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At least 1,531 records · Page 85
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

Deformation processes in forging ceramics

The deformation processes involved in the forging of refractory ceramic oxides were investigated. A combination of mechanical testing and forging was utilized to investigate both the flow and fracture processes involved. Deformation studies of very fine grain Al203 revealed an apparent transition in behavior, characterized by a shift in the strain rate sensitivity from 0.5 at low stresses to near unity at higher stresses. The behavior is indicative of a shift in control between two dependent mechanisms, one of which is indicated to be cation limited diffusional creep with significant boundary enhancement. The possible contributions of slip, indicated by crystallographic texture, interface control of the diffusional creep and inhomogeneous boundary sliding are also discussed. Additional experiments indicated an independence of deformation behavior on MgO doping and retained hot pressing impurities, at least for ultrafine grained material, and also an independence of test atmosphere.

Cannon, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Application of ERTS-1 data to the protection and management of New Jersey's coastal environment

The author has identified the following significant results. This catalogue was prepared as a part of the joint ERTS-1 New Jersey coastal mapping experiment. First look analysis of ERTS-1 images indicates that numerous coastal oceanographic patterns can be mapped on a sequential basis using ERTS-1 images. Analysis of imagery indicates a predominant southwesterly drift of dumped wasted in the surface waters. Initial analysis of imagery indicates that the effects of tidal flushing of New York harbor extend as far south as Long Branch, New Jersey. Analysis of imagery from 3 September, 1972, indicates a wide band of turbid water extending several miles offshore around Barnegat Inlet. First look analysis of imagery from 10 October, 1972, illustrates the increased reflectance of turbid waters within the bays, sounds, and thoroughfares behind the barrier islands in the southern New Jersey shore area. The estuarine waters emanating from both Brigantine and Absecon Inlets are very turbid relative to the waters further offshore and to the north and south. The tidal prism appears to be quite large but the movement of water once outside the inlets is not very rapid. The waters are not moving away from the coastline but rather along the coast.

Yunghans, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Photogeology. Part A: Relative ages of some near-side and far-side terra plains based on Apollo 16 metric photography

Relative age measurements were made for 14 light plains areas, using 30X enlargements of Apollo 16 metric camera photography. Results indicate that: (1) Crater morphology and frequency studies consistently indicate that the Fra Mauro Formation has received 2.5 to 3 times as much impact flux as the Cayley Formation. (2) Crater counts and relative age dating indicate that the Cayley Formation is only slightly older than the oldest mare units. (3) Assuming the rubidium-strontium ages of Apollo 14 basalt breccias give minimum age for Fra Mauro Formation, the Cayley Formation must have been generated throughout a period of less than 100 million years, approximately 3.8 to 3.9 billion years ago. (4) The Cayley Formation ages obtained on the near side and far side are the same, indicating a synchrony throughout the moon in these units. (5) The linear relationship as predicted by the small impact erosion model between net accumulated flux and the maximum diameter of a crater that could be eroded below recognition is confirmed.

Soderblom, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A study of the utilization of EREP data from the Wabash River basin

The author has identified the following significant results. The study of the multispectral data sets indicate that better land use delineation using machine processing techniques can be obtained with data from multispectral scanners than digitized S190A photographic sensor data. Results of the multiemulsion photographic data set were a little better than the multiband photographic data set. Comparison results of the interim and filtered S191 data indicate that the data were improved some for machine processing techniques. Results of the S191 X-5 detector array studied over a wintertime scene indicate that a good quality far infrared channel can be useful. The S191 spectroradiometer study results indicate that the data from the S191 was usable, and it was possible to estimate the path radiance.

Silva, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Measurement, analysis, and prediction of aircraft interior noise

Considerations of comfort of passengers and crew in light aircraft and helicopters indicate substantial benefits may be obtained by the reduction of interior noise levels. This paper discusses an ongoing research effort to reduce interior noise in such vehicles. Data from both field and laboratory studies for a light aircraft are presented. The laboratory data indicate that structural vibration is an efficient source of interior noise and should be considered in the reduction of interior noise. Flight data taken on a helicopter before and after installation of acoustic treatment demonstrate that over 30 dB of noise reduction can be obtained in certain portions of the spectra. However, subjective evaluations of the treated vehicle indicate that further reductions in interior noise are desirable. An existing interior noise prediction method which was developed for large jet transports was applied to study low-frequency noise in a light aircraft fuselage. The results indicate that improvements in the analytical model may be necessary for the prediction of interior noise of light aircraft.

