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At least 991 records · Page 55

Optimal fine pointing control of a large space telescope using an Annular Momentum Control Device

This paper discusses the application of an Annular Momentum Control Device (AMCD) to fine pointing control of a large space telescope (LST). The AMCD represents a new development in the field of momentum storage devices. A linearized mathematical model is developed for the AMCD/LST system, including the magnetic suspension actuators. Two approaches to control system design are considered. The first approach uses a stochastic linear-quadratic Gaussian controller which utilizes feedback of all states. The second approach considers a more practical control system design in which the axial and radial loops are designed independently.

Nadkarni, A. A.↗

Dry-heat resistance of selected psychrophiles

The dry-heat resistance characteristics of spores of psychrophilic organisms isolated from soil samples from the Viking spacecraft assembly areas at Cape Kennedy Space Flight Center, Cape Canaveral, Fla., were studied. Spore suspensions were produced, and dry-heat D values were determined for the microorganisms that demonstrated growth or survival under a simulated Martian environment. The dry-heat tests were carried out by using the planchet-boat-hot plate system at 110 and 125 C with an ambient relative humidity of 50% at 22 C. The spores evaluated had a relatively low resistance to dry heat. D (110 C) values ranged from 7.5 to 122 min, whereas the D (125 C) values ranged from less than 1.0 to 9.8 min.

Winans, L.↗

Recent developments in the measurement of space time curvature

Development of a highly sensitive resonant capacitor displacement sensor and a multistage suspension system for a low-temperature gravitational radiation antenna is discussed; the antenna is suitable for studying gravitational collapses. The sensitivity limit of the device is assessed as a function of preamplifier noise. Experiments indicate that an electric field of about 160,000 v/cm may be applied to the resonator surface without a significant increase in Brownian noise. Use of the resonant capacitor sensor with very high Q antennae is also considered.

Richard, J.-P.↗

Planetary noble gas components in Orgueil

In the reported investigation, the approach employed by Jeffery and Anders (1970) and Eberhardt (1974), who used colloidal suspensions in separating minerals of the Orgueil carbonaceous chondrite (C1), was extended to an application involving the enrichment of a planetary noble gas carrier in several C1 and C2 meteorites. The thermal release pattern of Orgueil 'carbon' is considered, taking into account elemental effects, a comparison of noble gas release from 'carbon' separates and bulk meteorite samples, isotopic effects, and a comparison with Murray 'carbon'. An evaluation is conducted of the noble gas components in carbonaceous chondrites. The origin of primordial noble gases in carbonaceous chondrites is also discussed, giving attention to the origin of solar gases, the role of 'carbon' as the novel vehicle for planetary gases, and plausible astrophysical sites for the production of anomalous krypton and xenon.

Frick, U.↗

Experimental modeling of the cooling history of Apollo 12 olivine basalts

An analog of the Apollo 12 olivine vitrophyres has been crystallized in a 1-atm gas-mixing furnace at cooling rates ranging between 1250 and 0.7 C/hr and isothermally at degrees of supercooling ranging from 10 C to 325 C. Mineral chemistry, crystal shapes, grain sizes and textures are systematically related to cooling rate and degree of supercooling. At linear cooling rates not exceeding 40 C/hr the texture is porphyritic - large olivine crystals are set in a groundmass of finer-grained pyroxene, plagioclase, and ilmenite; a later generation of olivine never crystallizes. There are three shapes of olivine crystals in the Apollo 12 olivine vitrophyres: glomerocrysts of subhedral crystals, large subequant skeletons, and highly elongate skeletons. These result from three generations of nucleation and a two-stage cooling history - a slow preeruption stage and a rapid continuously increasing posteruption stage. It seems likely that the Apollo 12 olivine basalt magmas were erupted with olivine crystals in suspension. The nucleation temperature of olivine in cooling-rate experiments is dependent on the experimental technique, and hence results of cooling experiments should be applied with caution.

