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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 451 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

High-temperature oxidation of a rapidly solidified amorphous Ta-Ir alloy

The oxidation products formed at 500 and 700 C on an amorphous Ta-44.5 at. pct Ir alloy in an Ar-0.1 percent O2 gas mixture were characterized using SEM, XRD, EPMA, TEM, STEM, AES, and XPS. Initially, a thin (3-4 nm) layer of Ta2O5 formed at the surface of the alloy. Continued growth of the Ta2O5, which occurred very rapidly, involved diffusion of oxygen anions from the Ta2O5/gas interface to the alloy/Ta2O5 interface, where tantalum was selectively oxidized. Because the oxide grew more quickly than iridium could diffuse back into the alloy, the iridium coalesced into platelets of crystalline iridium-rich alloy that were oriented approximately parallel to the oxide/alloy interface, and which became embedded in a matrix of Ta2O5. The unoxidized core remained in the glassy state. The oxidation process and/or the dissolution of oxygen into the unoxidized alloy caused the alloy to become embrittled.

Cotell, Catherine M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Evaluation of high temperature structural adhesives for extended service, phase 5

The evaluation of 3 experimental polymers from NASA-Langley and a commercially produced polymer from Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals as high temperature structural adhesives is presented. A polyphenylquinoxaline (PPQ), polyimide (STPI/LaRC-2), and a polyarylene ether (PAE-SO2) were evaluated as metal-to-metal adhesives. Lap shear, crack extension, and climbing drum peel specimens were fabricated from all three polymers and tested after thermal, combined thermal/humidity, and stressed hydraulic fluid (Skydrol) exposure. The fourth polymer, LARC-TPI was evaluated as an adhesive for titanium honeycomb sandwich structure. All three experimental polymers performed well as metal-to-metal adhesives from 219 K (-65 F) to 505 K (450 F), including humidity exposure. Structural adhesive strength was also maintained at 505 K for a minimum of 3000 hours. LaRC-TPI was evaluated as a high temperature (505 K) adhesive for titanium honeycomb sandwich structure. The LaRC-TPI bonding process development concentrated on improving the honeycomb core-to-skin bond. The most promising approach of those evaluated combined a LaRC-TPI polymer solution with a semi-crystalline LaRC-TPI powder for adhesive film fabrication and fillet formation.

Hendricks, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Nonlinear behavior of solar gravity modes driven by He-3 in the core. I - Bifurcation analysis

The nonlinear development of solar gravity modes driven by He-3 burning in the solar core is investigated by means of an idealized dynamical model. Possible outcomes that have been suggested in the literature include the triggering of subcritical direct convection, leading to core mixing, and the saturation of the excitation processes, leading to sustained finite-amplitude oscillations. The present simple model suggests that the latter is the more likely. The limiting amplitude of the oscillations is estimated, ignoring possible resonances with other gravity modes, to be of order 10 km/s at the solar surface. Such oscillations would be easily observable. That large-amplitude gravity modes have not been observed suggests either that these modes are not unstable in the present era or that they are limited to much smaller amplitudes by resonant coupling.

Merryfield, William J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Logic programming and metadata specifications

Artificial intelligence (AI) ideas and techniques are critical to the development of intelligent information systems that will be used to collect, manipulate, and retrieve the vast amounts of space data produced by 'Missions to Planet Earth.' Natural language processing, inference, and expert systems are at the core of this space application of AI. This paper presents logic programming as an AI tool that can support inference (the ability to draw conclusions from a set of complicated and interrelated facts). It reports on the use of logic programming in the study of metadata specifications for a small problem domain of airborne sensors, and the dataset characteristics and pointers that are needed for data access.

