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NASA NTRS1992

Multispectral observations of the Jovian aurora

The upper atmospheres of the Earth and the outer planets form a screen on which precipitating charged particles, like the electron beam in a television, trace fleeting, but revealing patterns of visible, ultraviolet, infrared, and x ray emissions that offer valuable clues to processes occurring within the planetary magnetospheres. At Earth, years of in situ measurements, as well as ground based observations, have yielded a picture (still fuzzy) where the interaction of the solar wind with the magnetosphere of the Earth provides a complex path for the storage and release of energy during magnetic substorms; the ultimate manifestation of terrestrial auroral processes. More recent global imaging of substorm events from high above the Earth (greater than 3.5 R(sub e)) by Dynamics Explorer have made a unique contribution towards understanding the global and temporal evolution of such auroral events by providing a morphological perspective and by providing the crucial observational link that allows the separation of spatial and temporal variations inherent in the interpretation of in situ data. A similar role was played by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) during the recent encounter of Ulysses with Jupiter in helping to define a new paradigm in Jovian auroral physics. The old paradigm portrayed Jupiter's magnetosphere as totally dominated by internal processes (i.e. Io related tori, heavy ions, etc.) where energetic heavy ion precipitation in the inner magnetosphere was solely responsible for the observed auroral phenomena. Ulysses and HST portray a more Earth-like paradigm where electron acceleration in the outer magnetosphere near the boundary with the solar wind plays a distinct role in the formation of auroral hot spots, yet energetic heavy ions also enter into the picture (similar to the role of the energetic ions from the terrestrial ring current during magnetic substorms). These heavy ions as a result of excitation during their transit through the atmosphere produce the x ray emissions observed in Roentgensatellit (ROSAT) x ray energy spectra.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2011

Automatic Generation of Overlays and Offset Values Based on Visiting Vehicle Telemetry and RWS Visuals

The development of computer software as a tool to generate visual displays has led to an overall expansion of automated computer generated images in the aerospace industry. These visual overlays are generated by combining raw data with pre-existing data on the object or objects being analyzed on the screen. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) uses this computer software to generate on-screen overlays when a Visiting Vehicle (VV) is berthing with the International Space Station (ISS). In order for Mission Control Center personnel to be a contributing factor in the VV berthing process, computer software similar to that on the ISS must be readily available on the ground to be used for analysis. In addition, this software must perform engineering calculations and save data for further analysis.

Dunne, Matthew J.↗

NASA NTRS2005

Pressure Dependence of Insulator-Insulator Contact Charging

The mechanism of insulator-insulator triboelectric (contact) charging is being studied by the Electrostatics and Surface Physics Laboratory at KSC. The hypothesis that surface ion exchange is the primary mechanism is being tested experimentally. A two-phase model based on a small partial pressure of singly charged ions in an ambient ideal gas in equilibrium with a submonolayer adsorbed film will provide predictions about charging as a function Of ion mass, pressure, temperature, and surface adsorption energy. Interactions between ions will be considered in terms of coulombic and screened potential energies. This work is yielding better understanding of the triboelectrification of insulators, which is an important problem in. space exploration technology. The work is also relevant to important industrial processes such as xerography and the application of paints and coatings. Determining a better understanding of the fundamental mechanism of insulator-insulator triboelectrification will hopefully lead to better means of eliminating or at least mitigating its hazards and enhancing its useful applications.

Hogue, Michael D.↗

NASA NTRS2019

Flight Awareness Collaboration Tool (FACT) User Manual

The Flight Awareness Collaboration Tool (FACT) is a web-based software tool that provides important information about winter weather operations to airline dispatchers and airport personnel. This document provides instructions on how to operate FACT. It reviews FACT goals, features, functions, controls, and data displays. The manual uses text and screen shots of the screens to guide new users on how to access FACT features. This manual is required for FACT distribution to airlines and airports and is needed as part of the NASA patent process.

