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DOE OSTI2020

Status Update: Deposition Modeling For SNF Canister CISCC

This report fulfills the M3 milestones M3SF-21PN010207025 & M3SF-20PN0102070412. During fiscal year (FY) 2020, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) worked to further develop the FY 2019 deposition and particle tracking models. This status report outlines these efforts and presents the progress made so far. Model development work is ongoing and is planned to continue in FY 2021. The FY 2020 model development included work on: Wind Effects. Model development and sensitivity studies, investigated how wind direction and speed affect deposition; Brownian Motion. Implementing Brownian Motion into existing models; Particle Size Variability. Depending on the particle composition, the diameter of the particle may vary with changes in relative humidity. Models were developed to analyze this; Multiphase and Fluid Film Modeling. Investigating canister surface wetting and drying, and how this effects overall deposition. Models were developed to analyze this; Difusophoresis. Performing initial work to implement diffusiophoresis into the existing models; Turbophoresis. Performing initial work to implement turbophoresis into the existing models. Much of this work will continue into FY21. The authors present initial results and discus current and future work.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

NASA NTRS1976

A study to determine the characteristic shapes of helicopter visual approach profiles

On previous helicopter instrument approach studies, pilot comments frequently indicated that the deceleration profiles were characterized by 'unnatural cues', and it was found that the pilots were comparing the motion and attitude cues with those obtained during visual approaches. Prior to this study, the characteristic shape of visual approach profiles had not been formally documented. Over 200 visual approaches were flown using different helicopter types, test subjects, and initial conditions, and the altitude and groundspeed profiles were measured by a precision tracking radar. The data from each approach were then processed, and the characteristic shape of the altitude, groundspeed, and deceleration profiles was determined for each set of initial conditions. These flight data were processed further using graphical analysis techniques and parameterization, which, in turn, led to developing closed-form equations that accurately describe the characteristic groundspeed and deceleration profiles. Results from this study can be used to select instrument approach profiles, to develop instrument approach control laws, and to define the corresponding hardware requirements.

Moen, G. C.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The benefits of using short interval satellite images to derive winds for tropical cyclones

During the 1975, 1976, and 1977, NOAA's National Environmental Satellite Service and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center conducted a cooperative program to determine the optimum resolution and frequency of satellite images for deriving winds to study and forecast tropical cyclones. Rapid scan images were obtained at 7.5 minute interval from SMS-2 for hurricane Eloise and cyclone Caroline, and at 3 minute intervals from GOES-1 for tropical storms Belle, Holly, and Anita. Cloud motions were derived from these images using the Atmospheric and Oceanographic Information Processing System. Winds that were derived from the movement of upper and lower tropospheric level clouds using rapid scan data were compared with the 15 and 30 minute interval data. Greater than 10 (5) times as many clouds could be tracked to obtain winds using 3 and 7.5 minute rapid scan images as when using 15 or 30 minute interval images. A few bright areas within the central dense overcast which appeared to be moving with the winds at low levels were tracked.

Rodgers, E.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Base line estimation using single passes of laser data

The laser data of the GEOS 3 satellite passes observed by four stations at Greenbelt (Maryland), Bermuda, Grand Turk Island (Bahamas) and Patrick Air Force Base (Florida), were employed to determine precise interstation base lines and relative heights in short orbital arcs of no more than 12-min duration. No more than five arcs of data are required to define the interstation base lines to 30-cm precision. Base lines running parallel to the orbital motion can be defined to submeter precision from a single short arc of data. Combining arcs of different orbital geometry in a common adjustment of two or more stations relative to the base station helps to compensate for weak base line definition in any single arc. This technique can be used for tracking such spacecraft as Lageos, a high-altitude retroreflector-carrying satellite designed for precise laser ranging studies.

Dunn, P. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

NASA geodynamics program

The goals of the NASA geodynamics program comprise the study of the interior structure and composition of the earth, its crustal motions and deformations, the rotational dynamics, and the terrestrial potential fields. Laser ranging an VLBI techniques are being applied in cooperation with 16 other countries. Reflectors on the moon are illumined with laser beams from earth, which are also bounced off the Lageos and French Starlette satellites, permitting monitoring of polar motion, earth rotation, and distance to the moon within 5 cm. Mobile laser systems are being deployed for developing a gravity field model and examining crustal deformation regionally. The VLBI installations use quasars as reference objects and the GPS satellites will give position accuracy within 1-2 cm. Satellite-to-satellite tracking, Magsat, and Shuttle timing experiment data are providing geopotential field data and timing synchronization.

