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At least 127 records · Page 7

Review of modelling small-crack behavior and fatigue-life predictions for aluminum alloys

The small-crack effect, where small fatigue cracks grow faster and at lower stress-intensity factors than large cracks, has been found to be significant for many materials and loading conditions. In this paper, plasticity effects and crack-closure modelling of small fatigue cracks are reviewed. A crack-closure model with a cyclic-plastic-zone-corrected effective stress-intensity factor range (related to the cyclic J-integral) and microstructural data on crack-initiation sites were used to calculate small-crack growth rates and fatigue lives for unnotched and notched specimens made of two aluminum alloys. The crack-closure transient from the plastic wake was shown to be the dominant cause of the small-crack effect and plasticity effects on the cyclic-plastic-zone-corrected stress-intensity factor range were negligible except at extremely high stress levels. Small-crack growth rates and fatigue lives under both constant-amplitude and spectrum loading from tests and analyses agreed well.

CRACK CLOSURE MODELLING↗

A Review Of Modelling Small-Crack Behavior And Fatigue-Life Predictions For Aluminum Alloys

The small-crack effect, where small fatigue cracks grow faster and at lower stress-intensity factors than large cracks, has been found to be significant for many materials and loading conditions. In this paper, plasticity effects and crack-closure modelling of small fatigue cracks are reviewed. A crack-closure model with a cyclic-plastic zone-corrected effective stress-intensity factor range (related to the cyclic J-integral) and microstructural data on crack-initiation sites were used to calculate small-crack growth rates and fatigue lives for unnotched and notched specimens made of two aluminum alloys. The crack-closure transient from the plastic wake was shown to be the dominant cause of the small-crack effect and plasticity effects on the cyclic-plastic zone-corrected stress-intensity factor range were negligible except at extremely high stress levels. Small-crack growth rates and fatigue lives under both constant-amplitude and spectrum loading from tests and analyses agreed well.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗

Investigation of NOx Removal from Small Engine Exhaust

Contribution of emissions from small engines to the air pollution is significant. Due to differences in operating conditions and economics, the pollution control systems designed for automobiles will be neither suitable nor economically feasible for use on small engines. The objective of this project was to find a catalyst for the removal of NOx from the exhaust of small engines which use a rich air to fuel ratio. The desired catalyst should be inexpensive so that the cost of the pollution control unit will be only a small fraction of the total equipment cost. The high cost of noble metals makes them too expensive for use as NOx catalyst for small engines. Catalytic reduction of Nitrogen Oxide (NO) can also be accomplished by base-metal oxide catalysts. The main disadvantage of base-metal catalysts is their deactivation by poisons and high temperatures. Requirements for the length of the life of the small engine exhaust catalysts are much less than those for automobile exhaust catalysts. Since there is no oxygen in the exhaust gases, reduction selectivity is not a problem. Also, the reducing exhaust gases might help prevent the harmful interactions of the catalyst with the support. For these reasons only the supported metal oxide catalysts were investigated in this project.

Akyurtlu, Ates↗

Investigation of NO(x) Removal from Small Engine Exhaust

Contribution of emissions from small engines to the air pollution is significant. Due to differences in operating conditions and economics, the pollution control systems designed for automobiles will be neither suitable nor economically feasible for use on small engines. The objective of this project was to find a catalyst for the removal of NOx from the exhaust of small engines which use a rich air to fuel ratio. The desired catalyst should be inexpensive so that the cost of the pollution control unit will be only a small fraction of the total equipment cost. The high cost of noble metals makes them too expensive for use as NOx catalyst for small engines. Catalytic reduction of NO can also be accomplished by base-metal oxide catalysts. The main disadvantage of base-metal catalysts is their deactivation by poisons and high temperatures. Requirements for the length of the life of the small engine exhaust catalysts are much less than those for automobile exhaust catalysts. Since there is no oxygen in the exhaust gases, reduction selectivity is not a problem. Also, the reducing exhaust gases might help prevent the harmful interactions of the catalyst with the support. For these reasons only the supported metal oxide catalysts were investigated in this project.

