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At least 1,459 records · Page 81

Measurement of Blast Waves from Bursting Pressureized Frangible Spheres

Small-scale experiments were conducted to obtain data on incident overpressure at various distances from bursting pressurized spheres. Complete time histories of blast overpressure generated by rupturing glass spheres under high internal pressure were obtained using eight side-on pressure transducers. A scaling law is presented, and its nondimensional parameters are used to compare peak overpressures, arrival times, impulses, and durations for different initial conditions and sizes of blast source. The nondimensional data are also compared, whenever possible, with results of theoretical calculations and compiled data for Pentolite high explosive. The scaled data are repeatable and show significant differences from blast waves generated by condensed high-explosives.

Esparza, E. D.↗

Midlatitude sporadic-E layers

The partially transparent echo from midlatitude sporadic E layers was recorded by ionosondes between the blanketing frequency and the maximum frequency. The theory that the midlatitude sporadic E layers are not uniform in the horizontal plane but contain localized regions of high electron density was evaluated using data obtained by incoherent scatter radar and found to provide a satisfactory explanation. The main features of midlatitude sporadic E layers are consistent with the convergence of metallic ions as described by the wind shear theory applied to gravity waves and tides. The interference of gravity waves with other gravity waves and tides can be recognized in the altitudes of occurrence and the structure of the layers. Small scale horizontal irregularities are attributed in some cases to critical level effects and in others to fluid instabilities. The convergence of a meteor trail can, under some circumstances, account for localized enhancement of the electron density in the layer.

Miller, K. L.↗

A preliminary training guide for utilizing high-altitude, color-infrared photography in compiling soil maps

Instruction for acquiring and analytically processing small-scale color-infrared photography to perform a soil resources inventory over forests of the southern U.S. is provided. Planning the project; acquiring aerial photography, materials, equipment and supplemental data; and preparing the photography for analysis are discussed. The procedures for preparing ancillary and primary component overlays are discussed. The use of correlation charts and dichotomous keys for mountain landforms, water regime, and vegetation is explained.

Weaver, J. E.↗

Remote sensing inputs to landscape models which predict future spatial land use patterns for hydrologic models

A tropical forest area of Northern Thailand provided a test case of the application of the approach in more natural surroundings. Remote sensing imagery subjected to proper computer analysis has been shown to be a very useful means of collecting spatial data for the science of hydrology. Remote sensing products provide direct input to hydrologic models and practical data bases for planning large and small-scale hydrologic developments. Combining the available remote sensing imagery together with available map information in the landscape model provides a basis for substantial improvements in these applications.

Miller, L. D.↗

Solid rocket booster performance evaluation model. Volume 1: Engineering description

The space shuttle solid rocket booster performance evaluation model (SRB-II) is made up of analytical and functional simulation techniques linked together so that a single pass through the model will predict the performance of the propulsion elements of a space shuttle solid rocket booster. The available options allow the user to predict static test performance, predict nominal and off nominal flight performance, and reconstruct actual flight and static test performance. Options selected by the user are dependent on the data available. These can include data derived from theoretical analysis, small scale motor test data, large motor test data and motor configuration data. The user has several options for output format that include print, cards, tape and plots. Output includes all major performance parameters (Isp, thrust, flowrate, mass accounting and operating pressures) as a function of time as well as calculated single point performance data. The engineering description of SRB-II discusses the engineering and programming fundamentals used, the function of each module, and the limitations of each module.

Source record↗

LANDSAT (ERTS) used as a basis for geological volcanological mapping in the central Andes

LANDSAT images of the central Andes (N-Chile, W-Bolivia) were effectively used for volcanological mapping of an area about 160,000 km. The map shown exhibits more and better details than the older small scale geological maps of that area. Even on a scale of 1:1,000,000 details greater than 200 m in size are recognizable. The interpretation of LANDSAT images makes it possible to establish relative age sequences of strato-volcanoes. Finally, the images will also be helpful in prospecting for mineral deposits and geothermal sources.

