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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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An overview of the study is presented. A synopsis of processing concepts for the Spacelab configurations, a summary of integration and checkout optimizations, and cost analyses are included.
Summaries are presented of Research and Technology Operating Plans currently in progress throughout NASA. Citations and abstracts of the operating plans are presented along with a subject index, technical monitor index, and responsible NASA organization index. Research programs presented include those carried out in the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology, Office of Energy Programs, Office of Applications, Office of Space Sciences, Office of Tracking and Data Acquisition, and the Office of Manned Space Flight.
A summary is made of various technical and scientific aspects of a Mars surface sample return mission. Particular attention was focused on the question of back contamination. Data are also given on problems inherent in the back contamination issue and return sample mission; areas where additional research is needed were pointed out. Quarantine procedures, safety measures, and sterilization effects on organic-inorganic data, and biological problems were also dealt with.
A summary of research on both conceptual and practical configurations in which the aircraft's powerplant is integrated to take advantage of propulsion-induced aerodynamics conducted in the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel has been made. These investigations included: (1) vectoring a partial-span jet exhaust at a wing trailing edge; (2) thrust vectoring characteristics of a twin, two-dimensional variable-geometry wedge nozzle; (3) a jet exhaust/upper surface blowing concept for fighter aircraft; and (4) jets blowing over the wing. These studies indicate a potential for increasing maneuverability of fighter aircraft at high lift coefficients. With proper integration of the powerplant and the airframe, significant improvements in cruise performance of both fighter and transport aircraft are possible.
This summary of drag results presents tabulations on fighter aircraft and light twin general aviation aircraft wind tunnel tests. The figures show that the friction drag for light twins is larger than that for the fighters because of the greater wetted area and the smaller wing area used for reference. Full scale tunnel tests developed the following design features contributing to excessive drag: cooling flow system, engine exhaust stacks, landing gears, control surface gaps, and wing irregularities and leakages.
A more detailed analysis of the results obtained in 188 previously reported low-cycle fatigue tests of various candidate materials for regeneratively-cooled, reusable rocket nozzle liners was reported. Plots of load range versus cycles were reported for each test along with a stress-strain hysteresis loop near half-life. In addition, a summary table was provided to compare N5 (cycles to a five percent load range drop) and Nf (cycles to complete specimen separation) values for each test.
A compilation of the summary portions of each of the Research and Technology Operating Plans (RTOP) used for management review and control of research currently in progress throughout NASA was presented. The document is arranged in five sections. The first one contains citations and abstracts of the RTOP. This is followed by four indexes: subject, technical monitor, responsible NASA organization, and RTOP number.
A study of microwave power generation, transmission, reception and control was conducted as a part of a program to demonstrate the feasibility of power transmission from geosynchronous orbit. A summary is presented of results concerning design approaches, estimated costs (ROM), critical technology, associated ground and orbital test programs with emphasis on dc to rf conversion, transmitting antenna, phase control, mechanical systems, flight operations, ground power receiving-rectifying antenna with systems analysis, and evaluation. Recommendations for early further in-depth studies complementing the technology program are included.
This document contains the proceedings and summaries of the earth resources survey symposium, sponsored by the NASA Headquarters Office of Applications and held in Houston, Texas, June 9 to 12, 1975. Topics include the use of remote sensing techniques in agriculture, in geology, for environmental monitoring, for land use planning, and for management of water resources and coastal zones. Details are provided about services available to various users. Significant applications, conclusions, and future needs are also discussed.
This report contains a summary of 199 recent references on the characterization of atmospheric aerosols with respect to their composition, sources, size distribution, and time changes, and with particular reference to the chemical elements measured by modern techniques, especially activation analysis.
