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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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NASA NTRS1972

Paleomagnetism of the Mesozoic in Alaska

Over 400 oriented cores of Permian, Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous sedimentary and igneous rocks were collected from 34 sites at 10 areas throughout southern Alaska. After magnetic cleaning in successively higher alternating fields 179 samples were considered to be stable and to give statistically consistent results within each site and age group. Due to the lack of a sufficient number of stable samples, the results from Permian, Triassic, and Cretaceous rocks were inconclusive. The nine remaining Jurassic sites represent 100 samples from three general areas in southern Alaska. The southern Alaskan Jurassic paleomagnetic pole is significantly different from the North American Jurassic pole. This suggests that since the Jurassic, southern Alaska must have moved approximately 18 degrees north and rotated 52 degrees clockwise to reach its present position. Tectonic interpretation of these results give a possible explanation for many of the geologic features observed in southern Alaska.

Packer, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Magnetic field observations near Mercury: Preliminary results from Mariner 10

Results are presented from a preliminary analysis of data obtained near Mercury by the NASA/GSFC Magnetic Field Experiment on Mariner 10. A very well developed, detached bow shock wave, which developed as the super-Alfvenic solar wind interacted with the planet Mercury was observed. A magnetosphere-like region, with maximum field strength of 98 gamma at closest approach (704 km altitude) was also observed, and was contained within boundaries similar to the terrestrial magnetopause. The obstacle deflecting the solar wind flow was global in size, but the origin of the enhanced magnetic field was not established. The most plausible explanation, considering the complete body of data, favored the conclusion that Mercury has an intrinsic magnetic field.

Ness, N. F.↗

NASA NTRS1974

A modified Newton-Raphson analysis of flight measurements of the trailing vortices of a heavy jet transport

A modified Newton-Raphson method has been used to determine the parameters in equations describing the vortex flow to obtain a best match with flight measurements of the flow behind the C-5A airplane. The flight measurements were made using a specially instrumented T-33 airplane which passed as closely as possible to the centers of the trailing vortices at several distances behind the C-5A airplane. The flight measurements were transformed to flow velocity relative to an inertial frame of reference. The assumed form of the flow consisted of the superposition of two counterrotating, finite core vortices. The positions of the vortex centers, their total circulation, the effective eddy viscosity and measurement bias were the parameters adjusted. The assumed form of vortex flow fit well the measured velocities for the numerous sets of data, both flaps up and down for the C-5A airplane. The resulting values of total circulation, however, were about two-thirds that expected of a wing with an elliptical loading. A partial explanation of the less than expected circulation is a dip in the spanwise lift distribution at the airplane's center line. The distance between the trailing vortices at the smallest times encountered is somewhat less than that expected for an elliptical wing loading.

Taylor, L. W., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Causes of forbush decreases and other cosmic ray variations

The relationship between neutron monitor variations and the intensity variations of the interplanetary magnetic field is studied, using Deep River data and IMP-series satellite data. In over 80% of the cases studied, identifiable depressions of the cosmic ray intensity are associated with magnetic field enhancements of several hours duration and intensity above 10 gamma. Conversely, each magnetic field enhancement has an identifiable effect (though not necessarily a marked depression) on the cosmic ray intensity. Long lasting Forbush decreases are found to be the consequence of the successive action of several such features. An explanation is presented and discussed.

Barouch, E.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Evaluation of possible interaction among drugs contemplated for use during manned space flights. Part 1: Summary from progress report dated 31 October 1973. Part 2: Progress report for the period November 1973 to June 1974

Possible interactions among drugs contemplated for use during manned spaceflights have been studied in several animal species. The following seven drugs were investigated: nitrofurantoin, chloral hydrate, hexobarbital, phenobarbital, flurazepam, diphenoxylate, and phenazopyridine. Particular combinations included: chloral hydrate, hexobarbital or flurazepam with nitrofurantoin; phenobarbital or flurazepam with phenazopyridine; and diphenoxylate with two dose formulations of nitrofurantoin. The mechanism of action and an explanation of the interaction between diphenoxylate and nitrofurantoin still remains unclear. In man, the interaction does not appear to be significant, affecting only two subjects out of six and with only one dose formulation (Furadantin).

