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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 667 records · Page 37
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

Simulation and assimilation of satellite altimeter data at the oceanic mesoscale

An improved "objective analysis' technique is used along with an altimeter signal statistical model, an altimeter noise statistical model, an orbital model, and synoptic surface current maps in the POLYMODE-SDE area, to evaluate the performance of various observational strategies in catching the mesoscale variability at mid-latitudes. In particular, simulated repetitive nominal orbits of ERS-1, TOPEX, and SPOT/POSEIDON are examined. Results show the critical importance of existence of a subcycle, scanning in either direction. Moreover, long repeat cycles ( 20 days) and short cross-track distances ( 300 km) seem preferable, since they match mesoscale statistics. Another goal of the study is to prepare and discuss sea-surface height (SSH) assimilation in quasigeostrophic models. Restored SSH maps are shown to meet that purpose, if an efficient extrapolation method or deep in-situ data (floats) are used on the vertical to start and update the model.

Demay, P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Altimetry, Orbits and Tides

The nature of the orbit error and its effect on the sea surface heights calculated with satellite altimetry are explained. The elementary concepts of celestial mechanics required to follow a general discussion of the problem are included. Consideration of errors in the orbits of satellites with precisely repeating ground tracks (SEASAT, TOPEX, ERS-1, POSEIDON, amongst past and future altimeter satellites) are detailed. The theoretical conclusions are illustrated with the numerical results of computer simulations. The nature of the errors in this type of orbits is such that this error can be filtered out by using height differences along repeating (overlapping) passes. This makes them particularly valuable for the study and monitoring of changes in the sea surface, such as tides. Elements of tidal theory, showing how these principles can be combined with those pertinent to the orbit error to make direct maps of the tides using altimetry are presented.

Colombo, O. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Transverse momentum distribution of pion deg in the fragmentation region of super high energy interactions

The lateral distribution of gamma-families observed by emulsion chamber is sensitive to test transverse momentum of high energy interaction. But most part gamma-families are succesive interation's results which makes it necessary to analyze the propagation of gamma-ray in atmosphere. A gamma-ray with energy Er and transverse momentum Pt is produced at the altitude h. In the emulsion chamber experiment, Eob is estimated by decascade method. There are 30 gamma-families observed by Ganbala emulsion Chamber. A group of Monte-Carlo simulation gamma-families are used to compare with experimental data with the same treatment. It is found that both distributions are consistent.

Ren, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A search for mini-clusters in Japan-USSR Joint Experiment at Pamir

A search for mini-clusters, very collimated shower clusters of hadrons and electromagnetic particles, is made for the hadron and gamma families observed by Japan-USSR joint carbon chamber at Pamir. The existence of anomalous correlation between hadrons and electromagnetic particles is found. The decascading method is applied to the families and it is found that 11 clusters which include hadrons as members have smaller spread, Er 3.5 GeV.m and larger lateral spread, E'R' 100 GeV.m, from the family center. In the simulated events, such clusters were found to be very rare.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1985

New analysis of nuclear interaction observed by Mt. Kanbara emulsion chamber experiment

To date the analysis of the air cascade family has been performed using a full Monte Carlo simulation. It is difficult to draw a definite conclusion about the interaction mechanism by using only this kind of simulation. On the other hand, attempts to reproduce the original gamma ray at the interaction point, for example decascading, have also been made. This method makes it possible to observe the interaction directly and to analyze the data from various angles. All of these methods, however, assume a constant ER in the cascade shower, where E is energy and R is the distance from the center of the cascade shower. It is impossible to reproduce the exact interaction height and energy by these methods. A relative method in separating one cascade shower from others is adopted. This method makes it possible to estimate the interaction height and energy by using information about the lateral spread of the cascade shower.

Nanjo, H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Optimal design of a thermally stable composite optical bench

The Lidar Atmospheric Sensing Experiment will be performed aboard an ER-2 aircraft; the lidar system used will be mounted on a lightweight, thermally stable graphite/epoxy optical bench whose design is presently subjected to analytical study and experimental validation. Attention is given to analytical methods for the selection of such expected laminate properties as the thermal expansion coefficient, the apparent in-plane moduli, and ultimate strength. For a symmetric laminate in which one of the lamina angles remains variable, an optimal lamina angle is selected to produce a design laminate with a near-zero coefficient of thermal expansion. Finite elements are used to model the structural concept of the design, with a view to the optical bench's thermal structural response as well as the determination of the degree of success in meeting the experiment's alignment tolerances.

