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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 865 records · Page 48
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

A study of dirigibles for use in the Peruvian Selva Central Region

The potential for dirigibles as transports in the Selva Central region of Peru was evaluated by means of a mission and economic analysis. A total requirement to transport over 19 million tons (t) of agricultural produce, lumber, and meat was projected by the year 2004. A primary route involving zones for loading and delivering this cargo was identified. Although dirigibles are capable of short field operation, all existing airfields must be enlarged in width to allow for all conditions of wind and weather and to provide space for overnight mooring. A maintenance base and operations headquarters, complete with hangar and other service facilities would be required. The quantities of cargo to be carried establish requirements for fleets of dirigibles of various sizes and capacities. Cargo capacities of 5 to 100 tons were identified. Fleet sizes up to 106 dirigibles (in 20 t capacities) would be required. Dirigibles were assumed to be of the nonrigid type except in the 100 t category for which rigid characteristics were assumed. A method of determining dirigible costs was developed. The values derived were then applied to an economic analysis to determine initial investment and operating costs. It was found that larger dirigibles of approximately 20 t capacities or higher could offer significant cost benefits over airplanes, provided cruise speeds were higher than 100 km/hr.

Mayer, N. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A study of dirigibles for use in the Peruvian Selva Central region

The potential for dirigibles as transports in the Selva Central region of Peru was evaluated by means of a mission and economic analysis. A total requirement to transport over 19 million tons (t) of agricultural produce, lumber and meat was projected by the year 2004. A primary route involving zones for loading and delivering this carbo was identified. Although dirigibles are capable of short field operation, all existing airfields must be enlarged in width to allow for all conditions of wind and weather and to provide space for overnight mooring. A maintenance base and operations headquarters, complete with hangar and other service facilities would be required. The quantities of cargo capacities of 5 to 100 tons were identified. Fleet sizes up to 106 dirigibles (in 20 t capacities) would be required. Dirigibles were assumed to be of the nonrigid type except in the 100 t category for which rigid characteristics were assumed. A method of determining dirigible costs was developed. The values derived were then applied to an economic analysis to determine initial investment and operating costs. It was found that larger dirigibles of approximately 20 t capacities or higher could offer significant cost benefits over airplanes, provided cruise speeds were higher than 100km/hr.

Mayer, N. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The nature of the central parsec of the Galaxy

Observations of infrared fine-structure line emission from compact clouds of ionized gas in the galactic center have been reported by Lacy et al (1979, 1980). These observations suggest the existence of a central black hole of nearly 3,000,000 solar masses and require mechanisms to generate, ionize, and dispose of the gas clouds. It is found that the best model to fulfill these requirements involves cloud generation through disruption of red giants by stellar collisions, ionization by a population of stars which is affected either by enhanced metal abundances or the death of the most massive stars, and gas disposal by star formation. Although the existence of a massive black hole cannot be ruled out, it would play no necessary role in this model and may cause the tidal disruption of stars at a rate such that their accretion into the black hole would produce more radiation than is observed.

Lacy, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Geologic observations of the northern boundary of the Caribbean plate across central America as seen by Seasat and SIR-A

The radar data analyzed here extend from the Amatique Bay (Golfo de Honduras) in the northeast to the Pacific Ocean (Puenta Remedios) in the southwest. Space Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-A) data-take 18 overlaps the principal part of the Seasat mosaic. SIR-A data make possible more observations over the Central American Cordillera, where strong layover limited the amount of information obtained by Seasat. The radar coverage delineates the principal strike-slip faults of the region (Cuilco-Chixoy-Polochic, Motagua and Jocotan), which have acted as the Caribbean-Americas plate boundary. It also demarcates volcanic terranes related to subduction of the Cocos Plate under the Caribbean Plate. Within pumice fields of the Tertiary volcanic belt, the use of two Seasat look directions (rev 759 and rev 1211), in conjunction with SIR-A data, makes possible some rock discrimination.

Rebillard, P.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The binary central star of the planetary nebula LT-5

Data from the IUE shows that the true central star of the giant planetary Longmore-Tritton 5 (339+88.1 deg) is a binary companion to the G5 star SAO 82570. The slope of the energy distribution curve indicates that the star may be one of the hottest known. The Mg II doublet associated with the G star is very strong, consistent with the existence of a close binary companion.

