Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Location Of Events”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 433 records · Page 24

Cultivating a Grassroots Aerospace Innovation Culture at NASA Ames Research Center

This paper details the adaptation of specific 'knowledge production' methods to implement a first of its kind, grassroots event that provokes a cultural change in how the NASA Ames civil servant community engages in the creation and selection of innovative ideas. Historically, selection of innovative proposals at NASA Ames Research Center is done at the highest levels of management, isolating the views and perspectives of the larger civil servant community. Additionally, NASA innovation programs are typically open to technical organizations and do not engage non-technical organizations to bring forward innovative processes/business practices. Finally, collaboration on innovative ideas and associated solutions tend to be isolated to organizational silos. In this environment, not all Ames employees feel empowered to innovate and opportunities for employee collaboration are limited. In order to address these issues, the 'innovation contest' method was adapted to create the NASA Ames Innovation Fair, a unique, grassroots innovation opportunity for the civil servant community. The Innovation Fair consisted of a physical event with a virtual component. The physical event provided innovators the opportunity to collaborate and pitch their innovations to the NASA Ames community. The civil servant community then voted for the projects that they viewed as innovative and would contribute to NASA's core mission, making this event a truly grassroots effort. The Innovation Fair website provided a location for additional knowledge sharing, discussion, and voting. On March 3rd, 2016, the 'First Annual NASA Ames Innovation Fair' was held with 49 innovators and more than 300 participants collaborating and/or voting for the best innovations. Based on the voting results, seven projects were awarded seed funding for projects ranging from innovative cost models to innovations in aerospace technology. Surveys of both innovators and Fair participants show the Innovation Fair was successful in fostering cross-organizational collaborations, soliciting participation of non-technical innovations, and increasing employee engagement in influencing the future of NASA Ames Research Center. The grassroots component of the Innovation Fair has been bench marked by the agency as a solid foundation for increasing employee engagement in the development of game changing aerospace technology and processes in support of NASA's mission.

Innovation↗

State of the Climate in 2020: Global Oceans

This chapter details 2020 global patterns in select observed oceanic physical, chemical, and biological variables relative to long-term climatologies, their differences between 2020 and 2019, and puts 2020 observations in the context of the historical record. In this overview we address a few of the highlights, first in haiku, then paragraph form: La Niña arrives, shifts winds, rain, heat, salt, carbon: Pacific—beyond. Compiled by NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, "State of the Climate in 2020" is based on contributions from scientists from around the world. It provides a detailed update on global climate indicators, notable weather events, and other data collected by environmental monitoring stations and instruments located on land, water, ice, and in space. The full report is available from: https://doi.org/10.1175/2021BAMSStateoftheClimate.1.

Gregory C Johnson↗

The Solar Wind Defines Space Weather Safety Zones

During the ARTEMIS era, humans again will venture beyond the protection of the Earth’s atmosphere and magnetosphere into the solar wind. It is now well established that the solar wind is responsible for carving out a cavity in cosmic ray flux in the inner heliosphere. The resulting reduction in blood-forming organ dose rate basically enables human exploration. Lesser known or acknowledged is the important role the solar wind plays in shaping the directivity and extents of solar energetic particle events. This influence leads to an effective offset of the source location of the Sun that has the most potential to harm explorers through radiation exposure from major solar eruptions. This presentation will discuss how the solar wind influence renders current measures ineffective but instead demands new and immediate strategies to protect human explorers over the first decades of ARTEMIS exploration missions.

exploration↗

Multiple-Event, Single-Photon Counting Imaging Sensor

The single-photon counting imaging sensor is typically an array of silicon Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes that are monolithically integrated with CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) readout, signal processing, and addressing circuits located in each pixel and the peripheral area of the chip. The major problem is its single-event method for photon count number registration. A single-event single-photon counting imaging array only allows registration of up to one photon count in each of its pixels during a frame time, i.e., the interval between two successive pixel reset operations. Since the frame time can t be too short, this will lead to very low dynamic range and make the sensor merely useful for very low flux environments. The second problem of the prior technique is a limited fill factor resulting from consumption of chip area by the monolithically integrated CMOS readout in pixels. The resulting low photon collection efficiency will substantially ruin any benefit gained from the very sensitive single-photon counting detection. The single-photon counting imaging sensor developed in this work has a novel multiple-event architecture, which allows each of its pixels to register as more than one million (or more) photon-counting events during a frame time. Because of a consequently boosted dynamic range, the imaging array of the invention is capable of performing single-photon counting under ultra-low light through high-flux environments. On the other hand, since the multiple-event architecture is implemented in a hybrid structure, back-illumination and close-to-unity fill factor can be realized, and maximized quantum efficiency can also be achieved in the detector array.

