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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 NTRS1979

A forester's look at the application of image manipulation techniques to multitemporal Landsat data

Registered, multitemporal Landsat data of a study area in central Pennsylvania were analyzed to detect and assess changes in the forest canopy resulting from insect defoliation. Images taken July 19, 1976, and June 27, 1977, were chosen specifically to represent forest canopy conditions before and after defoliation, respectively. Several image manipulation and data transformation techniques, developed primarily for estimating agricultural and rangeland standing green biomass, were applied to these data. The applicability of each technique for estimating the severity of forest canopy defoliation was then evaluated. All techniques tested had highly correlated results. In all cases, heavy defoliation was discriminated from healthy forest. Areas of moderate defoliation were confused with healthy forest on northwest (NW) aspects, but were distinct from healthy forest conditions on southeast (SE)-facing slopes.

Williams, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Assessing the impact of pipeline construction on coniferous wetlands in central Michigan with aerial photography

The Remote Sensing Project at Michigan State University is using repetitive aerial photography to assess the impact of pipeline construction on coniferous wetlands in central Michigan. Preliminary results indicate that ponding, dieback, windthrow, and vegetation changes are readily detectable on medium-scale aerial photography. It is found that the major effect of the pipeline construction is the alteration of the water level, either by flooding or dessication. The most serious damage generally occurs when pipelines cross seepage and spiring wetland types; specific damage is related to the impoundment of the natural water flow, producing flooding on the upflow side of the pipeline and dessication of these wetlands below the pipeline rights-of-way.

Kittleson, K. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

On the adequacy of the fixed locations of the surface-based international network for inferring interannual ozone variability

The influence of the geographical distribution and the number of the surface stations in the ozone detecting network on changes in global ozone inferred from the surface measurements is investigated by comparison with information obtained from satellite backscattered UV observations on the Nimbus 4 with nearly complete global coverage for the period 1970-1972. Results show that the geographical distribution of the stations does not properly represent different latitudes. While the number of stations in the north temperate zone appears adequate to represent monthly ozone averages to within 0.5% except during the early phase of the Northern Hemisphere spring maximum, the resultant error in the derived change in north temperature zone ozone between 1970-1972 is 0.5%. In the tropical and south temperate zones the smaller number of stations reduces precision, and the ozone averages for use in deriving seasonal variability and trends are uncertain by about 1%. However, in the south temperature zone, the average from the sample may differ as much as 5% in some months from the averages derived from the full set. It is concluded that the resulting uncertainty in the global averages is comparable in size to typical yearly changes.

Heath, D. F.↗
NASA NTRS1983

High-energy X-ray observations of Vela X-1

Results are presented of observations of Vela X-1 in the 13-180 keV spectral range made with the A-4 instrument on board the HEAO 1 satellite. It is shown that the pulse period, measured during May-December 1978, is consistent with the long-term trend observed between 1975 and 1979. No evidence is detected for gross changes in the shape of the Vela X-1 pulse shape between May 1978 and December 1978, although some details of the 13-20 keV pulse profile seem to have varied during this period. The shape of the pulse profile is found to vary with energy between 13 keV and 70 keV. Pulse-phase-resolved spectroscopy is presented for Vela X-1 in this energy range. In addition, it is found that high energy (13-80 keV) light curves, obtained during each of three 50 day periods in 1977 and 1978, are quite similar to long-term light curves observed at lower energies.

Bautz, M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Cryogenic testing of mirrors for infrared space telescopes

The Shuttle IR Telescope Facility (SIRTF) test apparatus can test candidate mirror materials as large as 66 cm in diameter, at temperatures as low as about 10 K, and is accurate enough to detect optical figure changes as small as a fraction of a wavelength from the room temperature figure. The fused silica mirrors currently undergoing testing in the SIRTF are sunk into a liquid He reservoir with copper straps, whose individual strands are soldered to small silver spots diffused throughout the unfigured side of the mirror to accomplish fast conductive cooling. Optical access to the cold mirror is by means of a small glass port in the vacuum chamber. An interferometer is used to examine the mirror figure throughout the cool-down. Interferograms are photographed, fringe patterns are digitized, and mirror figure contour plots are calculated by means of a computer.

