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NASA NTRS1978

Miniregoliths. I - Dusty lunar rocks and lunar soil layers

A detailed Monte-Carlo model for rock surface evolution shows that erosion processes alone cannot account for the shapes of the solar flare particle track profiles generally observed at depths of about 100 microns and less in rocks. The observed profiles are easily explained by a steady accumulation of fine dust at a rate of 0.3 to 3 mm per m.y., depending on the micrometeoroid impact rate which controls the dust cover and results in maximum dust thicknesses on the order of 100 microns to 1 mm. The commonly used lunar soil track parameters are derived in terms of parameters characterizing the exposure of soil grains in the few-millimeter-thick surface mixing and maturation zone which is one form of miniregolith. Correlation plots permit determining the degree of mixing in soil samples and the amount of processing (maturation) in surface miniregoliths. It is shown that the sampling process often artificially mixes together finer distinct layers, and that ancient miniregolith layers on the order of a millimeter thick are probably common in the lunar soil.

Comstock, G. M.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Serendipitous solution to the problem of culturing Arabidopsis plants in sealed containers for spaceflights of long duration

The Arabidopsis thaliana plant species is tested to determine how a higher plant will develop from seed to maturity when deprived of all gravitational information that it might use to control its growth. Experimental results show that Arabidopsis seedlings can develop to maturity by means of a light-dependent but CO2-independent metabolism that feeds on organic compounds derived from the culture medium. This process is identified as photoassimilation. The ability of a higher plant to nourish itself by photoassimilation and thereby to survive in a heremetically sealed chamber of small dimensions is more than a biochemical curiosity. It allows the botanical investigator to design a culture system convenient for space-flight applications, which ensures isolation of each test plant from the gaseous environment of the spacecraft.

Brown, A. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Soil stabilization by a prokaryotic desert crust - Implications for Precambrian land biota

The ecology of the cyanophyte-dominated stromatolitic mat forming the ground cover over desert areas of Utah and Colorado is investigated and implications for the formation of mature Precambrian soils are discussed. The activation of the growth of the two species of filamentous cyanophyte identified and the mobility of their multiple trichromes upon wetting are observed, accompanied by the production and deposition of a sheath capable of accreting and stabilizing sand and clay particles. The formation of calcium carbonate precipitates upon the repeated wetting and drying of desert crust is noted, and it is suggested that the desert crust community may appear in fossil calcrete deposits as lithified microscopic tubes and cellular remains of algal trichromes. The invasion of dry land by both marine and freshwater algae on the model of the desert crust is proposed to be responsible for the accumulation, stabilization and biogenic modification of mature Precambrian soils.

Campbell, S. E.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Characterization and depositional and evolutionary history of the Apollo 17 deep drill core

With a depth resolution of about 0.5 cm, the stratigraphy of the approximately 3 m Apollo 17 deep drill core by measurement of the total FeO concentration is characterized along with the FMR surface exposure (maturity) index Is/FeO, the metallic iron concentration Fe-vsm, and the FMR linewidth delta-H. For stratigraphic characterization, the first two parameters are the most important. Most of the core is characterized by a FeO concentration of approximately 15.5 wt. %; there is a more mafic zone in the upper approximately 75 cm where the maximum FeO concentration is approximately 18.5 wt. %, and a more felsic zone between approximately 225 and 260 cm where the minimum FeO concentration is approximately 14.0%. As indicated by Is/FeO, most of the soil in the core is submature to mature; the only immature zone is located between approximately 20 and 60 cm and is one of the most distinctive features in the core. A two stage model for the depositional and evolutionary history of the Apollo 17 deep drill core is proposed: (1) deposition by one event approximately 110 m.y. ago or deposition by a sequence of closely spaced events initating a maximum of approximately 200 m.y. ago and terminating approximately 110 m.y. ago, (2) in situ reworking (gardening) to a depth of approximately 26 cm in the period between approximately 110 m.y. ago and the present day.

Morris, R. V.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Preliminary description and interpretation of Apollo 14 cores 14211/10

Core 14211/10 is a 2 cm-diameter double drive tube that was collected within the smooth plains area of the Apollo 14 landing site. Rock fragments in the core appear to be derived from the smooth plains area because the coring site is beyond ejecta range of Cone Crater and is within the expected continuous ejecta of two large craters in the plains. The characteristics of the glassy soil breccia zone between 12.5 and 15.5 cm indicate that this zone represents the bottom of a glass-lined crater. At least some of the dark agglutinate and glass-rich soils at the top of the core are mature, by FMR measurements, and show maturation interrelationships between particle types. Hence, this dark interval is interpreted as a gardened zone.

