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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 487 records · Page 27
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Cosmic ray propagation in the local superbubble

It is suggested that a ring of HI gas lying in the galactic plane is part of a supershell which formed some 3 x 10 to the 7th power years ago. The consequences of a closed magnetic supershell for cosmic ray propagation are examined and it is concluded that there is no evidence which precludes the production and trapping of cosmic rays in such a region. A consequence of superbubble confinement is that the mean age of cosmic rays would be independent of energy. This can be tested by high energy observations of the isotopic composition of Be.

Streitmatter, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The age and emplacement of obducted oceanic crust in the Urals from Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr systematics

The Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotopic characteristics of two mafic-ultramafic bodies, the Kemperai Massif in the South Ural Mountains and the Voykar-syninsky Massif in the Polar Ural mountains are examined. The data are found to be consistent with the hypothesis that these bodies represent fragments of old oceanic crust. Whole rock samples of pillow basalt, troctolite, gabbros, diabase, and a metasediment give Sm-Nd values which lie on this isochron indicating that the rock units are genetically related and formed 397 My ago. Basic and ultrabasic rocks from Kempersai and Voykar-Syninsky have an initial isotopic composition at time T, epsilon Nd(397 My), of +8.4, indicating derivation for an ancient depleted mantle source. The Sr isotopic data and the correlation with epsilon Nd indicate extensive alteration by seawater which is particularly strong on ultrabasic rocks. The results show that the segments of oceanic crust formed at least 80 My before the collision that produced the Urals.

Edwards, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Cosmogony as an extrapolation of magnetospheric research

A theory of the origin and evolution of the Solar System which considered electromagnetic forces and plasma effects is revised in light of information supplied by space research. In situ measurements in the magnetospheres and solar wind can be extrapolated outwards in space, to interstellar clouds, and backwards in time, to the formation of the solar system. The first extrapolation leads to a revision of cloud properties essential for the early phases in the formation of stars and solar nebulae. The latter extrapolation facilitates analysis of the cosmogonic processes by extrapolation of magnetospheric phenomena. Pioneer-Voyager observations of the Saturnian rings indicate that essential parts of their structure are fossils from cosmogonic times. By using detailed information from these space missions, it is possible to reconstruct events 4 to 5 billion years ago with an accuracy of a few percent.

Alfven, H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Causes of increasing atmospheric methane - Depletion of hydroxyl radicals and the rise of emissions

A combination of anthropogenic activities and a possible decline of global concentrations for the hydroxyl radicals that formerly removed methane from the atmosphere are cited as potential causes for the 1.3 percent/year rise of atmospheric methane levels. Calculations are presented which show that much of the methane increase over the last 200 years is probably to be divided among the two main sources in the proportions of 70 percent for anthropogenic generation and 30 percent for hydroxyl radical depletion. It is projected that in 20 years, average tropospheric concentrations of methane may be about 20 percent greater than 1980 levels. The current abundance of hydroxyl radicals may be 20 percent less than two centuries ago.

Khalil, M. A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Organic matter in the Saturn system

Theoretical and experimental predictions of the formation (and outgassing) of organic molecules in the outer solar system are compared with Voyager IRIS spectral data for the Titan atmosphere. The organic molecules of Titan are of interest because the species and processes within the atmosphere of that moon may have had analogs in the early earth atmosphere 4 Gyr ago. The spacecraft data confirmed the presence of alkanes, ethane, propane, ethylene, alkynes, acetylene, butadiene, methylacetylene, nitriles, hydrogen cyanide, cyanoacetylene, and cyanogen, all heavier than the dominant CH4. Experimental simulation of the effects of UV photolysis, alpha and gamma ray irradiation, electrical discharges and proton and electron bombardment of similar gas mixtures has shown the best promise for modeling the reactions producing the Titan atmosphere chemicals.

