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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 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

MSFC Skylab ground-based astronomy program

The Skylab Ground-Based Astronomy Program (SGAP) was conducted to enhance the data base of solar physics obtained during the Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM) mission flown in conjunction with the Skylab orbital station. Leading solar physicists from various observatories obtained data from the ground at the same time that orbital data were being acquired by ATM. The acquisition of corollary solar data from the ground simultaneously with the ATM orbital observations helped to provide a broader basis for understanding solar physics by increasing spectral coverage and by the use of additional sophisticated instruments of various types. This report briefly describes the individual tasks and the associated instrumentation selected for this ground-based program and contains as appendices, the final reports from the Principal Investigators.

Duncan, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Video guidance, landing, and imaging systems

The adaptive potential of video guidance technology for earth orbital and interplanetary missions was explored. The application of video acquisition, pointing, tracking, and navigation technology was considered to three primary missions: planetary landing, earth resources satellite, and spacecraft rendezvous and docking. It was found that an imaging system can be mechanized to provide a spacecraft or satellite with a considerable amount of adaptability with respect to its environment. It also provides a level of autonomy essential to many future missions and enhances their data gathering ability. The feasibility of an autonomous video guidance system capable of observing a planetary surface during terminal descent and selecting the most acceptable landing site was successfully demonstrated in the laboratory. The techniques developed for acquisition, pointing, and tracking show promise for recognizing and tracking coastlines, rivers, and other constituents of interest. Routines were written and checked for rendezvous, docking, and station-keeping functions.

Schappell, R. T.↗
NASA NTRS1976

An inside look at NASA planetology

Staffing, financing and budget controls, and research grant allocations of NASA are reviewed with emphasis on NASA-supported research in planetary geological sciences: studies of the composition, structure, and history of solar system planets. Programs, techniques, and research grants for studies of Mars photographs acquired through Mariner 6-10 flights are discussed at length, and particularly the handling of computer-enhanced photographic data. Scheduled future NASA-sponsored planet exploration missions (to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus) are mentioned.

Dwornik, S. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Multidimensional histograms

Program computes four dimensional histogram of Landsat multispectral image data. System enhances image handling and significantly reduces reprocessing costs.

Jayroe, R. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Laser radar

A laser radar system to measure the altitude distribution of atmospheric sodium in the 80 to 100 km altitude region was constructed. The system consists of a high power pulsed dye laser, large aperture receiving telescope, and photon counting and signal processing equipment. The receiving system development, and the construction and development of the dye laser are discussed. Spatial and temporal filtering of the data to enhance the resolution of the sodium lidar profiles is described as well as computer model studies of the sodium density response to gravity wave perturbations.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1981

Structure of the lunar crust at highland site Apollo Station 16

The seismic crustal structure of the moon is known in the region of Oceanus Procellarum from the analysis of artificial impact data. To extend this knowledge we have used data from natural lunar seismic events to search for secondary seismic wave arrivals in the form of peg-leg multiples caused by reflections at crustal interfaces and converted arrivals caused by refractions at crustal interfaces. A polarization filter has been applied to the data to enhance the rectilinear particle motion expected for the onset of these body wave arrivals in the scattered coda of lunar seismograms. The results of this work tentatively indicate that the highland site at station 16 has a 75 km thick crust with an intermediate 20 km interface, compared to the 60 km crust and 20 km interface in Oceanus Procellarum, a mare region. Since the 20 km upper crust appears to exist at both highland and mare sites, it probably does not represent a mare basalt layer but rather a more general feature of the crust. Crustal thickness may partially control elevation by isostasy.

