Onboard data storage for spacecraft
Analysis of bulk storage data requirements and methods for visual display of information on space shuttle display devices
Holthaus, J. E.↗
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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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Discrimination of rock classes and alteration products in southwestern Saudi Arabia with computer-enhanced LANDSAT data
Digital LANDSAT MSS data for an area in the southwestern Arabian Shield were computer-enhanced to improve discrimination of rock classes, and recognition of gossans associated with massive sulphide deposits. The test area is underlain by metamorphic rocks that are locally intruded by granites; these are partly overlain by sandstones. The test area further includes the Wadi Wassat and Wadi Qatan massive sulphide deposits, which are commonly capped by gossans of ferric oxides, silica, and carbonates. Color patterns and boundaries on contrast-stretched ratio color composite imagery, and on complementary images constructed using principal component and canonical analyses transformations, correspond exceptionally well to 1:100,000 scale field maps. A qualitative visual comparison of information content showed that the ratio enhancement provided the best overall image for identification of rock type and alteration products.
Blodget, H. W.↗
NASA aviation safety reporting system
A sample of reports relating to operations during winter weather is presented. Several reports involving problems of judgment and decisionmaking have been selected from the numerous reports representative of this area. Problems related to aeronautical charts are discussed in a number of reports. An analytic study of reports involving potential conflicts in the immediate vicinity of uncontrolled airports was performed; the results are discussed in this report. It was found that in three-fourths of 127 such conflicts, neither pilot, or only one of the pilots, was communicating position and intentions on the appropriate frequency. The importance of providing aural transfer of information, as a backup to the visual see and avoid mode of information transfer is discussed. It was also found that a large fraction of pilots involved in potential conflicts on final approach had executed straight-in approaches, rather than the recommended traffic pattern entries, prior to the conflicts. A selection of alert bulletins and responses to them by various segments of the aviation community is presented.
Source record↗
Experiments using electronic display information in the NASA terminal configured vehicle
The results of research experiments concerning pilot display information requirements and visualization techniques for electronic display systems are presented. Topics deal with display related piloting tasks in flight controls for approach-to-landing, flight management for the descent from cruise, and flight operational procedures considering the display of surrounding air traffic. Planned research of advanced integrated display formats for primary flight control throughout the various phases of flight is also discussed.
Morello, S. A.↗
Applications of aerospace technology in biology and medicine
A bipolar, donor-recipient model of medical technology transfer is introduced to provide a basis for the team's methodology. That methodology is designed (1) to identify medical problems and NASA technology that in combination constitute opportunities for successful medical products, (2) to obtain the early participation of industry in the transfer proces, and (3) to obtain acceptance by the medical community of new medical products based on NASA technology. Two commercial technology transfers and five institutional technology transfers were completed in 1977. A new, commercially available teaching manikin system uses NASA-developed concepts and techniques for effective visual presentation of information and data. Drugs shipped by the National Cancer Institute to locations throughout the world are maintained at low temperatures in shipping containers that incorporate recommendations made by NASA.
Beall, H. C.↗
Low cost training aids and devices
The need for advanced flight simulators for two engine aircraft is discussed. Cost effectiveness is a major requirement. Other training aids available for increased effectiveness are recommended. Training aids include: (1) audio-visual slides; (2) information transfer; (3) programmed instruction; and (4) interactive training systems.
Lawver, J.↗
A portable battery for objective, non-obstrusive measures of human performances
The need for a standardized battery of human performance tests to measure the effects of various treatments is pointed out. Progress in such a program is reported. Three batteries are available which differ in length and the number of tests in the battery. All tests are implemented on a portable, lap held, briefcase size microprocessor. Performances measured include: information processing, memory, visual perception, reasoning, and motor skills, programs to determine norms, reliabilities, stabilities, factor structure of tests, comparisons with marker tests, apparatus suitability. Rationale for the battery is provided.
Kennedy, R. S.↗
Statistical dependency in visual scanning
A method to identify statistical dependencies in the positions of eye fixations is developed and applied to eye movement data from subjects who viewed dynamic displays of air traffic and judged future relative position of aircraft. Analysis of approximately 23,000 fixations on points of interest on the display identified statistical dependencies in scanning that were independent of the physical placement of the points of interest. Identification of these dependencies is inconsistent with random-sampling-based theories used to model visual search and information seeking.
