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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 919 records · Page 51
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2001

Estimation of neutron and other radiation exposure components in low earth orbit

The interaction of high-energy space radiation with spacecraft materials generates a host of secondary particles, some, such as neutrons, are more biologically damaging and penetrating than the original primary particles. Before committing astronauts to long term exposure in such high radiation environments, a quantitative understanding of the exposure and estimates of the associated risks are required. Energetic neutrons are traditionally difficult to measure due to their neutral charge. Measurement methods have been limited by mass and weight requirements in space to nuclear emulsion, activation foils, a limited number of Bonner spheres, and TEPCs. Such measurements have had limited success in quantifying the neutron component relative to the charged components. We will show that a combination of computational models and experimental measurements can be used as a quantitative tool to evaluate the radiation environment within the Shuttle, including neutrons. Comparisons with space measurements are made with special emphasis on neutron sensitive and insensitive devices. c2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

STS-57 Shuttle Project↗
NASA NTRS1992

Cosmic ray LET spectra and doses on board Cosmos-2044 biosatellite

Results of the experiments on board Cosmos-2044 (Biosatellite 9) are presented. Various nuclear track detectors (NTD) (dielectric, AgCl-based, nuclear emulsions) were used to obtain the LET spectra inside and outside the satellite. The spectra from the different NTDs have proved to be in general agreement. The results of LET spectra calculations using two different models are also presented. The resultant LET distributions are used to calculate the absorbed and equivalent doses and the orbit-averaged quality factors (QF) of the cosmic rays (CR). Absorbed dose rates inside (approximately 20 g cm-2 shielding) and outside (1 g cm-2) the spacecraft, omitting electrons, were found to be 4.8 and 8.6 mrad d-1, respectively, while the corresponding equivalent doses were 8.8 and 19.7 mrem d-1. The effects of the flight parameters on the total fluence of, and on the dose from, the CR particles are analyzed. Integral dose distributions of the detected particles are also determined. The LET values which separate absorbed and equivalent doses into 50% intervals are estimated. The CR-39 dielectric NTD is shown to detect 20-30% of the absorbed dose and 60-70% of the equivalent dose in the Cosmos-2044 orbit. The influence of solar activity phase on the magnitude of CR flux is discussed.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS2016

An Ultraviolet Spectrum of the Tidal Disruption Flare ASASSN-14li

We present a Hubble Space Telescope Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph spectrum of ASASSN-14li, the first rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) spectrum of a tidal disruption flare (TDF). The underlying continuum is well fit by a blackbody with T(sub UV) = 3.5 x 10(exp. 4) K, an order of magnitude smaller than the temperature inferred from X-ray spectra (and significantly more precise than previous efforts based on optical and near-UV photometry).Superimposed on this blue continuum, we detect three classes of features: narrow absorption from the Milky Way (probably a high-velocity cloud), and narrow absorption and broad {approx. 2000-8000 km s(exp. -1)} emission lines at or near the systemic host velocity. The absorption lines are blueshifted with respect to the emission lines by Delta(sub v) = -(250-400) km s(exp. -1). Due both to this velocity offset and the lack of common low-ionization features (Mg II, Fe II), we argue these arise from the same absorbing material responsible for the low-velocity outflow discovered at X-ray wavelengths. The broad nuclear emission lines display a remarkable abundance pattern: N III], N IV], and He II are quite prominent, while the common quasar emission lines of C III] and Mg II are weak or entirely absent. Detailed modeling of this spectrum will help elucidate fundamental questions regarding the nature of the emission processes at work in TDFs, while future UV spectroscopy of ASASSN-14li would help to confirm (or refute) the previously proposed connection between TDFs and N-rich quasars.

accretion disks – stars: flare – ultraviolet: ↗
NASA NTRS2013

Design Issues for Using Magnetic Materials in Radiation Environments at Elevated Temperature

One of the challenges of designing motors and alternators for use in nuclear powered space missions is accounting for the effects of radiation. Terrestrial reactor power plants use distance and shielding to minimize radiation damage but space missions must economize volume and mass. Past studies have shown that sufficiently high radiation levels can affect the magnetic response of hard and soft magnetic materials. Theoretical models explaining the radiation-induced degradation have been proposed but not verified. This paper reviews the literature and explains the cumulative effects of temperature, magnetic-load, and radiation-level on the magnetic properties of component materials. Magnetic property degradation is very specific to alloy choice and processing history, since magnetic properties are very much entwined with specific chemistry and microstructural features. However, there is basic theoretical as well as supportive experimental evidence that the negative impact to magnetic properties will be minimal if the bulk temperature of the material is less than fifty percent of the Curie temperature, the radiation flux is low, and the demagnetization field is small. Keywords: Magnets, Permanent Magnets, Power Converters, Nuclear Electric Power Generation, Radiation Tolerance.

