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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 127 records · Page 7

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NASA NTRS1974

Development of space stable thermal control coatings for use on large space vehicles

The development of a large scale manufacturing method for the production of a stable zinc orthotitanate pigment by means of an oxalate co-precipitation method is examined. Pigments were prepared at various temperatures, and major emphasis was placed on the determination of the important parameters of post-precipitation firing and treatment. A large-scale process for the modification of a glass resin binder was developed and paints were formulated using the binder.

Gilligan, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Vorticity imbalance and stability in relation to convection

A complete synoptic-scale vorticity budget was related to convection storm development in the eastern two-thirds of the United States. The 3-h sounding interval permitted a study of time changes of the vorticity budget in areas of convective storms. Results of analyses revealed significant changes in values of terms in the vorticity equation at different stages of squall line development. Average budgets for all areas of convection indicate systematic imbalance in the terms in the vorticity equation. This imbalance resulted primarily from sub-grid scale processes. Potential instability in the lower troposphere was analyzed in relation to the development of convective activity. Instability was related to areas of convection; however, instability alone was inadequate for forecast purposes. Combinations of stability and terms in the vorticity equation in the form of indices succeeded in depicting areas of convection better than any one item separately.

Read, W. L.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Quantitative mapping of rainfall rates over the oceans utilizing Nimbus-5 ESMR data

The electrically scanning microwave radiometer (ESMR) data from the Nimbus 5 satellite was used to deduce estimates of precipitation amount over the oceans. An atlas of the global oceanic rainfall was prepared and the global rainfall maps analyzed and related to available ground truth information as well as to large scale processes in the atmosphere. It was concluded that the ESMR system provides the most reliable and direct approach yet known for the estimation of rainfall over sparsely documented, wide oceanic regions.

Rao, M. S. V.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Atmospheric transformation of multispectral remote sensor data

The author has identified the following significant results. The effects of earth's atmosphere were accounted for, and a simple algorithm, based upon a radiative transfer model, was developed to determine the radiance at earth's surface free of atmospheric effects. Acutal multispectral remote sensor data for Lake Erie and associated optical thickness data were used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the atmospheric transformation algorithm. The basic transformation was general in nature and could be applied to the large scale processing of multispectral aircraft or satellite remote sensor data.

Turner, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1979

A special class of planetary collisions - Theory and evidence

Collisions between comparable-sized planetary bodies are a special class of collisions, rarer than other collisions, but producing interesting products, such as unfractured dumbbell-shaped contact binaries, partly brecciated elongated bodies, totally brecciated spheroidal bodies, and perhaps co-orbiting binary pairs or swarms. Qualitative and rough quantitative theories are presented to indicate collision outcomes. Contact binaries or fractured elongated bodies as large as tens or hundreds of kilometers across can be produced - larger than hitherto considered. Lengths about 20 to 200 km are most probable for igneous or ordinary chondritic elongated objects formed by collision, but other lengths could result from tidal evolution of pairs. Though most elongated asteroids are probably collision fragments, as usually assumed, some may instead be accretionary products. Trojan asteroid 624 Hektor is a candidate. Some polymict, genomict, and monomict brecciated meteorites may be better explained by large-scale fragmentation and immediate gravitational re-assembly of parent bodies than by local-scale processes of cratering on parent-body surfaces.

Hartmann, W. K.↗

NASA NTRS1980

A scaling theory for linear systems

A theory of scaling for rational (transfer) functions in terms of transformation groups is developed. Two different four-parameter scaling groups which play natural roles in studying linear systems are identified and the effect of scaling on Fisher information and related statistical measures in system identification are studied. The scalings considered include change of time scale, feedback, exponential scaling, magnitude scaling, etc. The scaling action of the groups studied is tied to the geometry of transfer functions in a rather strong way as becomes apparent in the examination of the invariants of scaling. As a result, the scaling process also provides new insight into the parameterization question for rational functions.