Akyurtlu, Ates↗

Atmospheric Dynamics of Venus: Scales Large and Small

Over the past 30 years, Gerald Schubert has made significant contributions to the understanding of Venus atmospheric dynamics. His research of Venus' atmosphere spans spatial scales both large and small, including: Venus westward atmospheric superrotation, Planetary scale waves and the global "Y" ultraviolet feature, Wind streaks and the global circulation of the lower atmosphere, Mesoscale convection in the clouds of Venus, Vertical propagation of small-scale internal gravity waves, and Interaction between small-scale dynamics and the large-scale mean flow. Furthermore, his role as Principal Investigator of the Pioneer Venus Working Group on Structure and Circulation in the late 1970's and early 1980's was instrumental in the advancement of our understanding of Venus' atmosphere. The Pioneer Venus work serves as the cornerstone of our view of Venus atmospheric dynamics today. This paper will review Jerry's extensive research on Venus' atmosphere. In addition, recent results on convectively generated internal gravity waves will be presented that combine his lifelong, interest in both large-scale and small-scale dynamics. It will be shown that small-scale internal gravity waves generated by convection within the clouds of Venus decelerate the westward superrotation below the clouds. Thus, mechanisms that support the Venus westward superrotation must overcome the influence of small-scale dynamics in the lower atmosphere.

Baker, R. David↗

The Significance of Small Cracks in Fatigue Design Concepts as Related to Rotorcraft Metallic Dynamic Components

In this paper the significance of the "small" crack effect as defined in fracture mechanics will be discussed as it relates to life managing rotorcraft dynamic components using the conventional safe-life, the flaw tolerant safe-life, and the damage tolerance design philosophies. These topics will be introduced starting with an explanation of the small-crack theory, then showing how small-crack theory has been used to predict the total fatigue life of fatigue laboratory test coupons with and without flaws, and concluding with how small cracks can affect the crack-growth damage tolerance design philosophy. As stated in this paper the "small" crack effect is defined in fracture mechanics where it has been observed that cracks on the order of 300 microns or less in length will propagate at higher growth rates than long cracks and also will grow at AK values below the long crack AK threshold. The small-crack effect is illustrated herein as resulting from a lack of crack closure and is explained based on continuum mechanics principles using crack-closure concepts in fracture mechanics.

Everett, R. A., Jr.↗

Small-Body Extensions for the Satellite Orbit Analysis Program (SOAP)

An extension to the SOAP software allows users to work with tri-axial ellipsoid-based representations of planetary bodies, primarily for working with small, natural satellites, asteroids, and comets. SOAP is a widely used tool for the visualization and analysis of space missions. The small body extension provides the same visualization and analysis constructs for use with small bodies. These constructs allow the user to characterize satellite path and instrument cover information for small bodies in both 3D display and numerical output formats. Tri-axial ellipsoids are geometric shapes the diameters of which are different in each of three principal x, y, and z dimensions. This construct provides a better approximation than using spheres or oblate spheroids (ellipsoids comprising two common equatorial diameters as a distinct polar diameter). However, the tri-axial ellipsoid is considerably more difficult to work with from a modeling perspective. In addition, the SOAP small-body extensions allow the user to actually employ a plate model for highly irregular surfaces. Both tri-axial ellipsoids and plate models can be assigned to coordinate frames, thus allowing for the modeling of arbitrary changes to body orientation. A variety of features have been extended to support tri-axial ellipsoids, including the computation and display of the spacecraft sub-orbital point, ground trace, instrument footprints, and swathes. Displays of 3D instrument volumes can be shown interacting with the ellipsoids. Longitude/latitude grids, contour plots, and texture maps can be displayed on the ellipsoids using a variety of projections. The distance along an arbitrary line of sight can be computed between the spacecraft and the ellipsoid, and the coordinates of that intersection can be plotted as a function of time. The small-body extension supports the same visual and analytical constructs that are supported for spheres and oblate spheroids in SOAP making the implementation of the more complex algorithms largely transparent to the user.

