Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “ALTITUDE”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1971

Erythropoietic radiosensitivity of the rat during altitude acclimatization.

The effect of a sublethal dose (300 R) of X-radiation upon the erythropoietic system of the rat, during 60-day acclimatization to moderate hypoxia (3,800 m altitude), was studied. Past work has shown that hypoxic animals are damaged less by radiation than animals irradiated in a normal environment; therefore, it was postulated that if, after acclimatization to hypoxia the bone marrow oxygen tension returns to sea-level values, these animals should suffer radiation damage equivalent to animals at sea level. The principal parameters followed were the rate of depletion of injected Fe-59 from the plasma of chronically catheterized rats, and its subsequent reappearance in the circulating erythrocytes. After 20 days of acclimatization, both parameters for altitude-irradiated animals returned to the values of animals irradiated at sea level, previously having reflected increased erythropoiesis. In altitude nonirradiated animals the parameters indicated erythropoietic stimulation persisting up to 45 days acclimatization. The protective effect of the hypoxia on the stem cells vanished during acclimatization, presumably as cellular oxygen tension rose.

Gaugl, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Calibration of solar cells using high-altitude aircraft.

A high altitude airplane has been used to obtain the outer space short circuit current of solar cells. The solar cells are mounted in a collimating tube and are measured at approximately 5000 foot intervals between 12,000 and 47,000 feet. The air mass is calculated for each altitude using the standard formula and the resulting curve is extrapolated to air mass zero. The effects on the solar cell output of a haze layer located at the tropopause has been observed. It is necessary to fly above this layer to ensure accurate results. Airplane calibrations of several primary standard cells calibrated on high altitude balloons show agreement within 0.5 per cent. Prediction of the output of satellite power supplies using airplane calibrated cells shows an accuracy of better than 1 per cent.

Brandhorst, H. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Seasonal and altitude variations in field-aligned precipitation occurrence

Data from more than 7500 orbits of the polar-orbiting satellite OGO-4 have been analyzed to determine the existence of seasonal, altitude, or universal time differences in the occurrence of field-aligned electrons. Unexpected variations in frequency of occurrence have been found at different altitudes and in different seasons. In particular, the probability of observing this phenomenon at high latitudes was found to be greatest in the winter months at the highest altitudes attained by OGO-4. A localized parallel electric field acceleration mechanism is presented which could account for the particle observations.

Berko, F. W.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Predictive modeling of altitude decompression sickness in humans

The coding of data on 2,565 individual human altitude chamber tests is reported as part of a selection procedure designed to eliminate individuals who are highly susceptible to decompression sickness, individual aircrew members were exposed to the pressure equivalent of 37,000 feet and observed for one hour. Many entries refer to subjects who have been tested two or three times. This data contains a substantial body of statistical information important to the understanding of the mechanisms of altitude decompression sickness and for the computation of improved high altitude operating procedures. Appropriate computer formats and encoding procedures were developed and all 2,565 entries have been converted to these formats and stored on magnetic tape. A gas loading file was produced.

Kenyon, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Measurement of gaseous emissions from an afterburning turbojet engine at simulated altitude conditions

Gaseous emissions from a J85-GE-13 turbojet engine were measured over a range of fuel-air ratios from idle to full afterburning and simulated altitudes from near sea-level to 12,800 meters (42,000 ft). Without afterburning, carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon emissions were highest at idle and lowest at takeoff; oxides of nitrogen exhibited the reverse trend. With afterburning, carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon emissions were greater than for military power. Carbon monoxide emissions were altitude dependent. Oxides of nitrogen emissions were less at minimum afterburning than at military power. For power levels above minimum afterburning, the oxides of nitrogen emissions were both power level and altitude dependent.

Diehl, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Venus wind-altitude radar study

A study was made of a wind/altitude radar for a Venus probe. The baseline configuration was taken to be the SKD-2100 Doppler radar modified to accommodate the altimeter portion of the APN-187 and a single beam antenna. Using current models of the Venus environment, engineering studies were made to define design requirements and to estimate the operational and physical characteristics of the conceptual design. The results of the study are that: (1) the radar instrument should have an altitude limit of at least 34 km for velocity and at least 17.5 km for altitude measurement, (2) vertical accuracy should be better than + or - 0.9 percent and horizontal velocity accuracy should be better than + or - 3 percent over the operating altitude range, and (3) altimeter accuracy should be within + or - 3 percent up to about 2.5 km and should improve over the remainder of the altimeter operating range. The radar is expected to require between 48.5 and 69.3 watts of power and to weigh between 3.86 and 5.21 kg (8.5 and 11.5 lb). In each case, if power could be supplied directly from the probe batteries the lower figures would apply; the upper figures would apply if a power conditioner must be used.

