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At least 631 records · Page 35
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1971

Ionospheric heating at Arecibo - First tests.

Ionospheric F-region heating by a high-frequency transmitter (100 kW at 5.62 MHz fed into a 1000-ft dish producing a beam with an angular half-width of 10 deg) was observed with a 430-MHz incoherent scatter radar, an ionosonde, and several photometers. The electron temperature of the ionosphere was increased by as much as 30% at and just below the height where the local plasma frequency was equal to the frequency of the heating transmitter. Calculations show time constants of 40 sec for electron heating and less than 10 sec for the cooling at 308 km when the heating transmitter was operated in a pulsed mode.

Gordon, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Calibration of a laboratory spectrophotometer for specular light by means of stacked glass plates.

Stacked glass plates have been used to calibrate a laboratory spectrophotometer, over the spectral range 0.5-2.5 microns, for specular light. The uncalibrated instrument was characterized by systematic errors when used to measure the reflectance and transmittance of stacked glass plates. Calibration included first, a determination of the reflectance of a standard composed of barium sulfate paint deposited on an aluminum plate; second, the approximation of the reflectance and transmittance residuals between observed and computed values by means of cubic equations; and, finally, the removal of the systematic errors by a computer. The instrument, after calibration, was accurate to 1% when used to measure the reflectance and transmittance of stacked glass plates.

Allen, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Exhaust plume and contamination characteristics of a bipropellant (MMH/N2O4) RCS thruster

Results are presented for three recent tests in a series of thruster contamination experiments made in liquid helium-cooled environmental facility. The contaminating effects encountered on various materials, surfaces, and components, due to the exhaust products from a 5-pound thrust, bipropellant (MMH/N2O4) thruster are investigated. The angular distribution of plume effects around the periphery of the thruster established by transmittance changes of quartz samples over the wavelength range from 0.2 to 2.0 micrometer is studied, along with mass deposition rates at a specific location measured with a quartz crystal microbalance for three different experiments. Quadrupole mass spectrometer measurements of the exhaust products over the mass number range from 12 to 75; infrared transmittance measurements of contaminated samples for the wavelength range from 2.5 to 15 microns; and infrared transmittance measurements of residue from the thruster nozzle are also considered.

Spisz, E. W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The Nimbus 4 infrared spectroscopy experiment. 2: Comparison of observed and theoretical radiance from 425-1450 cm(minus 1)

The Nimbus 4 infrared interferometer spectrometer (IRIS) measured the thermal emission of the earth's atmosphere and surface from 400-1600/cm with an apodized spectral resolution of 2.8/cm. A comparison of theoretical radiances, computed from in-situ measurements and using a direct integration slant path atmospheric transmittance model, with the observed IRIS radiances has been made to verify the radiometeric and spectral performance of the instrument and to assess the accuracy of the atmospheric transmittances. The radiance comparison has indicated a relatively constant difference of less than 5% in the water vapor continuum in the 425-550/cm and 750-1200/cm atmospheric window regions while in the 667/cm CO2 band the difference was 5-10%. The absolute accuracy was found to be approximately 5-10% for each of the parameters; measured radiances, in-situ measurements, and the atmospheric transmittances, thus it is not possible to uniquely specify the degree of error arising from each parameter in the total resultant difference.

Kunde, V. G.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Plan for the uniform mapping of earth resources and environmental complexes from Skylab imagery

The author has identified the following significant results. Below approximately 25% cover visual photointerpretation of vegetation analogs of Skylab 2 Sl9OA color infrared imagery is poor. Correct identifications of vegetation analogs in this category range from 28 to 57%. Good photointerpretation results (64 to 96%) were obtained on vegetation analogs with higher cover values. The four semidesert vegetation analogs (greasewood, saltbush, big sagebrush, and pinyon-juniper) are consistently distinguishable as a group. Photointerpretation accuracy equals 90.1%. When these same types are broken into two sub-groups (salt desert vegetation and shrub steppe/sparse pinyon-juniper vegetation) interpretation success drops to 76% and 85%, respectively. Band ratioing and transmittance differences between two forested analogs as imaged on Skylab 2 S19OA film shows significant differences. In the infrared wavelength both analogs have very similar transmittance characteristics while the visible wavelength shows separation between the two. Relative transmittance values for stands of ponderosa pine forestland and pinyon-juniper woodland are 719.3 + or - 65.9 and 223.6 + or - 48.1, respectively on negative transparencies. In image interpretation along the low-elevation fringe of forested regions these are the two forest analogs most frequently requiring separation.

Poulton, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Telemetry in animal and human biometeorology

Radio transmitters swallowed, surgically implanted, or carried externally make it possible to study a subject with minimum disturbance to normal patterns of activity. The radio frequency of transmission chosen will depend on the application, and will generally fall in the range from 50 kHz to 300 MHz. A number of specific experiments are reported, including the case of a snake which has swallowed a mouse containing a transmitter of pressure and temperature. Questions of monitoring are explored. Satellite Doppler tracking considerations are discussed together with the attachment of the transmitter package in the case of a study of birds.

