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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 91 records · Page 5

Cold Flow Determination of the Internal Flow Environment Around the Submerged TVC Nozzle for the Space Shuttle SRM

A series of subscale cold flow tests was performed to quantify the gas flow characteristics at the aft end of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor. This information was used to support the analyses of the redesigned nozzle/case joint. A portion of the thermal loads at the joint are due to the circumferential velocities and pressure gradients caused primarily by the gimbaling of the submerged nose TVC nozzle. When the nozzle centerline is vectored with respect to the motor centerline, asymmetries are set up in the flow field under the submerged nozzle and immediately adjacent to the nozzle/case joint. Specific program objectives included: determination of the effects of nozzle gimbal angle and propellant geometry on the circumferential flow field; measurement of the static pressure and gas velocities in the vicinity of the nozzle/case joint; use of scaling laws to apply the subscale cold flow data to the full scale SRM; and generation of data for use in validation of 3-D computational fluid dynamic, CFD, models of the SRM flow field. These tests were conducted in the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Airflow Facility with a 7.5 percent scale model of the aft segment of the SRM. Static and dynamic pressures were measured in the model to quantify the flow field. Oil flow data was also acquired to obtain qualitative visual descriptions of the flow field. Nozzle gimbal angles of 0, 3.5, and 7 deg were used with propellant grain configurations corresponding to motor burn times of 0, 9, 19, and 114 seconds. This experimental program was successful in generating velocity and pressure gradient data for the flow field around the submerged nose nozzle of the Space Shuttle SRM at various burn times and gimbal angles. The nature of the flow field adjacent to the nozzle/case joint was determined with oil droplet streaks, and the velocity and pressure gradients were quantified with pitot probes and wall static pressure measurements. The data was applied to the full scale SRM thru a scaling analysis and the results compared well with the 3-D computational fluid dynamics computer model.

Whitesides, R. H.↗

A system for recording physical properties of clouds

Characterization of the physical properties of clouds is an important objective of the FIRE Project intensive field operations (IFO) planned for 1990 thru 1992. Physical properties observed from satellites will be directly compared to ground based observations during this period. The technical information is provided which is required to record local cloud parameters such as type of clouds, direction of travel, layering, and cloud fraction data. Such information should be very useful in analyzing other cloud and meteorological data. A system of the type described was deployed as part of the First Global Surface Radiation Budget Experiment in April 1989.

Purgold, G. C.↗

Solar Irradiance Observed from PVO and Inferred Solar Rotation

Solar irradiance in the extreme ultraviolet flux (EUV) has been monitored for 11 years by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO). Since the experiment moves around the Sun with the orbital rate of Venus rather than that of Earth, the measurement gives us a second viewing location from which to begin unravelling which irradiance variations are intrinsic to the Sun, and which are merely rotational modulations whose periods depend on the motion of the observer. Researchers confirm an earlier detection, made with only 8.6 years of data, that the EUV irradiance is modulated by rotation rates of two families of global oscillation modes. One family is assumed to be r-modes occupying the convective envelope and sharing its rotation, while the other family (g-modes) lies in the radiative interior which as a slower rotation. Measured power in r-modes of low angular harmonic number indicates that the Sun's envelope rotated about 0.7 percent faster near the last solar maximum (1979 thru 1982) than it did during the next rise to maximum (1986 to 1989). No change was seen in the g-mode family of lines, as would be expected from the much greater rotational inertia of the radiative interior.

Wolff, Charles L.↗

Universal nondestructive mm-wave integrated circuit test fixture

Monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) test includes a bias module having spring-loaded contacts which electrically engage pads on a chip carrier disposed in a recess of a base member. RF energy is applied to and passed from the chip carrier by chamfered edges of ridges in the waveguide passages of housings which are removably attached to the base member. Thru, Delay, and Short calibration standards having dimensions identical to those of the chip carrier assure accuracy and reliability of the test. The MMIC chip fits in an opening in the chip carrier with the boundaries of the MMIC lying on movable reference planes thereby establishing accuracy and flexibility.

