Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “seismic source”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2014

Non-Cooled Power System for Venus Lander

The Planetary Science Decadal Survey of 2013-2022 stated that the exploration of Venus is of significant interest. Studying the seismic activity of the planet is of particular importance because the findings can be compared to the seismic activity of Earth. Further, the geological and atmospheric properties of Venus will shed light into the past and future of Earth. This paper presents a radioisotope power system (RPS) design for a small low-power Venus lander. The feasibility of the new power system is then compared to that of primary batteries. A requirement for the power source system is to avoid moving parts in order to not interfere with the primary objective of the mission - to collect data about the seismic activity of Venus using a seismometer. The target mission duration of the lander is 117 days, a significant leap from Venera 13, the longest-lived lander on the surface of Venus, which survived for 2 hours. One major assumption for this mission design is that the power source system will not provide cooling to the other components of the lander. This assumption is based on high-temperature electronics technology that will enable the electronics and components of the lander to operate at Venus surface temperature. For the proposed RPS, a customized General Purpose Heat Source Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (GPHSRTG) is designed and analyzed. The GPHS-RTG is chosen primarily because it has no moving parts and it is capable of operating for long duration missions on the order of years. This power system is modeled as a spherical structure for a fundamental thermal analysis. The total mass and electrical output of the system are calculated to be 24 kilograms and 26 Watts, respectively. An alternative design for a battery-based power system uses Sodium Sulfur batteries. To deliver a similar electrical output for 117 days, the battery mass is calculated to be 234 kilograms. Reducing mission duration or power required will reduce the required battery mass. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of both power systems with regard to science return, risk, and cost are briefly compared. The design of the radioisotope power system is considerably riskier because it is novel and would require additional years of further refinement, manufacturing, safety analysis, and testing that the primary batteries do not need. However, the lifetime of the radioisotope power system makes its science return more promising.

planetary↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Stop-and-Go Mechanism: Towards an Integrated Approach to Model Seismicity, Outgassing, Deformation, and Thermal Unrest at Active Volcanoes

Connecting the geophysical and geochemical signals recorded at and above the surface of volcanoes with source mechanisms is fundamental to understand transitions from quiescence to eruption, and to integrate the behavior of volcanoes with their regional seismotectonic and hydrological context. Some of these signals include shallow volcanic tremor, a long-lasting (minutes-to-years) ground vibration detected in volcanic areas during unrest; volcanic outgassing, which shows intriguing periodicities over multiple scales, as revealed by space-borne instruments and by ground-based, high-frequency (~1 Hz), sampling methods; inflation and deflation of volcanic edifices, commonly associated with subsurface volume changes; and large-scale (from a few to tens of km2), low-temperature, thermal anomalies, a newly-discovered signal that has been observed to emerge on volcanic flanks from months-to-years prior to gas- and magma-driven eruptions. Traditionally, these geophysical and geochemical signals have been modelled independently, which limits our interpretation of subsurface processes and thus our assessment of unrest. In this work, we show through lumped-parameter models, numerical simulations, and preliminary laboratory experiments that many of the signals recorded around volcanoes can be integrated into a common “stop-and-go” mechanism. In particular, we found that they can arise spontaneously when taking into account the feedbacks between the temporary accumulation of gas and/or magma in the crust (“stop”), and the diffusive transfer of gas and heat towards the surface (“go”). For example, we find that the “stop-and-go” mechanism can explain: (i) the emergence of monochromatic, broadband, and harmonic tremor; (ii) the periodic components commonly observed in volcanic outgassing time series; (iii) the link between large-scale thermal anomalies and shallow hydrothermal systems; (iv) the reported time lags between large-scale thermal anomalies and deformation; and (v) the breathing of potentially destructive volcanic calderas. The “stop-and-go” mechanism provides a consistent and realistic framework to link multiple geophysical and geochemical signals with the processes leading to volcanic unrest and eruption.

volcanoes↗
NASA NTRS1993

Seismic-triggering history of the catastrophic outflows in the Chryse region of Mars

Much attention was recently focused on the Chryse outflow channels as the source for an ocean or large lakes in the northern plains of Mars. A critical question is whether the channels formed quickly and in concert or sporadically. Crosscutting relations demonstrate multiple episodes of channel formation for some of the channels; however, for most channels, the absence of high precision in the densities of superposed impact craters prevents precise reconstruction of the duration and sequence of channeling history. Another approach to addressing the groundwater discharge history is to evaluate the hypothetical storage of the Chryse aquifer system and its recharge and triggering histories. How outflow breakouts may have been triggered by relatively frequent, large marsquakes caused by faulting and impact is discussed.