Dispatcher↗

NASA NTRS2019

Flight Awareness Collaboration Tool Quick Start Guide

winter weather↗

NASA NTRS2015

ExMC Work Prioritization Process

Last year, NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) introduced the concept of a "Path to Risk Reduction" (PRR), which will provide a roadmap that shows how the work being done within each HRP element can be mapped to reducing or closing exploration risks. Efforts are currently underway within the Exploration Medical Capability (ExMC) Element to develop a structured, repeatable process for prioritizing work utilizing decision analysis techniques and risk estimation tools. The goal of this effort is to ensure that the work done within the element maximizes risk reduction for future exploration missions in a quantifiable way and better aligns with the intent and content of the Path to Risk Reduction. The Integrated Medical Model (IMM) will be used to identify those conditions that are major contributors of medical risk for a given design reference mission. For each of these conditions, potential prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment methods will be identified. ExMC will then aim to prioritize its potential investments in these mitigation methods based upon their potential for risk reduction and other factors such as vehicle performance impacts, near term schedule needs, duplication with external efforts, and cost. This presentation will describe the process developed to perform this prioritization and inform investment discussions in future element planning efforts. It will also provide an overview of the required input information, types of process participants, figures of merit, and the expected outputs of the process.

Simon, Matthew↗

NASA NTRS2007

Real-Time Data Display

RT-Display is a MATLAB-based data acquisition environment designed to use a variety of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware to digitize analog signals to a standard data format usable by other post-acquisition data analysis tools. This software presents the acquired data in real time using a variety of signal-processing algorithms. The acquired data is stored in a standard Operator Interactive Signal Processing Software (OISPS) data-formatted file. RT-Display is primarily configured to use the Agilent VXI (or equivalent) data acquisition boards used in such systems as MIDDAS (Multi-channel Integrated Dynamic Data Acquisition System). The software is generalized and deployable in almost any testing environment, without limitations or proprietary configuration for a specific test program or project. With the Agilent hardware configured and in place, users can start the program and, in one step, immediately begin digitizing multiple channels of data. Once the acquisition is completed, data is converted into a common binary format that also can be translated to specific formats used by external analysis software, such as OISPS and PC-Signal (product of AI Signal Research Inc.). RT-Display at the time of this reporting was certified on Agilent hardware capable of acquisition up to 196,608 samples per second. Data signals are presented to the user on-screen simultaneously for 16 channels. Each channel can be viewed individually, with a maximum capability of 160 signal channels (depending on hardware configuration). Current signal presentations include: time data, fast Fourier transforms (FFT), and power spectral density plots (PSD). Additional processing algorithms can be easily incorporated into this environment.

Pedings, Marc↗

NASA NTRS1979

Z-axis control loop for cathode-ray tubes

Inexpensive PIN diode detector samples screen brightness between camera frames generating error signal for feedback control of intensity. System was tested by taking flat-field exposures at several density levels over 4 hour period. Results showed processed film density levels varied by less than + or - 10 percent usually centering around + or - 8 percent.

Ray, A. J., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS2011

NASA Astronaut Selection 2009: Behavioral Overview

Behavioral Health and Performance (BHP) is an operational group under medical sciences at NASA/Johnson Space Center. Astronaut applicant screening and assessment is one function of this group, along with psychological training, inflight behavioral support and family services. Direct BHP assessment spans 6-7 months of a 17-month overall selection process.

Holland, A.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Enhanced Images for Checked and Carry-on Baggage and Cargo Screening

The current X-ray systems used by airport security personnel for the detection of contraband, and objects such as knives and guns that can impact the security of a flight, have limited effect because of the limited display quality of the X-ray images. Since the displayed images do not possess optimal contrast and sharpness, it is possible for the security personnel to miss potentially hazardous objects. This problem is also common to other disciplines such as medical Xrays, and can be mitigated, to a large extent, by the use of state-of-the-art image processing techniques to enhance the contrast and sharpness of the displayed image. The NASA Langley Research Center's Visual Information Processing Group has developed an image enhancement technology that has direct applications to this problem of inadequate display quality. Airport security X-ray imaging systems would benefit considerably by using this novel technology, making the task of the personnel who have to interpret the X-ray images considerably easier, faster, and more reliable. This improvement would translate into more accurate screening as well as minimizing the screening time delays to airline passengers. This technology, Retinex, has been optimized for consumer applications but has been applied to medical X-rays on a very preliminary basis. The resultant technology could be incorporated into a new breed of commercial x-ray imaging systems which would be transparent to the screener yet allow them to see subtle detail much more easily, reducing the amount of time needed for screening while greatly increasing the effectiveness of contraband detection and thus public safety.

