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At least 1,567 records · Page 87

An integrated aerodynamic/propulsion study for generic aero-space planes based on waverider concepts

The design of a unified aero-space plane based on waverider technology is analyzed. The overall aerodynamic design and performance of an aero-space plane are discussed in terms of the forebody, scramjet, and afterbody. Other subjects considered in the study are combustion/nozzle optimization, the idealized tip-to-tail waverider model, and the two-dimensional minimum length nozzle. Charts and graphs are provided to show the results of the preliminary investigations.

Rasmussen, M. L.↗

The NASA Langley Research Center 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel T-P/Re-M controller manual

A new microcomputer based controller for the 0.3-m Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel (TCT) has been commissioned in 1988 and has reliably operated for more than a year. The tunnel stagnation pressure, gas stagnation temperature, tunnel wall structural temperature and flow Mach number are precisely controlled by the new controller in a stable manner. The tunnel control hardware, software, and the flow chart to assist in calibration of the sensors, actuators, and the controller real time functions are described. The software installation details are also presented. The report serves as the maintenance and trouble shooting manual for the 0.3-m TCT controller.

Balakrishna, S.↗

Climatological aspects of Nimbus-7 SMMR data

An algorithm was developed for calculating simultaneously SSTs, SWs, and TAUs on a global basis using only the 6.6 and 18 GHz channels of the SMMR. Samples of the retrievals were calculated in each of eight of the SMMR years and found to produce independent results, consistent with weather charts and climatic records, even in the presence of high winds. Another new algorithm for calculating high-latitude scalar winds from Nimbus-7 Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) data was devised and tuned with surface observations from a number of documented Arctic Polar Low events. The algorithm utilizes the horizontally and vertically polarized radiances from the 0.8 and 1.7 cm wavelength channels of the ten-channel SMMR to retrieve near surface oceanic scalar winds and cloud water in the column, and takes advantage of the relatively small fluctuations in atmospheric water vapor at high latitudes. An advantage of this algorithm for high latitude winds from SMMR over the global algorithm is an inherently better spatial resolution as a result of the shorter wavelengths used.

Gloersen, P.↗

Large-scale turbulence simulation on the Navier-Stokes Computer

Analytical techniques for turbulent air or water flow over vehicles and for the development of active control methods are described, with a focus on simulations being implemented on the Navier-Stokes Computer (NSC) at Princeton University. Consideration is given to the general NSC architecture (the central control, memory, and processing units; the switching network; and the prototype NSC), the algorithm for large-scale MHD turbulence (Orszag and Tang, 1979), and the pipeline configurations. Extensive diagrams and flow charts are provided.

Hayder, M. E.↗

Standards for earth observations from space

The development of earth observation standards and the need for cooperation between national and international earth resource organizations are discussed. Possible solutions to the problem of developing a coordinated effort in the development of observational satellite systems are given. The activities of the AIAA Earth Observation Committee on Standards are reviewed. It is suggested that earth observation organizations must combine their resources and efforts and that computer programs of earth observation organizations, their work and products, and agreements between various organizations, should be developed. Charts of organizations addressing the problems in earth observations by satellite are presented, including descriptions of their activities.

Sheetz, H. J.↗

Procedure for the selection of materials for use in oxygen systems at the John F. Kennedy Space Center

This paper describes tests used at the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in the material selection procedure for evaluating materials suitable for use in oxygen systems. Special attention is given to the basic selection criteria for materials used in oxygen enriched environments. The flow chart for the material selection procedure is presented, and information that must be supplied by vendors requesting batch/lot certification support from KSC is given.

Bryan, Coleman J.↗

Two years of cloud cover statistics using VAS

The CO2 channel radiometric data from VAS are used to chart the frequency of cloud cover, the associated heights, and IR attenuation. Cloud top pressures are calculated from the ratio of VAS CO2 channel radiances in a raditive transfer equation formulation. It is found that VAS CO2 derived cloud top height and emissivity assignments are reliable for most cloud types, including thin cirrus clouds. The observations from 1985 to 1988 show that 20-30 percent of the U.S. was covered with thin semitransparent clouds, 45 percent was covered with thick opaque clouds, and 25-35 had clear sky conditions. The geographical distribution of cloud cover is a latitudinal dependence, mainly over the Pacific Ocean.

