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At least 667 records · Page 37

Space station definition and preliminary design, WP-01. Volume 1: Executive summary

System activities are summarized and an overview of the system level engineering tasks performed are provided. Areas discussed include requirements, system test and verification, the advanced development plan, customer accommodations, software, growth, productivity, operations, product assurance and metrication. The hardware element study results are summarized. Overviews of recommended configurations are provided for the core module, the USL, the logistics elements, the propulsion subsystems, reboost, vehicle accommodations, and the smart front end. A brief overview is provided for costing activities.

Lenda, J. A.↗

Liquid Engine Jet Atomization Workshop report

The workshop was oriented to disclose information and unsettled problems to understand the fundamental physical mechanism of the droplet formation process. Based on presentation and discussion of results, recommendations were made which should lead to associated future activities. To accomplish this task, existing observations and experiments, contributing to the basic knowledge, providing data for analytical concept verification, and forming a basis for empirical correlations were solicited. Advanced analytical modeling methods or results from specific studies were requested as well as the experience and advice from injector designers. All effort is directed to advance current analytical techniques, simulating the flow behavior downstream of the injection elements in a liquid rocket combustion chamber. Such a tool can be used to optimize injector designs with respect to short length weight savings, wall material protection, or large heat energy transport to a regenerative cooling fluid, while simultaneously achieving the maximum specific impulse in performance. The liquid atomization process also forms a sound basis for combustion instability analysis.

Gross, Klaus W.↗

Group evaporation

Liquid fuel combustion process is greatly affected by the rate of droplet evaporation. The heat and mass exchanges between gas and liquid couple the dynamics of both phases in all aspects: mass, momentum, and energy. Correct prediction of the evaporation rate is therefore a key issue in engineering design of liquid combustion devices. Current analytical tools for characterizing the behavior of these devices are based on results from a single isolated droplet. Numerous experimental studies have challenged the applicability of these results in a dense spray. To account for the droplets' interaction in a dense spray, a number of theories have been developed in the past decade. Herein, two tasks are examined. One was to study how to implement the existing theoretical results, and the other was to explore the possibility of experimental verifications. The current theoretical results of group evaporation are given for a monodispersed cluster subject to adiabatic conditions. The time evolution of the fluid mechanic and thermodynamic behavior in this cluster is derived. The results given are not in the form of a subscale model for CFD codes.

Shen, Hayley H.↗

New X-ray spectral observations of NGC 4151 with ASCA

We present new X-ray spectral data for the well-studied Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151, which was observed twice for about 20 ks each during the ASCA performance verification phase, once on 1993 May 25 and again on 1993 November 5. The source underwent complex spectral variability, and the observed 2-10 keV flux increased by a factor of 2 while the intrinsic 2-10 keV flux increased by no more than 20%. The data can be modeled with either a dual cold absorber plus a soft X-ray excess consisting of scattered continuum flux and an additional 'ultrasoft' X-ray excess component, or a warm absorber plus scattered continuum flux. There is evidence for variability at less than 1 keV energies that is unrelated to the 2-10 keV continuum. For an ionized-absorber description of NGC 4151, changes in the ionization state of the absorber appear to be unrelated to changes in the ionizing continuum.

Weaver, K. A.↗

Quality Control Methods of Tower Data at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39-B and the USAF Cape Canaveral 500 Foot Tower

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has long used meteorological data from weather towers located at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and the United States Air Force’s Eastern Range(ER) in support of their various launch vehicles and climate studies. Some of the most valuable data is gathered at the Launch Complex 39-B (LC39-B) and the 500 foot tower located approximately two miles west of LC39-B and three miles north of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The data from LC39-B gives NASA Space Launch System (SLS) engineers valuable insight into the weather the vehicle can expect at the pad, while the 500 foot tower has a longer period of record and has been used by the Shuttle and SLS programs. However, numerous data quality (DQ) control issues have arisen when utilizing this data for analysis. In addition, instrumentation tends to deteriorate faster than normal due to the corrosive nature of the high salt content in the air. NASA’s Natural Environments branch has developed several QC databases of these towers, but these studies were for fixed periods of records. EV44 identified a need for a continually updated and QC’ed database of tower data not only to provide along term QC’ed database for vehicle and climate analyses, but also to provide the capability to investigate recent weather events such as downbursts and other high wind events. This study follows the methods developed in prior Natural Environment QC tower databases, which includes variable specific QC thresholds and checks used to generate QC flags. However, this study developed new techniques such as the development and design of the graphical user interface (GUI) for manual verification, and the creation of the final monthly QC files.

