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At least 1,063 records · Page 59

Formation and characterization of simulated small droplet icing clouds

Two pneumatic two-fluid atomizers operating at high liquid and gas pressures produced water sprays that simulated small droplet clouds for use in studying icing effects on aircraft performance. To measure median volume diameter, MVD or D sub v.5, of small droplet water sprays, a scattered-light scanning instrument was developed. Drop size data agreed fairly well with calculated values at water and nitrogen pressures of 60 and 20 psig, respectively, and at water and nitrogen pressures of 250 and 100 psig, respectively, but not very well at intermediate values of water and nitrogen pressure. MVD data were correlated with D sub 0, W sub N, and W sub w, i.e., orifice diameter, nitrogen, and water flowrate, respectively, to give the expression for MVD in microns.

Ingebo, R. D.↗

Formation and characterization of simulated small droplet icing clouds

Two pneumatic two-fluid atomizers operating at high liquid and gas pressures produced water sprays that simulated small droplet clouds for use in studying icing effects on aircraft performance. To measure median volume diameter, MVD or D sub v.5, of small droplet water sprays, a scattered-light scanning instrument was developed. Drop size data agreed fairly well with calculated values at water and nitrogen pressures of 60 and 20 psig, respectively, and at water and nitrogen pressures of 250 and 100 psig, respectively, but not very well at intermediate values of water and nitrogen pressure. MVD data were correlated with D sub O, W sub N, and W sub w, i.e., orifice diameter, nitrogen, and water flowrate, respectively, to give the expression for MVD in microns.

Ingebo, R. D.↗

Preliminary analyses of WL experiment No. 701, space environment effects on operating fiber optic systems

A brief overview of the analyses performed to date on WL Experiment-701 is presented. Four active digital fiber optic links were directly exposed to the space environment for a period of 2114 days. The links were situated aboard the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) with the cabled, single fiber windings atop an experimental tray containing instrumentation for exercising the experiment in orbit. Despite the unplanned and prolonged exposure to trapped and galactic radiation, wide temperature extremes, atomic oxygen interactions, and micro-meteorite and debris impacts, in most instances the optical data links performed well within the experimental limits. Analysis of the recorded orbital data clearly indicates that fiber optic applications in space will meet with success. Ongoing tests and analysis of the experiment at the Phillips Laboratory's Optoelectronics Laboratory will expand this premise, and establish the first known and extensive database of active fiber optic link performance during prolonged space exposure. WL Exp-701 was designed as a feasibility demonstration for fiber optic technology in space applications, and to study the performance of operating fiber systems exposed to space environmental factors such as galactic radiation, and wide temperature cycling. WL Exp-701 is widely acknowledged as a benchmark accomplishment that clearly demonstrates, for the first time, that fiber optic technology can be successfully used in a variety of space applications.

E W Taylor↗

Mapping of taiga forest units using AIRSAR data and/or optical data, and retrieval of forest parameters

A maximum a posteriori Bayesian classifier for multifrequency polarimetric SAR data is used to perform a supervised classification of forest types in the floodplains of Alaska. The image classes include white spruce, balsam poplar, black spruce, alder, non-forests, and open water. The authors investigate the effect on classification accuracy of changing environmental conditions, and of frequency and polarization of the signal. The highest classification accuracy (86 percent correctly classified forest pixels, and 91 percent overall) is obtained combining L- and C-band frequencies fully polarimetric on a date where the forest is just recovering from flooding. The forest map compares favorably with a vegetation map assembled from digitized aerial photos which took five years for completion, and address the state of the forest in 1978, ignoring subsequent fires, changes in the course of the river, clear-cutting of trees, and tree growth. HV-polarization is the most useful polarization at L- and C-band for classification. C-band VV (ERS-1 mode) and L-band HH (J-ERS-1 mode) alone or combined yield unsatisfactory classification accuracies. Additional data acquired in the winter season during thawed and frozen days yield classification accuracies respectively 20 percent and 30 percent lower due to a greater confusion between conifers and deciduous trees. Data acquired at the peak of flooding in May 1991 also yield classification accuracies 10 percent lower because of dominant trunk-ground interactions which mask out finer differences in radar backscatter between tree species. Combination of several of these dates does not improve classification accuracy. For comparison, panchromatic optical data acquired by SPOT in the summer season of 1991 are used to classify the same area. The classification accuracy (78 percent for the forest types and 90 percent if open water is included) is lower than that obtained with AIRSAR although conifers and deciduous trees are better separated due to the presence of leaves on the deciduous trees. Optical data do not separate black spruce and white spruce as well as SAR data, cannot separate alder from balsam poplar, and are of course limited by the frequent cloud cover in the polar regions. Yet, combining SPOT and AIRSAR offers better chances to identify vegetation types independent of ground truth information using a combination of NDVI indexes from SPOT, biomass numbers from AIRSAR, and a segmentation map from either one.

