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At least 541 records · Page 30

Accessing Recent Trend of Land Surface Temperature from Satellite Observations

Land surface temperature (Ts) is an important element to measure the state of terrestrial ecosystems and to study surface energy budgets. In support of the land cover/land use change-related international program MAIRS (Monsoon Asia Integrated Regional Study), we have collected global monthly Ts measured by MODIS since the beginning of the missions. The MODIS Ts time series have approximately 11 years of data from Terra since 2000 and approximately 9 years of data from Aqua since 2002, which makes possible to study the recent climate, such as trend. In this study, monthly climatology from two platforms are calculated and compared with that from AIRS. The spatial patterns of Ts trends are accessed, focusing on the Eurasia region. Furthermore, MODIS Ts trends are compared with those from AIRS and NASA's atmospheric assimilation model, MERRA (Modern Era Retrospective-analysis for Research and Applications). The preliminary results indicate that the recent 8-year Ts trend shows an oscillation-type spatial variation over Eurasia. The pattern is consistent for data from MODIS, AIRS, and MERRA, with the positive center over Eastern Europe, and the negative center over Central Siberia. The calculated climatology and anomaly of MODIS Ts will be integrated into the online visualization system, Giovanni, at NASA GES DISC for easy use by scientists and general public.

Shen, Suhung↗

Symposium on Parallel Computational Methods for Large-scale Structural Analysis and Design, 2nd, Norfolk, VA, US

Computing speed is leaping forward by several orders of magnitude each decade. Engineers and scientists gathered at a NASA Langley symposium to discuss these exciting trends as they apply to parallel computational methods for large-scale structural analysis and design. Among the topics discussed were: large-scale static analysis; dynamic, transient, and thermal analysis; domain decomposition (substructuring); and nonlinear and numerical methods.

Storaasli, Olaf O.↗

Test and Analysis of Full-Scale 27.5-Foot-Diameter Stiffened Metallic Launch Vehicle Cylinders

The Shell Buckling Knockdown Factor Project (SBKF) was established with the goal of developing improved (i.e., less-conservative, more robust) shell buckling knockdown factors (KDFs) for modern launch-vehicle structures. To this end, SBKF has engaged in several activities to support the development, validation, and implementation of the new design factors, including subscale and full-scale structural testing. Tests on eight different subscale, 8-foot-diameter, integrally stiffened aluminum-lithium 2195 (Al-Li 2195) cylinders were conducted in order to obtain the majority of the required validation data. In addition, two full-scale, 27.5-foot-diameter, Al-Li 2195, integrally stiffened cylinders were tested to provide additional validation data and to determine structural scaling trends. Presented herein are the details of a recent analysis model development and test and analysis correlation effort on the full-scale test articles. The effects of selected modeling assumptions and approaches are discussed, and results from a modeling sensitivity study are presented. It was found that simplified finite element models, that assume nominal test article geometry and material properties, can predict the overall response characteristics well. However, several discrepancies in the test and analysis results were observed. A sensitivity study was performed to determine the effects of several modeling assumptions and address the observed discrepancies. The results from the study indicated that the evolution of local skin pocket buckling and the presence of residual stresses due to the manufacturing process can have a significant influence on the predicted buckling response of the cylinders considered.

Lovejoy, Andrew E.↗

Trends in environmentally induced spacecraft anomalies

The Spacecraft Anomaly Data Base was useful in identifying trends in anomaly occurrence. Trends alone do not provide quantitative testimony to a spacecraft's reliability, but they do indicate areas that command closer study. An in-depth analysis of a specific anomaly can be expensive and difficult without access to the spacecraft. Statistically verified anomaly trends can provide a good reference point to begin anomaly analysis. Many spacecraft experience an increase in anomalies during the period of several days centered on the solar equinox, a period that is also correlated with sun eclipse at geostationary altitude and an increase in major geomagnetic storms. Increase anomaly occurrence can also be seen during the local time interval between midnight and dawn. This local time interval represents a region in Earth's near space that experiences an enhancement in electron plasma density due to a migration from the magnetotail during or following a geomagnetic substorm.

