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At least 1,279 records · Page 71

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NASA NTRS1974

Results from the direct combination of satellite and gravimetric data

Results have been obtained for the solution of 184 15-deg equal-area blocks directly from the analysis of satellite orbits, and from a combination of the satellite results with terrestrial gravity material. This test computation, made to verify the method, used 17,632 optical observations from ten satellites in 29 arcs averaging in length seven days. Analysis of the satellite results were made by comparing the solved for anomalies with the terrestrial anomaly set, and by developing the solved for anomalies into potential coefficients which were compared to the GEM 3 set of potential coefficients to degree 12. These comparisons indicated improvement in each solution as more arcs were added. The programs used in this solution can easily be used to solve for smaller size blocks and handle additional data types. The only limitation will be computer core availability and computer time.

Rapp, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Earth resources satellite systems for flood monitoring

The environmental satellites NOAA-2 and ERTS-1 observed flooding in United States' rivers such as the Mississippi during 1973. Combination of NOAA-2 observation frequency and the ERTS-1 resolution provides an adequate satellite system for monitoring floods. Several polar-orbiting satellites of the ERTS type could view flooded areas at a reasonably high resolution every three to five days. A high-resolution earth-synchronous satellite would further enhance flood mapping by providing observations whenever clouds are absent.

Mcginnis, D. F.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Dynamic satellite geodesy

It is pointed out that during the time since the last quadrennial report dynamic satellite geodesy has been continually refined with several new and independent solutions for the gravity field and station coordination. The generalized geoid seems to be known to about 3 m. Satellite-to-satellite tracking has been investigated as a means of determining the fine structure of the gravity field. The earth tide continues to be studied with satellite perturbation analysis. Investigations of polar motion are also considered.

Gaposchkin, E. M.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Astrometric observations of Saturn's satellites from McDonald Observatory, 1972

Observations of Saturn's satellites have been reduced by means of secondary reference stars obtained by reduction of Palomar Sky Survey plates. This involved the use of 29 SAO stars and plate overlap technique to determine the coordinates of 59 fainter stars in the satellite field. Fourteen plate constants were determined for each of the two PSS plates. Comparison of two plate measurement and reduction techniques on the satellite measures appears to demonstrate the existence of a serious background gradient effect and the utility of microdensitometry to eliminate this error source in positional determinations of close satellites.

Abbot, R. I.↗

NASA NTRS1975

An optimal control of a flexible spinning satellite

A modification of optimal spinning satellite control theory is proposed, based on introducing an additional vector into the equation for control torque components. This modification essentially means that the amplitudes of the time-dependent satellite perturbation functions can be made small when the amplitudes of the control torque components are allowed to be different. An algorithm for computer simulation of the satellite control theory is provided. A singular perturbation scheme is used which greatly reduces the number of degrees of freedom in the flexible satellite motion equations.

Das, A.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Earth and ocean dynamics satellites and systems

An overview is presented of the present state of satellite and ground systems making observations of the dynamics of the solid earth and the oceans. Emphasis is placed on applications of space technology for practical use. Topics discussed include: satellite missions and results over the last two decades in the areas of earth gravity field, polar motions, earth tides, magnetic anomalies, and satellite-to-satellite tracking; laser ranging systems; development of the Very Long Baseline Interferometer; and Skylab radar altimeter data applications.

Vonbun, F. O.↗

NASA NTRS1975

A Cost-effective Satellite-aircraft-drogue Approach for Studying Estuarine Circulation and Shelf Waste Dispersion

The author has identified the following significant results. Satellites, such as ERTS-1, can be used to obtain a synoptic view of current circulation over large coastal areas. Since in turbid coastal regions suspended sediment acts as a natural tracer, cost is minimized by eliminating the need for expensive injections of large volumes of dye such as Rhodamine-B. One of the principal shortcomings of satellite imaging of coastal currents was its inability to determine current magnitude and to penetrate beyond the upper few meters of the water column. These objections were overcome by complementing satellite observations with drogues tracking currents at various selected depths. By combining the satellite's wide coverage with aircraft or shore stations capable of tracking expendable drogues, a cost effective, integrated system was devised for monitoring currents over large areas, various depths, and under severe environmental conditions.

Klemas, V.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Satellite attitude prediction by multiple time scales method

An investigation is made of the problem of predicting the attitude of satellites under the influence of external disturbing torques. The attitude dynamics are first expressed in a perturbation formulation which is then solved by the multiple scales approach. The independent variable, time, is extended into new scales, fast, slow, etc., and the integration is carried out separately in the new variables. The theory is applied to two different satellite configurations, rigid body and dual spin, each of which may have an asymmetric mass distribution. The disturbing torques considered are gravity gradient and geomagnetic. Finally, as multiple time scales approach separates slow and fast behaviors of satellite attitude motion, this property is used for the design of an attitude control device. A nutation damping control loop, using the geomagnetic torque for an earth pointing dual spin satellite, is designed in terms of the slow equation.

Tao, Y. C.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Placement of retroreflectors on the Lageos satellite

A model is presented for placing a large number of equal size holes in the surface of a spherical satellite. This problem differs from the classical mathematical problem of packing the maximum number of equal nonoverlapping circles on a sphere in that no hole can intersect the assembly joint at the satellite equator. The model was used during the design of Lageos to analyze the influence of the satellite diameter and hole size on the number of holes that could be placed on the satellite. The retroreflector placement pattern used in constructing Lageos was produced by the model.

