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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 721 records · Page 40
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2000

BOREAS Level-4b AVHRR-LAC Ten-Day Composite Images: At-sensor Radiance

The BOReal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) Staff Science Satellite Data Acquisition Program focused on providing the research teams with the remotely sensed satellite data products they needed to compare and spatially extend point results. Manitoba Remote Sensing Center (MRSC) and BOREAS Information System (BORIS) personnel acquired, processed, and archived data from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) instruments on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA-11) and -14 satellites. The AVHRR data were acquired by CCRS and were provided to BORIS for use by BOREAS researchers. These AVHRR level-4b data are gridded, 10-day composites of at-sensor radiance values produced from sets of single-day images. Temporally, the 10- day compositing periods begin 11-Apr-1994 and end 10-Sep-1994. Spatially, the data cover the entire BOREAS region. The data are stored in binary image format files.

Cihlar, Josef↗
NASA NTRS1988

Airborne and spaceborne lasers for terrestrial geophysical sensing; Proceedings of the Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, Jan. 14, 15, 1988

The present conference on airborne and spaceborne remote sensing laser applications discusses topics in atmospheric and geophysical sciences-related sensors, lidar and DIAL component and subsystem technologies, and coherent laser experiments and semiconductor laser technologies. Attention is given to airborne lidar measurement of aerosols, a ground-based injection-locked pulsed TEA laser for wind measurements, chemical/biological agent standoff detection methods, lidars for wind shear erosion, laser tuning to selected gas absorption lines in the atmosphere, the NASA lidar-in-space technology experiment, and the Laser Atmospheric Wind Sounder.

Allario, Frank↗
NASA NTRS2011

Drought Predictability and Prediction in a Changing Climate: Assessing Current Predictive Knowledge and Capabilities, User Requirements and Research Priorities

Drought is fundamentally the result of an extended period of reduced precipitation lasting anywhere from a few weeks to decades and even longer. As such, addressing drought predictability and prediction in a changing climate requires foremost that we make progress on the ability to predict precipitation anomalies on subseasonal and longer time scales. From the perspective of the users of drought forecasts and information, drought is however most directly viewed through its impacts (e.g., on soil moisture, streamflow, crop yields). As such, the question of the predictability of drought must extend to those quantities as well. In order to make progress on these issues, the WCRP drought information group (DIG), with the support of WCRP, the Catalan Institute of Climate Sciences, the La Caixa Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Science Foundation, has organized a workshop to focus on: 1. User requirements for drought prediction information on sub-seasonal to centennial time scales 2. Current understanding of the mechanisms and predictability of drought on sub-seasonal to centennial time scales 3. Current drought prediction/projection capabilities on sub-seasonal to centennial time scales 4. Advancing regional drought prediction capabilities for variables and scales most relevant to user needs on sub-seasonal to centennial time scales. This introductory talk provides an overview of these goals, and outlines the occurrence and mechanisms of drought world-wide.

Schubert, Siegfried↗
NASA NTRS1992

ATMOS: Long term atmospheric measurements for mission to planet Earth

A long-term, space-based measurement program, together with continued balloon and aircraft-borne investigations, is essential to monitor the predicted effects in the atmosphere, to determine to what extent the concentration measurements agree with current models of stratospheric chemistry, and to determine the condition of the ozone layer. The Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) Experiment is currently making comprehensive, global measurements of Earth's atmosphere as part of the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS) program on the Space Shuttle. Part of NASA's Mission to Planet Earth, ATLAS is a continuing series of missions to study Earth and the Sun and provide a more fundamental understanding of the solar influences on Earth's atmosphere. The ATMOS program, instruments, and science results are presented.

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NASA NTRS1994

Space Experiments with Particle Accelerators: SEPAC

The Space Experiments with Particle Accelerators (SEPAC), which flew on the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS) 1 mission, used new techniques to study natural phenomena in the Earth's upper atmosphere, ionosphere and magnetosphere by introducing energetic perturbations into the system from a high power electron beam with known characteristics. Properties of auroras were studied by directing the electron beam into the upper atmosphere while making measurements of optical emissions. Studies were also performed of the critical ionization velocity phenomenon.

