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At least 217 records · Page 12

The Post Office communication system ground station at Goonhilly, Cornwall

The initial purpose of the Post Office satellite system earth station at Goonhilly Downs, Cornwall, is to obtain information on the performance of experimental communication satellite systems; such information will be of great importance to the designers of systems for commercial operation. To facilitate this dissemination the UK and USA Governments prepared and signed, in February 1961, a Memorandum of Understanding regarding collaboration between the British Post Office and the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on the testing of experimental communication satellites to be launched by NASA. The first phase of the tests covered Projects Telstar and Relay, both active satellites.

COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE↗

Origin of the framing camera.

Framing cameras of rotating mirror type, discussing optical principles used in American, British and Russian high speed cameras developed since original NACA camera

FRAMING CAMERA↗

Origin of the framing camera.

Framing cameras of rotating mirror type, discussing optical principles used in American, British and Russian high speed cameras developed since original NACA camera

HIGH SPEED CAMERA↗

The Philosophy which underlies the structural tests of a supersonic transport aircraft with particular attention to the thermal cycle

The information presented is based on data obtained from the Concorde. Much of this data also applies to other supersonic transport aircraft. The design and development of the Concorde is a joint effort of the British and French, and the structural test program is shared, as are all the other activities. Vast numbers of small specimens have been tested to determine the behavior of the materials used in the aircraft. Major components of the aircraft structure, totalling almost a complete aircraft, have been made and are being tested to help the constructors in each country in the design and development of the structure. Tests on two complete airframes will give information for the certification of the aircraft. A static test was conducted in France and a fatigue test in the United Kingdom. Fail-safe tests are being made to demonstrate the crack-propagation characteristics of the structure and its residual strength. Aspects of the structural test program are described in some detail, dealing particularly with the problems associated with the thermal cycle. The biggest of these problems is the setting up of the fatigue test on the complete airframe; therefore, this is covered more extensively with a discussion about how the test time can be shortened and with a description of the practical aspects of the test.

Ripley, E. L.↗

Evaluate ERTS imagery for mapping and detection of changes of snowcover on land and on glaciers

The author has identified the following significant results. Preliminary results on the feasibility of mapping snow cover extent have been obtained from a limited number of ERTS-1 images of mountains in Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington. The snowline on land can be readily distinguished, except in heavy forest where such distinction appears to be virtually impossible. The snowline on very large glaciers can also be distinguished remarkably easily, leading to a convenient way to measure glacier accumulation area ratios or equilibrium line altitude. Monitoring of large surging glaciers appears to be possible, but only through observation of a change in area and/or medial moraine extent. Under certain conditions, ERTS-1 imagery appears to have high potential for mapping snow cover in mountainous areas. Distinction between snow and clouds appears to require use of the human eye, but in a cloud-free scene the snow cover is sufficiently distinct to allow use of automated techniques. This technique may prove very useful as an aid in the monitoring of the snowpack water resource and the prediction of summer snowmelt runoff volume.

Meier, M. F.↗

Principal sources and dispersal patterns of suspended particulate matter in nearshore surface waters of the northeast Pacific Ocean and the Hawaiian Islands

The author has identified the following significant results. Numerous geologic features can be discerned on ERTS-1 imagery of the northwestern Olympic Peninsula, Washington, and southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. A thick homoclinal sequence of north-dipping Tertiary marine strata along the northwestern Olympic Peninsula is readily discernible because of the banded nature of its outcrop. The submarine basalt on which the sequence rests shows as a high, rugged ridge. Within the sedimentary sequence, alternating sandstone and siltstone members 100 m or more thick show in the southeast corner of the image. Broad folds in this banded sequence and faults that cut it can be detected. One large fault, the Pysht River fault, and a large syncline in sandstone and siltstone east of it show prominently on the image. Numerous lineations on the image of southern Vancouver Island correlate with faults shown on Muller's map. Particularly prominent are the Leech River and San Juan faults along the southernmost part of the island.

