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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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Quantization and symmetry in periodic coverage patterns with applications to earth observation

Analytical approaches based on an idealized physical model and concepts from number theory show that in periodic coverage patterns, uniquely defined by their revolution numbers R (orbital) and N (rotational), the subnodal points are earth-fixed, and they divide the equator into R equal segments of length s. The ascending subsatellite trace crosses each point once (only) each period. The descending subnodal points coincide with the ascending points if the integers N and R have like parity, and bisect the intervals between them if opposite. The interval between consecutive unidirectional crossings is Ns. Symmetries extend the equatorial results to all parallels of latitude. Complete periodic patterns of traces exhibit an overall symmetry, with trace intersections confined to discrete coordinate values which are quantized in longitude (basic s-unit) and symmetric in latitude.

King, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Circular Data Images for Directional Data

Directional data includes vectors, points on a unit sphere, axis orientation, angular direction, and circular or periodic data. The theoretical statistics for circular data (random points on a unit circle) or spherical data (random points on a unit sphere) are a recent development. An overview of existing graphical methods for the display of directional data is given. Cross-over occurs when periodic data are measured on a scale for the measurement of linear variables. For example, if angle is represented by a linear color gradient changing uniformly from dark blue at -180 degrees to bright red at +180 degrees, the color image will be discontinuous at +180 degrees and -180 degrees, which are the same location. The resultant color would depend on the direction of approach to the cross-over point. A new graphical method for imaging directional data is described, which affords high resolution without color discontinuity from "cross-over". It is called the circular data image. The circular data image uses a circular color scale in which colors repeat periodically. Some examples of the circular data image include direction of earth winds on a global scale, rocket motor internal flow, earth global magnetic field direction, and rocket motor nozzle vector direction vs. time.

Morpet, William J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

HIRIS - NASAS's High-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer for the Earth Observing System

Modern Earth science is beginning to examine interactions among the different terrestrial components at all temporal and spatial scales. Such a global perspective requires an integrated remote-sensing program, the Earth Observing System (EOS), which uses instruments throughout the electromagnetic spectrum to collect data about the Earth's surface, oceans and atmosphere over a range of selected scales. At the finest scales, we will require instruments capable of detailed sampling both spatially and spectrally. We have designed the High-Resoulution Imaging Spectrometer (HIRIS) to acquire simultaneous images in 192 spectral bands in the dominant wavelengths of the solar spectrum, 0.4 to 2.5 micrometers, at a spectral sampling interval of 10 nm. The ground instantaneous field of view (GIFOV) will be 30 m over a 24 km swath. A pointing capability will allow image acquisition up to +52 deg/-30 deg down track and +/-45 deg or more cross-track. Thus we will be able to study surface spectral bidirectional reflectance properties and variations in atmospheric attenuation with viewing angle. The cross-track pointing will also allow multiple viewing opportunities during one 16-day orbital revisit cycle, so that any part of the Earth may be imaged in a two-day period.

Dozier, J.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Critical Reflectance Derived from MODIS: Application for the Retrieval of Aerosol Absorption over Desert Regions

