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At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

LITE-SM: A Light Sheet Illuminator Compatible with Super Resolution and Single Molecule Imaging

The LITE-SM (hereinafter referred to as the Tilt-SM) is a light sheet illumination system purpose-built for single molecule (SM) imaging. SM imaging is a fluorescence imaging technique where individual molecules can be tracked in living cells/tissues in real time allowing for unprecedented insights into the intracellular dynamics of these molecules. The innovative all-mirror optical design greatly reduces/eliminates the aberrations that plague lens-based designs. This iteration of the Tilt-SM has significantly better optical performance then its predecessor with over 10x increase in optical power at the sample, allowing for the use of much smaller and more cost-effective lasers then the original Phase 1 system. Excellent STORM imaging as well as SM tracking has been achieved, satisfying the key objectives of this study.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1988

Laser transmitter module for NASA lidar in space technology experiment (LITE)

NASA's lidar in Space Technology Experiment (LITE) is a multimission Space Transportation System (STS) program to evaluate the capability of a lidar experiment to measure aerosols and other atmospheric parameters from a space platform. The measurements will be made at three wavelengths (1.06, 0.532 and 0.355 microns). This paper presents the results to date of the program to produce the space-qualified laser transmitter module (LTM) for this mission.

Chang, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Mechanical design of a lidar system for space applications - LITE

The Lidar In-Space Technology Experiment (LITE) is a Shuttle experiment that will demonstrate the first use of a lidar system in space. Its design process must take into account not only the system design but also the unique design requirements for spaceborne experiment.

Crockett, Sharon K.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Lidar In-space Technology Experiment (LITE) Electronics Overview

The LITE electronics system consists of the following seven subsystems: Laser Transmitter Module (LTM), Boresight Assembly (BA), Aft-Optics Electronics (AOE), Digital Data Handling Unit (DDHU), Engineering Data System (EDS), Instrument Controller (IC), and the Ground Support Equipment (GSE). Each of these subsystems is discussed.

Blythe, Michael P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Laser Transmitter Module (LTM) for LITE

In Dec. 1991 TITAN SPECTRON successfully completed its six year effort to design, build, space qualify, test, and deliver the Laser Transmitter Module (LTM) for NASA LaRC's LITE program. The delivered LTM is a three color Q-switched flashlamp pumped Nd:YAG laser that is described as the first true world-class lidar in space. The preliminary design and verification tests results were first presented at the 14th International Laser Radar Conference (ILRC) in 1988. This paper describes not only the delivered product but also the verification and space qualification processes that resulted in the world's first space qualified high powered laser system for environmental exploration from space. Video of the laser operating in a Class 100 clean room and subsystems undergoing 10 G vibration tests will provide a vivid illustration of the key elements that separate a space qualified system from its laboratory counterpart. Flight laser performance measurements form the baseline in post-delivery test results to be presented at this conference.

Chang, John↗
NASA NTRS1992

Atmospheric sounding with the Lidar In-Space Technology Experiment (LITE)

The Lidar In-Space Technology Experiment (LITE) is being developed by NASA Langley Research Center for a series of flights on the Space Shuttle. Using a three-wavelength Nd:YAG laser and a 1-meter-diameter telescope, the system will be used to study clouds, aerosols in the troposphere and stratosphere, density and temperature perturbations of the stratosphere, and characteristics of the planetary boundary layer. Data collected from the system will be used in studies of atmospheric dynamics, meteorology, climate, the radiation budget, biogeochemical processes, and the hydrologic cycle. Additionally, the data will be used to develop retrieval techniques optimized for a spaceborne configuration and to develop requirements for future operational spaceborne lidar systems.

Winker, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Vertical Distribution of Saharan Dust from the Goddard Three Dimensional Transport Model: Comparison with LITE Data

Spatial distributions of Saharan dust are simulated by the Goddard 3D chemistry transport model driven by meteorological fields from the Goddard Earth Observing System Data Assimilation System, GEOS-2 DAS. An aerosol module accounts for gravitational settling and the aerosol source function is based on surface moisture content and wind speed. The simulated aerosol fields are compared with Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) by P. Ginoux in this session. The main focus is how ventilation of the assimilation winds will impact the simulated aerosol vertical distribution. Excessive ventilation would transport too much aerosol in the upper troposphere and lead to errors in the long range transport as well as errors in any radiative forcing calculations derived from the simulated aerosol fields. Simulated aerosol fields using GEOS-1 DAS wind fields for September 1994 will be compared with lidar observations during the Lidar In-space Technology Experiment (LITE). The lidar return signal clearly delineates the vertical extent and horizontal variability of the aerosol layer allowing rigorous comparison with the simulated fields. A second focus is the simulation of aerosol scavenging due to moist processes. Three-dimensional precipitation fields can be derived from two possible sources: Assimilated precipitation fields from GEOS-DAS or fields obtained from the Special Sensor Microwave/imager (SSM/1). Of interest is the sensitivity of the modeled aerosol fields to the different precipitation fields driving the moist scavenging module.

