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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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Copper sulfide-cadmium disulfide thin film solar cells degradation under simulated orbital conditions, determining electrochemically induced copper filament growth as electric shorts causes
Ti-Ag and Ti-Pd-Ag solar cell contacts structure and degradation dependence on high temperature and humidity environmental exposure
Solderless Ag-Ti solar cell contacts humidity degradation mechanism
Polyphenylene thermal degradation and curing, discussing pyrolytic effects of chlorine and polynuclear structure
Lunar dust reflectance degradation of thermal control paint on Surveyor 3 TV camera, separating solar radiation effects by analytical model
Dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I /cathepsin C/ properties, subcellular localization and polypeptide degradation in rat liver and bovine spleen and pituitary glands
Polymer thermal degradation theory of pressure sensitive hybrid combustion, calculating linear regression rates
The use of solar electric propulsion to raise a high-power communication satellite from a low altitude, inclined circular orbit of the geosynchronous orbit is evaluated. Since the satellite ascends through the high intensity radiation belts, the power available from the solar array and therefore to the ion thrusters degrades. The performance of the solar electric stage in combination with the thrust augmented Thor/Delta launch vehicle is evaluated for two thrust steering programs. The transfer times and solar array requirements are presented for total geosynchronous payloads from 450 to 1100 kg.
The solubility and/or swelling of cured epoxy resins was studied using the solubility parameter method. Determination of solubility parameters were found in order to select solvents for solvent-assisted degradation of cured epoxy polymers used in spacecraft. A method for improving recovery of seeded spores is suggested for assay of buried contaminants. Three commercial epoxy resins were cured using four different alkyl amines. For each resin-amine combination, three levels of amine were used, corresponding to 1/3, 2/3, and all of the amine required to react with the oxirane groups of the resin. The solubility parameters of the 36 resulting model compounds were determined in poorly and moderately hydrogen-bonded solvents. No strongly hydrogen-bonded solvents caused dissolution or swelling. The tolerance of cured resins is discussed in terms of polymer structure.
Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of microorganisms, substrates, pressures, humidities, and oxygen concentrations upon aluminum corrosion. In addition, the effects of microbes upon coated and treated aluminum were examined and an attempt to correlate aluminum in solution with degradation of the samples was undertaken. The organisms, humidities, oxygen levels, and substrates all played a major role in the corrosion of aluminum. Quantitation of aluminum losses indicated that the total metal losses from inoculated samples were significantly greater than those of the uninoculated samples.
We determine a comprehensive set of electron impact cross sections for carbon monoxide mainly on the basis of recently accumulated data on electron impact spectra, the Born approximation at high energies, and simple rules developed earlier to take into account low-energy effects. The calculation of the complete energy degradation of electrons incident on CO is carried out with these input cross sections, and the efficiencies associated with possible loss channels are presented.
To determine corrosive degradation of valve while it is in service, detect changes in surface roughness or presence of corrosive layers at junction of poppet and seat by measuring temperature gradients created across junction by small heat source.
The effectivess of an improved static retraining method was evaluated for a simulated space vehicle approach and landing under instrument and visual flight conditions. Experienced pilots were trained and then tested after 4 months without flying to compare their performance using the improved method with three methods previously evaluated. Use of the improved static retraining method resulted in no practical or significant skill degradation and was found to be even more effective than methods using a dynamic presentation of visual cues. The results suggested that properly structured open loop methods of flight control task retraining are feasible.
A method of incorporating a detailed solar cell radiation degradation model into a convenient computational scheme suitable for the solar electric propulsion system is outlined. The study shows that several existing codes may be applied in sequence to solve the problem.
The relative merits of coining and not coining of sintered nickel oxide and cadmium plates was investigated. Sample plate materials from most commercial cell suppliers were obtained and characterized for properties that may correlate with the tendency toward physical disintegration during handling and over long periods of time in the cell. Special test methods were developed to obtain comparative data in a short time. A wide range of physical properties and coining thickness was observed, resulting in a range of responses. The stronger materials resisted loss of sinter better than weaker materials whether or not coined. Coining improved handling and resistance to electrochemical cycling of weaker materials. The mechanism of break-down of positive plate edges under cycling appears to be the same as that of thickening and blistering. Brittle, nonadherent sinter, resulting from certain impregnation processes, is the most vulnerable to degradation. It is concluded that the latter type of materials should be coined, but coining of strong materials is optional.
The downlink signal from spacecraft in solar conjunction phases suffers a drastic reduction in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Responsible in large part for this effect is the increase in system noise temperature (SNT) in the ground antenna-receiver system. An empirical model is presented of SNR degradation due to increasing SNT during solar conjunction phases.
Nighttime thermal maps of large, young lunar craters show an evolutionary sequence in the gross morphology of thermal patterns associated with the craters. The nature of the sequence is consistent with crater degradation models which predict a filling of large craters with material from the walls. Detailed comparison of a nighttime thermal map of Copernicus with a geologic map demonstrates that a smooth floor unit characterized as impact melt is more likely wall debris. Nighttime thermal maps will be particularly useful for quantifying crater modification which has occurred in the relatively quiescent post-basin period of lunar history.
To verify the 15-year reliability of the Navy half-watt radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG), bismuth-telluride thermoelectric converters were submitted to testing at high temperatures which accelerated the degradation and caused failure of the converters. Metallographic diagnostic examination of failed units verified failure mechanisms. Results of diagnostic examinations are presented.