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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 829 records · Page 46
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Landsat-1 imagery for geologic evaluation

The paper reviews the geologic evaluation of the North Carolina coastal plain using Landsat-1 imagery as related to a general study of the geomorphology to assess the imagery as a tool for upgrading the understanding of the coastal plain, along with recognition of subsurface structures. Among the more prominent features displayed on the Landsat imagery are the scarps and beach ridges associated with former positions of the shoreline. Compilations of various types of lineaments reveal two dominant trends, one northwest-southeast and the other northeast-southwest, which are significant in the tectonic development of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The synoptic view recorded by the satellite allows a perspective that aids geologic studies of the Atlantic Coastal Plain.

Welby, C. W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

High-explosive cratering analogs for bowl-shaped, central uplift, and multiring impact craters

The paper describes six experimental explosion craters in terms of their basic morphology, subsurface structural deformation, and surrounding ejecta blanket. These craters exhibit one or more of the following features: bowl shapes with underlying breccia lens, central uplifts, multirings, terraced walls, rim strata, zones of concentric rim deformation, inner continuous ground cover of ejecta blankets formed by overturned flaps, secondary cratering, and fused alluvium. These craters were formed by large shock wave energy transfers at or near zero heights-of-burst, and it is possible that impact craters with analogous morphologic and structural features may have formed under similar surface energy transfer conditions.

Roddy, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Revised lunar heat-flow values

The 3.5- and 2-year subsurface temperature histories at the Apollo 15 and 17 heat-flow sites have been analyzed, and the results yield significantly lower thermal conductivity determinations than the results of previous short-term experiments. The thermal conductivity determined by probes at a depth of about 150 cm and 250 cm lies in the range 0.9-1.3 times 10 to the -4th W/cm K. On the basis of measurements of variations of surface thorium abundance and inferred crustal thicknesses, the average global heat flux is estimated to be about 1.8 microwatts/sq cm. This requires a uranium concentration of 46 ppb.

Langseth, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Role of condensed phase details in the oscillatory combustion of composite propellants

The response functions of composite propellants are theoretically derived, including explicitly the pressure-dependent degradation term in the condensed phase, hypothesizing that the overall rate-limiting reactions are in the relatively low temperature condensed phase. The method of 'inner' and 'outer' expansions with the reduced activation energy as the singular perturbation parameter has been employed. The results cover subsurface reactions with and without surface reactions, adiabatic and uniform-combustion models for the quasi-steady gas phase processes. The response functions display several experimentally observed features like dependence on mean pressure and the instability behavior of some 'zero-n' propellants.

Kumar, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Theory for passive microwave remote sensing of near-surface soil moisture

The theory of microwave thermal emission from a nonscattering half-space medium is developed for application to regions with nonuniform subsurface soil-moisture and temperature variations. A coherent stratified model is presented which is valid for nonuniform temperature profiles and rapidly varying moisture profiles, under which conditions the commonly used emissivity and radiative-transfer approaches become inaccurate. For naturally occurring profiles the stratified model gives more accurate results than the other approaches at frequencies below about 4 GHz. Experimental results from ground-based radiometric observations of a controlled target area compare systematically with brightness temperatures predicted from the theoretical model to within approximately 10 K. Results of dielectric-constant measurements of the sand are given at seven frequencies in the microwave range and for moisture contents in the range from 0% to 30% by volume. By using this model, the thermal microwave emission spectrum is computed for a number of representative moisture and temperature profiles in the frequency range from 0.25 to 25 GHz.

Njoku, E. G.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Distribution, morphology, and origin of ridges and arches in Mare Serenitatis

Lunar mare ridges and arches in Mare Serenitatis were mapped to understand better their mode of formation. Maps of these features indicate that several pre-mare impacts in the Serenitatis area may be responsible for the localization of the circular ridge systems and that the subsurface, pre-mare topography is more complex than previously recognized. Apollo Lunar Sounder cross sections of ridge systems in southern Serenitatis indicate 50 to 100 m of local relief on these features. Small-scale features of ridges, such as medial lineations and lobate margins, do not conclusively define the origin of the ridges. However, estimates of crustal shortening from Lunar Sounder data and the coincidence of the major ridge system with the Serenitatis mascon suggest that ridges and arches were formed by gravitational readjustments of the mare fill along four probable impact structures and along a north-trending fracture pattern.

