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At least 1,063 records · Page 59
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

Remote object configuration/orientation determination

This invention relates to object detection and location systems and, more particularly, to a method for determining the configuration and location of an object with respect to an X, Y, X coordinate frame. In space applications in particular, there is a need to be able to passively determine the orientation of an object at a distance, for example, in the control of large, flexible space structures. At present, there is no available method or apparatus which will allow the operator to make such a determination. A similar problem and need exists in robotic application. It is the primary object of this invention to provide a system for remotely defining an object's configuration in a manner compatible with a computer's analytical capability.

Schumacher, Larry L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Method and apparatus for determining return stroke polarity of distant lightning

A method is described for determining the return stroke polarity of distant lightning for distances beyond 600 km by detecting the electric field associated with a return stroke of distant lightning, and processing the electric field signal to determine the polarity of the slow tail of the VLF waveform signal associated with the detected electric field. The polarity of the return stroke of distant lightning is determined based upon the polarity of the slow tail portion of the waveform.

Blakeslee, Richard J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Protein solubilities determined by a rapid technique and modification of that technique to a micro-method

A simple, rapid method for determination of protein solubilities has been developed which is based upon maximization of the free solution volume to be brought into equilibrium. The tetragonal lysozome solubility diagram has been determined from pH 4.0 to 5.2 (0.1 M sodium acetate), 2-7 percent NaCl, 3-25 C, and portions of the orthorhombic solubility diagram using this technique. Both tetragonal and orthorhombic solubilities were found to increase smoothly with decreasing salt concentration and increasing temperature; no retrograde solubilities were observed. Using column volumes of 75, 300, and 900 microliters, identical tetragonal lysozyme solubility diagrams were obtained. Chymotrypsinogen solubilities have also been determined using this apparatus, being retrograde over the temperature range tested. It is noted that the primary limiting factor in reducing the crystalline volume is the minimum solution sample size needed to accurately quantitate the protein.

Cacioppo, Elizabeth↗
NASA NTRS1990

Optical neural network system for pose determination of spinning satellites

An optical neural network architecture and algorithm based on a Hopfield optimization network are presented for multitarget tracking. This tracker utilizes a neuron for every possible target track, and a quadratic energy function of neural activities which is minimized using gradient descent neural evolution. The neural net tracker is demonstrated as part of a system for determining position and orientation (pose) of spinning satellites with respect to a robotic spacecraft. The input to the system is time sequence video from a single camera. Novelty detection and filtering are utilized to locate and segment novel regions from the input images. The neural net multitarget tracker determines the correspondences (or tracks) of the novel regions as a function of time, and hence the paths of object (satellite) parts. The path traced out by a given part or region is approximately elliptical in image space, and the position, shape and orientation of the ellipse are functions of the satellite geometry and its pose. Having a geometric model of the satellite, and the elliptical path of a part in image space, the three-dimensional pose of the satellite is determined. Digital simulation results using this algorithm are presented for various satellite poses and lighting conditions.

Lee, Andrew↗
NASA NTRS1991

The role of laser determined orbits in geodesy and geophysics

Some of the results of orbit analysis from the NASA SLR analysis group are presented. The earth's orientation was determined for 5-day intervals to 1.9 mas for the pole and 0.09 msec for length of day. The 3d center of mass station positions was determined to 33 mm over a period of 3 months, and geodesic rates of SLR tracking sites were determined to 5 mm/yr.

Kolenkiewicz, R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A simplified method for determining the number of independent slip systems in crystals

A novel method for determining the number of independent slip systems for any family or a combination of families of slip systems is proposed, which is more direct than previous approaches. This technique makes it possible to easily determine, from the known operative slip systems, if the material is slip-system-deficient. The method also makes it possible to determine if twinning may contribute additional deformation modes.

Cotton, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Quaternion normalization in additive EKF for spacecraft attitude determination

This work introduces, examines, and compares several quaternion normalization algorithms, which are shown to be an effective stage in the application of the additive extended Kalman filter (EKF) to spacecraft attitude determination, which is based on vector measurements. Two new normalization schemes are introduced. They are compared with one another and with the known brute force normalization scheme, and their efficiency is examined. Simulated satellite data are used to demonstrate the performance of all three schemes. A fourth scheme is suggested for future research. Although the schemes were tested for spacecraft attitude determination, the conclusions are general and hold for attitude determination of any three dimensional body when based on vector measurements, and use an additive EKF for estimation, and the quaternion for specifying the attitude.