Nagle, J. S.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Response of citrus and other selected plant species to simulated HCL - acid rain

Mature valencia orange trees were sprayed with hydrochloric acid solutions (pH 7.8, 2.0, 1.0, and 0.5) in the field at the full bloom stage and at one month after fruit set. Potted valencia orange and dwarf citrus trees, four species of plants native to Merritt Island, and four agronomic species were exposed to various pH levels of simulated acid rain under controlled conditions. The acid rain was generated from dilutions of hydrochloric acid solutions or by passing water through an exhaust generated by burning solid rocket fuel. The plants were injured severely at pH levels below 1.0, but showed only slight injury at pH levels of 2.0 and above. Threshold injury levels were between 2.0 and 3.0 pH. The sensitivity of the different plant species to acid solutions was similar. Foliar injury symptoms were representative of acid rain including necrosis of young tissue, isolated necrotic spots or patches, and leaf abscission. Mature valencia orange trees sprayed with concentrations of 1.0 pH and 0.5 pH in the field had reduced fruit yields for two harvests after the treatment. All experimental trees were back to full productivity by the third harvest after treatment.

Knott, W. M.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Spectral behavior of wheat yield variety trials

Little variation between varieties is seen at jointing, but the variability is found to increase during grain filling and decline again at maturity. No relationship is found between spectral response and yield, and when yields are segregated into various classes the spectral response is the same. Spring and winter nurseries are found to separate during the reproductive stage because of differences in dates of heading and maturity, but they exhibit similar spectral responses. The transformed normalized difference is at a minimum after the maximum grain weight occurs and the leaves begin to brown and fall off. These data of 100% ground cover demonstrate that it is not possible to predict grain yield from only spectral data. This, however, may not apply when reduced yields are caused by less-than-full ground cover

Hatfield, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Turbulent boundary layer heat transfer experiments - A separate effects study on a convexly-curved wall

Surface heat transfer rates have been measured for several different flows on an isothermal, convexly curved surface. The freestream velocity, boundary layer thickness, acceleration parameter, and unheated starting length were varied systematically, and both turbulent and transitional boundary layers were studied. The effect of convex curvature on heat transfer rates is significant with Stanton numbers reduced 20-25% below flat wall values for the same enthalpy thickness Reynolds number. Heat transfer rates recovered slowly on a flat wall downstream of the curved wall, and after 60 cm, the Stanton numbers were still 15-20% below flat wall values. The behavior of the boundary layer suggests the existence of an asymptotic condition. Boundary layer thickness, freestream velocity, and boundary layer maturity affect the initial response to the introduction of curvature and the rate at which the asymptotic state is approached. Convex curvature appears to increase the boundary layer's sensitivity to acceleration; it also delays and retards transition. Near-laminar or early-transitional boundary layers recover from curvature rapidly, whereas late-transitional and mature boundary layers recover slowly.

Simon, T. W.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The Apollo 17 drill core - Chemistry of size fractions and the nature of the fused soil component

It is shown that the Apollo 17 drill core 70009-70001 is heterogeneous with depth, containing five stratigraphic units, and has a bulk soil chemistry governed by the coarse fractions because of their greater weight proportions. The four components (1) KREEP, (2) anorthositic gabbro, (3) mare basalt, and (4) orange glass are used to model the compositions of the coarse and fine fractions of the entire drill core. It is found that the chemistry of the fused soil component in the five stratigraphic units is more similar to the chemistry of the fine, less than 20-micron fractions than the coarse fraction, suggesting that agglutinates may prefferentially meld and replicate the chemistry of the finer size fractions. The sources of Zn are the orange/black glasses, and the Zn profile is anticorrelated with the maturity index of Morris et al (1979), indicating the liberation of Zn during soil maturation.

