Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “DECELERATION”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,495 records · Page 83

Impulsive penetration of filamentary plasma elements into the magnetospheres of the earth and Jupiter

Assuming that the solar wind plasma is usually nonuniform over distances of 10,000 km or less, it is shown that filamentary plasma elements stretched out from the sun can penetrate impulsively and become engulfed into the magnetosphere. The diamagnetic effects associated with these plasma inhomogeneities are observed in outer magnetospheres and magnetosheaths as dips or directional discontinuities in the magnetic field measurements. From the mean penetration distances of these diamagnetic plasma elements one can deduce a mean deceleration time, as well as an approximate value of the integrated Pedersen conductivity in the polar cusp of the earth and Jupiter.

Lemaire, J.↗

Ultraviolet spectrum of quasi-stellar object 3C273

The first direct observation of the ultraviolet spectrum of a quasi-stellar object (QSO) has been made with a rocket-borne telescope. The emission line spectrum of 3C273 is similar to the spectra of high-redshift QSOs, but no absorption is observed. The results provide important new constraints on theoretical models of QSOs, place a severe limit on the density of neutral hydrogen in the intergalactic medium, and suggest a cosmological origin for much of the absorption seen in high-redshift QSOs. Comparison of the ultraviolet spectrophotometry of low- and high-redshift QSOs suggests that the universe is closed, with a deceleration parameter of about 1.

Davidsen, A. F.↗

Measurement of magnetic field aligned potential differences using high resolution conjugate photoelectron energy spectra

Simultaneous high-resolution observations of a distinctive feature in the energy spectrum of conjugate photoelectrons and spacecraft potential relative to the local ionosphere have allowed the net potential difference between magnetic conjugate points at latitudes below the region of low-energy (i.e., lower than 100 eV) auroral electron precipitation to be determined. Measurements made at 300 km from Atmosphere Explorer C show that there is normally no net potential difference between hemispheres in this region, which extended up to invariant latitudes as high as 74 deg. Two types of apparently related anomalous behavior were infrequently observed at high latitudes. During these periods the incident flux of conjugate photoelectrons was either decelerated by about 3 eV or was not detected.

Peterson, W. K.↗

Effect of end-ring stiffness on buckling of pressure-loaded stiffened conical shells

Buckling studies were conducted on truncated 120 deg conical shells having large end rings and many interior reinforcing rings that are typical of aeroshells used as spacecraft decelerators. Changes in base-end-ring stiffness were accomplished by simply machining away a portion of the base ring between successive buckling tests. Initial imperfection measurements from the test cones were included in the analytical model.

Davis, R. C.↗

Temperature distributions and thermal stresses in a graded zirconia/metal gas path seal system for aircraft gas turbine engines

A ceramic/metallic aircraft gas turbine outer gas path seal designed for improved engine performance was studied. Transient temperature and stress profiles in a test seal geometry were determined by numerical analysis. During a simulated engine deceleration cycle from sea-level takeoff to idle conditions, the maximum seal temperature occurred below the seal surface, therefore the top layer of the seal was probably subjected to tensile stresses exceeding the modulus of rupture. In the stress analysis both two- and three-dimensional finite element computer programs were used. Predicted trends of the simpler and more easily usable two-dimensional element programs were borne out by the three-dimensional finite element program results.

Taylor, C. M.↗

A flight evaluation of a trailing anemometer for low-speed calibrations of airspeed systems on research aircraft

Research airspeed systems on three low-speed general aviation airplanes were calibrated by the trailing anemometer method. Each airplane was fitted with an NASA pitot-static pressure tube mounted on either a nose or wing boom. The uncalibrated airspeed systems contained residual static-pressure position errors which were too large for high-accuracy flight research applications. The trailing anemometer calibration was in agreement with the tower flyby calibration for the one aircraft for which the comparison was made. The continuous deceleration technique for the trailing anemometer method offers reduced test time with no appreciable loss of accuracy for airspeed systems with pitot-static system lag characteristics similar to those described.