Goins, N. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Dish stirling solar receiver combustor test program

The operational and energy transfer characteristics of the Dish Stirling Solar Receiver (DSSR) combustor/heat exchanger system was evaluated. The DSSR is designed to operate with fossil fuel augmentation utilizing a swirl combustor and cross flow heat exchanger consisting of a single row of 4 closely spaced tubes that are curved into a conical shape. The performance of the combustor/heat exchanger system without a Stirling engine was studied over a range of operating conditions and output levels using water as the working fluid. Results show that the combustor may be started under cold conditions, controlled safety, and operated at a constant air/fuel ratio (10 percent excess air) over the required range of firing rates. Furthermore, nondimensional heat transfer coefficients based on total heat transfer are plotted versus Reynolds number and compared with literature data taken for single rows of closely spaced tubes perpendicular to cross flow. The data show enhanced heat transfer for the present geometry and test conditions. Analysis of the results shows that the present system meets specified thermal requirements, thus verifying the feasibility of the DSSR combustor design for final prototype fabrication.

Bankston, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Detection of amblyopia utilizing generated retinal reflexes

Investigation confirmed that GRR images can be consistently obtained and that these images contain information required to detect the optical inequality of one eye compared to the fellow eye. Digital analyses, electro-optical analyses, and trained observers were used to evaluate the GRR images. Two and three dimensional plots were made from the digital analyses results. These plotted data greatly enhanced the GRR image content, and it was possible for nontrained observers to correctly identify normal vs abnormal ocular status by viewing the plots. Based upon the criteria of detecting equality or inequality of ocular status of a person's eyes, the trained observer correctly identified the ocular status of 90% of the 232 persons who participated in this program.

Kerr, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

LANDSAT applications by the Adirondack Park Agency for land cover analyses and forest cover change

The New York State Adirondack Park Agency is using LANDSAT imagery to provide current, consistent parkwide data on forest cover, forest change and other land cover characteristics for the Adirondack Park, an area of 9,375 sq. miles (24,280 sq km). Boundaries of the study area were digitized and the data were enhanced and geographically rectified. A classification scheme was devised which emphasized the basic land cover types of the Park: hardwoods, spruce-fir, pine, wet conifer, brushland, grassland, agricultural areas, exposed earth, urban areas, and water bodies. Cover type classifications for disturbed forest land were also chosen: cut hardwoods, regenerating hardwoods, and cut spruce fir. Field verification of 1978 classification revealed an accurate differentiation of forest types within types and between nonforested/forested areas. The classification accurately detects forest land disturbances; however, it is not always descriptive of the level of disturbance.

Banta, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Handbook on COMTAL's Image Processing System

An image processing system is the combination of an image processor with other control and display devices plus the necessary software needed to produce an interactive capability to analyze and enhance image data. Such an image processing system installed at NASA Langley Research Center, Instrument Research Division, Acoustics and Vibration Instrumentation Section (AVIS) is described. Although much of the information contained herein can be found in the other references, it is hoped that this single handbook will give the user better access, in concise form, to pertinent information and usage of the image processing system.

Faulcon, N. D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Application of remote sensing to state and regional problems

Progress was made in the hydroclimatology, habitat modeling and inventory, computer analysis, wildlife management, and data comparison programs that utilize LANDSAT and SEASAT data provided to Mississippi researchers through the remote sensing applications program. Specific topics include water runoff in central Mississippi, habitat models for the endangered gopher tortoise, coyote, and turkey Geographic Information Systems (GIS) development, forest inventory along the Mississipppi River, and the merging of LANDSAT and SEASAT data for enhanced forest type discrimination.

Miller, W. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

LDEF thermal measurements system (P0003)

Many of the passive experiments flying on LDEF will be significantly enhanced if data are available postflight to indicate the temperature time histories of test materials and other specimens exposed in the experiments. The baseline LDEF approach was to provide postflight calculated temperature histories of experiment boundaries and solar flux data for the mission, which can in turn be used by each investigator to calculate the temperature time histories for critical experiment components. Without in-flight temperature measurements, a substantial uncertainty will exist in the calculated temperatures. The data measured by the themal measurement system (THERM) will significantly improve postflight knowledge of temperatures experienced by LDEF experiments. The THERM data will also be valuable in validating the LDEF thermal design concept and in providing better design data for experimenters on future LDEF missions. The objectives of this experiment are to determine the history of the interior average temperatures of the LDEF for the total orbital mission and to measure the temperatures of selected components and thermal boundary conditions.