Fischetti, T. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Limb-atmospheric infrared spectrum observed on the satellite Ohzora

The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) launched the 9th scientific satellite Ohzora at 17:00 JST on February 14, 1984. This satellite bears the spectrometer, which measures the infrared spectrum of the solar radiation passing the limb atmosphere in the wavelength region of 2 to 10 m. The spectrometer is based on multichannel spectroscopy by using image sensors. Since the wavelength is scanned electronically, it can measure the spectrum unaffected by the satellite motion. A definite axis, i.e., the Z-axis of the satellite, which coincides to the optical axis of the spectrometer, is controlled to the direction of the Sun, and the finer control to introduce the solar light into the spectrometer is made with a 2-axes-controlled mirror. This solar tracking equipment is derived fast enough to measure the spectra in a moment after sunrise. The solar light introduced into the spectrometer is focused on the slits of the monochromators (f=100mm). For better altitude resolution, the horizontal slit is also used with the vertical slit, which is used for the separation of the dispersion. The dispersion light is detected with the pyroelectric array sensors. To obtain maximum dynamic range and spectral resolution, the three-stage polychromator is used.

Matsuzaki, A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Kalman filter based range estimation for autonomous navigation using imaging sensors

The ability to detect and locate obstacles using on-board sensors and modify the nominal trajectory is necessary for safe landing of an autonomous lander on Mars. This paper examines some of the issues in the location of objects using a sequence of images from a passive sensor, and describes a Kalman filter approach to improve the range estimation to obstacles. The filter is also used to track features in the images leading to a significant reduction of search effort in the feature extraction step of the algorithm. The lack of suitable flight imagery data presents a problem in the verification of concepts for obstacle detection. An experiment is designed to acquire a sequence of images along with sensor motion parameters and the range estimation results using this imagery are presented.

Sridhar, B.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Navigation strategies for multiple autonomous mobile robots moving in formation

The problem of deriving navigation strategies for a fleet of autonomous mobile robots moving in formation is considered. Here, each robot is represented by a particle with a spherical effective spatial domain and a specified cone of visibility. The global motion of each robot in the world space is described by the equations of motion of the robot's center of mass. First, methods for formation generation are discussed. Then, simple navigation strategies for robots moving in formation are derived. A sufficient condition for the stability of a desired formation pattern for a fleet of robots each equipped with the navigation strategy based on nearest neighbor tracking is developed. The dynamic behavior of robot fleets consisting of three or more robots moving in formation in a plane is studied by means of computer simulation.

Wang, P. K. C.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Non-recursive augmented Lagrangian algorithms for the forward and inverse dynamics of constrained flexible multibodies

A technique is presented for solving the inverse dynamics of flexible planar multibody systems. This technique yields the non-causal joint efforts (inverse dynamics) as well as the internal states (inverse kinematics) that produce a prescribed nominal trajectory of the end effector. A non-recursive global Lagrangian approach is used in formulating the equations for motion as well as in solving the inverse dynamics equations. Contrary to the recursive method previously presented, the proposed method solves the inverse problem in a systematic and direct manner for both open-chain as well as closed-chain configurations. Numerical simulation shows that the proposed procedure provides an excellent tracking of the desired end effector trajectory.

Bayo, Eduardo↗

NASA NTRS2006

Geodesy at Mercury with MESSENGER

In 2011 the MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) spacecraft will enter Mercury orbit and begin the mapping phase of the mission. As part of its science objectives the MESSENGER mission will determine the shape and gravity field of Mercury. These observations will enable the topography and the crustal thickness to be derived for the planet and will determine the small libration of the planet about its axis, the latter critical to constraining the state of the core. These measurements require very precise positioning of the MESSENGER spacecraft in its eccentric orbit, which has a periapsis altitude as low as 200 km, an apoapsis altitude near 15,000 km, and a closest approach to the surface varying from latitude 60 to about 70 N. The X-band tracking of MESSENGER and the laser altimetry are the primary data that will be used to measure the planetary shape and gravity field. The laser altimeter, which has an expected range of 1000 to 1200 km, is expected to provide significant data only over the northern hemisphere because of MESSENGER's eccentric orbit. For the southern hemisphere, radio occultation measurements obtained as the spacecraft passes behind the planet as seen from Earth and images obtained with the imaging system will be used to provide the long-wavelength shape of the planet. Gravity, derived from the tracking data, will also have greater resolution in the northern hemisphere, but full global models for both topography and gravity will be obtained at low harmonic order and degree. The limiting factor for both gravity and topography is expected to be knowledge of the spacecraft location. Present estimations are that in a combined tracking, altimetry, and occultation solution the spacecraft position uncertainty is likely to be of order 10 m. This accuracy should be adequate for establishing an initial geodetic coordinate system for Mercury that will enable positioning of imaged features on the surface, determination of the planet's obliquity, and detection of the librational motion of the planet about its axis.