Rignot, Eric↗

Towards LES Models of Jets and Plumes

As pointed out by Rodi standard integral solutions for jets and plumes developed for discharge into infinite, quiescent ambient are difficult to extend to complex situations, particularly in the presence of boundaries such as the sea floor or ocean surface. In such cases the assumption of similarity breaks down and it is impossible to find a suitable entrainment coefficient. The models are also incapable of describing any but the most slowly varying unsteady motions. There is therefore a need for full time-dependent modeling of the flow field for which there are three main approaches: (1) Reynolds averaged numerical simulation (RANS), (2) large eddy simulation (LES), and (3) direct numerical simulation (DNS). Rodi applied RANS modeling to both jets and plumes with considerable success, the test being a match with experimental data for time-averaged velocity and temperature profiles as well as turbulent kinetic energy and rms axial turbulent velocity fluctuations. This model still relies on empirical constants, some eleven in the case of the buoyant jet, and so would not be applicable to a partly laminar plume, may have limited use in the presence of boundaries, and would also be unsuitable if one is after details of the unsteady component of the flow (the turbulent eddies). At the other end of the scale DNS modeling includes all motions down to the viscous scales. Boersma et al. have built such a model for the non-buoyant case which also compares well with measured data for mean and turbulent velocity components. The model demonstrates its versatility by application to a laminar flow case. As its name implies, DNS directly models the Navier-Stokes equations without recourse to subgrid modeling so for flows with a broad spectrum of motions (high Re) the cost can be prohibitive - the number of required grid points scaling with Re(exp 9/4) and the number of time steps with Re(exp 3/4). The middle road is provided by LES whereby the Navier-Stokes equations are formally filtered with the filter chosen to only exclude the smallest turbulent motions. If successful, LES should provide much of the detail available to DNS but at more bearable cost. Fatica et al. in comparing LES with DNS for a low Reynolds number jet showed that the LES could simulate the temporally evolving behavior including growth of the jet thickness. It is the intention of this report to explore the application of an LES model to jets and plumes. As always, before tackling complex situations, the model must be tested for the simplest of cases and so we address only two, a non-buoyant axisymmetric jet issuing steadily from an orifice into a semi-infinite stationary environment and a buoyant jet in the same environment. The work is a continuation of Basu and Mansour.

Webb, A. T.↗

Graphical Representation of the Effects of Antenna Locations on Path Loss Data

The use of portable wireless technology has increased dramatically over the past few years. This increased use has caused a heightened concern for electromagnetic interference from wireless-enabled technologies, such as laptop computers and cellular phones to aircraft communication and navigation radios. Researchers at NASA Langley Research Center, United Airlines and Eagles Wings Incorporated, have tested and collected interference path loss data on a United Airlines out-of-service B737 aircraft near Victorville, CA. This paper summarizes the results found from the measured data sets as well as includes graphical representations of the interference path loss data on a B737 plane with different system antennas.

