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At least 253 records · Page 14

Signal analysis and error analysis studies for a Geopotential Research Mission (GRM)

The signal characteristics and the geopotential parameter recovery capability of the SST Doppler sensor flown on the geopotential research mission (GRM) are discussed. Simulation studies of the velocity profiles resulting from the perturbation produced by a 1 deg/w/1 deg, 1 mgal anomaly as sensed by two GRM spacecraft orbiting altitudes of 160 km and 200 km respectively are described. It was found that the amplitude of the gravity signal drops off by a factor of 1.5 when going from an altitude of 160 km to 200 km. By extrapolation the signal amplitude is further decreased by a factor of 3 when the orbital altitude is increased to 250 km. Thus the amplitude of the measurement drops off as the altitude is increased to the point where it is insignificant at the 1 mgal level for altitudes above 200 km. Spectral analysis results show that for a GRM mission altitude of 160 km and a system precision of 1 micrometer/sec, gravity field information can be sensed up to 230 cycles per orbital revolution - beyond that frequency the gravity signal is characterized by white noise. It follows that at the GRM mission altitude of 160 km and a satellite to satellite Doppler system precision of 1 micrometer per second, 1/1 deg gravity and geoid anomalies can be determined to an accuracy of 3.4 mgals and 8.6 cm respectively.

Kahn, W. D.↗

Characteristic vector analysis of inflection ratio spectra: New technique for analysis of ocean color data

Characteristic vector analysis applied to inflection ratio spectra is a new approach to analyzing spectral data. The technique applied to remote data collected with the multichannel ocean color sensor (MOCS), a passive sensor, simultaneously maps the distribution of two different phytopigments, chlorophyll alpha and phycoerythrin, the ocean. The data set presented is from a series of warm core ring missions conducted during 1982. The data compare favorably with a theoretical model and with data collected on the same mission by an active sensor, the airborne oceanographic lidar (AOL).

Grew, G. W.↗

Mathematical analysis study for radar data processing and enhancement. Part 1: Radar data analysis

A study is performed under NASA contract to evaluate data from an AN/FPS-16 radar installed for support of flight programs at Dryden Flight Research Facility of NASA Ames Research Center. The purpose of this study is to provide information necessary for improving post-flight data reduction and knowledge of accuracy of derived radar quantities. Tracking data from six flights are analyzed. Noise and bias errors in raw tracking data are determined for each of the flights. A discussion of an altiude bias error during all of the tracking missions is included. This bias error is defined by utilizing pressure altitude measurements made during survey flights. Four separate filtering methods, representative of the most widely used optimal estimation techniques for enhancement of radar tracking data, are analyzed for suitability in processing both real-time and post-mission data. Additional information regarding the radar and its measurements, including typical noise and bias errors in the range and angle measurements, is also presented. This is in two parts. This is part 1, an analysis of radar data.

James, R.↗

Statistical correlation analysis for comparing vibration data from test and analysis

A theory was developed to compare vibration modes obtained by NASTRAN analysis with those obtained experimentally. Because many more analytical modes can be obtained than experimental modes, the analytical set was treated as expansion functions for putting both sources in comparative form. The dimensional symmetry was developed for three general cases: nonsymmetric whole model compared with a nonsymmetric whole structural test, symmetric analytical portion compared with a symmetric experimental portion, and analytical symmetric portion with a whole experimental test. The theory was coded and a statistical correlation program was installed as a utility. The theory is established with small classical structures.

Butler, T. G.↗

Spacelab data analysis using the space plasma computer analysis network (SCAN) system

The Space-plasma Computer Analysis Network (SCAN) currently connects a large number of U.S. Spacelab investigators into a common computer network. Used primarily by plasma physics researchers at present, SCAN provides access to Spacelab investigators in other areas of space science, to Spacelab and non-Spacelab correlative data bases, and to large Class VI computational facilities for modeling. SCAN links computers together at remote institutions used by space researchers, utilizing commercially available software for computer-to-computer communications. Started by the NASA's Office of Space Science in mid 1980, SCAN presently contains ten system nodes located at major universities and space research laboratories, with fourteen new nodes projected for the near future. The Stanford University computer gateways allow SCAN users to connect onto the ARPANET and TELENET overseas networks.