Romanofsky, Robert R.↗

Beyond the Baseline 1991: Proceedings of the Space Station Evolution Symposium. Volume 1: Space Station Freedom, part 1

Personnel responsible for Advanced Systems Studies and Advanced Development within the Space Station Freedom Program reported on the results of their work to date. The results of SSF Advanced Studies provide a road map for the evolution of Freedom in terms of user requirements, utilization and operations concepts, and growth options for distributed systems. Regarding these specific systems, special attention is given to: highlighting changes made during restructuring; description of growth paths thru the follow-on and evolution phases; identification of minimum impact provisions to allow flexibility in the baseline; and identification of enhancing and enabling technologies. Products of these tasks include: engineering fidelity demonstrations and evaluations of advanced technology; detailed requirements, performance specifications, and design accommodations for insertion of advanced technology.

Source record↗

A flexible CPW package for a 30 GHz MMIC amplifier

A novel package, which consists of a carrier housing, has been developed for monolithic-millimeter wave Integrated Circuit amplifiers which operate at 30 giga-Hz. The carrier has coplanar waveguide (CPW) interconnects and provides heat-sinking, tuning, and cascading capabilities. The housing provides electrical isolation, mechanical protection and a feed-thru for biasing.

Simons, Rainee N.↗

Resume of the activities of the Aeronautical Experimental Institute, Rome, during the months of May, June, July and August 1921

This report is a listing of the different studies conducted by the Institute in May thru August of 1921. The aerodynamical section studied: the aerodynamical characteristics of a very thick concave-convex wing; the disturbance caused in a tunnel by the presence of a disk, placed in relation with a transversely infinite barrier; vertical pressure in a wing of low head resistance; the drag caused by two small doors in the sides of the fuselage. Some other studies conducted by the Institute included: depressions in the interior of the model of a wing; the influence of a conical casing fitted with helicoidal flanges centered on the hub of the propeller; the influence of the velocity of translation on the aerodynamical effects of the propeller; and the influence of a honeycomb placed in the tunnel.

LABORATORIES - ROME AERONAUTICAL EXPER INST (ITAL ↗

Results of experimental investigations to determine external tank protuberance loads using a 0.03-scale model of the Space Shuttle launch configuration (model 47-OTS) in the NASA/ARC unitary plan wind tunnel, volume 1

Data were obtained on a 3-percent model of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle in the NASA/Ames Research Center 11x11-foot and 9x7-foot Unitary Plan Wind Tunnels. This test series has been identified as IA190A/B and was conducted from 7 Feb. 1980 to 19 Feb. 1980 (IA190A) and from 17 March 1980 to 19 March 1980 and from 8 May 1980 to 30 May 1980 (IA190B). The primary test objective was to obtain structural loads on the following external tank protuberances: (1) LO2 feedline, (2) GO2 pressure line, (3) LO2 antigeyser line, (4) GH2 pressure line, (5) LH2 tank cable tray, (6) LO2 tank cable tray, (7) Bipod, (8) ET/SRB cable tray, and (9) Crossbeam/Orbiter cable tray. To fulfill these objectives the following steps were taken: (1) Eight 3-component balances were used to measure forces on various sections of 1 thru 6 above. (2) 315 pressure orifices were distributed over all 9 above items. The LO2 feedline was instrumented with 96 pressure taps and was rotated to four positions to yield 384 pressure measurements. The LO2 antigeyser line was instrumented with 64 pressure taps and was rotated to two positions to yield 128 pressure measurements. (3) Three Chrysler miniature flow direction probes were mounted on a traversing mechanism on the tank upper surface centerline to obtain flow field data between the forward and aft attach structures. (4) Schlieren photographs and ultraviolet flow photographs were taken at all test conditions. Data from each of the four test phases are presented.