Brockett, R. W.↗

NASA NTRS1983

MIZEX-WEST NASA CV-990 flight report

As part of the Bering Sea marginal ice zone winter experiment (MIZEX-WEST), the CV-990 airborne laboratory was flown to assess the potential of using an extended range of wavelengths for improving passive microwave sea ice observations from spacecraft and second to provide an overview of the MIZ for large-scale processes studies. The aircraft was equipped with both imaging and fixed-beam, dual-polarized passive microwave radiometers ranging from 1.5 millimeter to 3 centimeter wavelengths. Visual, photographic, and thermal (10.7 micron) infrared surface observations were also made from the aircraft to complement the microwave measurements. The flight operations and in-flight observations are discussed and each flight is summarized including flight objective and instrument status. Preliminary mosaic images obtained with the ESMR imager, Nimbus-7 orbits over the Bering Sea, ice observations obtained by an ice observer on board, and composite maps of the general ice conditions for the month of February are also presented.

Cavalieri, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Simulation of the planetary boundary layer with the UCLA general circulation model

A planetary boundary layer (PBL) model is presented which employs a mixed layer entrainment formulation to describe the mass exchange between the mixed layer with the upper, laminar atmosphere. A modified coordinate system couples the mixed layer model with large scale and sub-grid scale processes of a general circulation model. The vertical coordinate is configured as a sigma coordinate with the lower boundary, the top of the PBL, and the prescribed pressure level near the tropopause expressed as coordinate surfaces. The entrainment mass flux is parameterized by assuming the dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy to be proportional to the positive part of the generation by convection or mechanical production. The results of a simulation of July are presented for the entire globe.

Suarez, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Rapid Adhesive Bonding for Metals and Composites

Toroidal induction heater is key element in rapid bonding technique. Rapid adhesive bonding equipment features toroid induction heater for quick bonding of composites and metals. Process avoids damaging composites that cannot withstand high temperatures for long time intervals. Process scaled up for production. Technique suited to bonding of end tabs onto material test specimens.

Stein, B. A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

VHF radar measurements during MAP/WINE

Sensitive Doppler radars which operate in the very high frequency (VHF) band, usually near 50 MHz can measure profiles of background winds, tides, atmospheric gravity waves and turbulence at tropospheric, stratospheric and mesospheric heights. Their ability to observe simultaneously large and small-scale processes makes them unique instruments for studying not only each process separately but also their nonlinear interactions. The mobile VHF radar to be used during the MAP/WINE campaign on Andoya is a modified version of the SOUSY VHF radar being in operation for six years in the Harz Mountains.

Czechowsky, P.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Single contact tailored gain phased array of semiconductor lasers

A single contact tailored gain-guided array is demonstrated in which the gain profile across the array is made strongly asymmetric by varying the width of the contact stripes. A proton isolated arary of six (GaAl)As lasers with 5-micron separations and widths varying linearly between 3 and 8 microns had a single lobed far field 2 deg wide, close to the diffraction limit for a single supermode. Fabrication of this device is simple, and suited to large-scale processing techniques. It is also shown that in such an asymmetric gain-guided array the fundamental mode is favored over higher order modes, and that higher order modes can have single lobed far-field patterns differing only slightly from that of the fundamental.

Lindsey, C. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Global geomorphology: Report of Working Group Number 1

Remote sensing was considered invaluable for seeing landforms in their regional context and in relationship to each other. Sequential images, such as those available from LANDSAT orbits provide a means of detecting landform change and the operation of large scale processes, such as major floods in semiarid regions. The use of remote sensing falls into two broad stages: (1) the characterization or accurate description of the features of the Earth's surface; and (2) the study of landform evolution. Recommendations for future research are made.

Douglas, I.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Earth observing system. Data and information system. Volume 2A: Report of the EOS Data Panel

The purpose of this report is to provide NASA with a rationale and recommendations for planning, implementing, and operating an Earth Observing System data and information system that can evolve to meet the Earth Observing System's needs in the 1990s. The Earth Observing System (Eos), defined by the Eos Science and Mission Requirements Working Group, consists of a suite of instruments in low Earth orbit acquiring measurements of the Earth's atmosphere, surface, and interior; an information system to support scientific research; and a vigorous program of scientific research, stressing study of global-scale processes that shape and influence the Earth as a system. The Eos data and information system is conceived as a complete research information system that would transcend the traditional mission data system, and include additional capabilties such as maintaining long-term, time-series data bases and providing access by Eos researchers to relevant non-Eos data. The Working Group recommends that the Eos data and information system be initiated now, with existing data, and that the system evolve into one that can meet the intensive research and data needs that will exist when Eos spacecraft are returning data in the 1990s.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1985

