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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 739 records · Page 41
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

Technology requirements for future Earth-to-geosynchronous orbit transportation systems. Volume 2: Technical results

Technologies either critical to performance of offering cost advantages compared to the investment required to bring them to usable confidence levels are identified. A total transportation system is used as an evaluation yardstick. Vehicles included in the system are a single stage to orbit launch vehicle used in a priority cargo role, a matching orbit transfer vehicle, a heavy lift launch vehicle with a low Earth orbit delivery capability of 226, 575 kg, and a matching solar electric cargo orbit transfer vehicle. The system and its reference technology level are consistent with an initial operational capability in 1990. The 15 year mission scenario is based on early space industrialization leading to the deployment of large systems such as power satellites. Life cycle cost benefits in discounted and undiscounted dollars for each vehicle, technology advancement, and the integrated transportation system are calculated. A preliminary functional analysis was made of the operational support requirements for ground based and space based chemical propulsion orbit transfer vehicles.

Caluori, V. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Astronaut training manual

Scientific information from previous space flights, space medicine, exercise physiology, and sports medicine was used to prepare a physical fitness manual suitable for use by members of the NASA astronaut population. A variety of scientifically valid exercise programs and activities suitable for the development of physical fitness are provided. Programs, activities, and supportive scientific data are presented in a concise, easy to read format so as to permit the user to select his or her mode of training with confidence and devote time previously spent experimenting with training routines to preparation for space flight. The programs and activities included were tested and shown to be effective and enjoyable.

Coleman, E. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

ET LOX modal survey analysis and test assessment

The results are presented of the analysis and modal test of the liquid oxygen tank and intertank of the space shuttle external tank. The analytical models, test article, and support hardware are described. Frequency and damping are compared on a mode-by-mode basis. The data assessment clearly confirms the validity of the analytical model and establishes a high level of confidence that the methodology will accurately predict modal characteristics of flight configurations.

Mccomas, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Mated vertical ground vibration test

The Mated Vertical Ground Vibration Test (MVGVT) was considered to provide an experimental base in the form of structural dynamic characteristics for the shuttle vehicle. This data base was used in developing high confidence analytical models for the prediction and design of loads, pogo controls, and flutter criteria under various payloads and operational missions. The MVGVT boost and launch program evolution, test configurations, and their suspensions are described. Test results are compared with predicted analytical results.

Ivey, E. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Water vapor differential absorption lidar development and evaluation

A ground-based differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system is described which has been developed for vertical range-resolved measurements of water vapor. The laser transmitter consists of a ruby-pumped dye laser, which is operated on a water vapor absorption line at 724.372 nm. Part of the ruby laser output is transmitted simultaneously with the dye laser output to determine atmospheric scattering and attenuation characteristics. The dye and ruby laser backscattered light is collected by a 0.5-m diam telescope, optically separated in the receiver package, and independently detected using photomultiplier tubes. Measurements of vertical water vapor concentration profiles using the DIAL system at night are discussed, and comparisons are made between the water vapor DIAL measurements and data obtained from locally launched rawinsondes. Agreement between these measurements was found to be within the uncertainty of the rawinsonde data to an altitude of 3 km. Theoretical simulations of this measurement were found to give reasonably accurate predictions of the random error of the DIAL measurements. Confidence in these calculations will permit the design of aircraft and Shuttle DIAL systems and experiments using simulation results as the basis for defining lidar system performance requirements

Browell, E. V.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Submilliarcsecond astrometry via VLBI. I - Relative position of the radio sources 3C 345 and NRAO 512

The relative position and relative proper motion of the radio sources 3C 345 and NRAO 512 are estimated from four sets of VLBI observations spread out over the period from October 1971 to May 1974. The use of phase-connection techniques yields the separation, in 1950.0 coordinates, of the centers of brightness of the compact components of the two sources. An upper bound of 0.0005 arcsec/yr is placed on the relative proper motion (70% estimated confidence limits). Bounds that can be placed on the distances to the two sources are considered, prospects for improvement in the determination of relative position and proper motion of these sources are discussed, and other possible applications of the basic technique are described.

Shapiro, I. I.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Southern Hemisphere measurements of the anisotropy in the cosmic microwave background radiation

A recent airborne measurement of the large-angular-scale anisotropy in the cosmic background radiation from the Southern Hemisphere (Lima, Peru) is in essential agreement with previous measurements from the northern hemisphere. The net anisotropy from the combined data can be described by a first-order spherical harmonic (Doppler) anisotropy of amplitude 3.1 plus or minus 0.4 mK with a quadrupole component of less than 1 mK. Additional ground-based measurements of the linear polarization yield an upper limit of l mK, or one part in 3000, at 95% confidence level for the amplitudes of any spherical harmonic through third order.

Smoot, G. F.↗
NASA NTRS1979

New method for determining relative oscillator strengths of atoms through combined absorption and emission measurements - Application to titanium /Ti I/

The paper introduces a procedure that combines measurements of absorption and emission by atoms to obtain relative oscillator strengths that are independent of temperature determination in the sources and of assumptions regarding local thermodynamic equilibrium. The experimental observations are formed into sets of transitions and required to satisfy defined ratios. The procedure is illustrated with the published data of Whaling et al. and Smith and Kuehne for 16 transitions in Ti I. It is shown that the relative oscillator strengths resulting from this procedure have calculated uncertainties between 5 and 17% (about 95% confidence level). Evidence is presented to suggest that these uncertainties have been overestimated.

