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Two cylindrical tanks with piston bladders and associated components for automatic filling and emptying use liquid inventory readout devices in control of water flow. Unit provides for adaptive water collection, storage, and dispensation in weightlessness environment.
The micrometeorite activity in a near-earth environment and the effect of the environment on microorganisms were studied by exposure of polished metal and plastic surfaces to the environment outside the Gemini spacecraft. Preliminary results are summarized as follows: (1) The cumulative influx rate in the size ranges from 10 to the minus 15th power to 10 to the minus 14th power gram was approximately 2 particles/ sq m/sec, as determined on the Gemini 12 mission; (2) The cumulative influx rate in the same mass range, as determined by the data from the Gemini 9 mission was almost 200 particles/ sq m/sec; and (3) The large particle cumulative influx rate was about 3 x 0.00001 particle/ sq m/sec, with a mass of the order of 10 to the minus 7th power gram. No living organisms could be found on the sterile collecting surfaces after recovery and handling.
Online data collection of the amplitudes of circularly polarized radio waves, partially reflected from the D region of the earth's ionosphere, has enabled the calculation of an electron-density profile in the height region 60-90 km. A PDP 15/30 digital computer with an analog to digital converter and magnetic tape as an intermediary storage device are used. The computer configuration, the software developed, and the preliminary results are described.
The collection and classification of information for a manually operated information retrieval system on the subject of space food and nutrition research are described. The system as it currently exists is designed for retrieval of documents, either in hard copy or on microfiche, from the technical files of the MSC Food and Nutrition Section by accession number, author, and/or subject. The system could readily be extended to include retrieval by affiliation, report and contract number, and sponsoring agency should the need arise. It can also be easily converted to computerized retrieval. At present the information retrieval system contains nearly 3000 documents which consist of technical papers, contractors' reports, and reprints obtained from the food and nutrition files at MSC, Technical Library, the library at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, the BMI Technical Libraries, Dr. E. B. Truitt at MBI, and the OSU Medical Libraries. Additional work was done to compile 18 selected bibliographies on subjects of immediate interest on the MSC Food and Nutrition Section.
The accomplishments in multispectral mapping during 1970 and (fiscal year) 1971 are presented. The mapping was done with the instrumented C-47 aircraft owned and operated by Willow Run Laboratories of The University of Michigan. Specific information for flight operations sponsored by NASA/MSC (Manned Spacecraft Center) in 1970 and fiscal year 1971 is presented, and a total listing of flights for 1968, 1969, 1970, and fiscal year 1971 is included in the appendices. The data-collection and reproduction facilities are described.
It is shown that observed bands at 2200 A and in the 10 micron region are most probably due to collective excitations of dust particles. The following specific conclusions are drawn: (1) the 2200 A interstellar band is very likely due to graphite particles; (2) these graphite particles should be very small, approximately spherical, and should have no coating whatsoever; (3) the identification of circumstellar and interstellar silicates from the observations in the 10 micron region does not seem to be correct; (4) very valuable information about the shape of the circumstellar and interstellar dust particles can be obtained directly from observations; and (5) narrow band polarization measurements in the spectral regions of these bands will be very helpful in determining the shape of the particles.
The verification program for the Inflight Blood Collection System (IBCS) is reported. Specific tests and methods used to verify the IBCS are included.
Problems in collecting and shipping human sera for clinical chemical analyses affect their stability and require proper preservation methods. It is shown that glutamic pyruvate transaminase is very unstable and serum cannot be shipped unless the shipping time is carefully controlled and is less than two days under refrigeration. A limit of four days handling time and avoidance of light exposure are required in bilirubin testing of specimens. Addition of 11 mg of a 10 to 1 mixture of finely powdered sodium fluoride and thymol per ml of blood to preserve specimen stability en route to a central laboratory prevents glycolysis. A citrate buffer at pH 6.2 in serum to be tested for alkaline phosphatase lessens decline at room temperature.