Particle behavior in the magnetosphere

The Rice Convection Model deals with large-scale processes in the earth's inner and middle magnetosphere, including coupling to the ionosphere. Starting from appropriate initial and boundary conditions, the model computes the following physical parameters: ionospheric electric fields and currents; magnetospheric particle distributions, electric fields, and electric currents; and magnetic-field-aligned (Birkeland) currents connecting the two regions. This paper evaluates work on the model, with emphasis on the assumptions made, the basic equations, and the numerical methods. The theoretical basis of the model is compared and contrasted with standard magnetohydrodynamics. The limitations imposed by the major assumptions are discussed. Model inputs and boundary conditions are listed, and the methods of specifying them discussed. Some physical conclusions and insights that have been gained from the model are listed and described very briefly. References are given to published discussions of the major points of physics.

Wolf, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1987

HMMR (High-Resolution Multifrequency Microwave Radiometer) Earth observing system, volume 2e. Instrument panel report

Recommendations and background are provided for a passive microwave remote sensing system of the future designed to meet the observational needs of Earth scientist in the next decade. This system, called the High Resolution Multifrequency Microwave Radiometer (HMMR), is to be part of a complement of instruments in polar orbit. Working together, these instruments will form an Earth Observing System (EOS) to provide the information needed to better understand the fundamental, global scale processes which govern the Earth's environment. Measurements are identified in detail which passive observations in the microwave portion of the spectrum could contribute to an Earth Observing System in polar orbit. Requirements are established, e.g., spatial and temporal resolution, for these measurements so that, when combined with the other instruments in the Earth Observing System, they would yield a data set suitable for understanding the fundamental processes governing the Earth's environment. Existing and/or planned sensor systems are assessed in the light of these requirements, and additional sensor hardware needed to meet these observational requirements are defined.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1986

On the early thermal state of the moon

New theories for the formation of the moon from an accretion disk thrown into circumterrestrial orbit after the collision of a planet-sized object with the earth have led to a reexamination of the tectonic consequences of an initially molten moon. Even the smallest estimates of radial contraction that would accompany cooling of the moon from an initially molten state predict accumulated near-surface horizontal compressive stresses considerably in excess of the compressive strength of the upper lunar crust, estimated to be 0.5 to 1 kbar on the basis of topographic relief, the stress levels necessary to form mare ridges in mascon mare basins, and measurements of rock friction. Various mechanisms for relieving or modifying such large near-surface stresses are considered, including viscoelastic effects, widespread development of major fault systems, impact gardening, and opposing stresses arising from other global-scale processes. All of these mechanisms face substantial difficulties when tested against geological and mechanical information from the moon and other terrestrial planets. These considerations pose a serious problem for theories of lunar origin that call for an initially molten state.

Solomon, Sean C.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Uranium nitride fuel fabrication for SP-100 reactors

Fuel pins of uranium mononitride clad in Nb-1 percent Zr were fabricated for irradiation tests in EBR-II. Laboratory scale process parameters to synthesize UN powders and fabricate UN pellets were developed. Uranium mononitride was prepared by converting UO2 to UN. Fuel pellets were prepared by communition of UN briquettes, uniaxial pressing, and high temperature sintering. Techniques for machining, cleaning, and welding Nb-1 percent Zr cladding components were developed. End caps were electron beam welded to the tubing. Helium back-fill holes were sealed with a laser weld.

Mason, Richard E.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Atmospheric dynamics of the outer planets

Despite major differences in the solar and internal energy inputs, the atmospheres of the four Jovian planets all exhibit latitudinal banding and high-speed jet streams. Neptune and Saturn are the windiest planets, Jupiter is the most active, and Uranus is a tipped-over version of the others. Large oval storm systems exhibit complicated time-dependent behavior that can be simulated in numerical models and laboratory experiments. The largest storm system, the Great Red Spot of Jupiter, has survived for more than 300 years in a chaotic shear zone where smaller structures appear and dissipate every few days. Future space missions will add to the understanding of small-scale processes, chemical composition, and vertical structure. Theoretical hypotheses about the interiors provide input for fluid dynamical models that reproduce many observed features of the winds, temperatures, and cloud patterns. In one set of models the winds are confined to the thin layer where clouds form. In other models, the winds extend deep into the planetary fluid interiors. Hypotheses will be tested further as observations and theories become more exact and detailed comparisons are made.

Ingersoll, Andrew P.↗