Wilkinson, Daniel C.↗

Future requirements in surface modeling and grid generation

The past ten years have seen steady progress in surface modeling procedures, and wholesale changes in grid generation technology. Today, it seems fair to state that a satisfactory grid can be developed to model nearly any configuration of interest. The issues at present focus on operational concerns such as cost and quality. Continuing evolution of the engineering process is placing new demands on the technologies of surface modeling and grid generation. In the evolution toward a multidisciplinary analysis-bascd design environment, methods developed for Computational Fluid Dynamics are finding acceptance in many additional applications. These two trends, the normal evolution of the process and a watershed shift toward concurrent and multidisciplinary analysis, will be considered in assessing current capabilities and needed technological improvements.

Cosner, Raymond R.↗

Results of a parametric aeroelastic stability analysis of a generic X-wing aircraft

This paper discusses the trends in longitudinal dynamic aeroelastic stability of a generic x-wing aircraft model with design parameter variations. X-wing rotor blade sweep angle, ratio of blade mass to total vehicle mass, blade structural stiffness cross-coupling and vehicle center-of-gravity location were parameters considered. The typical instability encountered is body-freedom flutter involving a low frequency interaction of the first elastic mode and the aircraft short period mode. Parametric cases with the lowest static margin consistently demonstrated the highest flutter dynamic pressures. As mass ratio was increased, the flutter boundary decreased. The decrease was emphasized as center-of-gravity location was moved forward. As sweep angle varied, it was observed that the resulting increase in forward-swept blade bending amplitude relative to aft blade bending amplitude in the first elastic mode had a stabilizing effect on the flutter boundary. Finally, small amounts of stiffness cross-coupling in the aft blades increased flutter dynamic pressure.

Woods, Jessica A.↗

Results of a parametric aeroelastic stability analysis of a generic X-wing aircraft

This paper discusses the trend in longitudinal dynamic aeroelastic stability of a generic X-Wing aircraft model with design parameter variations. X-Wing rotor blade sweep angle, ratio of blade mass to total vehicle mass, blade structural stiffness cross-coupling and vehicle center-of-gravity location were parameters considered. The typical instability encountered is body-freedom flutter involving a low frequency interaction of the first elastic mode and the aircraft short period mode. Parametric cases with the lowest static margin consistently demonstrated the highest flutter dynamic pressures. As mass ratio was increased, the flutter boundary decreased. The decrease was emphasized as center-of-gravity location was moved forward. As sweep angle varied, it was observed that the resulting increase in forward-swept blade bending amplitude relative to aft blade bending amplitude in the first elastic mode had a stabilizing effect on the flutter boundary. Finally, small amounts of stiffness cross-coupling in the aft blades increased flutter dynamic pressure.

Woods, Jessica A.↗

Using Satellite Measurements of N2O to Remove Dynamical Variability from HCl Measurements

Column HCl measurements show deviations from the expected slow decline following the regulation of chlorine-containing compounds by the Montreal Protocol. We use the simultaneous measurements of N2O and HCl by the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument on the Aura satellite to examine this problem. We find that the use of N2O measurements at a specific altitude to represent the impact of dynamical variability on HCl results in a derived linear trend in HCl that is negative (ranging from -2.5 to 5.3%decade-1) at all altitudes between 68 and 10 hPa. These trends are at or near 2 sigma statistical significance at all pressure levels between 68 and 10 hPa. This shows that analysis of simultaneous measurements of several constituents is a useful approach to identify small trends from data records that are strongly influenced by dynamical interannual variability.

Stolarski, Richard↗

Broadband Inlet Liner Design for the DGEN Aero-Propulsion Research Turbofan

The utilization of advanced fan designs (including higher bypass ratios) and shorter engine nacelles has highlighted a need for increased fan noise reduction over a broad frequency range. With these observations in mind, an acoustic liner optimization process has been developed to achieve improved broadband liner designs. A series of advanced liner design studies at increasing technology readiness levels has been conducted as the overall optimization methodology has been enhanced. In this work, further validation was pursued through the fabrication and testing of two liner designs for the NASA Glenn DGEN Aero-propulsion Research Turbofan. Specifically, single and three layer liners were designed, fabricated, and tested. Analysis of the predicted attenuation results showed them to generally match expected trends for the conditions considered. The effects of source distribution on predicted directivity were also illustrated through the flexibility of a statistical source model. As part of the analysis, the overall design and evaluation capability was extended such that external observer locations may be included in the optimization process. This enhancement will provide a much wider design space for the development of advanced broadband liners. These preliminary results provide further confidence in the design tools and enhancements made to the overall liner design process.