Feibelman, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

New far infrared observations of the central 30 arcmin of the Galaxy

Observations of the 55 micron and 125 micron emissions of the central 30 arcmin of the Galaxy were performed with 1 arcmin resolution with instrumentation on-board the Kuiper flying observatory. The flux distributions detected showed both wavelengths with peaks near the galactic center, some extension along the galactic plane, and the 125 micron feature located 30 arcsec south. An asymmetry was found around Sgr A, and the variation in dust temperature across the region was calculated from the ratio of the two wavelengths. The temperature peak was around Sgr A, with subsidiary peaks associated with the 55 micron emission. A common heating source was indicated by correlations between cm wavelength sources and the temperature maps. Additionally, the distributions of NH3 and formaldehyde were also correlated with the dust distribution at the center.

Dent, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The X-ray emitting gas in poor clusters with central dominant galaxies

The 12 clusters detected in the present study by the Einstein Observatory's X-ray imaging proportional counter show X-ray emission centered on the dominant galaxy in all cases. Comparison of the deduced distribution of binding mass with the light distribution of the central galaxies of four clusters indicates that the mass/luminosity ratio rises to over 200 solar masses/solar luminosity in the galaxy halos. These halos must therefore, like the clusters themselves, posses dark matter. The X-ray data clearly show that the dominant galaxies sit at the bottoms of the poor cluster gravitational potential wells, suggesting a similar origin for dominant galaxies in poor and rich clusters, perhaps through the merger and cannibalism of cluster galaxies. It is the luminosity of the distended cD envelope that reflects the relative wealth of the cluster environment.

Kriss, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Land cover change monitoring within the east central Louisiana study site: A case for large area surveys with LANDSAT multispectral scanner data

Results established for four digital procedures developed for characterizing the radiometric changes between multidate LANDSAT spectral data sets into meaningful measures of land cover/use dynamics are documented. Each technique's performance was contrasted against digitized land use change maps, which were produced from contemporaneous, retrospective aerophoto coverage, in a cell by cell comparison over a one half by one degree area in east central Louisiana as a standard for comparison. The four techniques identify from 10.5 to 13.0% loss in area of forestland in a five year period; however, they differ more by how accurately this amount of change is distributed, the need for ancillary ground truth, and amount of usable information that is extractable. All require some method of digitally co-registering the two data sets. All are capable of providing tabular statistics as well as map products. Two are capable of detecting changes and identifying their locations. The other two, in addition to this, provide information to qualify land cover conditions at each end of the study interval.

Burns, G. S.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Gravitational Study of the Central Nervous System

A series of experiments conducted at 1G are discussed with reference to the role of calcium ions in information processing by the central nervous system. A technique is described which allows thin sections of a mammalian hippocampus to be isolated while maintaining neural activity. Two experiments carried out in hypergravic fields are also addressed; one investigating altered stimulation in the auditory system, the other determining temperature regulation responses in hypergravic fields.

Horowitz, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A regression model for the temporal development of soil pipes and associated gullies in the alluvial-fill valley of the Rio Puerco, central New Mexico

On Mars, the association of gullied escarpments and chaotic terrain is evidence for failure and scarp retreat of poorly consolidated materials. Some martian gullies have no surface outlets and may have drained through subterranean channels. Similar features, though on a much smaller scale, can be seen in alluvium along terrestrial river banks in semiarid regions, such as the Rio Puerco Valley of central New Mexico. Many of the escarpments along the Rio Puerco are developing through formation of collapse gullies, which drain through soil pipes. Gully development can be monitored on aerial photographs taken in 1935, 1962, and 1980. A regression model was developed to quantify gully evolution over a known time span. Soil pipes and their associated collapse gullies make recognizable signatures on the air photos. The areal extent of this signature can be normalized to the scarp length of each pipe-gully system, which makes comparisons between systems possible.

Condit, C. D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Preliminary study of microtektites first discovered in the central Pacific by China

Electron probe analysis was used to determine the chemical composition of microtektites discovered in the Central Pacific. An X-ray energy spectrum analysis was made, and the surface microstructure was investigated. The found microtektites appear to be younger than the microtektites reported in the Asia Australia Strewn Field.

Hanchang, P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Development of the Centralized Storm Information System (CSIS) for use in severe weather prediction

The centralized storm information system is now capable of ingesting and remapping radar scope presentations on a satellite projection. This can be color enhanced and superposed on other data types. Presentations from more than one radar can be composited on a single image. As with most other data sources, a simple macro establishes the loops and scheduling of the radar ingestions as well as the autodialing. There are approximately 60 NWS network 10 cm radars that can be interrogated. NSSFC forecasters have found this data source to be extremely helpful in severe weather situations. The capability to access lightning frequency data stored in a National Weather Service computer was added. Plans call for an interface with the National Meteorological Center to receive and display prognostic fields from operational computer forecast models. Programs are to be developed to plot and display locations of reported severe local storm events.