Mackay, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Point-ahead limitation on reciprocity tracking

The average power received at a spacecraft from a reciprocity-tracking transmitter is shown to be the free-space diffraction-limited result times a gain-reduction factor that is due to the point-ahead requirement. For a constant-power transmitter, the gain-reduction factor is approximately equal to the appropriate spherical-wave mutual-coherence function. For a constant-average-power transmitter, an exact expression is obtained for the gain-reduction factor.

Shapiro, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Exciter switch

A new exciter switch assembly has been installed at the three DSN 64-m deep space stations. This assembly provides for switching Block III and Block IV exciters to either the high-power or 20-kW transmitters in either dual-carrier or single-carrier mode. In the dual-carrier mode, it provides for balancing the two drive signals from a single control panel located in the transmitter local control and remote control consoles. In addition to the improved switching capabilities, extensive monitoring of both the exciter switch assembly and Transmitter Subsystem is provided by the exciter switch monitor and display assemblies.

Mcpeak, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Halide eutectic growth experiment MA-131

Fiberlike sodium chloride/lithium fluoride eutectic mixtures have been produced on earth and in space by the directional solidification technique. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations were made on longitudinal and transverse sections of Apollo Soyuz Test Project space grown and earth grown ingots. It was found that samples grown in space have a higher percentage of fibers alined with the growth axis. The enhanced alinement of fibers is attributed to the absence of convection currents in the liquid during solidification. Optical transmittance measurements of transverse sections of the space grown and earth grown ingots were performed with an infrared spectrometer. For a given sample thickness, the highest transmittance was obtained from ingots grown in space. For samples of different thicknesses, grown either in space or on earth, it was found that the thinner the sample, the higher the transmittance. This is in agreement with the general optical property of transparent materials.

Yue, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Design of an optical fiber cable link for lightning instrumentation

A lightning instrumentation system was designed to record current magnitudes of lightning strikes that hit a launch pad service structure at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The instrumentation system consists of a lightning ground rod with a current sensor coil, an optical transmitter, an optical fiber cable link, a detector receiver, and a recording system. The transmitter is a wideband pulse transformer driving an IR LED emitter. The transmitter operates linearly as a transducer. A low loss fiber bundle provides isolation of the recorder system from the electromagnetic field of the lightning strike. The output of an optical detector receiver module is sampled and recorded in digital format. The significant factors considered in the design were dynamic range, linearity, mechanical configuration, electromagnetic isolation, and temperature compensation.

Grove, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Lunar dynamics and selenodesy - Results from analysis of VLBI and laser data

Very long base line interferometry (VLBI) observations of lunar radio transmitters have been combined with data from laser ranging to lunar retroreflectors to estimate simultaneously (1) parameters in models of the lunar orbit and libration and (2) the selenodetic coordinates of the radio transmitters and retroreflectors. For the ratio of the mass of the sun to that of the earth plus moon, a value of approximately 328,900.5 is obtained. The lunar moment-of-inertia ratios beta and gamma are also determined. The values and most of the uncertainties obtained for the third-degree harmonics of the moon's gravity field are comparable to those which have been obtained by others from observations of lunar-orbiting spacecraft. However, the results for the two third-degree gravity coefficients have much less uncertainty than determinations based on laser data alone. For the relative position vectors of the lunar radio transmitters and the retroreflectors, the estimates have uncertainties of about 30 m along the earth-moon direction and about 10 m in each of the two transverse coordinates.

King, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

System and method for tracking a signal source

A system for tracking moving signal sources is disclosed which is particularly adaptable for use in tracking stage performers. A miniature transmitter is attached to the person or object to be tracked and emits a detectable signal of a predetermined frequency. A plurality of detectors positioned in a preset pattern sense the signal and supply output information to a phase detector which applies signals representing the angular orientation of the transmitter to a computer. The computer provides command signals to a servo network which drives a device such as a motor driven mirror reflecting the beam of a spotlight, to track the moving transmitter.

Mogavero, L. N.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Assessment of needs for satellite tracking of birds and suggestions for expediting a program

Equipment development and testing, animal-instrument interphase or attachment methods, and the evaluation of various feasibility-tracking experiments with raptors are described as well as suggestions for expediting a future program. Results of animal-instrument interphases work indicate that large free-flying birds can be successfully instrumented with radio packages comparable in weight to satellite-transmitter packages. The 401 MHz frequency proved satisfactory for a combination of satellite and ground tracking of migrating birds. Tests run for nearly a year with the Nimbus 6 satellite and a miniaturized, one-watt prototype RAMS transmitter produced encouraging results in regard to location accuracy, frequency of contact with satellite and use of whip antennas. A future program is recommended with priority given to development of six operational transmitters for feasibility experiments.

