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At least 37 records · Page 2

Effect of an isotropic nonequilibrium plasma on electron temperature measurements.

The electron temperatures that would be determined (using the conventional single-temperature analysis) by the electrostatic probe, the diffuse resonance, and the radar backscatter techniques in an isotropic two-temperature plasma are presented. Plasma models corresponding to the addition of a minor component of energetic electrons and models corresponding to a process that cools a fraction of the ionospheric electrons are considered. The diffuse resonance temperature is found to lie between the probe and radar backscatter temperatures. The isotropic models corresponding to the addition of energetic electrons cannot support the reported discrepancies between radio wave and probe electron temperature measurements. Temperature differences similar to the observed differences can be produced by models with a fraction of the electrons at a temperature cooler than that of the main component of electrons. These models, however, are difficult to explain in terms of present understanding of the ionospheric plasma.

Benson, R. F.↗

On the excess attenuation of sound in the atmosphere

The attenuation suffered by an acoustic plane wave propagating from an elevated source to the ground, in excess of absorption losses, was studied. Reported discrepancies between attenuation measurements made in the field and theories which only account for absorption losses are discussed. It was concluded that the scattering of sound by turbulence results in a nonnegligible contribution to the total attenuation.

Deloach, R.↗

The interstellar medium in the line of sight to X Persei and 3U 0352+30

The X-ray absorption column of 3U 0352+30 obtained with the Copernicus X-ray telescopes is compared with the atomic and molecular hydrogen column densities in the line of sight to X Per, as measured with the Copernicus ultraviolet telescopes, and with the visible reddening of X Per, by means of reddening/X-ray absorption-column relationships. The results are consistent with both the star and X-ray source being equidistant. When comparing X-ray absorbing column densities with those derived by other means, it is necessary to include the effects of molecular hydrogen in the line of sight to X Per and, in particular, the related number of medium-weight elements. It is suggested that failure to do this in previous work may account for reported discrepancies between the X-ray and radio column densities to the Crab Nebula and other sources. The far-ultraviolet extinction curve of X Per is presented.

Mason, K. O.↗

Viking mission support

Statistics listing the Deep Space Network tracking and command support and the discrepancy report status for 1 January through 28 February 1977 are presented in tables. The initial Viking extended mission period of normal DSN support, following the nonstandard operations during the solar conjunction period is included. Operational testing subsequent to the MK III data system installations at DSS 12, 44, and 62 during this period are also discussed.

Johnston, D. W. H.↗

Planetary isophotes as a clue to aerosol characteristics. II - Observations of Venus from spacecraft

Contrary to published reports, the limb-darkening observed by Mariner 10 is consistent with the sulfuric-acid aerosol scattering that explains the polarization and spectroscopic features of Venus. A combination of both geometric and photometric systematic errors explains the previously reported discrepancy. Although the aerosol model cannot be distinguished from isotropic scattering at the Mariner 10 phase angle, Venera 9 data at larger phases clearly favor the aerosol model. There is no evidence for isotropic scattering in the clouds of Venus.

Young, A. T.↗

Assessment of 20 kW S-band transmitter

The performance history of the 20-kW S-band transmitter, installed at three 64-meter antennas and six 26-meter antennas in the DSN, is reviewed. A number of failures and discrepancy reports are characteristic of the wearout phase of a failure curve. The type of failures are reviewed and four options toward reducing the number and cost of failures are reviewed. These are: existing (no change), refurbish, redesign and replacement. The options are compared on a ten year life cycle cost basis using FY77 expenditures for existing equipment as a base. It was concluded that benefits, in terms of reduction of outrage time, increase with an increase of expenditure toward improvement.

Dickinson, R.↗

The use of ground magnetograms to time the onset of magnetospheric substorms

A critical review of magnetospheric substorm timing techniques is presented. Attention is given to substorm timing with auroral zone magnetograms, substorm onset timing with midlatitude magnetograms, multiple onset substorms, and a phenomenological model for multiple onset substorms. Emphasis is placed on some pitfalls that have led some investigators to err in substorm onset determinations. In particular, multiple onset substorms appear to account for many of the reported discrepancies in substorm timing. It is suggested that present idealized models of substorm morphology must be modified to include the multiple onset substorms.

Mcpherron, R. L.↗

On krypton isotopic abundances in the sun and in the solar wind

The Kr isotopic systematics in the meteorite Pesyanoe which is known to contain solar-type gases, are reported. Discrepancies in the isotopic data of fractions released at stepwise increasing temperatures cannot be reconciled with spallation Kr components, although spallation effects are significant. Fractionation mechanisms on the parent body and in the solar wind source region are considered and the implications for solar abundances discussed.