Laul, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1982

The life cycle of thunderstorm gust fronts as viewed with Doppler radar and rawinsonde data

This paper presents the time-dependent analysis of the thunderstorm gust front with the use of Project NIMROD data. RHI cross sections of reflectivity and Doppler velocity are constructed to determine the entire vertical structure. The life cycle of the gust front is divided into four stages: (1) the formative stage; (2) the early mature stage; (3) the late mature stage; and (4) the dissipation stage. A new finding is a horizontal roll detected in the reflectivity pattern resulting from airflow that is deflected upward by the ground, while carrying some of the smaller precipitation ahead of the main echo core of the squall line. This feature is called a 'precipitation roll'. As determined from rawinsonde data, the cold air behind the gust front accounts for the observed surface pressure rise. Calculations confirm that the collision of two fluids produce a nonhydrostatic pressure at the leading edge of the outflow. The equation governing the propagation speed of a density current accurately predicts the movement of the gust front.

Wakimoto, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Flying the orbiter in the approach/landing phase

The Columbia has completed a spectacularly successful four flight Orbital Flight Test program as well as the first operational mission in which two satellites were deployed. It is unprecedented that a vehicle so complex as the Shuttle could have reached such a state of maturity in so few missions. This maturity is reflected not only in terms of basic performance during dynamic flight phases, but also in the outstanding performance of individual spacecraft systems. Appreciably more CSS time has been logged during entry and particularly in the approach and landing phase than any other segment of the mission profile. The discussion that follows, therefore, will outline this phase in some detail including pilot comments, techniques, crew displays and landing aids. Some problem areas related to landing the Orbiter will be discussed, as well as possible solutions.

Nagel, S. R.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Assessment of Potential for Batteries in Space Applications

Different battery technologies for energy storage in space missions were examined. One of the best ways of the possibilities of high energy density batteries were determined by looking at more conventional batteries (i.e., lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel-hydrogen, etc.). The theoretical specific energy density for state of the art batteries and the usable energy density for a reasonable life expectancy are outlined. The most mature of these couples is lead acid, which achieves nearly 20% of its theoretical capacity. The nickel-cadmium couple, has matured to where the active capacity is 17% of its theoretical capacity. The achievements are used to measure the practicality of more advanced batteries and to estimate what is needed for future high power space systems.

Ford, F. E.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Pea amyloplast DNA is qualitatively similar to pea chloroplast DNA

Amyloplast DNA (apDNA), when subjected to digestion with restriction endonucleases, yields patterns nearly identical to that of DNA from mature pea chloroplasts (ctDNA). Southern transfers of apDNA and ctDNA, probed with the large subunit (LS) gene of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco), shows hybridization to the expected restriction fragments for both apDNA and ctDNA. However, Northern transfers of total RNA from chloroplasts and amyloplasts, probed again with the LS gene of Rubisco, shows that no detectable LS meggage is found in amyloplasts although LS expression in mature chloroplasts is high. Likewise, two dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of etiolated gravisensitive pea tissue shows that both large and small subunits of Rubisco are conspicuously absent; however, in greening tissue these two constitute the major soluble proteins. These findings suggest that although the informational content of these two organelle types is equivalent, gene expression is quite different and is presumably under nuclear control.

Gaynor, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Solar cosmic ray produced neon in lunar soils and their implication for gas-rich meteorite studies

Characteristic neon isotopic ratios, produced due to solar cosmic ray spallation (SCR) in lunar soils, are useful in deciphering and estimating the relative contributions of SCR and GCR spallation. To delineate these features, etched mineral grains from mature and immature lunar soils (14148 and 61221 respectively) were analyzed using mass spectrometry. The SF-Ne composition deduced in this work agrees with that obtained from earlier etched lunar pyroxene studies. The data points for mature soil 14148 define a line which significantly deviates from the 61221 tie line. This deviation is attributed to the presence of SCR spallation component. In this context, neon isotopic compositions (step-wise heating) in Pantar and Leighton dark portions were studied and compared with that of Fayetteville. The meteorite data points deviate significantly from the tie line joining SF-Ne and GCR (pyroxene) end points. This deviation is attributed to SCR-spallation in gas-rich chondrites.

