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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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At least 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Spectrophotometry of planets, asteroids and satellites from the international ultraviolet explorer satellite

A total of 14 8 hour I.U.E. observing sessions resulted in 39 spectra of 11 asteroids and 9 solar type stars as well as 57 spectra at various locations on the disk of Jupiter. The Jupiter observations include a total of 5 center to limb series of spectra at various latitudes and a North South series along the central meridian. In the range from 2000-3000 A, the planet shows a striking decrease in brightness at latitudes greater than about 30 degrees, and exhibits limb brightening at low latitudes and limb darkening at high latitudes. Preliminary results indicate that about 6 km-amagats of clean hydrogen are required above a haze of absorbing aerosols to reproduce the limb brightening observed at 2500 A in the equatorial regions. At higher latitudes, the aerosols extend to even higher levels of the atmosphere. Comparison of the Jovian data with detailed model calculations and the analyses of the asteroid spectra are still in progress with other support.

Tomasko, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Geomagnetic field mapping from a satellite: Spatial power spectra of the geomagnetic field at various satellite altitudes relative to natural noise sources and instrument noise

The spectra for the field are presented together with power spectra of the natural magnetospheric and ionosheric noise and a power spectrum of instrumental noise for a typical fluxgate magnetometer. The source of these data is described. The implications of these data relative to desirable instrument frequency resonse, stability and resolution specification as well as the implications relative to desirable spacecraft position and orientation accuracy specifications and desirable environmental (temperature, magnetic noise) specifications are discussed. Implications of these power spectra relative to choice of a suitable magnetometer and relative to desirable methods of data processing are considered. Finally, implications for desirable orbit and mission duration are discussed.

Mcleod, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Analyze satellite-tracking laser data in order to study satellite ephemerides, solid-Earth and ocean tides and laser system performance

The decrease in the semimajor axis of Lageos is considerably larger than expected. Gravitational effects, reference system effects, solar radiation pressure, Earth albedo pressure, neutral atmospheric drag, the Poynting Robertson Effect, and electrodynamic effects were used in explaining the observations. Quick look data provided are used to determine the Earth's polar motion and length of day. This process is routine, and provides these geophysical data every five days.

Gaposchkin, E. M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Unique battery reconditioning cycle for RCA's geostationary satellites and its applicability for low Earth satellite

Six (6) geostationary spacecraft, manufactured by RCA Astro, are presently operating in orbit. All of their batteries are performing well. They all contain unique battery reconditioning circuitry, permitting individual cell reconditioning to practically zero volts without the danger of cell reversal. This reconditioning is performed just prior to start of each eclipse season. This technique has maintained the battery's end-of-discharge voltage with mission life. The oldest operating RCA Astro geostationary spacecraft, Satcom F1 and F2, have now completed almost 7 and 6-3/4 years in orbit, respectively. Their battery performance, reported herein, show that a major milestone in the mission longevity of nickel-cadmium batteries has heen achieved. Low earth orbit test data show a long lasting effect of maintaining end-of-discharge voltages for nickel cadmium cells using periodic reconditioning. The unique RCA light-weight reconditioning circuitry can accomplish a quick reconditioning and prevent cell reversal. Reconditioning, thus, has the potential for extending mission life of geostationary as well as low earth orbit spacecraft, when two or more batteries are present.

Gaston, S. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The interpretation of SIR-B imagery of surface waves and other oceanographic features using in-situ, meteorological satellite, and infrared satellite data

The overall aim is to interpret Shuttle Imaging Radar-B imagery of selected ocean areas near the United Kingdom using available data from ships and buoys, with particular emphasis on understanding the mechanisms involved in the backscattering of microwaves from the sea surface and their relationship to surface gravity waves. The secondary objective is to use a multispectral approach to study sea-surface expressions such as slicks, internal waves, and eddies. Data acquisition, handling, and analysis approaches and expected results are discussed.

Allan, T.↗
NASA NTRS1988

An orbit simulation study of a geopotential research mission including satellite-to-satellite tracking and disturbance compensation systems

Two orbit simulations, one representing the actual Geopotential Research Mission (GRM) orbit and the other representing the orbit estimated from orbit determination techniques, are presented. A computer algorithm was created to simulate GRM's drag compensation mechanism so the fuel expenditure and proof mass trajectories relative to the spacecraft centroid could be calculated for the mission. The results of the GRM DISCOS simulation demonstrated that the spacecraft can essentially be drag-free. The results showed that the centroid of the spacecraft can be controlled so that it will not deviate more than 1.0 mm in any direction from the centroid of the proof mass.