Green, J. L.↗

Preliminary analysis of an integrated logistics system for OSSA payloads. Volume 4: Supportability analysis of the 1.8m centrifuge

Supportability issues for the 1.8 meter centrifuge in the Life Science Research Facility are addressed. The analysis focuses on reliability and maintainability and the potential impact on supportability and affordability. Standard logistics engineering methodologies that will be applied to all Office of Space Science and Applications' (OSSA) payload programs are outlined. These methodologies are applied to the 1.8 meter centrifuge.

Palguta, T.↗

Solar energy conversion through the interaction of plasmons with tunnel junctions. Part A: Solar cell analysis. Part B: Photoconductor analysis

A solar cell utilizing guided optical waves and tunnel junctions was analyzed to determine its feasibility. From this analysis, it appears that the limits imposed upon conventional multiple cell systems also limit this solar cell. Due to this limitation, it appears that the relative simplicity of the conventional multiple cell systems over the solar cell make the conventional multiple cell systems the more promising candidate for improvement. It was discovered that some superlattice structures studied could be incorporated into an infrared photodetector. This photoconductor appears to be promising as a high speed, sensitive (high D sup star sub BLIP) detector in the wavelength range from 15 to over 100 micrometers.

Welsh, P. E.↗

A review of various flow-solid interaction analysis methods with emphasis on recent advances in turbulence models and flow analysis methods

A review on various experimental, analytical, and numerical methods for the flow-solid interaction of a nest of cylinders subjected to cross flow is presented in this paper. In order to assess the possibility of initiating a development of major numerical analysis method for flow-solid interaction of a nest of cylinders in cross flows, a review on various turbulence models, numerical methods such as the finite element method and the finite difference method, and the available numerical methods for flow-solid interactions have been included in this paper. A multiple-time-scale turbulence model for complex turbulent flows and a finite element method for high Reynolds number flows have been introduced herein for the same reason.

Kim, S.-W.↗

Numerical analysis of laminar and turbulent incompressible flows using the finite element Fluid Dynamics Analysis Package (FIDAP)

The purpose of the study is the evaluation of the numerical accuracy of FIDAP (Fluid Dynamics Analysis Package). Accordingly, four test problems in laminar and turbulent incompressible flows are selected and the computational results of these problems compared with other numerical solutions and/or experimental data. These problems include: (1) 2-D laminar flow inside a wall-driven cavity; (2) 2-D laminar flow over a backward-facing step; (3) 2-D turbulent flow over a backward-facing step; and (4) 2-D turbulent flow through a turn-around duct.

Sohn, Jeong L.↗

Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis: Sample analysis

Exposure conditions in atomic oxygen (ESCA) was performed on an SSL-100/206 Small Spot Spectrometer. All data were taken with the use of a low voltage electron flood gun and a charge neutralization screen to minimize charging effects on the data. The X-ray spot size and electron flood gun voltage used are recorded on the individual spectra as are the instrumental resolutions. Two types of spectra were obtained for each specimen: (1) general surveys, and (2) high resolution spectra. The two types of data reduction performed are: (1) semiquantitative compositional analysis, and (2) peak fitting. The materials analyzed are: (1) kapton 4, 5, and 6, (2) HDPE 19, 20, and 21, and (3) PVDF 4, 5, and 6.

