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A tent-shaped structure with a flexible photovoltaic blanket acting as a catenary collector is presented. The shadow cast by one side of the collector produces a shadow on the other side of the collector. This self-shading effect is analyzed. The direct beam, the diffuse, and the albedo radiation on the collector are determined. An example is given for the insolation on the collector operating on Viking Lander 1 (VL1).
A computer program written in conjunction with the numerical solution of the flow of chemically reacting gas-particle mixtures was documented. The solution to the set of governing equations was obtained by utilizing the method of characteristics. The equations cast in characteristic form were shown to be formally the same for ideal, frozen, chemical equilibrium and chemical non-equilibrium reacting gas mixtures. The characteristic directions for the gas-particle system are found to be the conventional gas Mach lines, the gas streamlines and the particle streamlines. The basic mesh construction for the flow solution is along streamlines and normals to the streamlines for axisymmetric or two-dimensional flow. The analysis gives detailed information of the supersonic flow and provides for a continuous solution of the nozzle and exhaust plume flow fields. Boundary conditions for the flow solution are either the nozzle wall or the exhaust plume boundary.
The development of a quantitative nondestructive method which involves ultrasonic attenuation measurements in frequency domain to determine volume fraction of porosity in aluminum cast is discussed. The aluminum alloy A357 casting samples were produced at the Ohio State University Foundry with controlled porosity contents ranging from 0% to 6%. A computer controlled system was used to direct ultrasonic beam to a test sample to different places to conduct ultrasonic attenuation measurements. The plot of attenuation coefficients as a function of frequency was then evaluated based on existing theories to determine volume fraction of porosity and pore size.
The Opposition Effect (OE) is the non-linear increase in the intensity of light scattered from a surface as phase angle approaches 0 deg. It is seen in laboratory experiments and in remote sensing observations of planetary surfaces. Understanding the OE is a requirement to fitting photometric models which will produce meaningful results about regolith texture. Our previous laboratory studies are consistent with the hypothesis that the OE in particulate materials is due to two processes, Shadow Hiding (SHOE) and Coherent Backscattering (CBOE). SHOE arises because, as phase angle approaches zero, shadows cast by regolith grains on other grains become invisible to the observer. CBOE results from constructive interference between rays traveling the same path but in opposite directions. In this study we measured the angular scattering properties of 9 mixtures of Aluminum Oxide and Boron Carbide powders of the same particle diameter (25 microns). The reflectance of the materials ranged from 7% (pure B4C) to 91% (pure Al2O3). Along with the reflectance phase curve we measured the circular polarization ratio (CPR) - the ratio of the intensity of the light returned with the same helicity as the incident light to that with the opposite helicity. An increase in CPR with decreasing phase angle indicates increased multiple scattering and is consistent with CBOE (Hapke, 1993). Popular conceptions of CBOE (Belskaya et al, 2003) hold that materials of higher albedo would exhibit increased multiple scattering and that the contribution of CBOE to the OE would increase as albedo increases. Remarkably, we find the highest albedo samples did not have the strongest CBOE opposition peaks. Instead, the maximum CBOE contribution is observed in samples with reflectance between 15 and 40%.
The Opposition Effect (OE) is the non-linear increase in the intensity of light scattered from a surface as phase angle approaches 0 deg. It is seen in laboratory experiments and in remote sensing observations of planetary surfaces. Understanding the OE is a requirement for fitting photometric models which produce meaningful results about regolith texture. Previously we have reported measurements from the JPL long arm goniometer and we have shown that this instrument enables us to distinguish between two distinct processes which create the opposition surges, Shadow Hiding (SHOE) and Coherent Backscattering (CBOE). SHOE arises because, as phase angle approaches zero, shadows cast by regolith grains on other grains become invisible to the observer. CBOE results from constructive interference between rays traveling the same path but in opposite directions. Additional information is included in the original extended abstract.
A hyperspectral sun photometer and associated methods have been developed and demonstrated. Accurate sun photometer calibration is critical to properly measure the solar irradiance and characterize the atmosphere. Traditional sun photometer calibration requires solar observations over several hours. In contrast, the procedures for operating this photometer entail less data acquisition time and embody a more direct approach to calibration. The scientific value of the measurement data produced by this instrument is not adversely affected by atmospheric instability. In addition, this instrument yields hyperspectral data covering a large spectral range (350-2,500 nm) not available from most traditional sun photometers. The hyperspectral sun photometer components include (1) a commercially available spectroradiometer that has been laboratory-calibrated and (2) a commercially available reflectance standard panel that exhibits nearly Lambertian 99% reflectance. The spectroradiometer is positioned above, and aimed downward at, the panel. The procedure for operating this instrument calls for a series of measurements: one in which the panel is fully illuminated by the sun, one in which a shade is positioned between the panel and the sun, and two in which the shade is positioned to cast a shadow to either side of the panel. The total sequence of measurements can be performed in less than a minute. From these measurements, the total radiance, the diffuse radiance, and the direct solar radiance are calculated. The direct solar irradiance is calculated from the direct solar radiance and the known reflectance factor of the panel as a function of the solar zenith angle. Atmospheric characteristics are estimated from the optical depth at various wavelengths calculated from (1) the direct solar irradiance obtained as described above, (2) the air mass along a column from the measurement position to the Sun, and (3) the top-of-atmosphere solar irradiance. The instrumentation used to implement the sun photometer is the same as that used to characterize targets used in radiometric vicarious calibrations. Utilizing this type of sun photometer thus reduces the amount of instrumentation and labor required to perform these studies.
