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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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179 records · Page 3

Evidence for Multiple Diagenetic Episodes in Ancient Fluvial‐Lacustrine Sedimentary Rocks in Gale Crater, Mars

The Curiosity rover's exploration of rocks and soils in Gale crater has provided diverse geochemical and mineralogical data sets, underscoring the complex geological history of the region. We report the crystalline, clay mineral, and amorphous phase distributions of four Gale crater rocks from an 80‐m stratigraphic interval. The mineralogy of the four samples is strongly influenced by aqueous alteration processes, including variations in water chemistries, redox, pH, and temperature. Localized hydrothermal events are evidenced by gray hematite and maturation of amorphous SiO 2 to opal‐CT. Low‐temperature diagenetic events are associated with fluctuating lake levels, evaporative events, and ground water infiltration. Among all mudstones analyzed in Gale crater, the diversity in diagenetic processes is primarily captured by the mineralogy and X‐ray amorphous chemistry of the drilled rocks. Variations indicate a transition from magnetite to hematite and an increase in matrix‐associated sulfates suggesting intensifying influence from oxic, diagenetic fluids up section. Furthermore, diagenetic fluid pathways are shown to be strongly affected by unconformities and sedimentary transitions, as evidenced by the intensity of alteration inferred from the mineralogy of sediments sampled adjacent to stratigraphic contacts.

C N Achilles

Dust Composition of Comet 81P/Wild 2 From JWST Spectroscopy Compared to Stardust’s Fine-Grained Materials and Gems-Rich IDPS

The Stardust Mission returned samples from the coma of Jupiter Family comet 81P/Wild 2 for detailed laboratory analyses. Here we present and discuss the best-fit thermal dust model for the coma dust of comet 81P/Wild 2 as observed by JWST. Comet 81P was observed through JWST GO 018xx, using NIRSpec (2.9–5.3µm, λ/∆λ≈1000) and MRS IFU (4.9–28.1µm, λ/∆λ≈3000) on 2023-03-20 UT and 2023-03-24 UT, respectively, at a heliocentric distance of 1.85 au and JWST distance of 1.43 au (phase angle of 32 degrees). The dust coma of 81P as revealed by JWST offers a salient compliment to laboratory studies of Stardust samples that typically are bigger than 2 µm and up to 60 µm in size.

D H Wooden

Battery simulation program

Computer program calculates spacecraft battery energy at specific times dictated by input sequence of recharge, discharge, and no activity phases. Recharge phases are assumed during times not specified, unless batteries are fully charged. Warnings are printed when energy falls below specified level. Program assumes two identical batteries.

Abreu, A.

Mathematical Storage-Battery Models

Empirical formula represents performance of electrical storage batteries. Formula covers many battery types and includes numerous coefficients adjusted to fit peculiarities of each type. Battery and load parameters taken into account include power density in battery, discharge time, and electrolyte temperature. Applications include electric-vehicle "fuel" gages and powerline load leveling.

Chapman, C. P.

The Effect of Temperature and Pressure on the Distribution of Iron Group Elements Between Metal and Olivine Phases in the Process of Differentiation of Protoplanetary Material

The distribution patterns of Ni, Co, Mn, and Cr were studied in olivines of various origins: from meteorites (chondrites, achondrites, pallasites), which are likely analogs of the protoplanetary material, to peridotite inclusions in kimberlite pipes, which are analogs of mantle material. According to X-ray microanalysis data, each genetic group of olivines is characterized by a specific concentration of these elements. Nickel is concentrated (up to 0.34 percent) in peridotite olivines, while manganese is concentrated in meteoritic olivines. The maximum chromium content (0.2 percent) was found in ureilites, which were formed under reducing conditions. Experiments at pressures of 20 to 70 kbar and temperatures of 1100 to 2000°C have shown that in a mixture of olivine and Ni metal or NiO nickel enters the silicate phase (up to 4 percent), displacing Fe into the metallic phase. Equilibrium temperatures were estimated from the Fe, Ni distribution coefficients between the metal and olivine: 1500 K for pallasites, 1600 K for olivine-bronzite H6 chondrites, 1200 K for olivine-hypersthene L6, 900 K for LL6, and 1900 K for ureilites (at P = 1 atm). The equilibrium conditions of peridotites are close to T = 1800 K and P over 100 kbar. The distribution patterns of the transition elements are explained on the basis of physical-chemical properties. It is concluded that there is a sharp difference between the conditions of differentiation of the protoplanetary material at the time meteorites were formed and the conditions of differentiation of the planets into concentric layers.

