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At least 289 records · Page 16

Low-Thrust Trajectory Optimization with Simplified SQP Algorithm

The problem of low-thrust trajectory optimization in highly perturbed dynamics is a stressing case for many optimization tools. Highly nonlinear dynamics and continuous thrust are each, separately, non-trivial problems in the field of optimal control, and when combined, the problem is even more difficult. This paper de-scribes a fast, robust method to design a trajectory in the CRTBP (circular restricted three body problem), beginning with no or very little knowledge of the system. The approach is inspired by the SQP (sequential quadratic programming) algorithm, in which a general nonlinear programming problem is solved via a sequence of quadratic problems. A few key simplifications make the algorithm presented fast and robust to initial guess: a quadratic cost function, neglecting the line search step when the solution is known to be far away, judicious use of end-point constraints, and mesh refinement on multiple shooting with fixed-step integration.In comparison to the traditional approach of plugging the problem into a “black-box” NLP solver, the methods shown converge even when given no knowledge of the solution at all. It was found that the only piece of information that the user needs to provide is a rough guess for the time of flight, as the transfer time guess will dictate which set of local solutions the algorithm could converge on. This robustness to initial guess is a compelling feature, as three-body orbit transfers are challenging to design with intuition alone. Of course, if a high-quality initial guess is available, the methods shown are still valid.We have shown that endpoints can be efficiently constrained to lie on 3-body repeating orbits, and that time of flight can be optimized as well. When optimizing the endpoints, we must make a trade between converging quickly on sub-optimal endpoints or converging more slowly on end-points that are arbitrarily close to optimal. It is easy for the mission design engineer to adjust this trade based on the problem at hand.The biggest limitation to the algorithm at this point is that multi-revolution transfers (greater than 2 revolutions) do not work nearly as well. This restriction comes in because the relationship between node 1 and node N becomes increasingly nonlinear as the angular distance grows. Trans-fers with more than about 1.5 complete revolutions generally require the line search to improve convergence. Future work includes: Comparison of this algorithm with other established tools; improvements to how multiple-revolution transfers are handled; parallelization of the Jacobian computation; in-creased efficiency for the line search; and optimization of many more trajectories between a variety of 3-body orbits.

Parrish, Nathan L.↗

Continuation of Long-Term Global SO2 Pollution Monitoring from OMI to OMPS

Over the past 20 years, advances in satellite remote sensing of pollution-relevant species have made space-borne observations an increasingly important part of atmospheric chemistry research and air quality management. This progress has been facilitated by advanced UV-vis spectrometers, such as the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on board the NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) Aura satellite, and continues with new instruments, such as the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) on board the NASA-NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) satellite. In this study, we demonstrate that it is possible, using our state-of-the-art principal component analysis (PCA) retrieval technique, to continue the long-term global SO2 pollution monitoring started by OMI with the current and future OMPS instruments that will fly on the NOAA Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) 1, 2, 3, and 4 satellites in addition to SNPP, with a very good consistency of retrievals from these instruments. Since OMI SO2 data have been primarily used for (1) providing regional context on air pollution and long-range transport on a daily basis and (2) providing information on point emission sources on an annual basis after data averaging, we focused on these two aspects in our OMI-OMPS comparisons. Four years of retrievals (2012-2015) have been compared for three regions: eastern China, Mexico, and South Africa. In general, the comparisons show relatively high correlations (r = 0. 79-0.96) of daily regional averaged SO2 mass between the two instruments and near-unity regression slopes (0.76-0.97). The annual averaged SO2 loading differences between OMI and OMPS are small (< 0.03 Dobson unit (DU) over South Africa and up to 0.1 DU over eastern China). We also found a very good correlation (r = 0. 92-0.97) in the spatial distribution of annual averaged SO2 between OMI and OMPS over the three regions during 2012-2015. The emissions from ∼ 400 SO2 sources calculated with the two instruments also show a very good correlation (r = ∼ 0.9) in each year during 2012-2015. OMPS-detected SO2 point source emissions are slightly lower than those from OMI, but OMI-OMPS differences decrease with increasing strength of source. The OMI-OMPS SO2 mass differences on a pixel by pixel (daily) basis in each region can show substantial differences. The two instruments have a spatial correlation coefficient of 0.7 or better on < ∼ 50 % of the days. It is worth noting that consistent SO2 retrievals were achieved without any explicit adjustments to OMI or OMPS radiance data and that the retrieval agreement may be further improved by introducing a more comprehensive Jacobian lookup table than is currently used.