Carnright, Robert↗

Laser Remediation of Threats Posed by Small Orbital Debris

The continually increasing amount of orbital debris in near Earth space poses an increasing challenge to space situational awareness. Recent collisions of spacecraft caused abrupt increases in the density of both large and small debris in near Earth space. An especially challenging class of threats is that due to the increasing density of small (1 mm to 10 cm dimension) orbital debris. This small debris poses a serious threat since: (1) The high velocity enables even millimeter dimension debris to cause serious damage to vulnerable areas of space assets, e.g., detector windows; (2) The small size and large number of debris elements prevent adequate detection and cataloguing. We have identified solutions to this threat in the form of novel laser systems and novel ways of using these laser systems. While implementation of the solutions we identify is challenging we find approaches offering threat mitigation within time frames and at costs of practical interest. We base our analysis on the unique combination of coherent light specifically structured in both space and time and applied in novel ways entirely within the vacuum of space to deorbiting small debris. We compare and contrast laser based small debris removal strategies using ground based laser systems with strategies using space based laser systems. We find laser systems located and used entirely within space offer essential and decisive advantages over groundbased laser systems.

Fork, Richard L.↗

Innovation in Deep Space Habitat Interior Design: Lessons Learned From Small Space Design in Terrestrial Architecture

Increased public awareness of carbon footprints, crowding in urban areas, and rising housing costs have spawned a 'small house movement' in the housing industry. Members of this movement desire small, yet highly functional residences which are both affordable and sensitive to consumer comfort standards. In order to create comfortable, minimum-volume interiors, recent advances have been made in furniture design and approaches to interior layout that improve both space utilization and encourage multi-functional design for small homes, apartments, naval, and recreational vehicles. Design efforts in this evolving niche of terrestrial architecture can provide useful insights leading to innovation and efficiency in the design of space habitats for future human space exploration missions. This paper highlights many of the cross-cutting architectural solutions used in small space design which are applicable to the spacecraft interior design problem. Specific solutions discussed include reconfigurable, multi-purpose spaces; collapsible or transformable furniture; multi-purpose accommodations; efficient, space saving appliances; stowable and mobile workstations; and the miniaturization of electronics and computing hardware. For each of these design features, descriptions of how they save interior volume or mitigate other small space issues such as confinement stress or crowding are discussed. Finally, recommendations are provided to provide guidance for future designs and identify potential collaborations with the small spaces design community.

Simon, Matthew A.↗

The Potential of Small Space Telescopes for Exoplanet Observations

The imaging of faint exoplanets near bright stars requires the development of very high contrast detection techniques, including both precise wavefront control and deep starlight rejection. A system-level proof-of-principle experiment carried out at at the Palomar Observatory has recently demonstrated that exoplanets can be detected very near stars even with a fairly small (1.5 m diameter) telescope aperture, such as someday might be used by a first space-based exoplanet imaging mission. Using fine-scale wavefront correction across this small aperture, together with fine pointing and focus control, pre- and post-detection speckle reduction, and a vector vortex coronagraph, it has been possible to achieve extremely good starlight rejection within a small number of diffractions beams of the stellar position. This performance has recently allowed the imaging of the three HR8799 planets and the HD32297 disk, thus providing a first system-level validation of the steps needed to achieve high-contrast observations at very small angles. These results thus serve to highlight the potential of small space telescopes aiming at high-contrast exoplanet observations. Specifically, a small-angle coronagraph enables the use of smaller telescopes, thus potentially reducing mission cost significantly.

coronagraphy↗

Small vs. Large Convective Cloud Objects from CERES Aqua Observations: Where are the Intraseasonal Variation Signals?