Sagan, C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Late effects from particulate radiations in primate and rabbit tissues

In connection with studies regarding the hazards posed by ionizing radiations to man in space, the U.S. Air Force conducted an experiment about 20 years ago. In this experiment a large number of young rhesus monkeys was exposed to proton fluxes similar to those to be anticipated during solar flares. After irradiation, the animals were kept at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine in Texas. The monkeys have been employed in investigations concerning aspects of late radiation damage. These investigations are discussed, taking into account the propagation of fibroblasts from irradiated monkeys. The results of the investigations are evaluated, giving attention also to experiments with white rabbits. It is found that, except in the case of major solar flares, when acute radiation damage could lead quickly to death, the hazards to astronauts from space radiations arise from such debilitating late effects as cataracts, damage to the central nervous system and benign tumors, and life-threatening neoplasia.

Lett, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Models for the Archean thermal regime

Different regonalized thermal evolution models are presented. The models are used to determine the concentration of heat-producing elements such as U, Th, and K, which are required to have a present-day mantle potential temperature of 1350 C starting from a high temperature of 2000 C, 4.5 billion years ago and to calculate the thermal structure of the continental lithosphere through time. The parameterized equations for the various convective regimes considered, are discussed. It is shown that only the models with layered mantle convection and a continental lithosphere of fixed thickness (greater than or equal to 175 km) are able to satisfy the constraints of some part of the lithosphere being in the diamond stability field during the Archean and an interior temperature greater than 1600 C during the Archean to account for the high-magnesian komatiites of that period.

Richter, F. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Wheel configurations for combined energy storage and attitude control systems

Integrated power and attitude control system (IPACS) studies performed over a decade ago established the feasibility of simultaneously storing electrical energy in wheels and utilizing the resulting momentum for spacecraft attitude control. It was shown that such a system possessed many advantages over other contemporary energy storage and attitude control systems in many applications. More recent technology advances in composite rotors, magnetic bearings, and power control electronics have triggered new optimism regarding the feasibility and merits of such a system. This paper presents the results of a recent study whose focus was to define an advanced IPACS and to evaluate its merits for the Space Station application. Emphasis is given to the selection of the wheel configuration to perform the combined functions. A component design concept is developed to establish the system performance capability. A system-level trade study, including life-cycle costing, is performed to define the merits of the system relative to two other candidate systems. It is concluded that an advanced IPACS concept is not only feasible but offers substantial savings in mass and life-cycle cost.

Oglevie, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A Sr and Nd isotopic study of five Yamato polymict eucrites and a comparison to other Antarctic and ordinary eucrites

Sr and Nd isotopic analysis of five Yamato polymict eucrites indicate that these samples formed at about 4.6 Ga ago with initial Sr and Nd ratios essentially the same as the analyzed non-Antarctic eucrites. The Yamato eucrites have Sr, Sm, and Nd concentrations that consistently lie among the highest found in eucritic samples. This characteristic identifies these Yamato samples as a closely related group. Comparisons between these Yamato samples and other Antarctic polymict eucrites clearly estabishes that they all share some characteristic trace element features. Comparisons of Antarctic polymict eucrites with non-Antarctic ordinary eucrites reveal consistent differences. The most obvious is an enrichment of Rb in the polymict eucrites. These comparisons suggest that the Antarctic polymict eucrites belong to a single large family of material that is itself fairly diverse and distinct from the non-Antarctic eucrites.

Wooden, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Why do we need detailed gravity over continents: Some Australian examples

Geophysical quantities available over a continent are gravity and components of the magnetic field. Direct inferences on crustal structure are difficult to make and strongly dependent on mechanical assumptions the isostatic state. The data for Australia represents one of the best continental scale gravity surveys. The gravity anomalies are generally bland over the continent which confirms that stress relaxation and erosion and rebound were instrumental in reducing nonhydrostatic stresses. In central Australia very large gravity anomalies occur and the region is out of isostatic equilibrium despite the fact that tectonic activity ceased 300 ma ago. The isostatic response functions points to a substantial horizontal compression in the crust. Similar conclusions are drawn for the large anomalies in western Australia. The tectonic implications of these anomalies are examined. In eastern Australia the gravity anomalies are explained in terms of a model of erosion of the highlands and concomitant regional isostatic rebound.

