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At least 829 records · Page 46

The effects of the geosynchronous energetic particle radiation environment on spacecraft charging phenomena

The energetic electron environment at the geosynchronous orbit is responsible for a variety of adverse charging effects on spacecraft components. The most serious of these is the degradation and failure of a complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) electronic components as a result of internal charge-buildup induced by the energetic electrons. Efforts to accurately determine the expected lifetime of these components in this orbit are hampered by the lack of detailed knowledge of the electron spectrum and intensity, particularly of the more penetrating energies greater than 1.5 MeV. This problem is illustrated through the calculation of the dose received by a CMOS device from the energetic electrons and associated bremsstrahlung as a function of aluminum shielding thickness using the NASA AE-6 and the Aerospace measured electron environments. Two computational codes which were found to be in good agreement were used to perform the calculations. For a given shielding thickness the dose received with the two radiation environments differ by as much as a factor of seven with a corresponding variation in lifetime of the CMOS.

Reagan, J. B.↗

The effective acoustic environment of helicopter crewmen

Methods of measuring the composite acoustic environment of helicopters in order to quantify the effective acoustic environment of the crewmen and to assess the real acoustic hazards of the personnel are examined. It is indicated that the attenuation characteristics of the helmets and hearing protectors and the variables of the physiology of the human ear be accounted for in determining the effective acoustic environment of Army helicopter crewmen as well as the acoustic hazards of voice communications systems noise.

Camp, R. T., Jr.↗

Interactions between spacecraft and the charged-particle environment

Spacecraft-environment interactions are defined as the responses of a spacecraft surface to a charged-particle environment. This response can influence spacecraft system performance. Interactions can be divided into two broad categories: spacecraft passive, in which the environment acts on the spacecraft; and spacecraft active, in which the spacecraft causes the interaction. Passive interactions include the spacecraft-charging phenomenon. Active interactions include the relatively new interactions arising from the use of very large spacecraft and space power systems in future missions. To illustrate active interactions, a large power system operating at elevated voltages is considered. Possible interactions are described, available experimental data are reviewed, and the effect on power system performance is estimated.

Stevens, N. J.↗

Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on the assessment of models of a wake shield environment around various spacecraft, Universities Space Research Association

Models depicting the ambient atmosphere which can overtake the spacecraft vacuum shield are presented. The subject areas discussed are: possible changing effects on the wake shield environment; possible utilization of the induced environmental contamination monitor; present state of the knowledge of the parameters used to describe the intermolecular collisions; the possibility of using simple models to describe the wake shield environment; possible errors associated with using kinetic theory to calculate that part of the atmosphere overtaking the shield; and a general assessment of the Monte Carlo techniques used to calculate the shield environment.

Wu, S. T.↗

An evaluation of grease type ball bearing lubricants operating in various environments

Grease type lubricants in bearings were evaluated in five different adverse environments for a one year period. Four repetitions of each test were made to provide statistical samples. These tests were then used to select four lubricants for five year tests in selected environments with five repetitions of each test for statistical samples. Three five year tests were started in (1) continuous operation; (2) start-stop operation, with both in vacuum at ambient temperatures; and (3) continuous operation at 93.3 C. To date, in the one year tests, the best results in all environments were obtained with a high viscosity index perfluoroalkylpolyether grease.

Mcmurtrey, E. L.↗

Comments on a proposed standard wind hazard environment and its use in real-time aircraft simulations

A set of mean-wind profiles and associated turbulence models have been proposed by the FAA as a standard wind hazard environment to be used in piloted training and research simulators. The 'wind hazard package' is described along with a 'strawman' method of implementation into the real-time simulation of NASA's Terminal Configured Vehicle (TCV). Simulation results of both piloted and automatic landings have raised questions about the validity of the wind hazard environment, and the use of a lumped parameter quasi-steady flow aerodynamic model in this environment. Areas of discussion will include turbulence models, span and area averaging filters, gust penetration effects, and the need for the addition of terms in the moment equations to represent unsteady flow characteristics.