Smith, David E.↗

NASA NTRS2008

Observing Solar System Objects with the James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will have the capability to observe Solar System objects having apparent rates of motion up to 30 milliarcseconds/sec. The key science drivers are the study of Kuiper Belt Objects, asteroids, comets, and the outer planets and their moons at near and mid-infrared wavelengths. This poster presents the results from a recent study that defined the conceptual design for a capability for JWST to track and observe moving targets. We illustrate about how guide star acquisition and tracking wi11 be handled while retaining the efficient and flexible execution characteristics of JWST event-driven operations. We also show how the JWST pointing control system can readily support moving target observations. The characteristics of Solar System objects that can be observed by JWST are summarized along with descriptions of the major aspects of moving target science observation planning and on-board event-driven execution.

Sonneborn, George↗

NASA NTRS2014

Boundary Layer Transition Detection on a Rotor Blade Using Rotating Mirror Thermography

Laminar-to-turbulent transition on a rotor blade in hover has been imaged using an area-scan infrared camera. A new method for tracking a blade using a rotating mirror was employed. The mirror axis of rotation roughly corresponded to the rotor axis of rotation and the mirror rotational frequency is 1/2 that of the rotor. This permitted the use of cameras whose integration time was too long to prevent image blur due to the motion of the blade. This article will show the use of this method for a rotor blade at different collective pitch angles.

Imaging↗

NASA NTRS2012

A Celestial Reference Frame at X/ka-Band (8.4/32 Ghz) for Deep Space Navigation

Deep space tracking and navigation are done in a quasi-inertial reference frame based upon the angular positions of distant active galactic nuclei (AGN). These objects, which are found at extreme distances characterized by median redshifts of z = 1, are ideal for reference frame definition because they exhibit no measurable parallax or proper motion. They are thought to be powered by super massive black holes whose gravitational energy drives galactic sized relativistic jets. These jets produce synchrotron emissions which are detectable by modern radio techniques such as Very Long baseline Interferometry (VLBI).

very long baseline interferometry (VLBI)↗

NASA NTRS2017

Elastomeric Sensing of Pressure with Liquid Metal and Wireless Inductive Coupling

This project describes resistance-based soft sensors filled with liquid metal, which permit measurements of large strains (0 percent to 110 percent), associated with small forces of less than 30 Newtons. This work also demonstrates a methodology for wireless transfer of these strain measurements without connected electrodes. These sensors allow intermittent detection of pressure on soft membranes with low force. Adapting these sensors for passive wireless pressure sensing will eliminate the need for embedded batteries, and will allow the sensors to transmit pressure data through non-conductive materials including glass and acrylic. The absence of batteries allows us to embed these sensors into materials for long-term use because the sensors only use passive analog circuit elements. We found the oxidation of the liquid metal (eutectic gallium indium) plays a role in the repeatability of the soft sensors. We investigated how the oxidation layer affected the behavior of the sensor by encapsulating materials (silicone, fluorosilicone, and PVC) with varied permeabilities to oxygen. We measured the effects of mechanical loading on the oxidation layer and the effects of wireless inductive coupling on the oxidation layer. We concluded our research by investigating the effects of embedding self-resonant circuits into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Efforts to design engineered systems with soft materials are a growing field with progress in soft robotics, epidermal electronics, and wearable electronics. In the field of soft robotics, PDMS-based grippers are capable of picking up delicate objects because their form-fitting properties allow them to conform to the shape of objects more easily than conventional robotic grippers. Epidermal devices also use PDMS as a substrate to hold electronic components such as radios, sensors, and power supply circuits. Additionally, PDMS-based soft sensors can monitor human motion with liquid metal embedded within micro-channels. Passive wireless sensors have applications in structural health monitoring and medical health monitoring. Doctors can take wireless blood pressure measurements inside arteries to monitor the progression of heart disease. Glaucoma patients can use this technology to monitor the pressure in their eyes to track the progression of the disease.

Dick, Jacob↗

NASA NTRS2019

Comparing Flood-Producing Catastrophic Hurricanes in GEOS: A Study of Juan 1985 and Harvey 2017