During inactive phases of Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO), there are plenty of deep but small convective systems and far fewer deep and large ones. During active phases of MJO, a manifestation of an increase in the occurrence of large and deep cloud clusters results from an amplification of large-scale motions by stronger convective heating. This study is designed to quantitatively examine the roles of small and large cloud clusters during the MJO life cycle. We analyze the cloud object data from Aqua CERES observations for tropical deep convective (DC) and cirrostratus (CS) cloud object types according to the real-time multivariate MJO index. The cloud object is a contiguous region of the earth with a single dominant cloud-system type. The size distributions, defined as the footprint numbers as a function of cloud object diameters, for particular MJO phases depart greatly from the combined (8-phase) distribution at large cloud-object diameters due to the reduced/increased numbers of cloud objects related to changes in the large-scale environments. The medium diameter corresponding to the combined distribution is determined and used to partition all cloud objects into "small" and "large" groups of a particular phase. The two groups corresponding to the combined distribution have nearly equal numbers of footprints. The medium diameters are 502 km for DC and 310 km for cirrostratus. The range of the variation between two extreme phases (typically, the most active and depressed phases) for the small group is 6-11% in terms of the numbers of cloud objects and the total footprint numbers. The corresponding range for the large group is 19-44%. In terms of the probability density functions of radiative and cloud physical properties, there are virtually no differences between the MJO phases for the small group, but there are significant differences for the large groups for both DC and CS types. These results suggest that the intreseasonal variation signals reside at the large cloud clusters while the small cloud clusters represent the background noises resulting from various types of the tropical waves with different wavenumbers and propagation directions/speeds.

Xu, Kuan-Man↗

Background Noises Versus Intraseasonal Variation Signals: Small vs. Large Convective Cloud Objects From CERES Aqua Observations

During inactive phases of Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), there are plenty of deep but small convective systems and far fewer deep and large ones. During active phases of MJO, a manifestation of an increase in the occurrence of large and deep cloud clusters results from an amplification of large-scale motions by stronger convective heating. This study is designed to quantitatively examine the roles of small and large cloud clusters during the MJO life cycle. We analyze the cloud object data from Aqua CERES (Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System) observations between July 2006 and June 2010 for tropical deep convective (DC) and cirrostratus (CS) cloud object types according to the real-time multivariate MJO index, which assigns the tropics to one of the eight MJO phases each day. The cloud object is a contiguous region of the earth with a single dominant cloud-system type. The criteria for defining these cloud types are overcast footprints and cloud top pressures less than 400 hPa, but DC has higher cloud optical depths (=10) than those of CS (<10). The size distributions, defined as the footprint numbers as a function of cloud object diameters, for particular MJO phases depart greatly from the combined (8-phase) distribution at large cloud-object diameters due to the reduced/increased numbers of cloud objects related to changes in the large-scale environments. The medium diameter corresponding to the combined distribution is determined and used to partition all cloud objects into "small" and "large" groups of a particular phase. The two groups corresponding to the combined distribution have nearly equal numbers of footprints. The medium diameters are 502 km for DC and 310 km for cirrostratus. The range of the variation between two extreme phases (typically, the most active and depressed phases) for the small group is 6-11% in terms of the numbers of cloud objects and the total footprint numbers. The corresponding range for the large group is 19-44%. In terms of the probability density functions of radiative and cloud physical properties, there are virtually no differences between the MJO phases for the small group, but there are significant differences for the large groups for both DC and CS types. These results suggest that the intreseasonal variation signals reside at the large cloud clusters while the small cloud clusters represent the background noises resulting from various types of the tropical waves with different wavenumbers and propagation speeds/directions.

Xu, Kuan-Man↗

The Roughness Properties of Small Ice-Bearing Craters at the South Pole of the Moon: Implications for Accessing Fresh Water Ice in Future Surface Operations