Lopez, Antonio M., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A spectroscopic survey of B supergiants in the Large Magellanic Cloud

The results of a low-dispersion digital optical spectral survey of about 100 B-type supergiants in the Large Magellanic Cloud are presented. The MK spectral classification framework for B supergiants has been transferred to the metal-weak LMC stars, and recommended classification standards have been designated. Variations among the metal line strengths are examined. The most extreme variations are found for the nitrogen lines, for which a range of a factor of 3 or more may be seen in the equivalent widths within some spectral subclasses. It is suggested that these variations indicate a range of nitrogen surface abundances among the B supergiants, resulting from contamination of some of the stellar surfaces by processed material from the original H-burning core.

Fitzpatrick, Edward L.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Chemistry of the organic-rich hot core G327.3-0.6

We present gas-phase abundances of species found in the organic-rich hot core G327.3-0.6. The data were taken with the Swedish-ESO Submillimetre Telescope (SEST). The 1-3 mm spectrum of this source is dominated by emission features of nitrile species and saturated organics, with abundances greater than those found in many other hot cores, including Sgr B2 and OMC-1. Population diagram analysis indicates that many species (CH3CN, C2H3CN, C2H5CN, CH3OH, etc.) have hot components that originate in a compact (~2") region. Gas-phase chemical models cannot reproduce the high abundances of these molecules found in hot cores, and we suggest that they originate from processing and evaporation of icy grain mantle material. In addition, we report the first detection of vibrationally excited ethyl cyanide and the first detection of methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) outside the Galactic center.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗
NASA NTRS2006

Implications of Responsive Space on the Flight Software Architecture

The Responsive Space initiative has several implications for flight software that need to be addressed not only within the run-time element, but the development infrastructure and software life-cycle process elements as well. The runtime element must at a minimum support Plug & Play, while the development and process elements need to incorporate methods to quickly generate the needed documentation, code, tests, and all of the artifacts required of flight quality software. Very rapid response times go even further, and imply little or no new software development, requiring instead, using only predeveloped and certified software modules that can be integrated and tested through automated methods. These elements have typically been addressed individually with significant benefits, but it is when they are combined that they can have the greatest impact to Responsive Space. The Flight Software Branch at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center has been developing the runtime, infrastructure and process elements needed for rapid integration with the Core Flight software System (CFS) architecture. The CFS architecture consists of three main components; the core Flight Executive (cFE), the component catalog, and the Integrated Development Environment (DE). This paper will discuss the design of the components, how they facilitate rapid integration, and lessons learned as the architecture is utilized for an upcoming spacecraft.

Wilmot, Jonathan↗
NASA NTRS2009

3D Lunar Terrain Reconstruction from Apollo Images

Generating accurate three dimensional planetary models is becoming increasingly important as NASA plans manned missions to return to the Moon in the next decade. This paper describes a 3D surface reconstruction system called the Ames Stereo Pipeline that is designed to produce such models automatically by processing orbital stereo imagery. We discuss two important core aspects of this system: (1) refinement of satellite station positions and pose estimates through least squares bundle adjustment; and (2) a stochastic plane fitting algorithm that generalizes the Lucas-Kanade method for optimal matching between stereo pair images.. These techniques allow us to automatically produce seamless, highly accurate digital elevation models from multiple stereo image pairs while significantly reducing the influence of image noise. Our technique is demonstrated on a set of 71 high resolution scanned images from the Apollo 15 mission

Broxton, Michael J.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Tool for Sampling Permafrost on a Remote Planet

A report discusses the robotic arm tool for rapidly acquiring permafrost (RATRAP), which is being developed for acquiring samples of permafrost on Mars or another remote planet and immediately delivering the samples to adjacent instruments for analysis. The prototype RATRAP includes a rasp that protrudes through a hole in the bottom of a container that is placed in contact with the permafrost surface. Moving at high speed, the rasp cuts into the surface and loads many of the resulting small particles of permafrost through the hole into the container. The prototype RATRAP has been shown to be capable of acquiring many grams of permafrost simulants in times of the order of seconds. In contrast, a current permafrost sampling system that the RATRAP is intended to supplant works by scraping with tines followed by picking up the scrapings in a scoop, sometimes taking hours to acquire a few grams. Also, because the RATRAP inherently pulverizes the sampled material, it is an attractive alternative to other sampling apparatuses that generate core or chunk samples that must be further processed by a crushing apparatus to make the sample particles small enough for analysis by some instruments.

