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At least 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

The dispersion of propellants from aircraft

Two aspects of the dispersion of pollutants from aircraft are reviewed. The first is the dispersal of aircraft exhaust emissions in the vicinity of airports; the second is the dispersal of exhaust trails in the upper atmosphere. Techniques available for modeling this dispersal and how they might be applied to the airport problem are discussed. Field studies of airport pollution are then reviewed to assess current pollutant levels around airports and the aircraft's contribution to those levels. The possibility of contrail formation from jet emissions at high altitude is then considered and the effect of uncertainties in the trial mixing processes evaluated.

Fay, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Ecological effects and environmental fate of solid rocket exhaust

Specific target processes were classified as to the chemical, chemical-physical, and biological reactions and toxic effects of solid rocket emissions within selected ecosystems at Kennedy Space Center. Exposure of Citris seedlings, English peas, and bush beans to SRM exhaust under laboratory conditions demonstrated reduced growth rates, but at very high concentrations. Field studies of natural plant populations in three diverse ecosystems failed to reveal any structural damage at the concentration levels tested. Background information on elemental composition of selected woody plants from two terrestrial ecosystems is reported. LD sub 50 for a native mouse (peromysous gossypinus) exposed to SRM exhaust was determined to be 50 ppm/g body weight. Results strongly indicate that other components of the SRM exhaust act synergically to enhance the toxic effects of HCl gas when inhaled. A brief summary is given regarding the work on SRM exhaust and its possible impact on hatchability of incubating bird eggs.

Nimmo, B.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Skeletal status and soft tissue composition in astronauts. Tissue and fluid changes by radionuclide absorptiometry in vivo

A device has been constructed and tested which provides immediate readout of bone mineral content and bone width from absorptiometric scans with low energy radionuclides. The basis of this analog system is a logarithmic converter-integrator coupled with a precision linear ratemeter. The system provided accurate and reliable results on standards and ashed bone sections. Clinical measurements were made on about 100 patients with the direct readout system, and these were highly correlated with the results from digital scan data on the same patients. The direct readout system has been used successfully in field studies and surveys as well as for clinical observations.

Cameron, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A demonstration of ERTS-1 analog and digital techniques applied to strip mining in Maryland and West Virginia

The largest contour strip mining operations in western Maryland and West Virginia are located within the Georges Creek and the Upper Potomac Basins. These two coal basins lie within the Georges Creek (Wellersburg) syncline. The disturbed strip mine areas were delineated with the surrounding geological and vegetation features using ERTS-1 data in both analog (imagery) and digital form. The two digital systems used were: (1) the ERTS-Analysis system, a point-by-point digital analysis of spectral signatures based on known spectral values, and (2) the LARS Automatic Data Processing System. The digital techniques being developed will later be incorporated into a data base for land use planning. These two systems aided in efforts to determine the extent and state of strip mining in this region. Aircraft data, ground verification information, and geological field studies also aided in the application of ERTS-1 imagery to perform an integrated analysis that assessed the adverse effects of strip mining. The results indicated that ERTS can both monitor and map the extent of strip mining to determine immediately the acreage affected and indicate where future reclamation and revegetation may be necessary.

Anderson, A. T.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Quality and use of ERTS radiometric information in geologic applications

Some techniques are described for making full use of the data contained in an ERTS MSS image. Only about one-fourth of the data in a single band can be displayed at one time on a black and white image; therefore, when all four bands are considered, only about 7% of the available data can be used by the interpreter. Selecting the proper subset of information for the photointerpreter is therefore a necessity. Ratio methods exclude the brightness information from the display. A field study in one area using a portable spectrometer has shown only fair correlation with ERTS radiometry after one normalization procedure. Plots of brightness of test areas with sun angle show discrepancies. Plots of ratios show discrepancies of lesser magnitude, although the error limits are large.

Goetz, A. F. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Applications of ERTS imagery to mappings sediments of the Twin Cities Metropolitan area

ERTS images were compared to surficial geologic maps, prepared through traditional field studies. Lithologic boundaries, bedrock outcrops, bedrock structures, and geomorphologic features were examined. An area southeast of the Twin Cities, located chiefly in northern Dakota County was studied, as well as the New Brighton 15-minute quadrangle located in portions of Ramsey and Anoka Counties. Visual comparison of geologic maps and ERTS imagery demonstrated the limitations of this approach to geological investigations. Bedrock outcrops and bedrock structure in the metropolitan area do not appear on ERTS imagery. However, certain glacial sediments can be identified and are potentially mappable. Certain geomorphological features were also discernable.