Kussmaul, S.↗

Comparison of jet Mach number decay data with a correlation and jet spreading contours for a large variety of nozzles

Small-scale circular, noncircular, single- and multi-element nozzles with flow areas as large as 122 sq cm were tested with cold airflow at exit Mach numbers from 0.28 to 1.15. The effects of multi-element nozzle shape and element spacing on jet Mach number decay were studied in an effort to reduce the noise caused by jet impingement on externally blown flap (EBF) STOL aircraft. The jet Mach number decay data are well represented by empirical relations. Jet spreading and Mach number decay contours are presented for all configurations tested.

Groesbeck, D. E.↗

Monitoring the extent and occurrence of fire in the different veld types of South Africa with particular reference to its ecological role and role in range management

The author has identified the following significant results. Veld burning was recorded from LANDSAT imagery covering approximately 75 million ha or 62% of the surface of the eastern part of South Africa. All basic data on the location, areas, and numbers of burns for 10 biomes, composed of 67 veld types, are available on 1:250,000 and 1:500,000 map overlays, and are summarized on small scale maps showing fire distribution and amount burned in classes per 15 minute square of latitude and longitude. Veld burning is not randomly distributed, but is almost continuous over a broad belt, widest in the north and narrowing southeastwards, and then southwestwards between the eastern escarpment and the area. It is shown that over almost the whole sea, the overall pattern of veld burning is clearly marked out as early as July in midwinter, subsequent development being merely an intensification of the pattern.

Edwards, D.↗

Test of a model for trace element partition during closed-system solidification of a silicate liquid

Trace-element concentrations in separated minerals and rock fragments from a coarsely crushed and sieved sample of medium-grained lunar basalt are determined by high-precision instrumental neutron activation analysis for three main purposes. These are: (1) to test a previously proposed model for describing trace-element behavior during solidification of a silicate liquid under conditions of a closed system; (2) to compare trace-element concentrations among different size fractions of a comminuted basalt; and (3) to investigate small-scale heterogeneity within a single medium-grained basalt. It is found that an excellent mass balance for the whole rock is attained in terms of the trace-element concentrations of the component minerals and mesostasis, that the mixing model describing this mass balance yields a superior modal analysis for the whole rock, and that different size fractions of the coarsely crushed basalt vary in mineral composition. The closed-system model is shown to account properly for the average behavior of the trace elements during solidification of the basalt, and values of distribution coefficients are obtained for incompatible elements in that rock.

Haskin, L. A.↗

Spectrum and isotropy of the submillimeter background radiation

Infrared evidence referable to the spectrum and isotropy of the background radiation of the universe is considered, along with theoretical implications. Difficulties in the submillimeter region are indicated. Two types of anisotropy are treated: small-scale granularity (attributable to discrete sources such as galaxies or to condensation in the primordial plasma) and large-scale anisotropies; the anisotropies are discussed as possible indicators of the early history of the universe, and in relation to future possible generalized Michelson-Morley experiments (to detect effects on local physics of the existence of a universal rest frame). A complete blackbody spectrum is seen as the clear signature of the primordial fireball, and slight deviations from a perfect thermal spectrum (or perfect isotropy) are to be sought and scrutinized.

Muehlner, D.↗

Distribution, morphology, and origin of ridges and arches in Mare Serenitatis

Lunar mare ridges and arches in Mare Serenitatis were mapped to understand better their mode of formation. Maps of these features indicate that several pre-mare impacts in the Serenitatis area may be responsible for the localization of the circular ridge systems and that the subsurface, pre-mare topography is more complex than previously recognized. Apollo Lunar Sounder cross sections of ridge systems in southern Serenitatis indicate 50 to 100 m of local relief on these features. Small-scale features of ridges, such as medial lineations and lobate margins, do not conclusively define the origin of the ridges. However, estimates of crustal shortening from Lunar Sounder data and the coincidence of the major ridge system with the Serenitatis mascon suggest that ridges and arches were formed by gravitational readjustments of the mare fill along four probable impact structures and along a north-trending fracture pattern.

