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At least 487 records · Page 27

Flight motor set 360L007 (STS-33R)

Flight motor set 360L007 was launched as part of NASA space shuttle mission STS-33R. As with all previous redesigned solid rocket motor launches, overall motor performance was excellent. There were no debris concerns for either motor. Both motors exhibited unbonds on one factory joint weatherseal. All ballistics contract end item specification parameters were verified, with the exception of ignition interval and rise rates. Ignition interval and rise rates could not be verified due to the elimination of developmental flight instrumentation from fourth flight and subsequent, but the low sample rate data that were available showed nominal propulsion performance. All ballistic and mass property parameters closely matched the predicted values and were well within the required contract end item specification levels that could be assessed. All 108 Ground Environment Instrumentation (GEI) measurements performed properly throughout the prelaunch phase. Evaluation of the GEI measurements again verified thermal model analysis data and showed agreement with predicted environmental effects. No launch commit criteria thermal violations occurred. All joint heaters operated normally, but a high voltage reading was noted on the left hand aft heater, which was immediately determined to be a voltage sensor error and not a heater anomaly due to no current increase. Postflight inspection again verified superior performance of the insulation, phenolics, metal parts, and seals. Postflight evaluation indicated both nozzles performed as expected during flight. All combustion gas was contained by insulation in the field and case-to-nozzle joints.

Garecht, Diane↗

Flight motor set 360L006 (STS-34). Volume 1: System overview

Flight motor set 360L006 was launched at approximately 11:54 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) on 18 October 1989 as part of NASA space shuttle mission STS-34. As with all previous redesigned solid rocket motor launches, overall motor performance was excellent. All ballistic contract end item (CEI) specification parameters were verified with the exceptions of ignition interval and rise rates. Ignition interval and rise rates could not be verified due to the elimination of developmental flight instrumentation from fourth flight and subsequent, but the low sample rate data that were available showed nominal propulsion performance. All ballistic and mass property parameters closely matched the predicted values and were well within the required CEI specification levels that could be assessed, with the exception of the RH-motor vacuum-delivered specific impulse. It exceeds the upper-limit CEI specification due to a bias imposed on the raw data by the OPT/Taber gage measurement differences. Evaluation of the ground environment instrumentation measurements again verified thermal model analysis data and showed agreement with predicted environmental effects. No launch commit criteria thermal violations occurred. Postflight inspection again verified superior performance of the insulation, phenolics, metal parts, and seals. Postflight evaluation indicated both nozzles performed as expected during flight, although splashdown loads tore the left-hand, 45-deg actuator bracket from the nozzle. All combustion gas was contained by insulation in the field and nozzle-to-case joints. Recommendations were made concerning improved thermal modeling and measurements. The rationale for these recommendations, the disposition of all anomalies, and complete result details are contained.

Garecht, Diane M.↗

TRANSTRAIN: A program to compute strain transformations in composite materials

Over the years, the solid rocket motor community has made increasing use of composite materials for thermal and structural applications. This is particularly true of solid rocket nozzles, which have used carbon phenolic and, increasingly, carbon-carbon materials to provide structural integrity and thermal protection at the high temperatures encountered during motor burn. To evaluate the degree of structural performance of nozzles and their materials and to verify analysis models, many subscale and full-scale tests are run. These provide engineers with valuable data needed to optimize design and to analyze nozzle hardware. Included among these data are strains, pressures, thrust, temperatures, and displacements. Recent nozzle test hardware has made increasing use of strain gauges embedded in the carbon composite material to measure internal strains. In order to evaluate strength, these data must be transformed into strains along the fiber directions. The fiber-direction stresses can then be calculated. A computer program written to help engineers correctly manipulate the strain data into a form that can be used to evaluate structural integrity of the nozzle is examined.

Ahmed, Rafiq↗

Flight motor set 360L008 (STS-32R). Volume 1: System overview

Flight motor set 360L008 was launched as part of NASA space shuttle mission STS-32R. As with all previous redesigned solid rocket motor launches, overall motor performance was excellent. All ballistic contract end item specification parameters were verified with the exception of ignition interval and rise rates, which could not be verified due to elimination of developmental flight instrumentation. But the available low sample rate data showed nominal propulsion performance. All ballistic and mass property parameters closely matched the predicted values and were well within the required contract end item specification levels that could be assessed. All field joint heaters and igniter joint heaters performed without anomalies. Redesigned field joint heaters and the redesigned left-hand igniter heater were used on this flight. The changes to the heaters were primarily to improve durability and reducing handling damage. Evaluation of the ground environment instrumentation measurements again verified thermal mode analysis data and showed agreement with predicted environmental effects. No launch commit criteria violation occurred. Postflight inspection again verified superior performance of the insulation, phenolics, metal parts, and seals. Postflight evaluation indicated both nozzles performed as expected during flight. All combustion gas was contained by insulation in the field and case-to-nozzle joints. Recommendations were made concerning improved thermal modeling and measurements. The rationale for these recommendations and complete result details are presented.

