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At least 631 records · Page 35

Infrared /IR/ spectroscopy in support of atmospheric measurements

In general, the data required for the more abundant species are: (1) linewidths as a function of temperature; (2) line strength measurements obtained at various temperatures when since quantum assignments for the lines are unknown the lower state energy levels are unknown; and (3) line strength measurements of the 'hot' bands and bands of the isotopic species. It is pointed out that an extensive list of line center frequencies and line strengths from 2400 to 3200 per cm of (CH4)4 has recently been added to the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory compilation. Since many of the lines in the list could not be assigned, the laboratory research required measurements of samples at various temperatures in order to experimentally determine the temperature dependence on the line strengths. The 'hot' band here refers to transitions arising from vibrational states other than the ground state. 'Hot' bands are usually near the parent band (arising from the ground state). Very few 'hot' bands are without parent bands.

Toth, R. A.↗

High energy particle acceleration in solar flares Observational evidence

The recent gamma ray and neutron observations made by the SMM Gamma Ray Spectrometer are reviewed. The implication these observations hold for understanding particle acceleration in solar flares are discussed. The data require that both electrons and ions must be accelerated together to relativistic energies and interact with matter in a time scale of seconds.

Chupp, E. L.↗

Data-Generating Program for ASKA Modeling

Carrier plate assemblies of NASA Space Shuttle thermal protection system provided for easy access to protected vital parts of Shuttle. Each assembly mounted on substructure with fasteners through holes in protective tiles. Automatic System of Kinematic Analysis (ASKA) finite-element program evaluates these assemblies. PLATEFORT computer program developed as data generator for ASKA modeling. PLATEFORT greatly reduces amount of time and data required for building ASKA model of these assemblies.

Karimi-Dechesh, A.↗

Space shuttle orbiter reusable surface insulation flight results

The first five flights of the orbiter Columbia provided the initial data required to certify the operational performance of the reusable surface insulation (RSI) thermal protection system (TPS). The flight performance characteristics of the RIS TPS are discussed. The discussion is based primarily on postflight inspections and postflight interpretation of the flight instrumentation. TPS modifications of the future orbiters (OV-099, 103, and subs) are also discussed.

Dotts, R. L.↗

Advanced ion thruster research

A simple model describing the discharge chamber performance of high strength, cusped magnetic field ion thrusters is developed. The model is formulated in terms of the energy cost of producing ions in the discharge chamber and the fraction of ions produced in the discharge chamber that are extracted to form the ion beam. The accuracy of the model is verified experimentally in a series of tests wherein the discharge voltage, propellant, grid transparency to neutral atoms, beam diameter and discharge chamber wall temperature are varied. The model is exercised to demonstrate what variations in performance might be expected by varying discharge chamber parameters. The results of a study of xenon and argon orificed hollow cathodes are reported. These results suggest that a hollow cathode model developed from research conducted on mercury cathodes can also be applied to xenon and argon. Primary electron mean free paths observed in argon and xenon cathodes that are larger than those found in mercury cathodes are identified as a cause of performance differences between mercury and inert gas cathodes. Data required as inputs to the inert gas cathode model are presented so it can be used as an aid in cathode design.

Wilbur, P. J.↗

The planet crossing asteroid survey: Progress in the analysis of populations and terrestrial-planet cratering rates

The Planet-Crossing Asteroid Survey (PCAS) is making steady progress toward the accumulation of the data required to make improved estimates of the populations and cratering rates which can be compared with the existing record of impact events. The PCAS is the chief source of new objects on which to base these calculations over the past decade, and is an integral part of the continuing refinement of the estimates used in planetological applications. An adjunct effort to determine albedo statistics from photometry of UCAS plates is being pursued as well, to better define the magnitude frequency distributions of asteroids. This will improve the quality of the population and collision probability calculations. The survey effort continues to discover new asteroids whose orbital characteristics may reveal the origin and evolution mechanisms reponsible for the transport of the planet-crossing asteroids to the inner solar system.