Burch, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Attitude determination system for Seasat-A mission

The attitude determination (AD) system hardware of Seasat-A consists of two sun aspect sensors, two infrared (IR) horizon scanners, related electronics, telemetry, and science sensors. The earth horizon pulse signal sensing is accomplished by a variable thresholding method intended to self-adjust for earth radiance variations. The use of sun sensors rather than star trackers for yaw determination calls for estimation rather than measurement of yaw attitude about 50% of mission time. Features of the yaw interpolation algorithm include adaptability and automatic incorporation of time-varying confidence levels of various data sources. The performance accuracy of the AD system was assessed, where it is found that the most important error source is the variation in earth atmospheric radiance. Analysis of science instrument sensitivity to AD uncertainties was performed, and the most sensitive instrument, the scatterometer system, shows only gradual degradation of performance in the vicinity of the AD accuracy requirement.

Ohtakay, H.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Creating new opportunities for communicating about space science

With the political and economic atmosphere changing so drastically, NASA has found it necessary to change its mission from one of exploration to that of accountability and application. These changes have made it difficult for NASA to access how its roles and constituency groups have changed in response. Specifically, at the MSFC Space Sciences Lab, management must now decide the most appropriate communication objectives, strategies and target market to direct messages reflecting these changes. Complicating the issue is that MSFC, must walk a fine line between looking as though it is spending too much money and 'marketing' themselves, which it is strictly prohibited from doing, and imparting the information in an exciting enough form to be picked up by the media.

Treise, Debbie↗
NASA NTRS2000

Compact Hyperspectral Mapper for Environmental Remote Sensing Applications (CHyMERA) End-of-phase Data Review Package

CHYMERA is an Instrument Incubator concept to design, build, and test an instrument that will reduce size, mass, and cost and increase science potential and flexibility for future atmospheric remote sensing missions within the focus of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE). The primary effort of the development plan will be on high spatial resolution ozone, N02, S02, aerosol, and cloud measurements, but it is hoped that the techniques developed will prove useful for other measurements as well. The core design will involve a high performance, wide field-of-view (FOV) front end telescope which will illuminate a filter/focal plane array (FFPA) package. The use of a non-dispersive optical configuration will reduce size, mass and complexity. The wide FOV optics will permit short duration global coverage (1-2 days) without the need for a scanner.

Janz, Scott J.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Processing AIRS Scientific Data Through Level 2

The Atmospheric Infrared Spectrometer (AIRS) Science Processing System (SPS) is a collection of computer programs, denoted product generation executives (PGEs), for processing the readings of the AIRS suite of infrared and microwave instruments orbiting the Earth aboard NASA s Aqua spacecraft. AIRS SPS at an earlier stage of development was described in "Initial Processing of Infrared Spectral Data' (NPO-35243), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 28, No. 11 (November 2004), page 39. To recapitulate: Starting from level 0 (representing raw AIRS data), the PGEs and their data products are denoted by alphanumeric labels (1A, 1B, and 2) that signify the successive stages of processing. The cited prior article described processing through level 1B (the level-2 PGEs were not yet operational). The level-2 PGEs, which are now operational, receive packages of level-1B geolocated radiance data products and produce such geolocated geophysical atmospheric data products such as temperature and humidity profiles. The process of computing these geophysical data products is denoted "retrieval" and is quite complex. The main steps of the process are denoted microwave-only retrieval, cloud detection and cloud clearing, regression, full retrieval, and rapid transmittance algorithm.

Oliphant, Robert↗
NASA NTRS1980

Orbital analysis for the upper atmosphere research satellite missions

An orbital analysis has been performed to define the spatial and temporal coverage capabilities of limb scanning experiments for meeting the science requirements for the upper atmosphere research satellite missions. Results indicate that a combination of solar occultation experiments and limb thermal emission experiments having azimuthal scan capability can provide good temporal and spatial coverage of the earth from a 600-km, 56-deg inclined orbit for the first satellite mission. Using a 70-deg inclined orbit for the second satellite mission will complement the first mission and provide complete global coverage with the two types of experiments.