Studies of the effects of gravitation on the behavior of fluids and the shapes of materials for the years 1977-1982 are reviewed, with a focus on ground-based research which complements and gives direction to experimentation in the reduced-gravity environment of space. Fluid-behavior topics discussed include crystal growth from melts and from vapor, dendritic solidification and casting, multiphase alloy solidification, electrophoresis, convection behavior, and special heat-flow considerations characteristic of the space environment. With regard to solids, such subjects as containerless positioning technology and its applications (in glass preparation, liquid drop and shell studies, nucleation experiments, and measurements of fundamental properties of molten reactants), liquid floating zones, solid self-deformation, and sedimentation and buoyancy effects are considered and illustrated.
The equation relating OH concentration to the observed detector count rate for a given laser flux is defined. That equation, which will be referred to henceforth as the central equation for absolute sensitivity, will be cast in terms of standard spectroscopic quantities such as oscillator strengths, Hoenl-London factors, rotational and vibrational quantum numbers, etc., such that it may be tested directly under laboratory conditions. The working expressions used by each of the OH laser induced fluorescence (LIF) groups will be related to this central equation, thereby establishing a common language for the comparison of experimental results and the definition of LIF system performance. The relevant structural details of the OH radical via a spectroscopic description of the energy levels and transitions employed in the LIF method are detailed. The central equation relating observed count rate to absolute concentration will be derived, and that equation will be related to the observed quantities cited by each of the experimental groups engaged in the measurement of OH in the Earth's atmosphere.
Tensile specimens made of a metal-matrix composite (cast and extruded aluminum alloy-based matrix reinforced with Al2O3 particulate) were tested in situ in a scanning electron microscope equipped with a deformation stage, to directly monitor the crack propagation phenomenon. The in situ SEM observations revealed the presence of microcracks both ahead of and near the crack-tip region. The microcracks were primarily associated with cracks in the alumina particles. The results suggest that a region of intense deformation exists ahead of the crack and corresponds to the region of microcracking. As the crack progresses, a region of plastically deformed material and associated microcracks remains in the wake of the crack.
The possibility of using parallel processing to accelerate the simulation of Timed Petri Nets (TPN's) was studied. It was recognized that complex system development tools often transform system descriptions into TPN's or TPN-like models, which are then simulated to obtain information about system behavior. Viewed this way, it was important that the parallelization of TPN's be as automatic as possible, to admit the possibility of the parallelization being embedded in the system design tool. Later years of the grant were devoted to examining the problem of joint performance and reliability analysis, to explore whether both types of analysis could be accomplished within a single framework. In this final report, the results of our studies are summarized. We believe that the problem of parallelizing TPN's automatically for MIMD architectures has been almost completely solved for a large and important class of problems. Our initial investigations into joint performance/reliability analysis are two-fold; it was shown that Monte Carlo simulation, with importance sampling, offers promise of joint analysis in the context of a single tool, and methods for the parallel simulation of general Continuous Time Markov Chains, a model framework within which joint performance/reliability models can be cast, were developed. However, very much more work is needed to determine the scope and generality of these approaches. The results obtained in our two studies, future directions for this type of work, and a list of publications are included.
The overall objectives of Project 3 were to develop the exothermic casting process to produce uncooled single-crystal (SC) HP turbine blades in MAR-M 247 and higher strength derivative alloys and to validate the materials process and components through extensive mechanical property testing, rig testing, and 200 hours of endurance engine testing. These Program objectives were achieved. The exothermic casting process was successfully developed into a low-cost nonproperietary method for producing single-crystal castings. Single-crystal MAR-M 247 and two derivatives DS alloys developed during this project, NASAIR 100 and SC Alloy 3, were fully characterized through mechanical property testing. SC MAR-M 247 shows no significant improvement in strength over directionally solidified (DS) MAR-M 247, but the derivative alloys, NASAIR 100 and Alloy 3, show significant tensile and fatigue improvements. Firtree testing, holography, and strain-gauge rig testing were used to determine the effects of the anisotropic characteristics of single-crystal materials. No undesirable characteristics were found. In general, the single-crystal material behaved similarly to DS MAR-M 247. Two complete engine sets of SC HP turbine blades were cast using the exothermic casting process and fully machined. These blades were successfully engine-tested.