Streamflow monitoring in Verde River by ERTS-1 data collection system (DCS)
Cost analysis and technical feasibility data are presented on five medium orbiting and six geosynchronous satellite data collection systems with varying degrees of spacecraft and local user terminal complexity. Data are also provided on system approaches, user requirements, and user classes. Systems considered include orbiting ERTS and EOS type satellites and geosynchronous SmS and SEOS type data collectors.
Engineering studies, design activity and testing associated with the development of a waste collection system to accommodate both male and female crewmembers in a space environment are reported.
Data collection platforms (DCP's) are being used at a Black Hills, South Dakota, test site (MMC 226A) to record radiometric measurements needed to determine solar and atmospheric parameters that affect ERTS-1 multispectral scanner radiance measurements. A total of 72 channels of analog data transmitted from an unattended ground truth site via three DCP's at least six times a day. The system has operated with only minor problems since September, sending forth daily measurements of biophysical responses and atmospheric conditions. Comparisons of scene radiance data calculated from ERTS images with that measured on the ground show the image-measured values to be 35 percent higher for the green channel and 20 percent higher for the red channel for the same scene targets. Radiance values for channels 6 and 7 are nearly the same from the ground data and from the imagery.
Satellite location and data collection systems development began in the early 1960's in NASA and the French CNES. These systems were initially developed for application to meteorology and oceanography as a means of tracking moving platforms on a global scale. Additional applications such as geology, hydrology, and ecology have since evolved. To date, five successful missions have been completed. With each successive launch, systems improved in accordance with user requirements - particularly reduction in cost and complexity of platform equipment. With planned launches, facilities will be available to the user community through 1980; NASA is currently forecasting needs beyond 1980.
Platform design includes timers which limit data transmission to times when satellites are within radio communication range. As result of reduced power requirement, data-collection platforms now can be equipped with significantly lighter battery packages.
Multispectral mapping accomplishments using the M7 airborne scanner are summarized. The M7 system is described and overall results of specific data collection flight operations since June 1971 are reviewed. A major advantage of the M7 system is that all spectral bands of the scanner are in common spatial registration, whereas in the M5 they were not.
The author has identified the following significant results. In order to interpret and annotate current circulation and suspended sediment concentration maps derived from ERTS-1 digital tapes, the University of Delaware has been collecting water samples and other data from boats and helicopters. In order to increase the number of samples at the exact time of the ERTS-1 pass over Delaware Bay, pleasure craft were organized to obtain samples of the entire test site. On the ERTS-1 pass of July second, scientists were stationed at three public boat launches along the Bay to hand out sampling packets to interested boaters. The packets contained two litre sampling bottles, a map, data card, and a pen. The boaters were asked to fill the two bottles between 11 and 11:15 a.m., mark their location on the map, and fill out the data card. Forty-nine packets were handed out of which 40 were returned (82%). Only four of the 40 were not in the alloted time range. This gave 36 real time data points covering approximately 30 nautical miles. The samples are being analyzed for sediment concentration, particle size, and salinity. Participating boaters will receive a copy of an ERTS image of the Delaware Bay and a summary report of the project. Because of the success of the project, future use of pleasure boaters is being planned.
The Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1) Data Collection System (DCS) was used to relay hydrologic data (streamflow rates, precipitation amounts, soil and air temperature, and snow-moisture content) from remote sites in central Arizona to those responsible for reservoir management. The ERTS-DCS was utilized to furnish near-real time information on snow-moisture content and streamflow rates to the Salt River Project for use in the management and operation of reservoirs on the Salt and Verde Rivers. The Salt River Project, aided by near-real time hydrologic data furnished by both microwave and ERTS-telemetry, was successful in predicting the volume of runoff into the reservoirs. Serious flooding in the downstream Phoenix metropolitan area was prevented by prudent water management.
The electron collecting efficiency of a cylindrical mirror energy analyzer incorporating retardation of the electrons prior to analysis has been determined over the range 0 to 30 eV by two methods. The first method requires the use of a vacuum ultraviolet monochromator to produce monoenergetic electrons of different energies; the second method involves measuring the energy-brightness relationship of the retarding optics and should be applicable to any deflection analyzer with pre-retarding optics. The results of the two methods are compared and the limitations of the latter method are discussed.