Woodell, Glenn↗

NASA NTRS1972

Convective heating measurement by means of an infrared camera

The development of rapid and accurate wind tunnel techniques to measure convective heating distributions in complex reentry configurations is discussed. Major emphasis was put on the infrared camera technique. Its essence is the measurement of infrared emission from the surface of a wind tunnel model as a function of time. Prior calibration of the infrared camera relates the emission to the surface temperature of the model. The time history of the surface temperature can then be related to the heating rate by standard techniques. The output of the camera is an electrical signal that is tape-recorded in analog form, then digitized and processed by computer, so that automated and relatively rapid data reduction can be accomplished. In addition, the camera produces real-time visual displays of the infrared emission as pictures on an oscilloscope screen. These pictures give immediate indications of hot and cool spots on the model.

Compton, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Screening Effects on Nonrelativistic Bremsstrahlung in the Scattering of Electrons by Neutral Atoms

Atomic screening effects on nonrelativistic electron-atom bremsstrahlung radiation are investigated using a simple analytic solution of the Thomas-Fermi model for many-electron atoms. The Born approximation is assumed for the initial and final states of the projectile electron. The results show that the screening effect is important in the soft radiation region and is decreasing with increasing radiation. These results help provide correct information about the behavior of bound electrons in the target atom in bremsstrahlung processes.

Jung, Young-Dae↗

NASA NTRS2012

Generation After Next Propulsor Research: Robust Design for Embedded Engine Systems

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, United Technologies Research Center and Virginia Polytechnic and State University have contracted to pursue multi-disciplinary research into boundary layer ingesting (BLI) propulsors for generation after next environmentally responsible subsonic fixed wing aircraft. This Robust Design for Embedded Engine Systems project first conducted a high-level vehicle system study based on a large commercial transport class hybrid wing body aircraft, which determined that a 3 to 5 percent reduction in fuel burn could be achieved over a 7,500 nanometer mission. Both pylon-mounted baseline and BLI propulsion systems were based on a low-pressure-ratio fan (1.35) in an ultra-high-bypass ratio engine (16), consistent with the next generation of advanced commercial turbofans. An optimized, coupled BLI inlet and fan system was subsequently designed to achieve performance targets identified in the system study. The resulting system possesses an inlet with total pressure losses less than 0.5%, and a fan stage with an efficiency debit of less than 1.5 percent relative to the pylon-mounted, clean-inflow baseline. The subject research project has identified tools and methodologies necessary for the design of next-generation, highly-airframe-integrated propulsion systems. These tools will be validated in future large-scale testing of the BLI inlet / fan system in NASA's 8 foot x 6 foot transonic wind tunnel. In addition, fan unsteady response to screen-generated total pressure distortion is being characterized experimentally in a JT15D engine test rig. These data will document engine sensitivities to distortion magnitude and spatial distribution, providing early insight into key physical processes that will control BLI propulsor design.

Arend, David J.↗

NASA NTRS2020

N20 VIIRS RSB Calibration Algorithms and Results: Collection 2.0

The NOAA-20 (N20) satellite, previously the Joint Polar Satellite System-1 satellite, was launched on November 18, 2017. One of the five major scientific instruments aboard the satellite is the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS). VIIRS scans the Earth’s surface in 22 spectral bands, 14 of which are the reflective solar bands (RSBs) with band center wavelengths from 0.412 to 2.25μm. VIIRS regularly performs on-orbit radiometric calibration of its RSBs, primarily through the observations of the onboard solar diffuser (SD). The on-orbit change of the SD’s bidirectional reflectance distribution function, known as the H-factor, is determined by the onboard SD stability monitor (SDSM). Since the H-factor exhibits angular dependence, obtaining the H-factor along the SD to the telescope direction is a challenge for the NOAA-20 VIIRS. Recently, Collection 2.0 of the NASA Land Science Investigator-led Processing Systems (SIPS) products were released. As a part of this reprocessing effort, we made two major improvements in the N20 VIIRS RSB radiometric calibration. One is the improved SD and SDSM attenuation screen transmittance functions, obtained by using calibration data collected during both the yaw maneuver and a small portion of regular orbits, resulting in a higher quality H-factor for the SDSM view. Another is the use of the H-factor for the telescope view, derived from the H-factor for the SDSM view, by using the results for the SNPP VIIRS. In June 2019, we delivered a set of mission-long N20 VIIRS Collection 2.0 RSB radiometric calibration look-up-tables. These tables have been employed by the NASA Land SIPS group to reprocess the entire time series of the NOAA-20 VIIRS products. In this paper, we discuss the Collection 2.0 NOAA-20 VIIRS RSB calibration algorithms and results.