Maxwell, T. A.↗

Lunar surface chemistry - A new imaging technique

Detailed chemical maps of the lunar surface have been constructed by applying a new weighted-filter imaging technique to Apollo 15 and Apollo 16 X-ray fluorescence data. The data quality improvement is amply demonstrated by (1) modes in the frequency distribution, representing highland and mare soil suites, which are not evident before data filtering, and (2) numerous examples of chemical variations which are correlated with small-scale (about 15 kilometer) lunar topographic features.

Andre, C. G.↗

Missile impact craters (White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico) and applications to lunar research: Contributions to astrogeology

Craters in natural materials at White Sands Missile Range, N. Mex., were produced by the impact of high-velocity to hypervelocity missiles traveling along oblique trajectories with kinetic energies between 2.1 and 81 × 1014 ergs. The oblique impacts produce craters 2 to 10 m across with morphologies and ejecta that are bilaterally symmetrical with respect to the plane of the missile trajectory. Rims are high and the amount of ejecta large in down-trajectory and lateral directions, whereas rims are low to nonexistent and ejecta thin to absent up-trajectory. Symmetry development and modifications of the symmetry are a function of target material, local topography, and angle of impact. Seven mappable units can be recognized in and around the craters. Three of these are ejecta: thick ejecta near the crater, thin to discontinuous ejecta at greater distances, and scattered ejecta at the greatest distances to the limit of throwout. These ejecta units may be absent on the up-trajectory side; if present, they are rarely as thick or continuous as on other sides of the crater. Three units are target materials: undeformed target material exposed in local patches through thin to discontinuous ejecta and everywhere between the fragments of scattered ejecta, tilted and broken target material exposed in upper crater walls, and shattered and fractured target material exposed on the up-trajectory crater wall. The seventh unit is slope material composed of talus and fallback within the crater. Development, character, and exposure of these units varies chiefly with the target material. Ejecta from the craters is chiefly broken but relatively undeformed target material that may range in size from very fine grained debris to large blocks. Where the target is porous, significant amounts of the ejecta are composed of sheared and compressed fragments, some coated with dark layers of mixed projectile pieces, powder, and fused metal mixed with crushed target material. For layered targets, the original stratigraphic sequence is crudely preserved and in inverted order in thick ejecta. Secondary impact craters are produced by the impact of ejected fragments when the surrounding surface materials are sufficiently weak. A wide variety of secondary impact crater relations may result. Secondary craters nearest the primary crater have blocks in them that are larger than or the same size as the crater they produced. Farther from the primary crater, the fragments are generally smaller than the secondary crater and are ejected from it. Excavation of four craters revealed a mixed breccia beneath the crater floor composed of missile pieces, sheared and compressed target material, and crushed debris. Banded, disaggregated target material and nonmixed breccia surrounded the mixed breccia, and these breccias were surrounded by a zone of conjugate fractures. Beneath the ejecta on the lateral and down-trajectory crater flanks, the target materials were tilted upward and broken. Up-trajectory, open fractures and downward displacement occurred in two of the craters. No displacement was observed for the other two. Beneath the down-trajectory rims of craters with distinct layering, overturned synclines were observed. Missile breakup and behavior during cratering are a function of target and missile properties. Missile breakup depends on missile velocity and is most extensive at high velocities, where the missile is fragmented, powdered, and partly fused. Burial of missile or its fragmented, powdered, and fused remains is greatest for porous targets and least for dense cohesive targets. For very porous targets, camouflet structures containing the fragmented missile may form. Least squares fit to the data on craters in dry to moist targets indicate V(a) = 10^(-11.433)E(p)^(1.205) where V(a) is the volume of the apparent crater and E(p) is the kinetic energy of the missile. This equation is consistent with expectations of the equations relating apparent depth and radius to kinetic energy. Extrapolation of displaced masses and kinetic energies for laboratory impacts with sand and rock converge near 10^(15) to 10^(16) ergs, where the extrapolations are near the data on missile impact craters, corrected for impact angle. Displaced masses of craters produced by missile impacts and by chemical explosives with small scaled depths of burial are about the same when the kinetic energies of the missiles (corrected for angle of impact) are equal to the TNT equivalent energy of the explosive. The problem of equivalent scaled depth of burst for an impact crater is complicated and not entirely resolved, however. Both missile impact craters and chemical explosive craters in water-saturated targets are larger than their counterparts in dry to moist materials. Data collected during the study of missile impact craters have helped resolve a number of problems in lunar research: (1) the soillike nature of lunar surface materials was predicted, (2) sizes of craters produced by artificial impacts were correctly predicted, (3) certain features imaged by Surveyor were found to be analogous to features associated with missile impact craters, {4) missile impacts were used in support of the Apollo passive seismic experiment, (5) craters seen in Apollo orbital photographs were found to be similar to some missile impact craters, (6) missile impact craters supplied data on sample collection and crater phenomenology used in training astronauts, and (7) some returned lunar samples are similar to coated, sheared, and compressed fragments ejected from missile impact craters.

