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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 631 records · Page 35
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

Near-term Brayton Module Status

The integration of subsystem components and the testing of a Parabolic Dish Module (PDM) to convert solar energy to grid compatible electric power is examined. System components are selected on a basis of current and projected performance efficiencies, technology readiness, future production probabilities and prices, current cost and availability. Potential for a near-term, 8 kW derivative of the PDM is adjudged to be superior to that of a 20 kW system. The PDM is suited to both grid connected and standalone applications, and it may be fired by solar, fossil, or solar/fossil hydrid means.

Davis, S. B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The chemical durability of tektites - A laboratory study and correlation with long-term corrosion behavior

Leach tests carried out on tektite specimens (indochinites and australites) under high-dilution conditions show a common behavior characterized by low leach rates (0.00018 g/sq m per d, or 7.2 x 10 to the -12th m/d at 23 C) and an activation energy of (79,600 + or - 700 J/mol). The extent of selective leaching is very small, of the order of 10 to the -8th m. Extrapolation of test results over the lifetime of the tektites gives an excellent agreement with field observations on the extent of corrosion, and this is an important step in establishing the validity of laboratory tests as a basis for the development of models and predictions concerning long-term durabilities at least in the limiting case of high dilution or rapid flow. The results are also shown to be in agreement with various previous observations on the corrosion resistance of tektites. The chemical durability of tektites is observed to be consistent with their composition, highlighting requirements of high corrosion resistance in glasses; these requirements include a silica content in excess of 67 mol percent, an extremely low water content, and an alkali content which is low both absolutely and relative to the di- and poly-valent metal oxide levels. It is shown that artificial glasses which fulfil these criteria are no less corrosion-resistant than the corresponding natural glasses. These conclusions have bearing on the development, as well as on the evaluation, of glasses intended for very long service, such as radioactive waste vitrification media.

Barkatt, A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Predictive capability of long-term cavitation and liquid impingement erosion models

A brief overview of long-term cavitation and liquid impingement erosion and modeling methods proposed by different investigators, including the curve-fit approach is presented. A table was prepared to highlight the number of variables necessary for each model in order to compute the erosion-versus-time curves. A power law relation based on the average erosion rate is suggested which may solve several modeling problems. Previously announced in STAR as N83-22386

Rao, P. V.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A calibration adjustment technique combining ERB parameters from different remote sensing platforms into a long-term data set

Earth-radiation-budget (ERB) experiments on board the Nimbus-6 (ERB 6) and Nimbus-7 (ERB 7) spacecraft have measured wide-field-of-view total (0.2 to 50 micron), shortwave (0.2 to 3.8 micron), and near-infrared (0.7 to 2.8 micron) terrestrial irradiances for a joint lifetime of over 8 years. Though the spectral characteristics of both experiments are nearly identical, instrument degradation and altitude differences introduce discrepancies between the two data sets. ERB parameters from these two observing platforms may be combined into a scientifically meaningful data set only after these discrepancies are eliminated. To facilitate the creation of a long-term ERB data set, comparisons of the ERB 6 experiment irradiances with, and calibration adjustments with respect to, the corresponding ERB 7 irradiances have been performed. Two calibration methods were developed and applied to the irradiance data from 28 pairs of collocated orbits. The differential effects of altitude, illumination, albedo, and scene inhomogeneities were applied. The result is a set of calibration adjustments that adjust the ERB 6 data to match the ERB 7 data.

Ardanuy, P. E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Long-term orbit prediction for the Venus Radar Mapper Mission using an averaging method

A set of singly averaged equations of motion are presented and applied to long-term orbit prediction of an orbiting spacecraft around a slowly rotating planet, using the Venus Radar Mapper Mission as an example. The equations of motion used are valid for all eccentricities less than one. The disturbing potentials used include nonsphericity of the Venus gravity field and third-body effects due to the sun. Recursive relationships are used in the expansion and evaluation of these potentials and their respective partial derivatives. Special care is taken to optimize computational efficiency. The averaging method is compared with high precision Cowell's method using a desktop microcomputer and shows computational saving of about two orders of magnitude.

Kwok, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Long-term individual recovery for the IRAS mission

IRAS (Infrared Astronomical Satellite) was launched on January 25, 1983 with the primary purpose of performing an infrared survey of the entire celestial sphere. Holes were left in the main survey when some areas received less than the minimum 2-layer coverage. A second survey filled in many of these holes; however, many still required long-term individual recovery. The result was a smooth survey with 96 percent of the sky covered to the desired depth of 2 or more layers.