Fisher, B. D.↗

Analysis and test for space shuttle propellant dynamics: 1/60th scale model test results

During the abort sequence, the ET and orbiter separate under aerodynamic loading, with propellant remaining in the ET. The separation event included a seven second decelerating coast period during which the residual propellant accelerates relative to the ET/orbiter. At separation, ET clearance was primarily provided by aerodynamics acting on the ET to move it away. The motion of the propellant, primarily LOX, significantly influenced the resulting ET motion and could cause the ET to recontact the orbiter. A test program was conducted involving thirty-two drops with 1/60th scale models of the ET LOX tank. The objective was to acquire data on the nature of low g propellant reorientation, in the ET LOX tank, and to measure the forces exerted on the tank by the moving propellant.

Berry, R. L.↗

Development of automatic and manual flight director landing systems for the XV-15 tilt rotor aircraft in helicopter mode

The objective of this effort is to determine IFR approach path and touchdown dispersions for manual and automatic XV-15 tilt rotor landings, and to develop missed approach criteria. Only helicopter mode XV-15 operation is considered. The analysis and design sections develop the automatic and flight director guidance equations for decelerating curved and straight-in approaches into a typical VTOL landing site equipped with an MLS navigation aid. These system designs satisfy all known pilot-centered, guidance and control requirements for this flying task. Performance data, obtained from nonstationary covariance propagation dispersion analysis for the system, are used to develop the approach monitoring criteria. The autoland and flight director guidance equations are programmed for the VSTOLAND 1819B digital computer. The system design dispersion data developed through analysis and the 1819B digital computer program are verified and refined using the fixed-base, man-in-the-loop XV-15 VSTOLAND simulation.

Hofmann, L. G.↗

Study of advanced atmospheric entry systems for Mars

Entry system designs are described for various advanced Mars missions including sample return, hard lander, and Mars airplane. The Mars exploration systems for sample return and the hard lander require decleration from direct approach entry velocities of about 6 km/s to terminal velocities consistent with surface landing requirements. The Mars airplane entry system is decelerated from orbit at 4.6 km/s to deployment near the surface. Mass performance characteristics of major elements of the Mass performance characteristics are estimated for the major elements of the required entry systems using Viking technology or logical extensions of technology in order to provide a common basis of comparison for the three entry modes mission mode approaches. The entry systems, although not optimized, are based on Viking designs and reflect current hardware performance capability and realistic mass relationships.

Source record↗

Theory of the accretion column and cyclotron radiation in X ray pulsars

The energetics of the decelerating matter in the accretion column of X-ray pulsars is considered, in particular the Coulomb process. A two zone model is presented to account for the continuum and cyclotron line emission, incorporating a fan-beam radiation scheme, which appears able to explain the observed properties.

Meszaros, P.↗

Reverse current in solar flares

We examine the proposal that impulsive X-ray bursts are produced by high-energy electrons streaming from the corona to the chromosphere. It is known that the currents associated with these streams are so high that either the streams do not exist or their current is neutralized by a reverse current. Analysis of a simple model in which the reverse current is stable indicates that the primary electron stream leads to the development of an electric field in the ambient corona which (a) decelerates the primary beam and (b) produces a neutralizing reverse current. It appears that, in some circumstances, this electric field could prevent the primary beam from reaching the chromosphere. In any case, the electric field acts as an energy exchange mechanism, extracting kinetic energy from the primary beam and using it to heat the ambient plasma. This heating is typically so rapid that it must be expected to have important dynamical consequences.

Knight, J. W.↗

Simple analytical solutions for spherically symmetric production and modulation of energetic solar particles

Exact analytical solutions are presented for the standard time-independent spherically symmetric convection-diffusion-adiabatic deceleration equation governing the transport of cosmic rays in the interplanetary medium for the case in which particles are produced with spherical symmetry at the sun. It is assumed that the solar-wind speed is constant and radial, and that the spatial diffusion coefficient has a power-law dependence on momentum. The Green's function describing the modulation of a monoenergetic production of particles is presented. The solutions provide a useful basis for the study of time-integrated properties of energetic solar-flare particle spectra.