Harrison, E. F.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society

From the interior of the Sun, to the upper atmosphere and near-space environment of Earth, and outward to a region far beyond Pluto where the Sun's influence wanes, advances during the past decade in space physics and solar physics the disciplines NASA refers to as heliophysics have yielded spectacular insights into the phenomena that affect our home in space. This report, from the National Research Council's (NRC's) Committee for a Decadal Strategy in Solar and Space Physics, is the second NRC decadal survey in heliophysics. Building on the research accomplishments realized over the past decade, the report presents a program of basic and applied research for the period 2013-2022 that will improve scientific understanding of the mechanisms that drive the Sun's activity and the fundamental physical processes underlying near-Earth plasma dynamics, determine the physical interactions of Earth's atmospheric layers in the context of the connected Sun-Earth system, and enhance greatly the capability to provide realistic and specific forecasts of Earth's space environment that will better serve the needs of society. Although the recommended program is directed primarily to NASA (Science Mission Directorate -- Heliophysics Division) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) (Directorate for Geosciences -- Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences) for action, the report also recommends actions by other federal agencies, especially the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) those parts of NOAA charged with the day-to-day (operational) forecast of space weather. In addition to the recommendations included in this summary, related recommendations are presented in the main text of the report.

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NASA NTRS1963

SOLAR SYSTEM SCIENCE- 1962 LITERATURE SURVEY

Bibliography of literature on solar system science, including such topics as atmospheric and interplanetary physics, planetary biology, geodesy, geology and physics

ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2005

Laboratory Evaluation and Application of Microwave Absorption Properties under Simulated Conditions for Planetary Atmospheres

Radio absorptivity data for planetary atmospheres obtained from spacecraft radio occultation experiments, entry probe radio signal absorption measurements, and earth- based or spacecraft-based radio astronomical (emission) observations can be used to infer abundances of microwave absorbing constituents in those atmospheres, as long as reliable information regarding the microwave absorbing properties of potential constituents is available. The use of theoretically-derived microwave absorption properties for such atmospheric constituents, or the use of laboratory measurements of such properties taken under environmental conditions that are significantly different than those of the planetary atmosphere being studied, often leads to significant misinterpretation of available opacity data. For example, new laboratory measurements completed recently by Mohammed and Steffes (2003 and 2004) under this grant (NAG5-12122,5/1/02-4/30/05), have shown that the millimeter-wavelength opacities from both gaseous phosphine (PH3) and gaseous ammonia ("3) under simulated conditions for the outer planets vary significantly from that predicted by theory over a wide range of temperatures and pressures. These results have directly impacted planning and scientific goals for study of Saturn's atmosphere with the Cassini Radio Science Experiment, as discussed below. The recognition of the need to make such laboratory measurements of simulated planetary atmospheres over a range of temperatures and pressures which correspond to the altitudes probed by both radio occultation experiments and radio astronomical observations, and over a range of frequencies which correspond to those used in both spacecraft entry probe and orbiter (or flyby) radio occultation experiments and radio astronomical observations, has led to the development of a facility at Georgia Tech which is capable of making such measurements. It has been the goal of this investigation to conduct such measurements and to apply the results to a wide range of planetary observations, both spacecraft and earth-based, in order to determine the identity and abundance profiles of constituents in those planetary atmospheres.

Steffes, Paul G.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Atmospheric Research 2018 Technical Highlights

Atmospheric research in the Earth Sciences Division (610) consists of research and technology development programs dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding of the atmosphere and its interaction with the climate of Earth. The Division’s goals are to improve understanding of the dynamics and physical properties of precipitation, clouds, and aerosols; atmospheric chemistry, including the role of natural and anthropogenic trace species on the ozone balance in the stratosphere and the troposphere; and radiative properties of Earth’s atmosphere and the influence of solar variability on the Earth’s climate. Major research activities are carried out in the Mesoscale Atmospheric Processes Laboratory, the Climate and Radiation Laboratory, the Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Laboratory, and the Wallops Field Support Office. The overall scope of the research covers an end-to-end process, starting with the identification of scientific problems, leading to observation requirements for remote sensing platforms, technology and retrieval algorithm development; followed by flight projects and satellite missions; and eventually, resulting in data processing, analyses of measurements, and dissemination from flight projects and missions.