Helin, E. F.↗

Development of standardized specifications for screening space level integrated circuits and semiconductors

Standardized methods are established for screening of JAN B microcircuits and JANTXV semiconductor components for space mission or other critical applications when JAN S devices are not available. General specifications are provided which outline the DPA (destructive physical analysis), environmental, electrical, and data requirements for screening of various component technologies. This standard was developed for Air Force Space Division, and is available for use by other DOD agencies, NASA, and space systems contractors for establishing common screening methods for electronic components.

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Development, test and evaluation of a computerized procedure for using Landsat data to estimate spring small grains acreage

A number of methods which can provide information concerning crop acreages on the basis of a utilization of multispectral scanner (MSS) data require for their implementation a comparatively large amount of labor. The present investigation is concerned with a project designed to improve the efficiency of analysis through increased automation. The Caesar technique was developed to realize this objective. The processability rates of the Caesar procedure versus the historical state-of-the-art proportion estimation procedures were determined in an experiment. Attention is given to the study site, the aggregation technology, the results of the aggregation test, and questions of error characterization. It is found that the Caesar procedure, which has been developed for the spring small grains region of North America, is highly efficient and provides accurate results.

Mohler, R. R. J.↗

Simulation studies and the need for field reflectance studies

There is a need to calibrate satellite data obtained at large polar (i.e., off-nadir) view angles for effects caused by scanner geometry and by the atmosphere. If such effects are not corrected for, then recorded radiance data will contain systematic and random errors which will make accurate target identification and quantification difficult. Adequate calibration of digital radiance data requires both an inductive analysis of digital satellite images and a deductive analysis based upon a priori simulation studies. The inputs to a simulation model (ground reflectance, atmospheric transmission and bandscatter) and their variability are dependent upon (for example) sun-target-sensor geometry. There is a major need to make accurate ground reflectance measurements to provide calibration information on the anisotropy of ground reflectance. There is also a need to assess atmospheric transmission and backscatter from the image itself. A potential simple, inexpensive method for making ground reflectance measurements in the above context is discussed.

Duggin, M. J.↗

Photospheric soft X-ray emission from hot DA white dwarfs

The Einstein Observatory's imaging proportional counter has detected 150-eV soft X-ray radiation from the four hot DA white dwarfs EG 187, Gr 288 and 289, and LB 1663. The observed pulse height spectra suggest that the emission is generated by hot photospheres whose T(eff) lie in the 30,000-60,000 K range. The IUE spacecraft UV spectra and H-beta line profiles for the four stars have been fitted, along with the X-ray fluxes, with a grid of hot, high gravity, homogeneous model atmospheres of mixed H-He composition. In all cases, the data require the presence of some X-ray opacity in the photosphere. Attention is given to the implications of this result in the context of white dwarf surface layer diffusion theories. Also noted are the limits imposed on the hot white dwarf population by the Einstein Medium Sensitivity Survey.

Wesemael, F.↗

Integrating amplifiers using cooled JFETs

It is shown how a simple integrating amplifier based on commercially available JFET and MOSFET switches can be used to measure photocurrents from detectors with noise levels as low as 1.6 x 10 to the -18th A/root Hz (10 electrons/sec). A figure shows the basic circuit, along with the waveform at the output. The readout is completely nondestructive; the reset noise does not contribute since sampling of the accumulated charge occurs between resets which are required only when the stored charge has reached a very high level. The storage capacity ranges from 10 to the 6th to 10 to the 9th electrons, depending on detector parameters and linearity requirements. Data taken with an Si:Sb detector operated at 24 microns are presented. The responsivity agrees well with the value obtained by Young et al. (1981) in the transimpedance amplifier circuit. The data are seen as indicating that extremely low values of NEP can be obtained for integration times of 1 sec and that longer integrations continue to improve the SNR at a rate faster than the square root of time when background noise is not present.

