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Inferring iron-oxide species content in atmospheric mineral dust from DSCOVR EPIC observations

The iron-oxide content of dust in the atmosphere and most notably its apportionment between hematite (α-Fe2O3) and goethite (α-FeOOH) are key determinants in quantifying dust’s light absorption, its top of atmosphere UV radiances used for dust monitoring, and ultimately shortwave dust direct radiative effects (DRE). Hematite and goethite column mass concentrations and iron-oxide mass fractions of total dust mass concentration were retrieved from the DeepSpace Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) measurements in the ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) channels. The retrievals were performed for dust-identified aerosol plumes over land using aerosol optical depth (AOD) and spectral imaginary refractive index provided by the Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) algorithm over six continental regions (North America, North Africa, West Asia, Central Asia, EastAsia, and Australia). The dust particles are represented as an internal mixture of non-absorbing host and absorbing hematite and goethite. We use the Maxwell–Garnett effective medium approximation with carefully selected complex refractive indices of hematite and goethite that produce mass fractions of iron oxides species consistent with in situ values found in the literature to derive the hematite and goethite volumetric/mass concentrations from MAIAC EPIC products. We compared the retrieved hematite and goethite concentrations with in situ dust aerosol mineralogical content measurements, as well as with published data. Our data display variations within the published range of hematite, goethite, and iron-oxide mass fractions for pure mineral dust cases. A specific analysis is presented for 15 sites over the main dust source regions. Sites in the central Sahara, Sahel, and Middle East exhibit a greater temporal variability of iron oxides relative to other sites. Niger site(13.52°N, 2.63°E) is dominated by goethite over Harmattan season with median of ~2 weight percentage (wt.%) of iron-oxide. Saudi Arabia site (27.49°N, 41.98°E) over Middle East also exhibited surge of goethite content with the beginning of Shamal season. The Sahel dust is richer in iron-oxide than Saharan and northern China dust except in Summer. The Bodélé Depression area shows a distinctively lower iron-oxide concentration (~1 wt.%) throughout the year. Finally, we show that EPIC data allow to constrain the hematite refractive index. Specifically, we select 5 out of 13 different number of hematite refractive indices widely variable in published laboratory studies by constraining the iron-oxide mass ratio to the known measured values. Provided climatology of hematite and goethite mass fractions across main dust regions of the Earth will be useful for dust shortwave DRE studies and climate modeling.

Sujung Go↗

A SUBLIME 3D Model for Cometary Coma Emission: The Hypervolatile-rich Comet C/2016 R2 (PanSTARRS)

The coma of comet C/2016 R2 (PanSTARRS) is one of the most chemically peculiar ever observed, in particular due to its extremely high CO/H2O and N(+2)/H2O ratios, and unusual trace volatile abundances. However, the complex shape of its CO emission lines, as well as uncertainties in the coma structure and excitation, has lead to ambiguities in the total CO production rate. We performed high-resolution, spatially, spectrally, and temporally resolved CO observations using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope and Submillimeter Array to elucidate the outgassing behavior of C/2016 R2. Results are analyzed using a new, time-dependent, three-dimensional radiative transfer code (SUBlimating gases in LIME; SUBLIME, based on the open-source version of the LIne Modeling Engine), incorporating for the first time, accurate state-to-state collisional rate coefficients for the CO–CO system. The total CO production rate was found to be in the range of (3.8 − 7.6) × 10^(28) per s between 2018 January 13 and February 1 (at r(H) = 2.8–2.9 au), with a mean value of (5.3 ± 0.6) × 10^(28) per s. The emission is concentrated in a near-sunward jet, with a half-opening angle of ∼62° and an outflow velocity of 0.51 ± 0.01 km/s, compared to 0.25 ± 0.01 km/s in the ambient (and nightside) coma. Evidence was also found for an extended source of CO emission, possibly due to icy grain sublimation around 1.2 × 10^(5) km from the nucleus. Based on the coma molecular abundances, we propose that the nucleus ices of C/2016 R2 can be divided into a rapidly sublimating apolar phase, rich in CO, CO2, N2, and CH3OH, and a predominantly frozen (or less abundant), polar phase containing more H2O, CH4, H2CO, and HCN.