Lau, C. O.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Maintenance of contamination sensitive surfaces on board long-term space vehicles

In the current age, highly sensitive instruments are being flown on spacecraft, and questions of contamination have become important. The present investigation is concerned with the available approaches which can provide long-term protection for contamination sensitive surfaces. Aspects and sources of spacecraft contamination are examined, taking into account materials outgassing, particulates, propulsion system interaction, overboard venting, man-made and cosmic debris, and atomic oxygen/ambient atmosphere interaction. Suitable protection approaches provided by current technology are discussed, giving attention to aperture covers, a possibility for a retractable cover design, gaseous purges, options for prolonging the lifetime of the thermal control system, and plume shields. Some new possibilities considered are related to an early warning system for excessive amounts of contamination, a molecular/wake shield, and the use of atomic oxygen.

Phillips, A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Ion-neutral coupling in the high-latitude F region Evaluation of ion heating terms from Dynamics Explorer 2

Ion and neutral motions in the high latitude F layer were studied simultaneously during six passes of the Dynamics Explorer 2 spacecraft. The passes were made over the south polar cap in October 1981. An ion energy balance equation was defined to express the exchange of energy between the F layer and other atmospheric constituents. A momentum equation expressed the momentum exchange between the species. An approximate form of the energy balance equation was also formulated. The time constant for ion-neutral collisional momentum transfer significantly affected Joule heating in the F layer. Regions of large velocity disparities and ion temperature enhancements were detected as hot spots. The results indicate that a feedback mechanism may arise in terms of neutral compositional changes and enhanced ionospheric recombination. The approximate equation furnished values for ion heating rates which matched the data.

Killeen, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Evidence for long-term variability in the ultra high energy photon flux from Cygnus X-3

A time-correlation analysis of atmospheric Cerenkov pulses by a wide-angle photomultiplier system was previously shown to have present in it a nonrandom component which seemed associated with the Right Ascension (RA) range approx. 20+or-04h. A recent examination of multi-muon events recorded by a photon-decay detector shows a similar time-dependent effect, closely matching the previous results, supporting the suggestion that the effect is of cosmic origin. However, even though Cyg. X-3 lies well inside the region of peak intensity, it does not seem possible to ascribe to it the whole effect, for the implied photon flux appears too large to be reconciled to various gamma-ray measurements of Cyg. X-3. The original data were subjected to a phase-histogram analysis and it as found that only 2.5% of overall recorded data are compatible with a phase-dependent emission from Cyg. X-3. Assuming these events to be gamma rays yields a detected flux of (2.6 + or - 0.3) x 10 to the minus 12th power gamma cm -2s-1 above 5 x 10 to the 14th power eV. Comparing this value with more recent ultra high energy (UHE) photon data from the same source, it is suggested that the available data generally favor a long-term reduction in the Cyg. X-3 inferred luminosity ( 10 to the 13th power eV) by a factor of (1.8 + or - 0.3) per year.

Bhat, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Role of solar flare index in long term modulation of cosmic ray intensity

Recently, the importance of the occurrence of solar flares in the long-term modulation of cosmic ray intensity has been re-emphasized. For this purpose, the data of solar flares have been used from various publications, such as Solar Geophysical Data books, U.A.G. reports and Quarterly Bulletin Of Solar Activity. Research very clearly reveals that even the periodic changes in the solar flare observations, obtained from the four different data sources, for the same interval, differ significantly from one another; this is evidenced even on an average basis. Hence, in any study using solar flares, the importance of selecting a single compilation of the solar-flare data for the entire period of investigation is stressed.

Pandey, P. K.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Comparative study of the phase of diurnal anisotropy on quiet and disturbed days on a long term basis up to recent period

The data from the world wide grid of neutron monitoring stations was analyzed for a comparative study of the phase of diurnal anisotropy on quiet and disturbed days on a long term basis up to recent period. It has been observed that the phase of the diurnal anisotropy on disturbed days where the value of the Ap-index is higher, is found to shift towards earlier hours in comparison to the phase of the diurnal anisotropy on quiet days where the value of Ap-index is lower on all the stations from 1965 to 71. Such a trend is not observable for the later period. This affect is found to be more pronounced on equatorial stations, in particular, in comparison to high latitude stations. It was derived from these observational facts that the relationship between Ap-index and the phase of the diurnal anisotropy is not invariant throughout the period of consideration. Furthermore, the exact cause of such a drastic change is not known, but it demonstrates very clearly that the interplanetary conditions which are responsible for both, diurnal anisotropy of cosmic ray intensity and the geomagnetic Ap-index variation, have drastically changed during the period 1971 and onwards.

Kumar, S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Anomalous short-term increases in the galactic cosmic ray intensity: Are they related to the interplanetary magnetic cloud-like structures?

