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At least 1,279 records · Page 71

Physics in perspective: Recommendations and program emphases

Exerpted material from Physics in Perspective, Vol. 1, is presented on recommendations, priorities, and program emphases. The major recommendations are addressed to the Federal Government and support agencies, the physics community, and the educational community, including precollege, undergraduate, and graduate sectors. Approaches to the questions involved in establishing scientific priorities are discussed, and an approach is evolved which is based on the jury rating application of certain criteria to the program elements of a subfield. The question of national support level for the physics enterprise is also considered, and contingency alternatives are suggested such that whatever the level of available support, it may be used with maximum effectiveness.

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A case study in technology utilization: Fracture mechanics

This review of NASA contributions to the technology of fracture mechanics illustrates a fundamental role of the Space Agency in a single technical area. While primarily pursuing its goal of minimizing the weight of flight hardware, NASA engineers have generated innovations having broad impact in nonaerospace communities. A review is given of how these specific NASA innovations are communicated to the technical community outside the Space Agency, and current application areas are outlined.

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How some nonmeteorological professionals view meteorology and weather forecasting.

The results of a questionnaire designed to gather information on how nonmeteorological scientists and engineers view meteorology and weather forecasting are summarized in this paper. The respondents were from two organizations, Texas A & M University and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, the first representing the academic community and the latter the engineering community. While there were some differences between the groups, in most cases answers expressed in the opinionnaire by the two groups were essentially identical. The results revealed the following: Approximately three-fourths of the respondents use meteorological data and/or weather forecasts in their profession; the meaning of probability forecasts is very unclear with only 13% indicating the correct answer; television is the main source of weather information; approximately half of the respondents had never heard of the Global Atmospheric Research Program; and the opinion was almost unanimous that satellites had contributed significantly to weather observations and/or forecasts. Also, the results indicated a number of other ?problem' areas where some improvements are desired.

Scoggins, J. R.↗

External impacts of an intraurban air transportation system in the San Francisco Bay area

The effects are studied of an intraurban V/STOL commuter system on the economic, social, and physical environment of the San Francisco Bay Area. The Bay Area was chosen mainly for a case study; the real intent of the analysis is to develop methods by which the effects of such a system could be evaluated for any community. Aspects of the community life affected include: income and employment, benefits and costs, noise, air pollution, and road congestion.

Lu, J. Y.↗

STOL Traffic environment and operational procedures

The expected traffic environment for an intercity STOL transportation system is examined, and operational procedures are discussed in order to identify problem areas which impact STOL avionics requirements. Factors considered include: traffic densities, STOL/CTOL/VTOL traffic mix, the expect ATC environment, aircraft noise models and community noise models and community noise impact, flight paths for noise abatement, wind considerations affecting landing, approach and landing considerations, STOLport site selection, runway capacity, and STOL operations at jetports, suburban airports, and separate STOLports.

Schlundt, R. W.↗

Study of water recovery and solid waste processing for aerospace and domestic applications. Volume 2: Final report

The manner in which current and advanced technology can be applied to develop practical solutions to existing and emerging water supply and waste disposal problems is evaluated. An overview of water resource factors as they affect new community planning, and requirements imposed on residential waste treatment systems are presented. The results of equipment surveys contain information describing: commercially available devices and appliances designed to conserve water; devices and techniques for monitoring water quality and controlling back contamination; and advanced water and waste processing equipment. System concepts are developed and compared on the basis of current and projected costs. Economic evaluations are based on community populations of from 2,000 to 250,000. The most promising system concept is defined in sufficient depth to initiate detailed design.

Guarneri, C. A.↗

Use of satellite imagery for wildland resource evaluation in the Great Basin

The author has identified the following significant results. Upon receipt of ERTS-1 imagery, scale and resolution determinations were made. It was found that the scale was quite close to the anticipated 1:1 million, and that each ERTS-1 frame had a coverage of approximately 12,500 square miles. A water body 275 feet across was identified on the MSS 7 band as a determination of maximum resolution. Large cities were easily distinguished on all bands. Paved highways and railroads were able to be identified when there was extreme contrast between these structures and surrounding areas. Landforms were identified on all bands, but band 5 proved superior. Vegetation of varying types was identified using band 7. Fields and agricultural areas were identified as was phreatophytic vegetation. Timber, pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, mountain brush, and annual grassland communities were identified on selected frames. Phenology comparisons of selected test sites were made using sequential U-2 imagery. It was found that gray scale and color IR changes relating to the phenology of certain annual grassland, mountain brush, and marsh communities could be identified. Water bodies were identified and delineated using band 7.

Tueller, P. T.↗

Intervention into a turbulent urban situation: A case study

The application is reported of NASA management philosophy and techniques within New Castle County, Delaware, to meet actual problems of community violence. It resulted in restructuring the county approach to problems of this nature, and development of a comprehensive system for planning, based on the NASA planning process. The method involved federal, state, and local resources with community representatives in solving the problems. The concept of a turbulent environment is presented with parallels drawn between NASA management experience and problems of management within an urban arena.

Caldwell, G. M., Jr.↗

Analysis of ERTS-1 imagery and its application to evaluation of Wyoming's natural resources

The author has identified the following significant results. A summary of the significant results of the studies completed during the July-August, 1973 period includes: (1) ERTS-1 image brightness contrasts can be related to important contrasts in rangeland and forest vegetation communities of the Laramie Basin. (2) Stereoscopic viewing is essential for correct structural interpretation in outcrop patterns in some areas. (3) Complex fracture patterns which may have exerted a controlling influence on intrusive activity in the Absaroka Mountains can be mapped from ERTS. (4) Volcanic lithologies of the Yellowstone region are often differentiated on the basis of their textures, and cannot be successfully mapped by photogeologic interpretation of ERTS-1 imagery. Ground spectral readings confirm a general lack of contrast between these lithologies in the four ERTS-1 MSS bands. (5) Major dune fields can be recognized and defined from ERTS-1 image interpretations and recognition of differences in stabilizing plant communities (some of which may be mappable from ERTS-1) yields information about migration history of the dune fields.