N20 VIIRS↗

NASA NTRS2024

Earth Independent Medical Operations [EIMO] Definition Workshop

As the vanguard of human spaceflight increasingly transitions from one of low Earth orbit (LEO) to Lunar and subsequently Martian missions, there is a commensurate imperative for Earth-based medical authority to transition to space-based assets for the continued assurance of optimal astronaut health and performance. The transition to Earth Independent Medical Operations (EIMO) will be a process that enables progressively resilient systems and crews to reduce risk and enhance wellness and overall mission success for deep space exploration. Terrestrial assets will continue to be paramount in pre-mission screening, planning, maintenance, and prevention. Yet on-board care, response to unexpected medical events, and management of communication delays and dropouts will increasingly become the purview of the crew for primary management.

John Lemery↗

NASA NTRS2004

Enhanced Images for Checked and Carry-on Baggage and Cargo Screening

The current X-ray systems used by airport security personnel for the detection of contraband, and objects such as knives and guns that can impact the security of a flight, have limited effect because of the limited display quality of the X-ray images. Since the displayed images do not possess optimal contrast and sharpness, it is possible for the security personnel to miss potentially hazardous objects. This problem is also common to other disciplines such as medical X-rays, and can be mitigated, to a large extent, by the use of state-of-the-art image processing techniques to enhance the contrast and sharpness of the displayed image. The NASA Langley Research Centers Visual Information Processing Group has developed an image enhancement technology that has direct applications to this problem of inadequate display quality. Airport security X-ray imaging systems would benefit considerably by using this novel technology, making the task of the personnel who have to interpret the X-ray images considerably easier, faster, and more reliable. This improvement would translate into more accurate screening as well as minimizing the screening time delays to airline passengers. This technology, Retinex, has been optimized for consumer applications but has been applied to medical X-rays on a very preliminary basis. The resultant technology could be incorporated into a new breed of commercial x-ray imaging systems which would be transparent to the screener yet allow them to see subtle detail much more easily, reducing the amount of time needed for screening while greatly increasing the effectiveness of contraband detection and thus public safety.

Woodell, Glen↗

NASA NTRS1983

Apparatus and method for heating a material in a transparent ampoule

An improved process for heating a material within a fused silica ampoule by radiation through the wall of the ampoule, while simultaneously passing a cooling gas around the ampoule is described. The radiation passes through a screen of fused silica so as to remove those components capable of directly heating the silica, therby increasing the temperature of the material within the ampoule above the strain point of the ampoule, while maintaining the exterior of the ampoule cool enough to prevent rupturing the amp.

Holland, L. R.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Peculiarities of Crystallization of the Restriction Endonuclease EcoRII

Nucleases interfere with most standard molecular biology procedures. We have purified and crystallized the restriction endonuclease EcoRII, which belongs to the type II of restriction- modification enzyme, to study the protein crystallization process using a "non standard" macromolecule. A procedure for the purification of EcoRII was developed and 99% pure protein as determined by SDS PAGE electrophoresis obtained. Light scattering experiments were performed to assist in screening protein suitable crystallization conditions. The second virial coefficient was determined as a function of precipitating salt concentration, using sodium chloride, ammonium sulfate, and sodium sulfate. Small (maximum size approximately 0.2 mm) well shaped crystals have been obtained. Larger poorly formed crystals (ca 0.5 mm) have also been obtained, but we have been unable to mount them for diff-raction analysis due to their extreme fragility. Crystallization experiments with PEG have shown that using this precipitant, the best crystals are obtained from slightly over-saturated solutions. Use of higher precipitant concentration leads to dendritic crystal formation. EcoRII is difficult to solubilize and meticulous attention must be paid to the presence of reducing agents.

Karpove, Elizaveta↗