Thirty-one short-term increases (time duration 24 hours and amplitude up to 5%) in the galactic cosmic ray intensity, occurring inside Forbush decreases events, have been identified over the period 1966 - 1977. These increases are highly anisotropic and occur after the compression region following the shock; the interplanetary medium is characterized by intense ( 10 nT) and higly fluctuating magnetic field B, high velocity, low density and temperature (flare ejecta piston?). These B-fluctuations seem to be ordered variations which could be representative of magnetic clouds. Also the large cosmic ray increase occurring on 17-18 September 1979, belongs to this category of events.

Iucci, N.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Photo nuclear energy loss term for muon-nucleus interactions based on xi scaling model of QCD

Extensive air showers (EMC) experiments discovered a significant deviation of the ratio of structure functions of iron and deuteron from unity. It was established that the quark parton distribution in nuclei are different from the corresponding distribution in the nucleus. It was examined whether these results have an effect on the calculation of photo nucleus energy loss term for muon-nucleus nuclear interaction. Though the EMC and SLAC data were restricted to rather large q sq region it is expected that the derivation would persist even in the low q sq domain. For the ratio of iron and deuteron structure function a rather naive least square fit of the form R(x) = a + bx was taken and it is assumed that the formula is valid for the whole q sq region the absence of any knowledge of R(x) for small q sq.

Roychoudhury, R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Short and long term variations of the anomalous component

Data from the cosmic ray experiment on Voyagers 1 and 2 have been used to examine anomalous O and He in the time period from launch in 1977 to mid-1982. Several time periods where large periodic (typically 26 day) temporal variations of O between 5-15 MeV/nuc are present, are found with variations in intensity by up to a factor of 10. On the longer term, there is a sharp drop the anomalous O intensity relative to the galactic cosmic ray components in near the middle of 1980. After the decrease evidence is still found at about 10 AU for the presence of anomalous O and He near the time of maximum modulation. Data from a larger fraction of the solar cycle will be required before it can be determined whether the intensity of the anomalous component is lower in the second half of the cycle (after the solar field reversal) than in the first half.

Cummings, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Long term cryogen storage in space - A feasibility study

The conduction of future space missions will require the long term storage of cryogens in space. Such missions will be performed in connection with the employment of the long life version of the Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF), the Large Deployable Reflector (LDR), Gravity Probe B (GPB), Orbital Transfer Vehicles (OTVs), and the Space Station. The feasibility of building a long lifetime helium Dewar for space applications has been studied. A feasible concept was to be developed for a Shuttle-launchable 3-yr lifetime Dewar. The developed concept was to be used for the identification of key technology development areas. The desired long lifetime requires the minimization of the parasitic heat loads. It has been found that the majority of the parasitic heat load can be provided by the fiberglass-epoxy tension band supports. A new type of support system, the Passive Orbital Disconnect Strut (PODS), was developed to reduce the considered contribution to the heat load.

Kittel, P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Thermospheric hydrogen - The long-term solar influence

Atmospheric Explorer C and E satellite data are employed for a long-term analysis of the behavior of thermospheric hydrogen with respect to the 11 yr solar cycle. The data covered the period 1974-79 (increasing solar activity) and comprised in situ ionospheric (F region) and neutral atmospheric data. The data were analyzed statistically to characterize low latitude hydrogen behavior, e.g., the diurnal variation and mean concentration over the 5 yr data sampling period. Both the mean and daily maximum/minimum ratio (DMMR) varied with the solar F index. The escaping flux of H ions became a contant around 1000 K. Increasing thermospheric temperatures lowered the DMMR value. However, the DMMR values calculated were consistently large enough to require inclusion of neutral winds and/or diurnal variations in charge exchange fluxes moving in and out of the plasmasphere in any model for thermospheric hydrogen behavior.

Breig, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Long-term (solar cycle) and seasonal variations of upflowing ionospheric ion events at DE 1 altitudes

In the investigation conducted by Yau et al. (1984), the occurrence frequency distribution of upflowing ionospheric ions (UFI) in the auroral and polar cap ionosphere up to 23,300 km altitude was determined using the Energetic Ion Composition Spectrometer (EICS) data acquired in the first orbital cycle (18 months) of Dynamics Explorer 1 (DE 1). The present paper is concerned with the seasonal and long-term variations in the occurrence and composition characteristics of upflowing ions. The observed solar cycle and seasonal dependences of upflowing ionospheric ion occurrence morphology are summarized schematically in a graph. It is found that the acceleration altitude of O(+) UFI is modulated by the atmospheric scale height, which increases with increasing solar activity (EUV flux). The O(+) UFI occurrence frequency (and hence O(+) outflow) increases at solar maximum.

Yau, A. W.↗