Donaldson, C. H.↗

Synthesis of porous polyaromatic column packings for GC analysis of extraterrestrial atmospheres

The preparation of a polymer for the Pioneer-Venus Large Probe Gas Chromatograph and another polymer for gas-chromatographic analysis of the Jovian atmosphere is described. Technical-grade divinylbenzene is used as a reliable and economical source of monomer for the preparation of polymer beads. The discussion covers monomeric preparation, polymerization apparatus, first-stage polymer beads, second-stage polymer beads, amino-polymer, columns and gas-chromatographic testing instrumentation used. The polymer for the Pioneer-Venus gas chromatograph is also suitable for ammonia but not for amine analysis. However, the polymer for the analysis of the Jovian atmosphere is a chemically derivatized aromatic polymer that is suitable for amine analysis. The two-stage polymerization produces a highly efficient polymer packing clearly superior to others prepared by adjusted dilution of the aqueous-organic suspension system.

Woeller, F. H.↗

Relating viscosity to polymer concentration

Equation developed by VanDijk and first applied to viscosity of Newtonian suspension of rigid particles by Eilers is rearranged to yield intrinsic viscosity as explicit function of polymer concentration in polymer solvent system. Experiments have shown relationship valid for polymer solutions having relative viscosities ranging from 1 to 100.

Fedors, R. F.↗

Purification and cultivation of human pituitary growth hormone secreting cells

The maintainance of actively secreting human pituitary growth hormone cells (somatotrophs) in vitro was studied. The primary approach was the testing of agents which may be expected to increase the release of the human growth hormone (hGH). A procedure for tissue procurement is described along with the methodologies used to dissociate human pituitary tissue (obtained either at autopsy or surgery) into single cell suspensions. The validity of the Biogel cell column perfusion system for studying the dynamics of GH release was developed and documented using a rat pituitary cell system.

Hymer, W. C.↗

Ultra high resolution stepper motors design, development, performance and application

The design and development of stepper motors with steps in the 10 arc sec to 2 arc min range is described. Some of the problem areas, e.g. rotor suspension, tribology aspects and environmental conditions are covered. A summary of achieved test results and the employment in different mechanisms already developed and tested is presented to give some examples of the possible use of this interesting device. Adaptations to military and commercial requirements are proposed and show the wide range of possible applications.

Moll, H.↗

Magnetic bearing momentum wheels with magnetic gimballing capability for 3-axis active attitude control and energy storage

Magnetic bearings used for the suspension of momentum wheels provide conclusive advantages: the low friction torques and the absence of abrasion allow the realization of lightweight high speed wheels with high angular momentum and energy storage capacity and virtually unlimited lifetime. The use of actively controlled bearings provides a magnetic gimballing capability by applying the external signals to the two servo loops controlling the rotational degrees of freedom. Thus, an attitude control system can be realized by using only one rotating mass for 3-axis active satellite stabilization.

Sindlinger, R. S.↗

Interpretive computer simulator for the NASA Standard Spacecraft Computer-2 (NSSC-2)

An Interpretive Computer Simulator (ICS) for the NASA Standard Spacecraft Computer-II (NSSC-II) was developed as a code verification and testing tool for the Annular Suspension and Pointing System (ASPS) project. The simulator is written in the higher level language PASCAL and implented on the CDC CYBER series computer system. It is supported by a metal assembler, a linkage loader for the NSSC-II, and a utility library to meet the application requirements. The architectural design of the NSSC-II is that of an IBM System/360 (S/360) and supports all but four instructions of the S/360 standard instruction set. The structural design of the ICS is described with emphasis on the design differences between it and the NSSC-II hardware. The program flow is diagrammed, with the function of each procedure being defined; the instruction implementation is discussed in broad terms; and the instruction timings used in the ICS are listed. An example of the steps required to process an assembly level language program on the ICS is included. The example illustrates the control cards necessary to assemble, load, and execute assembly language code; the sample program to to be executed; the executable load module produced by the loader; and the resulting output produced by the ICS.

Smith, R. S.↗

Microbial transformation of nucleosides

A study involving the use of coulter counter in studying the effects of neomycin on E. coli, S. aureus and A. aerogenes was completed. The purpose of this was to establish proper technique for enumeration of cells per ml. It was found that inhibitory effects on growth of E. coli and A. aerogenes, both gram negative organisms, were directly related to the concentration of neomycin used. However, in case S. aureus, a gram positive organism, a decreased inhibition was noted at higher concentrations. A paper entitled, Use of Coulter Counter in Studying Effect of Drugs on Cells in Culture 1 - Effects of Neomycin on E. coli, S. aureus and A. aerogenes, is attached in the appendix. Laboratory procedures were also established to study the effects of nucleoside antibiotic cordycepin on He La cell grown in suspension cultures.