Bar-Itzhack, I. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Determination of Rotordynamic Coefficients for Labyrinth Seals and Application to Rotordynamic Design Calculations

In today's rotordynamic calculations, the input parameters for a finite element analysis (FEA) determine very much the reliability of eigenvalue and eigenmode predictions. While modeling of an elastic structure by means of beam elements etc. is relatively straightforward to perform and the input data for journal bearings are usually known exactly enough, the determination of stiffness and damping for labyrinth seals is still the subject of many investigations. Therefore, the rotordynamic influence of labyrinths is often not included in FEA for rotating machinery because of a lack of computer programs to calculate these parameters. This circumstance can give rise to severe vibration problems especially for high performance turbines or compressors, resulting in remarkable economic losses. The forces generated in labyrinths can be described for small motions around the seal center with a linearized force-motion relationship. Several years ago, we started with the development of computer codes for the determination of rotordynamic seal coefficients. Our different approaches to evaluate the dynamic fluid forces generated by turbulent, compressible seal flow are introduced.

Weiser, P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Orbit-determination performance of Doppler data for interplanetary cruise trajectories. Part 2: 8.4-GHz performance and data-weighting strategies

A consider error covariance analysis was performed in order to investigate the orbit-determination performance attainable using two-way (coherent) 8.4-GHz (X-band) Doppler data for two segments of the planned Mars Observer trajectory. The analysis includes the effects of the current level of calibration errors in tropospheric delay, ionospheric delay, and station locations, with particular emphasis placed on assessing the performance of several candidate elevation-dependent data-weighting functions. One weighting function was found that yields good performance for a variety of tracking geometries. This weighting function is simple and robust; it reduces the danger of error that might exist if an analyst had to select one of several different weighting functions that are highly sensitive to the exact choice of parameters and to the tracking geometry. Orbit-determination accuracy improvements that may be obtained through the use of calibration data derived from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites also were investigated, and can be as much as a factor of three in some components of the spacecraft state vector. Assuming that both station-location errors and troposphere calibration errors are reduced simultaneously, the recommended data-weighting function need not be changed when GPS calibrations are incorporated in the orbit-determination process.

Ulvestad, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Evaluation of TDRSS-user orbit determination accuracy using batch least-squares and sequential methods

The development of the Real-Time Orbit Determination/Enhanced (RTOD/E) system as a prototype system for sequential orbit determination on a Disk Operating System (DOS) based Personal Computer (PC) is addressed. The results of a study to compare the orbit determination accuracy of a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) user spacecraft obtained using RTOD/E with the accuracy of an established batch least squares system, the Goddard Trajectory Determination System (GTDS), is addressed. Independent assessments were made to examine the consistencies of results obtained by the batch and sequential methods. Comparisons were made between the forward filtered RTOD/E orbit solutions and definitive GTDS orbit solutions for the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS); the maximum solution differences were less than 25 m after the filter had reached steady state.

Oza, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Magnetic penetration depth of YBa2Cu3O(7-delta) thin films determined by the power transmission method

A power transmission measurement technique was used to determine the magnetic penetration depth (lambda) of YBa2Cu3O(7-delta) superconducting thin films on LaAlO3 within the 26.5 to 40.0 GHz frequency range, and at temperatures from 20 to 300 K. Values of lambda ranging from 1100 to 2500 A were obtained at low temperatures. The anisotropy of lambda was determined from measurements of c-axis and a-axis oriented films. An estimate of the intrinsic value of lambda of 90 +/- 30 nm was obtained from the dependence of lambda on film thickness. The advantage of this technique is that it allows lambda to be determined nondestructively.

Heinen, Vernon O.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The albedo, effective temperature, and energy balance of Neptune, as determined from Voyager data

Data from the Voyager infrared spectrometer and radiometer (IRIS) investigation are used in determining the albedo, effective temperature, and energy balance of Neptune. From broadband radiometric observations made at phase angles of 14 deg and 134 deg, together with measurements at intermediate phase angles from the literature, an orbital mean value of 0.290 +/-0.067 is obtained for the bolometric Bond albedo. This yields an equilibrium temperature Teq = 46.6 +/-1.1 K. From thermal spectra obtained over latitudes from pole to pole an effective temperature Teff = 59.3 +/-0.8 K is derived. This represents a substantial improvement over previously determined values. The energy balance of Neptune is therefore E = 2.61 +/-0.28, which is in agreement with previous results. The reduced uncertainty in this value is due to the improved determination of the effective temperature.