Howlett, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Engineering analysis division internal note. OFT-1 margin assessment

The results are documented of an analysis conducted to determine space shuttle vehicle (SSV) subsystem margins for the reference flight profile for the first orbital flight test (OFT-1). In general, the results show increased margins for the OFT-1 indicators when compared to Mission 3A resutls. The inclusion of element and wing aerodynamic variations on OFT-1, in combination with winds and systems dispersions, resulted in the forward Z (FTO1) attach load indicator exceeding specified limits. The inboard and outboard elevon hinge moment margins (9 percent and 3 percent, respectively) on OFT-1 reflect values consistent with the load relief requirements dictated by elevon hinge moment variations. All other structural load indicators for OFT-1 had margins in excess of 10 percent. The SSV first stage stagnation heating indicators for OFT-1 were about 45 percent less than for Mission 3A. The hydraulic systems demands for both missions were essentially the same. The results also show OFT-1 performance requirements from the consideration of winds and dispersions to be approximately 3,300 lbs greater than Mission 3A.

Austin, L. D., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Short-term variations of the galactic cosmic ray intensity - 1964-1967

A statistical analysis of time variations in ground-level nucleonic cosmic-ray intensity for the interval from 1964 to 1967 is presented which incorporates synoptic observations of the solar white-light corona as well as indices of photospheric and chromospheric activity. Correlation analysis of solar activity and short-term modulation reveals that all indices vary significantly on time scales near the solar rotation period and that the correlation function exhibits a quasi-sinusoidal variation that maximizes near zero lag. It is found that 27-day variations of the indices were most pronounced in 1966-1967, that recurrent cosmic-ray depressions occurred in conjunction with observed solar-wind disturbances, and that two categories of interplanetary disturbance are sufficient to account for the large recurrent cosmic-ray depressions in 1966-1967. It is suggested that flare-generated shocks were the main source of these recurrent cosmic-ray variations and that the contribution of corotating cosmic-ray disturbances to the observed recurrent modulation was probably very small. This hypothesis is tested against the correlation functions of solar and cosmic-ray indices.

Parker, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Luminosity and carbon enhancement in N-type carbon stars

Recent observational data indicate the likelihood of a relation between luminosity and carbon enhancement in N-type irregularly variable carbon stars in the sense that the more luminous carbon stars appear to have smaller enhancements of carbon. No relation appears between carbon enhancement and red colors. The observational data are the luminosities of Peery (1975), the colors and CN band indices of Baumert (1972), the CO indices of Fay and Ridgway (1976), and the C2 indices of Gow (1977).

Johnson, H. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A study to investigate the chemical stability of gallium phosphate oxide/gallium arsenide phosphide

The elemental composition with depth into the oxide films was examined using secondary ion mass spectrometry. Results indicate that the layers are arsenic-deficient through the bulk of the oxide and arsenic-rich near both the oxide surface and the oxide-semiconductor interface region. Phosphorus is incorporated into the oxide in an approximately uniform manner. The MIS capacitor structures exhibited deep-depletion characteristics and hysteresis indicative of electron trapping at the oxide-semiconductor interface. Post-oxidation annealing of the films in argon or nitrogen generally results in slightly increased dielectric leakage currents and decreased C-V hysteresis effects, and is associated with arsenic loss at the oxide surface. The results of bias-temperature stress experiments indicate that the major instability effects are due to changes in the electron trapping behavior. No changes were observed in the elemental profiles following electrical stressing, indicating that the grown films are chemically stable under device operating conditions.

