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NASA NTRS1993

Integrated flexible manufacturing program for manufacturing automation and rapid prototyping

The Kansas City Division of Allied Signal Inc., as part of the Integrated Flexible Manufacturing Program (IFMP), is developing an integrated manufacturing environment. Several systems are being developed to produce standards and automation tools for specific activities within the manufacturing environment. The Advanced Manufacturing Development System (AMDS) is concentrating on information standards (STEP) and product data transfer; the Expert Cut Planner system (XCUT) is concentrating on machining operation process planning standards and automation capabilities; the Advanced Numerical Control system (ANC) is concentrating on NC data preparation standards and NC data generation tools; the Inspection Planning and Programming Expert system (IPPEX) is concentrating on inspection process planning, coordinate measuring machine (CMM) inspection standards and CMM part program generation tools; and the Intelligent Scheduling and Planning System (ISAPS) is concentrating on planning and scheduling tools for a flexible manufacturing system environment. All of these projects are working together to address information exchange, standardization, and information sharing to support rapid prototyping in a Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) environment.

Brooks, S. L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

CSU FIRE 2 cirrus field experiment: Description of field deployment phase

The Colorado State University (CSU) surface observing systems are described. These systems were deployed at the Parsons, Kansas site during the FIRE 2 Cirrus Special Observing Period (SOP) from 13 Nov. - 7 Dec. 1991. The geographical coordinates of the site containing most of the CSU instrumentation are 37 deg. 18 min N. latitude and 96 deg. 30 min. W. longitude; site elevation was 269 meters. In addition, one surface meteorological and broadband flux observing site was maintained at the Tri City Airport which is approximately 18 miles due west of Parsons (37 deg. 20 min. N. latitude, 95 deg. 30 min. 30 sec. W. longitude). A map of the locations of the CSU deployment sites is presented. At the main Parsons site, the instrumentation was located directly adjacent to and north of a lake. Under most cirrus observing conditions, when the wing had a significant southernly component, the lake was upwind of the observing site. The measurements and observations collected during the experiment are listed. These measurements may be grouped into five categories: surface meteorology; infrared spectral and broadband measurements; solar spectral and broadband measurements; upper air measurements; and cloud measurements. A summary of observations collected at the Parsons site during the SOP are presented. The wind profiler, laser ceilometer, surface meteorology and surface broadband radiation instrumentation were operated on a continuous basis. All other systems were operated on an 'on demand' basis when cloud conditions merited the collection of data.

Cox, S.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Automation of closed environments in space for human comfort and safety

The development of Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) for Space Station Freedom, future colonization of the Moon, and Mars missions presents new challenges for present technologies. ECLSS that operate during long-duration missions must be semi-autonomous to allow crew members environmental control without constant supervision. A control system for the ECLSS must address these issues as well as being reliable. The Kansas State University Advanced Design Team is in the process of researching and designing controls for the automation of the ECLSS for Space Station Freedom and beyond. The ECLSS for Freedom is composed of six subsystems. The temperature and humidity control (THC) subsystem maintains the cabin temperature and humidity at a comfortable level. The atmosphere control and supply (ACS) subsystem insures proper cabin pressure and partial pressures of oxygen and nitrogen. To protect the space station from fire damage, the fire detection and suppression (FDS) subsystem provides fire-sensing alarms and extinguishers. The waste management (WM) subsystem compacts solid wastes for return to Earth, and collects urine for water recovery. The atmosphere revitalization (AR) subsystem removes CO2 and other dangerous contaminants from the air. The water recovery and management (WRM) subsystem collects and filters condensate from the cabin to replenish potable water supplies, and processes urine and other waste waters to replenish hygiene water supplies. These subsystems are not fully automated at this time. Furthermore, the control of these subsystems is not presently integrated; they are largely independent of one another. A fully integrated and automated ECLSS would increase astronauts' productivity and contribute to their safety and comfort.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1992

The stability functions in the bulk similarity formulation for the unstable boundary layer

An update is presented for the function C in the heat transfer equation and for the function Bw in the momentum transfer equation of the bulk similarity approach for the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). Motives for this update are recent developments in the formulation of Monin-Obukhov functions for the surface layer, and the availability of the new data set of FIFE-89, the 1989 phase of the First ISLSCP Field Experiment, which took place over the same hilly prairie terrain in northeastern Kansas as the 1987 phase, i.e., FIFE-87. Functional forms developed in earlier studies are considered. In addition, a new form is derived based on a simple dual structure of the ABL. The functions are calibrated with the data set obtained during FIFE-87; the results are then verified with the independent data set acquired during FIFE-89.