Lambeck, K.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Mantle viscosity, J2 and the nontidal acceleration of Earth rotation

Recent interpretations of laser ranging for the LAGEOS satellite have rather conclusively established that the observed acceleration in the node of its orbit is just that expected to exist as a residual effect of the last deglaciation event which ended about 6000 years ago. The nontidal acceleration of rotation would be rather different than that observed if there were any significant melting of high latitude continental ice masses currently ongoing. The sensitivity of the expected nontidal acceleration to variations of several elements of the radial viscoelastic structure of the planet is explored using a new normal mode method for the computation of viscoelastic relaxation spectra. These calculations establish that the most important sensitivity is to variations in the mantle viscosity profile. Although the predicted nontidal acceleration does depend upon lithospheric thickness and on the elastic component of the radial structure, the dependence on these components of the structure is much weaker than it is upon mantle viscosity. The observed J sub 2 is therefore a particularly useful determinant of radial variations in the latter parameter.

Peltier, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Fundamental remote sensing science research program: The Scene Radiation and Atmospheric Effects Characterization Project

The Scene Radiation and Atmospheric Effects Characterization (SRAEC) Project was established within the NASA Fundamental Remote Sensing Science Research Program to improve our understanding of the fundamental relationships of energy interactions between the sensor and the surface target, including the effect of the atmosphere. The current studies are generalized into the following five subject areas: optical scene modeling, Earth-space radiative transfer, electromagnetic properties of surface materials, microwave scene modeling, and scatterometry studies. This report has been prepared to provide a brief overview of the SRAEC Project history and objectives and to report on the scientific findings and project accomplishments made by the nineteen principal investigators since the project's initiation just over three years ago. This annual summary report derives from the most recent annual principal investigators meeting held January 29 to 31, 1985.

Deering, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A review of dynamic inflow and its effect on experimental correlations

A review is given of the relationship between experimental data and the development of modern dynamic-inflow theory. Some of the most interesting data, first presented 10 years ago at the Dynamic Specialist's Meeting, is now reviewed in light of the newer theories. These pure blade-flapping data correlate very well with analyses that include the new dynamic inflow theory, thus verifying the theory. Experimental data are also presented for damping with coupled inplane and body motions. Although inclusion of dynamic inflow is often required to correlate this coupled data, the data cannot be used to verify any particular dynamic inflow theory due to the uncertainties in modeling the inplane degree of freedom. For verification, pure flapping is required. However, the coupled data do show that inflow is often important in such computations.

Gaonkar, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Advanced Integrated Power and Attitude Control System (IPACS) study

Integrated Power and Attitude Control System (IPACS) studies performed over a decade ago established the feasibility of simultaneously satisfying the demands of energy storage and attitude control through the use of rotating flywheels. It was demonstrated that, for a wide spectrum of applications, such a system possessed many advantages over contemporary energy storage and attitude control approaches. More recent technology advances in composite material rotors, magnetic suspension systems, and power control electronics have triggered new optimism regarding the applicability and merits of this concept. This study is undertaken to define an advanced IPACS and to evaluate its merits for a space station application. System and component designs are developed to establish the performance of this concept and system trade studies conducted to examine the viability of this approach relative to conventional candidate systems. It is clearly demonstrated that an advanced IPACS concept is not only feasible, but also offers substantial savings in mass and life-cycle cost for the space station mission.

