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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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At least 235 records · Page 13

Human Mars Mission: SEP Architecture, Crew Taxi Propulsion Stage Study and Design and Technology for Reaction and Control System

The Mars exploration is a candidate pathway to expand human presence and useful activities in the solar system. There are several propulsion system options being considered to place the Mars payload on its interplanetary transfer trajectory. One propulsion option is the use of Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) to spiral out with the Mars payload from an initial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to an elliptical High Earth Orbit (HEO). This report, presented in annotated facing page format, describes the work completed on the design of a crew taxi propulsion stage used in conjunction with the SEP. Transportation system/mission analysis topics covered in this report include sub-system analysis, trajectory profile description, mass performance and crew taxi stage sizing, stage configuration, stage cost, and Trans-Mars Injection (TMI) launch window. The high efficiency of SEP is used to provide the major part of the TMI propulsion maneuver. Orbital energy is continuously added over a period of approximately twelve months. The SEP and Mars payload follow a spiral trajectory from an initial LEO to a final elliptical HEO. A small chemical stage is then used to provide the final part of the TMI. The now unloaded SEP returns to LEO to repeat another spiral trajectory with payload to HEO. The spiral phase of the SEP's trajectory takes several months to reach HEO, thus significantly increasing the exposure time of the crew to zero-gravity. In order to minimize the long zero-gravity effects, a high thrust chemical stage delivers the crew to the SEP's HEO. The crew rendezvous with the Mars payload in HEO. After a checkout period the Mars payload with the crew is injected onto a Trans-Mars Trajectory by a small chemical stage.

Young, Archie↗

Distinguishing major lithologic types in rocks of precambrian age in central Wyoming using multilevel sensing, with a chapter on possible economic significance of iron formation discovered by use of aircraft images in the Granite Mountains of Wyoming

The author has identified the following significant results. Information obtained by remote sensing from three altitude levels: ERTS-1 (565 miles), U-2 (60,000 feet), and C-130 aircraft (15,000 feet) illustrates the possible application of multilevel sensing in mineral exploration. Distinction can be made between rocks of greenstone belts and rocks of granite-granite gneiss areas by using ERTS-1 imagery in portions of the Precambrian of central Wyoming. Study of low altitude color and color infrared photographs of the mafic terrain revealed the presence of metasedimentary rocks with distinct layers that were interpreted as amphibolite by photogeologic techniques. Some of the amphibolite layers were found to be iron formation when examined in the field. To our knowledge this occurrence of iron formation has not been previously reported in the literature.

Houston, R. S.↗

Technology utilization in a non-urban region: Further impact and technique of the Technology Use Studies Center

Updated information pertaining to clients who receive and use information disseminated by the Technology Use Studies Center (TUSC) is reported. Charts are provided which indicate TUSC's performance in information dissemination and technical assistance in terms of quantities of searches accomplished during several contract years. The faculty information service is described, along with details of cooperation with other agencies. Specific searches are listed according to subject, client, and client location, and a measure of client response to services provided is indicated by the included selection of transfer and impact reports. The impetus behind the formation of the general aviation news letter is also described.

Gold, C. H.↗

Jovian ionospheric models

This paper reports results obtained on ionosphere formation in the Jovian upper atmosphere with special reference to some of the recently available reaction rates, and to recent models of the Jovian neutral atmosphere based on the possibility of a warmer mesopause. In the older models of the Jovian ionosphere, the major ions were H+ which were lost only by pure radiative recombination. This led to high electron densities and practically no diurnal change. In contrast, recent models have relatively much smaller electron densities, especially in lower regions, and may be susceptible to significant diurnal variation.

Capone, L. A.↗

Laser ranging data analysis

Near real-time Lageos laser ranging data are analyzed in terms of range bias, time bias, and internal precision, and estimates for earth orientation parameters X(sub p), Y(sub p), and UT1 are obtained. The results of these analyses are reported in a variety of formats. Copies of monthly summaries from November, 1986 through November, 1987 are included.