Garecht, D. M.↗

Influence of iodine on the treatment of spacecraft humidity condensate to produce potable water

Several compounds in the ersatz humidity condensate do react with iodine to form iodine-substituted organic compounds (TOI), most notably phenol, acetaldehyde, ethanol, and sodium formate. Iodination of the ersatz humidity condensate produced 3.0 to 3.5 mg/L of TOI within 24 hours. The TOI that was produced by the passage of the ersatz humidity condensate through the first iodinated resin (IR) in the adsorption system was removed by the granular activated carbon that followed. TOI detected in the final effluent was formed by the reaction of the non-adsorbable condensate compounds with the final IR in the treatment series. The activated carbon bed series in the adsorption system performed poorly in its removal of TOC. The rapid breakthrough of TOC was not surprising, as the ersatz humidity condensate contained several highly soluble organic compounds, alcohols and organic acids.

Symons, James M.↗

Composite-Material Airflow Vane

"Alpha/beta" lightweight instrumentation vanes made of composite of phenolic, epoxy, and fiberglass stronger and more accurate than conventional vanes made partly of balsa wood. Absorbs little or no moisture and provides more repeatable measurements. Because weight same as balsa vanes, no instrumentation changes needed. If vane breaks away from stem, not likely to damage aircraft engine if ingested; more likely crumbles into low-density particles that pass through without causing harm.

Vranas, Thomas L.↗

Flight motor set 36OH005 (STS-28R). Volume 5: (Nozzle component)

A review of the performance and post flight condition of the STS-28 redesigned solid rocket motor (RSRM) nozzles is presented in this document. Applicable discrepancy reports (DR's) and process departures (PD's) are presented in section 5.0. The nozzle component program team (NCPT) performance evaluation and the redesign program review board (RPRB) assessment is included in section 6.0. The STS-28 nozzle assemblies were flown on the RSRM fifth flight (Space Shuttle Columbia). The nozzles were a partially submerged convergent/divergent movable design with an aft pivot point flexible bearing. The nozzle assemblies incorporated the following features: (1) RSRM forward exit cone with snubber assembly; (2) RSRM fixed housing; (3) structural backup outer boot ring (OBR); (4) RSRM cowl ring; (5) RSRM nose inlet assembly; (6) RSRM throat assembly; (7) RSRM forward nose and aft inlet ring; (8) RSRM aft exit cone assembly with linear-shaped charge (LSC); (9) RTV backfill in joints 1, 3, and 4; (10) use of EA913 NA adhesive in place of EA913; (11) redesigned nozzle plug; and (12) carbon cloth phenolic (CCP) with 750 ppm sodium content. The RSRM fifth flight test objectives are as follows: (1) verify that flexible bearing seals operate within the specified temperature range; (2) verify that flexible bearing maintained a positive gas seal between its internal components; (3) inspect flexible bearing for damage due to water impact; (4) verify performance of the nozzle liner; (5) verify that nozzle parts are reusable; (6) verify through flight demonstration and a postflight inspection that the flexible bearing is reusable; (7) verify by inspection the remaining nozzle ablative thicknesses; and (8) verify the nozzle performance margins of safety.

Smith, Dan M., Jr.↗

Flight motor set 360L009 (STS-36). Volume 1: System overview

Flight Motor Set 360L009, as part of NASA Space Shuttle Mission STS-36, a Department of Defence mission, was launched after two launch attempts. One launch was scrubbed following the failure of a ground-based Range Safety computer and one was scrubbed due to cloud cover at the return to launch landing site. As with all previous redesigned solid rocket motor launches, overall motor performance was excellent. There were no debris concerns from either motor. All ballistic and mass property parameters that could be assessed, closely matched the predicted values and were well within the required contract item specification levels. All field joint heaters and igniter joint heaters performed without anomalies. Evaluation of the ground environment instrumentation measurements again verified thermal model analysis data and showed agreement with predicted environmental effects. No launch commit criteria violations occurred. Postflight inspection again verified nominal performance of the insulation, phenolics, metal parts, and seals. Postflight evaluation indicated that both nozzles performed as expected during flight. All combustion gas was contained by insulation in the field and case-to-nozzle joints. Recommendations were made concerning improved thermal modeling and measurements. The rationale for these recommendations and complete result details are presented.

