannual variability. The retreat was strongest in summer, and would have lowered the regional mean ice thickness, with attendant impacts upon vertical heat flux and the formation of snow ice and brine. The cause of the regional warming and loss of sea ice is believed to be linked to large-scale circulation changes in the atmosphere and ocean. At the eastern end of the Weddell Gyre, the Cosmonaut Polyna revealed greater activity since 1986, a recurrence pattern during recent winters and two possible modes of formation. Persistence in polynya location was noted off Cape Ann, where the coastal current can interact more strongly with the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. As a result of vorticity conservation, locally enhanced upwelling brings warmer deep water into the mixed layer, causing divergence and melting. In the Ross Sea, ice extent fluctuates over periods of several years, with summer minima and winter maxima roughly in phase. This leads to large interannual cycles of sea ice range, which correlate positively with meridinal winds, regional air temperatures and subsequent shelf water salinities. Deep shelf waters display considerable interannual variability, but have freshened by approximately 0.03/decade since the late 1950's. That could have slowed the thermohaline circulation beneath the Ross Ice Shelf and the properties or volume of local bottom water production.

Jacobs, Stanley S.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Iridium profile for 10 million years across the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary at Gubbio (Italy)

The iridium anomaly at the Cretaceous-Tertiary (KT) boundary was discovered in the pelagic limestone sequence at Gubbio on the basis of 12 samples analyzed by neutron activation analysis (NAA) and was interpreted as indicating impact of a large extraterrestrial object at exactly the time of the KT mass extinction. Continuing controversy over the shape of the Ir profile at the Gubbio KT boundary and its interpretation called for a more detailed follow-up study. Analysis of a 57-meter-thick, 10-million-year-old part of the Gubbio sequence using improved NAA techniques revealed that there is only one Ir anomaly at the KT boundary, but this anomaly shows an intricate fine structure, the origin of which cannot yet be entirely explained. The KT Ir anomaly peaks in a 1-centimeter-thick clay layer, where the average Ir concentration is 3000 parts per trillion (ppt); this peak is flanked by tails with Ir concentrations of 20 to 80 ppt that rise above a background of 12 to 13 ppt. The fine structure of the tails is probably due in part to lateral reworking, diffusion, burrowing, and perhaps Milankovitch cyclicity.

Alvarez, Walter↗

NASA NTRS1994

Venus: Vertical accretion of crust and depleted mantle and implications for geological history and processes

Models for the vertical accretion of a basaltic crust and depleted mantle layer on Venus over geologic time predict the eventual development of a net negatively buoyant depleted mantle layer, its foundering and its remixing with the underlying mantle. The consequences of the development of this layer, its loss, and the aftermath are investigated and compared to the geologic record of Venus revealed by Magellan. The young average age of the surface of Venus (several hundred million years), the formation of the heavily deformed tessera regions, the subsequent emplacement of widespread volcanic plains, the presently low rate of volcanic activity, and impact crater population that cannot be distinguished from a completely spatially random distribution, and the small number of impact craters embayed by volcanism, are all consistent with the development of a depleted mantle layer, its relatively rapid loss followed by large-scale volcanic flooding, and its subsequent reestablishment. We outline a 'catastrophic' tectonic resurfacing model in which the foundering of the depleted mantle layer several hundred million years ago caused globally extensive tectonic deformation and obliteration of the cratering record, accompanied by upwelling of warm fertile mantle and its pressure-release melting to produce extensive surface volcanism in the following period. Venus presently appears to be characterized by a relatively thick depleted mantle layer and lithosphere reestablished over the last several hundred million years following the previous instability event inferred to have produced the tessera terrain.

