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At least 775 records · Page 43

An investigation of current and future satellite and in-situ data for the remote sensing of the land surface energy balance

This final report from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) summarizes a research program designed to improve our knowledge of the water and energy balance of the land surface through the application of remote sensing and in-situ data sources. The remote sensing data source investigations to be detailed involve surface radiometric ('skin') temperatures and also high-spectral-resolution infrared radiance data from atmospheric sounding instruments projected to be available at the end of the decade, which have shown promising results for evaluating the land-surface water and energy budget. The in-situ data types to be discussed are measurements of the temporal changes of the height of the planetary boundary layer and measurements of air temperature within the planetary boundary layer. Physical models of the land surface, planetary boundary layer and free atmosphere have been used as important tools to interpret the in-situ and remote sensing signals of the surface energy balance. A prototype 'optimal' system for combining multiple data sources into a three-dimensional estimate of the surface energy balance was developed and first results from this system will be detailed. Potential new sources of data for this system and suggested continuation research will also be discussed.

Diak, George R.↗

Portable Habitat for Antarctic Scientific Research (PHASR)

The Portable Habitat for Antarctic Scientific Research, PHASR, is designed as a versatile, general purpose habitat system that addresses the problem of functional space and environmental soundness in a partially fabric-covered shelter. PHASR is used for remote field site applications that can be quickly deployed. PHASR will also provide four scientists with a comfortable and efficient use of interior space. PHASR is a NASA/USRA Advanced Design Program project conducted at the University of Houston College of Architecture, Sasadawa International Center for Space Architecture (SICSA). This report is prepared for NASA/USRA.

Griswold, Samantha S.↗

A revolutionary approach to composite construction and flight management systems for small, general aviation airplanes

The design studies for two composite general aviation airplanes are presented. The main consideration for both of the designs was to avoid the typical 'metal replacement' philosophy that has hindered the widespread use of composites in general aviation aircraft. The first design is for a low wing aircraft based on the Smith Aircraft Corporation GT-3 Global Trainer. The second aircraft is a composite version of the Cessna 152. The project was conducted as a graduate level design class under the auspices of the KU/NASA/USRA Advanced Design Program in aeronautics. The results obtained from the Fall semester of 1991 and the Spring semester of 1992 are presented.

Roskam, Jan↗

An innovative approach to space education

At present, Canada does not have enough scientists to be competitive in the global economy, which is rapidly changing from a reliance on natural resources and industry to information and technology. Space is the final frontier and it is a multidisciplinary endeavor. It requires a knowledge of science and math, as well as non-science areas such as architecture and law. Thus, it can attract a large number of students with a diverse range of interests and career goals. An overview is presented of the space education program designed by Canadian Alumni of the International Space University (CAISU) to encourage students to pursue studies and careers in science and technology and to improve science literacy in Canada.

Marton, Christine↗

Assessment of CTAS ETA prediction capabilities

This report summarizes the work done to date in assessing the trajectory fidelity and estimated time of arrival (ETA) prediction capability of the NASA Ames Center TRACON Automation System (CTAS) software. The CTAS software suite is a series of computer programs designed to aid air traffic controllers in their tasks of safely scheduling the landing sequence of approaching aircraft. in particular, this report concerns the accuracy of the available measurements (e.g., position, altitude, etc.) that are input to the software, as well as the accuracy of the final data that is made available to the air traffic controllers.

Bolender, Michael A.↗

Structural design using equilibrium programming formulations

Solutions to increasingly larger structural optimization problems are desired. However, computational resources are strained to meet this need. New methods will be required to solve increasingly larger problems. The present approaches to solving large-scale problems involve approximations for the constraints of structural optimization problems and/or decomposition of the problem into multiple subproblems that can be solved in parallel. An area of game theory, equilibrium programming (also known as noncooperative game theory), can be used to unify these existing approaches from a theoretical point of view (considering the existence and optimality of solutions), and be used as a framework for the development of new methods for solving large-scale optimization problems. Equilibrium programming theory is described, and existing design techniques such as fully stressed design and constraint approximations are shown to fit within its framework. Two new structural design formulations are also derived. The first new formulation is another approximation technique which is a general updating scheme for the sensitivity derivatives of design constraints. The second new formulation uses a substructure-based decomposition of the structure for analysis and sensitivity calculations. Significant computational benefits of the new formulations compared with a conventional method are demonstrated.