Bowman, Cheryl L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Earth reencounter probabilities for aborted space disposal of hazardous nuclear waste

A quantitative assessment is made of the long-term risk of earth reencounter and reentry associated with aborted disposal of hazardous material in the space environment. Numerical results are presented for 10 candidate disposal options covering a broad spectrum of disposal destinations and deployment propulsion systems. Based on representative models of system failure, the probability that a single payload will return and collide with earth within a period of 250,000 years is found to lie in the range .0002-.006. Proportionately smaller risk attaches to shorter time intervals. Risk-critical factors related to trajectory geometry and system reliability are identified as possible mechanisms of hazard reduction.

Friedlander, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Development of a nuclear technique for monitoring water levels in pressurized vehicles

A new technique for monitoring water levels in pressurized stainless steel cylinders was developed. It is based on differences in attenuation coefficients of water and air for Cs137 (662 keV) gamma rays. Experimentally observed gamma ray counting rates with and without water in model reservoir cylinder were compared with corresponding calculated values for two different gamma ray detection theshold energies. Calculated values include the effects of multiple scattering and attendant gamma ray energy reductions. The agreement between the measured and calculated values is reasonably good. Computer programs for calculating angular and spectral distributions of scattered radition in various media are included.

Singh, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Satellite observation of atmospheric nuclear gamma radiation

Satellite observations of the spectrum of gamma radiation from the earth's atmosphere in the energy interval from 300 keV to 8.5 MeV were obtained with a gamma-ray spectrometer during 1980-1983. A total of 20 atmospheric line features are superimposed on a continuum background which is modeled using a power law with an index of -1.16. The line energies and intensities are consistent with production by secondary neutrons interacting with atmospheric N-14 and O-16. The intensity and spectrum of photons at energies below the 511-keV line, in excess of a power law continuum, are explained by Compton scattering of the annihilation line photons in traversing an average of 21 g/sq cm of atmosphere.

Letaw, John R.↗
NASA NTRS2000

A Comparison of the Extra Nuclear X-ray and Radio Features in M87

ROSAT High Resolution Imager (HRI) data from eight observations have been co-added to obtain an effective exposure of 230 ksec. We have identified a number of features and regions with excess X-ray brightness over that from a circularly symmetric model of the well known hot gas component. A prominent 'spur' extends 4feet from the vicinity of knot A towards the south-west. The brightness to the south and east of this spur is significantly higher than that to the north and west. Excess brightness is also found to the East of the nucleus, with a local maximum centered on the eastern radio lobe 3 feet from the core. There are two well known relationships between radio and X-ray emission for radio galaxies in clusters: coincidence of emissions because the X-rays come from inverse Compton or synchrotron processes; and anti-coincidence caused by exclusion of hot gas from radio entities. We present a radio/X-ray comparison to determine if either of these relationships can be isolated in M87. The greatest obstacle we face is the unknown projection which affects both bands.

Harris, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

OAO 2 observations of the Alpha Persei cluster

UV photometry of the Alpha Persei cluster obtained with the OAO 2 satellite is analyzed. The data are used together with ground-based coude spectra to examine 20 stars ranging in spectral type from B3 to A3 for rotation effects as predicted by the models of Collins (1974) and of Collins and Sonneborn (1977). Values of v sin i are estimated on the recalibrated system of Slettebak et al. (1975), and an H-R diagram is plotted for the program stars. The distribution of the stars on the diagram is compared with the ZAMS for a chemical composition of X = 0.7 and Y = 0.02 as well as with two isochrones for logarithmic nuclear ages (in years) of 7.5 and 7.7. It is found that there is a seemingly narrow band of early-type stars lying a magnitude or so above the ZAMS on the plot, while the later types form a looser collection straddling the ZAMS. The data for Alpha Persei itself yield an upper limit of 7.4 to the logarithmic age. The analysis for rotation effects reveals one late-type star that does not conform to the model predictions and one 'weak helium' star. Evidence is discussed that these stars are not pole-on rapid rotators. It is concluded that there is a photometric effect for stars earlier than about B6 whereby these stars are displaced redward in color-magnitude diagrams.

