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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 1,009 records · Page 56
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Influence of gravity field uncertainties on the results from POGO and Magsat geomagnetic surveys

Errors in the gravity models used in satellite position calculations are examined as a possible source of the 0 to 100% variance found between POGO and Magsat magnetic data and the extrapolations of aerial magnetic survey data to satellite heights. For POGO data obtained over the New York Bight region using a relatively poor gravity field (a hybrid spherical harmonic model of degree 7 and order 6 with three higher order resonance terms), the magnitude of the error in the satellite height component is found to be sufficient to account for the amplitude of the discrepancy, however the frequency of the quasi-periodic orbital error is too large to explain the localized nature of the differences. For the case of the Magsat satellite, in which a more accurate gravity model was used, it is found that a 30 mgal gravitational anomaly distributed over a 5 x 5 deg area will produce insufficiently large position errors to account for the variations. The agreement between the two sets of satellite data in the New York Bight region suggests either a consistent error in satellite measurements, or problems with the reduction and processing of the aeromagnetic data.

Taylor, P. T.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Reduction of flow-measurement uncertainties in laser velocimeters with nonorthogonal channels

An analysis of certain geometrical limitations inherent in the application of laser velocimeters with nonorthogonal channels has led to the development of advanced-LDA-calibration and data-acquisition techniques that minimize systematic and statistical errors, respectively. The data-acquisition technique optimizes the number of velocity samples collected from three velocimeter channels as a function of local turbulence intensity, vector direction, and prescribed confidence interval. Linear velocity surveys and streamline traces measured in a turbulent flow field with a three-dimensional laser velocimeter are presented and the validity and accuracy of the theoretical analysis are discussed.

Snyder, P. K.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Impact of atmospheric uncertainties and viscous interaction effects on the performance of aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles

Simulations of aerobraking trajectories of aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles (AOTV's) returning from geosynchronous orbit were analyzed to examine the effects of high-altitude viscous interactions and off-nominal atmospheres on AOTV return weight, heating, and loads performance. Viscous interaction effects encountered at high altitudes had little detrimental effect on the return weight capabilities for AOTV's representing a range of lift/drag ratios. Most of the AOTV return weight increase over an all-propulsive OTV occurred for a low lift/drag ratio. Smaller increases in return weight were observed for higher lift/drag ratios, at the expense of significantly higher heating and aerodynamic loads. Off-nominal atmospheres based on Shuttle-derived data and multipliers on a U.S. Standard Atmosphere were considered. AOTV's intended for entry under standard atmospheric conditions either deorbited during the pass through the off-nominal atmospheres or missed the target phasing orbit by wide margins. The AOTV's could successfully negotiate these atmospheres when new bank-angle histories were implemented with little loss and sometimes with a gain in return weight.

Talay, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Ozone perturbations by enhanced levels of CFCs, N2O, and CH4 A two-dimensional diabatic circulation study including uncertainty estimates

Observations made over the last few years suggest that the tropospheric concentrations of N2O, CH4, and O3 are increasing. Increases in the concentration of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have been observed for some time. The present study is concerned with combined scenarios of future releases of N2O, CH4, and CFCs, which can affect the height profiles of ozone, while changes in latitudinal gradients of ozone may also be expected. Ozone perturbation calculations performed in the two-dimensional transport-chemistry model described by Stordal et al. (1985) are also presented, and the effects of increased levels of CFCs, N2O, and CH4 are examined. It is found that CH4 may be the most important ozone-perturbing trace species in connection with future tropospheric climatic impacts. A substantial increase in the tropospheric abundancy of CH4 could lead to large future ozone enhancements throughout the troposphere and lower stratosphere at middle and low latitudes.

Isaksen, I. S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Density uncertainty effect on cost of space station reboost

If the space station is designed for operation in a nominal atmosphere for ten years and the atmosphere is two-sigma higher than nominal during the entire ten year period, the impact would be an additional cost of $70.1 million, based on a resupply cost of $3200/lb. A cost analysis of the space station fuel consumption with reboost is presented.

Unterberg, Walter↗
NASA NTRS1988

Volcanic contribution to crustal growth in the Central Andes: A new estimate and a discussion of uncertainties

Volcanism above subduction zones is a major mechanism for crustal growth and compared to some other proposed processes calculation of growth rates is relatively easy given accurate volumes and ages of volcanic material. Francis and Rundie (1976) first used this approach in a small region of the Central Andes, and extrapolated their result to the entire Central Andean arc. The derived rate of 3 to 4.2 x 10 to the minus 6th cubic km yr/km of arc length is compared with an independent estimate based upon a reconnaissance census of all major volcanoes in the Central Andes.

Wood, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Theory on the uncertainty in cloud microphysical processes and climate

The interactive role of clouds and precipitation processes in a climate model is investigated. The basic model structure and parameterizations for condensation, evaporation, and precipitation are outlined. Results simulated from the cloud-climate model are discussed. The potential link between microphysical cloud processes and climate is theorized. The need to develop a climatology of the mean particle radius for clouds at the global scale, in order to understand the role of clouds in climate is stressed.

Liou, Kuo-Nan↗
NASA NTRS1987

Algorithms for adaptive control of two-arm flexible manipulators under uncertainty

A nonlinear extension of model reference adaptive control (MRAC) technique is used to guide a double arm nonlinearizable robot manipulator with flexible links, driven by actuators collocated with joints subject to uncertain payload and inertia. The objective is to track a given simple linear and rigid but compatible dynamical model in real, possible stipulated time and within stipulated degree of accuracy of convergence while avoiding collision of the arms. The objective is attained by a specified signal adaptive feedback controller and by adaptive laws, both given in closed form. A case of 4 DOF manipulator illustrates the technique.

Skowronski, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Grasp planning under uncertainty

The planning of dexterous grasps for multifingered robot hands operating in uncertain environments is covered. A sensor-based approach to the planning of a reach path prior to grasping is first described. An on-line, joint space finger path planning algorithm for the enclose phase of grasping was then developed. The algorithm minimizes the impact momentum of the hand. It uses a Preshape Jacobian matrix to map task-level hand preshape requirements into kinematic constraints. A master slave scheme avoids inter-finger collisions and reduces the dimensionality of the planning problem.

Erkmen, A. M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Robust tracking of a flexible spacecraft subject to induced disturbances and parametric uncertainties

A variable structure control technique combined with an operator spline for bilinear systems is implemented to a fast moving deformable structure for purposes of achieving robust tracking performance. The control torque applied to the structure is based on estimates of the structure parameters and on upper bounds of the model errors. For a rapid rotation of the deformable structure, the elastic response can be modeled by oscillators driven by angular acceleration, where stiffness and damping coefficients are also angular velocity and acceleration dependent. By transforming this 'slew-driven' elastic dynamics into a bilinear form, an operator spline can be constructed, that gives a low order estimate of the induced disturbance. An upper bound between the estimated deformation and the unknown exact deformation is also generated, which can be used where required in the sliding control correction.

Karray, Fakhreddine↗