Ellis, Stephen R.↗
Synesthetic art through 3-D projection: The requirements of a computer-based supermedium
A computer-based form of multimedia art is proposed that uses the computer to fuse aspects of painting, sculpture, dance, music, film, and other media into a one-to-one synthesia of image and sound for spatially synchronous 3-D projection. Called synesthetic art, this conversion of many varied media into an aesthetically unitary experience determines the character and requirements of the system and its software. During the start-up phase, computer stereographic systems are unsuitable for software development. Eventually, a new type of illusory-projective supermedium will be required to achieve the needed combination of large-format projection and convincing real life presence, and to handle the vast amount of 3-D visual and acoustic information required. The influence of the concept on the author's research and creative work is illustrated through two examples.
Mallary, Robert↗
Aerodynamic applications of infrared thermography
A series of wind tunnel experiments were conducted as part of a systematic study for evaluation of infrared thermography as a viable non-intrusive thermal measurement technique for aerodynamic applications. The experiments consisted of obtaining steady-state surface temperature and convective heat transfer rates for a uniformly heated cylinder in transverse flow with a Reynolds number range of 46,000 to 250,000. The calculated convective heat transfer rates were in general agreement with classical data. Furthermore, IR thermography provided valuable real-time fluid dynamic information such as visualization of flow separation, transition and vortices.
Daryabeigi, Kamran↗
Further wind tunnel investigation of the SM701 airfoil with aileron and turbulators
Wind tunnel tests were performed on a two-dimensional model of the SM701 airfoil designed for use on the World Class gliders. The test covered a range of Reynolds numbers from 500,000 to 1.7 million. Aerodynamic forces and moments were measured with an external balance. Momentum loss method measurements of the section drag coefficient were also made. Flow visualization techniques provided information on transition from laminar to turbulent flow. Lift, drag, and pitching moment were analyzed and comparisons were made with predicted and previously obtained experimental data. The effects of V-tape turbulators for use in turbulent drag reduction were studied. The performance of a 25 percent chord aileron deflected through plus or minus 20 degrees was researched. The model was designed, constructed, and tested by students at Texas A&M University.
Steen, Gregory↗
Analysis and representation of complex structures in separated flows
We discuss our recent work on extraction and visualization of topological information in separated fluid flow data sets. As with scene analysis, an abstract representation of a large data set can greatly facilitate the understanding of complex, high-level structures. When studying flow topology, such a representation can be produced by locating and characterizing critical points in the velocity field and generating the associated stream surfaces. In 3D flows, the surface topology serves as the starting point. The 2D tangential velocity field near the surface of the body is examined for critical points. The tangential velocity field is integrated out along the principal directions of certain classes of critical points to produce curves depicting the topology of the flow near the body. The points and curves are linked to form a skeleton representing the 2D vector field topology. This skeleton provides a basis for analyzing the 3D structures associated with the flow separation. The points along the separation curves in the skeleton are used to start tangent curve integrations. Integration origins are successively refined to produce stream surfaces. The map of the global topology is completed by generating those stream surfaces associated with 3D critical points.
Helman, James↗
New vision solar system mission study: Use of space reactor bimodal system with microspacecraft to determine origin and evolution of the outer plants in the solar system
The vision for the future of the planetary exploration program includes the capability to deliver 'constellations' or 'fleets' of microspacecraft to a planetary destination. These fleets will act in a coordinated manner to gather science data from a variety of locations on or around the target body, thus providing detailed, global coverage without requiring development of a single large, complex and costly spacecraft. Such constellations of spacecraft, coupled with advanced information processing and visualization techniques and high-rate communications, could provide the basis for development of a 'virtual presence' in the solar system. A goal could be the near real-time delivery of planetary images and video to a wide variety of users in the general public and the science community. This will be a major step in making the solar system accessible to the public and will help make solar system exploration a part of the human experience on Earth.