This report is part of a series of reports that addresses flight deck design and evaluation, written as a response to loss of control accidents. In particular, this activity is directed at failures in airplane state awareness, in which the pilot loses awareness of the airplane’s energy state or attitude and enters an upset condition. Another report in this series of reports speaks directly to flight deck evaluation methods and metrics for the types of attention and awareness issues that were revealed from the airplane state awareness events. In this report, we describe a wide range of flight deck evaluation issues tied to flight crew performance. The objectives are to establish a framework for thinking about how the flight deck interface should support the performance of the flight crew, and to aid the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in identifying relevant human performance issues during the evaluation/certification process. Issues are broken out into sections that cover physical ergonomics, design for usability, data integration and display content, attention and task management, flight crew problem solving, and flight crew teaming. For each issue, we recommend specific ways that the flight deck interface should support the flight crew. For each, we also identify existing 14 CFR Part 25 rules and guidance that are relevant to the issue. This allows the FAA to determine what current regulatory materials can support them in raising the issue with the applicant.
A direct comparison of vacuum-melted, argon-atomized, hot-pressed, and extruded Unitemp C-300, an experimental, nickel-base superalloy, is made with as-cast and extruded material, with respect to mechanical properties and structural characteristics, utilizing the optimum thermomechanical processing variables previously established. Comparisons are also made with published mechanical properties of existing high temperature alloys in their temperature range of operation. These studies have established the exceptional versatility of this alloy for both high and low temperature applications and have shown that its strength characteristics significantly exceed those of the best currently available alloys on the market today.
A solution method for finding the unknown solidification interface in manufacturing slab ingots as a continuous casting is presented, which involves a product solution in the potential plane and the use of conjugate harmonic functions. It is argued that the method may be more direct for some geometries than the Cauchy boundary value method. Moreover, the usefulness of the Cauchy boundary value method is demonstrated through the example of a nonsymmetric horizontal mold where the walls are offset to support the lower ingot boundary.
The small obliquity of Mercury causes topographic depressions located near its poles to cast persistent shadows. Many [1, 9, 15] have shown these permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) may trap water ice for geologic time periods inside cold-traps. More recently, direct evidence for the presence of water ice deposits inside craters was remotely sensed in RADAR [5] and visible imagery [3]. Albedo measurements (reflectence at 1064 nm) obtained by the MErcury Space ENviroment GEochemistry and Ranging Laser Altimeter (MLA) found unusually bright and dark areas next to Mercury's north pole [7]. Using a thermal illumination model, Paige et al. [8] found the bright deposits are correlated with surface cold-traps, and the dark deposits are correlated with subsurface cold-traps. They suggested these anomalous deposits were brought to the surface by comets and were processed by the magnetospheric radiation flux, removing hydrogen and mixing C-N-O-S atoms to form a variety of molecules which will darken with time. Here we use a thermal illumination model to find the link between the cold-trap area fraction of a rough surface and its albedo. Using this link and the measurements obtained by MESSENGER we derive a surface and a subsurface ice distribution map on Mercury's north pole below the MESSENGER spatial resolution, approximately 500 m. We find a large fraction of the polar ice on Mercury resides inside micro cold-traps (of scales 10 - 100 m) distributed along the inter-crater terrain.
Several Nb-Al alloys, including single-phase NbAl3 and the eutectic of Nb2Al and NbAl3, were prepared either by nonconsumable arc melting in Ar or by zone processing in He following initial induction melting and rod casting, and the effect of the solidification route on the microstructure and room-temperature mechanical properties of these alloys was investigated. Automated control procedures and melt conditions for directional solidification of NbAl3 and the Nb2Al/Nb3Al eutectic were developed; high purity and stoichiometry were obtained. The effects of ternary additions of Ti and Ni are described.
Landing humans on Mars comes with many challenges, including the execution of a safe and precise entry, descent, and landing (EDL) sequence. Various NASA studies have shown that there are a variety of EDL guidance methods that potentially offer solutions to the human-scale EDL precision landing problem and work is ongoing to assess new and novel methods. As part of these ongoing studies, a dual-quaternion-based six degree-of-freedom guidance algorithm was implemented in the Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories II (POST2), a NASA-and industry-standard spacecraft trajectory and vehicle design tool. This algorithm considers both translational and rotational dynamics and casts the trajectory optimization problem as a quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP) with various constraints at discrete nodes throughout the trajectory. The QCQP problem is solved via an alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) approach, and the output is a discretized optimal trajectory. The guidance is applied to a NASA reference human-scale Mars EDL system, and results are compared and discussed.
Landing humans on Mars comes with many challenges, including the execution of a safe and precise entry, descent, and landing (EDL) sequence. Various NASA studies have shown that there are a variety of EDL guidance methods that potentially offer solutions to the human-scale EDL precision landing problem and work is ongoing to assess new and novel methods. As part of these ongoing studies, a dual-quaternion-based six degree-of-freedom guidance algorithm was implemented in the Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories II (POST2), a NASA-and industry-standard spacecraft trajectory and vehicle design tool. This algorithm considers both translational and rotational dynamics and casts the trajectory optimization problem as a quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP) with various constraints at discrete nodes throughout the trajectory. The QCQP problem is solved via an alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) approach, and the output is a discretized optimal trajectory. The guidance is applied to a NASA reference human-scale Mars EDL system, and results are compared and discussed.