Miller, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Effect of space exposure of some epoxy matrix composites on their thermal expansion and mechanical properties (A0138-8)

This experiment has three objectives. The first and main objective is to detect a possible variation in the coefficient of thermal expansion of composite samples during a 1-year exposure to the near-Earth orbital environment. A second objective is to detect a possible change in the mechanical integrity of composite products, both simple elements and honeycomb sandwich assemblies. A third objective is to compare the behavior of two epoxy resins commonly used in space structural production. The experimental approach is to passively expose samples of epoxy matrix composite materials to the space environment and to compare preflight and postflight measurements of mechanical properties. The experiment will be located in one of the three FRECOPA (French cooperative payload) boxes in a 12-in.-deep peripheral tray that contains nine other experiments from France. The FRECOPA box will protect the samples from contamination during the launch and reentry phases of the mission. The coefficients of thermal expansion are measured on Earth before and after space exposure.

Elberg, R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

An intelligent flight-management aid for procedure execution

A computer program is described that contains a model of the procedures used in the operation of a twin engine aircraft. This program, by comparing the model to the aircraft state, can determine when a procedure (or checklist) should be or is invoked and when each step (detectable by a change in the aircraft state) is completed. Thus, the program tracks the flight crew's procedure execution through changes in the aircraft state. Data were used for evaluation from an earlier experiment on a Link GAT-II simulator. The program had been able to identify practically all of the errors identified by human judges as well as locate some missed by them. It is felt that this model could significantly aid flight crews.

Hammer, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Evidence for extended radio emission surrounding RX Puppis

Evidence for an approximately 1-arcsec extended structure in 6 cm continuum emission emanating from the symbiotic star system RX Puppis is reported. Hourly continuum flux changes were not detected as suggested in previous radio experiments by others. The observations indicate that the predominant nature of the radio emission is thermal and consistent with an optically thick stellar wind emanating from the symbiotic star system. The results presented here are discussed with regard to other similar stellar binary systems.

Hollis, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A study of the upper atmosphere of Uranus using the IUE

IUE data on the 1600-2000 A spectral features for Uranus during 1980 are discussed in comparison with equivalent data for Saturn and Jupiter. Attention was focused on detecting possible temporal changes in the C2H2 abundance at 1700 A. The C2H2 abundance in 1980 is estimated to have been a column density of 3.4-10.2 x 10 to the 16th/sq cm. The presence of C2H2 was attributed to photochemical reactions in a layer below 100 km altitude, and was not controlled by saturation, which took place at lower altitudes. A K value of 100,000-1 million/sq cm per sec for Uranus was comparable to Jupiter's and 10-100 times lower than Saturn's.

Encrenaz, T.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Space Shuttle Main Engine plume spectral monitoring preliminary results

In order to provide the information necessary to develop a rocket engine ground test failure detection monitor which keys on anomalous activity in the plume, a series of experimental observations were made during single engine Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) tests. The observations were conducted from the 220 nm wavelength in the ultraviolet out to the 15 micron wavelength in the infrared. Four types of instruments were employed including analog autoranging narrow band radiometers, optical multichannel analyzers, mechanical scanning and film plate spectrometers, and imaging cameras. Some results included: strong OH radiation in the UV up to vibrational transition state four; Na and K radiation lines in all phases of engine operation; reaction of some of the instruments to minor engine anomalies; good shock structure imaging; striations in the flow in the 310 nm OH band; and detection of gross changes in engine operating state such as start or shutdown.

Cikanek, H. A., III↗
NASA NTRS1987

Instrument systems for the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite

The NASA Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite program for improving both methods needed to maintain the physical and chemical integrity of the upper atmosphere and techniques for the early detection of harmful changes in the ozone layer is discussed. Through satellite measurements, theoretical studies, and model analyses, the program will provide integrated global measurements of the chemistry, dynamics, and energetics of the stratosphere, mesosphere, and lower thermosphere. The 10 state-of-the-art instrument systems employed in the program are described, including the solar UV spectral irradiance monitor, the particle environment monitor, the cryogenic limb array etalon spectrometer, the wind imaging interferometer, and the active cavity radiometer irradiance monitor.

Arnold, Ray J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Variations of Mars gravitational field and rotation due to seasonal CO2 exchange

About a quarter of the Martian atmospheric mass is exchanged between the atmosphere and the polar caps in the course of a Martian year: CO2 condenses to form (or add to) the polar caps in winter and sublimes into the atmosphere in summer. This paper studies the effect of this CO2 mass redistribution on Martian rotation and gravitational field. Two mechanisms are examined: (1) the waxing and waning of solid CO2 in the polar caps and (2) the geographical distribution of gaseous CO2 in the atmosphere. In particular, the net peak-to-peak changes in J2 and J3 over a Martian year are both found to be as much as about 6 x 10 to the -9th. A simulation suggests that these changes may be detected by the upcoming Mars Observer under favorable but realistic conditions.