Mondt, Jack F.↗
A Portable Battery for Objective, Nonobtrusive Measures of Human Performance
A need exists for a standardized battery of human performance tests in order to measure the effects of various treatments. The present paper reports on progress in such a program, funded jointly by NASA and the Navy. Three batteries are available which differ in length (7.5, 15, and 30 minutes), and number of tests in the battery (3, 10, and 15). All tests are implemented on a portable, lap-held, briefcase-sized microprocessor (NEC PC 8201A). Performances measured include information processing, memory, visual perception, reasoning, motor skills, etc. Current programs are underway to determine norms, reliabilities, stabilities, factor structure of tests, comparisons with marker tests, apparatus suitability, etc.
Kennedy, Robert S.↗
The Barberplaid Illusion
Mulligan showed that the perceived direction of a moving grating can be biased by the shape of the Gaussian window in which it is viewed. We sought to determine if a 2-D pattern with an unambiguous velocity would also show such biases. Observers viewed a drifting plaid (sum of two orthogonal 2.5 c/d sinusoidal gratings of 12% contrast, each with a TF of 4 Hz.) whose contrast was modulated spatially by a stationary, asymmetric 2-D Gaussian window (i.e. unequal standard deviations in the principal directions). The direction of plaid motion with respect to the orientation of the window's major axis (Delta Theta) was varied while all other motion parameters were held fixed. Observers reported the perceived plaid direction of motion by adjusting the orientation of a pointer. All five observers showed systematic biases in perceived plaid direction that depended on Delta Theta and the aspect ratio of the Gaussian window (lambda). For circular Gaussian windows Lambda = 1), plaid direction was veridically perceived. However, biases of up to 10 deg. were found for lambda = 2 and Delta Theta = 30 deg. These data present a challenge to models of motion perception which do not explicitly consider the integration of information across the visual field.
Beutter, B. R.↗
Situation Awareness Information Requirements for Commercial Airline Pilots
Situation awareness is presented as a fundamental requirement for good airmanship, forming the basis for pilot decision making and performance. To develop a better understanding of the role of situation awareness in flying, an analysis was performed to determine the specific situation awareness information requirements for commercial aircraft pilots. This was conducted as a goal-directed task analysis in which pilots' major goals, subgoals, decisions, and associated situation awareness information requirements were delineated based on elicitation from experienced commercial airline pilots. A determination of the major situation awareness information requirements for visual and instrument flight was developed from this analysis, providing a foundation for future system development which seeks to enhance pilot situation awareness and provide a basis for the development of situation awareness measures for commercial flight.
Endsley, Mica R.↗
Effects of Modality on Interrupted Flight Deck Performance: Implications for Data Link
Externally-imposed tasks frequently interrupt ongoing task performance in the commercial flight deck. While normally managed without consequence, basic research as well as aviation accident and incident investigations show that interruptions can negatively affect performance and safety. This research investigates the influence of interruption and interrupted task modality on pilot performance in a simulated commercial flight deck. Fourteen current commercial airline pilots performed approach scenarios in a fixed-base flight simulator. Air traffic control instructions, conveyed either aurally or visually (via a data link system) interrupted a visual task (obtaining information from the Flight Management System) and an auditory task (listening to the automated terminal information service recording). Some results confirm the hypothesized performance advantage of cross-modality conditions, more compelling nature of auditory interruptions, and interruption-resistance of auditory ongoing tasks. However, taken together, results suggest the four interaction conditions had different effects on pilot performance. These results have implications for the design of data link systems, and for facilitating interruption management through interface design, aiding, and training programs.
Latorella, Kara A.↗
PROCRU: A model for analyzing crew procedures in approach to landing
A model for analyzing crew procedures in approach to landing is developed. The model employs the information processing structure used in the optimal control model and in recent models for monitoring and failure detection. Mechanisms are added to this basic structure to model crew decision making in this multi task environment. Decisions are based on probability assessments and potential mission impact (or gain). Sub models for procedural activities are included. The model distinguishes among external visual, instrument visual, and auditory sources of information. The external visual scene perception models incorporate limitations in obtaining information. The auditory information channel contains a buffer to allow for storage in memory until that information can be processed.
Baron, S.↗