Degradation mechanisms of n-dodecane with sulfur and nitrogen dopants during thermal stressing
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Reddy, K. T.↗
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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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Predictions of airfoil aerodynamic performance degradation due to icing
An overview of NASA's ongoing efforts to develop an airfoil icing analysis capability is developed. An indication is given to the approaches being followed to calculate the water droplet trajectories past the airfoil, the buildup of ice on the airfoil, and the resultant changes in aerodynamic performance due to the leading edge ice accretion. Examples are given of current code capabilities/limitations through comparisons of predictions with experimental data gathered in various calibration/validation experiments. A brief discussion of future efforts to extend the analysis to handle three-dimensional components is included.
Shaw, Robert J.↗
Mechanisms of degradation and failure in a plasma deposited thermal barrier coating
Failure of a two layer plasma deposited thermal barrier coating is caused by cyclic thermal exposure and occurs by spallation of the outer ceramic layer. Spallation life is quantitatively predictable, based on the severity of cyclic thermal exposure. This paper describes and attempts to explain unusual constitutive behavior observed in the insulative ceramic coating layer, and presents details of the ceramic cracking damage accumulation process which is responsible for spallation failure. Comments also are offered to rationalize the previously documented influence of interfacial oxidation on ceramic damage accumulation and spallation life.
Demasi-Marcin, Jeanine T.↗
Experimental investigation of multielement airfoil ice accretion and resulting performance degradation
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Potapczuk, M. G.↗
A description of results from the handbook on signal fade degradation for the land mobile satellite service
During the period 1983 to 1988 a series of experiments were undertaken by the Electrical Engineering Research Laboratory of the University of Texas and the Applied Physics Laboratory of the Johns Hopkins University in which propagation impairment effects were investigated for the Land Mobile Satellite Service (LMSS). The results of these efforts have appeared in a number of publications, technical reports, and conference proceedings. The rationale for the development of a 'handbook' was to locate the salient and useful results in one single document for use by communications engineers, designers of planned LMSS communications systems, and modelers of propagation effects. Where applicable, the authors have also drawn from the results of other related investigations. A description of sample results contained in this handbook which should be available in the latter part of 1990 is given.
Goldhirsh, Julius↗
Study of balloon and thermal control material degradation aboard LDEF
The initial results of analysis performed on a number of polymeric materials which were exposed aboard the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) are discussed. These materials include two typical high altitude balloon films (a polyester and a polyethylene) and silver-backed Teflon from thermal control blanket samples. The techniques used for characterizing changes in mechanical properties, chemical structure and surface morphology include Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic mechanical analysis.
Letton, Alan↗
The influence of flowing afterglow exposure on the degradation of various polymeric materials
Changes in polymer properties which result after exposure to an atomic oxygen-rich environment of a flowing afterglow are presented. Dynamic mechanical and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra as well as scanning electron microscopy micrographs were employed to monitor variations in mechanical properties and chemical and physical structure. Polymers analyzed include polystyrene, PEKK, and a polyester.
Letton, Alan↗
Local oscillator induced degradation of medium-term stability in passive atomic frequency standards
As the performance of passive atomic frequency standards improves, a new limitation is encountered due to frequency fluctuations in an ancillary local oscillator (L.O.). The effect is due to time variation in the gain of the feedback which compensates L.O. frequency fluctuations. The high performance promised by new microwave and optical trapped ion standards may be severely compromised by this effect. Researchers present an analysis of this performance limitation for the case of sequentially interrogated standards. The time dependence of the sensitivity of the interrogation process to L.O. frequency fluctuations is evaluated for single-pulse and double-pulse Ramsey RF interrogation and for amplitude modulated pulses. The effect of these various time dependencies on performance of the standard is calculated for an L.O. with frequency fluctuations showing a typical 1/f spectral density. A limiting 1/sq. root gamma dependent deviation of frequency fluctuations is calculated as a function of pulse lengths, dead time, and pulse overlap. Researchers also present conceptual and hardware-oriented solutions to this problem which achieve a much more nearly constant sensitivity to L.O. fluctuations. Solutions involve use of double-pulse interrogation; alternate interrogation of multiple traps so that the dead time of one trap can be covered by operation of the other; and the use of double-pulse interrogation for two traps, so that during the time of the RF pulses, the increasing sensitivity of one trap tends to compensate for the decreasing sensitivity of the other. A solution making use of amplified-modulated pulses is also presented which shows nominally zero time variation.
Dick, G. John↗
Space telemetry degradation due to Manchester data asymmetry induced carrier tracking phase error
The deleterious effects that the Manchester (or Bi-phi) data asymmetry has on the performance of phase-modulated residual carrier communication systems are analyzed. Expressions for the power spectral density of an asymmetric Manchester data stream, the interference-to-carrier signal power ratio (I/C), and the error probability performance are derived. Since data asymmetry can cause undesired spectral components at the carrier frequency, the I/C ratio is given as a function of both the data asymmetry and the telemetry modulation index. Also presented are the data asymmetry and asymmetry-induced carrier tracking loop and the system bit-error rate to various parameters of the models.
