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At least 721 records · Page 40

Path-Integrated Attenuation from Airborne X-Band Radar and Passive Radiometer Measurements: Implication for Rainfall Measurements

This study compares path-integrated attenuation (PIA), in precipitation over the ocean, derived from a single-frequency X-band radar, using the surface reference technique (SRT), with that deduced from a radiometer also operating at X band. The data were collected during TRMM field campaigns. The PIA derived from radar using the SRT does not involve any assumptions regarding the precipitation but it assumes that the cross-section of the surface is stable, that is, it is not significantly altered by factors such as surface roughness. The PIA deduced from the radiometer, however, involves assumptions regarding the temperature and emissivity of the surface and absorption and scattering by the intervening precipitation, which in turn depend upon the size, concentration and composition of the precipitation particles. The comparison of the PIA from the two instruments serves not only as a check between the radar and the radiometer but also may yield insights into the structure of the intervening precipitation. Such study can provide valuable information for TRMM in which both radar and radiometers are used for rain measurements. The radiometer PIA was first deduced from the brightness temperature using a simple one-layer radiative transfer model assuming no scattering, an isothermal atmosphere. The initial results show a general agreement between the PIAs deduced from the two instruments. Largo disagreement was found at high values of PIAs that may have been caused saturation of the X-band brightness temperature or by uncertainties in wind roughening of the sea surface that affects the SRT. Further results including the effects of scattering and a non-isothermal atmosphere will be shown at the conference.

Tian, Lin↗

Advanced extravehicular protective systems study, volume 1

An appraisal was made of advanced portable and emergency life support systems concepts for space station, space shuttle, lunar base, and Mars EVA missions. Specifications are given, and the methodology is described. Subsystem studies and systems integration efforts are summarized. Among the conclusions are the following: (1) For long duration missions, a configuration incorporating a regenerable CO2 control subsystem and a thermal control subsystem utilizing a minimum of expendables decreases the vehicle penalty of present configurations. (2) For shorter duration missions, a configuration incorporating an expendable water thermal control subsystem is the most competitive subsystem; regenerable CO2 control subsystems if properly developed are competitive with nonregenerable counterparts. (3) The CO2 reduction and oxygen reclamation withing the parent vehicle is only competitive when there are three or more parent vehicle resupply periods. (4) For long duration emergency systems of one hour or more, inherent redundancy within the primary configuration to provide emergency thermal control is the most competitive approach.

Sutton, J. G.↗

Integrated dynamic analysis simulation of space stations with controllable solar arrays (supplemental data and analyses)

Space station and solar array data and the analyses which were performed in support of the integrated dynamic analysis study. The analysis methods and the formulated digital simulation were developed. Control systems for space station altitude control and solar array orientation control include generic type control systems. These systems have been digitally coded and included in the simulation.

Heinrichs, J. A.↗

Vlf/elf radiation patterns of arbitrarily oriented electric and magnetic dipoles in a cold lossless multicomponent magnetoplasma.

With the use of a power integral formulation, a study is made of the vlf/elf radiation patterns of arbitrarily oriented electric and magnetic dipoles in a cold lossless multicomponent magnetoplasma. Expressions for the ray patterns are initially developed that apply for arbitrary values of driving frequency, static magnetic-field strength, plasma density, and composition. These expressions are subsequently specialized to vlf/elf radiation in a plasma modeled on the magnetosphere. A series of representative pattern plots are presented for frequencies between the proton and electron gyrofrequencies. These patterns illustrate the fact that focusing effects that arise from the geometrical properties of the refractive index surface tend to dominate the radiation distribution over the entire range from the electron gyrofrequency to 4.6 times the proton gyrofrequency. It is concluded that focusing effects should be of significant importance in the design of a vlf/elf satellite transmitting system in the magnetosphere.

Wang, T. N. C.↗

Executive Summary: Quantifying the benefits to the national economy from secondary applications of NASA technology

Preliminary estimates were prepared of the economic benefits to the U.S. economy from secondary applications of NASA technology. Technology is defined as the body of knowledge concerning how society's resources can be combined to yield economic goods and services, and NASA technology represents NASA's contribution to this body of technical knowledge. Secondary applications refer to uses of NASA generated knowledge for purposes other than those primary mission-oriented ones for which the original R&D was done. Case studies in cryogenics, integrated circuits, gas turbines, and NASTRAN are presented.

