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At least 1,027 records · Page 57

Data User's Note: Apollo seismological investigations

Seismological objectives and equipment used in the passive seismic, active seismic, lunar seismic profiling, and the lunar gravimeter experiments conducted during Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17 missions are described. The various formats in which the data form these investigations can be obtained are listed an an index showing the NSSDC identification number is provided. Tables show manned lunar landing missions, lunar seismic network statistics, lunar impact coordinate statistics, detonation masses and times of EP's, the ALSEP (Apollo 14) operational history; compressed scale playout tape availability, LSPE coverage for one lunation, and experimenter interpreted events types.

Vostreys, R. W.↗

Design, development, and field testing of Infrared Heterodyne Radiometer (IHR) for remote profiling of tropospheric and stratospheric species

The performance of a dual-channel infrared heterodyne radiometer, designed to remotely monitor the concentration and vertical distribution of selected atmospheric species, is described. Ground based solar viewing measurement using the IHR were performed at selected laser transitions for ammonia (NH3 and ozone O3). Flight tests were conducted aboard the Galileo II, NASA Ames CV-990, on the Latitude Survey Mission. Ozone was the selected atmospheric species for the airborne flight measurements because of the scientific interest in this atmospheric species, the availability of in situ monitors, the coordinated ozone measurements, and the availability of ground truth data. The IHS was operated in the solar viewing mode to determine ozone distributions in the stratosphere and in the nadir viewing mode to determine the ozone distribution in the troposphere. Airborne atmospheric propagation measurements also were carried out at selected CO2 laser transitions.

Lange, R.↗

Precise Measurement of Effective Focal Length

Computerized instrument measures effective focal lengths to 0.01 percent accuracy. Laser interferometers measure mirror angle and stage coordinate y in instrument for accurate measurment of focal properties of optical systems. Operates under computer control to measure effective focal length, focal surface shape, modulation transfer function, and astigmatism.

Wise, T. D.↗

Spacelab: An International Success Story

Spacelab is a European-developed and U.S.-operated space laboratory carried in the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Orbiter. This story of the Spacelab Development Program traces the program from the origin of the Spacelab concept, describing negotiations and agreements for European participation and the role of Europe and the United States in system development, operational capability development, and utilization planning. It also considers the joint management structure, coordination, and experience in solving management and technical interface problems. The book is not an exhaustive historical treatise, but an informative and readable story of the evolution and technical accomplishments of this unique program in manned space flight and of some of the unusual political and human interest aspects of the program from the viewpoint of one of the key participants.

Lord, Douglas R.↗

Pilot selection and training

Personality and situational factors relevant to individual and group performance in highly demanding environments, such as those faced by astronauts or by jet transport crew, are discussed. It is emphasized that although technical competence and proficiency in pilot selection are prerequisites for safety, operating a modern jet transport is a group endeavor that requires the effective coordination of the entire crew. A self-report test battery for measuring positive and negative personality traits of pilot candidates, termed the Personal Characteristics Inventory, is described.

Helmreich, Robert L.↗

Executive overview and introduction to the SMAP information system life-cycle and documentation standards

An overview of the five volume set of Information System Life-Cycle and Documentation Standards is provided with information on its use. The overview covers description, objectives, key definitions, structure and application of the standards, and document structure decisions. These standards were created to provide consistent NASA-wide structures for coordinating, controlling, and documenting the engineering of an information system (hardware, software, and operational procedures components) phase by phase.

Source record↗

Self-Reconfigurable Two-Arm Manipulator With Bracing

Proposed two-arm robotic manipulator capable of changing its mechanical structure to fit given task. No reassembly or replacement in conventional sense: instead, arms commanded during operation to assume any of number of alternative configurations, described briefly in "Dynamic Coordination of a Two-Arm Robotic Manipulator" (NPO-18816), NASA Tech Briefs.