Pearl, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Determination of the visual orbit of the spectroscopic binary Alpha Andromedae with submilliarcsecond precision

The visual orbit of the spectroscopic binary Alpha And is determined independently of spectroscopic data using the Mark III Stellar Interferometer. Observations of Alpha And in 1988 and 1989 clearly demonstrate submilliarcsecond measurement precision at optical wavelengths. All of the orbital elements of Alpha And are calculated utilizing observations from the stellar interferometer only and are in excellent agreement with the spectroscopic results. However, three of these elements can only be obtained from interferometric data. Using both interferometric and spectroscopic observations, the definitive orbital elements are determined including angular semimajor axis, inclination, position angle of ascending node, longitude of periastron, period eccentricity, and epoch of periastron passage. In addition, the magnitude difference between the two components is measured, yielding delta-m = 1.82 +/- 0.04 mag at 800 nm and delta-m = 1.99 +/- 0.04 mag at 550 nm. Incorporating photometric observations, the color indices between 550 nm and 800 nm for the primary and the companion are determined as -0.11 +/- 0.03 mag +0.07 +/- 0.05 mag, respectively.

Pan, Xiaopei↗
NASA NTRS1991

An evaluation of the +/-45 deg tensile test for the determination of the in-plane shear strength of composite materials

The applicability of the +/-45 deg tensile test for the determination of the in-plane shear strength of advanced composite laminates is studied. The assumptions used for the development of the shear strength formulas were examined, and factors such as the specimen geometry and stacking sequence were assessed experimentally. It was found that the strength of symmetric and balanced +/-45 deg laminates depends primarily upon the specimen thickness rather than the specimen width. These findings have important implications for the +/-45 deg tensile test which is recommended by several organizations for the determination of the in-plane shear stress/strain response and the shear strength of continuous fiber reinforced composites. Modifications to the recommended practices for specimen selection and shear strength determination are suggested.

Kellas, S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Modifications to Encke's method for long arc orbit determination solutions

An expanded model is developed that permits the extrapolation of Encke's method for the determination of orbits with long arcs, and the model is used to determine a solution for the Lageos trajectory. Encke's method is reviewed emphasizing the nature of the growth of the Encke ratio and the reliability of extrapolated reference trajectories. The reference-orbit formulation is improved by including parameters that accommodate drag and large-amplitude perodic variations in the orbital elements. The proposed Long Arc Model is expected to provide a maximum Encke ratio that is an order of magnitude more reliable than that given by the secularly precessing ellipse. The computational cost of using the Long Arc Model is shown to compare favorably with that of the true force model, and the long arc solutions are useful for current orbit-determination needs.

Lundberg, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

On-board attitude determination for the Explorer Platform satellite

This paper describes the attitude determination algorithm for the Explorer Platform satellite. The algorithm, which is baselined on the Landsat code, is a six-element linear quadratic state estimation processor, in the form of a Kalman filter augmented by an adaptive filter process. Improvements to the original Landsat algorithm were required to meet mission pointing requirements. These consisted of a more efficient sensor processing algorithm and the addition of an adaptive filter which acts as a check on the Kalman filter during satellite slew maneuvers. A 1750A processor will be flown on board the satellite for the first time as a coprocessor (COP) in addition to the NASA Standard Spacecraft Computer. The attitude determination algorithm, which will be resident in the COP's memory, will make full use of its improved processing capabilities to meet mission requirements. Additional benefits were gained by writing the attitude determination code in Ada.

Jayaraman, C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Determining the source region of auroral emissions in the prenoon oval using coordinated Polar BEAR UV-imaging and DMSP particle measurements

The Polar Beacon Experiment and Auroral Research (Polar BEAR) satellite included the capability for imaging the dayside auroral oval in full sunlight at several wavelengths. Particle observations from the DMSP F7 satellite during dayside auroral oval crossings are compared with approximately simultaneous Polar BEAR 1356-A images to determine the magnetospheric source region of the dayside auroral oval. The source region is determined from the DMSP particle data, according to recent work concerning the classification and identification of precipitation source regions. The close DMSP/Polar BEAR coincidences all occur when the former satellite is located between 0945 and 1000 MLT. Instances of auroral arcs mapping to each of several different regions, including the boundary plasma sheet, the low-latitude boundary layer, and the plasma mantle were found. It was determined that about half the time the most prominent auroral arcs are located at the interfaces between distinct plasma regions, at least at the local time studied here.

Newell, Patrick T.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Demonstration of orbit determination using same-beam interferometry for Magellan and Pioneer 12

Orbit determination results are presented for Magellan and Pioneer 12 utilizing same-beam interferometer (SBI) data, which is a new data type for planetary orbiter navigation. The orbit determination data employing this data type, based on orbit-to-orbit consistency, has been explained in terms of nominal error models. Results show the orbit determination accuracy for Pioneer 12 using Doppler plus SBI data to be better than the accuracy utilizing only Doppler data by 30 percent.

Folkner, W. M.↗