Head, James W.↗

NASA NTRS2009

NASA Tech Briefs, February 2009

Tech Briefs are short announcements of innovations originating from research and development activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. They emphasize information considered likely to be transferable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. Topics covered include: Measuring Low Concentrations of Liquid Water in Soil; The Mars Science Laboratory Touchdown Test Facility; Non-Contact Measurement of Density and Thickness Variation in Dielectric Materials; Compact Microwave Fourier Spectrum Analyzer; InP Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor Amplifiers to 255 GHz; Combinatorial Generation of Test Suites; In-Phase Power-Combined Frequency Tripler at 300 GHz; Electronic System for Preventing Airport Runway Incursions; Smaller but Fully Functional Backshell for Cable Connector; Glove-Box or Desktop Virtual-Reality System; Composite Layer Manufacturing with Fewer Interruptions; Improved Photoresist Coating for Making CNT Field Emitters; A Simplified Diagnostic Method for Elastomer Bond Durability; Complex Multifunctional Polymer/Carbon-Nanotube Composites; Very High Output Thermoelectric Devices Based on ITO Nanocomposites; Reducing Unsteady Loads on a Piggyback Miniature Submarine; Ultrasonic/Sonic Anchor; Grooved Fuel Rings for Nuclear Thermal Rocket Engines; Pulsed Operation of an Ion Accelerator; Autonomous Instrument Placement for Mars Exploration Rovers; Mission and Assets Database; TCP/IP Interface for the Satellite Orbit Analysis Program (SOAP); Trajectory Calculator for Finite-Radius Cutter on a Lathe; Integrated System Health Management Development Toolkit.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1988

The budget of biologically active ultraviolet radiation in the earth-atmosphere system

This study applies the concept of a budget to describe the interaction of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation with the earth-atmosphere system. The wavelength ranges of interest are the biologically relevant UV-B between 280 and 320 nm and the UV-A from 32000 to 400 nm. The Nimbus 7 solar backscattered ultraviolet (SBUV) instrument provides measurements of total column ozone and information concerning cloud cover which, in combination with a simple model of radiation transfer, define the fractions of incident solar irradiance absorbed in the atmosphere, reflected to space, and absorbed at the ground. Results for the month of July quantify the contribution of fractional cloud cover and cloud optical thickness to the radiation budget's three components. Scattering within a thick cloud layer makes the downward radiation field at the cloud base more isotropic than is the case for clear skies. For small solar zenith angles, typical of summer midday conditions, the effective pathlength of this diffuse irradiance through tropospheric ozone is greater than that under clear-sky conditions. The result is an enhanced absorption of UV-B radiation in the troposphere during cloud-covered conditions. Major changes in global cloud cover or cloud optical thicknesses could alter the ultraviolet radiation received by the biosphere by an amount comparable to that predicted for long-term trends in ozone.

Frederick, John E.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Mode characteristics of nonplanar double-heterojunction and large-optical-cavity laser structures

Mode behavior of nonplanar double-heterojunction (DH) and large-optical-cavity (LOC) lasers is investigated using the effective index method to model the lateral field distribution. The thickness variations of various layers for the devices discussed are correlated with the growth characteristics of liquid-phase epitaxy over topographical features (channels, mesas) etched into the substrate. The effective dielectric profiles of constricted double-heterojunction (CDH)-LOC lasers show a strong influence on transverse mode operation: the fundamental transverse mode (i.e., in the plane perpendicular to the junction) may be laterally index-guided, while the first (high)-order mode is laterally index-antiguided. The analytical model developed uses a smoothly varying hyperbolic cosine distribution to characterize lateral index variations. The waveguide model is applied to several lasers to illustrate conditions necessary to convert leaky modes to trapped ones via the active-region gain distribution. Theoretical radiation patterns are calculated using model parameters, and matched to an experimental far-field pattern.