Aerosols are tiny suspended particles in the atmosphere that scatter and absorb sunlight. Smoke particles are aerosols, as are sea salt, particulate pollution and airborne dust. When you look down at the earth from space sometimes you can see vast palls of whitish smoke or brownish dust being transported by winds. The reason that you can see these aerosols is because they are reflecting incoming sunlight back to the view in space. The reason for the difference in color between the different types of aerosol is that the particles arc also absorbing sunlight at different wavelengths. Dust appears brownish or reddish because it absorbs light in the blue wavelengths and scatters more reddish light to space, Knowing how much light is scattered versus how much is absorbed, and knowin~ that as a function of wavelength is essential to being able to quantify the role aerosols play in the energy balance of the earth and in climate change. It is not easy measuring the absorption properties of aerosols when they are suspended in the atmosphere. People have been doing this one substance at a time in the laboratory, but substances mix when they are in the atmosphere and the net absorption effect of all the particles in a column of air is a goal of remote sensing that has not yet been completely successful. In this paper we use a technique based on observing the point at which aerosols change from brightening the surface beneath to darkening it. If aerosols brighten a surface. they must scatter more light to space. If they darken the surface. they must be absorbing more. That cross over point is called the critical reflectance and in this paper we show that critical reflectance is a monotonic function of the intrinsic absorption properties of the particles. This parameter we call the single scattering albedo. We apply the technique to MODIS imagery over the Sahara and Sahel regions to retrieve the single scattering albedo in seven wavelengths, compare these retrievals to ground-based retrievals from AERONET instruments and compute error bars on each retrieval. The results show that we can retrieve single scattering albedo for pure dust to within +/-0.02 and mixtures of dust and smoke to within +/-0.03. No other space based instrument has achieved a retrieval of single scattering albedo that spans the spectrum from 0.47 microns to 2.13 microns and produces regional maps of aerosol absorption showing gradients and changes. Applied in a more operational fashion, such information will narrow uncertainties in estimating aerosol forcing on climate.

Wells, Kelley C.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Optic Nerve Sheath Mechanics in VIIP Syndrome

Visual Impairment Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) syndrome is a major concern in current space medicine research. While the exact pathology of VIIP is not yet known, it is hypothesized that the microgravity-induced cephalad fluid shift increases intracranial pressure (ICP) and drives remodeling of the optic nerve sheath. To investigate this possibility, we are culturing optic nerve sheath dura mater samples under different pressures and investigating changes in tissue composition. To interpret results from this work, it is essential to first understand the biomechanical response of the optic nerve sheath dura mater to loading. Here, we investigated the effects of mechanical loading on the porcine optic nerve sheath.Porcine optic nerves (number: 6) were obtained immediately after death from a local abattoir. The optic nerve sheath (dura mater) was isolated from the optic nerve proper, leaving a hollow cylinder of connective tissue that was used for biomechanical characterization. We developed a custom mechanical testing system that allowed for unconfined lengthening, twisting, and circumferential distension of the dura mater during inflation and under fixed axial loading. To determine the effects of variations in ICP, the sample was inflated (0-60 millimeters Hg) and circumferential distension was simultaneously recorded. These tests were performed under variable axial loads (0.6 grams - 5.6 grams at increments of 1 gram) by attaching different weights to one end of the dura mater. Results and Conclusions: The samples demonstrated nonlinear behavior, similar to other soft connective tissue (Figure 1). Large increases in diameter were observed at lower transmural pressures (approximately 0 to 5 millimeters Hg), whereas only small diameter changes were observed at higher pressures. Particularly interesting was the existence of a cross-over point at a pressure of approximately 11 millimeters Hg. At this pressure, the same diameter is obtained for all axial loads applied to the tissue; i.e., as the axial load is varied, the diameter of the dura mater remains constant. This cross-over in the pressure-diameter curves occurred in all optic nerve sheaths that were tested, and may correspond with in vivo ICP levels for pigs. These data suggest that diameter of the dura mater of the optic nerve remains nearly constant in vivo despite being stretched axially. This may be a homeostatic mechanism aimed at maintaining target stresses/strains on the cells in the dura mater, and deviations from these stresses may play an important role in optic nerve sheath remodeling. Future studies will involve subjecting the dura mater to varying pressures and axial tensions for extended periods of time, while monitoring changes in the biomechanical properties. The data can then be used to study the effects of changes in ICP on the remodeling of the dura mater.

biomechanics↗
NASA NTRS1977

Velocity and temperature profiles in near-critical nitrogen flowing past a horizontal flat plate

Boundary layer velocity and temperature profiles were measured for nitrogen near its thermodynamic critical point flowing past a horizontal flat plate. The results were compared measurements made for vertically upward flow. The boundary layer temperatures ranged from below to above the thermodynamic critical temperature. For wall temperatures below the thermodynamic critical temperature there was little variation between the velocity and temperature profiles in three orientations. In all three orientations the point of crossing into the critical temperature region is marked by a significant flattening of the velocity and temperature profiles and also a decrease in heat transfer coefficient.