Clifford, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A major crustal feature in the southeastern United States inferred from the MAGSAT equivalent source anomaly field

The MAGSAT equivalent-source anomaly field evaluated at 325 km altitude depicts a prominent anomaly centered over southeast Georgia, which is adjacent to the high-amplitude positive Kentucky anomaly. To overcome the satellite resolution constraint in studying this anomaly, conventional geophysical data were included in analysis: Bouguer gravity, seismic reflection and refraction, aeromagnetic, and in-situ stress-strain measurements. This integrated geophysical approach, infers more specifically the nature and extent of the crustal and/or lithospheric source of the Georgia MAGSAT anomaly. Physical properties and tectonic evolution of the area are all important in the interpretation.

Ruder, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Determination of design and operation parameters for upper atmospheric research instrumentation to yield optimum resolution with deconvolution, appendix 2

This thesis reviews the technique established to clear channels in the Power Spectral Estimate by applying linear combinations of well known window functions to the autocorrelation function. The need for windowing the auto correlation function is due to the fact that the true auto correlation is not generally used to obtain the Power Spectral Estimate. When applied, the windows serve to reduce the effect that modifies the auto correlation by truncating the data and possibly the autocorrelation has on the Power Spectral Estimate. It has been shown in previous work that a single channel has been cleared, allowing for the detection of a small peak in the presence of a large peak in the Power Spectral Estimate. The utility of this method is dependent on the robustness of it on different input situations. We extend the analysis in this paper, to include clearing up to three channels. We examine the relative positions of the spikes to each other and also the effect of taking different percentages of lags of the auto correlation in the Power Spectral Estimate. This method could have application wherever the Power Spectrum is used. An example of this is beam forming for source location, where a small target can be located next to a large target. Other possibilities extend into seismic data processing. As the method becomes more automated other applications may present themselves.

Ioup, George E.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Possible Space-Based Gravitational-Wave Observatory Mission Concept

The existence of gravitational waves was established by the discovery of the Binary Pulsar PSR 1913+16 by Hulse and Taylor in 1974, for which they were awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize. However, it is the exploitation of these gravitational waves for the extraction of the astrophysical parameters of the sources that will open the first new astronomical window since the development of gamma ray telescopes in the 1970's and enable a new era of discovery and understanding of the Universe. Direct detection is expected in at least two frequency bands from the ground before the end of the decade with Advanced LIGO and Pulsar Timing Arrays. However, many of the most exciting sources will be continuously observable in the band from 0.1-100 mHz, accessible only from space due to seismic noise and gravity gradients in that band that disturb ground-based observatories. This poster will discuss a possible mission concept, Space-based Gravitational-wave Observatory (SGO-Mid) developed from the original Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) reference mission but updated to reduce risk and cost.

Livas, Jeffrey C.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Possible Space-Based Gravitational-Wave Observatory Mission Concept

The existence of gravitational waves was established by the discovery of the Binary Pulsar PSR 1913+16 by Hulse and Taylor in 1974, for which they were awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize. However, it is the exploitation of these gravitational waves for the extraction of the astrophysical parameters of the sources that will open the first new astronomical window since the development of gamma ray telescopes in the 1970's and enable a new era of discovery and understanding of the Universe. Direct detection is expected in at least two frequency bands from the ground before the end of the decade with Advanced LIGO and Pulsar Timing Arrays. However, many of the most exciting sources will be continuously observable in the band from 0.1-100 mHz, accessible only from space due to seismic noise and gravity gradients in that band that disturb groundbased observatories. This talk will discuss a possible mission concept developed from the original Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) reference mission but updated to reduce risk and cost.