Goldfischer, L. I.↗
NASA NTRS1972

High altitude remote spectroscopy of the ocean.

An airborne spectrometer for measuring the spectral radiance characteristics of large bodies of water is described, and measured spectral signatures are analyzed to demonstrate the effects of sensor altitude. The contribution of backscattered light from the atmosphere becomes large at higher altitudes, particularly at the shorter wavelengths of the visible range. This reduces the contrast of the imaged scene and results in a substantial modification of the signal received by the spectrometer. The atmospheric effect on spectral data is described in some detail, and a technique is outlined for extracting pertinent information from high-altitude data.

White, P. G.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Source altitude for experiments to simulate space-to-earth laser propagation.

The bias in scintillation measurements caused by the proximity of a spherical-wave source to the turbulence region of the atmosphere is predicted, and the laser-source altitude required for meaningful experiments simulating space-to-earth laser propagation is estimated. It is concluded that the source should be located at two or more times the maximum altitude of the tropopause to ensure that all measurements are not biased by more than 25%. Thus the vehicle used for experiments of this type should be capable of reaching a minimum altitude of 32 km.

Minott, P. O.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Revised tables of airspeed, altitude, and Mach number presented in the International system of units

Because inception of a national program to implement the International System of Units (SI) appears to be inevitable and imminent, the tables of airspeed, altitude, and Mach number prepared by Livingston and Gracey to serve for airspeed meter and altimeter calibrations and for the conversion of flight measurements of these quantities to related parameters - Mach number, true airspeed, equivalent airspeed, etc. - have been revised to the SI. Tables of airspeed in knots are also included because of the significance of this quantity in navigation. In addition, the data in the altitude tables have been revised to the U.S. Standard Atmosphere of 1962. The latter data reflect increased knowledge of the higher atmosphere and more precise determination of basic quantities, including the redefinition of the absolute thermodynamic temperature scale by the Tenth General Conference on Weights and Measures in 1954. The U.S. Standard Atmosphere, 1962, corresponds to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standard Atmosphere up to 20 kilometers (geopotential altitude). A table of conversion factors for various pressure units is presented in SI Units.

Benner, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Detection of ocean color changes from high altitudes

The detection of ocean color changes, thought to be due to chlorophyll concentrations and gelbstoffe variations, is attempted from high altitude (11.3km) and low altitude (0.3km). The atmospheric back scattering is shown to reduce contrast, but not sufficiently to obscure color change detection at high altitudes.

Hovis, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Identifications of the polar cap boundary and the auroral belt in the high altitude magnetosphere: A model for field aligned currents

Using the OGO-5 fluxgate magnetometer data, the polar cap boundary is identified in the high altitude magnetosphere by a sudden transition from a dipolar field to a more tail like configuration. The basic pattern of the magnetic field variations observed during the satellite's traversal of the auroral belt is presented. This pattern shows the existence of a field aligned current layer on the equator side of the polar cap boundary. Currents flow in the opposite directions in the two field aligned current layers. The current directions in these layers as observed by OGO-5 in the high-altitude magnetosphere are the same as those observed at low altitudes by the polar orbiting TRIAD satellite. The magnetic field in the region where the lower latitude field aligned current layer is situated is essentially meridional. Thus the equatorial current closure of this current system must be via the equatorial current sheet. The two field aligned current systems, one at the polar cap boundary and the other on the low latitude side of the auroral belt, are coupled through the Pedersen current in the ionosphere.

Sugiura, M.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Analysis of the nature of excessive cosmic radiation in the area of the Brazilian magnetic anomaly at altitudes 250-500km, from Kosmos-225 satellite data

Results are presented from a study of the region of anomalous cosmic radiation in the area of the Brazilian magnetic anomaly at the altitudes 250-500 km, using data measurements taken on the Kosmos-225 satellite (14-29 June 1968). The existence of a stable intensity anomaly discovered in the experiments on the second and third Soviet spacecraft-satellites is confirmed. The total vector of the geomagnetic field at different altitudes was compared with isoline maps. An altitude profile of the South Atlantic anomaly of radiation intensity was obtained, using data from the same instrument. The nature of the anomalies in cosmic radiation intensity over the regions of negative magnetic anomalies is discussed.

