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At least 847 records · Page 47

Heating Rate Distributions at Mach 10 on a Circular Body Earth-to-Orbit Transport Vehicle

Among the concepts being considered for future Earth-to-orbit transport vehicles are fully reusable single-stage systems which take off vertically and land horizontally. Because these vehicles carry their own propellant internally, they are much larger than the present Space Shuttle Orbiter. One such single-stage vehicle under study is the circular body configuration which has the advantages of simple structural design and large volume-to-weight ratio. As part of an overall evaluation of this configuration, a series of heat transfer and surface flow tests were conducted. The phase-change paint and oil-flow tests were performed in the Langley 31-Inch Mach-10 Tunnel at angles of attack from 20 through 40 degrees in 5-degree increments. Heat-transfer coefficient data are presented for all angles of attack and detailed oil-flow photographs are shown for windward and leeward surfaces at 25 and 40 degrees angle of attack. In many ways, heating was similar to that previously determined for the Shuttle Orbiter so that, in a cursory sense, existing thermal protection systems would appear to be adequate for the proposed circular-body configurations.

Wells, William L.↗

Scintillation in an earth-to-space propagation path.

Results of an experiment to measure the scintillation at a satellite from a ground-based laser transmitter. The GEOS-II satellite in a nearly circular orbit of 1250 km was illuminated by a ground-based laser tracking station using a 4880-A CW argon laser. A detector aboard the satellite measured the incident light and telemetered the data to recording equipment on the ground. Log-amplitude variance, probability distributions, and scintillation frequency distributions are derived from the data. The probability distribution is shown to be log-normal. Log-amplitude variance and normalized power spectral density are shown to be within the limits measured for stellar scintillation.-

Minott, P. O.↗

Full scale upper surface blown flap noise

A highly noise suppressed TF 34 engine was used to investigate the noise of several powered lift configurations involving upper surface blown (USB) flaps. The configuration variables were nozzle type (i.e. slot and circular with deflector), flap chord length, and flap angle. The results of velocity surveys at both the nozzle exit and the flap trailing edge are also presented and used for correlation of the noise data. Configurations using a long flap design were 4 db quieter than a short flap typical of current trends in USB flap design. The lower noise for the long flap is attributed primarily to the greater velocity decay of the jet at the flap trailing edge. The full-scale data revealed substantially more quadrupole noise in the region near the deflected jet than observed in previous sub-scale tests.

Heidelberg, L. J.↗

Analyses of processing variables in propellant burn rate and modulus. I - Mixing times

The effect of the final mixing time on quality of smokeless AP/HTPB propellant with bimodal AP was examined. Identical ingredients were mixed for various intervals, cast in a circular tube, then fired in a static test. Mechanical properties were measured and initial moduli were calculated from the initial slope of the S-N curves. A theoretical model was developed using the data to quantitatively configure a quality control procedure. A minimum time for mixing fine and coarse AP particles was identified and was approximated to within a factor of two or three using a viscous dispersion time and the surface areas of the particles. The model could be improved by considering settling time and particle size distribution effects.

Ramohalli, K.↗

Effect of a rotor wake on the local heat transfer on the forward half of a circular cylinder

Turbine rotor-stator wake dynamics was simulated by a spoked wheel rotating in annular flow, generating rotor wakes. Spanwise averaged circumferentially local heat transfer in the circular cylindrical leading edge region of a turbine airfoil was obtained. Reynolds numbers ranged from 35,000 to 175,000. Strouhal numbers ranged from 0.63 to 2.50. Wakes were generated by 2 sets of circular cylindrical bars, 1.59 and 3.18 mm in diameter. The rotor could be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise. Grid turbulence was introduced upstream yielding freestream turbulence of 1.0 to 2.5 percent at the stator. Data represented an extensive body of local heat transfer coefficients, which can be used to model the leading edge region of a turbine airfoil. In the presence of rotor wakes, an asymmetry from the leeward to windward side was noted. Windward side levels were 30 to 40 percent higher than the corresonding leeward side.

