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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 433 records · Page 24
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2017

Understanding the Sun-Earth Libration Point Orbit Formation Flying Challenges For WFIRST and Starshade

In order to fly an occulter in formation with a telescope at the Sun-Earth L2 (SEL2) Libration Point, one must have a detailed understanding of the dy-namics that govern the restricted three body system. For initial purposes, a linear approximation is satisfactory, but operations will require a high-fidelity modeling tool along with strategic targeting methods in order to be successful. This paper focuses on the challenging dynamics of the transfer trajectories to achieve the relative positioning of two spacecraft to fly in formation at SEL2, in our case, the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) and a proposed Starshade. By modeling the formation transfers using a high fidelity tool, an accurate V approximation can be made to as-sist with the development of the subsystem design required for a WFIRST and Starshade formation flight mission.

Sun-Earth-Moon↗
NASA NTRS2022

Direct-imaging Discovery and Dynamical Mass of a Substellar Companion Orbiting an Accelerating Hyades Sun-like Star with SCExAO/CHARIS

We present the direct-imaging discovery of a substellar companion in orbit around a Sun-like star member of the Hyades open cluster. So far, no other substellar companions have been unambiguously confirmed via direct imaging around main-sequence stars in Hyades. The star HIP 21152 is an accelerating star as identified by the astrometry from the Gaia and Hipparcos satellites. We detected the companion, HIP 21152 B, in multiple epochs using the high-contrast imaging from SCExAO/CHARIS and Keck/NIRC2. We also obtained the stellar radialvelocity data from the Okayama 188 cm telescope. The CHARIS spectroscopy reveals that HIP 21152 B’s spectrum is consistent with the L/T transition, best fit by an early T dwarf. Our orbit modeling determines the semimajor axis and the dynamical mass of HIP 21152 B to be 17 +7.2 −3.8 and 27.8 +8.4 −5.4 M Jub , respectively. The mass ratio of HIP 21152 B relative to its host is ≈2%, near the planet/brown dwarf boundary suggested by recent surveys. Mass estimates inferred from luminosity-evolution models are slightly higher (33–42 MJup). With a dynamical mass and a well-constrained age due to the system’s Hyades membership, HIP 21152 B will become a critical benchmark in understanding the formation, evolution, and atmosphere of a substellar object as a function of mass and age. Our discovery is yet another key proof of concept for using precision astrometry to select direct-imaging targets.

Masayuki Kuzuhara↗
NASA NTRS1998

Submillimeter Imaging of Dust Around Main Sequence Stars

This grant was to image circumstellar dust disks surrounding main-sequence stars. The delivery of the SCUBA detector we had planned to use for this work was delayed repeatedly, leading us to undertake a majority of the observations with the UKT14 submillimeter detector at the JCMT (James Clerk Maxwell Telescope) and optical imagers and a coronagraph at the University of Hawaii 2.2-m telescope. Major findings under this grant include: (1) We discovered 5 asymmetries in the beta Pictoris regenerated dust disk. The discovery of these asymmetries was a surprise, since smearing due to Keplerian shear should eliminate most such features on timescales of a few thousand years. One exception is the "wing tilt" asymmetry, which we interpret as due to the scattering phase function of dust disk particles. From the wing tilt and a model of the phase function, we find a disk plane inclination to the line of sight of < 5 degrees. Other asymmetries (e.g. the butterfly asymmetry) suggest a disk that has been recently disturbed. We searched for possible nearby perturbers but found no clear candidates. Low mass stars (M dwarfs) and brown dwarfs would have fallen beneath the sensitivity threshhold of our survey, however. (2) We calculated a set of disk models to assess the detectability of dust disks around stars as a function of (a) distance, (b) disk, inclination (c) dust optical depth/mass, and (d) imaging resolution. These models guided our observational strategy on Mauna Kea. (3) We performed a coronagraphic survey of approx. 100 main-sequence stars in search of additional examples of circumstellar disks. The best new candidate disk, around the 5 M(sun) star BD+31deg.643, is distinguished by its large extent (few x 10( exp 3) AU). This disk, if real, cannot be rotationally supported. We suggest that the dust particles are ejected from a smaller, unseen disk (Kuiper Belt?) by strong radiation pressure forces due to the high luminosity central star. (4) SCUBA images of circumstellar dust disks were obtained at 850 gm in 1997/8. These images show extended, asymmetric emission, but have a signal-to-noise ratio too low to permit disk mapping to large projected distances. Our images of beta Pic, in particular, are in agreement with those obtained by Holland et al., and appear to confirm the blob-structure reported first by these authors. We have not yet been able to confirm that the structure is intrinsic to the disk, since beta Pic is at -50 degree declination, and suitable observing opportunities from northern latitudes are comparatively rare (even at the +20 degree latitude of JCMT). It is possible, for instance, that the main 850 micro-m blob is merely a galaxy or other high-z source projected onto the beta Pic mid-plane.