Jafri, Madiha↗

Analytical Model for Steady Flow through a Finite Channel with One Porous Wall with Arbitrary Variable Suction or Injection

This paper presents an exact solution of two-dimensional laminar flow through a finite length channel with one porous wall. It improves upon previous solutions by (1) satisfying the no-slip boundary condition at the channel dead end, (2) adding a turbulent term to the porous wall boundary condition, (3) allowing for arbitrary variable suction or injection across the porous wall, and (4) model validation against new cryogenic liquid hydrogen and oxygen experimental data. Of particular interest in the current work is the modeling of cryogenic propellant flow through a porous liquid acquisition device (LAD) screen and channel inside a propellant tank. First, a detailed review of the literature is presented for previously attempted solutions to channel flow with one porous wall. Next, the governing equations, boundary conditions, and model assumptions are used to derive the analytical flow solution and present general model results for pressure and velocity fields within the channel. Then, the model solution is compared with horizontal LAD channel flow data in liquid oxygen as well as vertical LAD channel flow data in an inverted outflow configuration in liquid hydrogen. Model results are used to update the static cryogenic bubble point pressure model with a dynamic bubble point term which factors in enhanced convection and cooling at the screen during propellant outflow. Convective heat transfer at the LAD screen during outflow is also quantified by comparing model and data. The new analytical flow solution with the dynamic bubble point model is shown to compare well with available cryogenic experimental data

Navier Stokes Equations↗

Satellite Monitoring for Air Quality and Health

Data from satellite instruments provide estimates of gas and particle levels relevant to human health, even pollutants invisible to the human eye. However, the successful interpretation of satellite data requires an understanding of how satellites relate to other data sources, as well as factors affecting their application to health challenges. Drawing from the expertise and experience of the 2016–2020 NASA HAQAST (Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team), we present a review of satellite data for air quality and health applications. We include a discussion of satellite data for epidemiological studies and health impact assessments, as well as the use of satellite data to evaluate air quality trends, support air quality regulation, characterize smoke from wildfires, and quantify emission sources. The primary advantage of satellite data compared to in situ measurements, e.g., from air quality monitoring stations, is their spatial coverage. Satellite data can reveal where pollution levels are highest around the world, how levels have changed over daily to decadal periods, and where pollutants are transported from urban to global scales. To date, air quality and health applications have primarily utilized satellite observations and satellite-derived products relevant to near-surface particulate matter <2.5 μm in diameter (PM(sub 2.5)) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Health and air quality communities have grown increasingly engaged in the use of satellite data, and this trend is expected to continue. From health researchers to air quality managers, and from global applications to community impacts, satellite data are transforming the way air pollution exposure is evaluated.

Satellites↗

2009 Goose Bay Experiment Ocean Measurements: Data - Part 1

During late February and early March 2009, a field experiment was performed using the NASA P3 over the Labrador Sea. During this experiment, expendable probes deployed from the aircraft acquired ocean mixed layer temperature, salinity and currents Probes were deployed during three flights of the four. Overall 7 AXBTs, 15 AXCTDs and 7 AXCPs were deployed with a success rate of nearly 70%. This is much lower than expected based on prior experience deploying from other aircraft. But given the difficulties associated with the Pneumatic Sonobuoy Launch Tube mechanism on the NASA P3, this rate likely can be improved significantly by using a different deployment mechanism. Additionally, two sets of collocated measurements of AXBTs, AXCPs and AXCTDs were made to verify the drop rates and measurements of the old AXBTs. While there were differences in the measurements, the old AXCTDs are performing well. The expendable data from the experiment are compared to the Argo profiles in the region to check for consistency. Comparisons indicate all the expendable probes acquired useful data and are well within the range of values measured by Argo floats.

Jacob, S. Daniel↗

MSFC Skylab Apollo Telescope Mount experiment systems mission evaluation

A detailed evaluation is presented of the Skylab Apollo Telescope Mount experiments performance throughout the eight and one-half month Skylab Mission. Descriptions and the objectives of each instrument are included. The anomalies experienced, the causes, and corrective actions taken are discussed. Conclusions, based on evaluation of the performance of each instrument, are presented. Examples of the scientific data obtained, as well as a discussion of the quality and quantity of the data, are presented.