Sugita, Michiaki↗

NASA NTRS1992

Classification of four ordinary chondrites from the Monnig Meteorite Collection

We classified four ordinary chondrites from the Monnig Meteorite Collection into compositional groups, petrologic types and shock stages, based on optical microscopy in transmitted and reflected light, and electron microprobe and modal analyses. These meteorites are Allen, Texas, H4(S2): May Day, Kansas, H4(S2); Pony Creek, Texas, H4(S3); and Springer, Oklahoma, H5(S3).

Ehlmann, Arthur J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A comparison of surface sensible and latent heat fluxes from aircraft and surface measurements in FIFE 1987

Surface fluxes of sensible and latent heat over a tall-grass prairie in central Kansas, as measured by 22 surface stations during FIFE 1987, are compared with values gained indirectly by linear extrapolation of aircraft-measured flux profiles to the surface. The results of 33 such comparisons covering the period 26 June to 13 October 1987 indicate that the sensible heat flux profiles were generally more linear with less scatter in the measurements at each level than were the latent heat flux profiles, the profile extrapolations of sensible heat flux in general underestimate the surface averages by about 30 percent, with slightly better agreement during periods of small flux, and the profile extrapolations of latent heat flux in general underestimate the surface averages by about 15 percent, with overestimates during periods of small fluxes (dry conditions) and overestimates during periods of large fluxes (moist conditions). Possible origins of the differences between the two sets of measurements are discussed, as directions for further research.

Kelly, Robert D.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Variation in energy balance components from six sites in a native prairie for three years

Six automatic stations were used to evaluate the surface energy and radiation balances on a native prairie near Manhattan, Kansas, using the Bowen ratio technique for a total of 300 days. Data were taken during the periods from May 26 to October 16, 1987, May 10 to September 18, 1988, and July 21 to August 13, 1989. The station site locations were selected to represent burned and unburned treatments on ridges, valley bottoms, and slopes with various aspects. The measured variables were (1) air and wet bulb temperatures at two heights, (2) net radiation, (3) solar radiation (up and down), (4) total hemispherical radiation (up and down), (5) diffuse radiation, (6) soil heat flow and soil temperature, (7) wind speed, (8) wind direction, and (9) precipitation. Energy balance components at the sites were compared for the 3 years. The variation between sites and years was small, even though some sites were as much as 10 km apart and the years had different rainfall amounts. The average values for the four summer intensive field campaigns (IFCs) were as follows: albedo, 0.2; ratio of net radiation to solar radiation, 62 percent; evaporation equivalent, 4 mm/d; Bowen ratio, 0.32; evaporation fraction, 70 percent; and the ratio of evaporation to solar energy, 40 percent. These values were different for the fall IFC. The latent and sensible heat fluxes were more variable than the radiation terms reflecting soil moisture differences between IFCs.

Fritschen, Leo J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Aerosol optical depth retrievals over the Konza Prairie

The aerosol optical depth over the Konza Prairie, near Manhattan, Kansas, was recorded at various locations by five separate teams. These measurements were made in support of the First ISLSCP Field Experiment (FIFE) and used to correct imagery from a variety of satellite and aircraft sensors for the effects of atmospheric scattering and absorption. The results from one instrument are reported here for 26 days in 1987 and for 7 in 1989. Daily averages span a range of 0.05 to 0.28 in the midvisible wavelengths. In addition, diurnal variations are noted in which the afternoon optical depths are greater than those of the morning by as much as 0.07. A comparison between instruments and processing techniques used to determine these aerosol optical depths is provided. The first comparisons are made using summer 1987 data. Differences of as much as 0.05 (midvisible) are observed. Although these data allow reasonable surface reflectance retrievals, they do not agree to within the performance limits typically associated with these types of instruments. With an accuracy goal of 0.02 a preseason calibration/comparison experiment was conducted at a mountain site prior to the final field campaign in 1989. Good calibration data were obtained, and good agreement (0.01, midvisible) was observed in the retrieved optical depth acquired over the Konza. By comparing data from the surface instruments at different locations, spatial inhomogeneities are determined. Then, data from the airborne tracking sunphotometer allow one to determine variations as a function of altitude. Finally, a technique is proposed for using the in situ data to establish an instrument calibration.