Lamba, S. S.↗

Slicing of Silicon into Sheet Material: Silicon Sheet Growth Development for the Large Area Silicon Sheet Task of the Low Cost Silicon Solar Array Project

Testing of low cost low suspension power slurry vehicles is presented. Cutting oils are unlikely to work, but a mineral oil with additives should be workable. Two different abrasives were tested. A cheaper silicon carbide from Norton gave excellent results except for excessive kerf loss: the particles were too big. An abrasive treated for lubricity showed no lubricity improvement in mineral oil vehicle. The bounce fixture was tested for the first time under constant cut rate conditions (rather than constant force). Although the cut was not completed before the blades broke, the blade lifetime of thin (100 micrometer) blades was 120 times the lifetime without the fixture. The large prototype saw completed a successful run, producing 90% cutting yield (849 wafers) at 20 wafers/cm. Although inexperience with large numbers of wafers caused cleaning breakage to reduce this yield to 74%, the yield was high enough that the concept of the large saw is proven workable.

Fleming, J. R.↗

Microbial Check Valve for Shuttle

The Microbial Check Valve (MCV) is a device developed for the Space Shuttle that prevents the transfer of viable microorganisms within water systems. The device is essentially a bed of resin material, impregnated with iodine, that kills microorganisms on contact. It prevents the cross-contamination of microorganisms from a nonpotable system into the potable water system when these systems are interconnected. In this regard, the function of the device is similar to that of the 'air gap' found in conventional one-gravity systems. Basic design data are presented including pressure drop, scaling factors, sizing criteria, and the results of challenging the device with suspensions of seven microorganisms including aerobes, anaerobes and spore formers.

Colombo, G. V.↗

A surface flow visualisation technique for use in cryogenic wind tunnels

A method of surface flow visualization for use in cryogenic wind tunnels is described which requires injection of a cryogenic liquid onto the model while the tunnel is running. This necessitates the use of a substance that remains liquid over a large range of cryogenic wind tunnel operating temperatures. It is found that propane (C3H8) is a suitable substance. Experiments are conducted in a subsonic cryogenic wind tunnel to assess the practical application of liquid propane flow visualization. The propane is stored in a chamber cooled by liquid nitrogen and when required is pumped through pipes to a gallery inside the model and then out onto the surface through small holes. To color the liquid a suspension of pigment particles is used. Propane is supplied to the cooled chamber in gaseous form from a standard liquefied gas cylinder. The sequence of events is illustrated on a propane temperature-entropy diagram. The use of liquefied propane for flow visualization in a cryogenic tunnel operating at pressures up to 40 atm appears to be feasible. Illustrative examples are provided.

Kell, D. M.↗

Soil transport by winds on Mars

Results of low-pressure wind tunnel testing and theoretical considerations are used to estimate the eolian transport of surface material on Mars. Saltation on Mars, equations of particle motion, computational results, and analytical determination of surface material movement are considered. A semiempirical formula is developed for estimating the total amount of surface material moving in eolian saltation, surface traction, and suspension. Numerical solutions of the equations of motion for particle trajectories on the surface of Mars are presented. The ratio of final particle speed to the particle threshold friction speed is found to be several times that of saltation on earth

White, B. R.↗

Minute tubular forms in soil

Large numbers of long, straight, flattened structures were observed during an electron-microscope study of bacteriophage in aqueous extracts. These structures were called tubules and ranged in width from 10 to 50 nm. Materials and methods were discussed relative to extraction of tubules from soil, electron microscopy, quantitation of tubules in filtrate suspension, tests performed on tubules, plaque formation, and nutrient amendments. It is found that all of the tubules recovered from soil are broken at one or both ends. They are present in surface soils but not in a subsurface sample. Their numbers decrease during bacterial multiplication in soil or broth-containing soil. The tubules appear to be composed of protein that could be disintegrated to liberate nonprotein fibers. A possible clue to the nature of the tubules is their apparent relation to soil bacteria.

Casida, L. E., Jr.↗

Cryogenic wind tunnel activities at the University of Southampton

The characteristics and behavior of a 0.3m transonic cryogenic wind tunnel are discussed. The wide band of usable Reynolds numbers is analyzed along with a flow visualization technique using propane. The combination of magnetic suspension with the cryogenic wind tunnel is described. An outline of the circuit showing the locations of the magnet system and the features of the tunnel are presented.

Goodyer, M. J.↗