Morehouse, Kim A.↗

An experimental comparison of nonswirling and swirling flow in a circular-to-rectangular transition duct

Circular-to-rectangular transition ducts are used as exhaust system components of aircraft with rectangular exhaust nozzles. Often, the incoming flow of these transition ducts includes a swirling velocity component remaining from the gas turbine engine. Previous transition duct studies have either not included inlet swirl or when inlet swirl was considered, only overall performance parameters were evaluated. Circular-to-rectangular transition duct flows with and without inlet swirl were explored in order to understand the effect of inlet swirl on the transition duct flow field and to provide detailed duct flow data for comparison with numerical code predictions. A method was devised to create a swirling, solid body rotational flow with minimal associated disturbances. Coefficients based on velocities and total and static pressures measured incross stream planes at four axial locations within the transition duct, along with surface static pressure measurements and surface oil film visualization, are presented for both nonswirling and swirling incoming flow. In both cases the inlet centerline Mach number was 0.35. The Reynolds number based on the inlet centerline velocity and duct inlet diameter was 1,547,000 for nonswirling and 1,366,000 for swirling flow. The maximum swirl angle was 15.6 deg. Two pair of counter-rotating side wall vortices appeared in the duct flow without inlet swirl. These vortices were absent in the swirling incoming flow cases.

Reichert, B. A.↗

Evaluation of frequency-selective reflector antenna systems

The performance of a four-frequency (S/X/Ku/Ku bands) frequency-selective surface (FSS) with double-ring elements (the type of geometry particularly well suited for the circular polarization requirement of the NASA's Cassini project) is evaluated for a planar and a curved FSS subreflector in a dual reflector antenna system. Good agreement is obtained between the calculated and measured data for the planar FSS model. The FSS effects in a four-frequency Cassegrain reflector antenna were accurately evaluated by taking into account the surface curvature and the FSS subreflector's transmitted/reflected field variation as functions of the polarization and the incident angles with respect to the local coordinates.

Wu, T. K.↗

Guide star catalogue data retrieval software 2

The Guide Star Catalog (GSC), being the largest astronomical catalog to date, is widely used by the astronomical community for all sorts of applications, such as statistical studies of certain sky regions, searches for counterparts to observational phenomena, and generation of finder charts. It's format (2 CD-ROM's) requires minimum hardware and is ideally suited for all sorts of conditions, especially observations. Unfortunately, the actual GSC data is not easily accessible. It takes the form of FITS tables, and the coordinates of the objects are given in one coordinate system (equinox 2000). The included reading software is rudimentary at best. Thus, even generation of a simple finder chart is not a trivial undertaking. To solve this problem, at least for PC users, GUIDARES was created. GUIDARES is a user-friendly program that lets you look directly at the data in the GSC, either as a graphical sky map or as a text table. GUIDARES can read a sampling of GSC data from a given sky region, store this sampling in a text file, and display a graphical map of the sampled region in projected celestial coordinates (perfect for finder charts). GUIDARES supports rectangular and circular regions defined by coordinates in the equatorial, ecliptic (any equinox) or galactic systems.

Smirnov, O. M.↗

Transitional flight characteristics of a geometrically simplified STOVL model

The transitional flight characteristics of a geometrically simplified Short Take-Off Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft configuration were measured in the NASA Ames 7- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel. The experiment was designed to provide detailed data for evaluating the capability of computational fluid dynamics methods to predict the important powered lift flow parameters. The model consists of a 60 deg cropped delta wing planform; a blended fuselage; and tandem, circular, high pressure air jets that exit perpendicular to the flat lower surface. Freestream Mach number is limited to a maximum 0.2. Model angle of attack ranges from -10 deg to +20 deg. The nozzle pressure ratios of both jets are varied between 1 and 3, and the jet exit temperatures are maintained at near ambient conditions. Detailed surface pressure measurements show that suction pressure peaks located on the upper surface of the wing during conventional wingborne flight for angles of attack greater than 5 deg move to the wing lower surface at angles of attack less than 0 deg. A reduction in these suction pressure peaks is observed when the lift jets are operating. With sonic jet exit conditions, a freestream Mach number of 0.14, and 0 deg angle of attack, the jet-induced suckdown is equivalent to a 3.7 deg reduction in angle of attack. Schlieren, laser light sheet flow visualization and total pressure measurements in the jet plumes provide a description of the three-dimensional jet efflux flowfield.