Peters, Gregory↗
NASA NTRS2014

Core-Mantle Partitioning of Volatile Elements and the Origin of Volatile Elements in Earth and Moon

Depletions of volatile siderophile elements (VSE; Ga, Ge, In, As, Sb, Sn, Bi, Zn, Cu, Cd) in mantles of Earth and Moon, constrain the origin of volatile elements in these bodies, and the overall depletion of volatile elements in Moon relative to Earth. A satisfactory explanation has remained elusive [1,2]. We examine the depletions of VSE in Earth and Moon and quantify the amount of depletion due to core formation and volatility of potential building blocks. We calculate the composition of the Earth's PUM during continuous accretion scenarios with constant and variable fO2. Results suggest that the VSE can be explained by a rather simple scenario of continuous accretion leading to a high PT metal-silicate equilibrium scenario that establishes the siderophile element content of Earth's PUM near the end of accretion [3]. Core formation models for the Moon explain most VSE, but calculated contents of In, Sn, and Zn (all with Tc < 750 K) are all still too high after core formation, and must therefore require an additional process to explain the depletions in the lunar mantle. We discuss possible processes including magmatic degassing, evaporation, condensation, and vapor-liquid fractionation in the lunar disk.

Righter, Kevin↗
NASA NTRS2020

CO, Water, and Tentative Methanol in η Carinae Approaching Periastron

The complex circumstellar environment around the massive binary and luminous blue variable η Carinae is known to harbor numerous light molecules, emitting most strongly in rotational states with upper level energies to ∼300 K. In circumstellar gas, the complex organic molecule methanol (CH3OH) has been found almost exclusively around young stellar objects, and thus regarded as a signpost of recent star formation. Here we report the first potential detection of methanol around a highly evolved high-mass star, while using the Atacama Large Millimeter Array to investigate molecular cloud conditions traced by CO (2–1) in an orbit phase preceding the 2020 periastron. The methanol emission originates from hot (T(gas) ≃ 700 K) material, ∼2″ (0.02 pc) across, centered on the dust-obscured binary, and is accompanied by prominent absorption of continuum radiation in a cooler (T(gas) ≃ 110 K) layer of gas. We also report a first detection of water in Herschel observations at 557 and 988 GHz. The methanol abundance is several to 50 times higher than observed toward several lower-mass stars, while water abundances are similar to those observed in cool, dense molecular clouds. The very high methanol: water abundance ratio in the core of η Car may suggest methanol formation processes similar to Fischer–Tropschtype catalytic reactions on dust grains. These observations prove that complex molecule formation can occur in a chemically evolved massive stellar environment, given sufficient gas densities and shielding conditions as may occur in material around massive interacting companions and merger remnants.

Patrick W Morris↗
NASA NTRS2010

Seismic Detection of the Layers of the Lunar Core

This slide presentation reviews the analysis of Apollo-era seismic data and indirect geophysical measurements (i.e., moment of inertia, lunar laser ranging and electromagnetic induction) and concludes that significant questions still remain. The Apollo deep moonquake seismograms using terrestrial array processing methods is analyzed to infer the structure of the lunar core. The results indicate the presence of a solid inner and fluid outer core.

Weber, Renee C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Design data for brazed Rene 41 honeycomb sandwich

Strength data, creep data and residual strength data after cyclic thermal exposure were obtained at temperatures from 78 K to 1144 K (-320 F to 1600 F). The influences of face thickness, core depth, core gage, cell size and thermal/stress exposure conditions on the mechanical design properties were investigated. A braze alloy and process was developed that is adequate to fully develop the strength of the honeycomb core while simultaneously solution treating and aging the Rene 41 fact sheets. New test procedures and test specimen configurations were developed to avoid excessive thermal stresses during cyclic thermal exposure.