Robert F. Greene, Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Satellite Elevation Magnetic and Gravity Models of Major South American Plate Tectonic Features

Some MAGSAT scalar and vector magnetic anomaly data together with regional gravity anomaly data are being used to investigate the regional tectonic features of the South American Plate. An initial step in this analysis is three dimensional modeling of magnetic and gravity anomalies of major structures such as the Andean subduction zone and the Amazon River Aulacogen at satellite elevations over an appropriate range of physical properties using Gaus-Legendre quadrature integration method. In addition, one degree average free-air gravity anomalies of South America and adjacent marine areas are projected to satellite elevations assuming a spherical Earth and available MAGSAT data are processed to obtain compatible data sets for correlation. Correlation of these data sets is enhanced by reduction of the MAGSAT data to radial polarization because of the profound effect of the variation of the magnetic inclination over South America.

Vonfrese, R. R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

LANDSAT 4 investigations of Thematic Mapper and Multispectral Scanner applications

Structural and stratigraphic characteristics of the Drum Mountains in Utah were obtained using LANDSAT 5 TM data that were digitally enhanced using band ratioing, principal components analysis, and spatial filtering techniques. Color ratioing composite images proved most useful for distinguishing between and identifying exposure of hyroxly bearing hydrothermally altered inclusive rocks and bleached contact metamorphic rocks dominated by calc-silicate mineral assemblages. The amount and detail of geologic information interpreted from TM images is more significant than that from MSS and in geologic maps. Enhanced LANDSAT 5 TM data also identified and mapped hydrothermal alteration and distinguished between altered and unaltered limonitic assemblages in the Tonopath, Nevada quadrangle.

Lauer, D. T.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Heat transfer effects of longitudinal vortices embedded in a turbulent boundary layer

The results of tests with five different vortex generators in an open circuit wind tunnel are reported. The tests were performed to enhance the data base on heat transfer effects of an isolated longitudinal vortex in a turbulent boundary layer and the effects of embedded vortex pairs. A heated plate was set in the boundary layer downstream of a tripping mechanism and measurements were made of the free stream and surface temperatures using thermocouples. A four-hole cobra probe assayed the velocity profiles. Trials revealed that vortex pairs with scales larger than the boundary layer thickness induce significant changes in the Stanton number. A 15 percent Stanton number increase was produced by isolated vortices, which swept cool free stream fluid into the near-wall region.

Eibeck, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Flight test maneuver modeling and control

The use of automated flight test schemes decrease the aircraft flight testing time and pilot work load while enhancing the data quality. Two major elements involved in developing such an automated technique are maneuver modeling to generate command histories from the maneuver specifications and the synthesis of control systems to track these command histories. This paper describes the maneuver modeling for eight flight test trajectories. The control system synthesis with Kosut's suboptimal minimum error excitation linear quadratic regulator approach is presented. The closed-loop simulation results are given.

Menon, P. K. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Testing of UH-60A helicopter transmission in NASA Lewis 2240-kW (3000-hp) facility

The U.S. Army's UH-60A Black Hawk 2240-kW (3000-hp) class, twin-engine helicopter transmission was tested at the NASA Lewis Research Center. The vibration and efficiency test results will be used to enhance the data base for similar-class helicopters. Most of the data were obtained for a matrix of test conditions of 50 to 100 percent of rated rotor speed and 20 to 100 percent of rated input power. The transmission's mechanical efficiency at 100 percent of rated power was 97.3 and 97.5 percent with its inlet oil maintained at 355 and 372 K (180 and 210 F), respectively. The highest vibration reading was 72 g's rms at the upper housing side wall. Other vibration levels measured near the gear meshes are reported.

Mitchell, A. M.↗