Oglevie, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Research and technology Fiscal Year 1985 report

A quarter of a century is but a moment on the cosmic calendar. Now that Marshall Space Flight Center has reached its 25th Anniversity, it seems just moments ago that President Dwight D. Eisenhower stood on these grounds and formally dedicated the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The Fiscal Year 1985 Research and Technology Report reflects the wide spectrum of activities closely linked with the Center's mainstream spaceflight developments. Past accomplishments testify to the success of getting deeply involved in the science and technology of its projects - 32 Saturn launches, Pegasus, the Skylab missions, three High Energy Astronomy Observatory missions, the Apollo - Soyuz mission, and an accelerating schedule of successful Shuttle, Spacelab, and Shuttle payload missions. The Center continues to be involved in engineering development, scientific research, and technology. At the beginning of the second quarter century, the experience and dedication of the engineers and scientists, and the success of the collaboration with industry and academia will now be aimed at the next great endeavor, the Space Station.

Speer, F.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Thermal arcjet technology for space propulsion

Advanced space propulsion systems are required to meet projected Air Force needs through the year 2000. Most of these missions require a large, on-orbit impulse capability. High specific impulse (I sub sp) electric engines can provide this impulse while consuming relatively little propellant. An arcjet engine system, which operates in the range of 800 to 2000 s I sub sp, is a promising candidate to meet these projected Air Force mission needs. This electric propulsion system is ideally suited to missions currently under consideration, such as the Space-based Radar and other space platforms, because sufficient power is already installed for other functions on the spacecraft. Also, arcjet systems are attractive for NASA near-term, low-cost Mariner Mark II missions to Saturn and Uranus. Development of arcjet engines was an Air Force and NASA-sponsored activity that proceeded vigorously from its inception during the late 1950's up to the mid-1960's when the programs were terminated. This paper describes thermal arcjet technology as it was developed over two decades ago and points to the direction this technology development should proceed in the future. In particular, operation with storable propellants such as ammonia and hydrazine are considered. The performance, applicability and advantages of these systems in terms of increased payload and/or decreased trip times are discussed.

Pivirotto, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Carbon exchange between the mantle and the crust and its effect upon the atmosphere: Today compared to Archean time

Paleobiologists now recognize that the Earth's biosphere has been profoundly affected by geologic processes. One very important process is the dissipation of heat which has been generated by radioactivity and/or stored within the earth. Heat flow is responsible for crustal movements and therefore it is the principal architect for constructing the environments (e.g. shallow marine, continental, etc.) wherein life developed and flourished. Heat flow has also influenced the movements of volatile elements (e.g. C, N, H, S, rare gases, etc.) both within the Earth's crust and between the crust and mantle. The inventory of these elements in the Earth's crust is important, not just because some of them constitute the building blocks of organic matter, but also because they influence the biosphere's climate. The purpose of this work is to evaluate how the decline of heat flow over the course of the Earth's history has influenced the carbon inventory in the Earth's crust. Such an evaluation must first consider whether the rate at which carbon is presently being exchanged between the mantle and crust is sufficient to play an important role in controlling the crustal inventory. Secondly, this exchange of carbon must be reevaluated in the context of the Precambrian Earth's environment. One very important consideration is that the upper mantle was perhaps 300 C hotter 3 b.y. ago than it is today.

Desmarais, D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The lunar nodal tide and the distance to tne Moon during the Precambrian era

The origin and early evolution of life on Earth occurred under physical and chemical conditions distinctly different from those of the present day. The broad goal of this research program is to characterize these conditions. One aspect involves the dynamics of the Earth-Moon system, the distance of the Moon from the Earth, and the length of the day. These have evolved during the course of Earth history as a result of the dissipation of tidal energy. As the moon has receded the amplitude of oceanic tides has decreased while the increasing length of the day should have influenced climate and the circulation of atmosphere and ocean. A 23.3 year periodicity preserved in a 2500 million year old banded iron-formation was interpreted as reflecting the climatic influence of the lunar nodal tide. The corresponding lunar distance would then have been approx. 52 Earth radii. The influence of the lunar nodal tide is also apparent in rocks with an age of 680 million years B.P. The derived value for lunar distance 2500 million years ago is the only datum on the dynamics of the Earth-Moon system during the Precambrian era of Earth history. The implied development of Precambrian tidal friction is in accord with more recent paleontological evidence as well as the long term stability of the lunar orbit.

Walker, J. C. G.↗