Antreasian, Peter G.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Integration of a satellite ground support system based on analysis of the satellite ground support domain

This analysis defines a complete set of ground support functions based on those practiced in real space flight operations during the on-orbit phase of a mission. These functions are mapped against ground support functions currently in use by NASA and DOD. Software components to provide these functions can be hosted on RISC-based work stations and integrated to provide a modular, integrated ground support system. Such modular systems can be configured to provide as much ground support functionality as desired. This approach to ground systems has been widely proposed and prototyped both by government institutions and commercial vendors. The combined set of ground support functions we describe can be used as a standard to evaluate candidate ground systems. This approach has also been used to develop a prototype of a modular, loosely-integrated ground support system, which is discussed briefly. A crucial benefit to a potential user is that all the components are flight-qualified, thus giving high confidence in their accuracy and reliability.

Pendley, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Kursk Magnetic Anomaly at Satellite Altitude: Revisited with the Orsted Satellite

The Kursk Magnetic Anomaly (KMA) of Russia (51 deg north, 37 deg east) has long been recognized as one of the largest magnetic anomalies on Earth. It is associated with the massive iron-ore formations of this region, however, model studies have revealed that the relationship between the two is not obvious. In an early effort to demonstrate the validity of Magsat data for crustal research a detailed study of the KMA, at an average altitude of 350 km and the surrounding region was made. They recorded a 27 nT high and a -9 nT low giving a 37 nT peak-to-trough anomaly over the immediate area of the KMA. Despite the much higher altitude of Orsted (620 to 850 km) we revisited the KMA to determine if this mission would also be able to record an associated anomalous crustal signature. The Orsted profiles we selected were from April to August 1999. From these data we chose those with an altitude range of 644 to 700 km and they were subsequently gridded, by least-squares collocation, to a mean elevation of 660 km. Both ascending and descending data were examined and signals common to both were extracted and averaged. A correlation coefficient between these two orbit orientations of 0.82 was computed. The quadrant-swapping method of Kim et al. was applied. Removal of the main geomagnetic field was accomplished with a polynomial fitting procedure. A positive anomaly of >2.5 nT with ari associated negative of <-0.5 nT for a >3 nT peak-to-trough range were computed. These Magsat and Orsted results are consistent with the decay of a dipole field over the studied altitude range. Significant differences between these two anomaly fields are due to the greater number of orbit profiles and therefore greater number of intersecting orbits (ascending and descending) available in the Orsted compilation. Of the four largest amplitude anomalies in the Orsted field three are present in the Magsat map. The fourth (>2.5 nT), however, is associated with the Belorussian-Lithuanian anteclise. This sugaests that additional geologic information may be apparent in the new Orsted field.

Taylor, Patrick T.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Comparison of Satellite-Derived TOA Shortwave Clear-Sky Fluxes to Estimates from GCM Simulations Constrained by Satellite Observations of Land Surface Characteristics

Clear-sky, upwelling shortwave flux at the top of the atmosphere (S(sub TOA raised arrow)), simulated using the atmospheric and land model components of the Community Climate System Model 3 (CCSM3), is compared to corresponding observational estimates from the Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) sensor. Improvements resulting from the use of land surface albedo derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) to constrain the simulations are also examined. Compared to CERES observations, CCSM3 overestimates global, annual averaged S(sub TOA raised arrow) over both land and oceans. However, regionally, CCSM3 overestimates S(sub TOA raised arrow) over some land and ocean areas while underestimating it over other sites. CCSM3 underestimates S(sub TOA raised arrow) over the Saharan and Arabian Deserts and substantial differences exist between CERES observations and CCSM3 over agricultural areas. Over selected sites, after using groundbased observations to remove systematic biases that exist in CCSM computation of S(sub TOA raised arrow), it is found that use of MODIS albedo improves the simulation of S(sub TOA raised arrow). Inability of coarse resolution CCSM3 simulation to resolve spatial heterogeneity of snowfall over high altitude sites such as the Tibetan Plateau causes overestimation of S(sub TOA raised arrow) in these areas. Discrepancies also exist in the simulation of S(sub TOA raised arrow) over ocean areas as CCSM3 does not account for the effect of wind speed on ocean surface albedo. This study shows that the radiative energy budget at the TOA is improved through the use of MODIS albedo in Global Climate Models.

Anantharaj, Valentine G.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Satellite Conjunction “Probability,” “Plausibility,” and “Possibility”: A Categorization of Competing Satellite Conjunction Assessment Risk Analysis Paradigms

A number of different conjunction assessment (CA) risk analysis methods and metrics have been proposed in the critical literature, and they vary widely in purport and form. However, they tend to be proposed individually and episodically, so that it is difficult for a CA practitioner to take stock of the possibilities, under- stand their fundamental differences, and make informed choices for their particular CA risk assessment enterprise. The present study seeks to collect the major proposals for risk assessment methods and parameters and organize them categorically, under the proposed divisions of “probability,” “plausibility,” and “possibility,” as well as formulate what appears for each to be its fundamental question and, where applicable, null hypothesis. This activity can, through a bottom-up approach, provide some of the building blocks for an overarching CA philosophy, as well as establish concepts and terminology potentially useful to the broader discussion of these topics.

Hejduk, M. D.↗