Wyle, D. P.↗

CCD observations of old nova fields

The discovery of CK Vulpeculae (Nova 1670) has prompted a major review of ideas concerning the long-term development of novae. Unfortunately, there are very few recovered novae old enough to provide confirmation (or rejection) of the new 'hibernation' scenario. CCD images of seven old nova fields, and R band photometry for four fields, have been obtained in an attempt to recover these objects in quiescence. A strong candidate for U Leonis, and a possible counterpart for T Bootis, are found. For three other fields, weak candidates have been found. Finding charts and colors are presented for the seven fields observed. The R light curves of U Leo, indicating an orbital period of 192.5 or 385.0 min, are shown.

Downes, Ronald A.↗

Successful completion of a cyclic ground test of a mercury Ion Auxiliary Propulsion System

An engineering model Ion Auxiliary Propulsion System (IAPS) 8-cm thruster (S/N 905) has completed a life test at NASA Lewis Research Center. The mercury ion thruster successfully completed and exceeded the test goals of 2557 on/off cycles and 7057 hr of operation at full thrust. The final 1200 cycles and 3600 hr of the life test were conducted using an engineering model of the IAPS power electronics unit (PEU) and breadboard digital controller and interface unit (DCIU). This portion of the test is described in this paper with a charted history of thruster operating parameters and off-normal events. Performance and operating characteristics were constant throughout the test with only minor variations. The engineering model power electronics unit operated without malfunction; the flight software in the digital controller and interface unit was exercised and verified. Post-test inspection of the thruster revealed facility enhanced accelerator grid erosion but overall the thruster was in good condition. It was concluded that the thruster performance was not drastically degraded by time or cycles. Additional cyclic testing is currently under consideration.

Francisco, David R.↗

Could modern forecasting techniques have predicted the blizzard of 1888?

Surface meteorological data for March 1888, which were collected at 170 stations across the U.S. three times a day, are combined with ship reports to construct a surface weather analysis for the blizzard of 1888. Surface weather charts are constructed to determine the ability of current forecasting techniques to predict the blizzard. The evolution of the storm is described in detail and current methods for treating a storm of similar intensity are discussed.

Kocin, Paul J.↗

A comparison of software for the modeling and control of flexible systems

A researcher proposes a cooperative effort among specialists who use or develop software for simulating and analyzing the control of flexible aerospace systems. A comparison of existing software for modeling control systems and flexible structures, applied to several example problems would be quite valuable. The comparison would indicate computational efficiency and capabilities with respect to handling nonlinearities and graphical output. Because of the diversity of applications of such software, the researcher believes that the proposed cooperative effort can transcend projects involving specific applications. Comparisons of software capability and efficiency can be made and gaps can be identified. In this way the results of the cooperative effort can provide guidance for individual projects. Several charts which outline the objectives and approach of the proposed cooperative effort are given here.

Taylor, Lawrence W., Jr.↗

Overview of microwave concepts

An overview of microwave beamed power concepts is given in outline form. Concepts such as power transmission to operational satellites, spacecraft propulsion, lunar/planetary outpost power and planetary rover propulsion are listed in chart form and characterized in columns titled power level, benefits, and comments.

Faymon, Karl A.↗

The 1984 direct strike lightning data, part 2

Data waveforms are presented which were obtained during the 1984 direct-strike lightning tests utilizing the NASA F106-B aircraft specially instrumented for lightning electromagnetic measurements. The aircraft was operated in the vicinity of the NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, in a thunderstorm environment to elicit strikes. Electromagnetic field data and conduction currents on the aircraft were recorded for attached lightning. This is part 2, consisting entirely of charts and graphs.

Thomas, Mitchel E.↗

The 1984 direct strike lightning data, part 3

Data waveforms are presented which were obtained during the 1984 direct-strike lightning tests utilizing the NASA F106-B aircraft specially instrumented for lightning electromagnetic measurements. The aircraft was operated in the vicinity of the NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, in a thunderstorm environment to elicit strikes. Electromagnetic field data and conduction currents on the aircraft were recorded for attached lightning. This is part 3, consisting entirely of charts and graphs.