Quality Control↗

Verification and Validation Tests of the Gamma Library of the ARC Software Package (Rev.1)

As part of the verification and validation (V&V) efforts of the Argonne Reactor Code (ARC) software system to support the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) project of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), work has been performed to verify and validate the gamma (or photon) library of the multigroup cross section generation code MC 2 -3 of the ARC system, which is the essential part of the coupled neutron and gamma heating calculations to determine the heat generation rate or power distribution in the core. This V&V study was carried out in three steps: 1) review of the procedures and utility programs for generating the MC 2 -3 gamma library, 2) verification tests of cross sections and KERMA factors by comparing the total heat generation rate of coupled neutron and gamma calculation with that obtained with reaction Q values under the assumption of local gamma energy deposition and by comparing the prompt heat generation rate with that calculated with the MCNP6.2 code, and 3) validation tests of cross sections and KERMA factors by analyzing the ZPPR-15D gamma dose data measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD).

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Boundary layer integral matrix procedure: Verification of models

The three turbulent models currently available in the JANNAF version of the Aerotherm Boundary Layer Integral Matrix Procedure (BLIMP-J) code were studied. The BLIMP-J program is the standard prediction method for boundary layer effects in liquid rocket engine thrust chambers. Experimental data from flow fields with large edge-to-wall temperature ratios are compared to the predictions of the three turbulence models contained in BLIMP-J. In addition, test conditions necessary to generate additional data on a flat plate or in a nozzle are given. It is concluded that the Cebeci-Smith turbulence model be the recommended model for the prediction of boundary layer effects in liquid rocket engines. In addition, the effects of homogeneous chemical reaction kinetics were examined for a hydrogen/oxygen system. Results show that for most flows, kinetics are probably only significant for stoichiometric mixture ratios.

Bonnett, W. S.↗

Orbital construction demonstration study. Volume 1: Executive summary

A conceptual design and program plan for an Orbital Construction Demonstration Article (OCDA), that can be used for technology growth and verification, and as the construction facility for a variety of large structures is presented. The OCDA design includes a large work platform, a rotating manipulator boom, a 250 kw solar array, and a core module of subsystems with a total mass of 37,093 kg, that can be assembled in three shuttle flights. An analysis of OCDA continued utility potential indicates that a shuttle tended platform with 250 kW of power can effectively be used to construct highly beneficial antenna systems and large demonstration articles that advance solar power satellite technologies. The construction of 100 m parabolic reflectors for use as a radiometer for measuring soil moisture and water salinity was found to be within the capabilities of OCDA concept. With 252 fixed beams for high population centers, and 16 scanning beams for rural areas, the antenna has the potential to significantly improve U.S. space based communications systems. The OCDA, that is slightly increased in size, was found adequate to build a large 2 MW solar array which, when coupled to a transmit antenna, demonstrate power transfer from space to ground.

Source record↗

Design verification and fabrication of active control systems for the DAST ARW-2 high aspect ratio wing. Part 2: Appendices

This is Part 2-Appendices of a study conducted under Drones for Aerodynamic and Structural Testing (DAST) Program to accomplish the final design and hardware fabrication for four active control systems compatible with and ready for installation in the NASA Aeroelastic Research Wing No. 2 (ARW-2) and Firebee II drone flight test vehicle. The wing structure was designed so that Active Control Systems (ACS) are required in the normal flight envelope by integrating control system design with aerodynamics and structure technologies. The DAST ARW-2 configuration uses flutter suppression, relaxed static stability, and gust and maneuver load alleviation ACS systems, and an automatic flight control system. Performance goals and criteria were applied to individual systems and the systems collectively to assure that vehicle stability margins, flutter margins, flying qualities, and load reductions were achieved.

