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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

Finding 'paydirt' on the moon and asteroids

Lunar polar region water ice, the Trojan asteroids of the earth, accessible, volatile substance-rich near-earth asteroids, and lunar gas deposits, are theoretically identified extraterrestrial resources for application to space transportation whose existence and economical exploitability could be confirmed by explorations conducted with relatively simple spacecraft. Any of these resources could improve the economics of interorbit transportation, thereby permitting launch vehicle payloads to be devoted to the transport of revenue-generating or services-providing equipment, rather than to the large propellant volumes required for the placing of large payloads on station. Among the verification missions cited is a simple lunar prospector orbiter, carrying a gamma-ray spectrometer and an electromagnetic sounder, which could ascertain the presence of water ice at the lunar poles.

Staehle, R. L.↗

Finding Bright-Spot Coordinates in Television Images

Circuit provides data for computer to calculate coordinates of bright spot of light in video image. Calculation performed while image being scanned, and results available immediately at end of video frame. Video-processing circuit has variety of potential uses in commerce and industry. For example, locates tagged-parts on factory assembly line or track airplane landing lights.

Richardson, T. E.↗

How to find galaxies at high redshift

The UV and optical spectra presented for the blue star-forming galaxies Mrk 357, Mrk 496, and Mrk 26 have sufficiently large redshifts to make Lyman-alpha observations possible. Weak Lyman-alpha emission is observed in Mrk 357 and Mrk 469, with a flux value comparable to that of H-beta, and no detectable Lyman-alpha emission is detected in the case of Mrk 26. All three objects exhibit strong UV continuum emission, which is characteristic of hot stars, and although little evidence of dust is found, the observational constraints on extinction and neutral hydrogen column densities allow substantial reductions of the Lyman-alpha flux by dust absorption in conjunction with large line optical depths. These results imply that primeval galaxy detection calls for attention to be given to redshifted continuum emission from massive galaxies.

Hartmann, L. W.↗

Orbit on demand - Structural analysis finds vertical launchers weigh less

Structural considerations arising from favored design concepts for the next generation on-demand launch vehicles are explored. The two emerging concepts are a two stage fully reusable vertical take-off vehicle (V-2) and a horizontal take-off, two stage subsonic boost launch vehicle (H-2-Sub). Both designs have an 1100 n. mi. cross-range capability, with the V-2 orbiter having small wings with winglets for hypersonic trim and the H-2-Sub requiring larger, swept wings. The rockets would be cryogenic, while airbreathing initial boosters would be either turbofans, turbojets and/or ramjets. Dynamic loading is lower in the launch of a V-2. The TPS is a critical factor due to thinner leading edges than on the Shuttle and may require heat-pipe cooling. Airframe structures made of metal matrix composites have passed finite element simulations of projected loads and can now undergo proof-of-concept tests, although whisker-reinforced materials may be superior once long-whisker technology is developed.

Taylor, A. H.↗

Quantitation of heavy ion damage to the mammalian brain - Some preliminary findings

For several years, studies have been conducted regarding late effects of particulate radiations in mammalian tissues, taking into account the brains of rodents and lagomorphs. Recently, it has become feasible to quantify pathological damage and morpho-physiologic alterations accurately in large numbers of histological specimens. New investigative procedures make use of computer-assisted automated image analysis systems. Details regarding the employed methodology are discussed along with the results of the information. The radiations of high linear energy transfer (LET) cause apparently earlier and more dramatic shrinkage of olfactory glomeruli in exposed rabbit brains than comparable doses of Co-60 gamma photons.

Cox, A. B.↗

The auroral kilometric radiation - DE 1 direction finding studies

The directions of arrival of auroral kilometric radiation have been determined during three separate intervals using data from the DE 1 plasma wave instrument. In the case of the dominant extraordinary mode component, these directions were consistent with generation at the local electron cyclotron frequency on nightside auroral field lines. The ordinary mode component appeared to have a similar source in one case, but in other cases came from different directions. These other cases were consistent with reflection at the plasmapause and the wall of the auroral plasma cavity.

Mellott, M. M.↗

Finding Brazing Voids by Holography

Vibration-induced interference fringes reveal locations of defects. Holographic apparatus used to view object while vibrated ultrasonically. Interference fringes in hologram reveal brazing defects. Holographic technique locates small voids in large brazed joints. Identifies unbrazed regions 1 in. to second power (6 cm to the second power) or less in area.

Galluccio, R.↗

Improved Technique for Finding Vibration Parameters

Filtering and sample manipulation reduce noise effects. Analysis technique improves extraction of vibrational frequencies and damping rates from measurements of vibrations of complicated structure. Structural vibrations measured by accelerometers. Outputs digitized at frequency high enough to cover all modes of interest. Use of method on set of vibrational measurements from Space Shuttle, raised level of coherence from previous values below 50 percent to values between 90 and 99 percent

Andrew, L. V.↗

Report on the findings of the Japanese Investigative Team on US Space Station Design (Keidanren)

The objectives, itinerary and results of the Japanese Investigative Team on U.S. Space Station Design (Keidanren), consisting of members of the Space Development Promotion Council and representatives of Japanese industries involved in Japan's space station development effort are presented. This team visited NASA facilities in February, 1985. The objectives of the study team are to gather information on preliminary design efforts toward space station planning in Japan and the promotion of Japanese space related industries, as well as the evaluation of the present status of space environment exploitation in the U.S. This report is intended to be a basic reference for government agencies and industry in addressing the course of action to be taken in the future development of Japan's space station participation.