Chao, B. Fong↗
NASA NTRS1991

STROZ LITE - Stratospheric Ozone Lidar Trailer Experiment

A mobile dual-wavelength differential absorption lidar capable of making precise measurements of stratospheric ozone between 20 and 45 km has been developed at the Goddard Space Flight Center as part of the international Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change. The system is installed in a 46-ft trailer, which enables the instrument to act as a network transfer standard and to be set up at any location where power can be obtained. A description of the instrument is presented, along with a discussion of the data analysis. Some results from an intercomparison held at JPL's Table Mountain Observatory in California during October and November 1988 are also presented.

Mcgee, Thomas J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Preliminary investigation of acousto-ultrasonic evaluation of metal-matrix composite specimens

Acoustoultrasonic (AU) measurements were performed on a series of (0)8, (90)8, (+/-30)2s, (+/-60)2s, (0/90)2s, and (90/0)2s tensile specimens composed of eight laminated layers of continuous, SiC-fiber-reinforced Ti-15-3 matrix. The frequency spectrum was dominated by frequencies of longitudinal wave resonance through the thickness of the specimen at the sending transducer; signal propagation from the sender to the receiver was by shear waves. The magnitude of the frequency spectrum of the AU signal was used for calculating a stress-wave factor (SWF) based upon integrating the spectral distribution function. The SWF was sensitive to fiber-matrix debonding caused by mechanical strain and also to unconstrained thermal cycling. Damage in this metal-matrix composite structure due to tensile loading or thermal cycling was detected by this change in the magnitude of the frequency spectrum.

Kautz, Harold E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

An analysis of LDEF-exposed silvered FEP teflon thermal blanket material

The characterization of selected silvered fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) teflon thermal blanket material which received 5 years and 9 months of exposure to the LEO environment on the Long Duration Exposure Facility is reported. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared, and thermal analyses did not detect a significant change at the molecular level as the result of this exposure. However, various microscopic analyses revealed a roughening of the coating surface due to atomic oxygen erosion which resulted in some materials changing from specular reflectors of visible radiation to diffuse reflectors. The potential effect of silicon-containing molecular contamination on these materials is addressed.

Young, Philip R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The JPL Table Mountain and Mauna Loa Stratospheric Ozone Lidars

The development of a differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system for long-term measurements of stratospheric ozone and for potential inclusion in the Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change (NDSC) began at JPL in 1986, concurrent with the first workshop that considered the priorities and appropriate measurement techniques for such a network. The DIAL system at the JPL Table Mountain Facility (TMF) was developed specifically to have characteristics suitable for longterm measurements as proposed for NDSC. Regular measurements of stratospheric ozone concentration profiles commenced in February 1988 and this system has been fully described elsewhere.

Mcdermid, I. Stuart↗
NASA NTRS1992

The NDSC Primary Site at the Observatoire De Haute-provence: Ozone and Aerosols Observations (1986-1992)

The primary site of the newly implemented Network for Detection of Stratospheric Changes (NDSC) includes three main sites in the alpine regions of southern Europe. At one of these observatories, a coherent set of experimental systems has been established to monitor on a long-term basis ozone, aerosols, minor constituents, and temperature vertical distributions in the troposphere and stratosphere. Such techniques include several lidar systems, balloon-borne sondes and ultraviolet visible spectrometry. Lidar measurements of stratospheric aerosols are performed on a routine basis, since 1980. These include the vertical distribution of the extinction and backscattering coefficients from the tropopause. Recently, measurements performed following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, have allowed researchers to follow the time evolution of the aerosol cloud in middle latitude regions.

Megie, G.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Ground-based microwave monitoring of stratospheric ozone

A microwave instrument developed for operational measurements of ozone for the Network for Detection of Stratospheric Change is discussed. The instrument observes two spectral lines near 3-mm wavelength with a bandwidth of 630 MHz, allowing profile retrieval from 20 to 70 km. The observing technique and calibration procedures are described. The measurement forward model and retrieval algorithm are formulated. Preliminary comparisons with a colocated ground-based lidar and the SAGE II instrument are presented. The measurements are shown to typically agree to within 5 to 10 percent.

Parrish, A.↗