Kuhlman, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Advanced transport operation effects on pilot scan patterns

Long straight-in and close-in, curved, descending instrument approaches were made in NASA's fixed-base Terminal Configured Vehicle simulator. The pilot either manually controlled the simulator or monitored the automatic system control of the simulated aircraft during the approach. Tests were performed with or without the display of traffic. The results indicate that the pilots' use of the Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI) increased appreciably for the close-in, curved, descending approach compared to the conventional straight-in approach. When operating as a monitor of the autopilot system, the pilot scanned around more with less attention devoted to the Electronic Attitude Direction Indicator (EADI). The pilots preferred the manual mode because it kept them in the control loop. The addition of displayed traffic to the EHSI increased the pilots' use of the EHSI with a corresponding reduction in his use of the EADI. Also, the pilot's pupil diameter increased during the landing flare indicating a higher stress level even though the tests were conducted in a fixed-base simulator.

Harris, R. L., Sr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Measurement of soil moisture trends with airborne scatterometers

The author has identified the following significant results. Cursory examination of the data indicates that the listed row tillage practices at 90 deg to the radar beam are approximately 12.5db higher than other comparable agricultural land. The Seasat radar data show evidence that the high return occurs only at a narrow range in look direction near the 90 deg. Such a high increase in return compared to a 15db range in film response would indicate that rows seen crosswise would saturate optically processed data. This response to row direction will have an adverse effect on monitoring agricultural lands with L band radar systems. Preliminary examination indicates that there is no sensitivity to soil moisture at the 5 deg look angle when using a like-polarized L band system. Some sensitivity was evident at a look angle of 20 deg and only a weak sensitivity was indicated at 40 deg look angle. At both 20 deg and 40 deg there is a significant response to soil moisture and none to row direction. Steep angles or the 5 deg look angle using cross polarized (HB) L band system appear insensitive to row direction and soil moisture.

Blanchard, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Amino aciduria in weightlessness

Urinary excretion of amino acids by the 9 Skylab crewmen was studied as an indicator of the metabolic effects caused by exposure to the space flight environment. Intake was consistent in quality and quantity throughout the 28, 59 and 84-day flights for each of the crewmen and complete collections were accomplished. The results indicated an increased excretion in most amino acids during the first month of flight which remained elevated in the second and third months but to a lesser extent. Additional indications of change in muscle and skeletal metabolism were observed. These results point to the desirability of obtaining additional indices of alterations in protein synthetic processes in conjunction with future space flights.

Leach, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Power spectrum of small-scale density irregularities in the interstellar medium

Observations of the interstellar scintillation of radiation from 17 pulsars are reported which are used to place limits on the power spectrum of small-scale electron density irregularities in the interstellar medium. Measurements made at 340, 408, and 450 MHz in the dispersion measure range 3-57/cu cm pc of the time-dependent radio frequency spectrum of interstellar scintillations were analyzed to determine the scintillation index and a scintillation frequency-correlation scale based on the autocorrelation function in radio frequency of the fluctuations in scintillation. The dispersion-measure dependence of the scintillation frequency correlation scale is found to be consistent with both Gaussian model interstellar medium spectra and power-law spectra with indices between 3.0 and 4, while the radio-frequency scaling of the frequency correlation scale is consistent with power law indices between 2.8 and 3.9. However comparison of the shape of the radio-frequency autocorrelation function with model calculations indicates power law models with indices greater than 3.6 are possible. Data are also consistent with a local three-dimensional density spectrum at a wave number of 10 to the -9th/m of 3 x 10 to the 28th to 3 x 10 to the 29th/cu m.

Armstrong, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Lunar radionuclide records of average solar-cosmic-ray fluxes over the last ten million years

The use of cosmogenic radionuclides in lunar materials as indicators of solar cosmic ray fluxes and thus solar activity over the past 10 million years is discussed. The nature of solar and galactic cosmic ray particles and their interactions with matter are reviewed, with particular emphasis on nuclide production by cosmic-ray-induced nuclear reactions. Evidence of galactic cosmic ray flux variations from measurements of radionuclide activities in meteorites is considered which has indicated changes of less than about 25-50% over the last few million years. Measurements of radionuclide activities in lunar materials which are used to determine solar cosmic ray fluxes are then examined together with direct proton measurements indicating variations in solar fluxes with different solar cycles. It is noted that whereas average solar proton fluxes determined for the last 1-10 million years from Al-26 and Mn-53 data show little variation and are similar to recent values, lunar C-14 and Kr-81 activities indicate average solar proton fluxes several times greater over the past 10,000 to 100,000 years.

