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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2000

Gravitational Physics Research

Gravitational physics research at ISPAE is connected with NASA's Relativity Mission (Gravity Probe B (GP-B)) which will perform a test of Einstein's General Relativity Theory. GP-B will measure the geodetic and motional effect predicted by General Relativity Theory with extremely stable and sensitive gyroscopes in an earth orbiting satellite. Both effects cause a very small precession of the gyroscope spin axis. The goal of the GP-B experiment is the measurement of the gyroscope precession with very high precision. GP-B is being developed by a team at Stanford University and is scheduled for launch in the year 2001. The related UAH research is a collaboration with Stanford University and MSFC. This research is focussed primarily on the error analysis and data reduction methods of the experiment but includes other topics concerned with experiment systems and their performance affecting the science measurements. The hydrogen maser is the most accurate and stable clock available. It will be used in future gravitational physics missions to measure relativistic effects such as the second order Doppler effect. The HMC experiment, currently under development at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), will test the performance and capability of the hydrogen maser clock for gravitational physics measurements. UAH in collaboration with the SAO science team will study methods to evaluate the behavior and performance of the HMC. The GP-B data analysis developed by the Stanford group involves complicated mathematical operations. This situation led to the idea to investigate alternate and possibly simpler mathematical procedures to extract the GP-B measurements form the data stream. Comparison of different methods would increase the confidence in the selected scheme.

Wu, S. T.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Misaligned Spin and Orbital Axes Cause the Anomalous Precession of DI Herculis

In this case we applied our Rossiter-McLaughlin methodology to a binary star, rather than a star-planet system. The orbits of binary stars precess as a result of general relativistic effects, forces arising from the asphericity of the stars, and forces from any additional stars or planets in the system. For most binaries, the theoretical and observed precession rates are in agreement. However, one system known as DI Herculis has resisted explanation for 30 years. The observed precession rate is a factor of four slower than the theoretical rate, a disagreement that once was interpreted as evidence for a failure of general relativity. Among the contemporary explanations are the existence of a circumbinary planet and a large tilt of the stellar spin axes with respect to the orbit. In this paper we reported that both stars of DI Herculis rotate with their spin axes nearly perpendicular to the orbital axis (contrary to the usual assumption for close binary stars). The rotationally induced stellar oblateness causes precession in the direction opposite to that of relativistic precession, thereby reconciling the theoretical and observed rates.

Albrecht, Simon↗
NASA NTRS1969

Relativistic stellar-wind torques

Solar wind-induced torque calculated considering special and general relativistic effects, extending method to pulsar rotational model

Michel, F. C.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Modulational instability of whistlers in cold plasmas

The paper obtains the modulational stability spectrum of whistlers in cold plasmas taking into consideration both ion motion and relativistic effects. The unstable band is contiguous to Omega sub e/4 and, depending on the plasma density, lies above or below that frequency Omega sub e is the electron cyclotron frequency of the static magnetic field. The relevance of the instability to whistlers in the magnetosphere is discussed.

Brinca, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Whistler modulational instability.

Derivation of the modulational instability characteristics of whistlers in cold and hot plasmas. The cold-plasma analysis considers both ion motion and relativistic effects; the unstable band, with a growth rate proportional to (B/B sub zero)squared, is contiguous to Omega sub e/4 and, depending on the plasma density, lies above or below that frequency (Omega sub e is the electron cyclotron frequency of the static magnetic field; B and B sub zero are the whistler and static magnetic fields). In hot plasmas, stability occurs between Omega sub e/4 and Omega prime (less than Omega sub e), with Omega prime depending mainly on the mean energy and anisotropy of the energetic electron population; the complementary unstable band has a growth rate proportional to (B/B sub zero) to the 1/2 power. The relevance of the instability to whistlers in the magnetosphere is discussed.

Brinca, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

LAGEOS mission analyses

Two error sources are found to be compatible and significant for the parameters affecting the LAGEOS mission. The first error source is the uncertainty in the gravity model, and the second error source is the radiation pressure which includes direct radiation, albedo radiation, and earth shine. Retrograde orbits increase the number of passes per day over the tracking stations at the expense of also increasing the number of time gaps when no station is observing. It is shown that relativistic effects are significant and must be included in orbit computation and determination systems for this mission. If station locations are known only to one meter, the error in the satellite orbits is comparable with solar pressure induced errors.

Squires, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Doppler factors in satellite-to-satellite tracking

The Doppler factors occurring in range rate satellite-to-satellite tracking measurements are derived with special relativistic effects included. The error resulting from the use of simplified expressions for these factors is discussed.

Marini, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Error modeling of precision orientation sensors in a fixed base simulation

Models of noise and dynamic characteristics of gyro and autocollimator for very small signal levels are presented. Measurements were evaluated using spectral techniques for identifying noise from base motion. The experiment was constructed to measure the precession, due to relativistic effects, of an extremely precise earth-orbiting gyroscope. The design goal for nonrelativistic gyro drift is 0.001 arcsec per year. An analogous fixed base simulator was used in developing methods of instrument error modeling and performance evaluation applicable to the relativity experiment sensors and other precision pointing instruments. Analysis of autocollimator spectra uncovered the presence of a platform gimbal resonance. The source of resonance was isolated to gimbal bearing elastic restraint properties most apparent at very small levels of motion. A model of these properties which include both elastic and coulomb friction characteristics is discussed, and a describing function developed.