Marti, K.↗

Evaluation of a surface panel method coupled with several boundary layer analyses

Three boundary layer models are interacted with an inviscid panel method to evaluate their capabilities to predict aerodynamic performance characteristics. These boundary layer models include two two-dimensional boundary layer models and one three-dimensional boundary layer model. Previously reported discrepancies between the transpiration and surface displacement inviscid boundary layer simulations are discussed and resolved. Results from each of the models are compared with experimental data.

Kjelgaard, S. O.↗

Software control and system configuration management: A systems-wide approach

A comprehensive software control and system configuration management process for flight-crucial digital control systems of advanced aircraft has been developed and refined to insure efficient flight system development and safe flight operations. Because of the highly complex interactions among the hardware, software, and system elements of state-of-the-art digital flight control system designs, a systems-wide approach to configuration control and management has been used. Specific procedures are implemented to govern discrepancy reporting and reconciliation, software and hardware change control, systems verification and validation testing, and formal documentation requirements. An active and knowledgeable configuration control board reviews and approves all flight system configuration modifications and revalidation tests. This flexible process has proved effective during the development and flight testing of several research aircraft and remotely piloted research vehicles with digital flight control systems that ranged from relatively simple to highly complex, integrated mechanizations.

Petersen, K. L.↗

Availability of the DSN Telemetry Data System and Its Major Elements, Including the TWM Assemblies

The DSN discrepancy report system which records all outages of DSN data systems that occur during mission support operations is described. The recorded outages of the telemetry data system for 1981 through 1983 were tabulated and availability characteristics of the telemetry data system and several of its major elements, including the traveling wave maser (TWM) Assemblies were developed. Availability characteristics of the TWM assemblies are compared with those of other DSN subsystems and assemblies. It is found that for a three year period, the availability of the telemetry data system is 99.0%, and its mean time to restore service is 0.9 hours; the availability of the TWM assemblies is 99.83%, and their mean time to restore service is 2.5 hours.

Stevens, R.↗

Software control and system configuration management - A process that works

A comprehensive software control and system configuration management process for flight-crucial digital control systems of advanced aircraft has been developed and refined to insure efficient flight system development and safe flight operations. Because of the highly complex interactions among the hardware, software, and system elements of state-of-the-art digital flight control system designs, a systems-wide approach to configuration control and management has been used. Specific procedures are implemented to govern discrepancy reporting and reconciliation, software and hardware change control, systems verification and validation testing, and formal documentation requirements. An active and knowledgeable configuration control board reviews and approves all flight system configuration modifications and revalidation tests. This flexible process has proved effective during the development and flight testing of several research aircraft and remotely piloted research vehicles with digital flight control systems that ranged from relatively simple to highly complex, integrated mechanizations.

Petersen, K. L.↗

NASA Deep Space Network operating control

The primary function of the Deep Space Network (DSN) is to provide effective and reliable tracking and data acquisition for planetary and interplanetary space flight missions. This involves providing data to flight project mission operations, accepting commands from mission operations and transmitting the commands to stations and spacecraft, and providing a record of telemetry and command data to mission operations. Also included are network performance monitoring, the generation of predictions for antenna pointing and signal acquisition, network scheduling, and network validation tests. Descriptions are given of the three facilities and six systems of the DSN. Also described are interfaces, automation and standardized procedures, and discrepancy reporting. It is pointed out that the greatest challenge facing the DSN is the implementation of NASA's Network Consolidation Program, which is scheduled to be completed in 1986. The objectives of this program are enumerated.

Weisman, W. D.↗

Distinct meteoroid families identified on the lunar seismograms

The meteoroid impact-seismic activity data recorded by the Apollo lunar seismic network is examined. The study investigates the difference in temporal distribution between large and small impacts, clustering of impacts in a two-dimensional space of the time of the year and the time of the month, and the relationship of these observations with terrestrial observations. Several distinct families of meteoroids impacting the moon are identified. Most meteoroids producing small impact-seismic events, including ones associated with cometary showers, appear to approach from retrograde heliocentric orbits. In contrast, most meteoroids associated with large impact-seismic events appear to approach from prograde orbits; the observation is consistent with a hypothesis that many of them represent stony asteroidal material. It is suggested that the previously reported discrepancy between lunar and terrestrial meteoroid-flux estimates may be due to the differences in lunar and terrestrial detection efficiency among various families of meteoroids.