Mcgehee, C. R.↗

Development of a Response Surface Thermal Model for Orion Mated to the International Space Station

A study was performed to determine if a Design of Experiments (DOE)/Response Surface Methodology could be applied to on-orbit thermal analysis and produce a set of Response Surface Equations (RSE) that accurately predict vehicle temperatures. The study used an integrated thermal model of the International Space Station and the Orion Outer mold line model. Five separate factors were identified for study: yaw, pitch, roll, beta angle, and the environmental parameters. Twenty external Orion temperatures were selected as the responses. A DOE case matrix of 110 runs was developed. The data from these cases were analyzed to produce an RSE for each of the temperature responses. The initial agreement between the engineering data and the RSE predictions was encouraging, although many RSEs had large uncertainties on their predictions. Fourteen verification cases were developed to test the predictive powers of the RSEs. The verification showed mixed results with some RSE predicting temperatures matching the engineering data within the uncertainty bands, while others had very large errors. While this study to not irrefutably prove that the DOE/RSM approach can be applied to on-orbit thermal analysis, it does demonstrate that technique has the potential to predict temperatures. Additional work is needed to better identify the cases needed to produce the RSEs

Miller, Stephen W.↗

SAM Co-Development to Support Fluoride-salt-cooled High-temperature Reactor Design and Licensing (CRADA 2018-18177 Final Report)

This project aims to raise the SAM code's technical and commercial maturity level to enable the Kairos Power ("Kairos") to use SAM to support its KP-FHR design analysis and licensing application. Argonne National Laboratory ("Argonne") has actively developed and maintained SAM, a modern system-level analysis tool for advanced nonlight water reactors safety analysis. Kairos is currently actively pursuing development of an FHR design and associated technology, and consequently requires a pedigreed safety analysis tool. The purpose of this project is to increase the maturity of the SAM code for the modeling and simulation of the KP-FHR design, thus enabling its use in safety analyses that support licensing application. Argonne will primarily be responsible for software design, development, and testing; while Kairos will be responsible for software requirements, assessment of software capabilities, needs, gaps, and priorities, and development of proprietary models. The research and development activities for the joint SAM development project include: a series of identification and prioritization studies on design characteristics, event sequences, relevant phenomena, and software capabilities; SAM capability enhancements for specific KP-FHR systems and components; performing code verification and validations; integrating uncertainty quantification (UQ), model calibration, and sensitivity analysis (SA) techniques in safety analyses; and raising the software quality rigor level for commercial-grade applications.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

The Fluid Dynamics Uncertainty Quantification Challenge Problem: XFOIL vs. MFOIL

Uncertainty quantification (UQ) has become more critical in aerospace engineering due to the growing dependence on computational tools for design optimization and performance analyses of aerospace vehicles. Even though the significance of UQ in assessing the credibility of computational analyses is well recognized, its costs and complexity impede its integration into standard practices, particularly in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and other fluid analyses. This paper presents a UQ study for low-fidelity computational aerodynamics analyses with XFOIL and mfoil (i.e., the MATLAB version of XFOIL with several implementation modifications); these tools are utilized widely in both research and education. The main contributions of this paper are as follows: 1) improved precision in quantifying the uncertainty of the baseline Monte Carlo results used to benchmark surrogate modeling techniques for UQ, 2) quantification of the effect of the implementation differences between XFOIL and mfoil on solution quantities of interest (QoIs), such as lift and pitching moment coefficients, and 3) development of an open-source UQ library for use with XFOIL and mfoil, which has educational values and helps promote UQ for fluid analyses with aerospace applications. Results and discussions revolve around cases 1-4 of the challenge problem posed by the AIAA Fluid Dynamics Technical Committee’s Uncertainty Quantification Discussion Group (UQDG). In case 3, this work employs CFDverify, an open-source solution verification software, to quantify the discretization error and evaluate the extrapolated QoIs based on the grid convergence index (GCI). This UQ study differentiates itself from previous studies in the rigor of handling baseline Monte Carlo uncertainty and in including mfoil, which is a more accessible alternative to XFOIL. Finally, despite the growing computing power, low-fidelity computational tools remain valuable, such as for aerodynamic shape optimization at Mach numbers below 0.65 and low-to-mid Reynolds numbers.

Lay, Aidan S [University of Tennessee, Knoxville (↗

Verifying PLC Programs via Monitors: Extending the Integration of FRET and PLCverif

Verification of Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programs requires reasoning about propositions qualified in terms of time. CERN’s PLCverif, an open-source tool for the analysis of safety-critical PLC systems, uses Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) for the specification of properties. Until now, PLCverif depended on third-party tools that accept LTL specifications to perform verification. However, our experience with industrial PLC programs shows that, to overcome analysis limitations, a wide range of techniques are needed to successfully verify complex properties. In this paper, we extend PLCverif to enable PLC program verification of pure-past LTL (PLTL) safety properties with assertion-based verification tools. To this end, we take an algorithm from the runtime-monitoring domain, apply it to bounded model checking of PLC programs, and implement it in PLCverif. We extend the integration of NASA’s Formal Requirements Elicitation Tool (FRET) into PLCverif to use PLTL properties generated with FRET. In addition, we leverage the program structure induced by the PLC scan-cycle for a state-space reduction. Finally, we expose the algorithm to a real-world case study of critical systems at CERN.