Reedy, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

CAT altitude avoidance system

A method and apparatus are provided for indicating the altitude of the tropopause or of an inversion layer wherein clear air turbulence (CAT) may occur, and the likely severity of any such CAT, includes directing a passive microwave radiometer on the aircraft at different angles with respect to the horizon. The microwave radiation measured at a frequency of about 55 GHz represents the temperature of the air at an ""average'' range of about 3 kilometers, so that the sine of the angle of the radiometer times 3 kilometers equals the approximate altitude of the air whose temperature is measured. A plot of altitude (with respect to the aircraft) versus temperature of the air at that altitude, can indicate when an inversion layer is present and can indicate the altitude of the tropopause or of such an inversion layer. The plot can also indicate the severity of any CAT in an inversion layer. If CAT has been detected in the general area, then the aircraft can be flown at an altitude to avoid the tropopause or inversion layer.

Gary, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Direct evidence for chromospheric evaporation in a well-observed compact flare

Observations of the solar flare of May 7, 1980 using several Solar Maximum Mission instruments are presented as an investigation of the phenomenon of chromospheric evaporation. The total amount of plasma at temperatures greater than 2 x 10 to the 6th K were determined from the X-ray data, and the amount of plasma that was evaporated from the chromosphere was determined from the H-alpha data. The H-alpha profiles indicate that for the flare as a whole, at the time of peak soft X-ray emission measure, the number of atoms evaporated from the chromosphere was 7 x 10 to the 37th. The soft X-ray emission measure of 1 x 10 to the 49th/cu cm, coupled with the flare volume estimate of 10 to the 26th cu cm, indicates that there were 3 x 10 to the 37th electrons in the soft X-ray plasma with temperatures greater than 2 x 10 to the 6th K. These results indicate that enough material had been evaporated from the chromosphere to account for the X-ray plasma. Taken together, the H-alpha, soft X-ray, and hard X-ray images indicate that chromospheric evaporation is driven both by flare-accelerated electrons during the impulsive phase and by conduction during the thermal phase.

Canfield, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A review of preflight estimates of real-gas effects on space shuttle aerodynamic characteristics

Preflight estimates of the hypersonic aerodynamic characteristics of the Shuttle orbiter were based on a diverse series of research studies using state of the art techniques developed by basic research in the 60's and 70's. Real-gas viscous calculations on simple shapes that were used to evaluate correlation parameters indicated that real-gas effects reduce aerodynamic forces and moments. Inviscid calculations on winged lifting shapes indicated reduced forces and a slight nose-up pitch resulted because of real-gas effects. Analysis of the extensive wind tunnel data base indicated viscous correlation parameters provided the most appropriate extrapolation technique for estimating flight aerodynamics. Variations because of changes in the ratio of specific heats, which was the only available experimental tool for evaluating real-gas effects, indicated that reduced loads and nose-up pitching moments would occur at high altitudes and Mach numbers but that the values would not exceed the tolerances and variations established about the aerodynamic design data book values derived from viscous correlations. During STS-1, nose-up pitching moments exceeded the established variations.

Woods, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Ion mass spectrometer

An ion mass spectrometer is described which detects and indicates the characteristics of ions received over a wide angle, and which indicates the mass to charge ratio, the energy, and the direction of each detected ion. The spectrometer includes a magnetic analyzer having a sector magnet that passes ions received over a wide angle, and an electrostatic analyzer positioned to receive ions passing through the magnetic analyzer. The electrostatic analyzer includes a two dimensional ion sensor at one wall of the analyzer chamber, that senses not only the lengthwise position of the detected ion to indicate its mass to charge ratio, but also detects the ion position along the width of the chamber to indicate the direction in which the ion was traveling.

Neugebauer, M.↗