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At least 703 records · Page 39

Definition of defect size from ultrasonic inspection.

Attempt to obtain a set of relationships between testing parameters defining the range of defect size that can be associated with a given echo amplitude and defect depth. These relationships allow the user to find the largest defect that will return a signal equal to that from a flat hole of known diameter and depth, and the signal amplitude ratio between worst case and flat hole defects of equal diameter. The variation of the data with defect and testing parameters is shown. The results are obtained analytically, with laboratory corroboration, by calculation of the echo amplitude of the defect shape yielding the smallest return signal, a sphere, and the echo amplitude of the defect shape yielding the largest return signal, a flat hole.

Bennet, S. B.↗

Small-scale wind shear definition for aerospace vehicle design.

Rawinsonde wind profile data provide adequate wind shear information for vertical height intervals greater than 1 km. To specify wind shears for intervals below 1 km for space vehicle design, detailed wind-profile information like that provided by the FPS-16 Radar/Jimsphere system or an extrapolation procedure is required. This paper is concerned with the latter alternative. It is assumed that any realization from an ensemble of wind profiles can be represented in terms of a Fourier integral. This permits the calculation of the ensemble standard deviation and mean of the corresponding shear ensemble for any altitude and shear interval in terms of the power spectrum of the ensemble of wind profiles. The results of these calculations show that the mean and standard deviation of the wind shear ensemble, as well as the wind shear for any percentile, asymptotically behave like the vertical interval to the 0.7 power. This result is in excellent agreement with shear data from Cape Kennedy, Fla.

Fichtl, G. H.↗

ATM experiment S-056 image processing requirements definition

A plan is presented for satisfying the image data processing needs of the S-056 Apollo Telescope Mount experiment. The report is based on information gathered from related technical publications, consultation with numerous image processing experts, and on the experience that was in working on related image processing tasks over a two-year period.

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Definition phase study of the grand tour missions

The research to define an energetic particle experiment for the OPTGT-MJS missions is reported. The studies reported include: (1) the use of silicon dectectors for low energy, low flux level measurements in the presence of RTG radiation and trapped electrons, (2) high energy proton damage of lithium-drifted and surface barrier silicon detectors, (3) the gas Cerenkov counter, (4) systems for detection of trapped high-energy protons in the presence of trapped electrons, and (5) reliability and redundancy.

Simpson, J. A.↗

Identification, definition and mapping of terrestrial ecosystems in interior Alaska

The author has identified the following significant results. A reconstituted color infrared image covering the western Seward Peninsula was used for identifying vegetation types by simple visual examination. The image was taken by ERTS-1 approximately 1120 hours on August 1, 1972. Seven major colors were identified. Four of these were matched with four units on existing vegetation maps: bright red - shrub thicket; light gray-red - upland tundra; medium gray-red - coastal wet tundra; gray - alpine barrens. In the bright red color, two phases, violet and orange, were recognized and tentatively ascribed to differences in species composition in the shrub thicket type. The three colors which had no map unit equivalents were interpreted as follows: pink - grassland tundra; dark gray-red - burn scars; light orange-red - senescent vegetation. It was concluded that the image provides a considerable amount of information regarding the distribution of vegetation types, even at so simple a leval of analysis. It was also concluded that sequential imagery of this type could provide useful information on vegetation fires and phenologic events.

Anderson, J. H.↗

Definition of Earth Resources Policy and Management Problems in California

The activities of the Social Sciences Group in solving earth resources management problems as related to social factors, are reported. Major efforts of the Group revolved around identifying potential users of ERTS data, ascertain the user's needs, and assay the organizational impacts of new and technologically advanced sources of information. Attempts were also made to develop a linear programming model to be used in decision making with respect to resources being observed by ERTS and other remote sensing vehicles. The cost effectiveness of solving these management problems is discussed.

Churchman, C. W.↗

Definition of multipath/RFI experiments for orbital testing with a small applications technology satellite

An investigation was made to define experiments for collection of RFI and multipath data for application to a synchronous relay satellite/low orbiting satellite configuration. A survey of analytical models of the multipath signal was conducted. Data has been gathered concerning the existing RFI and other noise sources in various bands at VHF and UHF. Additionally, designs are presented for equipment to combat the effects of RFI and multipath: an adaptive delta mod voice system, a forward error control coder/decoder, a PN transmission system, and a wideband FM system. The performance of these systems was then evaluated. Techniques are discussed for measuring multipath and RFI. Finally, recommended data collection experiments are presented. An extensive tabulation is included of theoretical predictions of the amount of signal reflected from a rough, spherical earth.