Nautiyal, C. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Cell Death, Neuronal Plasticity and Functional Loading in the Development of the Central Nervous System

Research on the precise timing and regulation of neuron production and maturation in the vestibular and visual systems of Wistar rats and several inbred strains of mice (C57B16 and Pallid mutant) concentrated upon establishing a timing baseline for mitotic development of the neurons of the vestibular nuclei and the peripheral vestibular sensory structures (maculae, cristae). This involved studies of the timing and site of neuronal cell birth and preliminary studies of neuronal cell death in both central and peripheral elements of the mammalian vestibular system. Studies on neuronal generation and maturation in the retina were recently added to provide a mechanism for more properly defining the in utero' developmental age of the individual fetal subject and to closely monitor potential transplacental effects of environmentally stressed maternal systems. Information is given on current efforts concentrating upon the (1) perinatal period of development (E18 thru P14) and (2) the role of cell death in response to variation in the functional loading of the vestibular and proprioreceptive systems in developing mammalian organisms.

Keefe, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Quantitative analysis of planetary reflectance spectra with principal components analysis

A technique is presented for quantitative analysis of planetary reflectance spectra as mixtures of particles on microscopic and macroscopic scales using principal components analysis. This technique allows for determination of the endmembers being mixed, their abundance, and the scale of mixing, as well as other physical parameters. Eighteen lunar telescopic reflectance spectra of the Copernicus crater region, from 600 nm to 1800 nm in wavelength, are modeled in terms of five likely endmembers: mare basalt, mature mare soil, anorthosite, mature highland soil, and clinopyroxene. These endmembers were chosen from a similar analysis of 92 lunar soil and rock samples. The models fit the data to within 2 percent rms. It is found that the goodness of fit is marginally better for intimate mixing over macroscopic mixing.

Johnson, P. E.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Structure and evolution of a severe squall line over Oklahoma

The structure of a severe squall line that developed in Oklahoma on May 2, 1979, is presented during its growth and part of its mature period. The line was analyzed using radar, satellite, sounding, and surface data for examining, in particular, the cell propagation mechanisms, the three-dimensional structure of the squall line and individual cells during the mature period, the mass and moisture fluxes, and precipitation efficiency. Comparison of the 1979 Oklahoma squall line with other documented squall lines indicates less well organized down-drafts on the rear side at low levels to midlevels, and an absence of low level to midlevel inflow on the rear side. The magnitude of mass and moisture fluxes was comparable to previous squall line cases. At one point, the motion of the individual cells, initially associated with a synoptic scale cold front, takes a sharp rightward turn. The mechanism of the motion turn is explained in terms of conditions created by a combination of wind shear and moisture convergence and lifting.

Heymsfield, G. M.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The evolution and growth of Al2O3 scales on beta-NiAl

The formation and growth of Al2O3 scales on (beta)-NiAl were studied using electron microscopy and other analytical techniques to gain an understanding of the oxidation properties of (beta)-NiAl and of alumina-forming alloys, in general. The transient and mature stages of oxidation were studied as well as the transformation stage during which the oxide scale transforms from metastable Al2O3 phases to the thermodynamically stable alpha-Al2O3 phase. The transient oxidation stages were studied at 800 deg C and for short times at 1100C. At 800C, the scales consist predominantly of delta-Al2O3 which forms by cation vacancy ordering in the defective spinel lattice of gamma-Al2O3. At 1100C, a fast-growth morphology of theta-Al2O3 forms as a surface layer over delta-Al2O3. For both oxidation temperatures, the scales are often epitaxially oriented with respect to the metal. The transient scales grow by outward cation diffusion as evidenced by surface growth morphologies. The transformation to alpha-Al2O3 occurs within 1 hour at 1100C by a nucleation and radial growth process. The large volume decrease associated with the transformation results in a highly strained alpha-Al2O3 microstructure. A change in scale growth mechanism from outward cation to inward anion diffusion allows transient surface morphologies to be smoothed by surface diffusion. The mature stage of oxidation involves the growth of an alpha-Al2O3 scale having the lacey morphology formed as a result of the gamma yields alpha transformation. Growth of the scale occurs by counterdiffusion along grain boundaries resulting in ridges formed by impingement of alpha-Al2O3 nuclei during the transformation stage. Also scale growth occurs by inward oxygen diffusion through healed cracks; the cracks result from transformation stresses. The measured growth rates of scales having the lacey morphology are an order of magnitude less than fine-grained alpha-Al2O3 scales. Metal orientations were found to have a large effect on oxide morpholoies during all stages of oxidation.

Doychak, J. K.↗