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At least 1,207 records · Page 67
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Study of the decay and recovery of orbiting artificial space objects

The reentry of earth-orbiting space objects unconsumed in the atmosphere represents a potential hazard to populated areas of the earth. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory has conducted a program called Moonwatch, whose purposes were to observe orbiting artificial satellites and reentries of space objects and, if possible, to recover and analyze reentered pieces. In addition, through observations of low-perigee objects, data obtained by Moonwatchers have been instrumental in defining some of the factors affecting satellite decay. The objectives of the program are presented, and the problems that enter into satellite-orbit and decay predictions are addressed. Moonwatchers contributed substantially to increasing an overall prediction capability, and some of the specific achievements over the 6-year period are cited.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1976

On the Tesseral-Harmonics Resonance Problem in Artificial-Satellite Theory, Part 2

Equations were derived for the perturbations on an artificial satellite when the motion of the satellite is commensurable with that of the earth. This was done by first selecting the tesseral harmonics that contribute the most to the perturbations and then by applying Hori's method by use of Lie series. Here, are introduced some modifications to the perturbations, which now result in better agreement with numerical integration.

Romanowicz, B. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Hybrid systems for use in the dynamics of artificial satellites

The paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of adopting either an inertial or a noninertial reference system for computing the orbital elements of artificial satellites. The effects of precession and nutation are examined, and determination of disturbing functions is explained for both an inertial and a noninertial system.

Kozai, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Application of a postulate based control theory for an artificial arm

The biocontroller, remnant of the natural arm, and feedback elements must be considered in designing a controller for an above elbow artificial arm for amputees. This fundamental postulate is used to derive equations for developing the controller, which is shown in block diagrams.

Jacobsen, S. C.↗
NASA NTRS1976

On the nature of the radial and cross track errors for artificial earth satellites

The paper discusses the analysis of the radial and cross track errors of artificial earth satellites in terms of the interference of two one-dimensional celestial mechanical wave trains. The resulting equations for these tracking errors describe the behavior of the uncertainties in the orbital parameters as oscillatory in nature, with a rapidly oscillating term, which is a function of the sum of the observed and computed orbital frequencies, modulated in amplitude by a slowly varying oscillation. This latter term is itself a function of either the difference between these orbital frequencies or between the values of the computed and observed right ascensions, depending upon whether it is the radial or cross track case under consideration. Results indicate that the cross track calculation describes the behavior of uncertainties in the right ascension of the ascending node and the inclination, while the radial calculation gives information on uncertainties in the semi-major axis, the eccentricity, and the argument of perigee.

Bonavito, N. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The equations of motion of an artificial satellite in nonsingular variables

The equations of motion of an artificial satellite are given in nonsingular variables. Any term in the geopotential is considered as well as luni-solar perturbations up to an arbitrary power of r/r', r' being the geocentric distance of the disturbing body. Resonances with tesseral harmonics and with the moon or sun are also considered. By neglecting the shadow effect, the disturbing function for solar radiation is also developed in nonsingular variables for the long periodic perturbations. Formulas are developed for implementation of the theory in actual computations.

Giacaglia, G. E. O.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Artificial leg with natural gait

Prosthetic device employs actuator that stores energy from movement of natural leg and uses it to pivot artificial hip joint in ensuing step reducing gait distortion and increasing stride cadence.

Burch, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Third-order solution of an artificial-satellite theory

A third-order solution was developed for the motions of artificial satellites moving in the gravitational field of the earth, whose potential includes the second-, third-, and fourth-order zonal harmonics. Third-order periodic perturbations with fourth-order secular perturbations were derived by the Hori perturbation method. All quantities were expanded into power series of the eccentricity, but the solution was obtained so as to be closed with respect to the inclination. A comparison with the results of numerical integration of the equations of motion indicates that the solution can predict the position of a close-earth, small-eccentricity satellite with an accuracy of better than one cm over a period of one month.

Kinoshita, H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Elastohydrodynamic film thickness measurements of artificially produced surface dents and grooves

Elastohydrodynamic (EHD) film thickness measurements using optical interferometry were made of artificially produced dents and grooves under rolling and sliding conditions. These measurements are compared to stylus traces of the dent and groove profiles to determine the local deformation associated with micro-EHD pressure generation. The surface geometry associated with the dents and grooves became intimately involved in the lubrication process itself, creating local pressure variations that substantially deformed the local surface geometry, particularly under sliding conditions. The rolling results implied surface initiated fatigue, and the sliding results showed clearly the EHD surface interactions that must occur prior to scuffing failure.

