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At least 433 records · Page 24

Kullback-Leibler information function and the sequential selection of experiments to discriminate among several linear models

The error variance of the process prior multivariate normal distributions of the parameters of the models are assumed to be specified, prior probabilities of the models being correct. A rule for termination of sampling is proposed. Upon termination, the model with the largest posterior probability is chosen as correct. If sampling is not terminated, posterior probabilities of the models and posterior distributions of the parameters are computed. An experiment was chosen to maximize the expected Kullback-Leibler information function. Monte Carlo simulation experiments were performed to investigate large and small sample behavior of the sequential adaptive procedure.

Sidik, S. M.↗

Development of an infrared analyzer following the

A radar calibration subsystem for measuring the radar backscattering characteristics of an imaged terrain is described. To achieve the required accuracy for the backscattering coefficient measurement (about 2 dB with 80 percent confidence), the space hardware design includes a means of monitoring the state parameters of the radar. For example, the transmitter output power is sampled and a replica of its output waveform is circulated through the receiver. These are recorded digitally and are used on the ground to determine such radar parameters as the transmitter power and the receiver gain. This part of the data is needed by the ground processor to measure the terrain backscattering characteristics.

Advanced Projects Lab↗

Geometric Sensitivity of Residual Fields in Metal Additive Manufacturing

The sensitivity of geometrical parameters on the residual stress and distortion as computed by a metal additive manufacturing simulation is presented. A nozzle-like geometry was chosen with its length, wall thickness, and outer radius varied. A Latin hypercube sampling of 300 specimens produced the combinations of the geometrical parameters. Full thermomechanical simulations predicted the residual fields. Statistical analysis including regression curves shows that there is a strong correlation between these residual fields and the geometry, hinting that it may be possible to predictably influence the residual displacements and residual stresses by varying the overall geometry.

Multiscale Modeling↗

Small Body GN and C Research Report: G-SAMPLE - An In-Flight Dynamical Method for Identifying Sample Mass [External Release Version]

G-SAMPLE is an in-flight dynamical method for use by sample collection missions to identify the presence and quantity of collected sample material. The G-SAMPLE method implements a maximum-likelihood estimator to identify the collected sample mass, based on onboard force sensor measurements, thruster firings, and a dynamics model of the spacecraft. With G-SAMPLE, sample mass identification becomes a computation rather than an extra hardware requirement; the added cost of cameras or other sensors for sample mass detection is avoided. Realistic simulation examples are provided for a spacecraft configuration with a sample collection device mounted on the end of an extended boom. In one representative example, a 1000 gram sample mass is estimated to within 110 grams (95% confidence) under realistic assumptions of thruster profile error, spacecraft parameter uncertainty, and sensor noise. For convenience to future mission design, an overall sample-mass estimation error budget is developed to approximate the effect of model uncertainty, sensor noise, data rate, and thrust profile error on the expected estimate of collected sample mass.

in-flight sample-mass identification↗

Lattice parameter variations during aging in nickel-base superalloys

The importance of the state of coherency on measurements of gamma/gamma-prime lattice mismatch has been experimentally demonstrated during aging at 1000 C of specimens of an alloy with composition Ni-(8.6)Cr-(5.3)Al-(10.1)Co-(11.7)W-(1.2)Ti-(0.7)Mo (wt pct). Lattice parameter measurements are given as a function of aging time, and the corresponding sample microstructures are presented. The results show that changes of the two phases during aging did not influence the lattice parameter measurements, indicating that aging specimens to produce a semicoherent gamma/gamma-prime structure provides a good approximation of the true, unconstrained lattice mismatch.

Nathal, M. V.↗

Moisture diffusion parameter characteristics for epoxy composites and neat resins

The moisture absorption characteristics of two graphite/epoxy composites and their corresponding cured neat resins were studied in high humidity and water immersion environments at elevated temperatures. Moisture absorption parameters, such as equilibrium moisture content and diffusion coefficient derived from data taken on samples exposed to high humidity and water soak environments, were compared. Composite swelling in a water immersion environment was measured. Tensile strengths of cured neat resin were measured as a function of their equilibrium moisture content after exposure to different moisture environments. The effects of intermittent moderate tensile loads on the moisture absorption parameters of composite and cured neat resin samples were determined.

Long, E. R., Jr.↗

Subjective assessment of simulated helicopter blade-slap noise

The effects of several characteristics of helicopter blade slap upon human annoyance are examined. Blade slap noise was simulated by using continuous and impulsive noises characterized by five parameters: The number of sine waves in a single impulse; the frequency of the sine waves; the impulse repetition frequency; the sound pressure level (SPL) of the continuous noise; and the idealized crest factor of the impulses. Ten second samples of noise were synthesized with each of the five parameters at representative levels. The annoyance of each noise was judged by 40 human subjects. Analysis of the subjective data indicated that each of the five parameters had a statistically significant effect upon the annoyance judgments. The impulse crest factor and SPL of the continuous noise had very strong positive relationships with annoyance. The other parameters had smaller, but still significant, effects upon the annoyance judgments.

