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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 397 records · Page 22

Galactic mass loss - A mild evolutionary correction to the angular size test

Galactic mass loss due to gas production by an evolving stellar population and removal due to supernovae or some other energy source can alter the size of a galaxy over a long time through the adiabatic invariants of the orbits. Numerical and analytic results show that if the mass profile changes homologously, the scale size of the galaxy does also. Under conventional assumptions about galaxy age and initial mass function, this bloating is smaller than the differences between open and flat cosmologies at z = 0.5. If, however, some elliptical galaxies maintain star formation until recent epochs and then lose a (correspondingly) larger fraction of their mass, the effect may be important. It may also be important in decreasing the size of cD galaxies as a result of gas accretion.

Richstone, D. O.↗

Stability and control of the Gossamer human powered aircraft by analysis and flight test

The slow flight speed, very light wing loading, and neutral stability of the Gossamer Condor and the Gossamer Albatross emphasized apparent-mass aerodynamic effects and unusual modes of motion response. These are analyzed, approximated, and discussed, and the resulting transfer functions and dynamic properties are summarized and compared. To verify these analytical models, flight tests were conducted with and electrically powered Gossamer Albatross II. Sensors were installed and their outputs were telemetered to records on the ground. Frequency sweeps of the various controls were made and the data were reduced to frequency domain measures. Results are given for the response of: pitch rate, airspeed and normal acceleration from canard-elevator deflection; roll rate and yaw rate from canard-rudder tilt; and roll rate and yaw rate from wing warp. The reliable data are compared with the analytical predictions.

Jex, H. R.↗

Some dynamical design considerations for momentum biased spacecraft

This paper discusses some of the dynamical aspects that affect the attitude behavior of a spacecraft placed in a near earth polar orbit. The parameters such as atmospheric density variation, super-rotation of upper atmosphere, pitch equilibrium angle, and trim boom length selection to reduce pitch axis drift are considered. These parameters are studied with reference to two momentum biased satellities (Magsat and Dynamics Explorer-2) and the analyses are correlated with observed flight data. It is found that the design model of certain parameters has to be improved by including other phenomena so that flight data and the analytical model predictions have good correlations. The effects of mass imbalance on the orbital and nutational modes of the spacecraft attitude are discussed.

Sellappan, R. G.↗

SSME interstage seal research

Test results comprising direct and transverse force coefficients and leakage coefficients are reported for six seal configurations. All seals tested use the same smooth rotor and have the same constant minimum clearance. The following stator configurations were tested: (1) Smooth, (2) knurled pattern, (3) axially-grooved pattern with end seals, (4) diamond-grid roughened, (5) diamond-grid roughened with end seals, and (6) round-hole pattern. Comparison of the seals shows the Knurled-pattern stator to be the stiffest and the round-hole pattern stator to yield the largest net damping and the least leakage. The theory of reference is shown to substantially underestimate the stiffness and effective-added-mass coefficients, but do a reasonable job in predicting the net-damping-force coefficient.

Childs, D. W.↗

Continuing Research at Solar Steam, Incorporated

The design and manufacture of two solar dish systems are discussed. A 30 foot diameter glass dish was designed, tested, and abandoned due to poor cost effectiveness during mass production. A 40 foot diameter glass dish that uses a single post wind abatement support carriage is under development.

Wood, D.↗

Cosmic ray environment model for Earth orbit

A set of computer codes, which include the effects of the Earth's magnetic field, used to predict the cosmic ray environment (atomic numbers 1 through 28) for a spacecraft in a near-Earth orbit is described. A simple transport analysis is used to approximate the environment at the center of a spherical shield of arbitrary thickness. The final output is in a form (a Heinrich Curve) which has immediate applications for single event upset rate predictions. The codes will culate the time average environment for an arbitrary number (fractional or whole) of circular orbits. The computer codes were run for some selected orbits and the results, which can be useful for quick estimates of single event upset rates, are given. The codes were listed in the language HPL, which is appropriate or a Hewlett Packard 9825B desk top computer. Extensive documentation of the codes is available from COSMIC, except where explanations have been deferred to references where extensive documentation can be found. Some qualitative aspects of the effects of mass and magnetic shielding are also discussed.

Edmonds, L.↗

Tidal disruption of dissipative planetesimals

A self-consistent numerical model is developed for the tidal disruption of a solid planetesimal. The planetesimal is treated as a highly viscous, slightly compressible fluid whose disturbed parts are an inviscid, pressureless fluid undergoing distortion and disruption. The distortions were constrained to being symmetrical above and below the equatorial plane. The tidal potential is expanded in terms of Legendre polynomials, which eliminates the center of mass acceleration effects, permitting definition of equations of motion in a noninertial frame. Consideration is given to viscous dissipation and to characteristics of the solid-atmosphere boundary. The model is applied to sample cases in one, two and three dimensions.

Mizuno, H.↗

A magnetohydrodynamic model of the interaction of the solar wind with the Jovian magnetosphere and a magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the interaction of the solar wind with the out flowing plasma from a comet

A three-dimensional code for a rapidly rotating magnetosphere in which the MHD equations and the Maxwell equations were solved by using the two step Lax Endroff scheme, was developed. Preliminary results were presented at the Fall AGU meeting in San Francisco. The basic simulation model to study the solar wind interactions was adapted to other bodies in addition to Jupiter. Because of the recent comet flybys, a comet was chosen as the first model. The aim was to model the formation of the contact surface and the plasma tail. Later, work was begun on a three-dimensional model which would include the effects of mass loading. This model was designed to study the weak cometary bow shocks observed by the probes to comets Halley and Giacobini-Zinner. The model was successful in reproducing the position and shape of the bow shock which was determined by using observations from the Suisei spacecraft.

