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At least 667 records · Page 37

Measuring Young Stars in Space and Time. I. The Photometric Catalog and Extinction Properties of N44

In order to better understand the role of high-mass stellar feedback in regulating star formation in giant molecular clouds, we carried out a Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Treasury Program Measuring Young Stars in Space and Time (MYSST) targeting the star-forming complex N44 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Using the F555W and F814W broadband filters of both the ACS and WFC3/UVIS, we built a photometric catalog of 461,684 stars down to m {sub F555W} ≃ 29 mag and m {sub F814W} ≃ 28 mag, corresponding to the magnitude of an unreddened 1 Myr pre-main-sequence star of ≈ 0.09 M {sub ☉} at the LMC distance. In this first paper we describe the observing strategy of MYSST and the data reduction procedure and present the photometric catalog. We identify multiple young stellar populations tracing the gaseous rim of N44's superbubble, together with various contaminants belonging to the LMC field population. We also determine the reddening properties from the slope of the elongated red clump (RC) feature by applying the machine-learning algorithm RANSAC, and we select a set of upper-main-sequence stars as primary probes to build an extinction map, deriving a relatively modest median extinction A {sub F555W} ≃ 0.77 mag. The same procedure applied to the RC provides A {sub F555W} ≃ 0.68 mag.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Time-resolved biphase signatures of quadratic nonlinearity observed in coupled Alfvén eigenmodes on the DIII-D tokamak

We report the detection of nonstationary quadratic coupling between toroidicity-induced Alfvén eigenmodes (TAEs) on sub-millisecond time scales. Identification of phase coherency between multiple TAEs and nonlinearly generated modes is facilitated by wavelet-based bicoherence analysis of time-series from inductive coils, taken from a DIII-D discharge heated by neutral beam injection (NBI). Characterization of nonlinear three-wave interaction is inferred by stationary local bispectrum phase (biphase) and confirmed via bandpass filtering. Biphase dynamics associated with prominent bispectral features are well-resolved in time and consistent with transient quadratic coupling. Onset and duration of nonlinearity are correlated with enhanced amplitude of participating TAEs; coincident changes in amplitude are observed for modes at difference frequency |f TAE,1 - f TAE,2 |.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Multiple degree of freedom object recognition using optical relational graph decision nets

Multiple-degree-of-freedom object recognition concerns objects with no stable rest position with all scale, rotation, and aspect distortions possible. It is assumed that the objects are in a fairly benign background, so that feature extractors are usable. In-plane distortion invariance is provided by use of a polar-log coordinate transform feature space, and out-of-plane distortion invariance is provided by linear discriminant function design. Relational graph decision nets are considered for multiple-degree-of-freedom pattern recognition. The design of Fisher (1936) linear discriminant functions and synthetic discriminant function for use at the nodes of binary and multidecision nets is discussed. Case studies are detailed for two-class and multiclass problems. Simulation results demonstrate the robustness of the processors to quantization of the filter coefficients and to noise.

Casasent, David P.↗

Free-space laser communication technologies III; Proceedings of the Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, Jan. 21, 22, 1991

The present volume on free-space laser communication technologies discusses system analysis, performance, and applications, pointing, acquisition, and tracking in beam control, laboratory demonstration systems, and transmitter and critical component technologies. Attention is given to a space station laser communication transceiver, meeting intersatellite links mission requirements by an adequate optical terminal design, an optical approach to proximity-operations communications for Space Station Freedom, and optical space-to-ground link availability assessment and diversity requirements. Topics addressed include nonmechanical steering of laser beams by multiple aperture antennas, a free-space simulator for laser transmission, heterodyne acquisition and tracking in a free-space diode laser link, and laser terminal attitude determination via autonomous star tracking. Also discussed are stability considerations in relay lens design for optical communications, liquid crystals for lasercom applications, and narrowband optical interference filters.