Jewitt, David↗
NASA NTRS2019

NASA's Orbital Debris Optical Program: MCAT Operational on Ascension

The Orbital Debris Program Office at NASA Johnson Space Center has a long history of an optical observational program. The Meter Class Autonomous Telescope, MCAT, was dedicated to Eugene Stansbery (now also known as ES-MCAT) in 2017. MCAT, a 1.3m DFM telescope, has a proven capability for tracking known objects from Low-Earth Orbits (LEO) out to Geosynchronous (GEO) orbits. Monitoring the population of the GEO belt is accomplished through surveys. A GEO survey statistically samples the GEO belt (0 to ~15 deg orbital inclinations) to detect both correlated and uncorrelated targets. A GEO survey, the initial focus for MCAT, will commence in 2019 to map out the current state of the GEO population as input for the ORbital Debris Engineering Model (ORDEM 4.x). If a break-up occurs, surveys of the break-up field can be followed for discovery and investigations of daughter debris fragments from the parent satellite. Discovery can be accomplished by surveying orbits near to and including the parent object’s orbit. Targeted observations of debris can be taken with a suite of broadband filters for characterizing individual objects by rate-tracking their known or calculated orbital elements (Two-Line Element sets, TLEs). These observations can be used in conjunction with NASA’s Standard Satellite Break-up Model (SSBM). In 2018, MCAT’s primary mirror was realuminized with a high-end protected, enhanced silver ZeCoat and the CCD chip was replaced in the Spectral Instruments camera. With these updates completed, MCAT is now well on track to reach Full Operational Capability (FOC) in 2019 for its survey and rate-track capabilities. A full overview of MCAT’s operational state, capabilities, and mission will be discussed.

Orbital Debris Program↗
NASA NTRS1975

Additional experiments with a four-bladed cyclic pitch stirring model rotor, part 2 of second yearly report

The four bladed pitch stirring rotor model was used in a rotor dynamic wake survey at zero advance ratio, covering 2 deg, 5 deg and 8 deg collective pitch settings. Dynamic wake data were taken in planes .12 and .20 radii below the rotor disk and are to be compared with analytical wake data with parameters to be identified from pitch stirring transients. The model was modified to perform such transients. The instrumentation developed for this purpose is described together with the method of data acquisition and with the test procedures. The hardware and software for several data handling systems are discussed. These systems extract from pitch stirring transients the parameters of analytical dynamic rotor wake models.