Martin Andrew Cordiner↗

Framework for Estimating Performance and Associated Uncertainty for Modified Aircraft Configurations

Flight testing has been the historical standard for determining aircraft airworthiness - however, increases in the cost of flight testing and the accuracy of inexpensive CFD promote certification by analysis to reduce or replace flight testing. A framework is introduced to predict the performance in the special case of a modification to an existing, previously certified aircraft. This framework uses a combination of existing flight test or high fidelity data of the original aircraft as well as lower fidelity data of the original and modified configurations. Two methods are presented which estimate the model form uncertainty of the modified configuration, which is then used to conduct non-deterministic simulations. The framework is applied to an example aircraft system with simulated flight test data to demonstrate the ability to predict the performance and associated uncertainty of modified aircraft configurations. However, it is important that the models and methods used are applicable and accurate throughout the intended use domain. The factors and limitations of the framework are explored to determine the range of applicability of the framework. The effects of these factors on the performance and uncertainty results are demonstrated using the example aircraft system. The framework is then applied to NASA’s X-57 Maxwell and each of its modifications. The estimated performance and associated uncertainties are then compared to the airworthiness criteria to evaluate the potential of the framework as a component to the certification by analysis process.

Uncertainty Quantification↗

X-57 Cockpit Display System Development and Features

The X-57 Maxwell airplane [1,2] cockpit display system includes multiple, pilot-selectable pages in a multifunction display with detailed statuses of critical parameters from each of the cruise motors (CMs), cruise motor controllers (CMCs), and battery control modules (BCMs), as well as air temperature measurements at reference locations in the passive ram-air cooling ducts for the motors, controllers, and auxiliary equipment. The user (pilot or ground-test crew) can select overview pages that are part of the standard instrument panel scan pattern or switch to a series of detail or debug pages as the system is operating using a rotary position switch in the cockpit. This paper presents and describes each of these displays, and gives an overview of the development and verification process. The critical data condensed for cockpit handling from each of the major electric propulsion and traction power systems are discussed.

Adam Curry↗

Full-Wave Simulations of Scattering by Corn Fields at L-Band

In this paper, the Numerical Maxwell Model of 3D (NMM3D) full-wave simulation is performed over a corn field using a hybrid method to study the vegetation effect on the microwave. The commercial software of FEKO is used to extract T-matrix of single corn in the first step. Then the calculated T-matrix is combined with Wave Multiple Scattering Theory (W-MST) in the second step to consider the multiple scattering among different plants. The hybrid method is validated with HFSS by solving scattering from 2 corns. A corn field of 25 corn is simulated using the hybrid method and the transmission is calculated and compared with those obtained from the classical radiative transfer model.

Yueh, Simon↗

Utilizing Code Generation from Models for Electric Aircraft Motor Controller Flight Software

The processes followed to develop and test safety-critical flight software significantly increase development effort and overhead in comparison to both non-safety-critical and non-flight software. Generating code from models can be used to reduce development effort; however, the processes for using code generation to develop flight software are relatively immature. This work presents an approach for developing safety-critical flight software utilizing code generation from models to reduce development time and effort. The presented use-case is of electric aircraft motor control software developed for NASA's X-57 Maxwell aircraft.

flight software↗

Fabrication and Performance Characterization of Electrospun Nanofibers for Terrestrial and Space Applications

