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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

The X-ray Emissivity of the Universe: 2-200 Kev

Observational results on the diffuse X-ray background between 2 and 200 keV are reported. Data are presented as a function of the volume emissivity function B (E) (ergs/sec cu Mpc keV emitted at energy E). The prescription for this is first to establish the spectral intensity I (E) (ergs/sec sq cm ster keV) measured at the earth, second to subtract the contribution due to known, discrete sources, and third to unfold the integral equation which relates the measured intensity to the emissivity.

Schwartz, D.↗

An integrated radiation physics computer code system.

An integrated computer code system for the semi-automatic and rapid analysis of experimental and analytic problems in gamma photon and fast neutron radiation physics is presented. Such problems as the design of optimum radiation shields and radioisotope power source configurations may be studied. The system codes allow for the unfolding of complex neutron and gamma photon experimental spectra. Monte Carlo and analytic techniques are used for the theoretical prediction of radiation transport. The system includes a multichannel pulse-height analyzer scintillation and semiconductor spectrometer coupled to an on-line digital computer with appropriate peripheral equipment. The system is geometry generalized as well as self-contained with respect to material nuclear cross sections and the determination of the spectrometer response functions. Input data may be either analytic or experimental.

Steyn, J. J.↗

Simple model for scanning-angle distribution of planetary albedo gamma-rays.

The planetary atmosphere is scanned from a satellite located at a point at an altitude of 500 km from the subsatellite point on the surface (the altitude of the satellite OSO-3). Results point out the possibility that by scanning a planet from the subsatellite point to the limb with a high resolution gamma ray detector on an orbiting satellite, the mean total baryonic scale height may be unfolded from the angular distribution of the gamma-ray flux without having to determine chemical composition and temperature.

Stecker, F. W.↗

Means for accommodating large overstrain in lead wires

An electrical wire is reported along whose length loops are formed at intervals and retained in a plastic capsule that allows unfolding of the loop when tension is exerted on the opposite ends of the wire. The capsule is formed by encompassing each loop with a sleeve of heat shrinkable synthetic plastic material which overlaps the loop and heat shrinking the overlapping portions. Thus, a length of electrical wire is formed which stores extra lengths of wire in the quantity needed to match the expected stretching of materials or elements such as ropes, cords and the like of high elongation to which the electrical wire may be attached.

Rumble, C. V.↗

Possible evidence for structured acceleration of cosmic rays on a galactic scale from recent gamma-ray observations

Recent data from SAS-2 on the galactic gamma-ray line flux as a function of longitude reveal a broad maximum in the region below 30 deg. These data, as unfolded here, imply that the low-energy (1-10 GeV) galactic cosmic-ray flux varies with the radial distance from the galactic center and is about an order of magnitude higher than the local value in a toroidal region for radial distances between 4 and 5 kpc. We further show that this enhancement can be plausibly accounted for by Fermi acceleration and compression caused by a hydrodynamic shock driven by the expanding gas in the 3-kpc arm and invoked in some versions of galactic structure theory.

Stecker, F. W.↗

The distribution of cosmic rays in the Galaxy and their dynamics as deduced from recent gamma-ray observations

Recent data from SAS-2 on the galactic gamma-ray line flux as a function of longitude reveal a broad maximum in the gamma-ray intensity in the longitude region less than or equal to 30 deg. These data, when unfolded, imply that the low-energy (1 to 10 GeV) galactic cosmic-ray flux varies with galactocentric distance and is about an order of magnitude higher than the local value in a toroidal region between 4 and 5 kpc from the galactic center. It is further shown that this enhancement can be plausibly accounted for by first-order Fermi acceleration, compression, and trapping of cosmic rays consistent with present ideas of galactic dynamics and galactic structure theory. Calculations indicate that cosmic rays in the 4- to 5-kpc region are trapped and accelerated over a mean time of the order of a few million years or about 2 to 4 times the assumed trapping time in the solar region of the Galaxy.

Puget, J. L.↗

Anomalous volume change of gramicidin A in ethanol solutions

Results of studies aimed at clarifying the failure of gramicidin A (GA) to sediment in early experiments are analyzed. In the present work, no sedimentation was observed in pure pentanol or ethanol, while normal sedimentation was observed in ethanol-water mixtures. It is concluded that GA exists in two conformations that differ in volume. Since the apparent specific volume in absolute ethanol sinks to its lowest values on increasing concentration, the GA molecule probably unfolds completely in conditions favorable for dimerization.

Derechin, M.↗

The SNAP 27 gamma radiation spectrum obtained with a Ge/Li/ detector

The pulse height distribution, obtained experimentally using a Ge(Li) detector, was employed to determine the photon emission rate characteristic of a PuO2 fuel source known as the SNAP 27 heat source. The selfshielding parameters of the photon emitter, the efficiency of the detector and the geometry of the experiment were utilized to determine the unscattered photon emission rate of the source and the unscattered flux spectrum at a certain specified distance from the source. For the scattered part of the flux spectrum a Monte Carlo technique was employed so that the total flux spectrum could be determined at any point in the radiation field. As a result of this work, a technique was developed to obtain the unfolded radiation spectrum of the SNAP 27 heat source.