Butler, J. K.↗

NASA NTRS2019

Long Duration Venus Probes and Landers

Planetary probes have long been a tool used by scientists to gain early clues on environments and systems of new planetary targets. This not only fueled the scientific process but also helped prepare for future missions, such as landers, and helped ensure their success. Venus, Earth's sister planet, has been the target of more probes and landers than any other body in our solar system except for Earth and yet many fundamental questions are unanswered. Challenge for Venus Surface Science: This lack of knowledge is a result of the challenging Venus environments. Remote sensing of the surface and portions of the atmosphere is difficult at best due to the thick layers of sulfuric acid clouds and the high pressure supercritical CO2 atmosphere below those clouds. This has hampered the ability of orbiting missions to provide us insight into surface features and processes and thus hides potential clues on interior process from our view. Surface probes and landers face an even more daunting challenge, which is the extreme temperature, pressure and unfriendly chemical composition of the near surface atmosphere. Over 10 assets have landed on the surface yet the longest surviving asset Venera-13 lasted only 127 minutes before succumbing to the extreme temperature. While this and other landers provided valuable new data, the short life impacted ability to understand any temporal processes, for example meteorology, seismic active, and therefore very little is known about the interior and surface atmosphere interactions. New Capability Offering Potential Solutions: Re-cent developments by NASA are offering hope of overcoming the technical challenges of surface operations and life with the use of high temperature electronics and systems. Wide band gap, SiC based electronics have been demonstrated to function successfully for extended periods of time both at 500C, Venus surface temperatures as well as when temperature is combined with the reactive chemistry of the surface atmosphere and the high pressures (over 90 bar pressure at the surface). In addition to electronics a number of other subsystems are in development including power in the form of high temperature batteries and power management devices, communications including antennas, transmitters and other components, materials, and structures and mechanisms. These are all activities under NASA's Long Lived In situ Solar System Exploration (LLISSE) project. Other activities are also funded under NASA's HOTTech program.

Kremic, T.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Microstructural and Mechanical Evaluation of a Cu-Based Active Braze Alloy to Join Silicon Nitride Ceramics

Self-joining of St. Gobain Si3N4 (NT-154) using a ductile Cu-Al-Si-Ti active braze (Cu-ABA) was demonstrated. A reaction zone approx.2.5-3.5 microns thick) developed at the interface after 30 min brazing at 1317 K. The interface was enriched in Ti and Si. The room temperature compressive shear strengths of Si3N4/Si3N4 and Inconel/Inconel joints (the latter created to access baseline data for use with the proposed Si3N4/Inconel joints) were 140+/-49MPa and 207+/-12MPa, respectively. High-temperature shear tests were performed at 1023K and 1073 K, and the strength of the Si3N4/Si3N4 and Inconel/Inconel joints were determined. The joints were metallurgically well-bonded for temperatures above 2/3 of the braze solidus. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed a fine grain microstructure in the reaction layer, and large grains in the inner part of the joint with interfaces being crack-free. The observed formation of Ti5Si3 and AlN at the joint interface during brazing is discussed.

Singh, M.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Molecular films associated with LDEF

The molecular films deposited on the surface of the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) originated from the paints and room-temperature-vulcanized (RTV) silicone materials intentionally used on the satellite and not from residual contaminants. The high silicone content of most of the films and the uniformity of the films indicates a homogenization process in the molecular deposition and suggests a chemically most favored composition for the final film. The deposition on interior surfaces and vents indicated multiple bounce trajectories or repeated deposition-reemission cycles. Exterior surface deposits indicated a significant return flux. Ultraviolet light exposure was required to fix the deposited film as is indicated by the distribution of the films on interior surfaces and the thickness of films at the vent locations. Thermal conditions at the time of exposure to ultraviolet light seems to be an important factor in the thickness of the deposit. Sunrise facing (ram direction) surfaces always had the thicker film. These were the coldest surfaces at the time of their exposure to ultraviolet light. The films have a layered structure suggesting cyclic deposition. As many as 34 distinct layers were seen in the films. The cyclic nature of the deposition and the chemical uniformity of the film one layer to the next suggest an early deposition of the films though there is evidence for the deposition of molecular films throughout the nearly six year exposure of the satellite. A final 'spray' of an organic material associated with water soluble salts occurred very late in the mission. This may have been the result of one of the shuttle dump activities.