Roth, Karlin R.↗

The Effects of Crossflow on the Pressures and Lift Induced by the Fountain Generated Between Two Impinging Jets

When a jet STOVL aircraft is hovering, or in a crossflow, while close to the ground wall jets flowing radially outward from the impingement points of the jets are generated. An upflow, or fountain, is generated where the wall jets from adjacent jets meet on the ground surface. The induced lift and suckdown generated by the impingement of the fountain on the lower surface of the configuration has been the subject of previous studies. This study analyzes the limited available pressure and force data on the effect of crossflow on the fountain induced lift and suckdown. The analysis includes the effects of jet spacing, height and operating conditions. However, it is limited to twin jet configurations of circular, vertical jets operating at subcritical nozzle pressure ratios over a fixed ground surface.

Kuhn, Richard E.↗

Migration of the Cratering Flow-Field Center with Implications for Scaling Oblique Impacts

Crater-scaling relationships are used to predict many cratering phenomena such as final crater diameter and ejection speeds. Such nondimensional relationships are commonly determined from experimental impact and explosion data. Almost without exception, these crater-scaling relationships have used data from vertical impacts (90 deg. to the horizontal). The majority of impact craters, however, form by impacts at angles near 45 deg. to the horizontal. While even low impact angles result in relatively circular craters in sand targets, the effects of impact angle have been shown to extend well into the excavation stage of crater growth. Thus, the scaling of oblique impacts needs to be investigated more thoroughly in order to quantify fully how impact angle affects ejection speed and angle. In this study, ejection parameters from vertical (90 deg.) and 30 deg. oblique impacts are measured using three-dimensional particle image velocimetry (3D PIV) at the NASA Ames Vertical Gun Range (AVGR). The primary goal is to determine the horizontal migration of the cratering flow-field center (FFC). The location of the FFC at the time of ejection controls the scaling of oblique impacts. For vertical impacts the FFC coincides with the impact point (IP) and the crater center (CC). Oblique impacts reflect a more complex, horizontally migrating flow-field. A single, stationary point-source model cannot be used accurately to describe the evolution of the ejection angles from oblique impacts. The ejection speeds for oblique impacts also do not follow standard scaling relationships. The migration of the FFC needs to be understood and incorporated into any revised scaling relationships.

Anderson, J. L. B.↗

Simulated Lunar Surface Hydration Measurements using Multispectral Lidar at 3 µm

Accurately measuring the variability of spectroscopic signatures of hydration (H2O + OH) on the illuminated lunar surface at 3 µm as a function of latitude, lunar time of day, and composition is crucial to determining the generation and destruction mechanisms of OH species and understanding the global water cycle. A prime complication in analysis of the spectroscopic feature is the accurate removal of thermal emission, which can modify or even eliminate the hydration feature depending on the data processing methods used and assumptions made. An orbital multispectral lidar, with laser illumination at key diagnostic wavelengths, would provide uniform, zero-phase geometry, complete latitude and time of day coverage from a circular polar orbit, and is agnostic to the thermal state of the surface. We have performed measurement simulations of a four-wavelength multispectral lidar using spectral mixtures of hydrated mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) glasses and lunar regolith endmembers to assess the lidar performance in measuring hydration signatures on the lunar surface. Our results show a feasible system with wavelengths at 1.5 µm, 2.65 µm, 2.8 µm, and 3.1 µm can measure lunar hydration with a precision of 52 ppm (1σ) or better. These results, combined with the uniform measurement capabilities of multispectral lidar make it a valuable spectroscopic technique for elucidating mechanisms of OH/H2O generation, migration, and destruction.

D. R. Cremons↗

Voyager observations of Jovian millisecond radio bursts

Voyager Planetary Radio Astronomy data collected over 30-day intervals centered on the two close encounters with Jupiter were utilized to study the characteristics of millisecond-duration radio bursts (s-bursts) at frequencies between 5 and 15 MHz. In this frequency range, s-bursts are found to occur almost independently of Central Meridian Longitude and to depend entirely on the phase of Io with respect to the observer's planetocentric line of sight. Individual bursts typically cover a total frequency range of about 1.5 to 3 MHz, and they are usually strongly circularly polarized. Most bursts in a particular s-burst storm will exhibit the same polarization sense (either right-hand or left-hand), and there is some evidence for a systematic pattern in which one polarizations sense is preferred over the other as a function of Io phase and Central Meridian Longitude. These data are all suggestive of a radio source that is located along the instantaneous Io flux tube and that extends over a linear dimension of 5000 km along the field lines in both the northern and southern Hemispheres.