Lee, Sukhan↗

Rate and Gain Limitations of MSGC's and MGC's Combined with GEM and other Preamplification Structures

We have studied the rate and gain limits of diamond-coated Microstrip Gas Counters (MSGC's) and Micro-Gap Counters (MGC's) when combined with various preamplification structures: Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM), Parallel-Plate Avalanche Chamber (PPAC) or a MICROMEGAS-type structure. Measurements were done both with X rays and alpha particles with various detector geometries and in different gas mixtures at pressures from 0.05 to 10 atm. The results obtained varied significantly with detector design, gas mixture and pressure, but some general features can be identified. We found that in all cases, bare MSGC'S, MGC'S, PPAC's and MICROMEGAS, the maximum achievable gain drops with rate. The addition of preamplification structures significantly increases the gain of MSGC's and MGC'S, but this gain is still rate dependent. There would seem to be a general rate-dependent effect governing the usable gain of all these detectors. We speculate on possible mechanisms for this effect, and identify a safe, spark-free, operation zone for each system (detector + preamplification structure) in the rate-gain coordinate plane.

Fonte, P.↗

Web-Based Real-Time Emergency Monitoring

The Web-based Real-Time Asset Monitoring (RAM) module for emergency operations and facility management enables emergency personnel in federal agencies and local and state governments to monitor and analyze data in the event of a natural disaster or other crisis that threatens a large number of people and property. The software can manage many disparate sources of data within a facility, city, or county. It was developed on industry-standard Geo- Spatial software and is compliant with open GIS standards. RAM View can function as a standalone system, or as an integrated plugin module to Emergency Operations Center (EOC) software suites such as REACT (Real-time Emergency Action Coordination Tool), thus ensuring the widest possible distribution among potential users. RAM has the ability to monitor various data sources, including streaming data. Many disparate systems are included in the initial suite of supported hardware systems, such as mobile GPS units, ambient measurements of temperature, moisture and chemical agents, flow meters, air quality, asset location, and meteorological conditions. RAM View displays real-time data streams such as gauge heights from the U.S. Geological Survey gauging stations, flood crests from the National Weather Service, and meteorological data from numerous sources. Data points are clearly visible on the map interface, and attributes as specified in the user requirements can be viewed and queried.

Harvey, Craig A.↗

Requirements, Resource Planning and Management for Decrewing/Recrewing Scenarios of the International Space Station

Following the failure of 44P on launch in August 2011, and the subsequent grounding of all Russian Soyuz rocket based launches, the ISS ground teams engaged in an effort to determine how long the ISS could remain crewed, what would be required to safely configure the ISS for decrewing, and what would be required to recrew the ISS upon resumption of Soyuz rocket launches if decrewing became necessary. This White Paper was written to capture the processes and lessons learned from real-time time events and to provide a reference and training document for ISS Program teams in the event decrewing of the ISS is needed. Through coordination meetings and assessments, teams identified six decrewing priorities for ground and crew operations. These priorities were integrated along with preflight priorities through the Increment replanning process. Additionally, the teams reviewed, updated, and implemented changes to the governing documentation for the configuration of the ISS for a contingency decrewing event. Steps were taken to identify critical items for disposal prior to decrewing, as well as identifying the required items to be strategically staged or flown with the astronauts and cosmonauts who would eventually recrew the ISS. After the successful launches and dockings of both 45P and 28S, the decrewing team transitioned to finalizing and publishing the documentation for standardizing the decrewing flight rules. With the continued launching of crews and cargo to the ISS, utilization and science is again a high priority, with the Increment pairs 29 and 30, and 31 and 32 reaching the milestone of at least 35 hours per week average utilization.

Bach, David A.↗

Requirements, Resource Planning, and Management for Decrewing/Recrewing Scenarios of the International Space Station