Passive thermal control is vital in space, especially for extended missions involving cryogen storage needing protection from sunlight. This presentation covers the development of a thermal coating with wavelength-selective characteristics using polymeric materials that scatter sunlight with minimal absorption, resulting in high solar reflectance. Furthermore, these coatings allow emission in infrared wavelengths, making them suitable for deep-space missions requiring extended storage. The study chose polymer and surface morphology suitable as solar reflectors that are lightweight, compact, and easily manufacturable, focusing on different multilayered nanofibers made using polytetrafluoroethylene and polyethylene-oxide (PTFE-PEO), polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP), and silica (SiO2). To understand how these materials interact with sunlight, we analyze light propagation through several layers of electrospun nanofibers to determine spectral reflectance, absorptance, and transmittance by solving the Maxwell equations. The model is also compared with measurements of spectral reflectance and transmittance of the various electrospun nanofibers using spectrophotometers interfaced with integrating spheres in the ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared, and mid-infrared wavelengths. The presentation will also describe the design and analysis, fabrication of the nanofibers using electrospinning, and several experimental characterization techniques to determine suitability for space applications. The nanofibers are tested using various tools to determine their suitability for cryogenic applications in space. Lastly, the samples were tested under low vacuum conditions and exposing them to sunlight inside a vacuum chamber maintained at 300 K. Relative to the incoming solar flux (1000 W/m2), only 1% of the energy was absorbed under these operating conditions. With further optimization and testing under high vacuum cryogenic environments, the samples could demonstrate much lower absorption or higher reflection of incoming solar radiation, which can translate to low temperatures suitable for cryogen storage.

Chieloka Ibekwe↗

Distorted-Toroidal Flux Rope Model

The 3D characterization of magnetic flux ropes observed in the heliosphere has been a challenging task for decades. This is mainly due to the limitations on inferring the 3D global topology and physical properties from the 1D time series from any spacecraft. To advance our understanding of magnetic flux ropes whose configuration departs from the typical stiff geometries, here we present an analytical solution for a 3D flux rope model with an arbitrary cross section and a toroidal global shape. This constitutes the next level of complexity following the elliptic-cylindrical (EC) geometry. The mathematical framework was established by Nieves-Chinchilla et al. with the EC flux rope model, which describes a magnetic topology with an elliptical cross section as a first approach to changes in the cross section. In the distorted-toroidal flux rope model, the cross section is described by a general function. The model is completely described by a nonorthogonal geometry and the Maxwell equations can be consistently solved to obtain the magnetic field and relevant physical quantities. As a proof of concept, this model is generalized in terms of the radial dependence of current density components. The last part of this paper is dedicated to a specific function, F (φ) = δ (1 - λ cosφ), to illustrate possibilities of the model. This model paves the way toward the investigation of complex distortions of magnetic structures in the solar wind. Future investigations will explore these distortions in depth by analyzing specific events; studying implications for physical quantities, such as magnetic fluxes, helicity, or energy; and evaluating the force balance with the ambient solar wind that allows such distortions.

Solar wind↗

X-57 Systems Engineering Lessons Learned

The X-57 Maxwell is an electric aircraft based on a 4-passenger, twin engine Tecnam P2006T General Aviation aircraft. The X-57 project originally envisioned a straightforward integration of commercial-off-the-shelf hardware components and software into a novel configuration to demonstrate the aerodynamic and performance benefits of Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP). The project was initially started with a high-risk venture capitalist approach under NASA’s Convergent Aeronautics Solutions (CAS) project, which led to an initial philosophy of Project Management “light” (which was then interpreted as Systems Engineering (SE) “light”). As the project matured, it was forced to transition to one with increasing SE-rigor as the project scope changed, hardware and software deficiencies were found, and the team realized the magnitude of the technical and integration challenges. In hindsight, these technical challenges came in part from an overly optimistic technology readiness assessment (TRA) at the beginning of the project, which resulted in the project assuming that little to no subsystem development would be required. The project’s approach to systems engineering evolved throughout three separate informal phases of the project as it underwent two key transitions as a result of the team wrestling with the technical challenges and resultant changing project scope. This paper discusses the assumptions, approaches, and challenges encountered from a Systems Engineering standpoint in each of the three informal phases of the X-57 project. This paper also provides recommendations on how future projects can apply Systems Engineering best practices upfront along with a realistic TRA to aid projects that find themselves with similar challenges.