Garecht, Diane M.↗

Flight Motor Set 360T010 (STS-31R). Volume 1: System Overview

Flight motor set 360T010 was launched at approximately 7:34 a.m. CST (090:114:12:33:50.990 GMT) on 24 Apr. 1990 after one launch attempt (attempt on 10 Apr. 1990 was scrubbed following an indication of erratic operation of the Orbiter No. 1 Auciliary Power Unit No. 1). There were no problems with the solid rocket motor launches, overall motor performance was excellent. There were no debris concerns from either motor. Nearly all ballistic contract end item specification parameters were verified with the exception of ignition interval, pressure rise rate, and ignition time thrust imbalance. These could not be verified due to elimination of developmental flight instrumentation on 360L004 (STS-30R) and subsequent, but low sample rate data that were available showed nominal propulsion performance. All ballistic and mass property parameters that could be assessed closely matched the predicted values and were well within the required contract end item specification levels. All field joint heaters and igniter joint heaters performed without anomalies. Evaluation of the ground environment instrumentation measurements again verified thermal model analysis data and showed agreement with predicted environmental effects. No launch commit criteria violations occurred. Postflight inspection again verified nominal performance of the insulation, phenolics, metal parts, and seals. Postflight evaluation indicated both nozzles performed as expected during flight. All combustion gas was contained by insulation in the field and case-to-nozzle joints.

Garecht, Diane↗

Flame-retardant composite materials

The properties of eight different graphite composite panels fabricated using four different resin matrices and two types of graphite reinforcement are described. The resin matrices included: VPSP/BMI, a blend of vinylpolystyryl pyridine and bismaleimide; BMI, a bismaleimide; and phenolic and PSP, a polystyryl pyridine. The graphite fiber used was AS-4 in the form of either tape or fabric. The properties of these composites were compared with epoxy composites. It was determined that VPSP/BMI with the graphite tape was the optimum design giving the lowest heat release rate.

Kourtides, Demetrius A.↗

Wear characteristics of bonded solid film lubricant under high load condition

Wear properties of phenolic resin bonded molybdenum disulfide film lubricant were studied. In-vacuo journal bearing tests were performed to evaluate the wear-life of this film lubricant. The wear-life depends on substrate materials and on sliding velocity. Pretreated substrate surfaces were examined to reveal the reasons for these results. Additionally, investigations on film wear mechanisms were made.

Hiraoka, Naofumi↗

Flight motor set 360T004 (STS-30R). Volume 1: System overview

The fourth NASA space shuttle flight incorporating redesigned solid rocket motors began on 4 May 1989. The flight motors were designated 360Q004A (left-hand) and 360H004B (right-hand); the mission was designated STS-30R. Overall engine performance was excellent. The low sample rate data that was available showed exceptional propulsion performance. All ballistic and mass property parameters closely matched the predicted values and were well within the required contract end item specification levels that could be assessed. No strain, vibration, or aft skirt heating environments could be addressed due to developmental flight instrumentation deletion. Infrared readings from the shuttle thermal imager were considered very good when compared with ground environment instrumentation readings taken during both the aborted and the actual countdowns. However, hand-held infrared gun reading/ground environment instrumentation comparisons were considered poor during both countdowns, with the exception of the T - 3 hour timeframe during the actual launch. Postflight inspection again verified superior performance of the insulation, phenolics, metal parts, and seals. All combustion gas was contained by the insulation in the field and case-to-nozzle joints. Inadequate parachute performance on the left-hand booster caused high splashdown loads, which resulted in a displaced nozzle and factory joint weatherseal unbond anomalies. Recommendations were made concerning improved thermal modeling and instruments. The rationale for these recommendations, the dispositions of all anomalies, and complete result details are given.

Ricks, Glenn A.↗

Structure and functions of water-membrane interfaces and their role in proto-biological evolution