H. J. Moore↗

An empirical model for inverted-velocity-profile jet noise prediction

An empirical model for predicting the noise from inverted-velocity-profile coaxial or coannular jets is presented and compared with small-scale static and simulated flight data. The model considered the combined contributions of as many as four uncorrelated constituent sources: the premerged-jet/ambient mixing region, the merged-jet/ambient mixing region, outer-stream shock/turbulence interaction, and inner-stream shock/turbulence interaction. The noise from the merged region occurs at relatively low frequency and is modeled as the contribution of a circular jet at merged conditions and total exhaust area, with the high frequencies attenuated. The noise from the premerged region occurs at high frequency and is modeled as the contribution of an equivalent plug nozzle at outer stream conditions, with the low frequencies attenuated.

Stone, J. R.↗

Remote sensing data processing: Two years ago, today, and two years from today

Beginning with a survey of the state-of-the-art of processing remotely sensed data in early 1975, significant developments between that time and the present are chronicled, and technologies for early 1979 are projected. Current technical issues discussed include: training selection and labeling; classification and mensuration; use of satellite indicators to supplement predictions; small scale field structures; physical factors; ancillary data; geometric quality; and the cost of processing.

Holmes, Q. A.↗

Atmospheric scavenging of solid rocket exhaust effluents

Solid propellant rocket exhaust was directly utilized to ascertain raindrop scavenging rates for hydrogen chloride. Two chambers were used to conduct the experiments; a large, rigid walled, spherical chamber stored the exhaust constituents, while the smaller chamber housing all the experiments was charged as required with rocket exhaust HCl. Surface uptake experiments demonstrated an HCl concentration dependence for distilled water. Sea water and brackish water HCl uptake was below the detection limit of the chlorine-ion analysis technique used. Plant life HCl uptake experiments were limited to corn and soybeans. Plant age effectively correlated the HCl uptake data. Metallic corrosion was not significant for single 20 minute exposures to the exhaust HCl under varying relative humidity. Characterization of the aluminum oxide particles substantiated the similarity between the constituents of the small scale rocket and the full size vehicles.

Fenton, D. L.↗

Historical evidence of importance to the industrialization of flat-plate silicon photovoltaic systems. Volume 1: Executive summary

An analysis is given of the Low-Cost Silicon Solar Array Project plans for the industrialization of new production technologies expected to be forthcoming as a result of the project's technology development efforts. In particular, LSSA's mandate to insure an annual production capability of 500 MW peak for the photovoltaic supply industry by 1986 is critically examined. The examination focuses on one of the concerns behind this goal -- timely development of industrial capacity to supply anticipated demand. Some of the conclusions include: (1) construction of small-scale pilot plants should be undertaken only for purposes of technology development; (2) large-scale demonstrations should be undertaken only when the technology is well in hand; (3) commercial-scale production should be left to the private sector; (4) the 500-MW annual output goal should be shifted to Program Headquarters.

Smith, J. L.↗