Following the failure of 44 Progress (44P) on launch in August 2011, and the subsequent grounding of all Russian Soyuz rocket based launches, the International Space Station (ISS) ground teams engaged in an effort to determine how long the ISS could remain crewed, what would be required to safely configure the ISS for decrewing, and what would be required to recrew the ISS upon resumption of Soyuz rocket launches if decrewing became necessary. This White Paper was written to capture the processes and lessons learned from real-time time events and to provide a reference and training document for ISS Program teams in the event decrewing of the ISS is needed. Through coordination meetings and assessments, teams identified six decrewing priorities for ground and crew operations. These priorities were integrated along with preflight priorities through the Increment re-planning process. Additionally, the teams reviewed, updated, and implemented changes to the governing documentation for the configuration of the ISS for a contingency decrewing event. Steps were taken to identify critical items for disposal prior to decrewing, as well as identifying the required items to be strategically staged or flown with the astronauts and cosmonauts who would eventually recrew the ISS. After the successful launches and dockings of both 45P and 28 Soyuz (28S), the decrewing team transitioned to finalizing and publishing the documentation for standardizing the decrewing flight rules. With the continued launching of crews and cargo to the ISS, utilization and science is again a high priority; both Increment pairs 29 and 30, and Increment 31 and 32 reaching the milestone of at least 35 hours per week average utilization.

Bach, David A.↗

Orion Burn Management, Nominal and Response to Failures

An approach for managing Orion on-orbit burn execution is described for nominal and failure response scenarios. The burn management strategy for Orion takes into account per-burn variations in targeting, timing, and execution; crew and ground operator intervention and overrides; defined burn failure triggers and responses; and corresponding on-board software sequencing functionality. Burn-to- burn variations are managed through the identification of specific parameters that may be updated for each progressive burn. Failure triggers and automatic responses during the burn timeframe are defined to provide safety for the crew in the case of vehicle failures, along with override capabilities to ensure operational control of the vehicle. On-board sequencing software provides the timeline coordination for performing the required activities related to targeting, burn execution, and responding to burn failures.

Odegard, Ryan↗

Assessment of a National Airspace System Airborne Rerouting Tool

This paper presents the assessment of a National Airspace System airborne rerouting tool. The tool implements NASA’s Dynamic Weather Routes concept for wind-corrected flying-time savings during convective weather activity. A description of the system, as applicable to the entire United States airspace is provided, and results are presented demonstrating benefits of such a system from various Centers and airlines’ perspectives. Three cases for selection of reroute-return capture fix, which prevent unrealistically large controller clearances are presented. Results are shown for potential time- and fuel-savings (over 134,000 minutes and 4.2 million lbs. of fuel for over 35,000 proposed reroutes) and sector congestion reduction (over 121 hours in congested sectors) for all 20 Centers. The data used were for 30 days with highest delays attributable to convective weather from April to October of 2014. Other results show the evaluation of the maneuver or reroute start point (a parameter representing the amount of coordination time needed), which highlight the need for a controller-pilot data link. A data link would help achieve higher savings. The results for persistence time, beyond which the time-savings dwindle quickly, help determine the maximum coordination time required for each Center. Finally, an assessment from a current National Operations Manager at the Air Traffic Control System Command Center of the FAA is documented. Those suggestions could improve the efficiency of the air transportation system, especially with the expected improvements in the traffic flow management infrastructure. Currently, one industry partner and one airline are assessing this technology for commercial operational use.

Benefits Assessment↗

Cybersecurity Standards for Photovoltaic Operations

Solar energy plays an important role in securing a more resilient, cyber-secure electrical grid in Pennsylvania. Solar's ability to be widely "distributed" on residential and large roofs, marginal lands, and many other locations across Pennsylvania - as opposed to being centralized - offers a strong option for addressing the myriad of potential disruptions that can occur to the grid's infrastructure. And when combined with energy storage, local energy needs can be met immediately without having to wait on the delivery of an off-site fuel source. As more and more distributed solar electricity generation is brought online, researchers, technology developers, solar developers and grid operators are paying close attention to the potential for solar to enhance grid cybersecurity. Although nobody may know when, where, or how the next cyberattack will take place, there are security measures, technical solutions, and management practices that are being implemented across the industry to protect against network control issues and grid operations. Everyone participating in the solar value chain stands to gain from a coordinated, iterative approach to protect against cyber vulnerabilities and build deeper resilience into the architecture of our grid.

cybersecurity↗

Workshop on Establishing and Operating a National Nuclear Security Support Centre Hypothetical Scenario: "Republic of Centralia Nuclear Security Support Centre Feasibility Report"

