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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 1,333 records · Page 74

Verification and Validation Testing of the Parachute Decelerator System Prior to the First Supersonic Flight Dynamics Test for the Low Density Supersonic Decelerator Program

The Parachute Decelerator System (PDS) is comprised of all components associated with the supersonic parachute and its associated deployment. During the Supersonic Flight Dynamics Test (SFDT), for the Low Density Supersonic Decelerators Program, the PDS was required to deploy the supersonic parachute in a defined fashion. The PDS hardware includes three major subsystems that must function together. The first subsystem is the Parachute Deployment Device (PDD), which acts as a modified pilot deployment system. It is comprised of a pyrotechnic mortar, a Kevlar ballute, a lanyard actuated pyrotechnic inflation aid, and rigging with its associated thermal protection material (TPS). The second subsystem is the supersonic parachute deployment hardware. This includes all of the parachute specific rigging that includes the parachute stowage can and the rigging including TPS and bridle stiffeners for bridle management during deployment. The third subsystem is the Supersonic Parachute itself, which includes the main parachute and deployment bags. This paper summarizes the verification and validation of the deployment process, from the initialization of the PDS system through parachute bag strip that was done prior to the first SFDT.

Gallon, John C.↗

Compatibility Tests Between the Mars Vehicle System Test Bed and RIMFAX Radar Antenna Prototype for the Mars 2020 Mission

NASA's Mars 2020 rover will carry a wideband (150 megahertz to 1200 megahertz) ground penetrating radar—RIMFAX (Radar Imager for Mars’ subsurFace eXperiment ), contributed by FFI (Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt) of Norway—to survey the subsurface geology of Mars. RIMFAX will take radar soundings while the rover drives across the Martian terrain, which presents possible compatibility issues between rover and radar operations. In order to study this risk, a prototype RIMFAX antenna was attached to the flight-analogous rover Vehicle System Test Bed (VSTB) in a mechanically representative location. The prototype antenna collected spectral and time-domain data across a variety of driving operations in order to assess the radar sensitivity to rover-generated noise. Conversely, the prototype antenna was driven while an engineering-model UHF (Ultra High Frequency) antenna used for rover telecom measured received in-band power to ensure that the rover hardware was not at risk of damage. Evaluation of the data by the instrument science team showed that while rover noise was apparent to the receiver, data post-processing would yield greater than 40 decibels margin to the science requirements. Similarly, power levels received by the UHF antenna were well below damage thresholds.

Gonzales, Edward↗

Uncertainty Analysis of the NASA Glenn 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel 2019 Characterization Test 14-Foot, 5.8 Percent Test Section Porosity

This paper presents methods and results of a measurement uncertainty analysis that was performed for the 8- by 6-foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel located at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The uncertainty analysis is based on data collected during a characterization test following major structural modifications to the facility and upgrades to the facility’s data and control systems. The statistical methods and engineering judgments used to estimate elemental uncertainties are described in this report. The Monte Carlo method of propagating uncertainty was selected to determine the uncertainty of calculated variables of interest. A description of the Monte Carlo method as applied for this analysis is provided. The primary variable of interest (VOI) for this facility is free stream Mach number. In addition to determining the uncertainty in Mach number, the uncertainty in free stream values of static pressure, total pressure, dynamic pressure, total temperature, static temperature, Reynolds number, and air speed were also calculated. Uncertainty results are presented as random (unpredictable variation in repeated measurements), systematic (potential offset between observed and true value), and total (random and systematic combined) uncertainty for Mach number. Systematic uncertainty results are presented for the other VOIs. Individual uncertainty sources are presented both dimensionally and as percent contributions to uncertainty in all VOIs, to aid in the identification of primary uncertainty sources.

Uncertainty Analysis↗

Identifying High Burnup LOCA Test Conditions to Support LOCA Testing

Presentation summarizing work done by INL and ORNL investigating loss-of-coolant accidents involving high burnup fuel. This includes developing LOCA test conditions for TREAT and SATS experiments and highlighting potential differences between nuclear and electrical heating LOCA experiments.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Tests of cosmic ray radiography for power industry applications

In this report, we assess muon multiple scattering tomography as a non-destructive inspection technique in several typical areas of interest to the nuclear power industry, including monitoring concrete degradation, gate valve conditions, and pipe wall thickness. This work is motivated by the need for imaging methods that do not require the licensing, training, and safety controls of x-rays, and by the need to be able to penetrate considerable overburden to examine internal details of components that are otherwise inaccessible, with minimum impact on industrial operations. In some scenarios, we find that muon tomography may be an attractive alternative to more typical measurements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Experiment Assembly and Testing in Hot Cell in Support of Advanced Fuels Irradiation Testing

Follow-on experimentation of irradiated nuclear fuel is critical to understanding fuel behavior at different stages of the fuel lifecycle. Transient experiments using fuel with high burnup can enlarge understanding of fuel fragmentation, relocation and dispersal under various reactor accident situations. Assembling experiments with such fuel requires remote operations.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