Weaver, Clark J.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Backscatter-to-Extinction Ratios in the Top Layers of Tropical Mesoscale Convective Systems and in Isolated Cirrus from LITE Observations

Cloud-integrated attenuated backscatter from observations with the Lidar In-Space Technology Experiment (LITE) was studied over a range of cirrus clouds capping some extensive mesoscale convective systems (MCSS) in the Tropical West Pacific. The integrated backscatter when the cloud is completely attenuating, and when corrected for multiple scattering, is a measure of the cloud particle backscatter phase function. Four different cases of MCS were studied. The first was very large, very intense, and fully attenuating, with cloud tops extending to 17 km and a maximum lidar pulse penetration of about 3 km. It also exhibited the highest integrated attenuated isotropic backscatter, with values in the 532-nm channel of up to 2.5 near the center of the system, falling to 0.6 near the edges. The second MCS had cloud tops that extended to 14.8 km. Although MCS2 was almost fully attenuating, the pulse penetration into the cloud was up to 7 km and the MCS2 had a more diffuse appearance than MCS1. The integrated backscatter values were much lower in this system but with some systematic variations between 0.44 and 0.75. The third MCS was Typhoon Melissa. Values of integrated backscatter in tt-ds case varied from 1.64 near the eye of the typhoon to between 0.44 and 1.0 in the areas of typhoon outflow and in the 532-nm channel. Mean pulse penetration through the cloud top was 2-3 km, the lowest penetration of any of the systems. The fourth MCS consisted of a region of outflow from Typhoon Melissa. The cloud was semitransparent for more than half of the image time. During that time, maximum cloud depth was about 7 km. The integrated backscatter varied from about 0.38 to 0.63 in the 532-nm channel when the cloud was fully attenuating. In some isolated cirrus between the main systems, a plot of integrated backscatter against one minus the two-way transmittance gave a linear dependence with a maximum value of 0.35 when the clouds were fully attenuating. The effective backscatter-to-extinction ratios, when allowing for different multiple-scattering factors from space, were often within the range of those observed with ground-based lidar. Exceptions occurred near the centers of the most intense convection, where values were measured that were considerably higher than those in cirrus observed from the surface. In this case, the values were more compatible with theoretical values for perfectly formed hexagonal columns or plates. The large range in theoretically calculated back- scatter-to-extinction ratio and integrated multiple-scattering factor precluded a closer interpretation in terms of cloud microphysics.

Platt, C. M. R.↗
NASA NTRS2011

CIRS-lite, a Fourier Transform Spectrometer for Low-Cost Planetary Missions

Passive spectroscopic remote sensing of planetary atmospheres and surfaces in the thermal infrared is a powerful tool for obtaining information about surface and atmospheric temperatures, composition, and dynamics (via the thermal wind equation). Due to its broad spectral coverage, the Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) is particularly suited to the exploration and discovery of molecular species. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) developed the CIRS (Composite Infrared Spectrometer) FTS for the NASA/ESA Cassini mission to the Saturnian system. CIRS observes Saturn, Titan, icy moons such as Enceladus, and the rings in thermal self-emission over the spectral range of 7 to 1000 ell11. CIRS has given us important new insights into stratospheric composition and jets on Jupiter and Saturn, the cryo-geyser and thermal stripes on Enceladus, and the winter polar vortex on Titan. CIRS has a mass of 43 kg, contrasted with the earlier GSFC FTS, pre-Voyager IRIS (14 kg). Future low-cost planetary missions will have very tight constraints on science payload mass, thus we must endeavor to return to IRIS-level mass while maintaining CIRS-level science capabilities ("do more with less"). CIRS-lite achieves this by pursuing: a) more sensitive infrared detectors (high Tc superconductor) to enable smaller optics. b) changed long wavelength limit from 1000 to 300 microns to reduce diffraction by smaller optics. c) CVD (chemical vapor deposition) diamond beam-splitter for broad spectral coverage. d) single FTS architecture instead of a dual FTS architecture. e) novel materials, such as single crystal silicon for the input telescope primary.

Brasunas, J.↗
NASA NTRS2010

SIM Lite: Ground Alignment of the Instrument

We present the start of the ground alignment plan for the SIM Lite Instrument. We outline the integration and alignment of the individual benches on which all the optics are mounted, and then the alignment of the benches to form the Science and Guide interferometers. The Instrument has a guide interferometer with only a 40 arc-seconds field of regard, and 200 arc-seconds of alignment adjustability. This requires each sides of the interferometer to be aligned to a fraction of that, while at the same time be orthogonal to the baseline defined by the External Metrology Truss. The baselines of the Science and Guide interferometers must also be aligned to be parallel. The start of these alignment plans is captured in a SysML Instrument System model, in the form of activity diagrams. These activity diagrams are then related to the hardware design and requirements. We finish with future plans for the alignment and integration activities and requirements.