White, A. F., Jr.↗

SAR observations of coastal zone conditions

Applications of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology to the observation of coastal zones phenomena are detailed. The conditions observed include gravity wave detection, surf zone location, surface currents, and long-period 'surf beats'. Algorithms have been developed and successfully tested that determine significant wave and current parameters from the sea surface backscatter of microwave energy. Doppler information from the SAR optical correlator allows a rough estimation of near shore surface flow velocities that has been found in agreement with both theory and in situ observations as well. Seasat SAR data of the Scotland and North Carolina coasts are considered, as well as the results of bathymetric updating of coastal area charts.

Meadows, G. A.↗

Modal characteristics of a stiffened composite cylinder with open and closed end conditions

The structural and acoustic modal frequencies and the loss factors of a composite fuselage model under free-free end and support-end conditions are evaluated. The fuselage model is a composite filament wound, cylindrical structure composed of carbon fibers embedded in an epoxy resin and has a ply orientation of +,-45, +,-32, 0, -,+32, and -,+45. A computer aided test system was utilized to obtain resonance frequencies, modal damping, and mode shape coefficients. Sound pressure and phase survey data are utilized to estimate acoustic modal freuencies and reverberation time was measured to calculate the acoustic loss factors. The derived structural and acoustic modal parameters are compared to analytical data from a computer prediction model. The data reveal that the acoustic modal frequencies and mode shape correlate well with predicted data, and there is fair agreement between structural modal frequencies and mode shape for the two data sets.

Grosveld, F. W.↗

Measurements of aerosol properties needed to infer backscatter characteristics in support of the NASA Doppler Lidar program

During the first year two areas of work were emphasized, analysis of aerosol data to provide improved estimates of backscatter over the Pacific ocean and development of a global model for backscatter at different wavelengths and preparation and planning for the aircraft flights of the GLOVE program. Significant progress was made in each of these areas. The analytical work is a continuation of the GAMETAG analysis, and was directed toward the development of a backscatter model for the Pacific Oceanic free troposphere. This has included a further evaluation of relationships between the optical effects at different wavelengths, a comparison of modeled optical effects at differing temporal resolutions, and an investigation of the effects of sampling on the modeled results. An initial investigation of the predictability of 9 to 10 micrometers Beta values from other data sets as well as some preliminary comparisons of the modeling results with experimental data. The comparison of the optical effects was extended to make the comparisons for different sets of time bases between 1 and 20 minutes.

Patterson, E. M.↗

Data simulation for the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS)

This project aims to build a data analysis system that will utilize existing video tape scenes of lightning as viewed from space. The resultant data will be used for the design and development of the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) software and algorithm analysis. The desire for statistically significant metrics implies that a large data set needs to be analyzed. Before 1990 the quality and quantity of video was insufficient to build a usable data set. At this point in time, there is usable data from missions STS-34, STS-32, STS-31, STS-41, STS-37, and STS-39. During the summer of 1990, a manual analysis system was developed to demonstrate that the video analysis is feasible and to identify techniques to deduce information that was not directly available. Because the closed circuit television system used on the space shuttle was intended for documentary TV, the current value of the camera focal length and pointing orientation, which are needed for photoanalysis, are not included in the system data. A large effort was needed to discover ancillary data sources as well as develop indirect methods to estimate the necessary parameters. Any data system coping with full motion video faces an enormous bottleneck produced by the large data production rate and the need to move and store the digitized images. The manual system bypassed the video digitizing bottleneck by using a genlock to superimpose pixel coordinates on full motion video. Because the data set had to be obtained point by point by a human operating a computer mouse, the data output rate was small. The loan and subsequent acquisition of a Abekas digital frame store with a real time digitizer moved the bottleneck from data acquisition to a problem of data transfer and storage. The semi-automated analysis procedure was developed using existing equipment and is described. A fully automated system is described in the hope that the components may come on the market at reasonable prices in the next few years.