Systems Engineering↗

Comparison and Application of Battery Modeling Methods for Conceptual Electric Aircraft

Growing interest in design and optimization of electrified aircraft propulsion concepts prompts the need for accurate, flexible, and efficient methods to model battery systems. Presented in this paper are three battery modeling methods that have been used at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, each representing different mathematical or electrical approaches. Thévenin equivalent circuit, normalization, and curve-fitting methods are compared against battery cell test data for the X-57 Maxwell electric aircraft technology demonstrator. The methods are then applied in a simple multidisciplinary optimization context using NASA’s Six-Passenger Electric Quadrotor concept to determine their applicability and performance. The normalization method achieves the highest accuracy for steady and unsteady discharge rates with a voltage mean error percentage of 0.423% and 1.186%, respectively. Optimal quadrotor mission range between the models varies up to 0.5 nmi, identifying current battery modeling methods as a potentially significant contributor to mission analysis error. A set of relevant tools and techniques for conceptual battery modeling are identified in this paper, with conclusions made on the utility of each modeling approach for various design challenges.

power↗

X-57 Traction Power and Command Systems Development

This paper describes the final, as-built design of the X‑57 Maxwell aircraft power and command system architecture that implements the electrified propulsion capability. The development of the traction power, command, and avionics power subsystems proceeded as planned at the initial project critical design review, but improvements to the design were identified following the development of detailed operations concepts and integrated subsystem and system testing. The redundant architecture with A‑side and B‑side buses provided a robust framework for a developmental system that would turn out to have a lower technology readiness than had been assumed upon project formulation. As the project team identified reliability or performance gaps in the electrified propulsion powertrain components and their interactions with the other vehicle systems, the traction power, command, and avionics architectures were modified to accommodate the modified systems. Following the publication of the planned design approach at the critical design review milestone [1], the project team developed the flight hardware and software, integrated the systems, and adjusted the design and qualification activities to address gaps in the components, system architecture, and requirements as the gaps were realized. In addition to inherent challenges in development of these subsystems, the integration of this new technology with adjacent critical systems in an aircraft configuration posed additional challenges that drove design considerations across the subsystem development and the other vehicle systems. Integration complications included electromagnetic compatibility, thermal performance, and tolerance of single-point failures internal and external to the powerplant. Development of a qualification program was required for the new motors, inverters, and batteries, and hardware performance during component qualification fed back into the development process and led lessons learned and redesign of key elements.

distributed propulsion↗

X-57 Mod III Wing Ground Vibration Test

The X-57 “Maxwell” all-electric experimental aircraft was an electric propulsion demonstrator developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to inform airworthiness standards for electrified aircraft. The development of the X-57 aircraft was separated into configuration modifications culminating in a distributed electric propulsion flight demonstrator named Modification IV (a.k.a., Mod IV). One of these configurations, the X-57 Mod III aircraft, involved flight-testing of a long, slender, high-aspect-ratio wing with two electric motors located at the wingtips. The X-57 Mod III wing ground vibration test was performed in the Flight Loads Laboratory at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Armstrong Flight Research Center to measure the structural dynamics properties of the newly developed wing, and to confirm airworthiness of the Mod III/IV aircraft. This paper describes the testing performed to acquire the modal data and the subsequent results from the test.

Samson Truong↗

Twenty-Five Years of Background-Oriented Schlieren: Advances and Novel Applications

Since its introduction in the year 2000, background-oriented schlieren (BOS) has become acornerstone technique for visualizing variable-density flows. In this review, we provide a rigorousexamination of the optical principles underpinning BOS and related refractive-index-basedtechniques, complemented by an appendix linking schlieren imaging to Maxwell’s equations.The core sections delve into the practical aspects of BOS, with detailed discussions on imageprocessing algorithms and critical considerations for experimental setups. We then explorerecent advancements and innovations, including extensions of BOS with tomography, dataassimilation, and event-based imaging. Finally, we present notable applications of BOS inchallenging and unconventional environments, showcasing the method’s versatility and offerinspiration for future research directions.