Zheng, Xinyu↗

Iridium abundance measurements across bio-event horizons in the geological record

Geochemical studies have been performed on thousands of rock samples collected across bio-event horizons in the fossil record using INAA for about 40 common and trace elements and radiochemical isolation procedures for Os, Ir, Pt, and Au on selected samples. These studies were begun soon after the Alvarez team announced their discovery of the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) Ir anomaly in marine rock sequences in Europe. With their encouragement the Authors searched for the anomaly in nearby continental (freshwater coal swamp) deposits. In collaboration with scientists from the U.S.G.S. in Denver, the anomaly was located and it was observed that a floral crisis occurred at the same stratigraphic position as the Ir spike. Further work in the Raton Basin has turned up numerous well-preserved K-T boundary sections. Although the Authors have continued to study the K-T boundary and provide geochemical measurements for other groups trying to precisely locate it, the primary effort was turned to examining the other bio-events in the Phanerozoic, especially to those that are older than the terminal Cretaceous. A list of horizons that were examined in collaboration with paleontologists and geologists is given. Results are also given and discussed.

Orth, C. J.↗

Quadrant anode image sensor

A position-sensitive event-counting electronic readout system for microchannel plates (MCPs) is described that offers the advantages of high spatial resolution and fast time resolution. The technique relies upon a four-quadrant electron-collecting anode located behind the output face of the microchannel plate, so that the electron cloud from each detected event is partly intercepted by each of the four quadrants. The relative amounts of charge collected by each quadrant depend on event position, permitting each event to be localized with two ratio circuits. A prototype quadrant anode system for ion, electron, and extreme ultraviolet imaging is described. The spatial resolution achieved, about 10 microns, allows individual MCP channels to be distinguished.

Lampton, M.↗

Concorde noise-induced building vibrations: International Airport Dulles

A series of studies were conducted to assess the noise-induced building vibrations associated with Concorde operations. The vibration levels of windows, walls, and floors were measured along with the associated noise levels of Concorde, subsonic aircraft and some nonaircraft events. Test sites included Sully Plantation which is adjacent to Dulles International Airport and three residential homes located in Montgomery County, Maryland. The measured vibration response levels due to Concorde operations were found to be: (1) higher than the levels due to other aircraft, (2) less than the levels due to certain household events which involve direct impulsive loading such as door and window closing, (3) less than criteria levels for building damage, and (4) comparable to levels which are perceptible to people.

Mayes, W. H.↗

Solar particle events observed at Mars: dosimetry measurements and model calculations

During the period from March 13, 2002 to mid-September, 2002, six solar particle events (SPE) were observed by the MARIE instrument onboard the Odyssey Spacecraft in Martian Orbit. These events were observed also by the GOES 8 satellite in Earth orbit, and thus represent the first time that the same SPE have been observed at these separate locations. The characteristics of these SPE are examined, given that the active regions of the solar disc from which the event originated can usually be identified. The dose rates at Martian orbit are calculated, both for the galactic and solar components of the ionizing particle radiation environment. The dose rates due to galactic cosmic rays (GCR) agree well with the HZETRN model calculations. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of COSPAR.

Non-NASA Center↗

Impact Damage Tolerance of Composite Laminates with Through-The-Thickness Stitches

The ability of through-the-thickness stitches to contain damage during a low-velocity impact event and increase the residual strength of stitched panels was investigated in this research. The impact response, spread of interlaminar delaminations, dent depth, surface damage, and static residual strength after impact were studied for carbon-epoxy specimens fabricated from HTS40 TohoTenax standard modulus fibers, stitched together with Vectran 1200 denier thread and infused with API 1078 resin after through-the-thickness stitching. Three different stitch patterns were used to explore the ability to arrest impact damage during and after impact. Simply supported boundary conditions were maintained during the impact testing. Non-destructive evaluations were performed using ultrasonic C-scans and X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging to determine the shape, size, and location of delaminations. Results indicate that while the dynamic response during the impact event was almost the same for the unstitched specimens and all stitch patterns considered, the extent of delamination and the compression strength after impact varied greatly. For both the 60 J and 80 J impact energies, the delamination area was significantly less for the stitched specimens than for the unstitched specimens, but the range of delamination areas among the stitch patterns was much larger for the lower impact energy than for the greater impact energy. Similarly, while the presence of stitching influenced the compression after impact strength, the strength values for all stitch patterns were very similar. These results are a step toward quantifying the influence of through-the-thickness stitching.