Livas, Jeffrey C.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Seismic Exploration of Small Bodies

As a result of the Phase I study, we have demonstrated that a mission to a smallbody (asteroid, comet) whose objective is to conduct a seismic experiment to understandthe interior structure, can be accomplished with small (<200 kg) spacecraft launched on asmall launch vehicle (Athena IIc).We modeled the seismic response of a small body and calculated that the energynecessary to propagate through the body and be detected by a seismometer. Thesecalculations provide guidance as to the type of energy source that is required. A simpleenergy source similar to a NASA standard initiator (NSI) can be used, although a singleNSI is insufficient. An NSI is an explosive pyrotechnic that is used to sever connectionson spacecraft. Use of such an energy source has illustrated two additional areas of study -anchoring of the source and sensor to the surface and understanding the efficiency ofenergy propagation from the source into the surface.The spacecraft has the ability to carry and deploy a series of source/sensors toconduct the experiment by placing them on the surface. We identified a suite of candidatenear-Earth asteroids as targets and used one 1991VG as the target to calculate the missiontrajectory and ∆V requirements. Spacecraft and launch vehicle performance are launchthat any of the candidates could be reached with appropriate mass and launch margins.Sources and sensors are deployed from arm attached to the spacecraft. Thespacecraft maneuvers next to the target body and presses the sensor against the surfaceand releases it. After emplacing all of the surface packages, the sensors are monitored fora period of time to measure the seismic noise. Finally, the active seismic experiment isconducted.The work conducted during Phase I demonstrates that a small mission can be designed to conduct an active seismic experiment on a small near-Earth body. Whileother targets may require more performance, the basic architecture is viable for anytarget.We have identified a number of specific technical areas that require more detailed study. Those areas are largely focused on the detailed analysis and design of the source mechanism and anchoring it to the surface. Such topics will be part of a Phase IIproposal.

Spacecraft↗
NASA NTRS2015

Mass Wasting In Planetary Environments: Implications For Seismicity

On Earth, mass wasting events such as rock falls and landslides are well known conse-quences of seismic activity. Through a variety of re-mote sensing techniques, tectonic faults have been pos-itively identified on all four of the inner planets, Earth's Moon, several outer planet satellites, and aster-oids. High-resolution imaging has furthermore ena-bled positive identification of mass wasting events on many of these bodies. On Mars, it has been suggested that fallen boulders may be indicative of pale-omarsquakes. On the Moon, meteor impacts and moonquakes have likewise been suggested as potential triggering mechanisms for mass wasting. Indeed, we know from the Apollo era that the Moon experienc-es a wide variety of seismicity. Seismicity estimates play an important role in creat-ing regional geological characterizations, which are useful not only for understanding a planet's formation and evolution, but also of key importance to site selec-tion for landed missions. Here we investigate the re-gional effects of seismicity in planetary environments with the goal of determining whether surface features such as landslides and boulder trails on the Moon, Mars, and Mercury could be triggered by fault motion. We attempt to quantify the amount of near-source ground shaking necessary to mobilize the mate-rial observed in various instances of mass wasting.

seismicity↗
NASA NTRS2017

SIIOS in Alaska: Testing an "In-Vault" Option for a Europa Lander Seismometer Experiment

The icy moons of Europa and Enceladus are thought to have global subsurface oceans in contact with mineral-rich silicate interiors, likely providing the three ingredients needed for life as we know it: liquid water, essential chemicals, and a source of energy. The possibility of life forming in their subsurface oceans relies in part on transfer of oxidants from the irradiated ice surface to the sheltered ocean below. Constraining the mechanisms and location of material exchange between the ice surface, the ice shell, and the subsurface ocean, however, is not possible without knowledge of ice thickness and liquid water depths. In a future lander-based experiment seismic measurements will be a key geophysical tool for obtaining this critical knowledge. The Seismometer to Investigate Ice and Ocean Structure (SIIOS) field-tests flight-ready technologies and develops the analytical methods necessary to make a seismic study of Europa and Enceladus a reality. We have been performing small-array seismology with a flight-candidate sensor in analog environments that exploit passive sources. Determining the depth to a subsurface ocean and any intermediate bodies of water is a priority for Ocean Worlds missions as it allows assessment of the habitability of these worlds and provides vital information for evaluating the spacecraft technologies required to access their oceans.