Scotti, Stephen J.↗

National Center for Manufacturing Sciences: Environmentally conscious manufacturing

The purpose of this presentation is to share the results and some of the thinking of the Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing - Strategic Initiative Group (ECM-SIG) at the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS). NCMS is a consortium of more than 185 North American Manufacturing organizations comprised of about 75 percent for profit manufacturing companies and about 25 percent nonprofit organizations that support manufacturing activities. NCMS conducts collaborative R&D programs designed to improve global competitiveness of its members and other North American manufacturers to address common issues that are important to manufacturing industries. NCMS is an industry driven organization whose agenda is established by industry with input from appropriate government agencies.

Vinton, Clare↗

The HST Quasar Absorption-Line Key Project. 8: CCD imaging of Hubble Space Telescope quasar fields

We present an analysis of CCD images of more than 100 quasars; many of the objects have been or will be observed in the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Key Project Quasar Absorption-Line Survey. The data set consists of B, g, and i photometry of 117 quasars and deeper g (limiting magnitude of approximately equal 22) images of 101 quasar fields. Positions accurate to approximately equal 1 sec, measured with the Space Telescope Science Institute's Astrometric Support Program, are listed for all of the quasars in this study. Positions, magnitudes, and classifications of stars and galaxies located within approximately equal 100 sec of the quasars are given for all of the deep g data. The positions of the stars and galaxies relative to the quasar are accurate to approximately equal 0.5 sec. The results presented here can be used to prepare spectroscopic programs designed to obtain redshifts of galaxies in the fields of these quasars.

Kirhakos, Sofia↗

CAD-based stand-alone spacecraft radiation exposure analysis system: An application of the early man-tended Space Station

Major improvements have been completed in the approach to analyses and simulation of spacecraft radiation shielding and exposure. A computer-aided design (CAD)-based system has been developed for determining the amount of shielding provided by a spacecraft and simulating transmission of an incident radiation environment to any point within or external to the vehicle. Shielding analysis is performed using a customized ray-tracing subroutine contained within a standard engineering modeling software package. This improved shielding analysis technique has been used in several vehicle design programs such as a Mars transfer habitat, pressurized lunar rover, and the redesigned international Space Station. Results of analysis performed for the Space Station astronaut exposure assessment are provided to demonastrate the applicability and versatility of the system.

Appleby, M. H.↗

NASA-GRA--Geared-Rotor Analyzer

NASA-GRA computer program designed to solve for steady-state dynamic responses of multigeared rotor systems. Based on transfer-matrix method combined with harmonic-balance method. Includes accurate gear-mesh model for spur and helical gears, containing time-varying mesh stiffnesses, gear-mounting errors, and gear-profile errors. Also includes accurate disk model containing inertia-based dynamic coupling terms due to mass and skew unbalances and massless-elastic-shaft model and linearly coupled fluid-film bearing model. Written in FORTRAN 77.

Park, N.↗

Software Aids In Graphical Depiction Of Flow Data

Interactive Data Display System (IDDS) computer program is graphical-display program designed to assist in visualization of three-dimensional flow in turbomachinery. Grid and simulation data files in PLOT3D format required for input. Able to unwrap volumetric data cone associated with centrifugal compressor and display results in easy-to-understand two- or three-dimensional plots. IDDS provides majority of visualization and analysis capability for Integrated Computational Fluid Dynamics and Experiment (ICE) system. IDDS invoked from any subsystem, or used as stand-alone package of display software. Generates contour, vector, shaded, x-y, and carpet plots. Written in C language. Input file format used by IDDS is that of PLOT3D (COSMIC item ARC-12782).

Stegeman, J. D.↗

High T(sub c) leads for remote sensing applications

Several NASA programs designed to monitor the Earth's atmosphere from space utilize infrared detectors which operate at or below 4.2 K for optimum performance. At present, the detectors are maintained at cryogenic temperatures by a stored volume of liquid helium. These detectors must be electrically linked to amplification electronics data storage instruments maintained at 80 K. The electrical connections over the temperature gradient account for approximately 20% of the total heat load on the Dewar for some systems, accelerating the boil-off of liquid helium cryogen and reducing the operational lifetime of the space-borne instruments. The recent discovery of high temperature superconductors has provided an opportunity to develop electrically conductive, thermally insulating links to bridge this thermal gradient. This paper describes the modelling of the thermal transport properties of thick film, high T(sub c) electrical bridges across a 4.2-80 K temperature gradient and the impact of such devices on a spaceborne remote sensing system.

