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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 505 records · Page 28
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

Systems integration of lunar Campsite vehicles

This paper describes the configuration design and subsystems integration resolution for lunar Campsite vehicles and the crew vehicles (CVs) which support them. This concept allows early return to the moon while minimizing hardware development. Once in place, the Campsite can be revisited for extended periods. Configuration and operations issues are addressed, and explanations of the parametric subsystem analysis, as well as descriptions of the hardware concept and performance data, are provided. Within an assumed set of launch and mission constraints, a common vehicle stage design for both the Campsite and the CV landers was the chief design driver. Accommodation of a heat-shielded, ballistic crew transportation/return vehicle, scars for later system growth and upgrades, landing the crew in close proximity to the Campsite, and appropriate kinds of robotic systems were all secondary design drivers. Physical integration of the crew module and airlock, structural system, thermal radiators, power production and storage systems, external life support consumables, and payloads are covered. The vehicle performance data were derived using a Boeing lunar transportation sizing code to optimize vehicle stage sizes and commonality. Configuration trades were conducted and detailed sketches were produced.

Capps, Stephen↗
NASA NTRS1996

CLMNANAL: A C++ program for application of the Coleman stability analysis to rotorcraft

This program is an adaptation of the theory of Robert P. Coleman and Arnold M. Feingold as presented in NACA Report 1351, 1958. This theory provided a method for the analysis of multiple-bladed rotor systems to determine the system susceptibility to ground resonance. Their treatment also provided a simple means for determining the required product of rotor and chassis damping factors to suppress the resonance. This C++ program is based on a FORTRAN 77 version of a similar code.

Lance, Michael B.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Flight Guidance System Requirements Specification

This report describes a requirements specification written in the RSML-e language for the mode logic of a Flight Guidance System of a typical regional jet aircraft. This model was created as one of the first steps in a five-year project sponsored by the NASA Langley Research Center, Rockwell Collins Inc., and the Critical Systems Research Group of the University of Minnesota to develop new methods and tools to improve the safety of avionics designs. This model will be used to demonstrate the application of a variety of methods and techniques, including safety analysis of system and subsystem requirements, verification of key properties using theorem provers and model checkers, identification of potential sources mode confusion in system designs, partitioning of applications based on the criticality of system hazards, and autogeneration of avionics quality code. While this model is representative of the mode logic of a typical regional jet aircraft, it does not describe an actual or planned product. Several aspects of a full Flight Guidance System, such as recovery from failed sensors, have been omitted, and no claims are made regarding the accuracy or completeness of this specification.

Miller, Steven P.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Enhancements to TetrUSS for NASA Constellation Program

The NASA Constellation program is utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) predictions for generating aerodynamic databases and design loads for the Ares I, Ares I-X, and Ares V launch vehicles and for aerodynamic databases for the Orion crew exploration vehicle and its launch abort system configuration. This effort presents several challenges to applied aerodynamicists due to complex geometries and flow physics, as well as from the juxtaposition of short schedule program requirements with high fidelity CFD simulations. NASA TetrUSS codes (GridTool/VGRID/USM3D) have been making extensive contributions in this effort. This paper will provide an overview of several enhancements made to the various elements of TetrUSS suite of codes. Representative TetrUSS solutions for selected Constellation program elements will be shown. Best practices guidelines and scripting developed for generating TetrUSS solutions in a production environment will also be described.

Pandya, Mohagna J.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Investigation into Cloud Computing for More Robust Automated Bulk Image Geoprocessing