A P Vinogradov

In-Flight Calibration of ESA Hera’s Hyperscout-H Imager

ESA’s Hera space mission is on its way to the mission target, the binary asteroid (65803) Didymos. HyperScout-H, one of the instruments onboard Hera, is a hyperspectral imager operating in the visible and near-infrared regions between 0.65 and 0.95 μm. HyperScout-H will enable a detailed assessment of the composition of both objects, Didymos and its satellite Dimorphos, the characterization of space weathering effects, and the possible presence of exogenous material on their surfaces. To monitor instrument functionality, calibration exposures are acquired regularly. This article describes the in-flight calibrations carried out for HyperScout-H during the commissioning and cruise phases. Bias and dark exposures, as well as stellar field observations, were acquired several times after launch. We update the calibration data and monitor instrument performance in the space environment. In addition, images of Earth and Moon were acquired from distances of 1.5 × 10 6 to 2.0 × 10 6 km, and Mars and its satellite were imaged during the flyby. In five images, the surface of Mars fills the entire field of view, enabling cross-validation of HyperScout-H results with those reported by other Mars missions. We characterize the detector under in-flight operational conditions. The calibration data indicate that the bias pattern is stable, the dark current remains negligible for short exposures, and the detector response is highly linear. We quantify the field-of-view alignment and geometric distortion, and evaluate the point spread function based on the stellar field observations. Stellar observations and Mars swing-by data provide updated radiometric calibration constants, suggesting that in-flight conditions have slightly modified the detector’s spectral response. In-flight calibrations are essential to ensure data quality and reliability.

Image Processing

Galileo Probe Battery System

The conclusions of the Galileo probe battery system are: the battery performance met mission requirements with margin; extensive ground-based and flight tests of batteries prior to probe separation from orbiter provided good prediction of actual entry performance at Jupiter; and the Li-SO2 battery was an important choice for the probe's main power.

Dagarin, B. P.

Atmospheric Explorer

Atmospheric Explorer (AE) is a 1971 power system design, using the heritage of the ITOS system. The system design and its operation are discussed. Problems of charging and discharging the batteries and the effects of temperature on these operations are discussed. A block diagram of the power supply electronics and some graphs related to voltage and temperature for the AE battery design are presented.

A F Obenschain

An Improved Theoretical Ni-Cd Battery Performance Model

Previous reports have shown how a battery model was developed using porous electrode theory. Since then the model has been upgraded and expanded. These upgrades include oxygen reation and positive electrode intercalation and proton diffusion. The effects of additional details of the solid state physics of the nickel electrode will be reported here.

battery

Distribution of Extraterrestrial Nucleobases, Other N-Heterocycles, and Their Precursors in A Sample From Asteroid Bennu

The recent discovery of all five canonical nucleobases in samples from Bennu provides compelling evidence that some of life’s ingredients were synthesized abiotically in the parent body of this asteroid and/or its precedent components. However, due to the sample availability and the limited method for the analysis, the detailed distribution of nucleobases in the samples remains elusive. Here we report the concentrations of a diverse suite of nitrogen (N)-heterocycles including nucleobases extracted by 2% and 20% hydrochloric acid from a homogenized Bennu sample. The detection of both canonical and non-canonical nucleobase pairs confirms that these biologically important compounds are extraterrestrial. Pyrimidines are more abundant than purines—like the Orgueil meteorite, but unlike the Murchison meteorite and asteroid Ryugu samples—suggesting preferential synthesis in ammonia-rich ices from the outer Solar System. The distribution of other N-heterocycles is consistent with extensive aqueous alteration on the parent body. High concentrations of urea underscore its role in N-heterocycle synthesis. Our findings offer important information on the prebiotic inventory of N-heterocycles in the Solar System.

Yasuhiro Oba

First principles nickel-cadmium and nickel hydrogen spacecraft battery models

The principles of Nickel-Cadmium and Nickel-Hydrogen spacecraft battery models are discussed. The Ni-Cd battery model includes two phase positive electrode and its predictions are very close to actual data. But the Ni-H2 battery model predictions (without the two phase positive electrode) are unacceptable even though the model is operational. Both models run on UNIX and Macintosh computers.

Timmerman, P.

Battery model for electrical power system energy balance

A model to simulate nickel-cadmium battery performance and response in a spacecraft electrical power system energy balance calculation was developed. The voltage of the battery is given as a function of temperature, operating depth-of-charge (DOD), and battery state-of-charge. Also accounted for is charge inefficiency. A battery is modeled by analysis of the results of a multiparameter battery cycling test at various temperatures and DOD's.

Hafen, D. P.

The operational environment and rotational acceleration of asteroid (101955) Bennu from OSIRIS-REx observations

During its approach to asteroid (101955) Bennu, NASA's Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft surveyed Bennu's immediate environment, photometric properties, and rotation state. Discovery of a dusty environment, a natural satellite, or unexpected asteroid characteristics would have had consequences for the mission's safety and observation strategy. Here we show that spacecraft observations during this period were highly sensitive to satellites (sub-meter scale) but reveal none, although later navigational images indicate that further investigation is needed. We constrain average dust production in September 2018 from Bennu's surface to an upper limit of 150g s −1 averaged over 34 min. Bennu's disk-integrated photometric phase function validates measurements from the pre-encounter astronomical campaign. We demonstrate that Bennu's rotation rate is accelerating continuously at 3.63+- 0.52 x10 −6 degrees A day -2 , likely due to the Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack (YORP) effect, with evolutionary implications.

Carl William Hergenrother

The JPL Telerobot Operator Control Station: Operational Experiences

The Operator Control Station of the JPL/NASA Telerobot Demonstration System provides an efficient man-machine interface for the performance of telerobot tasks. Its hardware and software have been designed with high flexibility. It provides a feedback-rich interactive environment in which the Operator performs teleoperation tasks, robotic tasks, and telerobotic tasks with ease. The to-date operational experiences of this system, particularly related to the Object Designate Process and the Voice Input/Output Process are discussed.

Edwin P Kan