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At least 289 records · Page 16

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NASA NTRS1974

Cartographic experiment for Latin America

The author has identified the following significant results. The two experiments clearly demonstrate the practical application of the Skylab photography to update existing maps at an optimum scale of 1:100,000. The photography can even be used, by employing first order photogrammetric instruments, for updating the cultural features in 1:50,000 scale mapping. The S190A imagery has also shown itself to be most economical in preparing new photomap products over previously unmapped areas, such as Concepcion, Paraguay. These maps indicate that Skylab quality imagery is invaluable to the Latin American cartographers in their efforts to provide the mapping products required to develop their countries. In Latin America, where over 5,000 people are employed in map production and where the Latin American governments are expending over $20 million in this effort, the use of such systems to maintain existing mapping and publish new mapping over previously unmapped areas, is of great economic value and could release the conventional Latin American mapping resources to be utilized to produce large scale 1:25,000 and 1:1,000 scale mapping that is needed for specific development projects.

Staples, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Interferometric methods for measurement of ultrasonic wave velocity: Classification, characteristics and basic defects

Interferometric methods may be considered to include all methods in which the time necessary for a signal to pass through a medium is determined on the basis of the period of oscillation of which the signal consists, while the distance is determined by noting the coincidence between (1) interference between the measured signal and its reflection and ultrasonic interference, or between another signal serving as a reference and electrical interference in the electronic part of the device. In general, all interferometric methods are relatively simple and permit a high degree of accuracy. Theoretically 48 different variations may be distinguished, about 30 of which are capable of practical application. For liquids, where transverse waves do not exist, the number of possible variations is limited to 40, assuming that absolute velocity measurement is desired.

Kozlowski, Z.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Skylab mission report, third visit

An evaluation is presented of the operational and engineering aspects of the third Skylab visit, including information on the performance of the command and service module and the experiment hardware, the crew's evaluation of the visit, and other visit-related areas of interest such as biomedical observations. The specific areas discussed are contained in the following: (1) solar physics and astrophysics investigations; (2) Comet Kohoutek experiments; (3) medical experiments; (4) earth observations, including data for the multispectral photographic facility, the earth terrain camera, and the microwave radiometer/scattermometer and altimeter; (5) engineering and technology experiments; (6) food and medical operational equipment; (7) hardware and experiment anomalies; and (8) mission support, mission objectives, flight planning, and launch phase summary. Conclusions discussed as a result of the third visit to Skylab involve the advancement of the sciences, practical applications, the durability of man and systems in space, and spaceflight effectiveness and economy.

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NASA NTRS1974

A remote operation quadrupole mass spectrometer using a custom radio-frequency link approach

A commercial quadrupole mass spectrometer (residual gas analyzer, RGA) system has been modified to operate at large separations of its electronics console and sensing head. The methods implemented have made practical applications, as well as operation, of such a system possible for the first time. This advance was stimulated by a need for placing sensors at remote (45 or 60 m) chamber locations for space simulation testing of orbital flight spacecraft. Emphasis is placed on instrument functional requirements and describing the hardware changes and adjustment techniques necessary to assure operation at the extended cable lengths.

Tashbar, P. W.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Precision time distribution within a deep space communications complex

The Precision Time Distribution System (PTDS) at the Golstone Deep Space Communications Complex is a practical application of existing technology to the solution of a local problem. The problem was to synchronize four station timing systems to a master source with a relative accuracy consistently and significantly better than 10 microseconds. The solution involved combining a precision timing source, an automatic error detection assembly and a microwave distribution network into an operational system. Upon activation of the completed PTDS two years ago, synchronization accuracy at Goldstone (two station relative) was improved by an order of magnitude. It is felt that the validation of the PTDS mechanization is now completed. Other facilities which have site dispersion and synchronization accuracy requirements similar to Goldstone may find the PTDS mechanization useful in solving their problem. At present, the two station relative synchronization accuracy at Goldstone is better than one microsecond.

Curtright, J. B.↗

NASA NTRS1974

A study of the early detection of insect infestations and density/distribution of host plants

The author has identified the following significant results. Significant results have been obtained in the identification of citrus, sugarcane, winter vegetables, irrigated pastures, and unimproved pastures which contain brush. Land without vegetation, lakes, roads, and waterways can also be determined. Different densities of vegetation covering some cultivated areas are apparent. The practical applications of these results are many. The abundance of host plants of pests can be determined. Avenues of entry of pests can be plotted, facilitating control or preventing entry of pest species. The boundaries of areas to be quarantined can be accurately established after viewing the S-190B data. Better cultural methods can be employed such as planning where to plant certain crops that indirectly are detrimental to those already growing. This would relate to such factors as pesticide drift or alternate hosts of major pests.

Hart, W. G.↗

NASA NTRS1974

A steering law for a roof-type configuration for a single-gimbal control moment gyro system

Single-Gimbal Control Moment Gyro (SGCMG) systems have been investigated for attitude control of the Large Space Telescope (LST) and the High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO). However, various proposed steering laws for the SGCMG systems thus far have some defects because of singular states of the system. In this report, a steering law for a roof-type SGCMG system is proposed which is based on a new momentum distribution scheme that makes all the singular states unstable. This momentum distribution scheme is formulated by a treatment of the system as a sampled-data system. From analytical considerations, it is shown that this steering law gives control performance which is satisfactory for practical applications. Results of the preliminary computer simulation entirely support this premise.