Alexander, J. K.↗

Voyager observations of Jovian millisecond radio bursts

Voyager Planetary Radio Astronomy data collected over 30-day intervals centered on the two close encounters with Jupiter were utilized to study the characteristics of millisecond-duration radio bursts (s-bursts) at frequencies between 5 and 15 MHz. In this frequency range, s-bursts are found to occur almost independently of Central Meridian Longitude and to depend entirely on the phase of Io with respect to the observer's planetocentric line of sight. Individual bursts typically cover a total frequency range of about 1.5 to 3 MHz, and they are usually strongly circularly polarized. Most bursts in a particular s-burst storm will exhibit the same polarization sense (either right-hand or left-hand), and there is some evidence for a systematic pattern in which one polarizations sense is preferred over the other as a function of Io phase and Central Meridian Longitude. These data are all suggestive of a radio source that is located along the instantaneous Io flux tube and that extends over a linear dimension of 5000 km along the field lines in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Previously announced in STAR as N84-17109

Alexander, J. K.↗

RSRM-9 (360L009): Ballistics mass properties

The propulsion performance and reconstructed mass properties data from Thiokol's RSRM-9 motors which were assigned to the STS-36 launch are presented. The SRM propellant, TP-H1148, is a composite type solid propellant, formulated of polybutadiene acrylic acid acryonitrile terpolymer binder (PBAN), epoxy curing agent, ammonium perchlorate oxidizer and aluminum powder fuel. A small amount of burning rate catalyst (iron oxide) was added to achieve the desired propellant burn rate. The propellant evaluation and raw material information for the RSRM-9 are included. The propellant grain design consists of four segments. There is a forward segment with an eleven point star with a transition into a tapered circular perforated (CP) configuration. There are two center segments that result in a double tapered CP configuration and an aft segment with a triple taper CP configuration and a cutout for the partially submerged nozzle. The ballistic performance presented is based on the Operational Flight Instrumentation (OFI) 12.5 sample per second pressure data for the steady state and tail off portion of the pressure trace. No high sample rate pressure gauges, Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI), were used on this flight and therefore no ignition data is presented.

Drendel, Albert S.↗

$\mathrm{COBRA}$ improves the completeness and contiguity of viral genomes assembled from metagenomes

Viruses are often studied using metagenome-assembled sequences, but genome incompleteness hampers comprehensive and accurate analyses. Contig Overlap Based Re-Assembly (COBRA) resolves assembly breakpoints based on the de Bruijn graph and joins contigs. Here we benchmarked COBRA using ocean and soil viral datasets. COBRA accurately joined the assembled sequences and achieved notably higher genome accuracy than binning tools. From 231 published freshwater metagenomes, we obtained 7,334 bacteriophage clusters, ~83% of which represent new phage species. Notably, ~70% of these were circular, compared with 34% before COBRA analyses. We expanded sampling of huge phages (≥200 kbp), the largest of which was curated to completion (717 kbp). Improved phage genomes from Rotsee Lake provided context for metatranscriptomic data and indicated the in situ activity of huge phages, whiB-encoding phages and cysC- and cysH-encoding phages. COBRA improves viral genome assembly contiguity and completeness, thus the accuracy and reliability of analyses of gene content, diversity and evolution.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Turbulent wall jet in a coflowing stream

A theoretical investigation was undertaken to develop a relatively simple model of a two-dimensional, turbulent wall jet in a coflowing stream. The incompressible jet flow was modeled by using an integral method which includes turbulent shear stress, entrainment, and heat transfer. The method solves the conservation equations for the average jet flow properties and uses the velocity profile suggested by Escudier and Nicoll to obtain detailed characteristics of the jet on a flat plate. The analytical results compare favorably with experimental data for a range of injection velocities, which demonstrates the usefulness of the theory for estimating jet growth, velocity decay, and wall skin friction. The theory, which was applied to a Coanda jet on a circular cylinder, provided estimates of suction pressures aft of the jet exit that were in close agreement with experimental values.

Campbell, J. F.↗

Whole-disk polarization measurements of Uranus at visible wavelengths

The whole-disk polarization of Uranus was measured over two apparitons in blue and red light. The blue polarization becomes negative near the 0.5-deg phase, indicating non-Rayleigh scattering. The red polarization phase curve shows positive polarization smaller than suggested by Rayleigh scattering models. An explanation of these data is that the blue and red radiation is scattered by the CH4 haze layer that has been suggested to reside high in the atmosphere of Uranus. As expected, there is no whole-disk circular polarization, an observation which confirms other observations and theoretical predictions.

Michalsky, J. J.↗