Carter, W. B.↗

NASA Li/CF(x) cell problem analysis: Anion exchange chromatography analysis

An analysis was made of wiper samples used to wipe down lithium/chlorine fluorine battery components and production equipment. These components and equipment were potentially exposed to thionyl chloride vapors. In the presence of moisture, thionyl chloride decomposes to sulfur dioxide and hydrogen chloride. The wiper samples were analyzed for soluble chlorides and fluorides by anion exchange chromatography. During the examination of the test chromatographs, fluoride contamination was discovered in wiper samples from the test equipment. An analytical method to determine fluoride was developed. The first 3 extracts from the potentially exposed and clean wiper samples were tested, and the total fluoride from both groups determined. A comparison of the results from both groups was made to determine the extent of fluoride contamination.

Bytella, Joseph↗

A systems analysis of the impact of navigation instrumentation on-board a Mars rover, based on a covariance analysis of navigation performance

As part of the Space Exploration Initiative, the exploration of Mars will undoubtedly require the use of rovers, both manned and unmanned. Many mission scenarios have been developed, incorporating rovers which range in size from a few centimeters to ones large enough to carry a manned crew. Whatever the mission, accurate navigation of the rover on the Martian surface will be necessary. This thesis considers the initial rover missions, where minimal in-situ navigation aids will be available on Mars. A covariance analysis of the rover's navigation performance is conducted, assuming minimal on-board instrumentation (gyro compass and speedometer), a single orbiting satellite, and a surface beacon at the landing site. Models of the on-board instruments are varied to correspond to the accuracy of various levels of these instruments currently available. A comparison is made with performance of an on-board IMU. Landing location and satellite orbits are also varied.

Leber, Douglas Eric↗

Methodology for sensitivity analysis, approximate analysis, and design optimization in CFD for multidisciplinary applications

In this study involving advanced fluid flow codes, an incremental iterative formulation (also known as the delta or correction form) together with the well-known spatially-split approximate factorization algorithm, is presented for solving the very large sparse systems of linear equations which are associated with aerodynamic sensitivity analysis. For smaller 2D problems, a direct method can be applied to solve these linear equations in either the standard or the incremental form, in which case the two are equivalent. Iterative methods are needed for larger 2D and future 3D applications, however, because direct methods require much more computer memory than is currently available. Iterative methods for solving these equations in the standard form are generally unsatisfactory due to an ill-conditioning of the coefficient matrix; this problem can be overcome when these equations are cast in the incremental form. These and other benefits are discussed. The methodology is successfully implemented and tested in 2D using an upwind, cell-centered, finite volume formulation applied to the thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations. Results are presented for two sample airfoil problems: (1) subsonic low Reynolds number laminar flow; and (2) transonic high Reynolds number turbulent flow.

Taylor, Arthur C., III↗

Contact stress analysis of spiral bevel gears using nonlinear finite element static analysis

A procedure is presented for performing three-dimensional stress analysis of spiral bevel gears in mesh using the finite element method. The procedure involves generating a finite element model by solving equations that identify tooth surface coordinates. Coordinate transformations are used to orientate the gear and pinion for gear meshing. Contact boundary conditions are simulated with gap elements. A solution technique for correct orientation of the gap elements is given. Example models and results are presented.

Bibel, G. D.↗

Space Shuttle photographic/television analysis project - An overview of image analysis techniques

The Space Shuttle photographic and television analysis project (SSPTAP) at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) is described. The films and videos of every Space Shuttle launch and landing are scrutinized for information on the vehicle's condition and performance which can only be obtained by photographic means when necessary. On-orbit video is used to assess problems. The photographic information is used with various other data sources to develop feasible scenarios for particular events. The data and methods used to analyze the state of the Shuttle launch vehicle are analyzed, and examples are given of some of the studies that have been conducted.

Dailey, Christine L.↗

Contact stress analysis of spiral bevel gears using nonlinear finite element static analysis

A procedure is presented for performing three-dimensional stress analysis of spiral bevel gears in mesh using the finite element method. The procedure involves generating a finite element model by solving equations that identify tooth surface coordinates. Coordinate transformations are used to orientate the gear and pinion for gear meshing. Contact boundary conditions are simulated with gap elements. A solution technique for correct orientation of the gap elements is given. Example models and results are presented.

Bibel, G. D.↗