Klinger, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Performance of the new Efratom optically pumped rubidium frequency standards and their possible application in space relativity experiments

The characteristics of Efratom optically pumped rubidium frequency standards are discussed. The Efratom units were compared with cesium beam and hydrogen maser standards and showed a stability of approximately 5 times 10 to the minus 12th power over two one-week periods. Dependency of frequency upon the environmental parameters of pressure, magnetic field, temperature, supply voltage, and acceleration was measured. A package of three units with automatic phase comparison and recording was designed and constructed to allow a measurement of relativistic effects on time with high accuracy during space missions.

Alley, C. O.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Excitation of the ordinary electromagnetic mode in low-beta plasmas

The excitation of the ordinary mode propagating perpendicular to an external magnetic field in a plasma is discussed for the case where the ratio of the kinetic energy associated with electron motion parallel to the external magnetic field to the energy density of the magnetic field is low. The analysis is performed for plasma in which in addition to the thermal electrons there is a hot anisotropic electron component. Relativistic effects are taken into account in the stability analysis. Both a ring distribution and a loss cone distribution are used to model the hot electron species. For the ring distribution typical growth rates are larger than that for the case of the loss cone distribution. Excitation of the ordinary mode is found at numerous harmonics of the cyclotron frequency for the ring distribution, however, the loss cone distribution is found to give instability primarily at the fundamental harmonic.

Freund, H. P.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The black tide model of QSOs

The paper develops certain aspects of a model wherein a QSO is a massive black hole located in a dense galactic nucleus, with its growth and luminosity fueled by tidal disruption of passing stars. Cross sections for tidal disruptions are calculated, taking into account the thermal energy of stars, relativistic effects, and partial disruption removing only the outer layers of a star. Accretion rates are computed for a realistic distribution of stellar masses and evolutionary phases, the effect of the black hole on the cluster distribution is examined, and the red-giant disruption rate is evaluated for hole mass of at least 300 million solar masses, the cutoff of disruption of main-sequence stars. The results show that this black-tide model can explain QSO luminosities of at least 1 trillion suns if the black hole remains almost maximally Kerr as it grows above 100 million solar masses and if 'loss-cone' depletion of the number of stars in disruptive orbits is unimportant.

Young, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Comments on the drag-free control of a solar probe relativity mission

A spacecraft going within 4 solar radii of the Sun experiences an acceleration up to .00005 g from solar radiation pressure, and significant (though smaller) accelerations from the solar wind. To obtain satisfactory information about relativistic effects and the Sun's quadrupole mass coefficient, these non-gravitational accelerations are either measured or compensated out by making the spacecraft drag free. A proof mass inside the spacecraft structure is shielded from the external forces, so that it follows a nearly ideal gravitational orbit, and a control system activates gas jets (or other translational forcers) to make the vehicle follow the mass. The problems are mechanizing the control laws and minimizing extraneous effects such as the self gravitational pull of the spacecraft. The extraneous forces can be averaged in one plane by having a spinning vehicle.

Everitt, C. W. F.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Electron impact excitation of highly charged sodium-like ions

Optical transition probabilities and electron collision strengths for Ca X, Fe XVI, Zn XX, Kr XXVI and Mo XXXII are calculated for transitions between n equal to 3 and n equal to 4 levels. The calculations neglect relativistic effects on the radial functions. A semi-empirical approach provides wave functions of the excited states; a distorted wave function without exchange is employed to obtain the excitation cross sections. The density dependence of the relative intensities of certain emission lines in the sodium isoelectronic sequence is also discussed.

Blaha, M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Multiple Discipline science assessment

Various science disciplines were examined to determine where and when it is appropriate to include their objectives in the planning of planetary missions. The disciplines considered are solar astronomy, stellar and galactic astronomy, solar physics, cosmology and gravitational physics, the geosciences and the applied sciences. For each discipline, science objectives are identified which could provide a multiple discipline opportunity utilizing either a single spacecraft or two spacecraft delivered by a single launch vehicle. Opportunities using a common engineering system are also considered. The most promising opportunities identified include observations of solar images and relativistic effects using the Mercury orbiter; collection of samples exposed to solar radiation using the Mars surface sample return; studies of interstellar neutral H and He, magnetic fields, cosmic rays, and solar physics during Pluto or Neptune flybys; using the Mars orbiter to obtain solar images from 0.2 AU synchronous or from 90 deg orbit; and the study of the structure and composition of the atmosphere using atmospheric probes and remotely piloted vehicles.

Wells, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Precise time and Time Interval (PTTI) measurements from the navigation technology satellites and the GPS NAVSTAR-4 satellite

A time domain estimate for the NAVSTAR-4 SV clock offset was obtained for each SV pass over the GPS monitor sites, using a smoothed reference ephemeris, with corrections for ionospheric delay, tropospheric delay, earth rotation and relativistic effects. Conversion from the time domain to the frequency domain was made using the two sample Allan Variance; sigma-tau plots used to identify the noise processes. Estimates of flicker and white frequency noise for the NAVSTAR-4 rubidium frequency standard were obtained. The contribution of the reference ground clocks and other error sources to the frequency stability estimates were also considered.

Buisson, J. A.↗