satellite remote sensing of pollution↗

Diffraction Modeling of Finite Subband EFC Probing on Dark Hole Contrast with WFIRST-CGI Shaped Pupil Coronagraph

The current NASA WFIRST (Wide-Field InfraRed Survey Telescope) coronagraph instrument (CGI) design allocates two subband filters per each full science band in order to contain system complexity and cost. We present our detailed investigation results on the adequacy of such a limited number of finite subband filters in achieving broadband dark hole contrast with a shaped pupil coronagraph (SPC). The study is based on diffraction propagation modeling with realistic WFIRST optics, where each subband’s image plane electric field is estimated from pairwise pupil plane deformable mirror (DM) probing and image plane intensity averaging of the resulting fields of multiple (subband) wavelengths. Multiple subband choices and probing and control strategies are explored, including standard subband probing; mixed wavelength and/or weighted Jacobian matrix; subband probing with intensity subtraction; and extended subband probing with intensity subtraction. Overall, the investigation shows that the achievable contrast with a limited number of finite subbands is about 2~2.5x worse than the designed contrast for the current SPC. The result suggests that future shaped pupil designs should be optimized for slightly broader bandwidths than the intended science bandpasses if limited subbands are used for wavefront sensing via probing.

WFIRST↗

VCCT with Progressive Nodal Release for Simulating Mixed-Mode Delamination: Formulation, Algorithmic Improvements and Implications

To simulate the propagation of cracks using the Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT), intermediate crack positions between existing node pairs can be modeled by progressively releasing the nodes using fracture mechanics principles. This approach has been implemented in commercial software and can be applied to simulate delamination growth. Recent research has provided insight into the synchronized mixed mode nodal release, extending and formalizing the methodology for delamination growth. This paper documents the development of the Jacobians associated with delamination propagation under quasi-static mixed-mode conditions, leading to improvements in convergence of the implicit nonlinear solvers used.

Mabson, G. E.↗

Implicit Formulations of Bounded-Impulse Trajectory Models for Preliminary Interplanetary Low-Thrust Analysis

The bounded-impulse approach to low-thrust interplanetary trajectory optimization is widely used. In an effort to efficiently implement this approach using NASA’s OpenMDAO optimization software, the authors have implemented implicit formulations of the forward shooting/backwards-shooting methods commonly used in bounded-impulse models. These implicit approaches allow for vectorization of the underlying calculations which can significantly reduce runtime in interpreted languages. An implicit approach may be either converged by using an underlying nonlinear solver to converge the state propagation, or as a constraint in an optimizer-driven multiple-shooting approach. Significant computational efficiency gains are realized through the utilization of the modular approach to unified derivatives. Further computational efficiency is achieved by capitalizing on the sparsity of the constraint Jacobian matrix. This work demonstrates that a vectorized multiple-shooting approach for propagating a state-time history is superior in terms of computational efficiency as the number of segments in the state-propagation is increased.

Falck, Robert D↗

Streamlined Convergence Acceleration for CFD Codes

Enigma, a simplified interface to the PETSc library, is shown to enable the rapid solution of discrete partial differential equations. Two CFD codes, LAURA and HyperSolve, use Enigma to compute steady solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations. Using PETSc, Enigma is shown to provide a Jacobian-Free Newton-Krylov method (JFNK), globalized with pseudotransient continuation, that improves efficiency over the point-implicit relaxation method traditionally used by LAURA. It is shown that iterative error has a large impact on surface heat transfer predicted by LAURA on an axisymmetric sphere-cone geometry. Also, the convergence rate of HyperSolve simulating subsonic flow over a delta wing geometry with the JFNK method is shown to be more efficient than employing a defect correction method as the nonlinear solver.

Thompson, Kyle B.↗

Recent Progress in OVERFLOW Convergence Improvements

Improvements have been made to the implicit symmetric successive overrelaxation algorithm in the OVERFLOW 2.3 structured, overset grid, computational fluid dynamics flow solver. These improvements, consisting of implicit boundary conditions, improved flux Jacobian linearizations, and CFL number ramping, are a series of evolutionary changes to the linear solver that have resulted in increased nonlinear convergence rates and faster time to solution. A series of test cases are presented that demonstrate the effect of the changes through comparison with the original SSOR path and other linear solver implementations within OVERFLOW.