Houlihan, S. R.↗

Results of Experimental Investigations to Determine External Tank Protuberance Loads Using a 0.03-Scale Model of the Space Shuttle Launch Configuration (Model 47-OTS) in the NASA/ARC Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel, Volume 2

Data were obtained on a 3-percent model of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle in the NASA/Ames Research Center 11x11-foot and 9x7-foot Unitary Plan Wind Tunnels. This test series has been identified as IA19OA/B and was conducted from 7 Feb. 1980 to 19 Feb. 1980 (IA19OA) and from 17 March 1980 to 19 March 1980 and from 8 May 1980 to 30 May 1980 (IA19OB). The primary test objective was to obtain structural loads on the following external tank protuberances: (1) LO2 feedline; (2) GO2 pressure line; (3) LO2 antigeyser line; (4) GH2 pressure line; (5) LH2 tank cable tray; (6) LO2 tank cable tray; (7) Bipod; (8) ET/SRB cable tray; and (9) Crossbeam/Orbiter cable tray. To fulfill these objectives the following steps were taken: Eight 3-component balances were used to measure forces on various sections of 1 thru 6 above; 315 pressure orifices were distributed over all 9 above items. The LO2 feedline was instrumented with 96 pressure taps and was rotated to four positions to yield 384 pressure measurements. The LO2 antigeyser line was instrumented with 64 pressure taps and was rotated to two positions to yield 128 pressure measurements; Three Chrysler miniature flow direction probes were mounted on a traversing mechanism on the tank upper surface centerline to obtain flow field data between the forward and aft attach structures; and Schlieren photographs and ultraviolet flow photographs were taken at all test conditions. Data from each of the four test phases are presented.

Houlihan, S. R.↗

Nonequilibrium radiation and chemistry models for aerocapture vehicle flowfields

The period from Jan. 1993 thru Aug. 1993 is covered. The primary tasks during this period were the development of a single and multi-vibrational temperature preferential vibration-dissociation coupling model, the development of a normal shock nonequilibrium radiation-gasdynamic coupling model based upon the blunt body model, and the comparison of results obtained with these models with experimental data. In addition, an extensive series of computations were conducted using the blunt body model to develop a set of reference results covering a wide range of vehicle sizes, altitudes, and entry velocities.

Carlson, Leland A.↗

Performance measures from the explorer platform berthing experiment

The Explorer Platform is a Modular Mission Spacecraft: it has several subunits that are designed to be replaced on orbit. The Goddard Space Flight Center Robotics Lab undertook an experiment to evaluate various robotic approaches to replacing one of the units; a large (approximately 1 meter by 1 meter by 0.5 meter) power box. The hardware consists of a Robotics Research Corporation K-1607 (RRC) manipulator mounted on a large gantry robot, a Kraft handcontroller for teleoperation of RRC, a Lightweight Servicing Tool (LST) mounted on the RRC, and an Explorer Platform mockup (EP) with a removable box (MMS) that has fixtures that mate with the LST. Sensors include a wrist wrench sensor on the RRC and Capaciflectors mounted on the LST and the MMS. There are also several cameras, but no machine vision is used. The control system for the RRC is entirely written by Goddard; it consists of Ada code on three Multibus I 386/387 CPU boards doing the real-time robot control, and C on a 386 PC processing Capaciflector data. The gantry is not moved during this experiment. The task is the exchange of the MMS; it is removed and replaced. This involves four basic steps: mating the LST to the MMS, demating the MMS from the EP, mating the MMS to the EP, and demating the LST form the MMS. Each of the mating steps must be preceeded by an alignment to bring the mechanical fixtures within their capture range. Two basic approaches to alignment are explored: teleoperation with the operator viewing thru cameras, and Capaciflector based autonomy. To evaluate the two alignment approaches, several runs were run with each approach and the final pose was recorded. Comparing this to the ideal alignment pose gives accuracy and repeatability data. In addition the wrenches exerted during the mating tasks were recorded; this gives information on how the alignment step affects the mating step. There are also two approaches to mating; teleoperation, and impedance based autonomy. The wrench data taken during mating using these two approaches is used to evaluate them. Section 2 describes the alignment results, section 3 describes the mating results, and finally Section 4 gives some conclusions.