Hohenemser, K. H.↗
NASA NTRS2024

Surface Gravimetry Using Rover Navigation Systems

This prototype seeks to demonstrate the utility of repurposing a Micro-ElectroMechancical (MEMS) Inertial measurement Unit (IMU) to perform surface gravimetry on a rover. Gravimetry is a common analytical tool used for probing density distributions in the subsurface of a planetary body. Historically, extraterrestrial gravimetry has been confined to orbital platforms. While orbital surveys allow for the construction of global gravity models, the spatial resolution of the data is constrained by the platform’s orbital altitude and high inherent speed. Data collected at or near the surface would increase spatial resolution and allow finer-scale crustal structure to be resolved. To date, there have been only two extraterrestrial surface gravity surveys: the Apollo 17 Traverse Gravimeter Experiment and a survey using the MEMS accelerometers contained within the Curiosity rover’s IMUs. The Curiosity survey highlighted the potential of using MEMS technology to perform planetary gravimetry, albeit with lower sensitivities than traditional surface gravimeters. MEMS accelerometers are included on every rover platform as part of the IMU navigation systems. MEMS accelerometers have low mass, cost, and power requirements while being robust across a range of environments, whereas traditional gravimeters are fragile, costly, and relatively massive (≥8kg versus ≈50g for MEMS IMUs). Thus, the emergence of MEMS gravimeters provides a low-risk and cost-effective method for performing planetary surface gravimetry [3,4]. Here, we present a method to recalibrate the MEMS accelerometers in rover IMUs to collect gravimetric measurements. Such measurements could assist current and future rover missions and support wider efforts to mature MEMS gravimeters.

C S Lawson↗
NASA NTRS1972

Low thrust orbit determination program

Logical flow and guidelines are provided for the construction of a low thrust orbit determination computer program. The program, tentatively called FRACAS (filter response analysis for continuously accelerating spacecraft), is capable of generating a reference low thrust trajectory, performing a linear covariance analysis of guidance and navigation processes, and analyzing trajectory nonlinearities in Monte Carlo fashion. The choice of trajectory, guidance and navigation models has been made after extensive literature surveys and investigation of previous software. A key part of program design relied upon experience gained in developing and using Martin Marietta Aerospace programs: TOPSEP (Targeting/Optimization for Solar Electric Propulsion), GODSEP (Guidance and Orbit Determination for SEP) and SIMSEP (Simulation of SEP).

Hong, P. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Solar-pumped gas laser development

A survey of gas properties through detailed kinetic models led to the identification of critical gas parameters for use in choosing appropriate gas combinations for solar pumped lasers. Broadband photoabsorption in the visible or near UV range is required to excite large volumes of gas and to insure good solar absorption efficiency. The photoexcitation density is independent of the absorption bandwidth. The state excited must be a metastable state which is not quenched by the parent gas. The emission bandwidth must be less than 10 A to insure lasing threshold over reasonable gain lengths. The system should show a high degree of chemical reversibility and an insensitivity to increasing temperature. Other properties such as good quantum efficiency and kinetic efficiency are also implied. Although photoexcitation of electronic vibrational transitions is considered as a possible system if the emission bands sufficiently narrow, it appears that photodissociation into atomic metastables is more likely to result in a successful solar pumped laser system.

Wilson, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Energy Facility Siting by Means of Environmental Modelling with LANDSAT, Thematic Mapper and Geographic Information System (GIS) Data

Currently based on ground and aerial surveys, the land cover data base of the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company is routinely used for modelling the effects of alternative generating plant and transmission line sites on the local and regional environment. The development of a satellite-based geographic information system would facilitate both the preparation of environmental impact statements by power companies and assessment of the data by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. A cooperative project is planned to demonstrate the methodology for integrating satellite data into an existing geographic information system, d to further evaluate the ability of satellite data in modeling environmental conditions that would be applied in the preparation and assessment of environmental impact statements.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1986

IRAS observations of the zodiacal background

IRAS sky survey measurements are used to constrain a model for the interplanetary dust emission. Efforts to date, although hampered somewhat by calibration uncertainties, indicate that the cloud is inclined to the ecliptic by approximately 1.7 deg, with its line of ascending nodes at 70 deg ecliptic longitude. The data is well fit by a dust density distribution presently described in cloud symmetry plane coordinates, where the dust has a gray emissivity and an equilibrium temperature at 1 AU of 280 K.

Good, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Second-overtone models of RR Lyrae stars

Linear models of RR Lyrae stars pulsating in the second overtone indicate that this mode is self-excited only for rather low luminosities if the masses are normal. An unstable second-overtone model has been selected from the linear survey and has been followed up to limiting amplitude by using a nonlinear hydrodynamical computer program. Deep splitting of the main light peak in the theoretical light curve occurs but does not resemble any observed feature. Moreover, the distribution of periods of RR Lyrae stars in globular clusters can be accounted for adequately by fundamental-mode and first-overtone pulsation. It is concluded that second-overtone pulsators probably do not exist among RR Lyrae stars.