Molnar, M. R.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

On the Use of Resilience Models as Digital Twins for Operational Support and In time Decision Making

Human error is a major contributor to accidents and performance losses in complex engineered systems. If one examines these human error caused failures further, a specific cause, the lack of situation awareness, has dominated as a major cause of human errors that instigate latent or catastrophic failures in complex systems. Studies of aviation accidents involving major air carriers revealed that situation awareness was the root cause of around 90% of accidents involving pilot error. Another study explored offshore drilling accidents involving human error and found that 40% of accidents were directly attributed to the loss of situation awareness. Studies of human errors in other domains such as nuclear power, air traffic control, process industry, and advanced driving show that loss of SA was a root cause in a majority of the events. Situation awareness-related failures are not only common but also costly and fatal (e.g., Bhopal Gas Leak, Air France 447 Flight Crash). Thus, the concept of situation awareness has emerged as an important construct in human factors, resulting in numerous models and measurement methods to aid in promoting appropriate levels of situation awareness.

Lukman Irshad↗
NASA NTRS1975

Velocity dispersions in galaxies. IV - The nucleus of NGC 1068

A high-resolution spectrum of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068, obtained with an integrating television system, is compared with the spectrum of a KO III star (delta Tau) to derive the line-of-sight velocity dispersion of the stars in the galactic nucleus. An Fe I absorption line observed at 4059.7 A yields a velocity dispersion of 150 (plus or minus 50) km/sec. An upper limit for the nuclear mass is derived in terms of this velocity dispersion, an estimated nuclear radius of 136 pc, and a Hubble constant of 50 km/sec per Mpc. The results, 14 (+10, -8) by 10 to the 8th power solar masses, is shown to be consistent with a number of quasar models scaled down in luminosity to provide the energy source for a Seyfert nucleus. Strong H and K interstellar absorption lines superposed on the spectrum of NGC 1068 are analyzed.-

Richstone, D. O.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Images in the rocket ultraviolet - The starburst in the nucleus of M83

Ultraviolet images of the SAB(s)c I-II galaxy M83 (NGC 5236) obtained with a rocketborne telescope in broad bandpasses centered at 1540 A and 2360 A show a bright resolved nuclear source which accounts for approximately 20 percent of the flux of the galaxy in both bandpasses. Low-resolution International Ultraviolet Explorer spectra of this source reveal an energy distribution similar to that of the starburst nucleus of NGC 7714. Strong blueshifted absorption lines can be interpreted as evidence for a nuclear wind powered by supernovae. Observations from UV, X-ray, optical, and far-infrared bandpasses are consistent with a starburst approximately one-sixth as strong as that in M82. A scaling of the M82 models of Rieke et al. (1980) predicts that the nucleus of M83 contains 10 to the 6th - 3 x 10 to the 7th solar masses in young stars and has a supernova rate of approximately 0.01 per yr.

Bohlin, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Infrared emission in Seyfert 2 galaxies - Reprocessed radiation from a dusty torus?

New and existing data for a sample of nine Seyfert 2 galaxies with known 'ionization cones' are combined in order to test whether collimation results from shadowing of radiation from a small isotropic nuclear source by a thick dusty torus. The number of ionizing photons emitted by the compact nucleus is calculated from the emission-line ratios measured for gas within the cones. On the assumption that this compact nuclear source radiates isotropically, the optical-UV power incident on the torus, which is expected to be reradiated in the IR, is determined. It is found that the observed IRAS luminosities are consistent with the torus model in eight of the nine objects with sufficient data to perform the calculation. It is concluded that the data are generally consistent with collimation and reradiation by a dusty torus.