Dieudonne, J. E.↗

NASCAP modelling of high-voltage power system interactions with space charged-particle environments

The NASA Charging Analyzer Program (NASCAP), an engineering tool capable of analyzing the impact of the charged particle environment on spacecraft surfaces and systems, is described. NASCAP is a quasi-static computational program which analyzes the charging of a 3-dimensional complex body as a function of time and system-generated voltages for given space environmental conditions. The material properties of the surfaces are taken into account; the surface potentials, low energy sheath, potential distribution in space and particle trajectories are calculated. An application of NASCAP to a simple space solar power station consisting of two 6 m by 18 m solar array wings surrounding a central body is presented. Each solar array wing is considered to be divided into three regions operating at 2000 volts. Results of NASCAP analysis of the system for a normal environment and a moderate geomagnetic substorm environment are discussed.

Stevens, N. J.↗

Foil system fatigue load environments for commercial hydrofoil operation

The hydrofoil fatigue loads environment in the open sea is examined. The random nature of wave orbital velocities, periods and heights plus boat heading, speed and control system design are considered in the assessment of structural fatigue requirements. Major nonlinear load events such as hull slamming and foil unwetting are included in the fatigue environment. Full scale rough water load tests, field experience plus analytical loads work on the model 929 Jetfoil commercial hydrofoil are discussed. The problem of developing an overall sea environment for design is defined. State of the art analytical approaches are examined.

Graves, D. L.↗

NASCAP modelling computations on large optics spacecraft in geosynchronous substorm environments

The NASA Charging Analyzer Program (NASCAP) is used to evaluate qualitatively the possibility of such enhanced spacecraft contamination on a conceptual version of a large satellite. The evaluation is made by computing surface voltages on the satellite due to encounters with substorm environments and then computing charged particle trajectories in the electric fields around the satellite. Particular attention is paid to the possibility of contaminants reaching a mirror surface inside a dielectric tube because this mirror represents a shielded optical surface in the satellite model used. Deposition of low energy charged particles from other parts of the spacecraft onto the mirror was found to be possible in the assumed moderate substorm environment condition. In the assumed severe substorm environment condition, however, voltage build up on the inside and edges of the dielectric tube in which the mirror is located prevents contaminants from reaching the mirror surface.

Stevens, N. J.↗

SSV Generic OFT first stage ascent base convective heating environments

Space Shuttle Vehicle (SSV) base convective heating environments during the recirculated flow time segment of first stage ascent were determined for the Generic OFT trajectory and performance conditions. These environments are presented in the attachments as cold wall convective heat transfer coefficients for individual or groups of design points for all affected SSV base surfaces. Two gas recovery temperatures applicable to upper and lower base region surfaces are also included. The environments were based upon magnitudes and trends from analysis of data taken during Base Heating Tests IH-39, IH-75, and IH-83. The plume heating trajectory and performance data were supplied by Rockwell International for both the OFT-1 Generic Mission A and Mission C.

Bender, R. L., Jr.↗

NASCAP modelling computations on large optics spacecraft in geosynchronous substorm environments

Satellites in geosynchronous orbits have been found to be charged to significant negative voltages during encounters with geomagnetic substorms. When satellite surfaces are charged, there is a probability of enhanced contamination from charged particles attracted back to the satellite by electrostatic forces. This could be particularly disturbing to large satellites using sensitive optical systems. In this study the NASA Charging Analyzer Program (NASCAP) is used to evaluate qualitatively the possibility of such enhanced contamination on a conceptual version of a large satellite. The evaluation is made by computing surface voltages on the satellite due to encounters with substorm environments and then computing charged-particle trajectories in the electric fields around the satellite. Particular attention is paid to the possibility of contaminants reaching a mirror surface inside a dielectric tube because this mirror represents a shielded optical surface in the satellite model used. Deposition of low energy charged particles from other parts of the spacecraft onto the mirror was found to be possible in the assumed moderate substorm environment condition. In the assumed severe substorm environment condition, however, voltage build up on the inside and edges of the dielectric tube in which the mirror is located prevents contaminants from reaching the mirror surface.

Stevens, N. J.↗

Free fall - A partial unique motion environment

Conditions leading to the elicitation of motion sickness have been divided into two main categories: partial motion environments, in which head movements are required to elicit motion sickness, and complete motion environments, in which independent movements of the head are not required for the production of symptoms. It is postulated that, according to this categorization, free fall constitutes a partial motion environment. In support of this hypothesis evidence is reviewed from Skylab missions, experiments in parabolic flight, and ground-based studies.