Maxwell, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Geodetic measurements on the ocean

This paper covers the topic of marine geodesy, its goals, and applications. Specifically discussed are position determination and establishment of geodetic control on the ocean bottom, ocean surface, and subsurface, and the determination of the geoid, a vertical reference surface. The various techniques used in position determination (including satellite, airborne, radio, inertial and acoustic techniques) are assessed in terms of accuracy, coverage, and contribution to the solution of specific problems associated with position and control. The results of several marine geodetic control experiments are presented. Classical techniques for the determination of the geoid are discussed and assessed, as are new techniques such as satellite altimetry. The outlook for marine geodetic measurements in the ocean is outlined in terms of what is being planned or considered for the next decade, and several recommendations are made.

Mourad, A. G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Effects of moisture in infrared thermography of resin matrix composites

Several multiply graphite polyimide composite specimens were examined by real-time infrared thermography in order to study the effects of moisture on their thermograms. Heat was injected from one side and IR emission detected on the opposite side using AGA Thermovision System-680. No differences between the thermograms of dry and water containing specimens were detected for defect-free specimens. However, the presence of trapped water in defective specimens modified the thermographic contrast significantly. It is concluded that: (1) IR thermography can be used to detect moisture in defective composites, and (2) because of the possibility of moisture camouflaging defects, IR thermography for subsurface defect detection should be supplemented by other techniques - such as acoustical imaging and X-radiography.

Singh, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Lunar heat-flow experiment

The principal components of the experiment were probes, each with twelve thermometers of exceptional accuracy and stability, that recorded temperature variations at the surface and in the regolith down to 2.5 m. The Apollo 15 experiment and the Apollo 17 probes recorded lunar surface and subsurface temperatures. These data provided a unique and valuable history of the interaction of solar energy with lunar surface and the effects of heat flowing from the deep interior out through the surface of the moon. The interpretation of these data resulted in a clearer definition of the thermal and mechanical properties of the upper two meters of lunar regolith, direct measurements of the gradient in mean temperature due to heat flow from the interior and a determination of the heat flow at the Apollo 15 and Apollo 17 sites.

Langseth, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The practical impact of elastohydrodynamic lubrication

The use of elastohydrodynamics in the analysis of rolling element bearings is discussed. Relationships for minimum film thickness and tractive force were incorporated into computer codes and used for bearing performance prediction. The lambda parameter (ratio of film thickness to composite surface roughness) was shown to be important in predicting bearing life and failure mode. Results indicate that at values of lambda below 3 failure modes other than the classic subsurface initiated fatigue can occur.

Anderson, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The search for organic substances and inorganic volatile compounds in the surface of Mars

A total of four Martian samples, one surface and one subsurface sample at each of the two Viking landing sites, Chryse Planitia and Utopia Planitia, have been analyzed for organic compounds by a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. In none of these experiments could organic material of Martian origin be detected at detection limits generally of the order of parts per billion and for a few substances closer to parts per million. The evolution of water and carbon dioxide, but not of other inorganic gases, was observed upon heating the sample to temperatures of up to 500 C. The absence of organic compounds seems to preclude their production on the planet at rates that exceed the rate of their destruction. It also makes it unlikely that living systems that behave in a manner similar to terrestrial biota exist, at least at the two Viking landing sites.

Biemann, K.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Endogenic modification of impact craters on Mercury

The presence of internally modified impact craters on Mercury's surface may be used to evaluate the possibility of Mercurian volcanism. Such craters are similar to the floor-fractured and mare-filled craters observed on the moon. Mariner-10 images show that most such craters occur, as on the moon, near plains-filled basins. Color-ratio images have indicated that some Mercurian craters manifest red plains materials on their floors. These features may be associated with lava analogous to mare basalts in some lunar craters, or with compositionally distinct subsurface material preserved within the impact crater. Several basins manifest photometric contrasts between basin exteriors and basin-filling plains. Dark haloes are observed around some impact craters superimposed on the interior plains. This suggests the excavation of compositionally distinct material. Some possible endogenic features are discerned, despite the poor surface resolution, such as irregular rimless depressions. It is felt that volcanism may have occurred on Mercury, and that in some areas it may be similar to that of the lunar Mare Australe region.