Low, F. J.↗

A modal reduction method for use with nonlinear simulations of flexible multibody spacecraft

This paper presents a modal truncation method that can be used to prepare the structural flexibility data required as input to flexible, multibody spacecraft simulation programs. The method allows one to truncate the structural models of each flexible body in the system such that the assembled system is free of undesired high frequency system modes. This truncation method enables reasonable simulation costs to be incurred while maintaining dynamic simulation fidelity in the frequency range of interest. A simple one-dimensional example is presented which provides a physical interpretation of the method's workings. In addition, results are presented from the application of the method to a complex spacecraft.

Macala, G. A.↗

Effects of aircraft and flight parameters on energy-efficient profile descents in time-based metered traffic

Attention is given to a computer algorithm yielding the data required for a flight crew to navigate from an entry fix, about 100 nm from an airport, to a metering fix, and arrive there at a predetermined time, altitude, and airspeed. The flight path is divided into several descent and deceleration segments. Results for the case of a B-737 airliner indicate that wind and nonstandard atmospheric properties have a significant effect on the flight path and must be taken into account. While a range of combinations of Mach number and calibrated airspeed is possible for the descent segments leading to the metering fix, only small changes in the fuel consumed were observed for this range of combinations. A combination that is based on scheduling flexibility therefore seems preferable.

Dejarnette, F. R.↗

Geographic science: Executive summary

The role that TM and MSS data play in the analysis of spatial patterns for land use/land cover, geomorphology studies, and the development of cartographic products is discussed. Tables listing geographic science data gaps, mission data requirements, and possible future remote sensing missions are included.

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Geomorphology

The study of geomorphology and terrain analysis using TM and MSS data are discussed. The spatial and spectral characteristics of a variety of landforms are also investigated. An outline of possible experiments and a summary of data requirements are included.

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Analysis techniques for tracer studies of oxidation

Analysis techniques to obtain quantitative diffusion data from tracer concentration profiles were developed. Mass balance ideas were applied to determine the mechanism of oxide growth and to separate the fraction of inward and outward growth of oxide scales. The process of inward oxygen diffusion with exchange was theoretically modelled and the effect of lattice diffusivity, grain boundary diffusivity and grain size on the tracer concentration profile was studied. The development of the tracer concentration profile in a growing oxide scale was simulated. The double oxidation technique was applied to a FeCrAl-Zr alloy using 0-18 as a tracer. SIMS was used to obtain the tracer concentration profile. The formation of lacey oxide on the alloy was discussed. Careful consideration was given to the quality of data required to obtain quantitative information.

Basu, S. N.↗

Lunar origin: role of giant impacts

The explanation that lunar origin involved giant impacts remains attractive. Large planetesimals are consistent with current accretion models, and may have been widely scattered in the early solar system; their existence is a reasonable, assumption in Moon origin models. Isotopic data require the Moon's formation primarily from local material resembling Earth's upper mantle, not material from elsewhere in the solar system. Giant impacts are stochastic, class predictable events that would provide the required type of ejected Earth mantle material without requiring large moons to form near other planets (a problem with less stochastic processes). Such material may have mixed with incoming meteorites during lunar formation, affecting lunar chemistry.

Hartmann, W. K.↗

Operational fitness of box truss antennas in response to dynamic slewing

A parametric study was performed to define slewing capability of large satellites along with associated system changes or subsystem weight and complexity impacts. The satellite configuration and structural arrangement from the Earth Observation Spacecraft (EOS) study was used as the baseline spacecraft. Varying slew rates, settling times, damping, maneuver frequencies, and attitude hold times provided the data required to establish applicability to a wide range of potential missions. The key elements of the study are: (1) determine the dynamic transient response of the antenna system; (2) calculate the system errors produced by the dynamic response; (3) determine if the antenna has exceeded operational requirements at completion of the slew, and if so; (4) determine when the antenna has settled to the operational requirements. The slew event is not considered complete until the antenna is within operational limits.

Bachtell, E. E.↗