Nark, Douglas M.↗

The Relationships Between the Trends of Mean and Extreme Precipitation

This study provides a better understanding of the relationships between the trends of mean and extreme precipitation in two observed precipitation data sets: the Climate Prediction Center Unified daily precipitation data set and the Global Precipitation Climatology Program (GPCP) pentad data set. The study employs three kinds of definitions of extreme precipitation: (1) percentile, (2) standard deviation and (3) generalize extreme value (GEV) distribution analysis for extreme events based on local statistics. Relationship between trends in the mean and extreme precipitation is identified with a novel metric, i.e. area aggregated matching ratio (AAMR) computed on regional and global scales. Generally, more (less) extreme events are likely to occur in regions with a positive (negative) mean trend. The match between the mean and extreme trends deteriorates for increasingly heavy precipitation events. The AAMR is higher in regions with negative mean trends than in regions with positive mean trends, suggesting a higher likelihood of severe dry events, compared with heavy rain events in a warming climate. AAMR is found to be higher in tropics and oceans than in the extratropics and land regions, reflecting a higher degree of randomness and more important dynamical rather than thermodynamical contributions of extreme events in the latter regions.

global warming↗

High and low thrust mission analysis for a Mars exploration program

The purpose of the study is to identify limits, trends, and sensitivities of Mars Transportation System performance over several Mars mission opportunities. Two Mars Transfer Vehicle (MTV) configurations utilizing different propulsion systems (Chemical/Aerobrake and NEP - Nuclear Electric Propulsion) are outlined. The trades involved in comparing two MTS candidate designs are assessed. Mission analysis for mission opportunities beginning in around 2010 and continuing past 2030 is performed, and a Mars mission model is covered, along with orbit selection and NEP and Chemical/Aerobrake performance. The results of several sensitivity studies are given in order to allow for contingency planning in design and performance. It is concluded that the low-thrust system perform best, its vehicle mass is lower and its trip times are more stable.

Shepard, Kyle M.↗

Developing Empirical Lightning Cessation Forecast Guidance for the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center

This research addresses the 45th Weather Squadron's (45WS) need for improved guidance regarding lightning cessation at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center (KSC). KSC's Lightning Detection and Ranging (LDAR) network was the primary observational tool to investigate both cloud-to-ground and intracloud lightning. Five statistical and empirical schemes were created from LDAR, sounding, and radar parameters derived from 116 storms. Four of the five schemes were unsuitable for operational use since lightning advisories would be canceled prematurely, leading to safety risks to personnel. These include a correlation and regression tree analysis, three variants of multiple linear regression, event time trending, and the time delay between the greatest height of the maximum dBZ value to the last flash. These schemes failed to adequately forecast the maximum interval, the greatest time between any two flashes in the storm. The majority of storms had a maximum interval less than 10 min, which biased the schemes toward small values. Success was achieved with the percentile method (PM) by separating the maximum interval into percentiles for the 100 dependent storms.

LDAR (LIGHTNING DETECTION AND RANGING)↗

The effects of uneven fiber spacing on thermal residual stresses in a unidirectional SCS-6Ti-15-3 laminate

High residual stresses develop in SCS-6/Ti-15-3 composites during cooldown from the fabrication temperature; these residual stresses can effect the mechanical and physical properties of the composite. Discrete fiber-matrix finite element models were used to study the residual stresses due to the temperature change during the fabrication process, including the effects of uneven fiber spacing, the free surface, and increased fiber volume fractions. To accurately model the effects of the free surface, it is only necessary to model one fiber through the thickness. Below the first ply, the analysis predicts stress distributions that are identical to the infinite array predictions. For uneven fiber space less then 0.042 mm in an interior ply, the maximum hoop stress was predicted to occur between fibers within a ply and to increase as the fiber spacing decreased. The maximum hoop stress correlated well with the observed radial cracking between fibers. For the case of touching fibers, the analysis predicted tensile radial stresses at the fiber-matrix debonding during the fabrication cooldown. Identical trends were predicted for uneven fiber spacing in surface plies with slightly greater values of maximum stresses. The analysis predicted matrix yielding to occur upon cooldown when the edge-to-edge fiber spacing was less than or equal to 0.022 mm. The stress distributions predicted for increasing fiber volume fractions were similar to those predicted for decreasing the fiber spacing for two adjacent fibers within a ply.