Wedeven, L. D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A comparison of three classical analytical theories for the motion of artificial satellites

Motivated by the heavy reliance upon the analytic orbit theory in orbit determination operations at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), a comparison study is performed for three classical analytical theories of artificial satellite motion about an oblate earth. The three analytical theories are: (1) Brouwer, (2) a modified Brouwer, i.e., Brouwer-Lyddane and Cohen, and (3) Vinti. Comparison results for each theory are produced for a number of representative satellites of current or past interest which proved amenable to analytic theory application. The uniformity of these results has significant implications for current and future mission operations and planning activities. Subsidiary topics arising from the results of this study which relate to the optimum usage of the individual theories are also discussed

Gordon, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Artificially created holes in the ionosphere

The artificial creation of ionospheric holes by the release of highly reactive molecules into the F region is investigated. Through ion-atom interchange or charge transfer reactions, H2 or H2O reacts with O(+) to form OH(+) or H2O(+), respectively, which subsequently dissociatively recombines with electrons at a very rapid rate. The diffusion of H2 is also modified by chemical loss to the ambient atomic oxygen atmosphere. The limited spatial and temporal extent of the hole-making process allows several approximations to be made which permit three-dimensional analytic solutions of the continuity equations for the released particles, the O(+) and e(-) densities, and the intermediary molecular ions. A versatile formalism is developed whereby the hole-making capability of virtually any spatial-temporal configuration of released particles can be determined by convolving a set of destruction operators which can be viewed as Green's functions for the problem. As a specific application of the techniques developed, the modification of a winter nighttime ionosphere is described by simulating the release of 1000 kg of water vapor near a height of 300 km.

Mendillo, M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Recursive analytical solution describing artificial satellite motion perturbed by an arbitrary number of zonal terms

An analytical first order solution has been developed which describes the motion of an artificial satellite perturbed by an arbitrary number of zonal harmonics of the geopotential. A set of recursive relations for the solution, which was deduced from recursive relations of the geopotential, was derived. The method of solution is based on Von-Zeipel's technique applied to a canonical set of two-body elements in the extended phase space which incorporates the true anomaly as a canonical element. The elements are of Poincare type, that is, they are regular for vanishing eccentricities and inclinations. Numerical results show that this solution is accurate to within a few meters after 500 revolutions.

Mueller, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The artificial compression method for computation of shocks and contact discontinuities. III - Self-adjusting hybrid schemes

This paper presents a new computational method for the calculation of discontinuous solutions of hyperbolic systems of conservation laws, which deal effectively with both shock and contact discontinuities. The method consists of two stages: in the first stage a standard finite-difference scheme is hybridized with a nonoscillatory first order accurate method to provide for the monotonic variation of the solution near discontinuities, and in the second stage artificial compression is applied to sharpen transitions at discontinuities. This modification of a standard finite-difference method results in a scheme which preserves the order of truncation error of the original method and yet yields a sharp and oscillation free transition for both shocks and contact discontinuities. The modification can be easily implemented in existing computer codes.

Harten, A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Collision frequency of artificial satellites - The creation of a debris belt

As the number of artificial satellites in earth orbit increases, the probability of collisions between satellites also increases. Satellite collisions would produce orbiting fragments, each of which would increase the probability of further collisions, leading to the growth of a belt of debris around the earth. This process parallels certain theories concerning the growth of the asteroid belt. The debris flux in such an earth-orbiting belt could exceed the natural meteoroid flux, affecting future spacecraft designs. A mathematical model was used to predict the rate at which such a belt might form. Under certain conditions the belt could begin to form within this century and could be a significant problem during the next century. The possibility that numerous unobserved fragments already exist from spacecraft explosions would decrease this time interval. However, early implementation of specialized launch constraints and operational procedures could significantly delay the formation of the belt.

Donald J Kessler↗
NASA NTRS1978

Third-order solution of an artificial-satellite theory

A third-order solution is developed for the motions of artificial satellites moving in the gravitational field of the earth, whose potential includes the second-, third-, and fourth-order zonal harmonics. Third-order periodic perturbations with fourth-order secular perturbations are derived by Hori's perturbations method. All quantities are expanded into power series of the eccentricity, but the solution is obtained so as to be closed with respect to the inclination. A comparison with the results of numerical integration of the equations of motion indicates that the solution can predict the position of a close-earth satellite with a small eccentricity with an accuracy of better than 1 cm over 1 month.

Kinoshita, H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Ion-probe studies of artificially implanted ions in lunar samples

The ion microprobe at the Johnson Space Center was used to study depth profiles of artificially implanted ions in lunar samples. Five polished sections of typical mare basalts (12040 and 12018) were irradiated with nine different elements at two energies and the resulting concentrations were measured as a function of depth in the minerals plagioclase, pyroxene, and ilmenite. These preliminary simulation experiments were undertaken to determine whether the ion probe can be used to measure solar-wind-implanted elements on the surface of lunar rock crystals and soil grains and to study mechanisms for the redistribution. The results obtained so far demonstrate that depth profiles can indeed be measured with the ion probe. From estimated exposure times of mature soil grains and selected vug crystals, it appears possible (if difficult) to detect several solar-wind-implanted elements.

Zinner, E.↗