Simoneau, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Velocity and temperature profiles in near-critical nitrogen flowing past a horizontal flat plate

Boundary layer velocity and temperature profiles were measured for nitrogen near its thermodynamic critical point flowing past a horizontal flat plate. The heated surface was oriented both facing upward and downward. The results were compared to earlier work in which measurements were made for vertically upward flow. The boundary layer temperatures ranged from below to above the thermodynamic critical temperature. For wall temperatures below the thermodynamic critical temperature there was little variation between the velocity and temperature profiles in the three orientations. In all three orientations the point of crossing into the critical temperature region is marked by a significant flattening of the velocity and temperature profiles and also a decrease in heat transfer coefficient. As the heat flux and, consequently, wall temperature are further increased significant changes occur in the velocity and temperature profiles. Examination of near-critical heat transfer in these three flow orientations offers insights into the relative role of buoyancy forces in this regime.

Simoneau, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Fine-scale structure of the Jovian magnetotail current sheet

New evidence concerning the detailed structure of the magnetic field in and near the Jovian tail sheet is presented, and nonunique temporal variations in the sheet structure are deduced. Data from Voyagers 1 and 2 are used to show that the local sheet structure, while tending to vary with time and distance from Jupiter, generally corresponds to one of four general types. The four types are classified using examples, and possible geometries associated with each type are identified. The locations of the different types of sheet crossings are pointed out and discussed. The possibility of reconnection occurring at the current sheet is discussed through analogy with the terrestrial magnetotail. It is concluded that the results support the view that reconnection occurs in the Jovian magnetotail as a time-dependent, and possibly spatially localized, process.

Behannon, K. W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Space Station power system issues

Issues governing the selection of power systems for long-term manned Space Stations intended solely for earth orbital missions are covered briefly, drawing on trade study results from both in-house and contracted studies that have been conducted over nearly two decades. An involvement, from the Program Development Office at MSFC, with current Space Station concepts began in late 1982 with the NASA-wide Systems Definition Working Group and continued throughout 1984 in support of various planning activities. The premise for this discussion is that, within the confines of the current Space Station concept, there is good reason to consider photovoltaic power systems to be a venerable technology option for both the initial 75 kW and 300 kW (or much greater) growth stations. The issue of large physical size required by photovoltaic power systems is presented considering mass, atmospheric drag, launch packaging and power transmission voltage as being possible practicality limitations. The validity of searching for a cross-over point necessitating the introduction of solar thermal or nuclear power system options as enabling technologies is considered with reference to programs ranging from the 4.8 kW Skylab to the 9.5 gW Space Power Satellite.

Giudici, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Conceptual design of the High-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (HIRIS) for EOS

The design concept and practical realization of HIRIS, the imaging spectrometer being developed for the Space Station Earth Observation System (EOS) on the basis of the Shuttle Imaging Spectrometer Experiment (SISEX), are discussed. Nominal operating parameters for HIRIS include altitude 705 km, GIFOV 30 m, swath 48.4 km, spectral sampling interval 10 nm, spectral coverage 400-2450 nm, cross-track pointing +20/-20 deg, down-track pointing +60/-30 deg, and raw data rate (at 8 bits/pixel) 621 Mb/s. The f/1.9 optical configuration for HIRIS is shown in a drawing, and consideration is given to technological challenges being encountered in modifying the SISEX focal-plane detectors, data-reduction procedures, and cooling system to meet the HIRIS requirements.

Herring, Mark↗
NASA NTRS1988

HIRIS: NASA's high-resolution imaging spectrometer for the Earth Observing System (EOS)

The HIRIS design includes 10 nm spectral bands from 0.4 to 2.5 micron at 30 m spatial resolution over a 24 or 30 km swath. This resolution allows identification of many minerals in rocks and soils, important algal pigments in oceans and inland water and spectral changes in land canopy. In the 824 km orbit altitude proposed, the cross track pointing capability allows 4 to 5 views during a 16 day revisit cycle.

