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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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Airborne Fraunhofer Line Discriminator enables prospecting for fluorescent materials, hydrography with fluorescent dyes, and plant studies based on fluorescence of chlorophyll. Optical unit design is the coincidence of Fraunhofer lines in the solar spectrum occurring at the characteristic wavelengths of some fluorescent materials.
Apollo 11 mission and future space exploration prospects including moon base, manned space station, reusable shuttle vehicles, etc
NASA Planetary Program for study of origin, evolution, planetary composition, and prospects of extraterrestrial life in solar system
Field evaporation of solid metal electrodes has been proposed as an ion source for an electrostatic propulsion device. The chief advantage over existing ion sources is the prospect of 100 percent fuel utilization efficiency. This advantage arises as a result of the elimination of the need for a gaseous precursor state for propellant ionization. The attainment of required high surface field strengths is achieved through field-induced extrusion of the electrode geometry at elevated temperatures. Contributions of both surface and bulk transport mechanisms are taken into account.
Remote infrared sensing as a water exploration technique is demonstrated. Various applications are described, demonstrating that infrared sensors can locate aquifers, geothermal water, water trapped by faults, springs and water in desert regions. The potentiality of airborne IR sensors as a water prospecting tool is considered. Also included is a selected bibliography with abstracts concentrating on those publications which will better acquaint the hydrologist with investigations using thermal remote sensors as applied to water exploration.
The ways in which radio signals are affected by meteorological parameters are described, as are methods for interpreting the signals, the state-of-the-art in instrumentation, the current state of development of the field, and some problems and prospects for the future. It is shown that the temperature profile of the atmosphere, water vapor and ozone distribution, cloud water content, and certain surface properties can be measured with sufficient accuracy to provide useful meteorological information.
The prospective user of the shuttle operations simulation (SOS) model is given sufficient information to enable him to perform simulation studies of the space shuttle launch-to-launch operations cycle. The procedures used for modifying the SOS model to meet user requirements are described. The various control card sequences required to execute the SOS model are given. The report is written for users with varying computer simulation experience. A description of the components of the SOS model is included that presents both an explanation of the logic involved in the simulation of the shuttle operations cycle and a description of the routines used to support the actual simulation.
Description of a hailstone impact simulator, a valuable laboratory apparatus which can be used for such hailstone research as the testing of prospective structural designs or generating data to compare with theory. The simulator consists of a launcher and a velocity-measuring system. It has been successfully used to obtain deformation data on flat sheets and spherical caps of various sizes impacted by hailstones at typical flight velocities. A computer program is described which adequately predicts the damage to a simple structure when impacted by a hailstone.
The author has identified the following significant results. Preliminary analysis of bulk imagery suggests that the forty-acre data cell used in the Minnesota Land Management Information Systems (MLMIS) can be utilized in interpretation of ERTS-1 data. High quality bulk images of the Twin Cities metropolitan area suggest that detail in urban land use patterns is much greater than originally anticipated. This implies a greater work effort in this area than was planned. Furthermore, the forest classes of land use can also be usefully divided into subcategories. Preliminary analysis of one rather low quality image also indicates that subclasses of wetlands can be identified. Prospects are bright for improving the potential detail that ERTS-1 can contribute to MLMIS.
Estimates of the prospects for quiet airplanes in the future are summarized. The SST using afterburning turbojets and no sound suppression is estimated to produce 129 EPNdb on the sideline. Suppression devices and operating techniques can reduce this noise markedly. The present fleet of 707's and DC-8's produces noises nearly as high as 120 decibels on approach. Combinations of sound absorbing devices and engine modifications are expected to give a noise near 100 decibels. The new advanced technology transports (ATT) are being studied with two noise goals in mind: one is 10 decibels and the other is 20 decibels below the FAR level of 106 on takeoff. New trijets using new quiet engines are expected to meet 90 EPNdb. Future advances in technology are expected to yield another 5 decibels to give noise levels of 80 EPNdb. The STOL airplane has a noise goal of 95 EPNdb along a sideline 500 feet from the runway.
A design study for a high resolution meteor radar system is carried out with the objective of measuring upper atmospheric winds and particularly studying short period atmospheric waves in the 80 to 120 km altitude region. The transmitter that is to be used emits a peak power of 4 Mw. The system is designed to measure the wind velocity and height of a meteor trail very accurately. This is achieved using a specially developed digital reduction procedure to determine wind velocity and range together with an interferometer for measuring both the azimuth and elevation angles of the region with a long baseline vernier measurement being used to refine the elevation angle measurement. The resultant accuracies are calculated to be + or - 0.9 m/s for the wind, + or - 230 m for the range and + or - 0.12 deg for the elevation angle, giving a height accuracy of + or - 375 m. The prospects for further development of this system are also discussed.