Begley, David L.↗

A New Approach to Identify Optimal Properties of Shunting Elements for Maximum Damping of Structural Vibration Using Piezoelectric Patches

The use of shunted piezoelectric patches in reducing vibration and sound radiation of structures has several advantages over passive viscoelastic elements, e.g., lower weight with increased controllability. The performance of the piezoelectric patches depends on the shunting electronics that are designed to dissipate vibration energy through a resistive element. In past efforts most of the proposed tuning methods were based on modal properties of the structure. In these cases, the tuning applies only to one mode of interest and maximum tuning is limited to invariant points when based on den Hartog's invariant points concept. In this study, a design method based on the wave propagation approach is proposed. Optimal tuning is investigated depending on the dynamic and geometric properties that include effects from boundary conditions and position of the shunted piezoelectric patch relative to the structure. Active filters are proposed as shunting electronics to implement the tuning criteria. The developed tuning methods resulted in superior capabilities in minimizing structural vibration and noise radiation compared to other tuning methods. The tuned circuits are relatively insensitive to changes in modal properties and boundary conditions, and can applied to frequency ranges in which multiple modes have effects.

Park, Junhong↗

Lidar Luminance Quantizer

This innovation addresses challenges in lidar imaging, particularly with the detection scheme and the shapes of the detected signals. Ideally, the echoed pulse widths should be extremely narrow to resolve fine detail at high event rates. However, narrow pulses require wideband detection circuitry with increased power dissipation to minimize thermal noise. Filtering is also required to shape each received signal into a form suitable for processing by a constant fraction discriminator (CFD) followed by a time-to-digital converter (TDC). As the intervals between the echoes decrease, the finite bandwidth of the shaping circuits blends the pulses into an analog signal (luminance) with multiple modes, reducing the ability of the CFD to discriminate individual events

Quilligan, Gerard↗

Diffraction Modeling of Finite Subband EFC Probing on Dark Hole Contrast with WFIRST-CGI Shaped Pupil Coronagraph

The current NASA WFIRST (Wide-Field InfraRed Survey Telescope) coronagraph instrument (CGI) design allocates two subband filters per each full science band in order to contain system complexity and cost. We present our detailed investigation results on the adequacy of such a limited number of finite subband filters in achieving broadband dark hole contrast with a shaped pupil coronagraph (SPC). The study is based on diffraction propagation modeling with realistic WFIRST optics, where each subband’s image plane electric field is estimated from pairwise pupil plane deformable mirror (DM) probing and image plane intensity averaging of the resulting fields of multiple (subband) wavelengths. Multiple subband choices and probing and control strategies are explored, including standard subband probing; mixed wavelength and/or weighted Jacobian matrix; subband probing with intensity subtraction; and extended subband probing with intensity subtraction. Overall, the investigation shows that the achievable contrast with a limited number of finite subbands is about 2~2.5x worse than the designed contrast for the current SPC. The result suggests that future shaped pupil designs should be optimized for slightly broader bandwidths than the intended science bandpasses if limited subbands are used for wavefront sensing via probing.

WFIRST↗

Expanding NeMO-Net Machine Learning Capabilities for Citizen Science

NASA NeMO-Net, the neural multi-modal observation and training network for global coral reef assessment, is an open-source deep convolutional neural network and interactive active learning training software aiming to accurately assess the present and past dynamics of coral reef ecosystems through determination of percent living cover and morphology as well as mapping of spatial distribution. We present an interactive citizen science video game, released this April, for desktop and iOS devices where users interactively label morphology classifications over mm-scale 3D coral reef imagery captured using diver photomosaic imagery, the UAV enabled NASA FluidCam instrument, and satellite datasets. To date, the application has had over 40,000 downloads and over 60,000 unique coral reef classifications, each filtered through a user-based rating and expert evaluation system. We also present results from NeMO-Net’s convolutional neural network (CNN) models used to semantically segment 2D satellite imagery as well as projections of 3D coral reconstructions using user input data as training datasets. Fusing datasets using machine learning from multiple remote sensing platforms presents novel methodologies for assessing the health of coral ecosystems, which are critically endangered by a changing climate. In partnering with Mission Blue, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Living Oceans Foundation (LOF), NeMO-Net leverages an international consortium of subject matter experts to provide both proper training for citizen scientists and the generation of a labeled datasets to ingest into machine learning algorithms for global coral reef identification.