The lunar poles provide a fascinating thermal environment capable of cold-trapping water ice on geologic timescales [1]. While there have been many observations indicating the presence of water ice at the lunar surface [e.g., 2–4], it is still not clear when this ice was delivered to the Moon. The timing of volatile dep-osition provides important constraints on the origin of lunar ice because different delivery mechanisms have been active at different times throughout lunar history. We previously found that some small (<10 km) cra-ters at the south pole of the Moon have morphologies suggestive of relatively young ages, on the basis of crisp crater rims [5]. These craters are too small to date with robust cratering statistics [5], but the possibility of ice in young craters is intriguing because it suggests that there is some recent and perhaps ongoing mechanism that is delivering or redistributing water to polar cold traps. Therefore, understanding if these small, ice-bear-ing craters are indeed young is essential in understand-ing the age and source of volatiles on the Moon. Here we take a new approach to understand the ages of these small polar cold traps: analyzing the roughness properties of small ice-bearing craters. It is well under-stood that impact crater properties (e.g., morphology, rock abundance, and roughness) evolve with time due to a variety of geologic and space-weathering processes [6–11]. Topographic roughness is a measurement of the local deviation from the mean topography, providing a measurement of surface texture, and is a powerful tool for evaluating surface evolution over geologic time [e.g., 11–14]. In this study we analyze the roughness of southern lunar craters (40°S–90°S) from all geologic eras, and determine how the roughness of small (<10 km) ice-bearing craters compare. We discuss the implications of the ages of ice-bearing south polar craters, and potential strategies for accessing fresh ice on the Moon.

Deutsch, Ariel N.↗

Development and Implementation of a Small Satellite Systems Engineering Webinar Series: A Collaboration Between United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) established a webinar series on NASA systems engineering standards and practices for the purpose of sharing knowledge in this area through UNOOSA’s “Access to Space for All” which provides free and accessible educational content. Through NASA’s Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI), the four-part series was designed to cover basic systems engineering and project management skills that are fundamental for planning, developing, and implementing an experiment or a space project, and that serve as critical knowledge for those engaged in space activities, whether as a designer, builder, or manager of space infrastructure and services. This first series of webinars was convened over the course of November 2023 through February 2024. The webinar series was segmented into four one and a half hour webinars which covered topics related to the Fundamentals of Systems Engineering, Requirements and Systems Engineering, System Assembly, Integration and Test, and Spacecraft Handling, as well as an Introduction to the Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI). The agendas for the first three webinars focused on addressing a number of questions relevant to a particular topic. Examples of these questions include: What is systems engineering and what does a systems engineer do? Why does NASA use systems engineering? How do you define requirements for a small spacecraft mission? Why are requirements important to space missions? How are trade studies used to determine parts selection and why are they important? The final webinar of the first series provided interactive discussions and demonstrations of the S3VI tools; shared information on additional webinar opportunities offered by the S3VI; and reviewed databases curated by the S3VI that include the Small Satellite Reliability Initiative (SSRI) Knowledge Base Tool, Mission Design Tools, Small Spacecraft Information Search, and the State-of-the-Art (SoA) Small Spacecraft Report. Future webinar series will be conducted with topics are to be determined. The presenter will discuss details related to the first webinar series and future plans for additional series.

systems engineering↗

State-of-the-Art Small Spacecraft Technology

The objective of this report is to assess and provide an overview of the state of the art in small spacecraft technologies for use by mission designers, project managers, technologists, and students, connecting current small spacecraft missions to available technologies. This report focuses on the spacecraft system in its entirety, provides current best practices for integration and key considerations for the reader where possible, and presents devices from publicly available sources for each specific spacecraft subsystem. This report is a survey of small spacecraft technologies sourced from open literature; it is not an original source. In addition, this report only considers literature in the public domain. Information presented in this report is limited to SmallSat technology that is publicly available as of September 30, 2024. It does not include information on instrumentation, science payloads, or advances or developments that have not been publicly disclosed. Commonly used sources for data include manufacturer data sheets, press releases, conference papers, journal papers, public filings with government agencies, news articles, presentations, the compendium of databases accessed via NASA’s Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI) Information Search, and engagement with companies. Data not appropriate for public dissemination, such as proprietary, export controlled, or otherwise restricted data, are not considered. We encourage the SmallSat community to publish mission outcomes and technology development milestones in publicly available conference papers, press releases, or company websites so they can be reflected in future editions of this report. This report is funded by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). It was first commissioned by the Small Spacecraft Technology (SST) program within NASA’s STMD in mid2012 in response to the rapid growth in interest in using small spacecraft for low-Earth orbit, lowcost missions. The report was subsequently updated in 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 to capture SmallSat technology growth and maturation. In addition to reporting currently available state-of-the-art technologies that have achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 or above, a prognosis is provided describing technologies as "on the horizon" if they are being considered for future application.