Gross, M. W.↗

Solar particle propagation from 1 to 5 AU

The radial variation of the interplanetary propagation of solar cosmic rays is investigated on a grand scale by performing a statistical analysis of charged-particle data obtained by Pioneers 10 and 11 from launch to Jovian encounter (i.e., at distances of 1 to 5 AU). A numerical propagation model is adopted which includes diffusion, convection, and adiabatic deceleration, as well as a variable power-law diffusion coefficient. The study of solar particle events is carried out by analyzing individually each of five key parameters that are uniquely defined in each solar particle event: the time to maximum flux starting from the initial release at the sun, the anisotropy at the time to maximum flux, the flux at that time, the time width of the event at half the flux at the time to maximum, and the decay time. Combined results for the proton energy ranges from 3.4 to 5.2 MeV and 24 to 30 MeV are presented, the average radial diffusion coefficients between 1 and 5 AU are determined for each energy range, and it is found that the combination of a near-impusive injection with a temporally constant spectral index produces a reasonably good fit to the high-energy data but not as good a fit to the low-energy data. Implications of the results obtained are discussed for cosmic-ray propagation theory, solar modulation studies, and interplanetary acceleration of solar particles.

Zwickl, R. D.↗

Return to earth in the Space Shuttle

The mission sequence of the first Shuttle orbital test flight (OFT-1), scheduled for March 1979, is outlined with attention to the landing phase. Descent into the atmosphere will begin at 400,000 feet at a pitch angle of 40 deg. At 80,000 feet the spacecraft decelerates to Mach 2.5, and the approach and landing phase begin at around 10,000 feet. TACAN stations will supply navigation data during most of the descent, with the pilot taking over most of the control functions during the final flare-out and approach to the runway. Also outlined is the sequencing of the RCS jets and aero surfaces.

Brand, V. D.↗

Postural illusions experienced during Z-axis recumbent rotation and their dependence upon somatosensory stimulation of the body surface

A blindfolded recumbent subject experiences a variety of postural illusions when rotated about his Z axis. Initially, during the acceleratory phase of rotation, turning about his Z axis is experienced; but, as rotary velocity increases, a spiraling of the body outward in the direction opposite to true rotation is experienced as well. Above 15-20 rpm, only orbital motion of the body is experienced, with the subject feeling that he is always facing in the same direction. One cycle of the apparent orbit is completed each time the subject actually rotates 360 deg. The reverse sequence of illusory motion is experienced during deceleration. The illusory motion all subjects experience during Z-axis recumbent rotation is shown to depend upon the touch and pressure stimulation of the body surface generated by contact forces of support.

Lackner, J. R.↗

Surface brightness, standard candles and q/0/

The most direct way to determine the deceleration parameter, q(0), of the universe is through the study of the redshift-magnitude relation of extragalactic sources. Progress has been slow because the necessary sources for this study must be standard candles, which have identical absolute total luminosity (balometric or monochromatic). The present paper shows, first of all, that, although necessary, this is not a sufficient condition for nonpoint-like (or resolved) sources. A modification of the redshift-magnitude relation is then described for a certain class of nonstandard candles using measurements of isophotal surface brightness. It is noted that such measurements can be used to standardize the central surface brightness of galaxies, but the standardization of the scale parameter remains beyond observations.

Petrosian, V.↗

The 3 K blackbody radiation, Dirac's Large Numbers Hypothesis, and scale-covariant cosmology

A program is described which is intended to derive a generalized system of gravitational equations that allow (but do not require) G to vary, to use the 3-K blackbody radiation to fix the relation between G and the gauge function, and to employ Dirac's (1937) Large Numbers Hypothesis to derive the geometry of the universe. Einstein's equations are retained in their total integrity, but the specification is made that they are valid only when gravitational units are used. A scale-invariant form of Einstein's equations is obtained, and from this are derived the energy conservation law, the baryon-number conservation law, and the appropriate cosmological equations. Dirac's proposals of 1937 and 1973 are incorporated into the formalism, and a gauge based on consolidation of the 3-K blackbody radiation is presented. A unique solution for the geometry of the universe is determined for zero curvature solely from the 3-K radiation and the Large Numbers Hypothesis; this solution predicts a deceleration parameter exactly equal to unity.

Canuto, V.↗

Aircraft mission analysis

Aircraft missions, from low to hypersonic speeds, are analyzed rapidly using the FORTRAN IV program NSEG. Program employs approximate equations of motion that vary in form with type of flight segment. Takeoffs, accelerations, climbs, cruises, descents, decelerations, and landings are considered.

Hauge, D. S.↗