Boeck, William L.↗

In-Situ Consolidation Automated Fiber Placement of Thermoplastic Composites for High-Rate Aircraft Manufacturing

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) initiated the Hi-Rate Composites Aircraft Manufacturing (HiCAM) project in 2021 with the goal of significantly increasing composite structures manufacturing rate in the commercial aircraft industry. The technologies currently under investigation include resin infusion and automated fiber placement (AFP) of novel thermoset materials and thermoplastic composites. Thermoplastic composites offer attractive solutions to rapid manufacturing due to their ability to be formed and consolidated quickly. NASA is particularly focused on assessing composite structure manufacturing utilizing an in-situ consolidation AFP of thermoplastics (ICAT) process employing a recently developed laser heating system. Two semi-crystalline polyaryletherketone thermoplastic tape materials were characterized to ascertain the ICAT process parameters at AFP placement speeds approaching 423 mm/s. The required laser power settings were determined at Electroimpact, measuring material temperatures utilizing a forward looking infrared (FLIR) thermal imaging camera and thermocouples. The material temperature, tool temperature, and placement speed were varied for resulting consolidation quality assessment. The resulting temperature data were also utilized to calibrate thermal analysis models under development at NASA. The experimental temperature data confirmed analytical results. An overview of the HiCAM project as well as initial data from ICAT process characterizations are described.

thermoplastic composites↗

In-Situ Consolidation Automated Fiber Placement of Thermoplastic Composites for High-Rate Aircraft Manufacturing

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) initiated the Hi-Rate Composites Aircraft Manufacturing (HiCAM) project in 2021 with the goal of significantly increasing composite structures manufacturing rate in the commercial aircraft industry. The technologies currently under investigation include resin infusion and automated fiber placement (AFP) of novel thermoset materials and thermoplastic composites. Thermoplastic composites offer attractive solutions to rapid manufacturing due to their ability to be formed and consolidated quickly. NASA is particularly focused on assessing composite structure manufacturing utilizing an in-situ consolidation AFP of thermoplastics (ICAT) process employing a recently developed laser heating system. Two semi-crystalline polyaryletherketone thermoplastic tape materials were characterized to ascertain the ICAT process parameters at AFP placement speeds approaching 423 mm/s. The required laser power settings were determined at Electroimpact, measuring material temperatures utilizing a forward looking infrared (FLIR) thermal imaging camera and thermocouples. The material temperature, tool temperature, and placement speed were varied for resulting consolidation quality assessment. The resulting temperature data were also utilized to calibrate thermal analysis models under development at NASA. The experimental temperature data confirmed analytical results. An overview of the HiCAM project as well as initial data from ICAT process characterizations are described.

laser heating↗

FluxSat: Long-term Earth Science Data Record (ESDR) for Terrestrial Gross Primary Production (GPP) based on satellite data calibrated with eddy covariance data

Gross primary production (GPP), the amount of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) assimilated by plants through photosynthesis, is one of the most variable and uncertain components of the global carbon cycle. Global GPP has been estimated with a number of process-based models, data-driven, and hybrid approaches. Dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs), driven by observed environmental changes, are used for global carbon budget assessments and long-term (climate) prediction. Benchmarking these and other models globally with data-driven GPP estimates is critical for understanding the land sink and ensuring accurate forecasts of the carbon cycle. In addition, global data-driven GPP estimates are crucial for studies of interannual variability, including trends that are linked to mechanisms with large uncertainties, such as the indirect CO 2 fertilization effect related to greening. In response to a community need for a GPP data set that well captures spatio-temporal variability, we developed FluxSat, a data-driven approach that optimizes the use of satellite reflectance data from the NASA MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra and Aqua satellites, calibrated using ground-based eddy covariance (EC) data. We are enhancing (spatially, higher resolution) and extending FluxSat (in time, with additional sensors) to create a high quality long term GPP Earth System Data Record (ESDR) for use in model benchmarking, carbon cycle modeling, and studies of trends and interannual variability. Our team’s objectives are to: 1. Update and document the current MODIS FluxSat GPP (daily, 0.05o and 0.5o resolutions) products with latest available MODIS and EC data sets; 2. Extend FluxSat GPP record forward in time with the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on operational weather satellites going forward; 3. Extend FluxSat GPP record backward in time using the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) on weather satellites dating back to 1981; 4. Provide higher spatial resolution MODIS and VIIRS GPP (0.0083o). 5. Thoroughly evaluate all FluxSat products with independent data; and 6. Create a homogenized long-term GPP record spanning 40+ years. We will discuss plans for this long-term data set that is supported through the NASA Making Earth System Data Records for Use in Research Environments (MEaSUREs) program.