Sasha V Weston↗

Informing field-scale CO 2 storage simulations with sandbox experiments: The effect of small-scale heterogeneities

Small-scale heterogeneities can significantly affect the fate of the CO 2 plume and trapping during CO 2 migration. We conducted geologic carbon storage field-scale simulations to investigate the impact of small-scale heterogeneities on plume dynamics and trapping performance. Small-scale heterogeneities have been shown to increase the amount of trapped CO 2 during buoyancy-driven flow. The trapped CO 2 saturation is validated by previous sandbox experimental work during buoyancy-driven flow in realistic heterogeneous domains and is implemented through the critical CO 2 saturation parameter (i.e., the first non-zero value in the drainage CO 2 relative permeability curve). Depending on the type and degree of heterogeneity, various critical CO 2 saturation values are exhibited. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of small-scale heterogeneities when multiple capillary pressure models are employed. This study demonstrates that an increase in critical CO 2 saturation reduces the CO 2 plume size and lateral extent, accompanying an increase in residual trapping and a decrease in solubility trapping. Lastly, we show that independent of the capillary pressure model used, an increase in critical saturation leads to similar CO 2 plume dynamics distribution and trapping performance. These results emphasize the importance of quantifying the effect of small-scale heterogeneity as they affect the large-scale behavior of the CO 2 plume.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Small-Signal Stability of Grid-Forming Inverters Using Current-Limiting and Frequency Stabilization

This paper presents a small-signal stability analysis of grid-forming (GFM) inverters under current-limiting conditions. It examines how adjustments in virtual impedance angles, implemented through advanced current-limiting and frequency stabilization techniques, influence small-signal stability. This paper studies a GFM inverter control integrating a fictitious power technique stabilizing primary control by adding a virtual power term and a hybrid current limiter integrating virtual impedance in the anti-wind-up feedback with current reference saturation limiting. A small-signal model is developed to assess the impact of virtual impedance angles on GFM inverter dynamics during grid disturbances, such as voltage drops. The findings indicate that although increasing the virtual impedance angle (to make it more inductive) enhances large-signal stability and voltage support during faults, it can induce oscillations and lead to instability if the angle exceeds certain thresholds. Based on the small-signal models, this paper provides design considerations for the current-limiter impedances to ensure reliable GFM inverter behavior under grid disturbances while maintaining small-signal stability.

current limiting↗

Small Satellite Reliability Initiative (SSRI) Knowledge Base Tool: Update and Future Direction

NASA’s Small Satellite Reliability Initiative (SSRI), in conjunction with NASA’s Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI), has developed the SSRI Knowledge Base to improve mission confidence for small spacecraft. The SSRI Knowledge Base is a comprehensive and searchable online tool that consolidates and organizes resources, best practices, and lessons learned from previous small satellite missions sponsored by NASA, other government agencies, and academia. This free, publicly available tool is available to the entire SmallSat community at: NASA SSRI Knowledge Base | Explore. The SSRI Knowledge Base provides vetted, high-quality sources of information on elements that are key to successful small satellite missions. These resources include SSRI working group generated documents and presentations in addition to existing guides, publications, standards, software tools, websites, and books. The Knowledge Base is fully searchable, offers downloadable content when possible, and otherwise links to or references content directly from within the tool. All 58 of the planned topic pages that comprise the SSRI Knowledge Base have been recently completed and include over 450 unique resources that are now available for review. Over the past several months significant enhancements to the tool’s capabilities have been developed and implemented. These enhancements consist of the completed baseline content; development of an Application Programming Interface (API); improved user interfaces; scalable and searchable Best Practices and Lessons Learned (BPLL) lists with ratings; and custom website analytics. This presentation and paper will discuss the motivation for and development of the SSRI Knowledge Base, demonstrate the existing tool, and outline plans for further development. The SSRI is a collaborative activity with broad participation from civil, Department of Defense, and both national and international commercial space systems providers and stakeholders. The S3VI is jointly sponsored by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and Science Mission Directorate.

Small Spacecraft↗