Leake, Stephen↗

OSSE observations of 1E 1740.7-2942 in 1992 September

We present data on the galactic X-ray source 1E 1740.7-2942 from the Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) on board NASA's Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO). Episodes of increased low-energy gamma radiation have been reported from this source, including 1-day events in 1990 October and 1992 September. These events, of intensity 7 x 10(exp -3) and 4 x 10(exp -3) photons/sq cm/s, respectively, have been interpreted as broadened and redshifted positron annihilation radiation. OSSE conducted observations of the Galactic Center region during a 21-day interval from 1992 September 17 thru 1992 October 8. This includes the time of increased 200-450 keV emission from 1E 1740.7-2942 reported by SIGMA. The OSSE observations do not confirm this event. For the specific outburst recorded by SIGMA, 1992 Sep. 19.42-20.58 (UT), OSSE data provide an upper limit (3 sigma) of 2.4 x 10(exp -3) photons/sq cm/s.

Jung, G. V.↗

An Object-Oriented Interface to the CCSDS Ground Telecommand Services

The Telecommand Data Routing and Channel Services defined by the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) are flexible enough to support a myriad of commanding models. Because the standard is so broad, the traditional approach has been to implement only the portion of the standard needed by the particular spacecraft being tested/operated. Tasked with providing Telecommand Services for an entire class of spacecraft, where each spacecraft may choose any valid CCSDS commanding model, NASA Code 584 designed a common architecture capable of handling the full CCSDS protocol. The solution uses another CCSDS standard - the Standard Formatted Data Unit (SFDU) as the interface to the Telecommand Services. SFDUs provide a consistent way of labelling data objects, as well as allowing data objects to encapsulate other data objects. The resulting interface is: - Flexible: The full Data Routing and Channel Services are available via a single interface. The client (i.e. the command source) may enter commands at any layer within the protocol stack, specify any of the data aggregation or segmentation methods, and dynamically set any configuration parameter defined in the standard. - Object-oriented: Each object specifies both the data and the actions to be performed with the data. An object may contain other objects. - Expandable: New capabilities are added by defining new objects. Objects pass thru the protocol layers until they reach the applicable layer. The resulting design is: - Modular: The logic for each protocol layer is contained in a separate Application Program Interface (API). The objects used for the external interface are also used for communication between layers. - Distributable: The design can be split along any layer boundary for distribution across multiple machines. The objects ensure data consistency across platforms. This paper describes the SFDU-based interface and the resulting protocol implementation. The implementation is currently used by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) for integration & test of the microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) and Earth observer-I (EO-l) spacecraft. It will be used for post-launch operations of these spacecraft as well as the Imager for Magnetopause to Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) spacecraft.

Ray, Timothy Joseph↗

Rocket Propellant Ducts (Cryogenic Fuel Lines): First Cut Approximations and Design Guidance

The design team has to set parameters before analysis can take place. Analysis is customarily a thorough and time consuming process which can take weeks or even months. Only when analysis is complete can the designer obtain feedback. If margins are negative, the process must be repeated to a greater or lesser degree until satisfactory results are achieved. Reduction of the number of iterations thru this loop would beneficially conserve time and resources. The task was to develop relatively simple, easy to use, guidelines and analytic tools that allow the designer to evaluate what effect various alternatives may have on performance as the design progresses. "Easy to use" is taken to mean closed form approximations and the use of graphic methods. "Simple" implies that 2-d and quasi 3-d approximations be exploited to whatever degree is useful before more resource intensive methods are applied. The objective is to avoid the grosser violation of performance margins at the outset. Initial efforts are focused on thermal expansion/contraction and rigid body kinematics as they relate to propellant duct displacements in the gimbal plane loop (GPL). The purpose of the loop is to place two flexible joints on the same two orthogonal intersecting axes as those of the rocket motor gimbals. This supposes the ducting will flex predictably with independent rotations corresponding to those of the motor gimbal actions. It can be shown that if GPL joint axes do not coincide with motor gimbal axes, displacement incompatibilities result in less predictable movement of the ducts.