gross Primary Production↗

The Use of the BSRN Data as A Benchmark for the POWER Hourly DHI and DNI and In Validating Derived Hourly GTI

The satellite-based CERES SYN1deg hourly data is the source data of the POWER GIS solar data that covers 2001 to near present. The SYN1deg(Ed4.1) hourly GHI agrees well with the BSRN data, but the hourly DHI and DirHI (Direct Horizontal Irradiance) are positively and negatively, respectively, biased with appreciable magnitudes. The hourly DNI, derived by dividing the DirHI by cos(SZA), or the cosine of the solar zenith angle, is therefore negatively biased. Based on the statistics of comparisons with the BSRN data, we performed bias corrections on the hourly DHI and DNI. The corrections were executed in the 3-D phase space of latitude, cos(SZA), and cloud fraction (CLFR). The isotropic model is then used to derive the hourly global tilted irradiance (GTI). For validation purpose, we applied the isotropic model to the BSRN data at the original 1-, 2-, 3- or 5-minute interval. The satellite-based hourly GTI shows good agreement with their BSRN counterpart. We also examined two monthly-mean-based methods that empirically derive monthly mean GTI and DNI from monthly mean GHI and from both monthly mean GHI and DHI. The monthly-mean-based results compare favorably with the hourly-mean-based results. The GEWEX SRB (V4-IP) provides POWER with daily mean GHI for the years before the CERES era, and the data were corrected using quantile mapping by referencing the CERES SYN1deg data. We used the Kolmogorov -Smirnov test (K-S test) and Cramer-von Mises test to examine how well the results agree with the BSRN data. We found that if we set the lower limit for the daily mean GHI to 30 W m-2, the data can pass the K-S test at 0.01 significance level and the Cramer-von Mises test at 0.001 significance level. If no lower limit is set on the daily means, the data fail both tests. The satellite-based CERES SYN1deg hourly data is the source data of the POWER GIS solar data that covers 2001 to near present. The SYN1deg(Ed4.1) hourly GHI agrees well with the BSRN data, but the hourly DHI and DirHI (Direct Horizontal Irradiance) are positively and negatively, respectively, biased with appreciable magnitudes. The hourly DNI, derived by dividing the DirHI by cos(SZA), or the cosine of the solar zenith angle, is therefore negatively biased. Based on the statistics of comparisons with the BSRN data, we performed bias corrections on the hourly DHI and DNI. The corrections were executed in the 3-D phase space of latitude, cos(SZA), and cloud fraction (CLFR). The isotropic model is then used to derive the hourly global tilted irradiance (GTI). For validation purpose, we applied the isotropic model to the BSRN data at the original 1-, 2-, 3- or 5-minute interval. The satellite-based hourly GTI shows good agreement with their BSRN counterpart. We also examined two monthly-mean-based methods that empirically derive monthly mean GTI and DNI from monthly mean GHI and from both monthly mean GHI and DHI. The monthly-mean-based results compare favorably with the hourly-mean-based results. The GEWEX SRB (V4-IP) provides POWER with daily mean GHI for the years before the CERES era, and the data were corrected using quantile mapping by referencing the CERES SYN1deg data. We used the Kolmogorov -Smirnov test (K-S test) and Cramer-von Mises test to examine how well the results agree with the BSRN data. We found that if we set the lower limit for the daily mean GHI to 30 W m-2, the data can pass the K-S test at 0.01 significance level and the Cramer-von Mises test at 0.001 significance level. If no lower limit is set on the daily means, the data fail both tests.

Taiping Zhang↗