Carlson, P. R.↗

Energy conservation and air transportation

Air transportation demand and passenger energy demand are discussed, in relation to energy conservation. Alternatives to air travel are reviewed, along with airline advertising and ticket pricing. Cargo energy demand and airline systems efficiency are also examined, as well as fuel conservation techniques. Maximum efficiency of passenger aircraft, from B-747 to V/STOL to British Concorde, is compared.

Source record↗

Evaluate ERTS imagery for mapping and detection of changes of snowcover on land and on glaciers

The author has identified the following significant results. The standard error of measurement of snow covered areas in major drainage basins in the Cascade Range, Washington, using single measurements of ERTS-1 images, was found to range from 11% to 7% during a typical melt season, but was as high as 32% in midwinter. Many dangerous glacier situations in Alaska, Yukon, and British Columbia were observed on ERTS-1 imagery. Glacier dammed lakes in Alaska are being monitored by ERTS-1. Embayments in tidal glaciers show changes detectable by ERTS-1. Surges of Russell and Tweedsmuir Glaciers, now in progress, are clearly visible. The Tweedsmuir surge is likely to dam the large Alsek River by mid-November, producing major floods down-river next summer. An ERTS-1 image of the Pamir Mountains, Tadjik S.S.R., shows the surging Medvezhii (Bear) Glacier just after its surge of early summer which dammed the Abdukagor Valley creating a huge lake and later a flood in the populous Vanch River Valley. A map was compiled from an ERTS-1 image of the Lowell Glacier after its recent surge, compared with an earlier map compiled from pain-stakingly compiled from a mosaic of many aerial photographs, in a total elapsed time of 1.5 hours. This demonstrates the value of ERTS-1 for rapid mapping of large features.

Meier, M. F.↗

Skynet 2-b/Delta 105

A British defense communications satellite is discussed for launch into synchronous orbit over the Indian Ocean aboard a NASA Delta three-stage launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral.

Source record↗

Transportation vehicle energy intensities. A joint DOT/NASA reference paper

A compilation of data on the energy consumption of air and ground vehicles is presented. The ratio BTU/ASM, British Thermal Units/Available Seat Mile, is used to express vehicle energy intensiveness, and related to the energy consumed directly in producing seat-mile or ton-mile productivity. Data is presented on passenger and freight vehicles which are in current use or which are about to enter service, and advanced vehicles which may be operational in the 1980's and beyond. For the advanced vehicles, an estimate is given of the date of initial operational service, and the performance characteristics. Other key considerations in interpreting energy intensiveness for a given mode are discussed, such as: load factors, operations, overhead energy consumption, and energy investments in new structure and equipment.

Mascy, A. C.↗

Low Speed Wind Tunnel Tests on a One-Seventh Scale Model of the H.126 Jet Flap Aircraft

Low speed wind tunnel tests were performed on a one-seventh scale model of the British H.126 jet flap research aircraft over a range of jet momentum coefficients. The primary objective was to compare model aerodynamic characteristics with those of the aircraft, with the intent to provide preliminary data needed towards establishing small-to-full scale correlating techniques on jet flap V/STOL aircraft configurations. Lift and drag coefficients from the model and aircraft tests were found to be in reasonable agreement. The pitching moment coefficient and trim condition correlation was poor. A secondary objective was to evaluate a modified thrust nozzle having thrust reversal capability. The results showed there was a considerable loss of lift in the reverse thrust operational mode because of increased nozzle-wing flow interference. A comparison between the model simulated H.126 wing jet efflux and the model uniform pressure distribution wing jet efflux indicated no more than 5% loss in weight flow rate.

Laub, G. H.↗

Are clear-cut areas estimated from LANDSAT imagery reliable?