Storchi-Bergmann, Thaisa↗
NASA NTRS1993

Performance assessment of low pressure nuclear thermal propulsion

A low pressure nuclear thermal propulsion (LPNTP) system, which takes advantage of hydrogen dissociation/recombination, was proposed as a means of increasing engine specific impulse (Isp). The effect of hydrogen dissociation/recombination on LPNTP Isp is examined. A two-dimensional computer model was used to show that the optimum chamber pressure is approximately 100 psia (at a chamber temperature of 3,000 K), with an Isp approximately 15 s higher than at 1,000 psia. At high chamber temperatures and low chamber pressures, the increase in Isp is due to both lower average molecular weights caused by dissociation and added kinetic energy from monatomic hydrogen recombination. Monatomic hydrogen recombination increases the Isp more then hydrogen dissociation. Variations in the mole fraction of monatomic hydrogen are similar to variations in static pressure along the axial nozzle position. Most recombination occurs close to the nozzle throat. Practical variations in nozzle geometry have minimal impact on recombination. Other models which can simulate a wider range of nozzle designs should be used in the future. The uncertainty of the hydrogen kinetic reaction rates at high temperatures (approximately 3,000 K) affects the accuracy of the analysis and should be verified with simple bench tests.

Gerrish, H. P., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Nuclear reactions in shock wave front during supernova events

The new unique isotopic anomalous coponent of Xe(XeX) was found in the carbonaceous chondrites. It is enriched in light shielded isotopes (124Xe and 126Xe) and in heavy nonshielded isotopes (134Xe and 136Xe. All characteristics of Xe-X can be explained by a model of nucleosynthesis of the Xe isotopes in shock wave front passed through the He envelope during supernova events. The light isotopes are created by p process and the heavy isotopes are created by n process (slow r process). They were captured with high temperature carbon grains condensing by supernova shock waves.

Lavrukhina, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS2017

A New Compton-Thick AGN in Our Cosmic Backyard: Unveiling the Buried Nucleus in NGC 1448 with NuSTAR

NGC 1448 is one of the nearest luminous galaxies [L(sub 8) - 1000 micrometers is greater than 10(exp. 9) Solar Luminosity] to ours (z = 0.00390), and yet the active galactic nucleus (AGN) it hosts was only recently discovered, in 2009. In this paper, we present an analysis of the nuclear source across three wavebands: mid-infrared (MIR) continuum, optical, and X-rays. We observed the source with the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR), and combined these data with archival Chandra data to perform broadband X-ray spectral fitting ( approx. equals 0.5 - 40 keV) of the AGN for the first time. Our X-ray spectral analysis reveals that the AGN is buried under a Compton-thick (CT) column of obscuring gas along our line of sight, with a column density of N(sub H)(los) approx. greater than 2.5 x 10(exp. 24) cm(exp. -2). The best-fitting torus models measured an intrinsic 2-10 keV luminosity of L(sub 2)-10,int = (3.5 - 7.6) x 10(exp. 40) erg s(exp. -1), making NGC 1448 one of the lowest luminosity CTAGNs known. In addition to the NuSTAR observation, we also performed optical spectroscopy for the nucleus in this edge-on galaxy using the European Southern Observatory New Technology Telescope. We reclassify the optical nuclear spectrum as a Seyfert on the basis of the Baldwin- Philips-Terlevich diagnostic diagrams, thus identifying the AGN at optical wavelengths for the first time. We also present high spatial resolution MIR observations of NGC 1448 with Gemini/T-ReCS, in which a compact nucleus is clearly detected. The absorption-corrected 2-10 keV luminosity measured from our X-ray spectral analysis agrees with that predicted from the optical [O III] Lamda 5007 A emission line and the MIR 12 micrometer continuum, further supporting the CT nature ofthe AGN.

galaxies: active – galaxies: nuclei – techniqu↗
NASA NTRS2003

Bayesian estimation of dose thresholds

An example is described of Bayesian estimation of radiation absorbed dose thresholds (subsequently simply referred to as dose thresholds) using a specific parametric model applied to a data set on mice exposed to 60Co gamma rays and fission neutrons. A Weibull based relative risk model with a dose threshold parameter was used to analyse, as an example, lung cancer mortality and determine the posterior density for the threshold dose after single exposures to 60Co gamma rays or fission neutrons from the JANUS reactor at Argonne National Laboratory. The data consisted of survival, censoring times and cause of death information for male B6CF1 unexposed and exposed mice. The 60Co gamma whole-body doses for the two exposed groups were 0.86 and 1.37 Gy. The neutron whole-body doses were 0.19 and 0.38 Gy. Marginal posterior densities for the dose thresholds for neutron and gamma radiation were calculated with numerical integration and found to have quite different shapes. The density of the threshold for 60Co is unimodal with a mode at about 0.50 Gy. The threshold density for fission neutrons declines monotonically from a maximum value at zero with increasing doses. The posterior densities for all other parameters were similar for the two radiation types.

NASA Discipline Radiation Health↗