Gray, C. E., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Use of Thematic Mapper for water quality assessment

The evaluation of simulated TM data obtained on an ER-2 aircraft at twenty-five predesignated sample sites for mapping water quality factors such as conductivity, pH, suspended solids, turbidity, temperature, and depth, is discussed. Using a multiple regression for the seven TM bands, an equation is developed for the suspended solids. TM bands 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 are used with logarithm conductivity in a multiple regression. The assessment of regression equations for a high coefficient of determination (R-squared) and statistical significance is considered. Confidence intervals about the mean regression point are calculated in order to assess the robustness of the regressions used for mapping conductivity, turbidity, and suspended solids, and by regressing random subsamples of sites and comparing the resultant range of R-squared, cross validation is conducted.

Horn, E. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Lasers in space

Hinkley and Herring (1984) have considered the differences between active (laser) and passive remote sensing from space. The conclusion was reached that spaceborne lasers will eventually complement passive sensors in providing information on the distributions of key atmospheric species and meteorological parameters. Precise information can also be obtained of ice sheet and crustal dynamics for geological and mapping applications. NASA initiated recently an airborne measurement program directed toward some of these objectives. The program employs optical radar (laser radar) systems onboard the NASA advanced ER-2 high-flying aircraft. The results of the experiments are to provide important information with respect to the potential utility of spaceborne laser remote sensing. A study indicated that a spaceborne pulsed carbon dioxide laser could measure tropospheric winds. Attention is also given to measurements of atmospheric gases by spaceborne lasers, solid-state lasers for spaceborne remote sensing, and laser communication in space.

Hinkley, E. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Effect of R(3+) ions on the structure and properties of lanthanum borate glasses

The present investigation of glass formation in the (mole percent) systems 25La2O3 (x)R2O3 (75-x)B2O3, where R = Al, Ga, and (25-x)La2O3 (x)Ln2O3 75B2O3, where Ln = Gd, Er, Y, notes that up to 25 mol pct Al2O3 or Ga2O3 can be substituted for B2O3, while no more than about 5 mol pct Ln2O3, substituted for La2O3, caused macro-phase separation. The substitution of either R2O3 or Ln2O3 in the lanthanum borate system changes the separation distance between adjacent B3O6 chains. The effect of this structural change on the molar volume, transformation temperature, thermal expansion coefficient, and transformation-range viscosity is discussed.

Chakraborty, I. N.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Design and benefits of a multibeam Earth Observing Radar

The oceanographic rationale is described for continuing to advance the state of the art in satellite radar altimetry, and the expected capabilities of a multibeam Earth Observing Radar are noted. At the end of this decade, there is the possibility that altimeters may be in orbit aboard the American TOPEX, the ESA ERS-1, and the French SPOT satellites at the same time. The TOPEX version will be the most precise altimeter yet built. Global ocean circulation will be measured by using TOPEX to monitor the elevation changes across the ocean basins due to oceanic currents. It will then be possible to monitor the 'mean' circulation patterns in the oceans. The multiple beams of EOR might be used to measure the curvature of the topographic surface. The use of curvature is especially beneficial because it is directly related to ocean circulation, which is a function only of the Laplacian of the topographic height field in a given area. With the EOR, that height field will be known and ocean circulation can be immediately computed.

Parsons, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Development of a high-altitude airborne dial system: The Lidar Atmospheric Sensing Experiment (LASE)

The ability of a Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) system to measure vertical profiles of H2O in the lower atmosphere was demonstrated both in ground-based and airborne experiments. In these experiments, tunable lasers were used that required real-time experimenter control to locate and lock onto the atmospheric H2O absorption line for the DIAL measurements. The Lidar Atmospheric Sensing Experiment (LASE) is the first step in a long-range effort to develop and demonstrate an autonomous DIAL system for airborne and spaceborne flight experiments. The LASE instrument is being developed to measure H2O, aerosol, and cloud profiles from a high-altitude ER-2 (extended range U-2) aircraft. The science of the LASE program, the LASE system design, and the expected measurement capability of the system are discussed.

Browell, E. V.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Science opportunities from the Topex/Poseidon mission

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the French Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) propose to conduct a Topex/Poseidon Mission for studying the global ocean circulation from space. The mission will use the techniques of satellite altimetry to make precise and accurate measurements of sea level for several years. The measurements will then be used by Principal Investigators (selected by NASA and CNES) and by the wider oceanographic community working closely with large international programs for observing the Earth, on studies leading to an improved understanding of global ocean dynamics and the interaction of the ocean with other processes influencing life on Earth. The major elements of the mission include a satellite carrrying an altimetric system for measuring the height of the satellite above the sea surface; a precision orbit determination system for referring the altimetric measurements to geodetic coordinates; a data analysis and distribution system for processing the satellite data, verifying their accuracy, and making them available to the scientific community; and a principal investigator program for scientific studies based on the satellite observations. This document describes the satellite, its sensors, its orbit, the data analysis system, and plans for verifying and distributing the data. It then discusses the expected accuracy of the satellite's measurements and their usefulness to oceanographic, geophysical, and other scientific studies. Finally, it outlines the relationship of the Topex/Poseidon mission to other large programs, including the World Climate Research Program, the U.S. Navy's Remote Ocean Sensing System satellite program and the European Space Agency's ERS-1 satellite program.