Source record↗

Efficient spacecraft formationkeeping with consideration of ballistic coefficient control

The extent to which drag can be used to enhance retrieval and servicing of platforms in the Space Staion environment is investigated for the case when separations on the order of several hundred or even thousands of kilometers occur over extended, but predefined, periods of time. The nature of the problem is formulated, the analytical tools used are described, and the mathematical foundation of the analysis is presented. Results are reported for the cases of formation flying cycles without ballistic coefficient control, formation flying with controlled relative decay, and the effects of varying solar activity.

Mathews, Michael↗

Laser ranging data analysis

Results of the near real-time analysis of Lageos laser ranging data are reported. The data was analyzed in terms of range bias, time bias, and internal precision; and estimates for the Earth orientation parameters X sub p, Y sub p, and UT1 are obtained. The results of these analyses are reported in a variety of formats. Sample copies of the weekly summaries from the second half of 1988 are included along with an annotated distribution list of the weekly summaries. Annual summaries for 1987 and 1988 are also included.

Source record↗

GCS programmer's manual

A variety of instructions to be used in the development of implementations of software for the Guidance and Control Software (GCS) project is described. This document fulfills the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics RTCA/DO-178A guidelines, 'Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification' requirements for document No. 4, which specifies the information necessary for understanding and programming the host computer, and document No. 12, which specifies the software design and implementation standards that are applicable to the software development and testing process. Information on the following subjects is contained: activity recording, communication protocol, coding standards, change management, error handling, design standards, problem reporting, module testing logs, documentation formats, accuracy requirements, and programmer responsibilities.

Lowman, Douglas S.↗

Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope observations of the ScI galaxy NGC 628 (M74)

Ultraviolet images of NGC 628 at 1520 and 2490 A show that the nucleus has an oblong appearance and that the arms and disk exhibit features not seen in blue or H-alpha images. Aperture photometry of the nucleus gives results that are compatible with observations in other bandpasses and with models. The spiral arms appear more symmetrical in the UV than in other colors; in particular, two gaps are seen on either side of the nucleus. Combined UV and radio data appear to support a large-scale collective phenomenon, perhaps a quasi-static spiral structure mechanism, as being the dominant mode of spiral formation in this galaxy. We report the detection of a low surface brightness object at a distance of 7.6 arcmin southwest of the nucleus.

Chen, Peter C.↗

Laser ranging data analysis

Center for Space Research efforts have focused on the near real-time analysis of Lageos laser ranging data and on the production of predictive ephemerides. The data are analyzed in terms of range bias, time bias, and internal precision, and estimates for the Earth orientation parameters X(sub p), Y(sub p) and UT1 are obtained. The results of these analyses are reported in a variety of formats. In addition several additional stations began sending not only quick-look observations but also normal points created on-site with new software. These normal points are transmitted in a new standard format different from either current quick-look or MERIT-II full-rate formats. Thus new preprocessing software was written and successfully tested on these data. Inspection of the Bendix produced Lageos full-rate normal points continued, with detailed analyses and filtering of all 1991 A and B release normal points for Lageos through the beginning of 1992. A summary of the combined full-rate and quick-look normal point data set created for 1991 is provided. New long-term ephemerides for Lageos satellite, as well as for Etalon-1 and Etalon-2 (the so-called high satellites used for laser ranging) were produced and distributed to the network stations in cooperation with the Crustal Dynamics Project and Eurolas. These predictions are used by essentially every laser ranging site obtaining regular returns from any of these three satellites.

Source record↗

LIDAR Remote Sensing Concepts

The primary goal of the NASA New Millennium Program (NMP) is to develop technology for use on future operational missions. The Program consists of two thrust areas, one oriented towards developing technologies for Deep Space Probes and one oriented towards developing technology for Earth Observing Probes. Each thrust area intends to fly several technology demonstrator spacecraft designated DS-X and EO-X respectively where X is the mission number. Each mission has an approximately $100 million cap on total mission cost. The EO-1 mission has been selected and is under development. The instrument discussed here was submitted by NASA MSFC as a potential candidate for the EO-2 or EO-3 missions due to launch in 2001 and late 2002 or early 2003 respectively. This report summarizes and follows the format of the material provided to NMP.