Source record↗

Nonparametric probability density estimation by optimization theoretic techniques

Two nonparametric probability density estimators are considered. The first is the kernel estimator. The problem of choosing the kernel scaling factor based solely on a random sample is addressed. An interactive mode is discussed and an algorithm proposed to choose the scaling factor automatically. The second nonparametric probability estimate uses penalty function techniques with the maximum likelihood criterion. A discrete maximum penalized likelihood estimator is proposed and is shown to be consistent in the mean square error. A numerical implementation technique for the discrete solution is discussed and examples displayed. An extensive simulation study compares the integrated mean square error of the discrete and kernel estimators. The robustness of the discrete estimator is demonstrated graphically.

Scott, D. W.↗

Dynamics of spin stabilized spacecraft during deployment of telescoping appendages

The dynamics of a spin stabilized spacecraft with telescoping appendages are treated both analytically and numerically. Two types of telescoping appendages are considered: (a) where an end mass is mounted at the end of an (assumed) massless boom; and (b) where the appendage is assumed to consist of a uniformly distributed homogeneous mass throughout its length. For the telescoping system Eulerian equations of motion are developed. During all deployment sequences it is assumed that the transverse component of angular momentum is much smaller than the component along the major spin axis. Closed form analytical solutions for the time response of the transverse components of angular velocities are obtained when the spacecraft hub has a nearly spherical mass distribution. For the more general case, a series solution is obtained and this solution is limited by its radius of convergence. The comparison of the different approximate analytical methods with numerical integration results are studied and it is observed that the oscillatory nature of the responses of the transverse angular velocity components reduces rapidly with faster extension rates.

Sellappan, R.↗

Passive microwave mapping of ice thickness

Basic calculations are presented for evaluating the feasibility of a scanning microwave radiometer system for mapping the thickness of lake ice. An analytical model for the apparent brightness temperature as a function of ice thickness has been developed, and elaborated to include such variables as galactic and atmospheric noise, aspect angle, polarization, temperature gradient in the ice, the presence of transition layers such as snow, slush, and water, increased loss due to air inclusions in the ice layer, and the presence of multiple ice thicknesses within the antenna footprint. It was found that brightness temperature measurements at six or seven frequencies in the range of 0.4 to 0.7 GHz were required to obtain unambiquous thickness estimates. A number of data processing methods were examined. The effects of antenna beamwidth, scanning rate, receiver bandwidth, noise figure, and integration time were studied.

Apinis, J. J.↗

Design feasibility of an advanced technology supersonic cruise aircraft

Research and development programs provide confidence that technology is in-hand to design an economically attractive, environmentally sound supersonic cruise aircraft for commercial operations. The principal results of studies and tests are described including those which define the selection of significant design features. These typically include the results of: (1) wind-tunnel tests, both subsonic and supersonic, (2) propulsion performance and acoustic tests on noise suppressors, including forward-flight effects, (3) studies of engine/airframe integration, which lead to the selection of engine cycles/sizes to meet future market, economic, and social requirements; and (4) structural testing.

Rowe, W. T.↗

Investigation of supersonic turbulent boundary-layer separation on a compression ramp by an integral method

An investigation was made to determine the feasibility of using a boundary layer integral method to study the separation of a turbulent boundary layer on a two dimensional ramp at supersonic speeds. The numerical calculations were made for a free stream Mach number of 3, a Reynolds number of 10 million, and over a ramp angle range from 0 deg to 30 deg. For ramp angles where no flow separation was indicated, theoretical calculations were in reasonable agreement with experimental data except for a somewhat belated rise in pressure. For larger ramp angles, where separation was present, the investigation produced results that were not in agreement with experiment or with results calculated by time dependent Navier-Stokes methods. This apparently was true because no provision had been made for a proper shock boundary layer interaction where strong normal pressure gradients are induced within the boundary layer under the shock independent of surface curvature effects.

Patel, D. K.↗

Study of advanced composite structural design concepts for an arrow wing supersonic cruise configuration

Based on estimated graphite and boron fiber properties, allowable stresses and strains were established for advanced composite materials. Stiffened panel and conventional sandwich panel concepts were designed and analyzed, using graphite/polyimide and boron/polyimide materials. The conventional sandwich panel was elected as the structural concept for the modified wing structure. Upper and lower surface panels of the arrow wing structure were then redesigned, using high strength graphite/polyimide sandwich panels, retaining the titanium spars and ribs from the prior study. The ATLAS integrated analysis and design system was used for stress analysis and automated resizing of surface panels. Flutter analysis of the hybrid structure showed a significant decrease in flutter speed relative to the titanium wing design. The flutter speed was increased to that of the titanium design by selective increase in laminate thickness and by using graphite fibers with properties intermediate between high strength and high modulus values.