Brewer, William V.↗

Development of the Flight Test Telemetry System for Clipper Graham: A New Way to do Business

Since the beginning of NASA, there has been one way to do business. To procedure flight hardware you did things a certain way, to monitor contracts you did things a certain way and to support tests you did things a certain way. When the Delta Clipper Experimental (DC-X) space flight test vehicle was being upgraded (to the DC-XA, later called the Clipper Graham), the opportunity to change the way NASA did business presented itself The development of a flight test telemetry system (FTTS) for the Clipper Graham presented the perfect opportunity to change the way NASA did business. This paper will discuss the differences from the old way to the new way of doing business during the development of the FTTS from the conceptual stage thru the flight stages. The major focus will be the pulse code modulation system of the FTTS. Topics that will be discussed are working with procurement, working with contractors and subcontractors, supporting ground and flight testing and lessons learned.

Blue, Lisa↗

1998 Gordon Research Conference on Gravitational Effects on Living Systems

The Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on GRAVITATIONAL EFFECTS ON LIVING SYSTEMS was held at COLBY SAYWER 2 from 7/12/98 thru 7/17/98. The Conference was well-attended with 94 participants (attendees list attached). The attendees represented the spectrum of endeavor in this field coming from academia, industry, and government laboratories, both U.S. and foreign scientists, senior researchers, young investigators, and students. In designing the formal speakers program, emphasis was placed on current unpublished research and discussion of the future target areas in this field. There was a conscious effort to stimulate lively discussion about the key issues in the field today. Time for formal presentations was limited in the interest of group discussions. In order that more scientists could communicate their most recent results, poster presentation time was scheduled. Attached is a copy of the formal schedule and speaker program and the poster program. In addition to these formal interactions, "free time" was scheduled to allow informal discussions. Such discussions are fostering new collaborations and joint efforts in the field. As you know, in the interest of promoting the presentation of unpublished and frontier-breaking research, Gordon Research Conferences does not permit publication of meeting proceedings.

Evans, Michael L.↗

Gravity Field Mapping of Mars with MGS

Tracking of the MGS spacecraft in orbit at Mars by the Deep Space Network since last September has provided doppler and range measurements that are being used to improve the model of the Mars gravity field. During most of October 1997, April 1998, and June thru August 1998 high quality tracking data were obtained while the periapse was in the northern hemisphere at altitudes in the 170 to 190 km range. The eccentric orbit had a period of about 11.5 hrs and an inclination of about 96.2 degrees so that low altitude tracking was obtained over most of the northern hemisphere, including the north polar icecap. Data from the earlier Mariner 9 and Viking missions have been added to the MGS data and a series of experimental gravity models developed from the combined datasets. These models have generally been of degree and order 70 and are a significant improvement over earlier models that did not include the MGS data. Gravity anomalies over the north polar cap region of Mars are generally less than 50 to 100 mgals and show no obvious correlation with the topography. Successive MGS orbits derived using these new models are showing agreement at the 100 meter level, and this has been confirmed with the laser altimeter (MOLA) on MGS These comparisons are expected to improve significantly as more tracking data get included in the solution and the MGS orbit becomes more circular giving a more balanced geographical distribution of data at low altitude. This will happen early in 1999 as the orbit approaches the mapping configuration of a circular orbit at about 400 Km.

Smith, David E.↗

1998 Gordon Research Conference on Gravitational Effects on Living Systems

The Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on GRAVITATIONAL EFFECTS ON LIVING SYSTEMS was held at COLBY SAYWER 2 from 7/12/98 thru 7/17/98. The Conference was well-attended with 94 participants. The attendees represented the spectrum of endeavor in this field coming from academia, industry, and government laboratories, both U.S. and foreign scientists, senior researchers, young investigators, and students. In designing the formal speakers program, emphasis was placed on current unpublished research and discussion of the future target areas in this field. There was a conscious effort to stimulate lively discussion about the key issues in the field today. Time for formal presentations was limited in the interest of group discussions. In order that more scientists could communicate their most recent results, poster presentation time was scheduled. A copy of the formal schedule and speaker program and the poster program is included. In addition to these formal interactions, "free time" was scheduled to allow informal discussions. Such discussions are fostering new collaborations and joint efforts in the field.

Evans, Michael L.↗