Spiers, Gary D.↗

LIDAR Remote Sensing Concepts

The primary goal of the NASA New Millennium Program (NMP) is to develop technology for use on future operational missions. The Program consists of two thrust areas, one oriented towards developing technologies for Deep Space Probes and one oriented towards developing technology for Earth Observing Probes. Each thrust area intends to fly several technology demonstrator space designated DS-X and EO-X respectively where X is the mission number. Each mission has an approximately $100 million cap on total mission cost. The EO-1 mission has been selected and is under development. The instrument discussed here was submitted by NASA MSFC as a potential candidate for the EO-2 or EO-3 missions due to launch in 2001 and late 2002 or early 2003 respectively. This report summarizes and follows the format of the material provided to NMP.

Spiers, Gary D.↗

Low Masses and High Redshifts: The Evolution of the Mass-Metallicity Relation

We present the first robust measurement of the high redshift mass-metallicity (MZ) relation at 10(exp 8) < M/Stellar Mass < or approx. 10(exp 10), obtained by stacking spectra of 83 emission-line galaxies with secure redshifts between 1.3 < or approx. z < or approx. 2.3. For these redshifts, infrared grism spectroscopy with the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3 is sensitive to the R23 metallicity diagnostic: ([O II] (lambda)(lambda)3726, 3729 + [OIII] (lambda)(lambda)4959, 5007)/H(beta). Using spectra stacked in four mass quartiles, we find a MZ relation that declines significantly with decreasing mass, extending from 12+log(O/H) = 8.8 at M = 10(exp 9.8) Stellar Mass to 12+log(O/H)= 8.2 at M = 10(exp 8.2) Stellar Mass. After correcting for systematic offsets between metallicity indicators, we compare our MZ relation to measurements from the stacked spectra of galaxies with M > or approx. 10(exp 9.5) Stellar Mass and z approx. 2.3. Within the statistical uncertainties, our MZ relation agrees with the z approx. 2.3 result, particularly since our somewhat higher metallicities (by around 0.1 dex) are qualitatively consistent with the lower mean redshift (z = 1.76) of our sample. For the masses probed by our data, the MZ relation shows a steep slope which is suggestive of feedback from energy-driven winds, and a cosmological downsizing evolution where high mass galaxies reach the local MZ relation at earlier times. In addition, we show that our sample falls on an extrapolation of the star-forming main sequence (the SFR-M∗ relation) at this redshift. This result indicates that grism emission-line selected samples do not have preferentially high star formation rates (SFRs). Finally, we report no evidence for evolution of the mass-metallicity-SFR plane; our stack-averaged measurements show excellent agreement with the local relation.

Hgih Redshifts↗

BioMoSS: ROS-generating Photocatalysts for the Disinfection of Potable Water Systems

With NASA’s desire to replace iodine as the biocide within the potable water system of future missions, we continue our development of the biocidal MoS2 (BioMoSS) system. BioMoSS is a visible-light activated photocatalyst based upon few-layered vertically aligned molybdenum disulfide (FLV-MoS2) for the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a biocide. FLV-MoS2 has been reported to have a high bacterial kill rate. We report significant improvements in the vertical-alignment and biocidal efficacy of the FLV-MoS2 compared to our initial results reported last year. Furthermore, we report the results of peroxide formation with and without surface deposition using gold. Finally, we investigate the delamination of the FLV-MoS2 films under immersion in water.