Stothers, Richard B.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Origin of the solar system

The current status of the classical model of solar-system formation is surveyed, reviewing the results of recent observational and theoretical investigations. Topics addressed include interstellar clouds, the collapse of interstellar gas, the primitive solar nebula, the formation of the sun, planetesimal accumulation, planetary accumulation, major planetary collisions, the development of planetary atmospheres, and comets. The relative merits of conflicting theories on many key problems are indicated, with reference to more detailed reviews in the literature.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Planetary spacecraft cost modeling utilizing labor estimating relationships

A basic computerized technology is presented for estimating labor hours and cost of unmanned planetary and lunar programs. The user friendly methodology designated Labor Estimating Relationship/Cost Estimating Relationship (LERCER) organizes the forecasting process according to vehicle subsystem levels. The level of input variables required by the model in predicting cost is consistent with pre-Phase A type mission analysis. Twenty one program categories were used in the modeling. To develop the model, numerous LER and CER studies were surveyed and modified when required. The result of the research along with components of the LERCER program are reported.

Williams, Raymond↗
NASA NTRS1993

Are groups of galaxies virialized systems?

Groups are systems of galaxies with crossing times t(cr) much smaller than the Hubble time. Most of them have t(cr) less than 0.1/H0. The usual interpretation is that they are in virial equilibrium. We compare the data of the group catalog selected from the CfA redshift survey extension with different N-body models. We show that the distributions of kinematic and dynamical quantities of the groups in the CfA catalog can be reproduced by a single collapsing group observed along different line of sights. This result shows that (1) projection effects dominate the statistics of these systems, and (2) observed groups of galaxies are probably still in the collapse phase.

Diaferio, Antonaldo↗
NASA NTRS1994

Automatic cataloguing and characterization of Earth science data using SE-trees

In the future, NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) platforms will produce enormous amounts of remote sensing image data that will be stored in the EOS Data Information System. For the past several years, the Intelligent Data Management group at Goddard's Information Science and Technology Office has been researching techniques for automatically cataloguing and characterizing image data (ADCC) from EOS into a distributed database. At the core of the approach, scientists will be able to retrieve data based upon the contents of the imagery. The ability to automatically classify imagery is key to the success of contents-based search. We report results from experiments applying a novel machine learning framework, based on Set-Enumeration (SE) trees, to the ADCC domain. We experiment with two images: one taken from the Blackhills region in South Dakota; and the other from the Washington DC area. In a classical machine learning experimentation approach, an image's pixels are randomly partitioned into training (i.e. including ground truth or survey data) and testing sets. The prediction model is built using the pixels in the training set, and its performance is estimated using the testing set. With the first Blackhills image, we perform various experiments achieving an accuracy level of 83.2 percent, compared to 72.7 percent using a Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) and 65.3 percent using a Gaussain Maximum Likelihood Classifier (GMLC). However, with the Washington DC image, we were only able to achieve 71.4 percent, compared with 67.7 percent reported for the BPNN model and 62.3 percent for the GMLC.

Rymon, Ron↗
NASA NTRS2004

Overview of the Aerothermodynamics Analysis Conducted in Support of the STS-107 Accident Investigation

A graphic presentation of the aerothermodynamics analysis conducted in support of the STS-107 accident investigation. Investigation efforts were conducted as part of an integrated AATS team (Aero, Aerothermal, Thermal, Stress) directed by OVEWG. Graphics presented are: STS-107 Entry trajectory and timeline (1st off-nominal event to Post-LOS); Indications from OI telemetry data; Aero/aerothermo/thermal analysis process; Selected STS-107 side fuselage/OMS pod off-nominal temperatures; Leading edge structural subsystem; Relevant forensics evidence; External aerothermal environments; STS-107 Pre-entry EOM3 heating profile; Surface heating and temperatures; Orbiter wing leading edge damage survey; Internal aerothermal environments; Orbiter wing CAD model; Aerodynamic flight reconstruction; Chronology of aerodynamic/aerothermoydynamic contributions; Acreage TPS tile damage; Larger OML perturbations; Missing RCC panel(s); Localized damage to RCC panel/missing T-seal; RCC breach with flow ingestion; and Aero-aerothermal closure. NAIT served as the interface between the CAIB and NASA investigation teams; and CAIB requests for study were addressed.