Crutcher, E. R.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Investigate zero-stress replicated optics

The contracted activities for the procurement of 'Investigate Zero-Stress Replicated Optics' to support the AXAF-S x-ray spectrometer mirrors has been completed. To date four large Wolter I grazing incidence x-ray optical shells have been electroformed from nickel. The mirrors were fabricated utilizing each of two nickel alloy plated aluminum substrates twice. A wide variety of testing has been completed by NASA MSFC and UAH. This testing includes heat treatment control tests, subscale plating and fixture testing, alloy control of the electroless nickel, adhesion and release testing of the gold to electroless nickel, electroforming instrumentation and software and fabrication of subscale models. The full scale shells are one millimeter thick nickel electrodeposited over a thin gold layer which in turn has the optical surface on the inside. The optical surface is the replicate of the surface prepared on the substrate. Appendix I briefly outlines the fabrication process. Major objectives which were shared by UAH and MSFC include the design of facilities, equipment and tooling and procurement of materials and equipment. Process development followed with the fabrication of small scale pilot units. Procurement commenced immediately and equipment and materials were ordered to implement the fabrication of first surface full scale substrates (mandrels) and the second surface electroformed optical components. All principal objectives have been achieved. Inspection of the mirrors in visible and x-ray modes validates that the required performance and the quality can be achieved by an electroforming replication process. A very distinct progressive improvement has been achieved with each of the four mirrors produced. The final mirror exceeded the original goals and set an improved standard for flight hardware. The future goal of a 30 arc second resolution at 8 KEV x-ray appears to be achievable by this process when proper cleanliness and process control is utilized.

Engelhaupt, Darell↗

NASA NTRS1999

The Estimation Surface Latent Heat Flux Over the Ocean and its Relationship to Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer (MABL) Structure

A new technique combining active and passive remote sensing instruments for the estimation of surface latent heat flux over the ocean is presented. This synergistic method utilizes aerosol lidar backscatter data, multi-channel infrared radiometer data and microwave scatterometer data acquired onboard the NASA P-3B research aircraft during an extended field campaign over the Atlantic ocean in support of the Lidar In-space Technology Experiment (LITE) in September of 1994. The 10 meter wind speed derived from the scatterometers and the lidar-radiometer inferred near-surface moisture are used to obtain an estimate of the surface flux of moisture via bulk aerodynamic formulae. The results are compared with the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) daily average latent heat flux and show reasonable agreement. However, the SSM/I values are biased high by about 30 W/sq m. In addition, the MABL height, entrainment zone thickness and integrated lidar backscatter intensity are computed from the lidar data and compared with the magnitude of the surface fluxes. The results show that the surface latent heat flux is most strongly correlated with entrainment zone top, bottom and the integrated MABL lidar backscatter, with corresponding correlation coefficients of 0.62, 0.67 and 0.61, respectively.

Palm, Stephen P.↗

NASA NTRS2014

The Interior and Orbital Evolution of Charon as Preserved in Its Geologic Record

Pluto and its largest satellite, Charon, currently orbit in a mutually synchronous state; both bodies continuously show the same face to one another. This orbital configuration is a natural end-state for bodies that have undergone tidal dissipation. In order to achieve this state, both bodies would have experienced tidal heating and stress, with the extent of tidal activity controlled by the orbital evolution of Pluto and Charon and by the interior structure and rheology of each body. As the secondary, Charon would have experienced a larger tidal response than Pluto, which may have manifested as observable tectonism. Unfortunately, there are few constraints on the interiors of Pluto and Charon. In addition, the pathway by which Charon came to occupy its present orbital state is uncertain. If Charon's orbit experienced a high-eccentricity phase, as suggested by some orbital evolution models, tidal effects would have likely been more significant. Therefore, we determine the conditions under which Charon could have experienced tidally-driven geologic activity and the extent to which upcoming New Horizons spacecraft observations could be used to constrain Charon's internal structure and orbital evolution. Using plausible interior structure models that include an ocean layer, we find that tidally-driven tensile fractures would likely have formed on Charon if its eccentricity were on the order of 0.01, especially if Charon were orbiting closer to Pluto than at present. Such fractures could display a variety of azimuths near the equator and near the poles, with the range of azimuths in a given region dependent on longitude; east-west-trending fractures should dominate at mid-latitudes. The fracture patterns we predict indicate that Charon's surface geology could provide constraints on the thickness and viscosity of Charon's ice shell at the time of fracture formation.

Tectonics↗