Joseph M Derlaga↗

VCCT with Progressive Nodal Release for Simulating Mixed-Mode Delamination: Formulation, Algorithmic Improvements and Implications

To simulate the propagation of cracks using the Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT), intermediate crack positions between existing node pairs can be modeled by progressively releasing the nodes using fracture mechanics principles. This approach has been implemented in commercial software and can be applied to simulate delamination growth. Recent research has provided insight into the synchronized mixed mode nodal release, extending and formalizing the methodology for delamination growth. This paper documents the development of the Jacobians associated with delamination propagation under quasi-static mixed-mode conditions, leading to improvements in convergence of the implicit nonlinear solvers used.

G E Mabson↗

A Radiometric Consistent Spectral Fingerprinting Algorithm for Continuity Products of Hyperspectral Sounders

A radiometric consistent climate fingerprinting methodology has been developed to derive long-term temperature, water vapor, cloud, trace gases, and surface skin temperature anomaly time series from the hyper-spectral sounder measurements of multiple platforms. The spectral fingerprinting methodology requires the use of radiative kernels that are radiometrically consistent with observations. Radiative kernels are built using space-time averaged Jacobians that are physically retrieved from observations under all sky conditions. The physical retrieval algorithm uses the Principal Component based Radiative Transfer Model (PCRTM) for the forward simulation. The incorporation of multiple scattering simulation in PCRTM allows the direct radiative relationship between single field-of-view (FOV) radiance observations and corresponding thermal dynamic variables including cloud properties to be established. Therefore, radiance ?closure? can be achieved under all-sky conditions by the fingerprinting scheme. This methodology has been used to derive climate anomalies from the space-time averaged spectra of AIRS/AMSU and CrIS/ATMS. The use of a consistent fingerprinting scheme provides an effective mean of generating continuity product by merging observations from different platforms and therefore facilitating the long-term climate trend study.

Wan Wu↗

Improvements in Iterative Convergence of FUN3D Solutions

This paper presents a hierarchical adaptive nonlinear iteration method (HANIM) implemented in NASA computational fluid dynamics code, FUN3D, to improve robustness and computational efficiency of FUN3Dsolutions. In contrast to the baseline iterative solver that relies on an approximate Jacobian, a simple multicolor Gauss-Seidel point-implicit iteration scheme, and linear CFL ramping, HANIM is based upon a hierarchy of modules including pre conditioner, generalized conjugate residual, realizability check, nonlinear control,and CFL adaption modules. HANIM performance is systematically compared with the performance of the baseline solver. The iterative solutions are compared for three aerodynamic benchmark cases: a subsonic separated flow around a hemisphere cylinder, a supersonic flow through a long duct, and a subsonic flow over the NASA wing-body juncture model. Two Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes turbulence models are used in these computations, namely, the negative variant of the linear one-equation Spalart-Allmar as model and its nonlinear extension based on quadratic constitutive relations.

Li Wang↗

Uncertainty in Observational Estimates of the Aerosol Direct Radiative Effect and Forcing

Aerosols continue to be responsible for the largest uncertainty in determining the anthropogenic radiative forcing of the climate. To both reconcile the large range in satellite-based estimates of the aerosol direct radiative effect (DRE, the direct interaction with solar radiation by all aerosols) and to optimize the design of future observing systems, we build a framework for assessing uncertainty in aerosol DRE and the aerosol direct radiative forcing (DRF, the radiative effect of just anthropogenic aerosols, RF_ari). Shortwave aerosol radiative kernels (Jacobians) were derived using the MERRA-2 reanalysis data. These radiative kernels are used to compute a lower-bound on the systematic uncertainty in observational estimates of the aerosol DRE/DRF by making the optimistic assumption that global aerosol observations can be made with the accuracy found in the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sun photometer retrievals. The total uncertainty is shown to be dominated by contributions from the aerosol single scattering albedo uncertainty. These uncertainty estimates were compared to a literature survey of mostly satellite-based aerosol DRE/DRF values. Comparisons to previous studies reveal that most have significantly underestimated the aerosol DRE uncertainty. Past estimates of the aerosol DRF uncertainty are smaller (on average) than our optimistic observational estimates, including the aerosol DRF uncertainty given in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) fifth assessment report (AR5).