Birch, J. N.↗

Definition of spectrally separable classes for soil survey research

A procedure is outlined for defining spectral classes such that the differences between classes can be quantified. It also facilitates determination of a number of classes such that the classes are spectrally discriminable. This is accomplished by partitioning the data into many classes and then combining similar spectral classes on the basis of appropriate criteria. Multispectral data were collected over a 12-mile flightline in White County, Indiana, in connection with the 1971 Corn Blight Watch Experiment. Data were collected in May by the University of Michigan airborne scanning spectrometer at an altitude of 5000 feet. Spectral maps resulting from the analysis were compared to existing soil surveys of the National Cooperative Soil Survey. The method should help determine the extent to which spectral properties of soil surfaces can be associated with morphologic and topographic differences of interest to soil surveyors engaged in operational soil mapping.

Cipra, J. E.↗

Space shuttle low pressure auxiliary propulsion subsystem design definition: Design handbook

A detailed description of recommended low pressure auxiliary propulsion subsystems (APS) for a space shuttle orbiter and booster is presented. The APS designs are the product of a study to identify and evaluate APS concepts, and to perform in-depth design and performance analyses for the most attractive of these. Selected APS baselines use the main engine propellant tanks as low pressure gas accumulators. For the orbiter, propellants from separate liquid tanks are used for main engine tank resupply. Resupply propellants are first circulated through tubular, passive heat exchangers, where they are vaporized and superheated prior to injection into the main engine tanks. Warm propellant vapors from the main engine tanks are mixed with additional liquid propellants in a downstream liquid/vapor mixer and supplied to the engines at constant temperature and pressure (constant density). The booster APS requires no separate propellant storage, since propellant residuals, trapped in the main engine tanks following boost, are sufficient to meet APS propellant demands.

Bruns, A. E.↗

Photopolarimetry team outer planets mission definition phase

The work is reported of the Photopolarimetry Team in identifying scientific objectives for photometer/polarimeter experiments for outer planet flyby missions. A discussion of the scientific objectives which can be attained with a photometer/polarimeter experiment, and summaries of the special studies which were performed for the Photopolarimetry Team are presented along with a description of the photometer/polarimeter design which was developed for the Meteoroid Detection Team.

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Definition of experiments and instruments for a communication/navigation research laboratory. Volume 4: Programmatics

Details are provided for scheduling, cost estimates, and support research and technology requirements for a space shuttle supported manned research laboratory to conduct selected communication and navigation experiments. A summary of the candidate program and its time phasing is included, as well as photographs of the 1/20 scale model of the shuttle supported Early Comm/Nav Research Lab showing the baseline, in-bay arrangement and the out-of-bay configuration.

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Space shuttle auxiliary propulsion system design study. Phase A report: Requirements definition

The analyses and rationale used to develop requirements for the oxygen-hydrogen auxiliary propulsion systems to be used with the space shuttle are presented. The requirements apply to a fully reusable space shuttle vehicle system using internal, reusable main engine propellant tanks in both the orbiter and booster stages. Requirements of principal interest are engine thrust, number of engines, maximum system thrust, total impulse, and total impulse expenditure history.

Orton, G. F.↗

Astronomy sortie missions definition study. Volume 1: Executive summary

A study was conducted to determine if a group of existing astronomy experiments, with stated scientific objectives could be accommodated by the sortie mission. Additional goals of the study included defining the operational concept, the support hardware, mission profiles, and the kind of interfaces that would be required with the space shuttle and sortie lab. The results of the study are presented and indicate that the astronomy sortie mission concept: (1) is technically feasible using present-day technology with a few exceptions, (2) is responsive to the stated scientific objectives, and (3) does provide an important contribution to the overall space astronomy program.

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Definition of experiments and instruments for a communication/navigation research laboratory. Volume 1: Executive summary

This study was undertaken to develop conceptual designs for a manned, space shuttle sortie mission laboratory capable of supporting a wide variety of experiments in conjunction with communications and navigation research. This space/laboratory would be one in which man may effectively increase experiment efficiency by certain observations, modifications, setup, calibration, and limited maintenance steps. In addition, man may monitor experiment progress and perform preliminary data evaluation to verify proper equipment functioning and may terminate or redirect experiments to obtain the most desirable end results. The flexibility and unique capabilities of man as an experimenter in such a laboratory will add greatly to the simplification of space experiments and this provides the basis for commonality in many of the supportive subsystems, thus reaping the benefits of reusability and reduced experiment costs. For Vol. 4, see N73-19268.

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