Yoshikawa, T.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Electrophysiological measurement of human auditory function

Knowledge of the human auditory evoked response is reviewed, including methods of determining this response, the way particular changes in the stimulus are coupled to specific changes in the response, and how the state of mind of the listener will influence the response. Important practical applications of this basic knowledge are discussed. Measurement of the brainstem evoked response, for instance, can state unequivocally how well the peripheral auditory apparatus functions. It might then be developed into a useful hearing test, especially for infants and preverbal or nonverbal children. Clinical applications of measuring the brain waves evoked 100 msec and later after the auditory stimulus are undetermined. These waves are clearly related to brain events associated with cognitive processing of acoustic signals, since their properties depend upon where the listener directs his attention and whether how long he expects the signal.

Galambos, R.↗

NASA NTRS1975

On wake vortex alleviation

Research within NASA relating to the nature of lift-induced vortex wakes behind large aircraft and the means whereby the hazard they represent to smaller aircraft can be alleviated is reviewed. The research, carried out in ground based facilities and in flight shows that more rapid dispersion of the wake can be effected by several means and that the modification of span-loading by appropriate flap deflection holds promise of early practical application.

Roberts, L.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Satellite broadcasting - Capabilities for public service

Satellite broadcast services to support health-care and educational transmissions must work with small, low-cost terminals in allocated radio-frequency bands. The ATS-6 spacecraft has successfully demonstrated such capability in the bands of non-technical users. It supports interactive television broadcasting to simple, low-cost terminals in a nationwide series of experiments in the delivery of health-care and educational services. ATS-6 achieves this capability with a very large antenna and moderate transmitter power. The coverage limitations inherent in this approach will be overcome by the joint U.S.-Canadian Communications Technology Satellite to be launched in December 1975. The CTS will demonstrate broadcast capability with new, high-power technology in a newly-allocated radio-frequency band. This will make it possible to use smaller antennas, greatly enlarging the area coverage available to the many nontechnical experimenters using CTS for their own needs. A practical application of these technologies is now in development for operational broadcasting services in Japan.

Marsten, R. B.↗

NASA NTRS1975

A sensitivity analysis of regional and small watershed hydrologic models

Continuous simulation models of the hydrologic behavior of watersheds are important tools in several practical applications such as hydroelectric power planning, navigation, and flood control. Several recent studies have addressed the feasibility of using remote earth observations as sources of input data for hydrologic models. The objective of the study reported here was to determine how accurately remotely sensed measurements must be to provide inputs to hydrologic models of watersheds, within the tolerances needed for acceptably accurate synthesis of streamflow by the models. The study objective was achieved by performing a series of sensitivity analyses using continuous simulation models of three watersheds. The sensitivity analysis showed quantitatively how variations in each of 46 model inputs and parameters affect simulation accuracy with respect to five different performance indices.

Ambaruch, R.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Ion plating with an induction heating source

Induction heating is introduced as an evaporation heat source in ion plating. A bare induction coil without shielding can be directly used in the glow discharge region with no arcing. The only requirement is to utilize an rf inductive generator with low operating frequency of 75 kHz. Mechanical simplicity of the ion plating apparatus and ease of operation is a great asset for industrial applications; practically any metal such as nickel, iron, and the high temperature refractories can be evaporated and ion plated.

Spalvins, T.↗

NASA NTRS1975

NASA Earth Resources Survey Symposium. Volume 1-A: Agriculture, environment

A number of papers dealing with the practical application of imagery obtained from remote sensors on LANDSAT satellites, the Skylab Earth resources experiment package, and aircraft to problems in agriculture and the environment were presented. Some of the more important topics that were covered included: range management and resources, environmental monitoring and management, crop growth and inventory, land management, multispectral band scanners, forest management, mapping, marshlands, strip mining, water quality and pollution, ecology.

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NASA NTRS1975

NASA Earth Resources Survey Symposium. Volume 1-B: Geology, Information Systems and Services

A symposium was conducted on the practical applications of earth resources survey technology including utilization and results of data from programs involving LANDSAT, the Skylab earth resources experiment package, and aircraft. Topics discussed include geological structure, landform surveys, energy and extractive resources, and information systems and services.

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NASA NTRS1975

Space transportation

User-oriented panels were formed to examine practical applications of information or services derived from earth orbiting satellites. Topics discussed include: weather and climate; uses of communication; land use planning; agriculture, forest, and range; inland water resources; retractable resources; environmental quality; marine and maritime uses; and materials processing in space. Emphasis was placed on the interface of the space transportation system (STS) with the applications envisioned by the user panels. User requirements were compared with expected STS capabilities in terms of availability, carrying payload to orbit, and estimated costs per launch. Conclusions and recommendations were reported.

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NASA NTRS1976

The reduction of aileron operating force by differential linkage

It is shown that the control force of ordinary ailerons may be reduced to zero over a range of deflections and at a given flight condition by the use of an appropriate differential movement. Approximations to the ideal motion obtainable with a simple linkage are discussed and a chart that enables the selection of an appropriate crank arrangement is presented. Various aspects of the practical application of the system are discussed and it is concluded that a small fixed tab, deflected to trim both ailerons upward, would be advantageous.

Jones, R. T.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Study of the extra-ionic electron distributions in semi-metallic structures by nuclear quadrupole resonance techniques

A straightforward self-consistent method was developed to estimate solid state electrostatic potentials, fields and field gradients in ionic solids. The method is a direct practical application of basic electrostatics to solid state and also helps in the understanding of the principles of crystal structure. The necessary mathematical equations, derived from first principles, were presented and the systematic computational procedure developed to arrive at the solid state electrostatic field gradients values was given.

Murty, A. N.↗

NASA NTRS1975

NASA Earth Resources Survey Symposium. Volume 2-A: Special session presentations. Plenary summaries

Practical application of earth resources survey data is considered. The utilization and results of data from NASA programs involving LANDSAT, the Skylab Earth Resources Experiment Package, and aircraft, as well as other data acquisition programs are included. User services and requirements and applications in land use, agriculture, coastal zone management, and geology are among the topics covered. For Vol. 1A, see N76-17469.

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