NeMO-Net↗

Expanding NeMO-Net Machine Learning Capabilities for Citizen Science

NASA NeMO-Net, the neural multi-modal observation and training network for global coral reef assessment, is an open-source deep convolutional neural network and interactive active learning training software aiming to accurately assess the present and past dynamics of coral reef ecosystems through determination of percent living cover and morphology as well as mapping of spatial distribution. We present an interactive citizen science video game, released this April, for desktop and iOS devices where users interactively label morphology classifications over mm-scale 3D coral reef imagery captured using diver photomosaic imagery, the UAV enabled NASA FluidCam instrument, and satellite datasets. To date, the application has had over 40,000 downloads and over60,000 unique coral reef classifications, each filtered through a user-based rating and expert evaluation system. We also present results from NeMO-Net’s convolutional neural network (CNN) models used to semantically segment 2D satellite imagery as well as projections of 3D coral reconstructions using user input data as training datasets. Fusing datasets using machine learning from multiple remote sensing platforms presents novel methodologies for assessing the health of coral ecosystems, which are critically endangered by a changing climate. In partnering with Mission Blue, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Living Oceans Foundation (LOF), NeMO-Net leverages an international consortium of subject matter experts to provide both proper training for citizen scientists and the generation of a labeled datasets to ingest into machine learning algorithms for global coral reef identification.

NeMO-Net↗

Leveraging High Resolution Remotely Sensed Evapotranspiration Data to Assess Water Availability and Vulnerability in the Memphis Aquifer Area in West Tennessee

The Memphis aquifer is an indispensable source of water for municipal, agricultural, and industrial use across west Tennessee. The aquifer's water is thousands of years old and in pristine condition due to the natural geological filtering by the aquifer’s confining clay layers. To sustain the aquifer’s water supply, recharge must happen at a rate efficient enough to keep up with pumping from the aquifer. In partnership with Protect Our Aquifer and the University of Memphis Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research, this project examined multiple factors to discover thriving areas of recharge in west Tennessee. The team used Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) precipitation data, ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) evapotranspiration data, Landsat 8 and National Land Cover Database (NLCD) to track landcover change, and the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) Noah land surface model to estimate monthly runoff. These factors were averaged seasonally from 2019 to 2022 to understand seasonal relationships within the study area. Precipitation and evapotranspiration data were used to create water balance maps and with the evaporative stress index (ESI), landcover, and runoff maps, the team pinpointed locations that are most conducive to recharge. The team determined that areas where the water balance is low, ESI is high, and where there is sufficient pervious landcover are locations where recharge happens most effectively. Identification of effective recharge locations may be used by the partners to prioritize areas in need of protection before they become impacted by industrialization and urbanization.

Lauren Webster↗

Pressurizing Hagan and SAVY containers to 30-psig (air) to measure the release of analytical cerium oxide test powder

In response to an ESS surrounding the storage of sealed sources at TA-55, personnel from RP-SVS (Radiation Protection Services) and ORI-2 (Operational Readiness & Execution) were approached by ES-55 (Facility System Engineering) to provide technical testing of known nuclear material storage containers. Testing criteria were determined by SB-PF (Safety Basis for Plutonium Facilities). Tests were conducted in conjunction with multiple related projects at the Aerosol Sciences Laboratory (TA-03-0130-0103). An experimental system was quickly developed to deliver a pressure pulse (30-psig) that mimics a sealed source burst scenario. A series of twelve tests was conducted. Six tests were done with two different 5QT SAVY-4000 containers, where each SAVY filter-lid combination was subjected to three successive test insults. Three tests were done with a (0.375" diameter filter) 8Q.T Hagan container, and three tests with a (0.625" diameter filter) 8QT Hagan container. An unused, fresh container filter was used for each tested Hagan container, each receiving only one test insult per filter. Cerium oxide (CeO 2 ) powder was loaded (100 grams per test) into a nozzle in the tested Hagan and SAVY containers, and the nozzle was hard-plumbed to a ball valve and a pressure source. This system was installed into the Los Alamos RRFMC (Respirable Release Measurement Chamber), which is an integrated multipurpose aerosol wind tunnel that satisfies NQA-1 subpart 2.4 for R&D work. The ball valve was fitted with a mechanical linkage for operation from outside the wind tunnel. An aerodynamic particle sizer counted the particle concentrations and size distributions of released aerosol. Respirable aerosol released during the tests was measured and a correction factor for wind tunnel flowrate and internal duct deposition was applied.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Considerations of digital phase modulation for narrowband satellite mobile communication