Background-Oriented Schlieren↗

Considerations for High-Speed Background-Oriented Schlieren Visualization Capability for Ground Test Facilities

Since its introduction in the year 2000, background-oriented schlieren (BOS) has become a cornerstone technique for visualizing variable-density flows. In this review, we provide a rigorous examination of the optical principles underpinning BOS and related refractive-index-based techniques, complemented by an appendix linking schlieren imaging to Maxwell’s equations. The core sections delve into the practical aspects of BOS, with detailed discussions on image processing algorithms and critical considerations for experimental setups. We then explore recent advancements and innovations, including extensions of BOS with tomography, data assimilation, and event-based imaging. Finally, we present notable applications of BOS in challenging and unconventional environments, showcasing the method’s versatility and offer inspiration for future research directions.

Brett Bathel↗

Trajectory Engineering with Modular Patched Conics for Entry Systems and TPS (TEMPEST)

Brief Presenter Biography (35 word limit): Bohdan Wesely is an Aerospace Engineer in the Entry Systems and Technology Division at Ames. He has worked on a variety of projects for NASA including integrated TPS (thermal protection system) flight hardware deliveries and testing services for commercial partners. Introduction: TEMPEST is a new trajectory analysis framework that is designed to fill the gap between dedicated flight mechanics tools and aerothermal and TPS sizing tools. The project started as an SJSU master’s thesis and has since evolved into a general conceptual design tool capable of studying a wide variety of entry problems. Development is ongoing in the Entry Systems and Technology Division at NASA ARC. Why TEMPEST: Space missions involving entry into a planetary atmosphere involve a series of unique requirements across multiple disciplines. Whether it is traditional entry descent and landing (EDL), or aerocapture, the vehicle must navigate to its target landing location or orbit state, and the TPS must protect the payload during entry. The design process typically involves iterative handoffs between various flight mechanics, flow solver, and material response level tools. During the early conceptual phase, a wide variety of feasible trajectories are simulated in a Monte Carlo scenario which broadly satisfy the mission or landing requirements. Next, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC), and other flow solver analyses are performed at various key trajectory points to generate an aero-database, heating and TPS design requirements also emerge at this stage. At this point, with updated aerodynamics from the various flow solvers, trajectories can be re-run, this in turn can change the required freestream conditions for the CFD tools, and as a project progresses, these analyses converge, and uncertainty is reduced. However, there is always a “hand-off” occurring between two inherently coupled phenomena. Analysis Description: One of the goals with TEMPEST is to use a variety of first principles estimation methods coupled with an atmosphere model to predict vehicle aerothermodynamics across the entire flight regime while propagating a 3 or 6 degree of freedom (DoF) trajectory. Aerodynamics methods include modified Newtonian, Maxwell and Cercignani- Lampis-Lord (CLL) for continuum, transitional, and free molecular flow regimes. Aerothermodynamics include boundary layer and reference enthalpy methods, and Mutation++ for non-equilibrium chemistry modeling. TEMPEST is also capable of stitching multiple trajectory segments together to study mission scenarios like multi-pass aerocapture and aero-gravity assists. Most of the program is implemented in MATLAB using modern system objects, it relies on several C++ shared libraries for supporting tools like Gmsh, the Global Reference Atmospheric Model (GRAM), and Mutation++. The various first principles aerothermal estimation methods are discretized across either a structured axisymmetric panel mesh or an unstructured tri-mesh generated from an open-source tool such as Gmsh, this allows solutions on the same mesh to be compared across tools such as CB-Aero. CFD Coupling. A physics-aware, gaussian process CFD anchoring scheme is proposed to adjust the various first principles methods as a CFD database is populated. One goal for this anchoring module is to inform the project where CFD should be run. Full knowledge of the entire trajectory, atmosphere, and aerothermodynamics allows for easier identification of high sensitivity areas and uncertainty quantification. While the first principles effects are well known and proven accurate in existing tools such as CB- Aero and Cart3D, a physics aware CFD anchoring scheme increases tool credibility across a project lifecycle. Material Response Modeling. Correct TPS sizing is critical for optimizing mass for science payloads and ensuring mission success. The process typically involves a thermal analysis along the trajectory with surface heating environments as a boundary condition. Several design constraints are maximum bondline temperature and maximum recession with various margining techniques. The material response tool FIAT, developed out of NASA Ames, is currently being integrated into the TEMPEST environment. TPS recession, shape change, mass loss, and mass property alteration are all factors that can perturb an entry trajectory. For missions like Mars 2020, recession was minimal and was safely handled separately as a post process. For missions such as Jupiter Galileo with a high TPS mass fraction or asteroid entries, recession plays a major role. The proposed fully coupled scheme is to use an epoch-based approach where the trajectory integration is halted after a recession threshold, the energy balance and FIAT are solved at each panel, the mesh, aerodynamics, and mass properties are updated, and the trajectory continues. Several computational tradeoffs have been made during the development of TEMPEST to limit the cost of a single trajectory and preserve its utility as a conceptual, rapid iteration tool. Conclusion: Development of TEMPEST is ongoing and the project is still in its infancy. This talk aims to showcase its unique capabilities to support future NASA entry systems missions.