Geospatial resource assessments frequently require timely geospatial data processing that involves large multivariate remote sensing data sets. In particular, for disasters, response requires rapid access to large data volumes, substantial storage space and high performance processing capability. The processing and distribution of this data into usable information products requires a processing pipeline that can efficiently manage the required storage, computing utilities, and data handling requirements. In recent years, with the availability of cloud computing technology, cloud processing platforms have made available a powerful new computing infrastructure resource that can meet this need. To assess the utility of this resource, this project investigates cloud computing platforms for bulk, automated geoprocessing capabilities with respect to data handling and application development requirements. This presentation is of work being conducted by Applied Sciences Program Office at NASA-Stennis Space Center. A prototypical set of image manipulation and transformation processes that incorporate sample Unmanned Airborne System data were developed to create value-added products and tested for implementation on the "cloud". This project outlines the steps involved in creating and testing of open source software developed process code on a local prototype platform, and then transitioning this code with associated environment requirements into an analogous, but memory and processor enhanced cloud platform. A data processing cloud was used to store both standard digital camera panchromatic and multi-band image data, which were subsequently subjected to standard image processing functions such as NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), NDMI (Normalized Difference Moisture Index), band stacking, reprojection, and other similar type data processes. Cloud infrastructure service providers were evaluated by taking these locally tested processing functions, and then applying them to a given cloud-enabled infrastructure to assesses and compare environment setup options and enabled technologies. This project reviews findings that were observed when cloud platforms were evaluated for bulk geoprocessing capabilities based on data handling and application development requirements.

Brown, Richard B.↗
NASA NTRS2021

TSF Instrumentation Calibration Plan

This document describes the process by which the Thermo-Physics Facilities Branch, Code TSF, implements APR 8730.1, "Metrology/Calibration" and defines the responsibilities and requirements for periodic calibration of IM&TE used in branch facilities for data product and safety-critical measurements.

Scott Eddlemon↗
NASA NTRS2022

pyCRTM: A Python Interface for the Community Radiative Transfer Model

The Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) is a powerful and versatile scalar radiative transfer model for satellite data assimilation and remote sensing applications. It is implemented as an object-oriented Fortran library, enabling flexible code development and optimal runtime performance on clusters. The downsides of the Fortran interface are a steep learning curve for students and the reduced productivity of users that is typical for static compiled languages, in contrast to dynamic interpreted languages like Python. pyCRTM is a new software framework that directly interfaces the CRTM Fortran data structures and procedures in Python, leveraging both the simplicity and ease of use of Python syntax as well as the flexibility arising from the vast contemporary Python ecosystem. The goal of pyCRTM is to lower the barrier of entry for university students to learn and use the CRTM and to boost the productivity of researchers seeking to create new methods in radiative transfer and data assimilation, or seeking to apply the CRTM to study atmospheric phenomena without having to go through the pre-existing complexity of the CRTM Fortran interface.

Python↗
NASA NTRS2010

Automation Framework for Flight Dynamics Products Generation

XFDS provides an easily adaptable automation platform. To date it has been used to support flight dynamics operations. It coordinates the execution of other applications such as Satellite TookKit, FreeFlyer, MATLAB, and Perl code. It provides a mechanism for passing messages among a collection of XFDS processes, and allows sending and receiving of GMSEC messages. A unified and consistent graphical user interface (GUI) is used for the various tools. Its automation configuration is stored in text files, and can be edited either directly or using the GUI.

Wiegand, Robert E.↗
NASA NTRS1971

An Implicit Finite Difference Solution to the Viscous Radiating Shock Layer with Strong Blowing

An implicit finite difference scheme is developed for the fully coupled solution of the viscous radiating stagnation line equations, including strong blowing. Solutions are presented for both air injection and carbon phenolic ablation products injection into air at conditions near the peak radiative heating point in an earth entry trajectory from interplanetary return missions. A detailed radiative transport code that accounts for the important radiative exchange processes for gaseous mixtures in local thermodynamic and chemical equilibrium is utilized.