Bray, Veronica J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A large normal-fault earthquake at the junction of the Tonga trench and the Louisville ridge

Long-period vertical-component Rayleigh waves are inverted in order to determine the source mechanism of the October 10, 1977 earthquake that occurred in the oceanic plate at the junction of the Tonga-Kermadec trench systems with the aseismic Louisville ridge. The cause was predominantly normal faulting on a plane striking roughly parallel to the trench, with a seismic moment of 1.7 x 10 to the 27th dyn cm. A focal depth of 20 km is determined by waveform modeling, but the actual rupture may have extended to 30 or 40 km. Two sources separated by 16 s comprised the event, which experienced an inferred rupture velocity of 3.5 km/sec. The interpretation that the earthquake was caused by gravitational pull due to the sinking slab implies that the Louisville ridge causes some degree of local decoupling between the plates. This event may be associated with the breakup of the Osbourn seamount. Alternatively, the earthquake may have resulted from tensional plate bending stress, as implied by its relatively shallow depth.

Eissler, H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The Apollo passive seismic experiment

The completed data set obtained from the 4-station Apollo seismic network includes signals from approximately 11,800 events of various types. Four data sets for use by other investigators, through the NSSDC, are in preparation. Some refinement of the lunar model based on seismic data can be expected, but its gross features remain as presented two years ago. The existence of a small, molten core remains dependent upon the analysis of signals from a single, far-side impact. Analysis of secondary arrivals from other sources may eventually resolve this issue, as well as continued refinement of the magnetic field measurements. Evidence of considerable lateral heterogeneity within the moon continues to build. The mystery of the much meteoroid flux estimate derived from lunar seismic measurements, as compared with earth-based estimates, remains; although, significant correlations between terrestrial and lunar observations are beginning to emerge.

Latham, G. V.↗
NASA NTRS1983

United States crustal thickness

The thickness of the crust, the thickness of the basal (intermediate or lower) crustal layer, and the average velocity at the top of the mantle have been mapped using all available deep-penetrating seismic-refraction profiles in the conterminous United States and surrounding border areas. These profiles are indexed to their literature data sources. The more significant long wavelength anomalies on the three maps are briefly discussed and analyzed. An attempt to use Bouguer gravity to validate mantle structure was inconclusive.

Allenby, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Sources of lunar magnetic anomalies and their bulk directions of magnetization - Additional evidence from Apollo orbital data

A relatively high-amplitude magnetic anomaly directly detected with the Apollo 15 subsatellite magnetometer and centered near the crater Gerasimovich on the southeastern lunar far side is found to correlate with the location of a conspicuous Reiner Gamma-type swirl marking visible on a Zond 8 photograph. Examinations of available direct and indirect orbital magnetics measurements demonstrate that most strong anomalies occur in areas where morphologically similar markings are concentrated. Even though photogeologic studies indicate an impact-related origin for the swirls, both the swirls and their associated strong anomalies tend to exist preferentially in or near areas that have been seismically modified. Modeling of improved vector magnetic anomaly maps is used to infer 28 independent bulk directions of magnetization for relatively strong and isolated lunar magnetic anomaly sources.

Hood, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Construction and Resource Utilization Explorer: Regolith Characterization Using a Modular Instrument Suite and Analysis Tools

The Construction Resource Utilization Explorer (CRUX) is a technology maturation project for the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration to provide enabling technology for lunar and planetary surface operations (LPSO). The CRUX will have 10 instruments, a data handling function (Mapper - with features of data subscription, fusion, interpretation, and publication through geographical information system [GIs] displays), and a decision support system DSS) to provide information needed to plan and conduct LPSO. Six CRUX instruments are associated with an instrumented drill to directly measure regolith properties (thermal, electrical, mechanical, and textural) and to determine the presence of water and other hydrogen sources to a depth of about 2 m (Prospector). CRUX surface and geophysical instruments (Surveyor) are designed to determine the presence of hydrogen, delineate near subsurface properties, stratigraphy, and buried objects over a broad area through the use of neutron and seismic probes, and ground penetrating radar. Techniques to receive data from existing space qualified stereo pair cameras to determine surface topography will also be part of the CRUX. The Mapper will ingest information from CRUX instruments and other lunar and planetary data sources, and provide data handling and display features for DSS output. CRUX operation will be semi-autonomous and near real-time to allow its use for either planning or operations purposes.