Among the most important developments in proto-biological evolution was the emergence of membrane-like structures. These are formed by spontaneous association of relatively simple amphiphilic molecules that would have been readily available in the primordial environment. The resulting interfacial regions between water and nonpolar interior of the membrane have several properties which made them uniquely suitable for promoting subsequent evolution. They can (1) selectively attract organic material and mediate its transport, (2) serve as simple catalysts for chemical reactions, and (3) promote the formation of trans-membrane electrical and chemical gradients which could provide energy sources for proto-cells. Understanding the structure of interfaces, their interactions with organic molecules and molecular mechanisms of their functions is an essential step to understanding proto-biological evolution. In our computer simulation studies, we showed that the structure of water at interfaces with nonpolar media is significantly different from that in the bulk. In particular, the average surface dipole density points from the vapor to the liquid. As a result, negative ions can approach the interface more easily than positive ions. Amphiphilic molecules composed of hydrocarbon conjugated rings and polar substituents (e.g., phenol) assume at the interface rigid orientations in which polar groups are buried in water while hydrocarbon parts are located in the nonpolar environment. These orientational differences are of special interest in connection with the ability of some of these molecules to efficiently absorb photons. Flexible molecules with polar substituents often adopt at interfaces conformations different from those in the bulk aquaeous solution and in the gas phase. As a result, in many instances both specificity and kinetics of chemical reactions in which these molecules can participate is modified by the presence of surfaces. Of special interest is the mechanism by which polar molecules are transferred across interface between water and a nonpolar medium. Our recent study showed that simple ionophores bind ions by the same mechanisms as ion channels and carriers from modern cells.

Pohorille, A.↗

Sprayable lightweight ablative coating

An improved lightweight, ablative coating is disclosed that may be spray applied and cured without the development of appreciable shrinkage cracks. The ablative mixture consists essentially of phenolic microballoons, hollow glass spheres, glass fibers, ground cork, a flexibilized resin binder, and an activated colloidal clay.

Simpson, William G.↗

Automated carbon dioxide cleaning system

Solidified CO2 pellets are an effective blast media for the cleaning of a variety of materials. CO2 is obtained from the waste gas streams generated from other manufacturing processes and therefore does not contribute to the greenhouse effect, depletion of the ozone layer, or the environmental burden of hazardous waste disposal. The system is capable of removing as much as 90 percent of the contamination from a surface in one pass or to a high cleanliness level after multiple passes. Although the system is packaged and designed for manual hand held cleaning processes, the nozzle can easily be attached to the end effector of a robot for automated cleaning of predefined and known geometries. Specific tailoring of cleaning parameters are required to optimize the process for each individual geometry. Using optimum cleaning parameters the CO2 systems were shown to be capable of cleaning to molecular levels below 0.7 mg/sq ft. The systems were effective for removing a variety of contaminants such as lubricating oils, cutting oils, grease, alcohol residue, biological films, and silicone. The system was effective on steel, aluminum, and carbon phenolic substrates.

Hoppe, David T.↗

Glass sample preparation and performance investigations

This final report details the work performed under this delivery order from April 1991 through April 1992. The currently available capabilities for integrated optical performance modeling at MSFC for large and complex systems such as AXAF were investigated. The Integrated Structural Modeling (ISM) program developed by Boeing for the U.S. Air Force was obtained and installed on two DECstations 5000 at MSFC. The structural, thermal and optical analysis programs available in ISM were evaluated. As part of the optomechanical engineering activities, technical support was provided in the design of support structure, mirror assembly, filter wheel assembly and material selection for the Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) program. As part of the fabrication activities, a large number of zerodur glass samples were prepared in different sizes and shapes for acid etching, coating and polishing experiments to characterize the subsurface damage and stresses produced by the grinding and polishing operations. Various optical components for AXAF video microscope and the x-ray test facility were also fabricated. A number of glass fabrication and test instruments such as a scatter plate interferometer, a gravity feed saw and some phenolic cutting blades were fabricated, integrated and tested.

Johnson, R. Barry↗

The characterization of organic contaminants during the development of the Space Station water reclamation and management system

Examples of the application of various methods for characterizing samples for alcohols, fatty acids, detergents, and volatile/semivolatile basic, neutral, and phenolic acid contaminants are presented. Data, applications, and interpretations are given for a variety of methods including sample preparation/cleanup procedures, ion chromatography, and gas chromatography with various detectors. Summaries of the major organic contaminants that contribute to the total organic carbon content are presented.

Cole, H.↗

A coupled solution method for predicting the thermostructural response of decomposing, expanding polymeric composites

A new solution method has recently been developed to analyze the thermal and structural response of polymeric composites during chemical decomposition (Sullivan and Salamon, 1992a). This method couples the equations of energy, mass transport and momentum and solves these equations simultaneously at each time step. In this paper, the couples solution method is applied to analyze the response of a glass phenolic composite during its chemical decomposition. The numerical solution to this particular problem was originally performed by Henderson, et al. (1985) and the actual response was measured by Henderson and Hagen (1985) and Ramamurthy (1988). In addition to further verification of the coupled solution method, the present solution offers additional insight into certain physical events which occur during chemical decomposition.

Sullivan, Roy M.↗