Walker, R. J.↗

Origin of large magnetic fluctuations in the magnetosheath of Venus

The origin of large-amplitude hydromagnetic waves in the Venus magnetosheath downstream of the quasi-parallel bow shock is investigated by means of numerical simulations. It is shown that the most likely source of these waves is the bow shock itself, rather than an instability involving the solar wind and oxygen ions of planetary origin. Pickup of O(+) ions by these waves is also examined and shown to be in agreement with previous test particle calculations. The effect of mass loading on the structure of the shock is also discussed.

Winske, D.↗

Low pressure gas flow analysis through an effusive inlet using mass spectrometry

A mass spectrometric method for analyzing flow past and through an effusive inlet designed for use on the tethered satellite and other entering vehicles is discussed. Source stream concentrations of species in a gaseous mixture are determined using a calibration of measured mass spectral intensities versus source stream pressure for standard gas mixtures and pure gases. Concentrations are shown to be accurate within experimental error. Theoretical explanations for observed mass discrimination effects as they relate to the various flow situations in the effusive inlet and the experimental apparatus are discussed.

Brown, David R.↗

Isotopic fractionation in ozone decomposition

The oxygen isotopic fractionation, which occurs during ozone decomposition, has been determined, complementing earlier studies on the fractionation during ozone formation. Oxygen produced in the decomposition is depleted in heavy isotopes in a mass-independent fashion. The mechanism for the mass-independent effect is unknown, though the fractionation magnitude information is required for modeling the steady-state isotopic composition of stratospheric ozone.

Bhattacharya, S. K.↗

Minimum weight design of rotorcraft blades with multiple frequency and stress constraints

A method is developed for the minimum weight design of helicopter rotor blades having multiple coupled flap-lag natural frequency constraints, in addition to a constraint on the minimum blade autorotation value that will ensure sufficient rotary inertia for autorotation in the event of engine failure. Design variables encompass blade taper ratio, box beam dimensions, and the magnitudes of the nonstructural weights. Optimum designs have been obtained for both rectangular and tapered blades; attention is given to the optimum blade weight effect and the blade mass and stiffness distribution effects of adding constraints on higher frequencies and stresses.

Chattopadhyay, Aditi↗

O stars and Wolf-Rayet stars

Basic information is given about O and Wolf-Rayet stars indicating how these stars are defined and what their chief observable properties are. Part 2 of the volume discussed four related themes pertaining to the hottest and most luminous stars. Presented are: an observational overview of the spectroscopic classification and extrinsic properties of O and Wolf-Rayet stars; the intrinsic parameters of luminosity, effective temperature, mass, and composition of the stars, and a discussion of their viability; stellar wind properties; and the related issues concerning the efforts of stellar radiation and wind on the immediate interstellar environment are presented.

Conti, Peter S.↗

EUVE/XTE orbit decay study

The Explorer Platform (EP) program currently comprises two missions, the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) and the X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE), each of which consists of a scientific payload mounted to the EP. The EP has no orbit maintenance capability. The EP with the EUVE payload will be launched first. At the end of the EUVE mission, the spacecraft will be serviced by the Space Transportation System (STS), and the EUVE instrument will be exchanged for the XTE. The XTE mission will continue until reentry or reservicing by the STS. Because the missions will be using the EP sequentially, the orbit requirements are unusually constrained by orbit decay rates. The initial altitude must be selected so that, by the end of the EUVE mission (2.5 years), the spacecraft will have decayed to an altitude within the STS capabilities. In addition, the payload exchange must occur at an altitude that ensures meeting the minimum XTE mission lifetime (3 years) because no STS reboost will be available. Studies were performed using the Goddard Mission Analysis System to estimate the effects of mass, cross-sectional area, and solar flux on the fulfillment of mission requirements. In addition to results from these studies, conclusions are presented as to the accuracy of the Marshall Space Flight Center solar flux predictions.

Richon, K.↗

Isotope mass fractionation during evaporation of Mg2SiO4

Synthetic forsterite (Mg2SiO4) was partially evaporated in vacuum for various durations and at different temperatures. The residual charges obtained when molten Mg2SiO4 was evaporated to 12 percent of its initial mass were enriched in heavy isotopes by about 20, 30, and 15 per mil/amu for O, Mg, and Si, respectively, whereas solid forsterite evaporated to a similar residual mass fraction showed negligible fractionations. These results imply that calcium and aluminum-rich refractory inclusions in carbonaceous chondrites must have been at least partially molten in the primordial solar nebula if the observed large mass fractionation effects were caused by evaporation processes in the nebula.

Davis, Andrew M.↗

The Io sulfur torus in 1981

Io torus spectrometry obtained in the S II and S III forbidden lines during February-March 1981 indicate that these emissions are correlated in the warm torus, and possess similar scale heights along the magnetic field lines. The observed emission scale heights can be used to estimate the ion temperature parallel to the magnetic field, given the effective ion mass. Attention is also given to simultaneous measurements of the S II forbidden 6731 line profile obtained on one night with a Fabry-Perot scanning spectrophotometer.

Oliversen, Ronald J.↗