Hurricanes Juan (1985) and Harvey (2017) bear remarkable similarities because of the exceptional amount of accumulated precipitation over coastal regions in the Gulf, consequent to the peculiar and rare situation in which a hurricane stalls for several days on a coastal area, displaying minimal progress. This is particularly dangerous because: a) terrestrial drag affect only part of the circulation so that weakening is not as fast as when there is rapid motion inland; b) a part of the circulation remains over water and as such low-level moisture flux convergence is maintained; c) precipitation lasts for a very long time over the same area; d) moisture recycling from flooded areas further contributes to maintaining flood conditions. From the forecast perspective, hurricanes with track singularities such as stalling points, loops, or multiple landfalls over the same region are exceptionally difficult to predict because they result from small variations of opposing mechanisms and are therefore intrinsically unstable. Intensity fluctuations and track singularities are strongly coupled. The representation of fluxes undergoing differential drag (ocean vs. land) inside the same circulation is critically dependent upon resolution. Recent modeling development efforts within the NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) have brought the horizontal resolution of the global cubed-sphere Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) atmospheric model down to 12 km. This has led to innovative findings in the field of tropical cyclone (TC) modeling within a global framework. The GEOS atmospheric model and data assimilation system (DAS), used to produce the MERRA-2 (Modern Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications) reanalysis, has a "Replay" capability that adds a forcing term to the model equations to constrain it to follow a specified trajectory. This capability is used to produce global, downscaled versions of the 50 km MERRA-2 reanalysis at a 12.5 km resolution. The full DAS and replay modes both use the Incremental Analysis Update or IAU for applying an analysis increment to the model's background state four times each day at 00Z, 06Z, 12Z and 18Z. In a full DAS mode, a six-hour free run of the model is made (Predictor Step), writing states that will be used as backgrounds or first-guesses for the analysis centered on 00Z. The Analysis system then produces its best estimate of the 00Z state by blending backgrounds with observations. The difference between this best estimate and the model's original first guess at 00Z is treated as an analysis increment and added uniformly as a forcing term to the model during a second, now forced, run of the 12Z to 03Z window, which produces the assimilated results. Replay mode is very similar, except only the 00Z background is needed from the predictor segment, which is thus half as long, and instead of doing an analysis, a previously analyzed state at 00Z is read in. The increment is then computed and applied to the corrector step in the same way as in the original DAS. When downscaling horizontal spatial filters can be applied to the "analysis" increment used to force the Corrector step, so as to reproduce the full meteorological state or selectively choose or discard certain forcings. In this presentation, full global hindcast simulations of Juan and operational forecasts of Harvey are compared.

Flooding↗

NASA NTRS2004

Real-time detection of moving objects from moving vehicles using dense stereo and optical flow

Dynamic scene perception is very important for autonomous vehicles operating around other moving vehicles and humans. Most work on real-time object tracking from moving platforms has used sparse features or assumed flat scene structures. We have recently extended a real-time, dense stereo system to include real-time, dense optical flow, enabling more comprehensive dynamic scene analysis. We describe algorithms to robustly estimate 6-DOF robot egomotion in the presence of moving objects using dense flow and dense stereo. We then use dense stereo and egomotion estimates to identity other moving objects while the robot itself is moving. We present results showing accurate egomotion estimation and detection of moving people and vehicles under general 6-DOF motion of the robot and independently moving objects. The system runs at 18.3 Hz on a 1.4 GHz Pentium M laptop, computing 160x120 disparity maps and optical flow fields, egomotion, and moving object segmentation. We believe this is a significant step toward general unconstrained dynamic scene analysis for mobile robots, as well as for improved position estimation where GPS is unavailable.

egomotion↗

DOE OSTI2022

Simulation Studies of Intra-Train, Bunch-by-Bunch Feedback Systems at the International Linear Collider

The International Linear Collider (ILC) is a proposed electron-positron collider targeting collision energies from 250 GeV to 1 TeV. With design luminosities of order 10³⁴ cm²s⁻¹, a beam-based, intra-train feedback system would be required near the Interaction Point (IP) to provide nanometre-level stabilisation of the beam overlap in the collisions. Here we present results from beam-tracking simulations of the 500 GeV ILC, including the impact of beam-trajectory imperfections on the luminosity, and the capability of the IP feedback system to compensate for them. Effects investigated include the position jitter introduced by the damping ring extraction kicker, short-range and long-range wakefields, and ground motion. The feedback system was shown to be able to correct for beam-beam offsets of up to 200 nm and stabilise the collision overlap to the nanometre level, within a few bunch crossings.

Ramjiawan, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Statistical tests of ARIES data

Statistical tests are performed on Project ARIES preliminary baseline measurements in the Southern California triangle formed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Owens Valley Radio Observatory, and the Goldstone tracking complex during 1976-1980. In addition to conventional one-dimensional tests a two-dimensional test which allows for an arbitrary correlation between errors in individual components is formulated using the Hotelling statistic. On two out of three baselines the mean rate of change in baseline vector is statistically significant. Apparent motions on all three baselines are consistent with a pure shear with north-south compression and east-west expansion of 1 x 10 to the -7th/year. The ARIES measurements are consistent with the USGS geodolite networks in Southern California and the SAFE laser satellite ranging experiment. All three experiments are consistent with a 6 cm/year motion between the Pacific and North American Plates and a band of diffuse shear 300 km wide, except that corresponding rotation of the entire triangle is not found.

Musman, S.↗