Bruegge, Carol J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Aerosol optical properties over the midcontinental United States

Solar and sky radiation measurements were analyzed to obtain aerosol properties such as the optical thickness and the size distribution. The measurements were conducted as part of the First International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project Field Experiment during the second intensive field campaign (IFC) from June 25 to July 14, 1987, and the fifth IFC from July 25 to August 12, 1989, on the Konza Prairie near Manhattan, Kansas. Correlations with climatological and meteorological parameters show that during the period of observations in 1987, two types of air masses dominated the area: an air mass with low optical thickness and low temperature air associated with a northerly breeze, commonly referred to as the continental air, and an air mass with a higher optical thickness and higher temperature air associated with a southerly wind which we call 'Gulf air'. The size distributions show a predominance of the larger size particles in 'Gulf air'. Because of the presence of two contrasting air masses, correlations with parameters such as relative humidity, specific humidity, pressure, temperature, and North Star sky radiance reveal some interesting aspects. In 1989, clear distinctions between continental and Gulf air cannot be made; the reason for this will be discussed.

Halthore, Rangasayi N.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Leaf gas exchange of Andropogon gerardii Vitman, Panicum virgatum L., and Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash in a tallgrass prairie

Net CO2 assimilation as a function of internal CO2 and stomatal conductance to water vapor were measured on blades of the C4 grasses Andropogon gerardii Vitman, Panicum virgatrum L., and Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash in northeast Kansas over two growing seasons to determine the comparative physiological responses of these dominant grasses of the tallgrass prairie to environmental variables. The response of dark respiration to temperature and of net assimilation to CO2 concentration and absorbed quantum flux differed little among species. A. gerardii had lower potential photosynthetic rates at internal CO2 concentrations below saturation than P. virgatum and S. nutans, but net assimilation under ambient conditions was similar in the three species. Net assimilation and both the initial slope of assimilation versus internal CO2 curves and the maximum potential assimilation rate decreased as leaf water potential declined in blades of A. gerardii and S. nutans. Changes in assimilation capacity were paralleled by changes in stomatal conductance that were similar in all three species. The strong correlations among processes regulating leaf CO2 assimilation and transpiration in A. gerardii, P. virgatum, and S. nutans suggest that the processes are tightly and similarly coupled in these grasses over a wide range of environmental conditions encountered in the tallgrass prairie.

Polley, H. W.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Effects of management and topography on the radiometric response of a tallgrass prairie

Bidirectional reflectance measurements are obtained for grazed, burned ungrazed, and unburned ungrazed tallgrass prairie in eastern Kansas. Observations are also made on experimental plots where vegetation height and biomass were manipulated by mowing. While productivity of grazed or mowed sites was either equal to or greater than that on ungrazed or unmowed sites, individual or cumulative normalized difference vegetation index values tended to be positively correlated with biomass, not productivity.

Turner, C. L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Active and passive microwave measurements of soil moisture in FIFE

During the intensive field campaigns of the First International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project (ISLSCP) Field Experiment (FIFE) in May-October of 1987, several nearly simultaneous measurements were made with low-altitude flights of the L-band radiometer and C- and X-band scatterometers over two transects in the Konza Prairie Natural Research Area, some 8 km south of Manhattan, Kansas. These measurements showed that although the scatterometers were sensitive to soil moisture variations in most regions under the flight path, the L-band radiometer lost most of its sensitivity in regions unburned for many years. The correlation coefficient derived from the regression between the radar backscattering coefficient and the soil moisture was found to improve with the increase in antenna incidence angle. This is attributed to a steeper falloff of the backscattering coefficient as a function of local incidence at angles near nadir than at angles greater than 30 deg.