Schultz, P. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A size-frequency study of large Martian craters

Martian craters in the size range 10-250 km follow a log-normal size-frequency distribution law. Analysis techniques based on the log-normal model yield possible evidence for the size-frequency evolution of crater-producing bodies. Some regions on Mars display excessive depletions of either large or small craters; the most likely causes of the depletions are considered. Apparently, eolian sedimentation has markedly altered the population of small craters south of -30 deg latitude. The general effects of crater obliteration in the Southern Hemisphere appear to be confined to diameters of less than 20 km. A strong depletion of large craters in a large region centered at 35 deg latitude and 10 deg W longitude may indicate locations of subsurface ice.

Woronow, A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Influence of adsorbed fluids on the rolling contact deformation of MgO single crystals

Basic phenomena associated with rolling contact deformation were studied using MgO as a model bearing material. A hardened steel ball was rolled on MgO single crystals in slow-speed reciprocating motion and in high-speed circular motion. The resulting deformation was studied by dislocation etch-pit techniques. The presence of adsorbed fluids, such as silicone oil, white mineral oil, and toluene, with slow-speed sliding caused a dramatic change in slip mode and premature surface spalling compared with similar experiments in air or under water. In contrast, dimethyl formamide inhibited these slip processes. The results are consistent with the dependence of dislocation mobility on adsorbed species. High-speed hydrodynamic rolling with mineral oil lubrication produced a different slip phenomena entirely from the slow-speed rolling. The slip bands resembled those produced in tensile tests, and all slip apparently initiated at subsurface sites.

Dufrane, K. F.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Friction, deformation and fracture of single-crystal silicon carbide

An investigation was conducted to determine the nature of the deformation and fracture of silicon carbide and its effects on friction properties. Friction experiments were conducted with hemispherical and conical diamond riders sliding on the basal plane of silicon carbide. The results indicate that, when deformation is primarily elastic, the friction does not depend on crystallographic orientation and there is no detectable fracture or cracking. When, however, plastic deformation occurs, silicon carbide exhibits anisotropic friction and deformation behavior. Surface fracture crack patterns surrounding wear tracks are observed to be of three types. The crack-geometries of two types are generally independent of orientation, the third crack, however, depends on the orientation. All surface cracks extend into subsurface.

Miyoshi, K.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Mars penetrator umbilical

The device proposed to gather subsurface data on the planet Mars is a ballistic probe which penetrates the soil after a free fall through the Martian atmosphere. Highlights of the design, development, and testing of several features of the Mars Surface Penetration Probe are outlined.

Barns, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Simulation gravity modeling to spacecraft-tracking data - Analysis and application

It is proposed that line-of-sight gravity measurements derived from spacecraft-tracking data can be used for quantitative subsurface density modeling by suitable orbit simulation procedures. Such an approach avoids complex dynamic reductions and is analogous to the modeling of conventional surface gravity data. This procedure utilizes the vector calculations of a given gravity model in a simplified trajectory integration program that simulates the line-of-sight gravity. Solutions from an orbit simulation inversion and a dynamic inversion on Doppler observables compare well (within 1% in mass and size), and the error sources in the simulation approximation are shown to be quite small. An application of this technique is made to lunar crater gravity anomalies by simulating the complete Bouguer correction to several large young lunar craters. It is shown that the craters all have negative Bouguer anomalies.

Phillips, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Comparison of 2.8- and 21-cm microwave radiometer observations over soils with emission model calculations

An airborne experiment was conducted under NASA auspices to test the feasibility of detecting soil moisture by microwave remote sensing techniques over agricultural fields near Phoenix, Arizona at midday of April 5, 1974 and at dawn of the following day. Extensive ground data were obtained from 96 bare, sixteen hectare fields. Observations made using a scanning (2.8 cm) and a nonscanning (21 cm) radiometer were compared with the predictions of a radiative transfer emission model. It is shown that (1) the emitted intensity at both wavelengths correlates best with the near surface moisture, (2) surface roughness is found to more strongly affect the degree of polarization than the emitted intensity, (3) the slope of the intensity-moisture curves decreases in going from day to dawn, and (4) increased near surface moisture at dawn is characterized by increased polarization of emissions. The results of the experiment indicate that microwave techniques can be used to observe the history of the near surface moisture. The subsurface history must be inferred from soil physics models which use microwave results as boundary conditions.

Burke, W. J.↗