Dozier, J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

TEXCAD: Textile Composite Analysis for Design. Version 1.0: User's manual

The Textile Composite Analysis for Design (TEXCAD) code provides the materials/design engineer with a user-friendly desktop computer (IBM PC compatible or Apple Macintosh) tool for the analysis of a wide variety of fabric reinforced woven and braided composites. It can be used to calculate overall thermal and mechanical properties along with engineering estimates of damage progression and strength. TEXCAD also calculates laminate properties for stacked, oriented fabric constructions. It discretely models the yarn centerline paths within the textile repeating unit cell (RUC) by assuming sinusoidal undulations at yarn cross-over points and uses a yarn discretization scheme (which subdivides each yarn not smaller, piecewise straight yarn slices) together with a 3-D stress averaging procedure to compute overall stiffness properties. In the calculations for strength, it uses a curved beam-on-elastic foundation model for yarn undulating regions together with an incremental approach in which stiffness properties for the failed yarn slices are reduced based on the predicted yarn slice failure mode. Nonlinear shear effects and nonlinear geometric effects can be simulated. Input to TEXCAD consists of: (1) materials parameters like impregnated yarn and resin properties such moduli, Poisson's ratios, coefficients of thermal expansion, nonlinear parameters, axial failure strains and in-plane failure stresses; and (2) fabric parameters like yarn sizes, braid angle, yarn packing density, filament diameter and overall fiber volume fraction. Output consists of overall thermoelastic constants, yarn slice strains/stresses, yarn slice failure history, in-plane stress-strain response and ultimate failure strength. Strength can be computed under the combined action of thermal and mechanical loading (tension, compression and shear).

Naik, Rajiv A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

TEXCAD: TEXile Composite Analysis for Design

The Textile Composite Analysis for Design (TEXCAD) code provides the materials/design engineer with a user-friendly, desktop computer based tool for the analysis of a wide variety of fabric reinforced woven and braided composites. It can be used to calculate overall thermal and mechanical properties along with engineering estimates of damage progression and strength. TEXCAD also calculates laminate properties for stacked, oriented fabric constructions. It discretely models the yarn centerline paths within the textile repeating unit cell (RUC) by assuming sinusoidal undulations at yarn cross-over points and uses a year discretization scheme (which subdivides each yarn into smaller, piecewise straight yarn slices) together with a 3-D stress averaging procedure to compute overall stiffness properties. In the calculations for strength, it uses a curved beam-on-elastic foundation model for yarn undulating regions together with incremental approach in which stiffness properties for the failed yarn slices are reduced based on the predicted yarn slice failure mode. Nonlinear shear effects and nonlinear geometric effects can be stimulated. Input to TEXCAD consists of: (1) material parameters like impregnated yarn and resin properties such as moduli, Poisson's ratios, coefficients of thermal expansion, nonlinear shear parameters, axial failure strains, and in-plane failure stresses; and (2) fabric parameters like yarn sizes, braid angle, yarn packing density, filament diameter, and overall fiber volume fraction. Output consists of overall thermoelastic constants, yarn slice strains/stresses, yarn slice failure history, in-plane strain response, and ultimate failure strength. Strength can be computed under the combined action of thermal and mechanical loading (tension, compression, and shear). A brief overview of the analytical capabilities, program organization, and modules, input and output parameters, computer platforms, distribution, and modifications/extensions of the TEXCAD code are presented here.