Stewart, R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Multispectral atmospheric mapping sensor of mesoscale water vapor features

The Multispectral atmospheric mapping sensor was checked out for specified spectral response and detector noise performance in the eight visible and three infrared (6.7, 11.2, 12.7 micron) spectral bands. A calibration algorithm was implemented for the infrared detectors. Engineering checkout flights on board the ER-2 produced imagery at 50 m resolution in which water vapor features in the 6.7 micron spectral band are most striking. These images were analyzed on the Man computer Interactive Data Access System (McIDAS). Ground truth and ancillary data was accessed to verify the calibration.

Menzel, P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

High spatial resolution passive microwave sounding systems

Two extensive series of flights aboard the ER-2 aircraft were conducted with the MIT 118 GHz imaging spectrometer together with a 53.6 GHz nadir channel and a TV camera record of the mission. Other microwave sensors, including a 183 GHz imaging spectrometer were flown simultaneously by other research groups. Work also continued on evaluating the impact of high-resolution passive microwave soundings upon numerical weather prediction models.

Staelin, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Spaceborne imaging radar research in the 90's

The imaging radar experiments on SEASAT and on the space shuttle (SIR-A and SIR-B) have led to a wide interest in the use of spaceborne imaging radars in Earth and planetary sciences. The radar sensors provide unique and complimentary information to what is acquired with visible and infrared imagers. This includes subsurface imaging in arid regions, all weather observation of ocean surface dynamic phenomena, structural mapping, soil moisture mapping, stereo imaging and resulting topographic mapping. However, experiments up to now have exploited only a very limited range of the generic capability of radar sensors. With planned sensor developments in the late 80's and early 90's, a quantum jump will be made in our ability to fully exploit the potential of these sensors. These developments include: multiparameter research sensors such as SIR-C and X-SAR, long-term and global monitoring sensors such as ERS-1, JERS-1, EOS, Radarsat, GLORI and the spaceborne sounder, planetary mapping sensors such as the Magellan and Cassini/Titan mappers, topographic three-dimensional imagers such as the scanning radar altimeter and three-dimensional rain mapping. These sensors and their associated research are briefly described.

Elachi, Charles↗
NASA NTRS1986

Oceanographic measurement capabilities of the NASA P-3 aircraft

Instrumentation on NASA P3 aircraft available to provide ground truth for ERS-1 is described. The wave sensors include the 36 GHz Surface Contour Radar (SCR), the Ku-band Radar Ocean Wave Spectrometer (ROWS), and the Airborne Oceanographic Lidar. The other sensors include a C-band scatterometer, video camera, radiation thermometer, and AXRTs. The SCR and ROWS directional spectrum measurements are discussed. When planning for an underflight mission, the limited endurance of the aircraft (6 hr) and flight cost (2.7 K$/hr) must be considered. The advantage of the redundancy afforded by the several wave instruments is another important consideration.

Mollo-Christensen, Erik↗
NASA NTRS1986

T-28 data acquisition during COHMEX 1986

As part of the 1986 Cooperative Huntsville Meteorological Experiment (COHMEX) a cloud physics instrumented T-28 aircraft was used in conjunction with multiple ground based Doppler radars to characterize hydrometeors and updraft structure within developing summertime cumulus and cumulonimbus cloud systems near Huntsville, Alabama. Instrumentation aboard the aircraft included a Particle Measuring Systems (PMS) Forward Scattering Spectrometer Probe (FSSP), a PMS 2D Cloud Probe and a PMS 2D Precipitation Probe, as well as a hail spectrometer and a foil impactor. Hydrometeor spectra were obtained in the interior of mature thunderstorms over the size range from cloud droplets through hailstones. In addition, vertical wind speed, temperature, Johnson-Williams (JW) liquid water content and electric field measurements were made. Significant microphysical differences exist between these clouds and summertime cumulonimbus clouds which develop over the Central Plains. One notable difference in clouds displaying similar radar reflectivities is that COHMEX hydrometeors are typically smaller and more numerous than those observed in the Central Plains. The COHMEX cloud microphysical measurements represent ground truth values for the remote sensing instrumentation which was flown over the cloud tops at altitudes between 60,000 and 70,000 ft aboard NASA U-2 and ER-2 aircraft. They are also being used jointly with a numerical cloud model to assist in understanding the development of summertime subtropical clouds.

Musil, Dennis J.↗