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1974

Space tug thermal control equipment thermal requirements, characteristics, and constraints catalogue: Users guide

This manual details the input instructions to the data bank, and explanation of the program and its output. The data bank was developed in satisfaction of two of the study tasks, the equipment thermal requirement catalog and the equipment characteristics and constraints catalog. The data bank contains 109 components within space tug avionics system. Other systems were not included in the data bank due to the available information, however, with some program modification, other systems could be incorporated into the data bank program. The data bank was developed and checked out and is compatible with the Univac 1108, and the CDC 6500 operating systems. The data contained in the data bank is general in content with emphasis on the component thermal design. The data is applicable to any spacecraft program where the components contained in the data bank can be applied in satisfaction of the system and subsystem requirements.

Ward, T. L.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Coordinate systems for the space shuttle program

A minimal set of well defined coordinate systems necessary for the interchange of data within the space shuttle program is presented. The document format consists of four parts: (1) a list of the subscripts identifying the coordinate systems, (2) a glossary explaning the terms used within the coordinate system definitions, (3) figures defining, both graphically and verbally, each coordinate system, and (4) an appendix (published separately) showing the relationships (transformations) between similar systems.

Davis, L. D.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Design and calibration of a rocket-borne electron spectrometer for investigation of particle ionization in the nighttime midlatitude E region

An explanation was developed for the formation, near midnight at midlatitudes, of a broad electron density layer extending approximately from 120 to 180 km and usually referred to as the intermediate E layer. The responsible mechanism is believed to be the converging vertical ion drifts resulting from winds of the solar semidiurnal tide. Numerical solutions of the continuity equation appropriate to the intermediate layer is described for particular models of ion drift, diffusion coefficents, and ionization production. Analysis of rocket observations of the layer show that the ionization rate is highly correlated with the planetary geomagnetic index, K sub p. Particle flux measurements support the idea that energetic electrons are the principal source of this ionization. A semiconductor spectrometer experiment for investigation of the particle flux, spectrum, and angular properties was designed and successfully flown on a Nike Apache rocket. A detailed description of the theory, design, and calibration of the experiment and some preliminary results presented.

Voss, H. D.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Theoretical researches into planetary atmospheres and their influence upon surface features

The interface between certain geological and atmospheric phenomena on Mars was studied by examining those geological features which are associated with the presence of water in the liquid or solid phases. Several classes of Martian surface features thought to have had their origins in flow processes were studied in order to determine the role ice may have played in their creations. Preliminary studies concerning the behavior of Martian ice shelves were conducted, with the conclusion that flow rates of Martian and earth ice sheets are similar. Withdrawal of subsurface ice was found to be among the explanations for the origins of the chaotic terrains and drifted blocks.

Goody, R.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Tradeoffs in manipulator structure and control. Part 4: Flexible manipulator analysis program

The Flexible Manipulator Analysis Program (FMAP) is a collection of FORTRAN coding to allow easy analysis of the flexible dynamics of mechanical arms. The user specifies the arm configuration and parameters and any or all of several frequency domain analyses to be performed, while the time domain impulse response is obtained by inverse Fourier transformation of the frequency response. A detailed explanation of how to use FMAP is provided.

Book, W. J.↗

NASA NTRS1973

The origin of sinuous rilles

This report describes the distribution and morphology of sinuous rilles and presents data on rille geometry. Examples of the relation between sinuous rilles and the regional structure are given. Leading theories for the origin of sinuous rilles are discussed and evaluated. It is concluded that the general weight of evidence is against water erosion. The ash flow theory is not excluded, but evidence in its favor is weak. The best explanations involve lava tube formation for certain sinuous rilles, and faulting for others. In some cases, a gradation between faulting and igneous activity is noted.