Campbell, Charles H.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Applications and Results of MODIS Lunar Observations

Both Terra and Aqua MODIS have been making periodic lunar observations since their launch in December 1999 and May 2002, respectively. The primary objective of the MODIS lunar observations is to monitor on-orbit response changes for the reflective solar bands (RSB) and to track long-term radiometric calibration stability. The Moon is an extremely stable surface reflectance reference and, together with the lunar radiometric model developed recently by the US Geological Survey (USGS), the applications of lunar observations for Earth remote sensing missions have been greatly enhanced and expanded. In particular, calibration inter-comparisons among sensors on different platforms and operated in different time frames have been enabled in the VIS/NIR/SWIR spectral regions. In this paper, we discuss various applications of MODIS lunar observations, such as monitoring the RSB radiometric stability and calibration consistency between the two sensors, evaluating the calibration differences among detectors within the same spectral band, and tracking the on-orbit changes of band-to-band registration (BBR). Other applications designed for the thermal emissive bands (TEB) and special sensor characterization purposes are also illustrated. Results from multi-year Terra and Aqua MODIS lunar observations demonstrate clearly that the two sensors have been calibrated consistently to within 1% for most RSB compared to the 2% radiometric calibration requirement. In addition the spatial characterization results derived from lunar observations are in good agreement with those derived from the instrument's on-board calibrator. The applications and results of MODIS lunar observations presented in this paper provide useful references for other sensors that also make use of lunar surface observations.

Xiong, X.↗
NASA NTRS2021

Three-dimensional estimation of deciduous forest canopy structure and leaf area using multi-directional, leaf-on and leaf-off airborne lidar data

Airborne laser scanning (ALS) has been widely used to map gap probability and leaf area index (LAI) distribution at plot and landscape scales. As an indirect measurement, most ALS methods to estimate LAI combine waveform or point density information with supporting field measurements such as the leaf angle distribution, gap probability, or direct LAI measures. The development of a more independent estimation approach would facilitate more widespread use of existing ALS data to investigate patterns of forest structure and build realistic 3-D vegetation scenes to simulate remote sensing imagery and energy balance. Here, we develop a data processing workflow (named PVlad) using ALS point cloud apparent reflectance to estimate LAI and voxel-based leaf area density (LAD), aiming to reduce the need for associated field measurements such as the gap probability. The adaptation of the path volume (PV) concept derived from apparent reflectance integrates information from multi-directional ALS pulses, and quantifies the percentage exploration of each voxel for classification and occlusion correction, such that rigorous volumetric sampling approaches can be developed to derive LAI and LAD. The PVlad workflow was applied to discrete-return lidar data (Riegl VQ480i) acquired by NASA Goddard's LiDAR, Hyperspectral and Thermal Imager (G-LiHT) Airborne Imager during leaf-on (summer) and leaf-off (spring) conditions at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC). The estimates of LAI and LAD captured structural differences between mature, logged, and intermediate-aged stands over eight deciduous forest plots. The derived LAI values were compared to field litter collection measurements, and the derived LAD vertical distribution was compared to the output of the VoxLAD model using terrestrial laser scan (TLS) field survey data. Using voxel sizes ranging from 0.5 m to 5 m, overall LAI estimation showed linear fitting coefficient bias and for 1 and 2 m voxel sizes, and vertical LAD distribution showed strong correlation with and for 0.5 and 1m voxel sizes. For every forest stand, upper-canopy LAD had a low variance for voxel sizes of ≤ . Application of PVlad to the G-LiHT and other similar ALS data archives enables the development of fine-resolution LAI map products, including voxelization of LAD for ecosystem science and radiative transfer simulations of remote sensing imagery or surface energy balance.

Tiangang Yin↗