Formal verification↗

A thermal scale modeling study for Apollo and Apollo applications, volume 1

The program is reported for developing and demonstrating the capabilities of thermal scale modeling as a thermal design and verification tool for Apollo and Apollo Applications Projects. The work performed for thermal scale modeling of STB; cabin atmosphere/spacecraft cabin wall thermal interface; closed loop heat rejection radiator; and docked module/spacecraft thermal interface are discussed along with the test facility requirements for thermal scale model testing of AAP spacecraft. It is concluded that thermal scale modeling can be used as an effective thermal design and verification tool to provide data early in a spacecraft development program.

Shannon, R. L.↗

Solar power satellite system definition study, phase 2.

A program plan for the Solar Power Satellite Program is presented. The plan includes research, development, and evaluation phase, engineering and development and cost verification phase, prototype construction, and commercialization. Cost estimates and task requirements are given for the following technology areas: (1) solar arrays; (2) thermal engines and thermal systems; (3) power transmission (to earth); (4) large space structures; (5) materials technology; (6) system control; (7) space construction; (8) space transportation; (9) power distribution, and space environment effects.

Source record↗

First XMM-Newton Observations of a Cataclysmic Variable II: Spectral Studies of OY Car

We present XMM-Newton X-ray spectra of the disc accreting cataclysmic variable OY Car, which were obtained during the performance verification phase of the mission. These data were taken 4 days after a short outburst. In the EPIC spectra we find strong Iron K(beta) emission with weaker Iron K(alpha) emission together with Silicon and Sulphur lines. The spectra are best fitted with a three temperature plasma model with a partial covering absorber. Multiple temperature emission is confirmed by the emission lines seen in the RGS spectrum and the H/He like intensity ratio for Iron and Sulphur which imply temperatures of approx. 7keV and approx. 3keV respectively.

Ramsay, Gavin↗

Depth Dose Distribution Study within a Phantom Torso after Irradiation with a Simulated Solar Particle Event at NSRL

The adequate knowledge of the radiation environment and the doses incurred during a space mission is essential for estimating an astronaut's health risk. The space radiation environment is complex and variable, and exposures inside the spacecraft and the astronaut's body are compounded by the interactions of the primary particles with the atoms of the structural materials and with the body itself Astronauts' radiation exposures are measured by means of personal dosimetry, but there remains substantial uncertainty associated with the computational extrapolation of skin dose to organ dose, which can lead to over- or underestimation of the health risk. Comparisons of models to data showed that the astronaut's Effective dose (E) can be predicted to within about a +10% accuracy using space radiation transport models for galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and trapped radiation behind shielding. However for solar particle event (SPE) with steep energy spectra and for extra-vehicular activities on the surface of the moon where only tissue shielding is present, transport models predict that there are large differences in model assumptions in projecting organ doses. Therefore experimental verification of SPE induced organ doses may be crucial for the design of lunar missions. In the research experiment "Depth dose distribution study within a phantom torso" at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at BNL, Brookhaven, USA the large 1972 SPE spectrum was simulated using seven different proton energies from 50 up to 450 MeV. A phantom torso constructed of natural bones and realistic distributions of human tissue equivalent materials, which is comparable to the torso of the MATROSHKA phantom currently on the ISS, was equipped with a comprehensive set of thermoluminescence detectors and human cells. The detectors are applied to assess the depth dose distribution and radiation transport codes (e.g. GEANT4) are used to assess the radiation field and interactions of the radiation field with the phantom torso. Lymphocyte cells are strategically embedded at selected locations at the skin and internal organs and are processed after irradiation to assess the effects of shielding on the yield of chromosome damage. The initial focus of the present experiment is to correlate biological results with physical dosimetry measurements in the phantom torso. Further on, the results of the passive dosimetry within the anthropomorphic phantoms represent the best tool to generate reliable data to benchmark computational radiation transport models in a radiation field of interest. The presentation will give first results of the physical dose distribution, the comparison with GEANT4 computer simulations based on a Voxel model of the phantom, and a comparison with the data from the chromosome aberration study.

Berger, Thomas↗