Tyler James Thorsen↗

Improvements in Iterative Convergence of FUN3D Solutions

This paper presents a hierarchical adaptive nonlinear iteration method (HANIM) implemented in the NASA computational fluid dynamics code, FUN3D, to improve robustness and computational efficiency. In contrast to the legacy FUN3D iterative solver that relies on an approximate Jacobian, a simple multicolor Gauss-Seidel point-implicit iteration scheme, and linear Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy number (CFL) ramping, HANIM is based upon a hierarchy of modules including preconditioner, generalized conjugate residual, realizability check, nonlinear control, and CFL adaption modules. HANIM performance is systematically compared with the performance of the legacy solver of FUN3D and a baseline solver based on a preconditioner alone. Iterative solutions are compared for three benchmark cases: a subsonic separated flow around a hemisphere cylinder, a supersonic flow through a long duct, and a subsonic flow over the NASA wing-fuselage juncture model. Two Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes turbulence models are used in these computations, namely, the negative variant of the linear one-equation Spalart-Allmaras model and its nonlinear extension based on quadratic constitutive relations.

CFD↗

Uncertainty in Observational Estimates of the Aerosol Direct Radiative Effect and Forcing

Aerosols continue to be responsible for the largest uncertainty in determining the anthropogenic radiative forcing of the climate. To both reconcile the large range in satellite-based estimates of the aerosol direct radiative effect (DRE, the direct interaction with solar radiation by all aerosols) and to optimize the design of future observing systems, we build a framework for assessing uncertainty in aerosol DRE and the aerosol direct radiative forcing (DRF, the radiative effect of just anthropogenic aerosols, RF_ari). Shortwave aerosol radiative kernels (Jacobians) were derived using the MERRA-2 reanalysis data. These radiative kernels are used to compute a lower-bound on the systematic uncertainty in observational estimates of the aerosol DRE/DRF by making the optimistic assumption that global aerosol observations can be made with the accuracy found in the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sun photometer retrievals. The total uncertainty is shown to be dominated by contributions from the aerosol single scattering albedo uncertainty. These uncertainty estimates were compared to a literature survey of mostly satellite-based aerosol DRE/DRF values. Comparisons to previous studies reveal that most have significantly underestimated the aerosol DRE uncertainty. Past estimates of the aerosol DRF uncertainty are smaller (on average) than our optimistic observational estimates, including the aerosol DRF uncertainty given in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) fifth assessment report (AR5).

Tyler James Thorsen↗

Edge Based Viscous Method for Node-Centered Formulations

This paper presents a novel, efficient, conservative, edge-based method for evaluation of mean flow viscous fluxes and turbulence-model diffusion terms of the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations on tetrahedral grids. The new method is implemented in a practical, node-centered, finite-volume computational fluid dynamics solver. The baseline finite-volume scheme that is equivalent to a second-order accurate finite-element Galerkin approximation of viscous stresses is reformulated. The order of operations to compute the cell-based Green-Gauss gradients is changed to combine the operations by edge, which leads to an equivalent formulation on tetrahedral grids, improves efficiency, and preserves the compact discretization stencil based on the nearest neighbors. The computational results presented in this paper verify the implementation of this edge-based method by comparing its accuracy and iterative convergence with those of the well verified and validated baseline formulation. Efficiency gains for residual and Jacobian evaluations result in significant reduction of time to solution. This novel edge-based formulation on tetrahedra can be seamlessly combined with the baseline formulation on cells of other types for computing solutions on mixed-element grids.

Edge Based↗

Towards an Automated Unstructured Grid Adaptation Workflow with VULCAN

Early work is presented for an unstructured grid adaptation workflow with VULCAN and refine. Anisotropic simplex grids are iteratively adapted to match a Riemannian metric tensor field describing desired mesh spacing. The Riemannian metric tensor field is obtained from Hessians of CFD solution output scalar sensor fields; both Mach number and static temperature sensor fields are explored. In addition, we describe a Newton-method-based solver recently implemented in VULCAN utilizing Jacobian-Free-Newton-Krylov that can be used to increase flow solver automation on early grids in the adadptation process. Hypersonic flow solutions are presented on a high Reynolds number flat plate and wall heat flux is compared against a highly resolved structured solution. Additionally, complex shock boundary-layer interaction is explored in a high Mach number compression corner and complex 3D flow phenomena are evaluated on the Boundary Layer Transition (BOLT) vehicle.