Graybiel, A.↗

The Shuttle environment from a payload viewpoint

The paper describes the basis for current estimates of Shuttle environments. It considers available predictions of environments, uncertainties, worst-case conditions and discusses how this data base is used to derive the environmental design requirements. These requirements are assessed from a payload viewpoint, i.e., how they affect payload type, design, mission, location in Shuttle and payload classification. Finally, typical future Shuttle payloads (a pallet-mounted instrument and a spacecraft) are discussed relative to how the Shuttle environments influenced the payload design and test approach.

Divita, E. L.↗

The role of the micro environment on the tribological behavior of materials

The paper reviews studies of the role of the microenvironment in the adhesion, friction, and wear behavior of materials in solid-state contact. The microenvironment is defined as the environment on the surface of solids in solid-state contact. Properties of the environment are discussed which exert an influence on the adhesion, friction, wear, and lubrication of materials in contact. The effect of the environment on lubricants and their properties is considered with respect to the interaction of lubricants with material surfaces in contact; the effect on the ability of lubricants to provide protective surface films is also considered. It is concluded that naturally occurring oxides are probably the best available natural solid-film lubricants.

Buckley, D. H.↗

Effects of environment on microhardness of magnesium oxide

Micro-Vickers hardness measurements of magnesium oxide single crystals were conducted in various environments. These environments included air, nitrogen gas, water, mineral oil with or without various additives, and aqueous solutions with various pH values. Indentations were made on the (100) plane with the diagonals of the indentation in the (100) direction. The results indicate that a sulfur containing additve in mineral oil increased hardness, a chlorine containing additive in mineral oil decreased hardness, and aqueous solutions of hydrogen chloride decreased hardness. Other environments were found to have little effect on hardness. Mechanically polished surfaces showed larger indentation creep than did as-cleaved surfaces.

Ishigaki, H.↗

Effect of Synthesized Propeller Vibration on Passenger Annoyance in a Turboprop Interior Noise Environment

The effect of synthesized propeller vibration on passenger annoyance to aircraft noise was investigated in passenger ride quality apparatus. Passenger reactions of annoyance to a wide range of potential turboprop interior noise environments were obtained under three simulated vibration conditions: no vibration, armrest vibration, and armrest plus cabin vibration. The noises, ranging from 71 to 95 dB(A) consisted of a turbulent boundary layer with a factorial combination of five blade passage frequencies (50 to 200 Hz), two harmonic roll offs, and three tone to noise ratios. Results indicate that passenger annoyance to noise in the presence of armrest vibration did not significantly change. However, those passengers exposed to cabin plus armrest vibration while being exposed to noise lower rating for the combined cabin vibration and noise environment compared with the rating for the noise along environment. This result is predicted by the ride quality model.

Clevenson, S. A.↗

Subjective scaling of mental workload in a multi-task environment

Those factors in a multi-task environment that contribute to the operators' "sense" of mental workload were identified. The subjective judgment as conscious experience of mental effort was decided to be the appropriate method of measurement. Thurstone's law of comparative judgment was employed in order to construct interval scales of subjective mental workload from paired comparisons data. An experimental paradigm (Simulated Multi-Task Decision-Making Environment) was employed to represent the ideal experimentally controlled environment in which human operators were asked to "attend" to different cases of Tulga's decision making tasks. Through various statistical analyses it was found that, in general, a lower number of tasks-to-be-processed per unit time (a condition associated with longer interarrival times), results in a lower mental workload, a higher consistency of judgments within a subject, a higher degree of agreement among the subjects, and larger distances between the cases on the Thurstone scale of subjective mental workload. The effects of various control variables and their interactions, and the different characteristics of the subjects on the variation of subjective mental workload are demonstrated.

Daryanian, B.↗

Jovian radiation and charging environment considerations in Galileo

The Galileo spacecraft which will orbit Jupiter in 1987 will encounter one of the most interesting natural environments. These include high energy radiation electrons and ions and magnetospheric plasmas. The evaluation of Galileo design commenced with a careful consideration of the plasma environment and the now standard spacecraft charging analysis. In addition the intense high energy radiation environment has necessitated the consideration of charges deposited internally to the spacecraft. This paper presents some of the analyses and the design changes which have occurred as a result of the above mentioned environmental interaction considerations.

Leung, P.↗