Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Radiation Environment”

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

Low-energy particle radiation environment at synchronous altitude

The degradation of thermal control coatings of satellites due to the effects of low energy charged particles in the space environment is discussed. Data obtained from ATS-5 satellite measurement of proton and electron fluxes are presented. The variations in electron density, proton density, and magnetic activity are presented to show correlations which exist between these space factors.

Shelley, E. G.↗

Evaluation of insulation materials and composites for use in a nuclear radiation environment, phase 2

The nuclear heating of the propellant in all of the four baseline RNS configurations studied was much lower than that of the nuclear flight module configuration with the 5000-MW NERVA analyzed previously. Although the nuclear heating has been reduced, the effect of nuclear heating on the propellant as well as the effect of nuclear heating on internal structures such as antivortex baffles, screens, and sump components cannot be neglected. In addition, it was found that the present analytical precedures were not able to predict boundary layer initiation and breakoff points with the accuracy necessary to predict propellant thermodynamic nonequilibrium (stratification) and/or mixing.

Westerheide, D. E.↗

ERTS/Nimbus radiation environment information

The results of the ERTS/Nimbus satellite investigation of electron flux levels are presented. Flux calculations were made with the use of two electron environment models, both of which are static and describe the environment during the solar maximum conditions of October 1967. It is concluded that the construction of these models makes it possible to infer a change of the average quiet time electron flux levels as a function of the solar cycle.

Stassinopoulos, E. G.↗

Radiation environment for ATS-F

The ambient trapped particle fluxes incident on the ATS-F satellite were determined. Several synchronous circular flight paths were evaluated and the effect of parking longitude on vehicle encountered intensities was investigated. Temporal variations in the electron environment were considered and partially accounted for. Magnetic field calculations were performed with a current field model extrapolated to a later epoch with linear time terms. Orbital flux integrations were performed with the latest proton and electron environment models using new improved computational methods. The results are presented in graphical and tabular form; they are analyzed, explained, and discussed. Estimates of energetic solar proton fluxes are given for a one year mission at selected integral energies ranging from 10 to 100 Mev, calculated for a year of maximum solar activity during the next solar cycle.

Stassinopoulos, E. G.↗

Charged particle radiation environment for the LST

Preliminary charged particle dose rates are presented for the LST orbit. The trapped proton component appears to dominate the total dose for the expected shielding available. Typical dose rates should range from 400 to 800 millirads/day.

Watts, J. W., Jr.↗

Charged particle radiation environment for the Spacelab and other missions in low earth orbit, revision A

The physical charged particle dose to be encountered in low earth orbit Spacelab missions is estimated for orbits of inclinations from e8.5 to 90 deg and altitudes from 200 to 800 km. The dose encountered is strongly altitude dependent, with a weaker dependence on inclination. Doses range from 0.007 rads/day at 28.5 deg and 200 km to 1.57 rads/day at 28.5 deg and 800 km behind a 5.0 g/sq cm shield. Geomagnetically trapped protons were the primary source of damage over most of the range of altitudes and inclinations, with galactic cosmic rays making a significant contribution at the lowest altitudes.

Watts, J. W., Jr.↗

Reinforced carbon-carbon oxidation behavior in convective and radiative environments

Reinforced carbon-carbon, which is used as thermal protection on the space shuttle orbiter wing leading edges and nose cap, was tested in both radiant and plasma arcjet heating test facilities. The test series was conducted at varying temperatures and pressures. Samples tested in the plasma arcjet facility had consistently higher mass loss than those samples tested in the radiant facility. A method using the mass loss data is suggested for predicting mission mass loss for specific locations on the Orbiter.

Curry, D. M.↗

A review of the near-earth radiation environment

The spatial volume surrounding the earth out to 30 earth radii has been divided into the five regions known as the interplanetary medium, magnetosheath, plasma sheet, high-latitude magnetotail, and inner magnetosphere. In each region, the primary attributes of the particle populations and available models are described, and integral energy spectra covering the range from 10 to 10 billion eV are shown. The effects of the solar cycle on future projections are discussed.

Sawyer, D. M.↗

The magnetosphere of Uranus - Hot plasma and radiation environment

Inferences are drawn on the morphology and composition of the Uranus magnetosphere based on low-energy charged particle data collected by Voyager 2. Proton and electron energies in the magnetosphere attained energies of 4 and 1.2 MeV, respectively, although electron intensities surpassed the proton intensities at most energy levels. Protons dominated in the ion energy regime 0.6-1.0 MeV. The ion and electron spectra were Maxwellian below about 200 keV and had a power law distribution at energies over 590 keV. The power law was reduced by a factor of nearly three inside the orbit of Miranda. The proton population is dense enough to polymerize CO and CH4 ice surfaces within 10,000-100,000 yr. The data indicated that the particles are swept out at least to the orbit of Titania by the satellites. The morphology of the magnetosphere closely resembles that around Jupiter, except that plasma sheet distorsion from particle loading is negligible in regions within 15 Uranus radii.

Krimigis, S. M.↗

The hot plasma and radiation environment of the Uranian magnetosphere

A detailed account is given of the results of the Voyager 2 low-energy charged particle investigation of the Uranian magnetosphere. Data show that the encounter of the inbound bow shock was immediately preceded by intense upstream proton events characterized by bulk streaming pointing approximately tangentially to the magnetospheric boundaries. Observations are presented which suggest that substorm processes analogous to those occurring within the earth's magnetotail are occurring within the Uranian magnetotail.

Mauk, B. H.↗