Nguyen, Tien M.↗
Ellipsometric analysis of materials degradation in space
The fundamentals of variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry (VASE) are reviewed, and its usefulness in studying the effect of atomic oxygen on space coatings such as indium tin oxide (ITO), silicon dioxide, and aluminum oxide is discussed. Monolayer sensitive and nondestructive VASE is found to be an effective technique for monitoring the atomic oxygen diffusion through the aluminum oxide and silicon dioxide protective overcoatings on space reflectors. Ashing of ITO/silicon samples had the net effect of annealing the film inside the plasma. The annealing effect was supported both by structural changes as verified by X-ray diffraction measurements and by increased absorbance in the spectral range below 3 eV as measured by VASE.
Woollam, John A.↗
Degradation studies of Martian impact craters
The amount of obliteration suffered by Martian impact craters is quantified by comparing measurable attributes of the current crater shape to those values expected for a fresh crater of identical size. Crater diameters are measured from profiles obtained using photoclinometry across the structure. The relationship between the diameter of a fresh crater and a crater depth, floor width, rim height, central peak height, etc. was determined by empirical studies performed on fresh Martian impact craters. We utilized the changes in crater depth and rim height to judge the degree of obliteration suffered by Martian impact craters.
Barlow, N. G.↗
An investigation of pre-launch and in-flight STS range safety radio signal degradation and dropout
The range safety system (RSS) transmitters operate at a frequency of 416.500 MHz. The transmitting antennas transmit left circularly polarized waves, and the shuttle range safety system (SRSS) receiving antennas onboard the shuttle vehicle receive left circular polarization. Preliminary explanations are proposed for many of the observed fluctuations in signal levels. It is recommended that experiments and further investigation be performed to test the validity of certain of these explanations.
Mcdonald, Malcolm W.↗
An ESR study of the UV degradation of FEP
Spacecraft in low earth orbit are subjected to significant levels of high energy radiation, including ultraviolet (UV) and visible ultraviolet (VUV) wavelengths. The effects of UV radiation are enhanced over those at the surface of the earth, where the only incident wavelengths are greater than 290 nm. In low earth orbit the incident UV wavelengths extend below 290 nm into the VUV region, where the Lyman alpha-emissions of atomic hydrogen occur at 121 nm. In addition to electromagnetic radiation, in low earth orbit polymer materials may also be subjected to atomic oxygen particle radiation, which will result in direct oxidation of the polymer.
George, G. A.↗
In orbit degradation of UV optical components for the wavelength range 10-140 microns. AO 138.3 (FRECOPA)
Optical components (thin film filters and multilayered mirrors) for use in the wavelength range 10-140 micro-m were included in the vacuum tight container FRECOPA in preparation for the SOHO mission. They were exposed during 9 months at the beginning of the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) flight. One batch of components was exposed to the sun, while another one was shielded from solar radiation. The results of the optical transmission measurements of the flight components and of a groundbase reference set, made at the ORSAY Synchotron radiation light source are presented.
Delabouinere, J. P.↗
Experimental study of performance degradation of a rotating system in the NASA Lewis RC icing tunnel
The Helicopter Icing Consortium (HIC) conducted one of the first U.S. tests of a heavily instrumented model in the controlled environment of a refrigerated tunnel. In the Icing Research Tunnel (IRT) at NASA LeRC, ice was accreted on the main rotor blade of the BMTR-1 Sikorsky model helicopter under a variety of environmental conditions, such that liquid water content (LWC) and volume mean droplet diameter (VMD) ranges reflected the Federal Aviation Agency and Department of Defence icing condition envelopes. This report gives the correlated results of the data provided by NASA LeRC. The method of statistical analysis is discussed. Lift, thrust, and torque coefficients are presented as a function of icing time, as correlated with changes in ambient temperature, LWC, and VMD. The physical significance of these forces is discussed.
Korkan, Kenneth↗
Optical property degradation of anodic coatings in the Space Station low earth orbit
The anodic coatings and optical properties to be used for passive thermal control of the SSF are studied. Particular attention is given to the beginning-of-life optical properties for aluminum alloys suitable for structural and radiator applications, the statistical variation in the beginning-of-life properties, and estimates of the end-of-life properties of the alloys based on ultraviolet radiation testing and flight test results. It is concluded that anodic coatings can be used for thermal control of long life, low earth orbit spacecraft. Some use restrictions are defined for specific cases. Anodic coatings have been selected as baseline thermal control coating for large portions of the SSF.
David, Kaia E.↗
Polymer degradation and ultrafine particles - Potential inhalation hazards for astronauts
To test the hypothesis that exposure to ultrafine particles results in an increased interstiatilization of the particles which is accompanied by an acute pathological inflammation, rats were exposed to titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles by intratracheal instillation and by inhalation. Both acute intratracheal instillation and subchronic inhalation studies on rats show that ultrafine TiO2 particles access the pulmonary interstitium to a larger extent than fine particles and that they elicit an inflammatory response as indicated by PMN increase in lavaged cells. The release of ultrafine particles into the air of an enclosed environment from a thermodegradation event or from other sources is a potential hazard for astronauts. Knowing the mechanisms of action is a prerequisite for technical or medical countermeasures.
Ferin, J.↗
Surface evaluation of UV-degraded contamination
Three different areas of work were accomplished under this contract: (1) contamination testing and evaluation; (2) UV irradiation testing; and (3) surface evaluation testing. Contamination testing was generally performed in the In-Situ Contamination Effects Facility at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). UV irradiation testing was also performed primarily at MSFC, utilizing facilities there. Finally, the surface evaluation was done at facilities at UAH Center for Applied Optics.
Connatser, Robert↗