Naik, Rajiv A.↗
NASA NTRS2002

The Burst and Transient Source Experiment Earth Occultation Technique

An Earth orbiting detector sensitive to gamma-ray photons will see step-like occultation features in its count rate when a gamma-ray point source crosses the Earth's limb. This is due to the change in atmospheric attenuation of the gamma rays along the line of sight. In an uncollimated detector, these occultation features can be used to locate and monitor astrophysical sources provided their signals can be individually separated from the detector background. We show that the Earth occultation technique applied to the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) is a viable and flexible all-sky monitor in the low-energy gamma-ray and hard X-ray energy range (20 keV-1 MeV). The method is an alternative to more sophisticated photon imaging devices for astronomy and can serve well as a cost-effective science capability for monitoring the high energy sky. Here we describe the Earth occultation technique for locating new sources and for measuring source intensity and spectra without the use of complex background models. Examples of transform imaging, step searches, spectra, and light curves are presented. Systematic uncertainties due to source confusion, detector response, and contamination from rapid background fluctuations are discussed and analyzed for their effect on intensity measurements. A sky location-dependent average systematic error is derived as a function of Galactic coordinates. The sensitivity of the technique is derived as a function of incident photon energy and also as a function of angle between the source and the normal to the detector entrance window. Occultations of the Crab Nebula by the Moon are used to calibrate Earth occultation flux measurements independent of possible atmospheric scattering effects.

Harmon, B. A.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Multipath calibration in GPS pseudorange measurements

Novel techniques are disclosed for eliminating multipath errors, including mean bias errors, in pseudorange measurements made by conventional global positioning system receivers. By correlating the multipath signals of different satellites at their cross-over points in the sky, multipath mean bias errors are effectively eliminated. By then taking advantage of the geometrical dependence of multipath, a linear combination of spherical harmonics are fit to the satellite multipath data to create a hemispherical model of the multipath. This calibration model can then be used to compensate for multipath in subsequent measurements and thereby obtain GPS positioning to centimeter accuracy.

Kee, Changdon↗
NASA NTRS2013

Towards a Comprehensive Model of Jet Noise Using an Acoustic Analogy and Steady RANS Solutions

An acoustic analogy is developed to predict the noise from jet flows. It contains two source models that independently predict the noise from turbulence and shock wave shear layer interactions. The acoustic analogy is based on the Euler equations and separates the sources from propagation. Propagation effects are taken into account by calculating the vector Green's function of the linearized Euler equations. The sources are modeled following the work of Tam and Auriault, Morris and Boluriaan, and Morris and Miller. A statistical model of the two-point cross-correlation of the velocity fluctuations is used to describe the turbulence. The acoustic analogy attempts to take into account the correct scaling of the sources for a wide range of nozzle pressure and temperature ratios. It does not make assumptions regarding fine- or large-scale turbulent noise sources, self- or shear-noise, or convective amplification. The acoustic analogy is partially informed by three-dimensional steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solutions that include the nozzle geometry. The predictions are compared with experiments of jets operating subsonically through supersonically and at unheated and heated temperatures. Predictions generally capture the scaling of both mixing noise and BBSAN for the conditions examined, but some discrepancies remain that are due to the accuracy of the steady RANS turbulence model closure, the equivalent sources, and the use of a simplified vector Green's function solver of the linearized Euler equations.

Miller, Steven A. E.↗
NASA NTRS2015

The Prediction of Scattered Broadband Shock-Associated Noise

A mathematical model is developed for the prediction of scattered broadband shock-associated noise. Model arguments are dependent on the vector Green's function of the linearized Euler equations, steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solutions, and the two-point cross-correlation of the equivalent source. The equivalent source is dependent on steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solutions of the jet flow, that capture the nozzle geometry and airframe surface. Contours of the time-averaged streamwise velocity component and turbulent kinetic energy are examined with varying airframe position relative to the nozzle exit. Propagation effects are incorporated by approximating the vector Green's function of the linearized Euler equations. This approximation involves the use of ray theory and an assumption that broadband shock-associated noise is relatively unaffected by the refraction of the jet shear layer. A non-dimensional parameter is proposed that quantifies the changes of the broadband shock-associated noise source with varying jet operating condition and airframe position. Scattered broadband shock-associated noise possesses a second set of broadband lobes that are due to the effect of scattering. Presented predictions demonstrate relatively good agreement compared to a wide variety of measurements.

Miller, Steven A. E.↗