Moore, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Investigations with satellite data temperature retrievals

A method is presented for using satellite measurements to interpolate vertical temperature soundings between radiosonde stations. The method finds a set of coefficients, which when multiplied by corresponding measured radiance quantities, yield zero temperature error at a radiosonde station. This derived set of coefficients is then applied to satellite radiance measurements at places between radiosonde stations. The computations show, for example, that the average absolute error in the layer 1000-800 mbs is only 0.3K when the corresponding 'minimum-information' method error was 2.9K. The method may be most applicable to measurements from geostationary satellites, but should also be applicable to measurements from polar orbiting satellites under certain conditions.

Fritz, S.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Detection of severe storms by satellites

Ideas are presented for severe storm identification based on satellite data. The tops of huge thunderstorms in satellite pictures often appear as vast areas of extensive cirrus cloud; they consist of clusters of anvil clouds, each generated by vigorous thunderstorm circulation. The overshooting tops observed in satellite pictures are located where the subanvil updrafts are the strongest. Learjet experiment results show that an overshooting top varies either quickly or slowly, depending on the characteristics of individual clouds. When an overshooting top collapses, a small segment of the anvil cirrus jumps upward in the wake of the overshooting top. Also discussed is the monitoring of vertical motions from satellites and tornado-producing thunderstorms from geostationary altitude. A very high-resolution imagery of both infrared and visual spectral bands makes it possible to infer vertical motions beneath the anvil top. A combination of cloud velocity and anvil expansion rate will permit, in the future, determining the location of severe storms within the vast areas of anvil clouds.

Fujita, T. T.↗

NASA NTRS1975

A comparison of some observations of the Galilean satellites with Sampson's tables

Two series of photographic observations of the Galilean satellites are analyzed to determine systematic errors in the observations and errors in Sampson's (1921) theory. Satellite-satellite as well as planet-satellite positions are used in comparing theory with observation. Ten unknown errors are identified, and results are presented for three determinations of the unknown longitude error.

Arlot, J.-E.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Eclipses of natural planetary satellites

A general method is given for predicting eclipse events for natural planetary satellites suitable for use on a large scale digital computer. The precision is sufficient to process photometric eclipse observations to improve natural satellite ephemerides. Expected accuracy improvement for Saturn's satellites should be an order of magnitude or better. Predicted eclipse times of satellites by Saturn and the Rings are given for the next decade.

Peters, C. F.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Thermoelastic flutter models for elements of flexible satellites

Models of thermally induced flutter of the flexible elements of a satellite, such as beams, circular plates, and cylindrical shells, have been obtained. These models form the necessary blocks for analyzing the motion of satellites. The heat input is considered to be caused by solar radiation. The partial differential equations for all the elements of the satellite are linear in the space-dependent variables and nonlinear in the time-dependent variables. These equations are coupled through the motion of the center of mass of the satellite. Galerkin's method has been used to remove the space-dependence of these equations.

Huang, T. C.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Synchronous Meteorological Satellite spin testing

The end-to-end spin tests conducted on the Synchronous Meteorological Satellite are described in detail. It is noted that the objective of these tests was to demonstrate that the satellite performed its intended functions under spinning conditions and that all satellite functions were tested except for solar-panel illumination, pyrotechnic-device operation, VISSR infrared operation, and auxiliary propulsion-system operation. Tests discussed include antenna pointing, S-band and UHF equivalent isotropic radiated power, output-power ripple, bit error rate, synchronous electromagnetic interference, earth width measurement, and satellite magnetic-field measurement. The purpose, technique, salient results, and problems of each test are outlined.

Mcbrady, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Galilean satellites - Observations of mutual occultations and eclipses in 1973

Seven Galilean satellite mutual events, two occultations and two eclipses of Europa and three eclipses of Io, were observed at three wavelengths (0.35, 0.50, 0.91 micrometers) with a time resolution of 0.1 sec. Preliminary model fits to the light curves are presented. Model satellites with different albedo distributions (uniform disk, bright solar caps, bright quadrant) are used in generating model occultation and eclipse curves to demonstrate the sensitivity of observed light curves to the brightness distribution on the surface of the occulted or eclipsed satellite. At the present the observations yield no conclusive information of the limb-darkening of Io. The best data for Europa indicate that the satellite is limb-darkened at both 0.50 and 0.91 micrometers.

Wasserman, L. H.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Satellite communications at the Goddard Space Flight Center

Starting with the 1960 Delta launch of the first Echo satellite, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) became one of the pioneers in satellite communications. Attention is given to the project Syncom, the Applications Technology Satellite (ATS) program, the ATS-6 project, and current GSFC efforts. After the decision announced in January of 1973 that NASA would phase out of communications satellite programs, the communications effort at GSFC concentrates on the operation of ATS spacecraft in orbit, experiments in the 12- to 14 GHz frequency band, and advanced communications research.

Clark, J. F.↗

NASA NTRS1976

The absorption of trapped particles by the inner satellites of Jupiter and the radial diffusion coefficient of particle transport

The process of trapped particle absorption by the inner Jovian satellites is considered in detail taking into account both the particle and satellite motions in a magnetic dipole field which is displaced from the center of the planet and tilted with respect to the planetary rotation axis. An expression is derived for computing the sweeping time at a given satellite, defined as the time required for the satellite to sweep up a given fraction of the trapped particles within its sweeping region. By making use of the sweeping time and the radial diffusion equation of particle transport approximate expressions for the diffusion coefficient are derived. Measurements obtained by Pioneer 10 are then used to obtain estimates of the diffusion coefficient at the orbits of Io and Europa. We find that the diffusion coefficient is a function of energy and magnetic latitude for electrons in the energy range 0.7-14 MeV.

Mogro-Campero, A.↗