Hepler, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The nature of the earth's core

The properties of the earth's core are overviewed with emphasis on seismologically determined regions and pressures and seismologically measured density, elastic wave velocities, and gravitational acceleration. Attention is given to solid-state convection of the inner core, and it is noted that though seismological results do not conclusively prove that the inner core is convective, the occurrence and magnitude of seismic anisotropy are explained by the effects of solid-state convection. Igneous petrology and geochemistry of the inner core, a layer at the base of the mantle and contact metasomatism at the core-mantle boundary, and evolution of the core-mantle system are discussed. It is pointed out that high-pressure melting experiments indicate that the temperature of the core is ranging from 4500 to 6500 K, and a major implication of such high temperature is that the tectonics and convection of the mantle, as well as the resulting geological processes observed at the surface, are powered by heat from the core. As a result of the high temperatures, along with the compositional contrast between silicates and iron alloy, the core-mantle boundary is considered to be most chemically active region of the earth.

Jeanloz, Raymond↗
NASA NTRS1993

Post-impact alteration of the Manson impact structure

Core materials from the Manson impact site (Manson, Iowa) are examined in order to evaluate post-impact alteration processes. Diagenetic interpretation of post-impact events is based on petrologic, mineralogic, and geochemical investigation of core materials including the following: target strata, disturbed and disrupted strata, ejecta, breccias, microbreccias, and impact melt. The diagenetic study utilizes research cores obtained by the continental scientific drilling project (CSDP) at the Manson structure, as well as core and cuttings of related materials. Samples include impactites (breccias, microbreccias, and melt material), crater fill material (sedimentary clast breccias), disturbed and disrupted target rocks, and reference target material (Amoco Eisheid No. 1 materials). The study of multiple cores will permit development of a regional picture of post-impact thermal history. The specific objectives are as follows: (1) provide a detailed description of authigenic and alteration mineralogy from diverse lithologies encountered in research drill cores at the Manson impact structure, and (2) identify and relate significant post-impact mineral alteration to post-impact thermal regime (extent and duration). Results will provide mineralogical and geochemical constraints on models for post-impact processes including the following: infilling of the crater depression; cooling and hydrothermal alteration of melt rocks; and subsequent long-term, low-temperature alteration of target rocks, breccias, and melt rocks. Preliminary petrologic and x-ray diffraction examination of fracture linings and void fillings from research core M1 indicate the presence of quartz, chlorite, mixed-layer clays, gypsum/anhydrite, calcite, and minor pyrite.

Crossey, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Lunar regolith dynamics based on analysis of the cosmogenic radionuclides Na-22, Al-26, and Mn-53

Depth profiles of Na-22 and Al-26 in the upper portions of five lunar cores are analyzed. From the analyses, it is concluded that the natural gardening processes on the lunar surface result in mixing of the regolith to a depth of 2-3 cm over a time period which is short compared with the half-life of Al-26 (0.73 m.y.). It is also concluded that the rotary drill processes which were used to obtain the deep drill samples generally resulted in loss and/or mixing of the upper portions of the cores. In contrast, the near-surface regions of the drive tube cores appear to have a well-preserved stratigraphy. Analysis of Mn-53 in samples of six lunar rocks helps substantiate the accuracy of age date estimates by other means, and provides definite information that the total lunar surface exposure of two of these rocks has occurred during a single surface event which continued to their collection.

Fruchter, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Fluid flow near the surface of earth's outer core

This review examines the recent attempts at extracting information on the pattern of fluid flow near the surface of the outer core from the geomagnetic secular variation. Maps of the fluid flow at the core surface are important as they may provide some insight into the process of the geodynamo and may place useful constraints on geodynamo models. In contrast to the case of mantle convection, only very small lateral variations in core density are necessary to drive the flow; these density variations are, by several orders of magnitude, too small to be imaged seismically; therefore, the geomagnetic secular variation is utilized to infer the flow. As substantial differences exist between maps developed by different researchers, the possible underlying reasons for these differences are examined with particular attention given to the inherent problems of nonuniqueness.

Bloxham, Jeremy↗