Wang, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A catchment scale water balance model for FIFE

A catchment scale water balance model is presented and used to predict evaporation from the King's Creek catchment at the First ISLSCP Field Experiment site on the Konza Prairie, Kansas. The model incorporates spatial variability in topography, soils, and precipitation to compute the land surface hydrologic fluxes. A network of 20 rain gages was employed to measure rainfall across the catchment in the summer of 1987. These data were spatially interpolated and used to drive the model during storm periods. During interstorm periods the model was driven by the estimated potential evaporation, which was calculated using net radiation data collected at site 2. Model-computed evaporation is compared to that observed, both at site 2 (grid location 1916-BRS) and the catchment scale, for the simulation period from June 1 to October 9, 1987.

Famiglietti, J. S.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Evaluation of sampling errors of precipitation from spaceborne and ground sensors

The spatial and temporal characteristics of rainfall over Oklahoma and Kansas are analyzed using the raingage data collected during the Preliminary Regional Experiment for STORM-Central (PRE-STORM). The spectra obtained are compared with those obtained from the oceanic precipitation in the GARP and with that obtained from analyzing raingage records in east Texas. In addition, the spectra are used to evaluate the sampling errors that are due to the spatial gaps in measurements. It was found that the temporal spectra from PRE-STORM had a spectral shape similar to that obtained in GARP, except that the tail of the PRE-STORM spectra has a lower slope than in GARP spectra, suggesting that the largest difference between tropical oceanic rainfall and convective land precipitation is at the highest frequencies.

Graves, Charles E.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Scaling water and energy fluxes in climate systems - Three land-atmospheric modeling experiments

Three numerical experiments that investigate the scaling of land-surface processes - either of the inputs or parameters - are reported, and the aggregated processes are compared to the spatially variable case. The first is the aggregation of the hydrologic response in a catchment due to rainfall during a storm event and due to evaporative demands during interstorm periods. The second is the spatial and temporal aggregation of latent heat fluxes, as calculated from SiB. The third is the aggregation of remotely sensed land vegetation and latent and sensible heat fluxes using TM data from the FIFE experiment of 1987 in Kansas. In all three experiments it was found that the surface fluxes and land characteristics can be scaled, and that macroscale models based on effective parameters are sufficient to account for the small-scale heterogeneities investigated.

Wood, Eric F.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Archiving the FIFE data on CD-ROM

FIFE (first ISLSCP field experiment) is a land surface climatology project consisting of a series of field compaigns conducted in Kansas from 1987 to 1989. The authors describe the process of designing the FIFE prototype CD-ROM including data file structure and directory structure, the image compression and expansion software used, and the user interface software developed.

Landis, David R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Estimating reflected and emitted components of the radiation balance using remotely-sensed spectral data from KUREX-91

The estimation of incoming and outgoing radiation streams using bidirectional spectral reflectances and bidirectional thermal emittances is described. Good agreement between measured and modeled estimates of the radiation balance is obtained. The data used were collected over selected grassland sites on the Streletskaya Steppe Reserve in Russia in July 1991. Results from this study compare well with results obtained during the first ISLSCP field experiment (FIFE) study in Kansas in 1987-89.

Blad, B. L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Spectral bidirectional and hemispherical reflectance characteristics of selected sites in the Streletskaya steppe

Measurements of plant canopy bidirectional reflectance made by the PARABOLA (portable apparatus for rapid acquisition of bidirectional observations of the land and atmosphere) instrument in three spectral bands are analyzed for steppe grassland sites of differing productivity levels. The variation of spectral reflectance and the normalized difference vegetation index in the solar principal plane is presented. Comparisons are made with PARABOLA measurements from selected first ISLSCP field experiment (FIFE) grassland sites in the Konza prairie, Kansas. The Streletskaya steppe sites showed no strong hot spot reflectance, while this effect was present in some FIFE sites but absent in others. The hot spot effect seems to be dependent on canopy geometry and background reflectance characteristics of these sites. Spectral hemispherical reflectance was computed from the angular integration of the bidirectional measurements for the steppe sites. Total shortwave albedo was estimated from these hemispherical reflectance measurements and compared to albedo measured by pyranometers. The albedo estimates from PARABOLA were found to be approximately 12-17 percent higher than the pyranometer measurements.

Eck, Thomas F.↗