[This is part of a hypothetical, scenario-based exercise for workshop participants, based on the fictitious country "Centralia."] This report serves as official record of the coordinated process completed by competent authorities and other organizations with nuclear security responsibilities in the Republic of Centralia to determine the feasibility of establishing and operating a national nuclear security support centre (NSSC). The report summarizes all sustainability needs and available resources identified during the feasibility determination process, including consideration of possible NSSC institutional models, in line with the systematic approach recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Centralia Nuclear Regulatory Authority (CNRA), as the designated lead organization for coordinating the feasibility determination process, has prepared this report in collaboration with members of the Committee on Nuclear Security (CNS) and based on input gathered among relevant national stakeholders. The report has been presented to the National Security Advisor (NSA), for final review and decision-making as to whether Centralia should proceed with establishing an NSSC.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Interactive method for planning constrained, fuel-optimal orbital proximity operations

An interactive graphical method for planning fuel-efficient rendezvous trajectories in the multi-spacecraft environment of the space station is presented. The method allows the operator to compose a multi-burn transfer trajectory between arbitrary initial chaser and target trajectories. The available task time of the mission is limited and the maneuver is subject to various operational constraints, such as departure, arrival, plume impingement and spatial constraints. The maneuvers are described in terms of the relataive motion experienced in a Space-Station centered coordinate system. The optimization method is based on the primer vector and its extension to non-optimal trajectories. The visual feedback of trajectory shapes, operational constraints, and optimization functions, provided by user-transparaent and continuously active background computations, allows the operator to make fast, iterative design changes which rapidly converge to fuel-efficient solutions. The optimization functions are presented. A variety of simple design examples has been presented to demonstrate the usefulness of the method. In many cases the addition of a properly positioned intermediate waypoint resulted in fuel savings of up to 30%. Furthermore, due to the counter-intuitive character of the optimization functions, most fuel-optimal solutions could not have been found without the aid of the optimization tools. Operating the system was found to be very easy, and did not require any previous in-depth knowledge of orbital dynamics or trajectory. The planning tool is an example of operator assisted optimization of nonlinear cost-functions.

Abramovitz, Adrian↗

Control of Host-Matrix Morphology Enables Efficient Deep-Blue Organic Light-Emitting Devices

Mixing a sterically bulky, electron-transporting host material into a conventional single host–guest emissive layer is demonstrated to suppress phase separation of the host matrix while increasing the efficiency and operational lifetime of deep-blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) with chromaticity coordinates of (0.14, 0.15). Here, the bulky host enables homogenous mixing of the molecules comprising the emissive layer while suppressing single host aggregation; a significant loss channel of nonradiative recombination. By controlling the amorphous phase of the host-matrix morphology, the mixed-host device achieves a significant reduction in nonradiative exciton decay, resulting in 120 ± 6% increase in external quantum efficiency relative to an analogous, single-host device. In contrast to single host PHOLEDs where electrons are transported by the host and holes by the dopants, both charge carriers are conducted by the mixed host, reducing the probability of exciton annihilation, thereby doubling of the deep-blue PHOLED operational lifetime. These findings demonstrate that the host matrix morphology affects almost every aspect of PHOLED performance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA's Internal Space Weather Working Group

Measurements from many of NASA's scientific spacecraft are used routinely by space weather forecasters, both in the U.S. and internationally. ACE, SOHO (an ESA/NASA collaboration), STEREO, and SDO provide images and in situ measurements that are assimilated into models and cited in alerts and warnings. A number of years ago, the Space Weather laboratory was established at NASA-Goddard, along with the Community Coordinated Modeling Center. Within that organization, a space weather service center has begun issuing alerts for NASA's operational users. NASA's operational user community includes flight operations for human and robotic explorers; atmospheric drag concerns for low-Earth orbit; interplanetary navigation and communication; and the fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles, high altitude aircraft, and launch vehicles. Over the past three years we have identified internal stakeholders within NASA and formed a Working Group to better coordinate their expertise and their needs. In this presentation we will describe this activity and some of the challenges in forming a diverse working group.

St. Cyr, O. C.↗