Moon↗
NASA NTRS1974

The Colorado School of Mines Nevada geothermal study

Geothermal systems in the Basin and Range Province of the western United States probably differ in many respects from geothermal systems already discovered in other parts of the world because of the unique tectonic setting. To investigate this, a study of the geothermal occurrences at Fly Ranch, approximately 100 miles north of Reno, Nevada, has been undertaken. Ample evidence for a geothermal system exists in this area, including the surface expression of heat flow in the form of hot springs, an extensive area of low electrical resistivity, and a high level of seismicity along faults bounding the thermal area. However, geophysical and geological studies have not yet provided evidence for a local heat source at depth. Additional detailed geophysical and geological studies, as well as drilling, must be completed before the geothermal system can be described fully.

Keller, G. V.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Small Stirling Technology Exploration Power for Future Space Science Missions

High efficiency dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) could be mission enabling for low power space applications such as small probes, landers rovers, and communication repeaters. These applications would contain science instruments and be distributed across planetary surfaces or near objects of interest where solar flux is insufficient for using solar cells. Small RPS could be used to provide power for sensing radiation, temperature, pressure, seismic activity, and other measurements of interest to planetary scientists. Small RPS would use fractional versions of the General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) or Light Weight Radioisotope Heater Units (LWRHU), to heat power conversion technologies. Dynamic power systems are capable of three to four times higher conversion efficiency compared to static power conversion technologies, and would provide an equal amount of power using less fuel or more power using an equal amount of fuel. Providing spacecraft with more power could decrease duty cycling of basic functions and, therefore, increase the quality and abundance of science data. NASA GRC is developing a low power dynamic RPS that would convert heat from multiple LWRHU to one watt of usable direct current electric power for spacecraft instrumentation and communication. The power system could be used to charge batteries or capacitors for higher power burst usage. The initial design, called Small Stirling Technology Exploration Power (smallSTEP), is around 3 kg, 11 cm diameter X 32 cm long, and converts 8 watts of heat to one watt of electricity using a Stirling convertor. This low power conversion system represents a new class of RPS with power levels two orders of magnitude lower than prototypes currently being developed for space applications under NASA contracts. Development of the 1-watt RPS includes maturation of convertor and controller designs, performance evaluation of an evacuated metal foil insulation, and development of system interfaces. Initial demonstration of the subsystems has been completed in a laboratory environment and a higher fidelity system is being pursued for demonstration in relevant environments for use on small spacecraft needed to carry out future space science missions.

Wilson, Scott D.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Small Stirling Technology Exploration Power for Future Space Science Missions

High efficiency dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) could be mission enabling for low power space applications such as small probes, landers rovers, and communication repeaters. These applications would contain science instruments and be distributed across planetary surfaces or near objects of interest where solar flux is insufficient for using solar cells. Small RPS could be used to provide power for sensing radiation, temperature, pressure, seismic activity, and other measurements of interest to planetary scientists. Small RPS would use fractional versions of the General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) or Light Weight Radioisotope Heater Units (LWRHU), to heat power conversion technologies. Dynamic power systems are capable of three to four times higher conversion efficiency compared to static power conversion technologies, and would provide an equal amount of power using less fuel or more power using an equal amount of fuel. Providing spacecraft with more power could decrease duty cycling of basic functions and, therefore, increase the quality and abundance of science data. NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) is developing a low power dynamic RPS that would convert heat from multiple LWRHU to one watt of usable direct current electric power for spacecraft instrumentation and communication. The power system could be used to charge batteries or capacitors for higher power burst usage. The initial design, called Small Stirling Technology Exploration Power (smallSTEP), is around 3 kg, 11 cm diameter X 32 cm long, and converts 8 watts of heat to one watt of electricity using a Stirling convertor. This low power conversion system represents a new class of RPS with power levels two orders of magnitude lower than prototypes currently being developed for space applications under NASA contracts. Development of the 1-watt RPS includes maturation of convertor and controller designs, performance evaluation of an evacuated metal foil insulation, and development of system interfaces. Initial demonstration of the subsystems has been completed in a laboratory environment and a higher fidelity system is being pursued for demonstration in relevant environments for use on small spacecraft needed to carry out future space science missions.

Wilson, Scott↗