The reliability of LANDSAT imagery for estimation of clear-cut areas was evaluated by comparison with data obtained from high-altitude photos and logging historical map and from field inspections. A mature forest was selected as a test site because of its continuous clear-cut operation. The forest is about 50 km northwest of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and consists of 9092 ha. Areas clear-cut within the past year were overestimated by 12.9%, those clear-cut 1-year or more by 2.2%, whereas uncut mature timber was underestimated by 3.6%. Three clear-cut areas were missed in the logging map and two in the LANDSAT enhancement. The difference between area estimates was significant when all 26 areas were included but not when 2 overestimated areas were excluded from the analysis. The study indicates that LANDSAT imagery color enhancement is a useful tool in up-dating clear-cut areas for long-term planning in forest management.

Lee, Y. J.↗

Performance and benefits of an advanced technology supersonic cruise aircraft

The results of four years research on technology are synthesized in an advanced supersonic cruise aircraft design. Comparisons are presented with the former United States SST and the British-French Concorde, including aerodynamic efficiency, propulsion efficiency, weight efficiency, and community noise. Selected trade study results are presented on the subjects of design cruise Mach number, engine cycle selection, and noise suppression. The critical issue of program timing is addressed and some observations made regarding the impact that timing has on engine selection and minimization of program risk.

Fitzsimmons, R. D.↗

Tentative civil airworthiness flight criteria for powered-lift transports

Representatives of the U.S., British, French, and Canadian airworthiness authorities participated in a NASA/FAA program to formulate tentative civil airworthiness flight criteria for powered-lift transports. The ultimate limits of the flight envelope are defined by boundaries in the airspeed/path-angle plane. Angle of attack and airspeed margins applied to these ultimate limits provide protection against both atmospheric disturbances and disturbances resulting from pilot actions or system variability, but do not ensure maneuvering capability directly, as the 30% speed margin does for conventional transports. Separate criteria provide for direct demonstration of adequate capability for approach path control, flare and landing, and for go-around. Demonstration maneuvers are proposed, and appropriate abuses and failures are suggested. Taken together, these criteria should permit selection of appropriate operating points within the flight envelopes for the approach, landing, and go-around flight phases which are likely to be most critical for powered-lift aircraft.

Hynes, C. S.↗

Preliminary test results of the joint FAA-USAF-NASA runway research program. Part 1: Traction measurements of several runways under wet and dry conditions with a Boeing 727, a diagonal-braked vehicle, and a mu-meter

The stopping distance, brake application velocity, and time of brake application were measured for two modern jet transports, along with the NASA diagonal-braked vehicle and the British Mu-Meter on several runways, which when wetted, cover the range of slipperiness likely to be encountered in the United States. Tests were designed to determine if correlation between the aircraft and friction measuring vehicles exists. The test procedure, data reduction techniques, and preliminary test results obtained with the Boeing 727, the Douglas DC-9, and the ground vehicles are given. Time histories of the aircraft test run parameters are included.

Horne, W. B.↗

An approximate spin design criterion for monoplanes, 1 May 1939

An approximate empirical criterion, based on the projected side area and the mass distribution of the airplane, was formulated. The British results were analyzed and applied to American designs. A simpler design criterion, based solely on the type and the dimensions of the tail, was developed; it is useful in a rapid estimation of whether a new design is likely to comply with the minimum requirements for safety in spinning.

Seidman, O.↗

Aeroelastic stability characteristics of an oblique wing aircraft

Two different studies are presented involving a transport category aircraft with an oblique or asymmetrically swept wing. The first study concerns itself with the effect on flutter of changes in certain of the aircraft structural and inertial parameters. The second portion examines the subcritical damping characteristics of a flexible oblique wing aircraft. For this purpose, a recent version of the NASTRAN computer code is used. A comparison is made between the flutter speeds found using the traditional k analysis and the results found from computation of subcritical response using the p-k or 'British' flutter method.

Crittenden, J. B.↗

Engine non-containment: UK risk assessment methods

More realistic guideline data must be developed for use in aircraft design in order to comply with recent changes in British civil airworthiness requirements. Unrealistically pessimistic results were obtained when the methodology developed during the Concorde SST certification program was extended to assess catastrophic risks resulting from uncontained engine rotors.

Wallin, J. C.↗