The evolution of a conceptual design of the flight hardware for the surface electrical properties experiment (SEP), the definition of requests for proposals, the analysis of proposals submitted by prospective flight hardware subcontractors, and recommendations for the flight configuration to be implemented are discussed. Initial efforts were made to assess the electromagnetic environment of the SEP experiment. An EMI receiver and tri-loop antenna were constructed and tests of opportunity were performed with a lunar roving vehicle (LRV). Initial analyses were made of data from these tests with support from this contract, analyses which were continued in depth under the hardware contract.
The magnetic field and field gradient requirements for magnetic suspension in a Mach 3, 6-in. diameter wind tunnel are stated, along with the power requirements for gradient coil pairs wound of copper operating at room temperature and aluminum cooled to 20 K. The power dissipated is large enough that the use of superconductivity in the coil design becomes an attractive alternative. The problems of stability and ac losses are outlined along with the properties of stabilized superconductors. A brief review of a simplified version of the critical state model of C. P. Bean is presented, and the problems involved in calculations of the ac losses in superconducting coils are outlined. A summary of ac loss data taken on pancake coils wound of commercially available Nb3Sn partially stabilized tape is presented and shown as leading to the U.Va. gradient coil design. The actual coil performance is compared with predictions based on the BNL results. Finally, some remarks are presented concerning scaling of the ac losses to larger magnetic suspension systems as well as prospects for improved performance using newer multifilament superconductors.
The educational programs for public administration were studied to develop guidelines for meeting the requirements of public service in the 1980's. The current state of education for public service is discussed along with a prospective view of the service over the next decade. Criteria for evaluating graduate programs are presented.
A mosaic constructed from three ERTS MSS band 5 images enlarged to 1:500,000 compares favorably with a similar scale geologic map of southern Morocco, and a near-similar scale Gemini 5 photo pair. A comparative plot of lineations and generalized geology on the three formats show that a significantly greater number of probable fractures are visible on the ERTS imagery than on the Gemini photography, and that both orbital formats show several times more lineaments than were previously mapped. A plot of mineral occurrences on the structural overlays indicates that definite structure-mineralization relationships exist; this finding is used to define underdeveloped areas which are prospective for mineralization. More detailed mapping is possible using MSS imagery than on Gemini 5 photographs, and in addition, the ERTS format is not restricted to limited coverage.
The author has identified the following significant results. Geomorphic features related to a known porphyry copper deposit at Saindak, western Chagai District, Pakistan, are easily distinguished on ERTS-1 images. No new prospecting sites were recognized on the basis of the images alone, but new information from the images was used in conjunction with known geology to evaluate two previously known speculative areas and to suggest one additional one. The study showed that Saindak-type deposits are less likely in some extensive areas of the Chagai District than formerly believed. The Saindak deposit is in an area of relatively soft folded sedimentary and volcanic rocks. The deposit is characterized by a linear zone of easily eroded sulfide-rich rock surrounded by a resistant rim of hornfels and propylitically altered rock. Both this rim and the central sulfide-rich valley are conspicuous features on the images. Swarms of dikes are probably useful for distinguishing real rims from other resistant rock types, but there is no expression of them on the image, although they are easily seen on aerial photographs of the Saindak rim. During field mapping, patches of strong red and yellow hue related to the mineral natrojarosite were noted in the central valley. Attempts to detect a color anomaly using simple false color composites were not successful.
The study examines data on episodes of decompression sickness, particularly from recent Navy work in which the event occurred under multiple stress conditions, to determine the extent to which decompression sickness might be predicted on the basis of personal characteristics such as age, weight, and physical condition. Such information should ultimately be useful for establishing medical selection criteria to screen individuals prior to participation inactivities involving extensive changes in ambient pressure, including those encountered in space operations. The main conclusions were as follows. There is a definite and positive relationship between increasing age and weight and the likelihood of decompression sickness. However, for predictive purposes, the relationship is low. To reduce the risk of bends, particularly for older individuals, strenuous exercise should be avoided immediately after ambient pressure changes. Temperatures should be kept at the low end of the comfort zone. For space activities, pressure changes of over 6-7 psi should be avoided. Prospective participants in future missions such as the Space Shuttle should not be excluded on the basis of age, certainly to age 60, if their general condition is reasonably good and they are not grossly obese. (Modified author abstract)
A preliminary provisional assessment of the prospects for the establishment of an adequate technology assessment function and the implications of the assessment function for the public decision process are presented. Effects of the technology assessment function on each phase of the public decision process and briefly explored. Significant implications during the next decade are projected with respect to the following phases: invention and development of alternative means (technological configurations); evaluation, selection and promotion of preferred courses of action; and modification of statutory scheme or social action program as an outcome of continuing monitoring and appraisal.