Garrett, L. B.↗
NASA NTRS1972

An implicit finite-difference solution to the viscous shock layer, including the effects of radiation and strong blowing

An implicit finite-difference scheme is developed for the fully coupled solution of the viscous, radiating stagnation-streamline equations, including strong blowing. Solutions are presented for both air injection and injection of carbon-phenolic ablation products into air at conditions near the peak radiative heating point in an earth entry trajectory from interplanetary return missions. A detailed radiative-transport code that accounts for the important radiative exchange processes for gaseous mixtures in local thermodynamic and chemical equilibrium is utilized in the study. With minimum number of assumptions for the initially unknown parameters and profile distributions, convergent solutions to the full stagnation-line equations are rapidly obtained by a method of successive approximations. Damping of selected profiles is required to aid convergence of the solutions for massive blowing. It is shown that certain finite-difference approximations to the governing differential equations stabilize and improve the solutions. Detailed comparisons are made with the numerical results of previous investigations. Results of the present study indicate lower radiative heat fluxes at the wall for carbonphenolic ablation than previously predicted.

Garrett, L. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Liquid rocket combustion computer model with distributed energy release. DER computer program documentation and user's guide, volume 1

A computer program for analyzing rocket engine performance was developed. The program is concerned with the formation, distribution, flow, and combustion of liquid sprays and combustion product gases in conventional rocket combustion chambers. The capabilities of the program to determine the combustion characteristics of the rocket engine are described. Sample data code sheets show the correct sequence and formats for variable values and include notes concerning options to bypass the input of certain data. A seperate list defines the variables and indicates their required dimensions.

Combs, L. P.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The correlation of the output of a binary convolutional encoder

In this paper we discuss the correlation properties of the output of a binary convolutional encoder. We consider both random statistically independent inputs and first-order Markov inputs. It is shown that for random inputs, the ensemble average of the product of the outputs of a convolutional encoder taken two at a time is always either 0 or 1, and that for almost all good codes the ensemble average is always 0.

Braff, M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

NOSS Altimeter Detailed Algorithm specifications

The details of the algorithms and data sets required for satellite radar altimeter data processing are documented in a form suitable for (1) development of the benchmark software and (2) coding the operational software. The algorithms reported in detail are those established for altimeter processing. The algorithms which required some additional development before documenting for production were only scoped. The algorithms are divided into two levels of processing. The first level converts the data to engineering units and applies corrections for instrument variations. The second level provides geophysical measurements derived from altimeter parameters for oceanographic users.

Hancock, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Hypersonic forebody lift-induced drag

The dominance of body-like shapes for hypersonic vehicles places emphasis on better understanding of pertinenet body flow physics. Computational methods are implemented to enhance the knowledge of drag components generated by the production of lift forces at hypersonic speeds. Three forebody shapes are examined to identify the effects related to body shape parameters. A Navier-Stokes code and classical Newtonian theory code provide predictions of the polar shapes upon which conclusions are drawn. In particular, it is noted that hypersonic body polar shapes are somewhat irregular; the result of incidence-induced form drag. Test data which supports this finding is identified. The means for reducing hypersonic body lift-induced drag are also identified, along with applied computational schemes that can reduce the cost of a configuration design program.

Boppe, C. W.↗
NASA NTRS2003

A Computational Study of the Abrupt Wing Stall (AWS) Characteristics for Various Fighter Jets: F/A-18E and F-16C - Part 1

Steady state Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations are used to gain an understanding of the physics behind the Abrupt Wing Stall (AWS) phenomenon and to arrive at static Figures of Merit (FOMs). Navier-Stokes simulations are conducted using the NASA Langley developed TetrUSS simulation suite which is based on tetrahedral, unstructured grids. The physics of the AWS phenomenon is understood by comparing CFD simulation results on two aircraft; a pre-production F/A-18E configuration which exhibits AWS phenomenon under certain geometric and flow conditions, and an F-16C aircraft configuration that does not. The CFD code is first validated against two sets of experimental data to build confidence in its use for the problem of AWS. An attempt is then made to understand the possible causes of AWS by analyzing and comparing the detailed flow fields between the two configurations under a variety of flow conditions. Based on this approach, a number of static Figures of Merit are developed to predict the potential existence of AWS. The FOMs include the break in the lift and wing root bending moment versus angle-of-attack (AoA) curves and the rate of change of sectional lift with respect to AoA. A companion paper, in Part II, describes a similar CFD study on two other aircraft, the AV-8B Harrier and F/A-18C. Results from both these studies, as well as other CFD studies conducted as part of the AWS program are used to recommend a CFD procedure for predicting the existence of AWS in future aerospace designs.