The Inmarsat-M system for mobile satellite communication is specified as a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) system, applying Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) for transmitting 8 kbit/sec in 10 kHz user channel bandwidth. We consider Digital Phase Modulation (DPM) as an alternative modulation format for INMARSAT-M. DPM is similar to Continuous Phase Modulation (CPM) except that DPM has a finite memory in the premodular filter with a continuous varying modulation index. It is shown that DPM with 64 states in the VA obtains a lower bit error rate (BER). Results for a 5 kHz system, with the same 8 kbit/sec transmitted bitstream, is also presented.

Grythe, Knut↗

Multiple degree of freedom force-state component identification

Force-state mapping is extended to allow the quasistatic characterization of realistic multiple degree of freedom systems whose constitutive relations are nonlinear, dissipative, coupled and depend on memory of past states. A general constitutive force-state model is formulated, which includes dynamic hysteresis phenomena typical of that found in deployable structures. A two step parameter identification approach is developed, which employs a linear extended Kalman filter and a nonlinear least squares fit. A six degree of freedom force-state testing device was constructed, and used to obtain data on one bay of a simple truss and on one bay of the MODE deployable truss.

Masters, Brett P.↗

Actuation Force Study of Next Generation Micro Shutter Array for More Reliable Actuation

Micro shutter array (MSA) is a programmable optical spatial filtering device fabricated by MEMS technology, which was originally developed for James Webb Space Telescope to enable multi-object spectroscopy. Next Generation Micro Shutter Array (NGMSA) is an effort to improve JWST MSA by eliminating macroscopic actuation magnet and using electrostatic force to achieve simple and reliable instrument that can support NASA’s multiple future missions. We have been fabricating NGMSA with design inherited from JWST, however the legacy design is not friendly for electrostatic actuation because applied force direction on the moving shutter blade is different. We use COMSOL AC/DC module’s electrostatics feature to understand electrostatic force applied on an individual shutter within a range of motion and study new candidate designs. Also, structural mechanics module is used to study torsion bar’s restoration force.

Kim, K.↗

Chemical Challenge Tests on ISS Fire Cartridges

Following a confirmed combustion event onboard the International Space Station (ISS), crewmembers will don Emergency Masks, each fitted with 2 ISS fire cartridge filters. As the crewmember breathes through the filters, combustion products in the cabin air are either filtered or catalyzed by the fire cartridge media to minimize crew exposure to harmful levels of contaminants. Rigorous certification, acceptance, and surveillance programs for the fire cartridges ensure that each lot meets stringent performance requirements during the beginning of and throughout the service life of the cartridges. In accordance with the Quality/Acceptance Test Plan, multiple fire cartridges from each lot undergo chemical challenge tests, with each test lasting 2.5 hours and involving one or more chemicals at specified concentrations. These tests are conducted at specific temperatures, humidity levels, and gas flow rates intended to mimic the worst-case conditions for fire cartridge performance. These challenge tests are conducted by the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory at the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. The majority of the challenge tests focus on carbon monoxide (CO), but other gases include hydrogen cyanide (HCN), hydrogen chloride (HCl), cyclohexane, acrolein, and acetaldehyde. A fire cartridge is exposed to the test gas in a test chamber at the specified conditions and the outlet is monitored for breakthrough during the 2.5-hour test. This paper will briefly introduce fire cartridges and how they work, then discuss details of the challenge gas delivery and exposure system, breakthrough monitoring methods, and discussion of issues that have arisen during the course of the test program. Although the focus of this paper will be on the conduction of the challenge tests, a general summary of the performance of the fire cartridges will be provided.