Craighead, F. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1979

High resolution atmospheric transmission calculations down to 28.7 km in the 200-243-nm spectral range

Decrease in stratospheric ozone absorption and increase in oxygen absorption with decreasing wavelength combine to produce a window of maximum atmospheric transmission near 210 nm. Since solar radiation in this spectral region dissociates molecular oxygen, the deep atmospheric penetration at this wavelength is of particular aeronomical interest. High resolution calculations of the transmittance down to 28.65 km were made for the 200-243-nm spectral range in this window region, in support of a stratospheric balloon flight from Fort Churchill in July 1974. The calculations were made by dividing the atmosphere into layers which were chosen so that each could be assumed homogeneous; optical depths were calculated separately for each of these layers and then summed to obtain the over-all transmittance of the atmosphere. Absorption by molecular oxygen (line and continuum) and by ozone was included, as well as extinction through Rayleigh scattering by air molecules. The calculated transmittances were combined with high altitude (above 100-km) rocket measurements of the sun-center spectrum and center-to-limb variations to give residual high resolution solar spectral flux for several altitudes and solar zenith angles.

Cann, M. W. P.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Materials testing for spacecraft use

A technique has been developed for determining the outgassing characteristics of materials intended for spacecraft use. A measurement of the total mass loss (TML) and of the collected volatile condensable materials (CVCM) is used as a guide for selecting those materials low in outgassing. The data were used to compare the outgassing from two conductive black paints. In addition, the apparatus was also used in an attempt to simulate expected launch temperatures by collecting the outgassed molecules on a glass plate, which simulates a nearby thermal control surface. The glass plate was then irradiated in vacuum by simulated sunlight. Transmittance patterns of the clean glass plate and also with the condensed material on it were compared with the transmittance pattern after irradiation of the condensate. The transmittance patterns showed a drastic change. The resultant discoloration indicated the detrimental effects of the contamination and aided in selecting the better conductive paint. Additional tests utilizing an aluminized mirror collector plate have been run to show the effect of irradiation upon the CVCM from certain different classes of materials often used on spacecraft.

Park, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The correlation and quantification of airborne spectroradiometer data to turbidity measurements at Lake Powell, Utah

A water sampling program was accomplished at Lake Powell, Utah, during June 1975 for correlation to multispectral data obtained with a 500-channel airborne spectroradiometer. Field measurements were taken of percentage of light transmittance, surface temperature, pH and Secchi disk depth. Percentage of light transmittance was also measured in the laboratory for the water samples. Analyses of electron micrographs and suspended sediment concentration data for four water samples located at Hite Bridge, Mile 168, Mile 150 and Bullfrog Bay indicated differences in the composition and concentration of the particulate matter. Airborne spectroradiometer multispectral data were analyzed for the four sampling locations. The results showed that: (1) as the percentage of light transmittance of the water samples decreased, the reflected radiance increased; and (2) as the suspended sediment concentration (mg/l) increased, the reflected radiance increased in the 1-80 mg/l range. In conclusion, valuable qualitative information was obtained on surface turbidity for the Lake Powell water spectra. Also, the reflected radiance measured at a wavelength of 0.58 micron was directly correlated to the suspended sediment concentration.

Merry, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Calculations of the variability of ice cloud radiative properties at selected solar wavelengths

This study shows that there is surprising little difference in values of reflectance, absorptance, and transmittance for many of the intermediate-size particle spectra. Particle size distributions with mode radii ranging from approximately 50 to 300 microns, irrespective of particle shape and nearly independent of the choice of size distribution representation, give relatively similar flux values. The very small particle sizes, however, have significantly larger values of reflectance and transmittance with corresponding smaller values of absorptance than do the larger particle sizes. The very large particle modes produce very small values of reflectance and transmittance along with very large values of absorptance. Such variations are particularly noticeable when plotted as a function of wavelength.

Welch, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Proton-induced degradation of VUV transmission of LiF and MgF2

Proton-induced degradation of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) transmittance of LiF and MgF2 was measured for 85- and 600-MeV protons for a fluence up to 2.8 x 10 to the 13th p/sq cm. Transmittances were measured from 105 to 210 nm. When the irradiation level for a given material is expressed in terms of absorbed energy per unit of volume of crystal, 85- and 600-MeV protons produce the same degradation. MgF2 is substantially more radiation resistant than LiF in the VUV. Irradiation of LiF with 1.8 x 10 to the 13th p/sq cm at 85 MeV changed the transmittance of the hydrogen Ly-alpha line at 121.6 nm from 55 to 23%. The corresponding change for MgF2 was from 52 to 42% for 2.8 x 10 to the 13th p/sq cm.

Reft, C. S.↗