Marrs, R. W.↗

Factors influencing public acceptance of STOL noise

The responses of people to special noise characteristics associated with short takeoff aircraft are discussed. The findings of studies which have yielded data that may be pertinent to community acceptance of short takeoff aircraft noise are presented. A three step program to evaluate public acceptance of short takeoff aircraft noise was conducted. The three steps were: (1) definition of short takeoff aircraft noise characteristics, (2) laboratory tests to evaluate individual responses, and (3) the use of community survey data to extrapolate conventional takeoff aircraft experience.

Edge, P. M., Jr.↗

Directory of aerospace safety specialized information sources

A directory is presented to make available to the aerospace safety community a handbook of organizations and experts in specific, well-defined areas of safety technology. It is designed for the safety specialist as an aid for locating both information sources and individual points of contact (experts) in engineering related fields. The file covers sources of data in aerospace design, tests, as well as information in hazard and failure cause identification, accident analysis, materials characteristics, and other related subject areas. These 171 organizations and their staff members, hopefully, should provide technical information in the form of documentation, data and consulting expertise. These will be sources that have assembled and collated their information, so that it will be useful in the solution of engineering problems. One of the goals of the project in the United States that have and are willing to share data of value to the aerospace safety community.

Fullerton, E. A.↗

Inventory and analysis of natural vegetation and related resources from space and high altitude photography

A multiple sampling technique was developed whereby spacecraft photographs supported by aircraft photographs could be used to quantify plant communities. Large scale (1:600 to 1:2,400) color infrared aerial photographs were required to identify shrub and herbaceous species. These photos were used to successfully estimate a herbaceous standing crop biomass. Microdensitometry was used to discriminate among specific plant communities and individual plant species. Large scale infrared photography was also used to estimate mule deer deaths and population density of northern pocket gophers.

Poulton, C. E.↗

Civil helicopter noise assessment study Boeing-Vertol model 347

A study was conducted to forecast the noise restrictions which may be imposed on civil transport helicopters in the 1975-1985 time period. Certification and community acceptance criteria were predicted. A 50 passenger tandem rotor helicopter based on the Boeing-Vertol Model 347 was studied to determine the noise reductions required, and the means of achieving them. Some of the important study recommendations are: (1) certification limits should be equivalent to 95 EPNdb at data points located at 500 feet to each side of the touchdown/takeoff point, and 1000 feet from this point directly under the approach and departure flight path. (2) community acceptance should be measured as Equivalent Noise Level (Leq), based on dBA, with separate limits for day and night operations, and (3) in order to comply with the above guidelines, the Model 347 helicopter will require studies and tests leading to several modifications.

Hinterkeuser, E. G.↗

Textural signatures for wetland vegetation

This investigation indicates that unique textural signatures do exist for specific wetland communities at certain times in the growing season. When photographs with the proper resolution are obtained, the textural features can identify the spectral features of the vegetation community seen with lower resolution mapping data. The development of a matrix of optimum textural signatures is the goal of this research. Seasonal variations of spectral and textural features are particularly important when performing a vegetations analysis of fresh water marshes. This matrix will aid in flight planning, since expected seasonal variations and resolution requirements can be established prior to a given flight mission.

Whitman, R. I.↗

A study of lagoonal and estuarine processes in the area of Merritt Island encompassing the space center

A study was conducted to determine the marine biology and dynamic oceanographic properties of the Indian River in Florida. One of the major areas of concentration involved the compilation of a taxonomic list of marine animals in the river. An important conclusion of the study is that diversity of the benthic community is substantially higher than expected. The effect of major climatic factors on the diversity and structure of the benthic community is analyzed.

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Application of remote sensing to state and regional problems

The primary purpose of the remote sensing applications program is for various members of the university community to participate in activities that improve the effective communication between the scientific community engaged in remote sensing research and development and the potential users of modern remote sensing technology. Activities of this program are assisting the State of Mississippi in recognizing and solving its environmental, resource and socio-economic problems through inventory, analysis, and monitoring by appropriate remote sensing systems. Objectives, accomplishments, and current status of the following individual projects are reported: (1) bark beetle project; (2) state park location planning; and (3) waste source location and stream channel geometry monitoring.

Miller, W. F.↗

Integrated utility system design concept

Conceptual design studies are performed to investigate the feasibility of the MIUS concept as an alternate method of providing utility services to communities and/or community facilities having advantages over current practices. Procured and operated is a large scale testbed of the MIUS concept in order to evaluate and test those integrated system technical details that do not lend themselves to analysis. These include materials compatibility, process instrumentation and control, predictability of water and air effluents, techniques of heat recovery, method of thermal distribution, etc.

Hays, E. L.↗

Medical benefits from the NASA biomedical applications program

To achieve its goals the NASA Biomedical Applications Program performs four basic tasks: (1) identification of major medical problems which lend themselves to solution by relevant aerospace technology; (2) identification of relevant aerospace technology which can be applied to those problems; (3) application of that technology to demonstrate the feasibility as real solutions to the identified problems; and, (4) motivation of the industrial community to manufacture and market the identified solution to maximize the utilization of aerospace solutions to the biomedical community.

Sigmon, J. L.↗