Alignment plan↗
NASA NTRS2010

Recent Status of SIM Lite Astrometric Observatory Mission: Flight Engineering Risk Reduction Activities

The SIM Lite Astrometric Observatory is a mission concept for a space-borne instrument to perform micro-arc-second narrow-angle astrometry to search 60 to 100 nearby stars for Earth-like planets, and to perform global astrometry for a broad astrophysics program. The instrument consists of two Michelson stellar interferometers and a telescope. The first interferometer chops between the target star and a set of reference stars. The second interferometer monitors the attitude of the instrument in the direction of the target star. The telescope monitors the attitude of the instrument in the other two directions. The main enabling technology development for the mission was completed during phases A & B. The project is currently implementing the developed technology onto flight-ready engineering models. These key engineering tasks will significantly reduce the implementation risks during the flight phases C & D of the mission. The main optical interferometer components, including the astrometric beam combiner, the fine steering optical mechanism, the path-length-control and modulation optical mechanisms, focal-plane camera electronics and cooling heat pipe, are currently under development. Main assemblies are built to meet flight requirements and will be subjected to flight qualification level environmental testing (random vibration and thermal cycling) and performance testing. This paper summarizes recent progress in engineering risk reduction activities.

astrometry↗
NASA NTRS2017

xEMU Lite Development Plan

Since 2012, the Advanced EVA Development team has been maturing the design for an exploration suit (xEMU) capable of supporting Deep Space Gateway missions with the goal of demonstrating the core system architecture (xEMU Lite) on ISS by the mid-2020s. This presentation will provide a high-level status on progress made since the 2016 EVA Workshop, an overview of the xEMU architecture, and a summary of new development milestones and decision points between now and 2024.

Rodriggs, Liana↗
NASA NTRS2018

The Laser Enhanced Arc-Jet Facility (LEAF-Lite): Simulating Convective and Radiative Heating with Arc-Jets and Multiple 50-KW CW Lasers

LEAF-Lite (Laser Enhanced Arc-Jet Facility) is a radiative laser heating facility that has been added to the 60 MW Interaction Heating Facility (IHF) convective plasma arc-jet located at NASA Ames Research Center. Together, these two systems can simulate both convective and radiative heating at heat fluxes reaching 551 W/cm2 by simultaneously combining a highest measured heat flux of 160 W/cm2 convective and 391 W/cm2 radiative heating on a 152-mm x 152-mm wedge model configuration. Adding radiant heating to an existing convective facility better simulates Earth atmospheric entry from hyperbolic lunarreturn speeds. The radiative heat is provided by multiple 50-kW CW IR lasers, which is nearly uniform across the illuminated surface with a total variation less than 6%, while the convective heat is provided by a high enthalpy plasma arc-jet. In a later phase, the facility will expand to test panel test articles of 432-mm x 432-mm and provide 100 W/cm2 of radiative heating in a plasma convective flow environment. The paper describes this new combined heating capability, its current testing conditions, and the unique application of the laser system with respect to the Orion test flight lunar orbits.

Cushman, Geoff↗
NASA NTRS2018

HabEx Lite: a Starshade-only Habitable Exoplanet Imager Alternative

The HabEx mission concept is intended to directly image planetary systems around nearby stars, and to perform a wide range of general astrophysics and solar system observations. Its main goal is the discovery and characterization of Earthlike exoplanets through high-contrast imaging and spectroscopy. The baseline HabEx concept would use both a coronagraph and a starshade for exoplanet science. We describe an alternative, “HabEx Lite” concept, which would use a starshade (only) for exoplanet science. The benefit is lower cost: by deleting the complex coronagraph instrument; by lowering observatory mass; by relaxing tolerances and stability requirements; by permitting use of a compact on-axis telescope design; by use of a smaller launch vehicle. The scientific penalty of this lower cost option is a smaller number of detected exoplanets of all types, including exoEarth candidates, and a smaller fraction of exoplanets with measured orbits. Our approach uses a non-deployed segmented primary mirror, whose manufacture is within current capabilities.

Stark, Chris↗
DOE OSTI2021

Evaluating Emissions Reductions from DERs in REopt Lite

Creating a clear business justification for an energy & water project is essential for developing projects by transforming data and analysis into a compelling story to secure management buy-in. This presentation provides an overview of how distributed energy resources (DERs) can provide cost savings, resilience benefits, and emissions reduction. Many technical and economic factors affect which distributed energy technologies can best meet site goals, and should be considered concurrently. With increasingly integrated and complex systems, back-of-the envelope calculations are no longer sufficient to determine distributed energy project potential. REopt Lite can be used to model emissions and evaluate the impact of DERs on reducing emissions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

DER-CF (Distributed Energy Resource Cybersecurity Framework) and DER-CF Lite [SWR-20-29]

The Distributed Energy Resource Cybersecurity Framework (DER-CF) is a no-cost, interactive web tool that holistically evaluates a facility’s distributed energy resource (DER) cybersecurity posture—or health—and makes customized recommendations. The newer DER-CF Lite simplifies the process and quickly provides an assessment.

Reynolds, Tamara (Tami)↗