Mosher, F. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Neogene Caribbean plate rotation and associated Central American tectonic evolution

A theoretical model of the opening of the Cayman Trough is developed on the basis of geological evidence from a wide area. It is proposed that strike slip motion began about 30 Myr ago and proceeded at a rate of 37 + or - 6 mm/yr for a total of 1100 km of relative plate displacement, and that Central America Underwent an anticlockwise rotation with internal plate deformation. Maps of the reconstructed motion are provided.

Wadge, G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The central star of the planetary nebula Abell 78

The ultraviolet spectrum of the nucleus of Abell 78, one of the two planetaries known to contain zones of nearly pure helium, is studied. The line spectrum and wind velocities are examined, the determination of interstellar extinction for assessing circumstellar dust is improved, and the temperature, luminosity, and core mass are derived. The results for A78 are compared with results for A30, and it is concluded that the dust distributions around the two central stars are quite different. The temperature of the A78 core is not as high as previously believed, and almost certainly lies between 67,000 K and 130,000 K. The most likely temperature range is 77,000-84,000 K. The core mass lies between 0.56 and 0.70 solar mass, with the most likely values between 0.56 and 0.58 solar mass.

Kaler, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The south-central United States magnetic anomaly

The South-Central United States Magnetic Anomaly is the most prominent positive feature in the MAGSAT scalar magnetic field over North America. The anomaly correlates with increased crustal thickness, above average crustal velocity, negative free air gravity anomalies and an extensive zone of Middle Proterozoic anorogenic felsic basement rocks. Spherical dipole source inversion of the MAGSAT scalar data and subsequent calculation of reduced to pole and derivative maps provide constraints for a crustal magnetic model which corresponds geographically to the extensive Middle Proterozoic felsic rocks trending northeasterly across the United States. These felsic rocks contain insufficient magnetization or volume to produce the anomaly, but are rather indicative of a crustal zone which was disturbed during a Middle Proterozoic thermal event which enriched magnetic material deep in the crust.

Hinze, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A buckling analysis for rectangular orthotropic plates with centrally located cutouts

An analysis to obtain the buckling loads of a rectangular orthotropic plate with a centrally located cutout is described. Cutout shapes can be elliptical, circular, rectangular, or square. The boundary conditions considered in the analysis are simply supported unloaded edges and either clamped or simply supported loaded edges. The plate is loaded in uniaxial compression by either uniform edge displacement or uniform edge stress. A computer program that implements this analysis is described, and the program use is demonstrated by sample problems.

Michael P. Nemeth↗
NASA NTRS1984

Mean and Random Errors of Visual Roll Rate Perception from Central and Peripheral Visual Displays

A large number of roll rate stimuli, covering rates from zero to plus or minus 25 deg/sec, were presented to subjects in random order at 2 sec intervals. Subjects were to make estimates of magnitude of perceived roll rate stimuli presented on either a central display, on displays in the peripheral ield of vision, or on all displays simultaneously. Response was by way of a digital keyboard device, stimulus exposition times were varied. The present experiment differs from earlier perception tasks by the same authors in that mean rate perception error (and standard deviation) was obtained as a function of rate stimulus magnitude, whereas the earlier experiments only yielded mean absolute error magnitude. Moreover, in the present experiment, all stimulus rates had an equal probability of occurrence, whereas the earlier tests featured a Gaussian stimulus probability density function. Results yield a ood illustration of the nonlinear functions relating rate presented to rate perceived by human observers or operators.

Vandervaart, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Accuracy of System Step Response Roll Magnitude Estimation from Central and Peripheral Visual Displays and Simulator Cockpit Motion

An experiment to investigate visual roll attitude and roll rate perception is described. The experiment was also designed to assess the improvements of perception due to cockpit motion. After the onset of the motion, subjects were to make accurate and quick estimates of the final magnitude of the roll angle step response by pressing the appropriate button of a keyboard device. The differing time-histories of roll angle, roll rate and roll acceleration caused by a step response stimulate the different perception processes related the central visual field, peripheral visual field and vestibular organs in different, yet exactly known ways. Experiments with either of the visual displays or cockpit motion and some combinations of these were run to asses the roles of the different perception processes. Results show that the differences in response time are much more pronounced than the differences in perception accuracy.

Hosman, R. J. A. W.↗