Ranatunga, Vipul↗

Gamma-ray burst source locations

Instrumentation for observing cosmic gamma-ray bursts has been provided for widely separated spacecraft, including the Pioneer Venus Orbiter, ISEE-3, Helios-B, Venera 10 and 11, and Prognoz 7. Simultaneous observations have been made of several gamma bursts with various combinations of these spacecraft and near-earth satellites. Locations of the gamma-burst sources have been calculated for those events where precise timing and ephemeris data are available. The results of optical and HEAO-B observations of the resultant error boxes will be discussed.

Evans, W. D.↗

Observation of two gamma-ray bursts by Vela X-ray detectors

Bursts of X-rays coincident in time with two gamma-ray burst events were observed by the 3-12 keV collimated X-ray detectors on the Vela spacecraft. Both of these observations show recurrence on a time scale of hundreds of seconds. For one of these events (GB 720514) the X-ray detection gives an improved position as well as information on the spectrum late in the outburst. The other event (GB 740723) is of special interest because the source, not previously located, is consistent in direction with the binary pulsar SMC X-1 in the Small Magellanic Cloud; this is the first moderately small error box for a gamma-ray burst to contain a strong X-ray source.

Terrell, J.↗

A multi-sensor system for robotics proximity operations

Robots without sensors can perform only simple repetitive tasks and cannot cope with unplanned events. A multi-sensor system is needed for a robot to locate a target, move into its neighborhood and perform operations in contact with the object. Systems that can be used for such tasks are described.

Cheatham, J. B.↗

G189A modelling of Space Station Freedom's ECLSS

This paper contains a review of the requirements and design of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) for Space Station Freedom; a review of the G189A ECLSS computer program model developed at Boeing for the complete configuration of pressurized elements or volumes; and some significant computed results from this model showing transient performance for subsystems responsible for Temperature and Humidity Control,. Atmosphere Control and Supply, Air Revitalization, and Water Recovery and Management. The computed results presented here are important in assessing the capabilities of the ECLSS equipment in maintaining acceptable levels of temperature, humidity, 02, N2 and (2% in the occupied volumes during crew changeout events. These events involve up to four extra crew members from the Orbiter being located temporarily in the Space Station modules in addition to the normal contingent of four crew members. These additional crew members impose additional demands on the ECLSS equipment, in order to control the levels of the aforementioned quantities. Satisfactory control of all of these quantities was achieved. The maximum computed pp C02 was in the acceptable degraded performance regime. This level is higher than the 3.00 mm Hg upper limit for normal conditions

Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (EC↗

Operating in the space plasma environment: A spacecraft charging study of the Solar X-ray Imager

This study presents the results of a spacecraft charging effects protection study conducted on the Solar X-ray Imager (SXI). The SXI is being developed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center for NOAA's Space Environment Laboratory, and will be used to aid in forecasting energetic particle events and geomagnetic storms. Images will provide information on the intensity and location of solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and high speed solar streams. The SXI will be flown on a next-generation GOES sometime in the mid to late 1990's. Charging due to the encounter with a worst-case magnetic substorm environment is modeled using the NASCAP/GEO computer code. Charging levels of exterior surfaces and the floating potential of the spacecraft relative to plasma are determined as a function of spacecraft design, operational configuration, and orbital conditions. Areas where large surface voltage gradients exist on or near the SXI are identified as possible arc-discharge sites. Results of the charging analysis are then used to develop design recommendations that will limit the effects of spacecraft charging on the SXI operation.