Parikh, Paresh↗
NASA NTRS2005

A Study of Cavitation-Ignition Bubble Combustion

We present the results of an experimental and computational study of the physics and chemistry of cavitation-ignition bubble combustion (CIBC), a process that occurs when combustible gaseous mixtures are ignited by the high temperatures found inside a rapidly collapsing bubble. The CIBC process was modeled using a time-dependent compressible fluid-dynamics code that includes finite-rate chemistry. The model predicts that gas-phase reactions within the bubble produce CO and other gaseous by-products of combustion. In addition, heat and mechanical energy release through a bubble volume-expansion phase are also predicted by the model. We experimentally demonstrate the CIBC process using an ultrasonically excited cavitation flow reactor with various hydrocarbon-air mixtures in liquid water. Low concentrations (< 160 ppm) of carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from the ultrasonic reactor were measured, and found to be proportional to the acoustic excitation power. The results of the model were consistent with the measured experimental results. Based on the experimental findings, the computational model, and previous reports of the "micro-diesel effect" in industrial hydraulic systems, we conclude that CIBC is indeed possible and exists in ultrasonically- and hydrodynamically-induced cavitation. Finally, estimates of the utility of CIBC process as a means of powering an idealized heat engine are also presented.

Nguyen, Quang-Viet↗
NASA NTRS2010

A Generalized Logical Format for Inter-Calibrated Brightness Temperatures for the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission

An important aspect of the GPM mission is the merging of precipitation data from multiple radiometers on different satellites. This requires that each radiometer be consistently calibrated and that each be intercalibrated with a mission reference standard. For GPM the reference standard is to be the core satellite carrying a dual frequency precipitation radar and a well calibrated conically scanning radiometer. This paper describes a common format for representing these intercalibrated brightness temperatures which will be used for all radiometer products from GPM partner satellites. The use of common formats ensures that users obtain all the required information and also facilitates the rain retrieval algorithm code preparation as it can always except to have the data that it needs for the retrieval.

Stocker, Erich Franz↗
NASA NTRS2011

CropEx Web-Based Agricultural Monitoring and Decision Support

CropEx is a Web-based agricultural Decision Support System (DSS) that monitors changes in crop health over time. It is designed to be used by a wide range of both public and private organizations, including individual producers and regional government offices with a vested interest in tracking vegetation health. The database and data management system automatically retrieve and ingest data for the area of interest. Another stores results of the processing and supports the DSS. The processing engine will allow server-side analysis of imagery with support for image sub-setting and a set of core raster operations for image classification, creation of vegetation indices, and change detection. The system includes the Web-based (CropEx) interface, data ingestion system, server-side processing engine, and a database processing engine. It contains a Web-based interface that has multi-tiered security profiles for multiple users. The interface provides the ability to identify areas of interest to specific users, user profiles, and methods of processing and data types for selected or created areas of interest. A compilation of programs is used to ingest available data into the system, classify that data, profile that data for quality, and make data available for the processing engine immediately upon the data s availability to the system (near real time). The processing engine consists of methods and algorithms used to process the data in a real-time fashion without copying, storing, or moving the raw data. The engine makes results available to the database processing engine for storage and further manipulation. The database processing engine ingests data from the image processing engine, distills those results into numerical indices, and stores each index for an area of interest. This process happens each time new data is ingested and processed for the area of interest, and upon subsequent database entries, the database processing engine qualifies each value for each area of interest and conducts a logical processing of results indicating when and where thresholds are exceeded. Reports are provided at regular, operator-determined intervals that include variances from thresholds and links to view raw data for verification, if necessary. The technology and method of development allow the code base to easily be modified for varied use in the real-time and near-real-time processing environments. In addition, the final product will be demonstrated as a means for rapid draft assessment of imagery.

Harvey. Craig↗