Matthew O'Connell↗

Assimilation of CrIS Shortwave Infrared Channels into the GEOS Atmospheric Data Assimilation System

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in using the 4.3 μmshortwave infrared (SWIR) band for temperature sounding. This is in part brought on by proposed cubesat missions sensing the 4.3 μmband such as MiSTIC and CIRAS. Jones et al. has shown that shortwave infrared channels on CrIScan be used effectively in NOAA's Global Forecast and Data Assimilation System (GDAS). In this work a similar study is presented using the Goddard Earth Observing System - Atmospheric Data Assimilation System (GEOS-ADAS). Results from Observing System Experiments (OSEs) utilizing SWIR CrISare presented using standard community accepted forecast metrics including Forecast Sensitivity to Observation Impact (FSOI), and an assessment of vertical sensitivity using Jacobians from the Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM). The implications and utility within the GEOS-ADAS for future NASA GMAO products are discussed.

Bryan M Karpowicz↗

Secondary Sonic Boom Ray Path Prediction using sBOOM

Sonic boom ray path equations are solved numerically to show the extent of secondary booms compared to primary sonic boom carpet. Secondary booms are shown to reach altitudes of ~125 km before turning toward the ground and impinging at lateral distances of ~50 km and beyond. Exact closed-form solutions of the ray paths and their partial derivatives with respect to certain relevant parameters are derived for the simplified case of windless atmospheres and compared against numerical solutions. Ray tube areas are computed using the Jacobian of a single ray as opposed to the traditional technique of using 4 rays that are temporally and azimuthally perturbed. The ray tube areas corresponding to secondary booms can get 1000 times larger than those from primary booms. The numerically computed ray tube areas are verified using exact expressions for the special case of windless atmospheres. Finally, pressure scaling due to ray tube area changes and atmospheric stratification is presented and the shortcomings associated with the current atmospheric interpolation techniques are discussed. It is determined that piece-wise linear interpolation of the atmospheric temperature may be inadequate and could lead to numerical noise in the prediction of secondary booms.

Sriram K Rallabhandi↗

Polarimetric sensitivity of light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols over ocean: A theoretical assessment

Visible-light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols within the boundary layer affect the radiance and polarization states of the radiation at the top of the atmosphere. Remote sensing from suborbital and satellite-based platforms utilizes these radiance and polarization signals to retrieve the key properties of these aerosols. Recent retrieval algorithms have shown a progressive trend toward including multi-angular and multi-spectral polarimetric measurements to produce better retrieval accuracy in comparison to those using measurements based on a single viewing angle. Here, we perform a theoretical investigation of the top of atmosphere (TOA) radiance-related reflectance factor (bidirectional reflectance factor (BRF)) and the two types of polarimetry-related factors (polarized bidirectional reflectance factor (pBRF) and the degree of linear polarization (DoLP)) for different types of atmospheric light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols as a function of particle size distribution. We selected three polarimetric bands corresponding to those utilized by NASA's Airborne Multiangle SpectroPolarimetric Imager (AirMSPI)—near-UV (470 nm), visible (660 nm), and near-infrared (865 nm)—for our simulations which were performed over ocean surface using the successive order of scattering (SOS) algorithm coupled to a Lorenz-Mie aerosol optics model. The analysis of particle phase matrix elements indicates a close relationship between the angular dependencies of DoLP and associated phase matrix components at the shortest polarimetric band (470 nm). Using Jacobian analysis, we find that the radiance- and polarimetry-related reflectance factors of weakly light-absorbing aerosols, such as brown carbon, are more sensitive to changes in particle size and imaginary refractive index in comparison with those of black carbon, which is strongly light-absorbing. Our results suggest that the DoLP data could be used by future retrieval algorithms for reliably estimating microphysical properties of absorbing carbonaceous aerosols with imaginary refractive index less than 0.4.

refractive index↗