Turner, M. J.↗

Gamma ray spectroscopy in astrophysics: Solar gamma ray astronomy on solar maximum mission

The SMM gamma ray experiment and the important scientific capabilities of the instrument are discussed. The flare size detectable as a function of spectrum integration time was studied. A preliminary estimate indicates that a solar gamma ray line at 4.4 MeV one-fifth the intensity of that believed to have been emitted on 4 August 1972 can be detected in approximately 1000 sec with a confidence level of 99%.

Forrest, D. J.↗

Fabrication and high temperature characteristics of ion-implanted GaAs bipolar transistors and ring-oscillators

Ion implantation techniques that permit the reproducible fabrication of bipolar GaAs integrated circuits are studied. A 15 stage ring oscillator and discrete transistor were characterized between 25 and 400 C. The current gain of the transistor was found to increase slightly with temperature. The diode leakage currents increase with an activation energy of approximately 1 eV and dominate the transistor leakage current 1 sub CEO above 200 C. Present devices fail catastrophically at about 400 C because of Au-metallization.

Doerbeck, F. H.↗

Post heat treatment effects on double layer metal structures for VLSI applications

The realization of high yield double layer metal systems using wet chemistry processes and the ability to extend yields beyond that attainable with wet chemistry by means of post sintering processes at temperatures below 500 C for potential applications in very large scale integration structures were studied. Yields in excess of 98% and average total contact resistance of less than 150 ohms and 200 ohms were realized for a series of 560 vias of 0.5 X 0.5 mils and 0.2 X 0.2 mils in size, respectively.

Wade, T. E.↗

Spacelab Mission Implementation Cost Assessment (SMICA)

A total savings of approximately 20 percent is attainable if: (1) mission management and ground processing schedules are compressed; (2) the equipping, staffing, and operating of the Payload Operations Control Center is revised, and (3) methods of working with experiment developers are changed. The development of a new mission implementation technique, which includes mission definition, experiment development, and mission integration/operations, is examined. The Payload Operations Control Center is to relocate and utilize new computer equipment to produce cost savings. Methods of reducing costs by minimizing the Spacelab and payload processing time during pre- and post-mission operation at KSC are analyzed. The changes required to reduce costs in the analytical integration process are studied. The influence of time, requirements accountability, and risk on costs is discussed. Recommendation for cost reductions developed by the Spacelab Mission Implementation Cost Assessment study are listed.

Guynes, B. V.↗

Laser and sunlight-induced fluorescence from chlorophyll pigments

Fluorescence properties of chlorophyll pigment bearing plant foliage utilizing a 337 nm nitrogen laser and integrating sphere were studied. Measured yields, in terms of number of photons emitted per 100 photons absorbed, range from 1.5 to 0.1 for the 685 nm peak, and from 4.2 to 0.2 for the 730 nm peak. Decreasing order of magnitude puts herbaceous leaves ahead of all others followed by broad leaves of hardwoods and coniferous needles. Meaningful quantization for the fluorescence peaks at 430 and 530 nm could not be attained. Passive monitoring of these fluorescence peaks is successful only for the 685 nm from the ocean surface. Field data show the reflectance changes at 685 nm due to the algae presence amounts to 1% at most.

Kim, H. H.↗

Upwind Navier-Stokes solutions for leading-edge vortex flows

An incompressible Navier-Stokes solver using an upwind finite-difference algorithm is employed to investigate low-speed, three-dimensional, laminar, leading-edge vortex flows over three round-edged low-aspect-ratio wings. The effects of grid density, Reynolds number, and wing planform on the flowfield structures and integral values are studied. Computed results show good qualitative and quantitative agreement with the available experimental data.

Hsu, C.-H.↗

An integrated model of the Space Station Freedom active thermal control system

A flexible, generic model of the Space Station Freedom active thermal control system has been developed which is designed to analyze dynamic interactions of the major subsystems of the ATCS. Models are described for the components of the central thermal bus, the radiator external thermal environment, and the internal thermal control system. Two programs are described which facilitate the development of the integrated ATCS model. The first, SIMRAD, simplifies an external thermal environment model given a desired level of accuracy in integrated model performance. The model reduction technique is shown to reduce model execution time significantly while maintaining the desired accuracy. The second, GENFLU, generates SINDA/FLUINT input code for the evaporator and load interface models and automates the integration of load submodels. The component submodels and integration techniques were used to create an integrated model of the thermal control system for an early assembly flight configuration. The results demonstrate the utility of the integrated model in studying dynamic interactions of the ATCS subsystems.

Tandler, John J.↗