Herr, Joel L.↗

Response of Global Lightning Activity Observed by the TRMM/LIS During Warm and Cold ENSO Phases

This paper investigates the response of global lightning activity to the transition from the warm (January February March-JFM 1998) to the cold (JFM 1999) ENSO phase. The nine-year global lightning climatology for these months from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) provides the observational baseline. Flash rate density is computed on a 5.0x5.0 degree lat/lon grid within the LIS coverage area (between approx.37.5 N and S) for each three month period. The flash rate density anomalies from this climatology are examined for these months in 1998 and 1999. The observed lightning anomalies spatially match the documented general circulation features that accompany the warm and cold ENSO events. During the warm ENSO phase the dominant positive lightning anomalies are located mostly over the Western Hemisphere and more specifically over Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and Northern Mid-Atlantic. We further investigate specifically the Northern Mid-Atlantic related anomaly features since these show strong relation to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Furthermore these observed anomaly patterns show strong spatial agreement with anomalous upper level (200 mb) cold core cyclonic circulations. Positive sea surface temperature anomalies during the warm ENSO phase also affect the lightning activity, but this is mostly observed near coastal environments. Over the open tropical oceans, there is climatologically less lightning and the anomalies are less pronounced. Warm ENSO related anomalies over the Eastern Hemisphere are most prominent over the South China coast. The transition to the cold ENSO phase illustrates the detected lightning anomalies to be more pronounced over East and West Pacific. A comparison of total global lightning between warm and cold ENSO phase reveals no significant difference, although prominent regional anomalies are located over mostly oceanic environments. All three tropical "chimneys" (Maritime Continent, Central Africa, and Amazon Basin) do not show any particular response to this transition.

Chronis, Themis G.↗

Can the Plasmaspheric Plume Significantly Contribute to Magnetosheath Densities?

Intervals of strong magnetospheric convection electric fields can result in the removal of large portions of the outer plasmasphere and its transport to the vicinity of the magnetopause. Of growing interest is the disposition of that plasma and its possible influence on the processes operating in the regions contributed to by this dense thermal plasma of ionospheric origin. Plasmaspheric plasma may recirculate within the outer magnetosphere through the flanks to become part of the plasmasheet, be entrained on reconnected magnetic field lines drawn anti-sunward over the polar cap, or be lost into the magnetosheath flow and into the solar wind. Of interest here is whether it is reasonable to anticipate that the plume material is sufficient to contribute substantially to magnetosheath densities at the magnetopause where it could influence reconnection between the interplanetary and terrestrial magnetic fields. We present the results of model simulations of plasmaspheric plume and magnetosheath plasmas in the context of several storm-time event periods. Plume and magnetosheath densities are compared as a function of location and storm phase. The short answer is, "yes", but not always and not at all locations. The full answer will be presented.

Gallagher, Dennis↗

The Lunar Geophysical Network Mission

Overarching Principles: Must be better than Apollo (coverage, duration, instrument performance); Learn from the Apollo experience. Lunar Geophysical Network (LGN) New Frontiers (NF)-class mission, as part of the NF-5 call. “This mission consists of several identical landers distributed across the lunar surface, each carrying geophysical instrumentation. The primary science objectives are to characterize the Moon’s internal structure, seismic activity, global heat flow budget, bulk composition, & magnetic field.” Global distribution of multiple stations. Each station should contain a seismometer, heat flow probe, electromagnetic sounder, laser retroreflector (lunar nearside). Each station must be long-lived (e.g., approximately10 years)to allow other stations (from other countries?) to be integrated with the anchor nodes to form the International Lunar Network. Why LGN? Planetary Science: Moon represents an end-member in planetary evolution (large small body, small rocky planet); Primary planetary differentiation preserved; Key to understanding terrestrial planet initial differentiation. Lunar Science: Heat flow probes yield crustal heat budget estimates; Combined with EMS (ElectroMagnetic Sounding), the temperature profile of the deep interior can be modeled along with mineralogy; Seismic and LLR (Lunar Laser Ranging) data also yield structure and compositional information of the lunar interior; High fidelity data from LGN would enhance the usefulness of the GRAIL (Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory) and SELENE (Selenological and Engineering Explorer) gravity data. Human Exploration: LGN must be established prior to renewed human lunar activity - we do not know the exact locations or causes of the shallow moonquakes (SMQs) - the largest magnitude seismic events recorded by Apollo (1 event per year of magnitude greater than or equal to 5); Establishing surface infrastructure near SMQ epicenters must be avoided.

Neal, C. R.↗

In-flight observations of multiple-bit upset in DRAMs

In-flight data is examined showing a very high incidence of multiple-bit errors in a solid-state recorder that incorporates error detection and correction. The high MBU rate is shown to be a consequence of the physical selection of memory cell locations in the recorder architecture.

single↗