Fire Cartridge↗

Starling Formation-Flying Optical Experiment: Initial Operations and Flight Results

This paper presents initial flight results for angles-only navigation of a swarm of small spacecraft, conducted during the Starling Formation-Flying Optical Experiment (StarFOX). StarFOX is one of four experiments aboard the NASA Starling mission, which consists of four CubeSats launched in July 2023. Angles-only methods apply inter-satellite bearing angles obtained by on-board cameras for navigation, increasing satellite autonomy and enabling new mission concepts. Nevertheless, prior flight demonstrations have only featured one observer and target and have relied upon a-priori target orbit knowledge for initialization, translational maneuvers to resolve target range, and external absolute orbit updates to maintain convergence. StarFOX overcomes these limitations by applying the angles-only Absolute and Relative Trajectory Measurement System (ARTMS), which integrates three novel algorithms. Image Processing detects and tracks multiple targets in images, using multi-hypothesis methods and domain-specific kinematic modeling, and computes target bearing angles. Batch Orbit Determination computes initial swarm orbit estimates from bearing angle batches, via iterative batch least squares and sampling of the weakly observable target range. Sequential Orbit Determination leverages an adaptive, efficient unscented Kalman filter with nonlinear models to refine swarm state estimates over time. Multi-observer measurements shared over an intersatellite link are seamlessly fused to enable robust absolute and relative orbit determination. Initial StarFOX experiments are the first demonstrations of autonomous angles-only navigation for a satellite swarm, including multi-target and multi-observer relative navigation; autonomous initialization of navigation for unknown targets; and simultaneous absolute and relative orbit determination. Relative navigation accuracy of 1% (single observer) and 0.2% (multi-observer) of the inter-satellite range is achieved under challenging measurement conditions. Results demonstrate promising performance with regards to ongoing StarFOX campaigns and the application of angles-only navigation to future distributed missions.

Relative Navigation↗

The SA-2239/WLQ-4(V) Cutty Sark distribution system

A redundant frequency and time distribution system provides a multiplicity of isolated outputs, all of which are derived from three atomic frequency standards. The distribution system monitors input parameters of the signals coming from the Cesium Standards and selects one to be the primary standard, phase locks an internal oscillator which has excellent aging characteristics in the open loop mode and acts as a filter to provide phase noise improvement, and generates 1 megahertz and 100 kHz by direct synthesis. Additionally, the system distributes RF and timing signals consisting of 5 MHz, 1 MHz, 100 kHz, BCD Time-of-Day, 1 pps and 1 ppm.

Vulcan, A.↗

Airborne Spectral Measurements of Ocean Anisotropy during CLAMS

The Cloud Absorption Radiometer (CAR) aboard the University of Washington Convair CV-580 research aircraft obtained bidirectional reflectance-distribution function (BRDF) of Atlantic Ocean and Dismal Swamp between July 10 and August 2, 2001. The BRDF measurements (15 in total, 8 uncontaminated by clouds) obtained under a variety of sun angles and wind conditions, will be used to characterize ocean anisotropy in support of Chesapeake Lighthouse and Aircraft Measurements for Satellites (CLAMS) science objectives principally to validate products from NASA's EOS satellites, and to parameterize and validate BRDF models of the ocean. In this paper we present results of BRDF of the Ocean under different sun angles and wind conditions. The CAR is capable of measuring scattered light in fourteen spectral bands. The scan mirror, rotating at 100 rpm, directs the light into a Dall-Kirkham telescope where the beam is split into nine paths. Eight light beams pass through beam splitters, dichroics, and lenses to individual detectors (0.34-1.27 micron), and finally are registered by eight data channels. They are sampled simultaneously and continuously. The ninth beam passes through a spinning filter wheel to an InSb detector cooled by a Stirling cycle cooler. Signals registered by the ninth data channel are selected from among six spectral channels (1.55-2.30 micron). The filter wheel can either cycle through all six spectral bands at a prescribed interval (usually changing filter every fifth scan line), or lock onto any one of the six spectral bands and sample it continuously. To measure the BRF of the surface-atmosphere system, the University of Washington CV-580 had to fly in a circle about 3 km in diameter above the surface for roughly two minutes. Replicated observations (multiple circular orbits) were acquired over selected surfaces so that average BRF smooth out small-scale surface and atmospheric inhomogeneities. At an altitude of 600 m above the targeted surface area and with a 1 degree IFOV, the pixel resolution is about 10 m at nadir and about 270 m at an 80 deg. viewing angle from the CAR.

Gatebe, C. K.↗