Antiseptics↗

Extended emission and star formation in I Zw 18

The results of sky limited emission-line (H-alpha and forbidden O III 5007A) and line-free (6450 A and 5100 A) continuum imagery of the super-metal-poor blue compact galaxy I Zw 18 are reported. The main body of star formation in the galaxy is surrounded by a 3 kpc diameter extended envelope in H-alpha. In addition, there exist arcs of emission emanating from both central H II regions and winding around to the west, as well as a broader ridge of emission extending northward from the main body. The total mass of ionized material is estimated to be 3 x 10 to the 6th solar masses, or about 5 percent of the mass of the observed H I clouds. Several extended stellar continuum regions exist to the northwest of the main body, the brightest three forming a line along PA = 310 deg out to a 3 kpc distance from the central region of the galaxy. The correlation of the morphology and location of stellar continuum and emission regions with the distribution of H I is discussed. It is calculated that I Zw 18 has had previous, but disconnected, episodes of star formation, possibly from chance collisions of widely separated H I clouds.

Dufour, Reginald J.↗

Soot formation during combustion of unsupported methanol/toluene mixture droplets in microgravity

Results are reported of an experimental study tracing the influence of liquid composition on soot formation and the burning rate of a droplet composed of a binary miscible mixture of liquids. The mixture components represented a highly sooting fuel, toluene, and a nonsooting fuel, methanol. The toluene concentration in methanol was shown to dramatically influence flame luminosity and soot production. Neither burning rates nor a propensity for flame extinction appeared to be significantly affected by toluene mixture fractions. Five-percent toluene mixture droplets behaved like pure methanol droplets in terms of burning rate, lack of flame luminosity, and extinction. Increasing the toluene concentration in the droplets to 25 percent increased flame luminosity, yet no visible soot agglomerates were observed. The 50-percent-mixture droplets burned with highly luminous flames and large amounts of soot agglomerates collecting inside the flame. All the mixture droplets showed burning rates similar to those of pure methanol and likewise exhibited flame extinction before complete droplet vaporization.

Jackson, G. S.↗

Laser Materials Processing for NASA's Aerospace Structural Materials

Lasers are useful for performing operations such as joining, machining, built-up freeform fabrication, and surface treatment. Due to the multifunctional nature of a single tool and the variety of materials that can be processed, these attributes are attractive in order to support long-term missions in space. However, current laser technology also has drawbacks for space-based applications. Specifically, size, power efficiency, lack of robustness, and problems processing highly reflective materials are all concerns. With the advent of recent breakthroughs in solidstate laser (e.g., diode-pumped lasers) and fiber optic technologies, the potential to perform multiple processing techniques in space has increased significantly. A review of the historical development of lasers from their infancy to the present will be used to show how these issues may be addressed. The review will also indicate where further development is necessary to realize a laser-based materials processing capability in space. The broad utility of laser beams in synthesizing various classes of engineering materials will be illustrated using state-of-the art processing maps for select lightweight alloys typically found on spacecraft. Both short- and long-term space missions will benefit from the development of a universal laser-based tool with low power consumption, improved process flexibility, compactness (e.g., miniaturization), robustness, and automation for maximum utility with a minimum of human interaction. The potential advantages of using lasers with suitable wavelength and beam properties for future space missions to the moon, Mars and beyond will be discussed. The laser processing experiments in the present report were performed using a diode pumped, pulsed/continuous wave Nd:YAG laser (50 W max average laser power), with a 1064 nm wavelength. The processed materials included Ti-6AI-4V, Al-2219 and Al-2090. For Phase I of this project, the laser process conditions were varied and optimized to see the effects on melt-quenching, cladding/alloying (using the pre-placed powder technique), and cutting. Key parameters such laser power, pulse repetition frequency, process speed, and shield gas flow and the observed process characteristics such as plasma formation during laser/material interaction, have been reported for all experimental runs. Preliminary materials characterization of select samples was carried out using various microscopy, diffraction, spectroscopy and microhardness test methods, and reported. Select nitridation results of Ti-6AI-4V using nitrogen assist gas indicated the successful formation of hard titanium nitrides with much higher hardness (2180 kg/sq mm). A cost-effective and simple powder delivery system has been successfully fabricated for the further experimentation in Phase H.

Nagarathnam, Karthik↗