Highlights↗
NASA NTRS2019

TESS Discoveries

TESS discoveries have already become fruitful targets for HST follow up, and this will undoubtedly continue through the JWST era. In addition to providing targets for atmospheric characterization, TESS' Level One Science Requirement is to measure masses for 50 transiting planets smaller than 4 Earth radii. A full suite of ground based facilities will be working together to optimize the TESS science yield. Somewhat surprisingly though, no study has quantified the accuracy of mass constraints required to yield robust atmospheric properties of small planets. Previous work showed that the mass of a transiting exoplanet could be inferred from its transmission spectrum alone. The method leverages the effect of the planet's surface gravity on the atmospheric scale height, which in turn influences the transmission spectrum. However, significant degeneracies exist between transmission spectra of planets with different masses and compositions, making difficult to unambiguously determine the planet's mass and composition in many cases. I will present the first quantitative answer to this pressing question. Our analysis places definitive limits on how accurate mass constraints need to be in order to unambiguously determine atmospheric composition for a diverse array of planets ranging from terrestrial-size (TRAPPIST-1-like) to mini-Neptunes and hot Jupiters. These results broadly impact the community of scientists working on exoplanets -- from the full breadth of ground based observers conducting TESS follow-up, to those studying planet populations, and finally to those planning atmospheric investigations. This is particularly timely as the STScI Director charged the HST-TESS Advisory committee to report to the Space Telescope Users Committee on how HST can best support follow-up observations of TESS exoplanet discoveries. The community needs to determine optimal strategies for maximizing the rapid scientific return from TESS targets.

Batalha, Natasha E.↗
NASA NTRS2018

ADEPT SR-1 Development and Testing

The Adaptable Deployable Entry and Placement Technology (ADEPT) Sounding Rocket One (SR-1) fight test will be the first sub-orbital flight of Nano-ADEPT. Nano-ADEPT is a deployable heatshield for secondary payload missions desiring to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere or deliver small science payloads to Mars or Venus. Two units have been built and tested in preparation of launch: one designated the "Spare" unit and one the "Flight" unit. The general development approach has been to perform all procedures on the Spare prior to performing them on Flight. This approach has served the project well, allowing for procedures to be rapidly developed and tested on spare hardware where mistakes are less consequential. Conversely, when schedule constraints have come up, the approach has allowed the project to rapidly pivot to an approach where Flight drives the critical path rather than Spare. This approach has enabled relatively rapid development of Flight where technical risk is balanced with schedule realism. This presentation will describe the various tests that have been performed on Nano-ADEPT Spare and Flight units to prepare for the sub-orbital flight. The purpose is to communicate the development approach we took for this low-cost, moderate-risk flight test and hopefully engage the EDL community in a wider discussion of risk-balanced approaches toward flight hardware development of secondary payload atmospheric entry systems.

Smith, Brandon↗
NASA NTRS2022

NASA's Earth System Observatory— Atmosphere Observing System

NASA has begun pre-formulation studies for the Earth System Observatory, a constellation of observatories designed to implement the recommendations of the 2017 NASA Earth Science Decadal Survey. For the atmosphere, the Atmosphere Observing System (AOS) will focus on aerosols, clouds, convection, and precipitation, their mutual interactions, and interactions with atmospheric radiation. AOS consists of two projects, one in an inclined orbit to measure sub-daily variability across all times of day, particularly for deep convection and its attendant high clouds, and one in a polar orbit to provide globally distributed observations with more advanced capabilities, coupling to radiation, and an eye toward continuity of key cloud and aerosol data records. This paper describes the AOS science objectives, the architectures of the two projects, planned sub-orbital activities, and relevant applications.

Scott A Braun↗
NASA NTRS1991

Orbit determination support for Hiten's aerobraking in the Earth's atmosphere

Two passes of the ISAS (Japan's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science) Hiten spacecraft through the Earth's atmosphere, at perigee altitudes of 125 km and 120 km, during Mar. 1991 marked the first aerobraking technology demonstrations for an object in cis-lunar orbit traveling at near Earth escape velocity. Prediction and control of perigee altitude to better than 1 km was desired to assure spacecraft survival. Covariance analysis provided confidence that prediction accuracy better than 200 m for support of final trim maneuver design was achievable with NASA DSN (Deep Space Network) tracking support. ISAS used orbit determination results in their decisions to cancel final trim maneuvers. Post flight reconstructions, marking the first combined use of DSN and ISAS tracking data, yielded perigee altitude solutions which agree with the near real time mission operations support predictions to better than 50 m.

Efron, L.↗