Bigelow, C. A.↗

The effects of uneven fiber spacing on thermal residual stresses in a unidirectional SCS-6/Ti-15-3 laminate

High residual stresses develop in SCS-6/Ti-15-3 composites during cooldown from the fabrication temperature; these residual stresses can effect the mechanical and physical properties of the composite. Discrete fiber-matrix finite element models were used to study the residual stresses due to the temperature change during the fabrication process, including the effects of uneven fiber spacing, the free surface, and increased fiber volume fractions. To accurately model the effects of the free surface, it is only necessary to model one fiber through the thickness. Below the first ply, the analysis predicts stress distributions that are identical to the infinite array predictions. For uneven fiber space less than 0.042 mm in an interior ply, the maximum hoop stress was predicted to occur between fibers within a ply and to increase as the fiber spacing decreased. The maximum hoop stress correlated well with the observed radial cracking between fibers. For the case of touching fibers, the analysis predicted tensile radial stresses at the fiber-matrix debonding during the fabrication cooldown. Identical trends were predicted for uneven fiber spacing in surface plies with slightly greater values of maximum stresses. The analysis predicted matrix yielding to occur upon cooldown when the edge-to-edge fiber spacing was less than or equal to 0.022 mm. The stress distributions preidcted for increasing fiber volume fractions were similar to those predicted for decreasing the fiber spacing for two adjacent fibers within a ply.

Bigelow, Catherine A.↗

NASA Aeronautics and Space Database for bibliometric analysis

The authors use the NASA Aeronautics and Space Database to perform bibliometric analysis of citations. This paper explains their research methodology and gives some sample results showing collaboration trends between NASA Centers and other institutions.

bibliometric analysis↗

Required developments in structural dynamics

The finite element method, modal component synthesis, and the use of fast Fourier transformation were key developments in structural dynamics in the past 15 to 20 years. Current areas requiring additional effort include: (1) the correct calculation of modal shape and natural frequencies for complex structures; (2) the correlation of math models with test data; (3) the establishment of a criteria for "goodness" of the correlation between analysis and test; (4) the selection of the correct displacement functions when using computer programs for modal synthesis; (5) accuracy of response calculations; and (6) the inverse problem of determining the force problem from the response data. Trends identified include the use of distributed computing, greater reliance on analysis, and the possible use of artificial intelligence techniques, or some way of feeding back information, to provide solution guidance to engineers.

Wada, B. K.↗

Daily quality assurance software for a satellite radiometer system

Six Differential Microwave Radiometers (DMR) on COBE (Cosmic Background Explorer) measure the large-angular-scale isotropy of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) at 31.5, 53, and 90 GHz. Quality assurance software analyzes the daily telemetry from the spacecraft to ensure that the instrument is operating correctly and that the data are not corrupted. Quality assurance for DMR poses challenging requirements. The data are differential, so a single bad point can affect a large region of the sky, yet the CMB isotropy requires lengthy integration times (greater than 1 year) to limit potential CMB anisotropies. Celestial sources (with the exception of the moon) are not, in general, visible in the raw differential data. A 'quicklook' software system was developed that, in addition to basic plotting and limit-checking, implements a collection of data tests as well as long-term trending. Some of the key capabilities include the following: (1) stability analysis showing how well the data RMS averages down with increased data; (2) a Fourier analysis and autocorrelation routine to plot the power spectrum and confirm the presence of the 3 mK 'cosmic' dipole signal; (3) binning of the data against basic spacecraft quantities such as orbit angle; (4) long-term trending; and (5) dipole fits to confirm the spacecraft attitude azimuth angle.

Keegstra, P. B.↗