Gornitz, V.↗

NASA NTRS1973

The initiation, development, and decay of the secondary flow in a bounded jet

The secondary flow in a low aspect ratio incompressible turbulent bounded jet is described in terms of a near, middle, and far field in which the secondary motion is initiated, developed, and decayed, respectively. The initiation of the secondary flow is explained by the distortion of the planar vortex loops which bound the jet at the exit plane. In the region away from the bounding plates, the vortex loop distortion is similar to that found in rectangular free jets; however, the bounding plates cause an additional production of streamwise vorticity near the plates which has no counterpart in the free jet flow. Downstream of the jet core region, a large-scale secondary flow developes from this vorticity. Farther downstream the secondary flow decays; the resultant flow may be characterized as a combination of a plane jet and boundary layer flows. This explanation is supported by the vorticity and velocity data of this investigation.

Holdeman, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Comments on 'Elastically scattered recoil nuclei in solid-state detectors'

Horn and Von Oertzen (1967) have shown that tracks in mica are produced by an irradiation with 32-MeV O-16 ions. These tracks were attributed to K and Fe recoils produced by elastic scattering of the incident oxygen beam. In the present work an alternate explanation of their observations is provided. The measured characteristics of the tracks are shown to be compatible with theoretical predictions for production of tracks by inelastic (mostly compound nucleus) reactions with silicon and to be inconsistent with the previously proposed elastic scattering process. The possibility that the tracks are produced by contaminant ions in the beam cannot be ruled out.

Maurette, M.↗

NASA NTRS1973

The distribution of redshifts of radio galaxies with different optical spectra and forms

The distribution of redshifts of 222 radio galaxies has been subjected to a power-spectrum analysis. No statistically significant spectral peaks are present for galaxies showing normal absorption-line characteristics; on the other hand, significant spectral peaks are present for those exhibiting strong emission features. Of these spectral peaks, the most significant, at a wavelength of 0.031 in redshift, occurs for those strong-emission radio galaxies which are also compact. The result is consistent with the proposal suggested earlier by Burbidge that the nonrandom features, which may suggest intrinsic redshifts, are confined to those objects - QSOs, N systems, etc. - in which radiation from stars does not dominate. Possible explanations of the apparently nonrandom features are briefly discussed. Finally, a table of the most recently published small-redshift QSOs and compact emission-line galaxies is presented. The redshifts appear to conform to the 0.061 (or 0.031) periodicity found earlier.

Burbidge, G. R.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Generation of color imagery from earth resources technology satellite /ERTS/ data return

The ERTS-1 satellite returns to the NASA-Goddard Ground Data Handling System four bands of Multispectral Scanner (MSS) imagery and three bands of Return Beam Vidicon (RBV) imagery. The system by which this data is used to generate multispectral color composite prints is described. The discussion includes an explanation of the ERTS photography tone reproduction system.

Polger, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1973

The South Ray Crater age paradox

Relative exposure ages based on agglutinate content are calculated for 26 Apollo 16 surface and core samples. These ages increase from the northern part of the traverse to the southern part and are in general agreement with cosmogenic gas ages and particle track ages. An apparent paradox exists in which presumed ray soil from South Ray Crater is much older than the age of South Ray Crater itself as determined by a variety of methods. The most likely explanation for the paradox is that the presumed South Ray Crater soil is not ejecta from South Ray Crater but is pre-existing regolith upon which blocks and fragments from South Ray Crater are scattered.

Mckay, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Two effective feature selection criteria for multispectral remote sensing

Distance measures which are useful for feature selection are considered, giving attention to the divergence distance measure and the Jeffreys-Matusita (JM) distance. Experimental studies show that the JM-distance yields more reliable results than other distance measures. A number of questions which are not solved by the experiments are discussed. The investigation provides an explanation for previous observations that the JM-distance and a saturating transform of divergence are highly useful for feature selection in the multiclass case.

Swain, P. H.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Comment on radar scattering from Saturn's rings

Strong 12.5 cm-wavelength radar echoes from Saturn's rings have been observed recently. The observed radar cross section of 0.62 (plus or minus 0.15) times the geometric area occupied by the optically observed A, B, and C rings seems too high based on radar experience with the terrestrial planets and the asteroids Icarus and Toro. An explanation of this phenomenon is proposed, based on the fact that backscattering from transparent spheres can show considerable gain over the simple external reflection from the front surface of an equivalent dielectric sphere. It is shown that only 10% of the optically observed material in the A, B, and C rings need consist of smooth ice fragments larger than 8 cm in radius to yield the radar results.

Pettengill, G. H.↗