Selim, R.↗

Quantifying Danger To Spacecraft Crews From Orbital Debris

MSCSurv computer program designed to quantify conditional probability of losing one or more crew members following remote likelihood of penetration of orbital debris into cluster of spacecraft modules containing crew members. Contributions to probability of losing one or more crew members quantified from three significant penetration-induced hazards: rupture of pressure wall (explosive decompression), injuries induced by fragments, and "slow" depressurization. Uses Monte Carlo-style subroutine to simulate penetration of thousands of orbital debris particles of various sizes, velocities, and angles of approach into spacecraft of selected exterior geometry. Written in FORTRAN 77.

Williamsen, Joel↗

TSS-Thermal Synthesizer System

Thermal Synthesizer System (TSS) is integrated set of thermal-analysis application programs designed to solve problems encountered by thermal engineers. Combines functionality of Systems Improved Numerical Differencing Analyzer/Fluid Integrator (SINDA/FLUINT) and radiation analysis with friendly and easily understood user-interface environment coupled with powerful interactive color graphics and geometric modeling capability. Enables thermal engineers to spend more time solving engineering problems instead of laboriously constructing and verifying math models. Written in FORTRAN and C language.

Chimenti, Edward↗

A New Aging Treatment for Improving Cryogenic Toughness of the Main Structural Alloy of the Super Lightweight Tank

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has developed a new technique that can enhance cryogenic fracture toughness and reduce the statistical spread of toughness values in alloy 2195. This aging treatment can control the location and size of strengthening precipitate T1, making improvements possible in cryogenic fracture toughness (CFT) and fracture toughness ratio (FTR). At the start of this program, design of experiments (DOE) ingot No. 10 was used as a baseline for aging process development and optimization. The new aging treatment was found to be very effective, improving CFT by approximately 15 to 20 percent for DOE ingot No. 10. To further evaluate the repeatability and effectiveness of this new treatment, the investigators selected and tested three more lots of alloy 2195, using 1.75-in-thick gauge plates with FTR values ranging from 0.85 to 1.07. The new aging treatment effectively enhanced CFT and FTR values for all three lots. In one instance, the material was considered rejectable because it did not meet the minimum FTR value (1.0) of the super lightweight tank (SLWT). The new aging treatment improved its FTR from 0.85 to 1.01, making this material acceptable for use in the SLWT.

Chen, P. S.↗

Teacher Enhancement and Preparation Programs

These two programs provide opportunities for K-12 teachers of mathematics, science, and technology to spend two weeks at a NASA center learning about aeronautics and space. Participants are selected by peer review from a contracting agent that assists NASA in administering the program. Each teacher receives a stipend that covers the cost of travel, housing, meals, and graduate credit. NEWMAST provides for approximately 100 secondary teachers, and NEWTEST is a program designed to meet the needs of approximately 125 elementary teachers each summer. Teachers are provided with a wide variety of experiences including research laboratory observations, presentations, and 'shadowships'. Individual and team projects are used to enhance the participants knowledge of space and aeronautics and to motivate the teachers to incorporate the summer workshop activities into their classrooms.

Source record↗

Research and Applications in Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics at the NASA Langley Research Center

An overview of recently completed programs in aeroelasticity and structural dynamics research at the NASA Langley Research Center is presented. Methods used to perform flutter clearance studies in the wind-tunnel on a high performance fighter are discussed. Recent advances in the use of smart structures and controls to solve aeroelastic problems, including flutter and gust response are presented. An aeroelastic models program designed to support an advanced high speed civil transport is described. An extension to transonic small disturbance theory that better predicts flows involving separation and reattachment is presented. The results of a research study to determine the effects of flexibility on the taxi and takeoff characteristics of a high speed civil transport are presented. The use of photogrammetric methods aboard Space Shuttle to measure spacecraft dynamic response is discussed. Issues associated with the jitter response of multi-payload spacecraft are discussed. Finally a Space Shuttle flight experiment that studied the control of flexible spacecraft is described.

Abel, Irving↗

Progress in the Modeling of NiAl-Based Alloys Using the BFS Method

The BFS method has been applied to the study of NiAl-based materials to assess the effect of alloying additions on structure. Ternary, quaternary and even pent-alloys based on Ni-rich NiAl with additions of Ti, Cr and Cu were studied. Two approaches were used, Monte Carlo simulations to determine ground state structures and analytical calculations of high symmetry configurations which give physical insight into preferred bonding. Site occupancy energetics for ternary and the more complicated case of quaternary additions were determined, and solubility limits and precipitate formation with corresponding information concerning structure and lattice parameter were also 'observed' computationally. The method was also applied to determine the composition of alloy surfaces and interfaces. Overall, the results demonstrate that the BFS method for alloys is a powerful tool for alloy design and with its simplicity and obvious advantages can be used to complement any experimental alloy design program.

Bozzolo, Guillermo↗