Oberst, Jurgen↗

Flight motor set 360L001 (STS-26R). Volume 5: Nozzle component

A review of the performance and post-flight condition of the STS-26 Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) nozzles is presented. The nozzle assemblies, flown on the Space Shuttle Discovery on 29 September 1988, were tested to demonstrate flex bearing system reusability. The evaluation indicated no condition that would adversely affect the reusability of the flex bearing system. Inspection showed that the flex bearings did not leak, were not damaged by water impact, had the expected erosion profiles, and that the remaining ablative liner thicknesses met the performance margin of safety. Applicable Discrepancy Reports and Process Departures, the Nozzle Component Program Team performance evaluation, and the Redesign Program Review Board assessment are included.

George, Russell J.↗

Flight motor set 360L002 (STS-27R). Volume 5: Nozzle component

A review of the performance and post-flight condition of the STS-27 Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) nozzles is presented. Thermal/Structural instrumentation data is reviewed, and applicable Discrepancy Reports (DRs) and Process Departures (PDs) are presented. The Nozzle Component Program Team (NCPT) performance evaluation and the Redesign Program Review Board (RPRB) assessment is included. The STS-27 nozzle assemblies were flown on the RSRM Second Flight (Space Shuttle Atlantis) on 2 December 1988. The nozzles were a partially submerged convergent and/or divergent movable design with an aft pivot point flexible bearing. The nozzle assemblies incorporated the following features: RSRM forward exit cone with snubber assembly, RSRM fixed housing, Structural backup Outer Boot Ring (OBR), RSRM cowl ring, RSRM nose inlet assembly, RSRM throat assembly, RSRM aft exit cone assembly with Linear-Shaped Charge (LSC), RTV backfill in Joints 1, 3, and 4, Use of EA913 NA adhesive in place of EA913 adhesive, Redesigned nozzle plug, and Carbon Cloth Phenolic (CCP) with 750 ppm sodium content. The CCP material usage for the STS-27 forward nozzle and aft exit cone assemblies is shown.

Meyer, S. A.↗

Flight motor set 36OH005 (STS-28R). Volume 5: (Nozzle component)

A review of the performance and post flight condition of the STS-28 redesigned solid rocket motor (RSRM) nozzles is presented in this document. Applicable discrepancy reports (DR's) and process departures (PD's) are presented in section 5.0. The nozzle component program team (NCPT) performance evaluation and the redesign program review board (RPRB) assessment is included in section 6.0. The STS-28 nozzle assemblies were flown on the RSRM fifth flight (Space Shuttle Columbia). The nozzles were a partially submerged convergent/divergent movable design with an aft pivot point flexible bearing. The nozzle assemblies incorporated the following features: (1) RSRM forward exit cone with snubber assembly; (2) RSRM fixed housing; (3) structural backup outer boot ring (OBR); (4) RSRM cowl ring; (5) RSRM nose inlet assembly; (6) RSRM throat assembly; (7) RSRM forward nose and aft inlet ring; (8) RSRM aft exit cone assembly with linear-shaped charge (LSC); (9) RTV backfill in joints 1, 3, and 4; (10) use of EA913 NA adhesive in place of EA913; (11) redesigned nozzle plug; and (12) carbon cloth phenolic (CCP) with 750 ppm sodium content. The RSRM fifth flight test objectives are as follows: (1) verify that flexible bearing seals operate within the specified temperature range; (2) verify that flexible bearing maintained a positive gas seal between its internal components; (3) inspect flexible bearing for damage due to water impact; (4) verify performance of the nozzle liner; (5) verify that nozzle parts are reusable; (6) verify through flight demonstration and a postflight inspection that the flexible bearing is reusable; (7) verify by inspection the remaining nozzle ablative thicknesses; and (8) verify the nozzle performance margins of safety.

Smith, Dan M., Jr.↗

Non-LTE line-blanketed model atmospheres of hot stars. 2: Hot, metal-rich white dwarfs

We present several model atmospheres for a typical hot metal-rich DA white dwarf, T(sub eff) = 60,000 K, log g = 7.5. We consider pure hydrogen models, as well as models with various abundances of two typical 'trace' elements-carbon and iron. We calculte a number of Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (LTE) and non-LTE models, taking into account the effect of numerous lines of these elements on the atmospheric structure. We demostrate that while the non-LTE effects are notvery significant for pure hydrogen models, except for describing correctly the central emission in H-alpha they are essential for predicting correctly the ionization balance of metals, such as carbon and iron. Previously reported discrepancies in LTE abundances determinations using C III and C IV lines are easily explained by non-LTE effects. We show that if the iron abundance is larger than 10(exp -5), the iron line opacity has to be considered not only for the spectrum synthesis, but also in the model construction itself. For such metal abundances, non-LTE metal line-blanketed models are needed for detailed abundance studies of hot, metal-rich white dwarfs. We also discuss the predicted Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) spectrum and show that it is very sensitive to metal abundances, as well as to non-LTE effects.

Lanz, T.↗