Source record↗

A preliminary report on a possible stromatolite find from the Elephant Moraine, Antarctica: A potential directional indicator for ice movement

During the 1983 to 1984 Antarctic Search for Meteorites field season, numerous specimens of a shiny black rock were collected from among the glacial debris at the Elephant Moraine. From a distance these black rocks gave the appearance of meteorites, but upon closer inspection, distinct layering and radial crystal growth patterns became clearly visible. Laboratory investigations showed that these unusual specimens are primarily composed of carbonate minerals. Petrographically, microscopic examination of twelve randomly collected specimens revealed a variety in the habits of the carbonates, but the overall trend tends to be one of radiating acicular crystals that have the appearance of a pseudo-cellular structure reminiscent of stromatolites. It is not possible at this time to specifically identify this possible stromatolite material or its source locality.

Sipiera, P. P.↗

The atmosphere of Venus: Recent findings; Proceedings of the Workshop III of the 25th COSPAR Plenary Meeting, Graz, Austria, June 25-July 7, 1984

Topics discussed include the structure and dynamics of the Venus atmosphere below 100 km, radiation and chemistry below 100 km, the neutral upper atmosphere, the ionosphere, and solar wind interaction. Papers are presented on infrared spectrometry of Venus from Venera 15 and Venera 16, recent results on the Venus atmosphere from Pioneer Venus radio occultations, absorption of solar energy and the heating rate in the atmosphere of Venus, long term changes in Venus sulfur dioxide, and mechanisms of cooling of the nightside thermosphere of Venus. Also considered are recent advances in model calculations of the Venus ionosphere, current-driven plasma instabilities and auroral-type particle acceleration at Venus, and plasma measurements in the Venus near wake.

Keating, G. M.↗

Ragland - An LL3.4 chondrite find from New Mexico

The Ragland, New Mexico, chondrite was found in 1978. It consists of a single stone of 12.16 kg that broke into three pieces. The stone is moderately weathered and has a pronounced chondritic texture. Bulk composition favors an LL classification, and modal analysis and oxygen isotopic composition are consistent with this. The thermoluminescence sensitivity of 0.056 + or - 0.020 normalized to Dhajala, compositional variability of olivine (mean Fa 18.3, sigma = 10.1) and low-Ca pyroxene (mean Fs 14.6, sigma = 6.7), and Ca concentrations in olivine indicate metamorphic subtype 3.4 + or - 0.1. The isotopically heavy oxygen composition, which is characteristic of subtypes 3.0-3.1, may be a primary characteristic and not a result of weathering. Low concentrations of radiogenic Ar-40 and planetary Ar-36 suggest noble gas loss.

Recca, S. I.↗

Optoelectronic Proximity Sensor Finds Edges

Seams tracked for automatic control of welding. Optoelectronic system based on relatively simple array of optical proximity sensors locates edge of plate. Used to control automatic production machinery. System follows curved seams as well as straight ones, and neither special control programming nor precise initial positioning workpiece necessary for accurate tracking of seam.

Bejczy, Antal K.↗

A review of the findings of the plasma diagnostic package and associated laboratory experiments: Implications of large body/plasma interactions for future space technology

The discoveries and experiments of the Plasma Diagnostic Package (PDP) on the OSS 1 and Spacelab 2 missions are reviewed, these results are compared with those of other space and laboratory experiments, and the implications for the understanding of large body interactions in a low Earth orbit (LEO) plasma environment are discussed. First a brief review of the PDP investigation, its instrumentation and experiments is presented. Next a summary of PDP results along with a comparison of those results with similar space or laboratory experiments is given. Last of all the implications of these results in terms of understanding fundamental physical processes that take place with large bodies in LEO is discussed and experiments to deal with these vital questions are suggested.

Murphy, Gerald B.↗

Finding relationships between effort and other variables in the SEL

Estimating the amount of effort required for a software development project is one of the major aspects of resource estimation for that project. In this study, the relationship between effort and other variables for 23 Software Engineering Laboratory (SEL) projects that were developed for NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center was examined. These variables fell into two categories: those which can be determined in the early stages of project development and may therefore be useful in a baseline equation for predicting effort in future projects, and those which can be used mainly to characterize or evaluate effort requirements and thus enhance the understanding of the software development process in this environment. Some results of the analyses are presented.

Basili, Victor R.↗

The relationship of the large-scale solar field to the interplanetary magnetic field - What will Ulysses find?

Using photospheric magnetic field observations obtained at the Stanford Wilcox Solar Observatory, results from a potential field model for the present solar cycle are given, and qualitative predictions of the IMF that Ulysses may encounter are presented. Results indicate that the IMF consists of large regions of opposite polarity separated by a neutral sheet (NS) (extended to at least 50 deg) and a four-sector structure near solar minimum (produced by small quadripolar NS warps). The latitudinal extent of the NS increases following minimum and the structure near maximum includes multiple NSs, while a simplified IMF is found during the declining phase.

Hoeksema, J. T.↗

Approximate methods for finding CO2 15-micron band transmission in planetary atmospheres

Physical band models that use simplifying assumptions about the structure of the CO2 15-micron band are described and compared with the accurate line-by-line model of Fels and Schwarzkopf (1981). The methods have application to the models of the atmospheres of Venus, earth, and Mars. The narrow-band methods include a general random model and techniques employing the Malkmus (1967) line-strength distribution, and the accuracy of these models at low pressure is found to be sensitive to the line-strength distribution and the line shape. When combined with a simple Voigt parameterization, the more efficient approximate methods represented by an exponential wideband model are found to be almost as accurate as the expensive narrow-band models. Empirical logarithmic wideband models used in climate-modeling studies are found to be very efficient, but of limited range of validity.

Crisp, David↗