A methodology for developing new users for STS other than NASA and DoD, thereby maximizing the use of the STS system was developed. The approach to user development, reflected in the implementation plan, and attendant informational material to be used were evaluated by conducting a series of test cases with selected user organizations. These test case organizations were, in effect, used as consultants to evaluate the effectiveness, the needs, the completeness, and the adequacy of the user development approach and informational material. The selection of the test cases provided a variety of potential STS users covering industry, other government agencies, and the educational sector. The test cases covered various use areas and provided a mix of user organization types. A summary of the actual test cases conducted is given. The conduct of the test cases verified the general approach of the implementation plan, the validity of the user development strategy prepared for each test case organization and the effectiveness of the STS basic and user customized informational material.
An executive summary is presented of a preliminary study done on several potential High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO) missions which are follow-on missions to the currently defined HEAO program. The purpose was to examine several typical missions and determine the relative complexities associated with them. The four payloads investigated were (1) a 1.2 m Diameter X-ray Telescope observatory, (2) a Large Area Moderate Angular Resolution (LAMAR) observatory, (3) a cosmic ray observatory, and (4) a gamma ray observatory. Each of the four observatories was considered a national facility. Low cost approaches were stressed throughout, with considerable use of HEAO Block I experience and designs effected to provide a high degree of confidence that such approaches were achievable. The use of the Multi-Mission Spacecraft (MMS) and the HEAO Block I spacecraft was considered as a result of this low cost emphasis. Also, NASA standard components were considered, where applicable.
A summary is presented of the economic benefits that can be derived from using the SEASAT Satellite System. A statement of the major findings of case studies of the practical applications of the SEASAT program to the following areas is given: (1) offshore oil and natural gas industry, (2) ocean mining, (3) coastal zones, (4) oil exploration in Arctic regions, (5) ocean fishing, and (6) ports and harbors. Also given is a description of the SEASAT System and its performance. A computer program, used to optimize SEASAT System's costs and operational requirements, is also considered.
A description of the orbital positions is provided for a number of high altitude satellites capable of making magnetospheric measurements in the first half of 1977 as part of the International Magnetospheric Study (IMS). Six artificial satellites -- Vela 5B, IMP-H, IMP-J, Solrad 11A, Solrad 11B, and Hawkeye 1 -- have been chosen along with the moon. The daily position summary of the satellites includes data tables which provide the crossing times of the bow shock and magnetopause, as well as the entry and exit times from the cusp, the high latitude tail, the midlatitude tail, and the neutral sheet region.
A compilation of the summary portion of each of the Research and Technology Operating Plans (RTOP) used for management review and control of research currently in progress throughout NASA is presented along with citations and abstracts of the RTOPs. Four indexes are included: (1) subject; (2) technical monitor; (3) responsible NASA organization; and (4) RTOP number.
A durable, two-layer, plasma-sprayed coating consisting of a ceramic layer over a metallic layer was developed that has the potential of insulating hot engine parts and thereby reducing metal temperatures and coolant flow requirements and/or permitting use of less costly and complex cooling configurations and materials. The investigations evaluated the reflective and insulative capability, microstructure, and durability of several coating materials on flat metal specimens, a combustor liner, and turbine vanes and blades. In addition, the effect on the aerodynamic performance of a coated turbine vane was measured. The tests were conducted in furnaces, cascades, hot-gas rigs, an engine combustor, and a research turbojet engine. Summaries of current research related to the coating and potential applications for the coating are included.
A summary of fluid/structure interaction capabilities for the NASTRAN computer program is presented. Indirect applications of the program towards solving this class of problem were concentrated on. For completeness and comparitive purposes, direct usage of NASTRAN is briefly discussed. The solution technology addresses both steady state and transient dynamic response problems.
To avoid the possibility of an unnecessary launch delay, a special program was initiated to provide aircraft measurement of electric fields at various altitudes over the Apollo vehicle launch pad. Eight aircraft, each equipped with electric field meters, were used in the program. This program and some of the more important findings are discussed. Also included is a summary of the history of manned space vehicle involvement with lightning, a brief description of the lightning instrumentation in use at KSC (Kennedy Space Center) at the time of the Apollo Soyuz mission and a discussion of the airborne instrumentation and related data.