Poppe, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Sources and characteristics of interior noise in general aviation aircraft

A field study was conducted to examine the interior noise characteristics of a general aviation aircraft. The goals were to identify the major noise sources and their relative contribution and to establish the noise transmission paths and their relative importance. Tests were performed on an aircraft operating under stationary conditions on the ground. Results show that the interior noise level of light aircraft is dominated by broadband, low frequencies (below 1,000 Hz). Both the propeller and the engine are dominant sources, however, the contribution from the propeller is significantly more than the engine at its fundamental blade passage frequency. The data suggest that the airborne path is more dominant than the structure-borne path in the transmission of broadband, low frequency noise which apparently results from the exhaust.

Catherines, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

ERTS-1 data applied to strip mining

Two coal basins within the western region of the Potomac River Basin contain the largest strip-mining operations in western Maryland and West Virginia. The disturbed strip-mine areas were delineated along with the surrounding geological and vegetation features by using ERTS-1 data in both analog and digital form. The two digital systems employed were (1) the ERTS analysis system, a point-by-point digital analysis of spectral signatures based on known spectral values and (2) the LARS automatic data processing system. These two systems aided in efforts to determine the extent and state of strip mining in this region. Aircraft data, ground-verification information, and geological field studies also aided in the application of ERTS-1 imagery to perform an integrated analysis that assessed the adverse effects of strip mining. The results indicated that ERTS can both monitor and map the extent of strip mining to determine immediately the acreage affected and to indicate where future reclamation and revegetation may be necessary.

Anderson, A. T.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Sources and characteristics of interior noise in general aviation aircraft

A field study has been conducted to examine the interior noise characteristics of a general aviation aircraft. The purposes of the study were to identify the major noise sources and their relative contribution and to establish the noise transmission paths and their relative importance. Tests were performed on an aircraft operating under stationary conditions on the ground. The results show that the interior noise level of light aircraft is dominated by broadband, low frequencies (below 1,000 Hz). Both the propeller and the engine are dominant sources; however, the contribution from the propeller is significantly more than the engine at its fundamental blade passage frequency. The data suggests that the airborne path is more dominant than the structure-borne path in the transmission of broadband, low-frequency noise which apparently results from the exhaust.

Catherines, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

On scaling techniques

An introductory review of the principles of scaling with emphasis on ride quality work is presented. It will be divided into six parts as follows: (1) definition of scaling, (2) scope and goals of scaling, (3) scaling techniques (with emphasis on rating scale, magnitude estimation procedures and cross-modality matching), (4) laboratory vs. field studies, (5) multivariate analysis; and (6) selected references.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1977

Dust storms on Mars: Considerations and simulations

Aeolian processes are important in modifying the surface of Mars at present, and appear to have been significant in the geological past. Aeolian activity includes local and global dust storms, the formation of erosional features such as yardangs and depositional features such as sand dunes, and the erosion of rock and soil. As a means of understanding aeolian processes on Mars, an investigation is in progress that includes laboratory simulations, field studies of earth analogs, and interpretation of spacecraft data. This report describes the Martian Surface Wind Tunnel, an experimental facility established at NASA-Ames Research Center, and presents some results of the general investigation. Experiments dealing with wind speeds and other conditions required for the initiation of particle movement on Mars are described and considerations are given to the resulting effectiveness of aeolian erosion.

Greeley, R.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Evaluation of a hydrogen chloride detector for environmental monitoring

The paper describes a hydrogen chloride detector designed to monitor concentrations of hydrogen chloride gas in the ambient environment. The detector was developed for NASA for use in launch vehicle effluent monitoring. The detector operates on chemiluminescence principles with a lower detection limit of less than 5 x 10 to the -3rd ppm (by volume). The hydrogen chloride in the air sample reacts with a bromide-bromate coating in the inlet tube of the instrument producing bromine. Bromine is then quantitated by chemiluminescent oxidation of luminol. The visible light generated in the chemiluminescent reaction is proportional to the hydrogen chloride concentration of the sampled airstream. The detector is most suited to laboratory or field studies where hydrogen chloride is the dominant pollutant, as compared to the interfering species. Interferences include strong acids, acid-forming gases, and halogen gases. Of the interferences investigated the most serious in these groups are hydrochloric and sulfuric acid, sulfur dioxide, and chlorine, respectively. The detector has been in use since 1974 and has been found to be highly portable, rugged, and stable under extreme environmental conditions.