Bohdan O Wesely↗

The discrete Green's function paradigm for two-way coupled Euler-Lagrange simulation

We outline a methodology for the simulation of particle-laden flows whereby the dispersed and fluid phases are two-way coupled. The drag force which couples fluid and particle momentum depends on the undisturbed fluid velocity at the particle location, and this latter quantity requires modelling. We demonstrate that the undisturbed fluid velocity, in the low particle Reynolds number limit, can be related exactly to the discrete Green's function of the discrete Stokes equations. The method is general in that it can be extended to other partial differential equations which may be associated with particle-laden flows, such as the thermal energy equation or Maxwell's equations. In this work, we demonstrate the method of discrete Green's functions by obtaining these functions for the Navier-Stokes equations at low particle Reynolds number in a two-plane channel geometry. We perform verification at low and finite particle Reynolds number for the case of a point-particle settling under gravity parallel to a plane wall, for different wall normal separations. In comparing to other point-particle schemes the discrete Green's function approach is the most robust at low particle Reynolds number, accurate at all wall-normal separations and is the most accurate in the near wall region at finite Reynolds number. We discuss how the accuracy away from the wall at finite Reynolds number could be improved by appealing to Oseen-like discrete Green's functions. Finally we demonstrate that the discrete Green's function approach can have important implications on statistics of particle-laden turbulent channel flow.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Structure Formation Limits on Axion-Like Dark Matter

We derive structure formation limits on dark matter (DM) composed of keV-scale axion-like particles (ALPs), produced via freeze-in through the interactions with photons and Standard Model (SM) fermions. We employ Lyman-alpha (Ly-α) forest data sets as well as the observed number of Milky Way (MW) subhalos. We compare results obtained using Maxwell-Boltzmann and quantum statistics for describing the SM bath. It should be emphasized that the presence of logarithmic divergences complicates the calculation of the production rate, which can not be parameterized with a simple power law behaviour. The obtained results, in combination with X-ray bounds, exclude the possibility for a photophilic “frozen-in” ALP DM with mass below ~ 19. For the photophobic ALP scenario, in which DM couples primarily to SM fermions, the ALP DM distribution function is peaked at somewhat lower momentum and hence for such realization we find weaker limits on DM mass. Future facilities, such as the upcoming Vera C. Rubin observatory, will provide measurements with which the current bounds can be significantly improved to ~ 80.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Electromagnetics and Advanced Manufacturing Simulation Development within the MOOSE Ecosystem

The MOOSE electromagnetics module (EMM) was developed to provide a general simulation tool for modeling a wide range of problems encountered in computational electromagnetics and enable MOOSE and MOOSE-based application coupling to Maxwell's equations to solve a wide class of new problems. Development of the electromagnetics module has also enabled development of new advanced manufacturing models in the MOOSE ecosystem, including that of the electric field-assisted sintering (EFAS) process. Recent results from this effort show good agreement with experimental results, and these two capabilities will be used in future projects to develop models for novel materials development and manufacturing for extreme environments.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