Taherzadeh, M.↗

UV stellar occultation measurements of nighttime equatorial ozone

The ultraviolet spectrometer-telescope on Copernicus was used for stellar occultation measurements of atmospheric ozone. Two sets of observations of the target star Beta-Cen were carried out on 26 July 1975 and 13-14 June 1976 at wavelengths from 2550 A to 3100 A. After unfolding of the data, ozone density profiles near the equator within 3 hours of local midnight were obtained at altitudes from 47 to 114 km. A secondary maximum at 97 km has been observed in both sets of data. The ozone density between 47 and 75 km is a factor of 2 to 3 times as large as current models predict. At the lower boundary, about half the ozone destruction should be caused by NOx and ClOx. Above 55 km, virtually all loss is due to HOx. These results suggest an overestimate of HOx and ClOx loss processes or a serious underestimate of the Ox production rate.

Riegler, G. R.↗

Solar sailing - The concept made realistic

The practicability of using solar sails as a means of spacecraft propulsion is discussed with reference to a Haley's comet rendezvous mission in 1981. Two types of sails are examined: square and heliogyro. Because of ease of deployment (release into space from a space shuttle, and unfolding of the blades through solar radiation pressure) the latter is preferred. Structural and mission parameters are given for the heliogyro configuration, with attention to operational temperature limits and material coefficients. A cranking orbit is described, where a sail-powered spacecraft flies first toward the sun, and then away from it in order to achieve rendezvous with a comet. Other missions using solar sails, including a back-up mission to Encke's comet in 1983, are also discussed.

Friedman, L.↗

The high energy X-ray detector on the Ariel-5 satellite

The Imperial College hard X-ray detector which is used to make spectral measurements in the 26 keV to 1.2 MeV energy range on celestial X-ray sources from the Ariel-5 satellite is described. Details are given of the design, calibration and in-orbit performance of the detector. A modulation process is used to detect weak signals against a background and we give details of the spectrum unfolding techniques used to convert the measured spectra into corrected incident spectra.

Engel, A. R.↗

Extendable mast

Extendable mast is constructed from mutually supporting members that unfold as mast is deployed from compact package. Extendable mast is sturdy and can be compared to conventional rigid structures.

Coyner, J. V., Jr.↗

A methodology for long-range prediction of air transportation

A framework and methodology for long term projection of demand for aviation fuels is presented. The approach taken includes two basic components. The first was a new technique for establishing the socio-economic environment within which the future aviation industry is embedded. The concept utilized was a definition of an overall societal objective for the very long run future. Within a framework so defined, a set of scenarios by which the future will unfold are then written. These scenarios provide the determinants of the air transport industry operations and accordingly provide an assessment of future fuel requirements. The second part was the modeling of the industry in terms of an abstracted set of variables to represent the overall industry performance on a macro scale. The model was validated by testing the desired output variables from the model with historical data over the past decades.

Ayati, M. B.↗

Food packing optimization

The development of a universal closure lid for the space shuttle food package is reported. The revised lid needs a folded configuration which, when unfolded, fully conforms to the interior surfaces of the food cup. Experimental thermoform molds were fabricated and test lids formed. The lid material not in contact with the food conformed to the cup interior without wrinkles, permitting full nesting of the cups. The final lid design was established and thermoform tooling designed and fabricated. Lids formed on these molds were tested for strength. The heating elements were replaced and repositioned to eliminate any hot spots which may cause warpage.

Source record↗

Experimental SF6/-//SF6 and Cl/-//CFC13 electron-attachment cross sections in the energy range 0-200 meV

Experimental cross sections for the electron-attachment processes for SF6(-)/SF6 and Cl(-)/CFl3 are reported in the energy range 0-200 meV by normalizing each attachment line shape to measurement of a thermal rate coefficient. When the same ion states are detected, good agreement is found between present values, for which a monoenergetic electron source is used, and swarm-unfolded results. The present data constitute a new limit for cross sections reported at high resolution at the lowest electron energy.

Chutjian, A.↗

Self-Alining, Latching Joint For Folding Structural Elements

Structural column elements assembled quickly and easily with aid of new center joint. Joint alines column elements automatically and fastens them together securely. Tapered half columns are stacked like paper cups, unfolded, and connected to other similar elements to form truss structures.

Bush, H. G.↗

Stowable Rigid Reflector

Parabolic reflector 80 feet in diameter stowed in space of only 36.5 feet long and 14.5 feet in diameter with new folding scheme. Upon command, stowed reflector is automatically deployed to full size. Petallike panels unfold from central fixed section to create inner reflector dish. Reflector is composed of rigid panels. Number of panels depend on reflector size when deployed and upon required package size when stowed.

Palmer, W. B.↗

Starprobe - Coronal plasma turbulence effects on tracking and telemetry

The telemetry and tracking problems expected for Starprobe, a solar flyby with a perihelion of 4 solar radii, are discussed. The Starprobe is intended to obtain measurements of the solar quadrupole moment within an accuracy of 1/100,000,000, allowing more accurate modelling of the solar interior. Obstacles are perceived for Doppler velocity measurements due to RF signal amplitude and phase scintillations created by the solar corona. Model calculations are presented for the propagation effects in the maximum disturbance area, and an open loop two-way Doppler system is described. The system comprises X-band and S-band uplinks and downlinks to eliminate the plasma-induced phase scintillations, means of correcting unfolding errors caused by S-band amplitude scintillations, and a new method of estimating the Doppler frequency.

Armstrong, J. W.↗