Gregory, G. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

NASA ground-based and space-based laser ranging systems

The development of NASA laser ranging systems is discussed with reference to applications such as orbit determination, gravity-field studies, and analyses of polar motion, earth tides, and tectonic plate motion. Several laser ranging designs are described noting the first satellite laser ranging experiment, the Moblas II and III systems, and the laser ranging satellites presently in orbit. Primary error sources are identified as atmospheric delay, optical signal-to-noise ratios, the electron multiplier, time-interval measurements, and target noise. Plans for Shuttle-based laser ranging systems are reviewed noting simulation studies of 12-day Shuttle missions.

Fitzmaurice, M. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

West Clearwater, Quebec impact structure. I - Field geology, structure and bulk chemistry. II - Petrology

A field study at the 30-km-diameter West Clearwater impact crater was carried out during the summer of 1977 to identify the nature of the flow of impact melt and less shocked debris during the excavation stage of the cratering process. The present paper investigates: (1) comparisons with other impact craters and lunar samples; (2) generation and emplacement mechanisms of impact melts and associated clastic debris; and (3) the geometry of the transient cavity and the pristine morphology of the crater.

Simonds, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Hot-water aquifer storage: A field test

The basic water injection cycle used in a large-scale field study of heat storage in a confined aquifer near Mobile, Alabama is described. Water was pumped from an upper semi-confined aquifer, passed through a boiler where it was heated to a temperature of about 55 C, and injected into a medium sand confined aquifer. The injection well has a 6-inch (15-cm) partially-penetrating steel screen. The top of the storage formation is about 40 meters below the surface and the formation thickness is about 21 meters. In the first cycle, after a storage period of 51 days, the injection well was pumped until the temperature of the recovered water dropped to 33 c. At that point 55,300 cubic meters of water had been withdrawn and 66 percent of the injected energy had been recovered. The recovery period for the second cycle continued until the water temperature was 27.5 C and 100,100 cubic meters of water was recovered. At the end of the cycle about 90 percent of the energy injected during the cycle had been recovered.

Parr, A. D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Variation of aircraft noise annoyance

Laboratory and field studies were conducted to determine the basis for increased sensitivity of people to noise during aircraft noise studies. This change in sensitivity could be attributed to either a physiological time-of-day effect (i.e., a circadian rhythm) or simply to the total number of aircraft noise events experienced during a laboratory test period. In order to investigate the time-of-day factor, noise sensitivity measures were obtained from subjects at home with cassette tape recorders/headsets over a 24 hour period. The effect of number of aircraft noise events on noise sensitivity was investigated within a laboratory. In these tests, measures of sensitivity to noise were obtained from subjects before and after their exposure to varying numbers of aircraft noise events. The 24 hour data showed no evidence that noise sensitivity is physiologically cyclical. Consequently, these data can not explain annoyance response variation to aircraft noise tests conducted during the daytime. However, the number of aircraft noise events did influence the subject's noise sensitivity. This effect completely accounts for the systematic increase in noise sensitivity during a laboratory test period.

Dempsey, T. K.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The use of total simulator training in transitioning air-carrier pilots: A field evaluation

A field study was conducted in which the performance of air carrier transitioning pilots who had landing training in a landing maneuver approved simulator was compared with the performance of pilots who had landing training in the aircraft. Forty-eight trainees transitioning to the B-727 aircraft and eighty-seven trainees transitioning to the DC-10 were included in the study. The study results in terms of both objectively measured performance indicants and observer and check-pilot ratings did not demonstrate a clear distinction between the two training groups. The results suggest that, for these highly skilled transitioning pilots, a separate training module in the aircraft may be of dubious value.

Randle, R. J., Jr.↗