Raychenko, L. V.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A high altitude base pressure experiment

A high-altitude base-pressure experiment has been successfully conducted on a high-performance Air Force reentry vehicle. Low Reynolds number laminar-flow flight data were obtained at an altitude of about 248,000 ft. The experiment utilized the NASA Ames vibrating diaphragm transducer specifically designed to measure base pressure at altitudes in excess of 200,000 ft with a threshold sensitivity level of 0.0002 psia. The flight data have provided needed low Reynolds number information from Reynolds numbers of about 70,000 to 10,000,000. These new data verify that a 'maximum' exists in the base pressure ratio versus Reynolds number curve at low Reynolds numbers and hypersonic Mach numbers (free-stream Mach numbers greater than 20) in qualitative agreement with the theory of Crooco and Lees (1952).

Cassanto, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Optically coupled digital altitude encoder for general aviation altimeters

An optically coupled pressure altitude encoder which can be incorporated into commercially available inexpensive general aviation altimeters was successfully developed. The encoding of pressure altitude is accomplished in 100-ft (30.48-m) increments from -1000 to 20,000ft (-304.8 to 6096 m). The prototype encoders were retrofitted into two different internal altimeter configurations. A prototype encoder was checked for accuracy of transition points and environmental effects. Each altimeter configuration, with the encoder incorporated, was laboratory tested for performance and was subsequently flight-tested over the specified altitude range. With few exceptions, the assembled altimeter-encoder met aeronautical standards for altimeters and encoders. Design changes are suggested to improve performance to meet required standards consistently.

Bryant, F. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Orbiter altitude at ALT interface based on ALSES (Approach and Landing Shuttle Engineering Simulation) analyses. Mission planning, mission analysis and software formulation

The details of the orbiter altitude attainable at the approach and landing tests (ALT) interface determined by the approach and landing shuttle engineering simulation (manned) were documented. The analysis culminated in the verification of the trends observed in a similar analysis performed previously on the space vehicle dynamics simulation (unmanned). Altitude variations attributable to pilot steering variability ranged between 492 ft higher to 383 ft lower. The requirement for this parametric analysis is first elaborated. The specifications, assumptions, and analytical approach used to determine the orbiter altitude at the ALT interface are then presented, followed by the results of the analytical approach and the conclusions and recommendations.

Colwell, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Theoretical atmospheric transmission in the mid- and far-infrared at four altitudes

The IR transmission of the terrestrial atmosphere is calculated at four altitudes of interest: Mauna Kea at 4.2 km (2-1000 microns), aircraft at 14 km (5-1000 microns), and balloon at 28 km and 41 km (10-1000 microns). We show both high resolution spectra and broadband averages. The results are intended to serve both as a detailed guide to the interference that is expected from the atmosphere for astronomical spectroscopy and also as an indicator of the relative change in absorption and emission that can be expected at various observing altitudes. One salient result for the spectral region around 100 microns is that the absorption (and emissivity) of the atmosphere drops by a factor of 10 for each increase in altitude of 15 km throughout the aircraft and balloon range; thus balloon-borne astronomical photometry and spectroscopy should both enjoy a considerable advantage over aircraft observations in the 30-300-micron region.

Traub, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Composition of the hot plasma near geosynchronous altitude

Although there were no direct measurements of the composition of the hot (keV) plasma at geosynchronous altitudes, the combination of other observations leads to the conclusion that, at least during geomagnetically disturbed periods, there are significant fluxes of ions heavier than protons in this region. Ion composition measurements below 8000 km altitude show upward streaming fluxes of both O(+) and H(+) ions in the L-region of the geosynchronous orbit. These observations are consistent with the conclusion that at least a portion of the total ion fluxes observed at geosynchronous altitude to be highly peaked near the magnetic field lines are heavier than protons and originate in the ionosphere.

Johnson, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Remote sensing of chlorophyll concentration from high altitude

A series of remote sensing experiments, using an airborne Ocean Color Scanner (OCS), has been carried out to demonstrate the feasibility of detecting surface chlorophyll concentrations in coastal water from high altitude. Upwelling radiance from the sea surface was recorded by 10 narrow bandwidth wavelength channels of the OCS, at an altitude of 19.8 km. Measurements were made over areas with vastly different biological activities. A strong correlation between the OCS radiance measurements and the surface chlorophyll measurements was found. The extracted chlorophyll signature agreed qualitatively with results from low altitude observations, except in the blue region. In addition, it was found that a simple algorithm could be used to estimate reliable chlorophyll distributions from OCS measurements.

Leung, K. C.↗