Cardon, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Analysis of long-term ionizing radiation effects in bipolar transistors

The ionizing radiation effects of electrons on bipolar transistors have been analyzed using the data base from the Voyager project. The data were subjected to statistical analysis, leading to a quantitative characterization of the product and to data on confidence limits which will be useful for circuit design purposes. These newly-developed methods may form the basis for a radiation hardness assurance system. In addition, an attempt was made to identify the causes of the large variations in the sensitivity observed on different product lines. This included a limited construction analysis and a determination of significant design and processes variables, as well as suggested remedies for improving the tolerance of the devices to radiation.

Stanley, A. G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Titan - Suspected near-infrared variability

Observations were made of Titan with InSb photometers using standard J (1.25 micron), H (1.6 micron), and K (2.2 micron) filters over a 70 day interval with 0.61 m, 2.2 m, and 4 m telescopes. A beam-switching, sky-subtract mode was used with all telescopes, and evidence appears for variation at approximately the 3 sigma level of confidence. There is some indication that, if periodic, the variation may have a period twice that of the satellite's orbital period.

Cruikshank, D. P.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Xenon component organization in 14301

Xe in 14301 is a superposition of in situ spallation and presumably also fission Xe, of trapped solar wind, and of trapped fission Xe and Xe-129 redistributed after origin elsewhere on the moon. Some and probably most of the trapped fission originates from Pu-244. All of the components of various origins are released independently in stepwise heating, indicating that they were acquired by different means and remain in different sites within the sample. This applies to the excess fission and to the excess Xe-129, which fail to correlate quantitatively with each other; they must thus have been trapped by different mechanisms or at different times. In spite of their independent behavior in stepwise heating, the various trapped components contribute in constant proportion to the total Xe contents of the various size fractions. This quantitative correlation between excess Xe and solar wind Xe indicates that the same circumstances control the acquisition of both. The variation of the ratio of excess to solar wind Xe among different breccias thus can be ascribed more confidently to compositional variation in total Xe available for trapping rather than to the details of the trapping process.

Bernatowicz, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The fate of the downgoing slab - A study of the moment tensors from body waves of complex deep-focus earthquakes

Two large, complex deep-focus earthquakes are analyzed, using body waves, to determine the relative locations and equivalent forces of the component events. Details of the source mechanism determination are given, with special emphasis on the means of comparing results for double-couple and more general models. The formalism includes a description of a method for calculating the confidence ellipses around the principal axes of the moment tensor. An interpretation of the results suggests that the mechanism of deep-focus earthquakes is controlled by the buoyancy of the slab and the change in viscosity at the 650 km discontinuity.

Strelitz, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Payload test philosophy

Shuttle payload test philosophy is discussed with reference to testing to provide confidence in Shuttle structural math models. Particular attention is given the Shuttle quarter-scale program and the Mated Vertical Ground Vibration Test Program.

Mayhew, D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Performance of fused silica as a filter in a wide field-of-view earth radiation budget radiometer

The thermal response of the fused silica dome filter in an earth radiation budget WFOV shortwave channel conceptual design and the impact of that response on the channel measurement, is described. Attention is given to results from design definition and performance analysis studies. Consideration is given to problems associated with achieving the desired levels of confidence in a high accuracy filtered earth radiation budget WFOV radiometer. Finally, design approaches, ground calibration, and data reduction techniques that minimize measurement uncertainties are covered.

Cooper, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Subsonic stability and control flight test results of the Space Shuttle /tail cone off/

The subsonic stability and control testing of the Space Shuttle Orbiter in its two test flights in the tailcone-off configuration is discussed, and test results are presented. Flight test maneuvers were designed to maximize the quality and quantity of stability and control data in the minimal time allotted using the Space Shuttle Functional Simulator and the Modified Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MMLE) programs, and coefficients were determined from standard sensor data sets using the MMLE, despite problems encountered in timing due to the different measurement systems used. Results are included for lateral directional and longitudinal maneuvers as well as the Space Shuttle aerodynamic data base obtained using the results of wind tunnel tests. The flight test data are found to permit greater confidence in the data base since the differences found are well within control system capability. It is suggested that the areas of major differences, including lateral directional data with open speedbrake, roll due to rudder and normal force due to elevon, be investigated in any further subsonic flight testing. Improvements in sensor data and data handling techniques for future orbital test flights are indicated.

Cooke, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Studies of high latitude current systems using Magsat vector data

Disturbance fields caused by global external current systems are analyzed in order to gain an improved understanding of the phydical processes which control high latitude current systems and to increase the confidence level in the identification of internal field levels. The basic approach is to: (1) categorize the vector data by those physical parameters important for investigation of external current systems; (2) map the disturbances for appropriate conditions; (3) model the currents which might cause the mapped disturbances; and (4) correlate results with data from other sources. It is concluded that the Magsat data set appears to have remarkably high precision and quality and should permit major advances to be made in modeling current distribution at high latitudes in the ionosphere and magnetosphere.

Burrows, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Estimation procedures to measure and monitor failure rates of components during thermal-vacuum testing

Estimation procedures are described for measuring component failure rates, for comparing the failure rates of two different groups of components, and for formulating confidence intervals for testing hypotheses (based on failure rates) that the two groups perform similarly or differently. Appendix A contains an example of an analysis in which these methods are applied to investigate the characteristics of two groups of spacecraft components. The estimation procedures are adaptable to system level testing and to monitoring failure characteristics in orbit.

Williams, R. E.↗