Lawton, B. W.↗

A method for the measurement and analysis of ride vibrations of transportation systems

The measurement and recording of ride vibrations which affect passenger comfort in transportation systems and the subsequent data-reduction methods necessary for interpreting the data present exceptional instrumentation requirements and necessitate the use of computers for specialized analysis techniques. A method is presented for both measuring and analyzing ride vibrations of the type encountered in ground and air transportation systems. A portable system for measuring and recording low-frequency, low-amplitude accelerations and specialized data-reduction procedures are described. Sample vibration measurements in the form of statistical parameters representative of typical transportation systems are also presented to demonstrate the utility of the techniques.

Catherines, J. J.↗

Testing relativistic gravity theories using radio tracking data from planetary orbiting spacecraft.

We present a thorough analysis of a computational method for determining the numerical values of the relativity and other related dynamical parameters using two-way Doppler and ranging data from planetary orbiting spacecraft. The computational method consists of two parts. From Doppler data we first determine the earth-planet components of the position of the orbiting spacecraft relative to the center of gravity of the planet to high accuracy; adding the observed spacecraft range yields a range value to the center of the planet. These constructed earth-planet range data, referred to as normal points, are then treated as raw data in a regression analysis combined with planetary radar delay and meridian circle measurements to solve for the significant solar system dynamical parameters. The major errors sources in the planetary orbiter process are enumerated and their individual effects on the overall accuracy of the normal point accuracies are presented. The accuracies of the parameter estimates as a function of time, data sampling, and a priori assumptions are illustrated.

Jordan, J. F.↗

Survey of lunar carbon compounds. II - The carbon chemistry of Apollo 11, 12, 14, and 15 samples.

The methane and carbide concentrations of a number of Apollo 11, 12, 14, and 15 samples of fines and breccias have been examined by the deuterated acid dissolution method. Location studies indicate that these carbon compounds are concentrated in the outer surfaces of the fines particles of 48-152 micron diameter; for larger particles a volume-related component may contribute. In individual samples the methane and carbide concentrations correlate with parameters indicative of lunar surface exposure. The data provide further evidence that solar wind implantation is the major source of the methane in the fines and that the carbide originates from both solar wind implantation and meteorite impacts.

Cadogan, P. H.↗

A self-documenting source-independent data format for computer processing of tensor time series

The UCLA Space Science Group has developed a fixed format intermediate data set called a block data set, which is designed to hold multiple segments of multicomponent sampled data series. The format is sufficiently general so that tensor functions of one or more independent variables can be stored in the form of virtual data. This makes it possible for the unit data records of the block data set to be arrays of a single dependent variable rather than discrete samples. The format is self-documenting with parameter, label and header records completely characterizing the contents of the file. The block data set has been applied to the filing of satellite data (of ATS-6 among others).

Mcpherron, R. L.↗

A satellite digital controller or 'play that PID tune again, Sam'

The problem discussed is to design a digital controller for a typical satellite. The controlled plant is considered to be a rigid body acting in a plane. The controller is assumed to be a digital computer which, when combined with the proposed control algorithm, can be represented as a sampled-data system. The objective is to present a design strategy and technique for selecting numerical values for the control gains (assuming position, integral, and derivative feedback) and the sample rate. The technique is based on the parameter plane method and requires that the system be amenable to z-transform analysis.

Seltzer, S. M.↗

Experimental simulation of space plasma interactions with high voltage solar arrays

Operating high voltage solar arrays in the space environment can result in anomalously large currents being collected through small insulation defects. Tests of simulated defects have been conducted in a 45-cm vacuum chamber with plasma densities of 100,000 to 1,000,000/cu cm. Plasmas were generated using an argon hollow cathode. The solar array elements were simulated by placing a thin sheet of polyimide (Kapton) insulation with a small hole in it over a conductor. Parameters tested were: hole size, adhesive, surface roughening, sample temperature, insulator thickness, insulator area. These results are discussed along with some preliminary empirical correlations.

Stillwell, R. P.↗

Secular variations in composition of the solar wind - Evidence and causes

Variations in the composition of the regolith due to irradiation by the solar wind are examined by categorizing the exposure history recorded in each sample. The history can be defined by two parameters: the duration of solar wind exposure (maturity) and a measure of how long the exposure took place (antiquity). Three partially successful methods for determining antiquity are described: the regolith contains small amounts of unsupported, trapped radiogenic noble gases, the most common being Ar-40. Assuming relatively prompt outgassing of the lunar interior, the amount of Ar-40 implanted per unit time should be proportional to the lunar content of K-40, and thus should have decayed exponentially over the lifetime of the moon. Normalization to constant exposure duration is achieved by taking the ratio Ar-40/Ar-36 in trapped gas, Ar-36 being an efficiently trapped solar wind species. The second method involves the interaction between galactic cosmic rays and lunar material producing certain spallogenic nuclides which may be analyzed in terms of a cosmic ray exposure age. The third method deals with the fact that there is a general tendency for depth within a core to be related to time deposition; two variants of this method are presented.

Kerridge, J. F.↗

Airborne Doppler lidar techniques for observing severe thunderstorms

On 30 June 1981 the wind fields around an Oklahoma severe thunderstorm were observed in detail using an airborne Doppler lidar operated by NASA. Desipte uncertainties caused by inertial navigation errors and problems in sampling some of the aircraft attitude and motion parameters, reasonably clear picures of the distributions of relative reflectivity, horizontal wind velocity, and velocity spectral width near the cloud base have been obtained. Aspects of the design and functioning of the NASA lidar relevant to the collection and analysis of the data are described.

Mccaul, E. W., Jr.↗