Thomas, Mitchel E.↗

Development of a shuttle recovery Commercial Materials Processing in Space (CMPS) program

The work performed has covered the following tasks: update commercial users requirements; assess availability of carriers and facilities; shuttle availability assessment; development of optimum accommodations plan; and payload documentation requirements assessment. The results from the first four tasks are presented. To update commercial user requirements, contacts were made with the JEA and CCDS partners to obtain copies of their most recent official flight requests. From these requests the commercial partners' short and long range plans for flight dates, flight frequency, experiment hardware and carriers was determined. A 34 by 44 inch chart was completed to give a snapshot view of the progress of commercialization in space. Further, an assessment was made of the availability of carriers and facilities. Both existing carriers and those under development were identified for use by the commercial partners. A data base was compiled to show the capabilities of the carriers. A shuttle availability assessment was performed using the primary and secondary shuttle manifests released by NASA. Analysis of the manifest produced a flight-by-flight list of flight opportunities available to commercial users. Using inputs from the first three tasks, an Optimum Accommodations Plan was developed. The Accommodation Plan shows the commercial users manifested by flight, the experiment flown, the carrier used and complete list of commercial users that could not be manifested in each calendar year.

Source record↗

Flight software development for the isothermal dendritic growth experiment

The Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE) is a microgravity materials science experiment scheduled to fly in the cargo bay of the shuttle on the United States Microgravity Payload (USMP) carrier. The experiment will be operated by real-time control software which will not only monitor and control onboard experiment hardware, but will also communicate, via downlink data and uplink commands, with the Payload Operations Control Center (POCC) at NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The software development approach being used to implement this system began with software functional requirements specification. This was accomplished using the Yourdon/DeMarco methodology as supplemented by the Ward/Mellor real-time extensions. The requirements specification in combination with software prototyping was then used to generate a detailed design consisting of structure charts, module prologues, and Program Design Language (PDL) specifications. This detailed design will next be used to code the software, followed finally by testing against the functional requirements. The result will be a modular real-time control software system with traceability through every phase of the development process.

Levinson, Laurie H.↗

Rotation of the photospheric magnetic fields: A north-south asymmetry

During most of solar cycle 21 the large-scale photospheric field rotated more rapidly in the Northern Hemisphere than in the southern. The large-scale northern field rotated with a 26.9 day period (synodic), was centered at 15 degress N, and covered a latitude zone about 24 degrees wide. The large-scale southern field rotated with a periodicity of 28.1 days, was centered at 26 degrees S, and covered a latitude zone about 32 degrees wide. Our analysis showed rotational power at only a few discrete latitudes and frequencies in each hemisphere. The center of each peak lies near the sunspot differential rotation curve. The largest scale field contributes to the configuration of the coronal and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). The strength of the first harmonic of the northern field suggests that this structure may be related to the 4-sector pattern observed in the IMF polarity. The southern field had much lower power at the first harmonic of the solar rotation rate and so would contribute only to a 2-sector structure in the IMF. These results were discovered in Fourier analysis of photospheric synoptic charts obtained at the Wilcox Solar Observatory from 1976 to 1986 and confirmed in higher resolution maps from the National Solar Observatory. Mt. Wilson magnetic field measurements from solar cycle 20 show a similar north-south asymmetry.

Antonucci, E.↗

Initial Ada components evaluation

The SAIC has the responsibility for independent test and validation of the SSE. They have been using a mathematical functions library package implemented in Ada to test the SSE IV and V process. The library package consists of elementary mathematical functions and is both machine and accuracy independent. The SSE Ada components evaluation includes code complexity metrics based on Halstead's software science metrics and McCabe's measure of cyclomatic complexity. Halstead's metrics are based on the number of operators and operands on a logical unit of code and are compiled from the number of distinct operators, distinct operands, and total number of occurrences of operators and operands. These metrics give an indication of the physical size of a program in terms of operators and operands and are used diagnostically to point to potential problems. McCabe's Cyclomatic Complexity Metrics (CCM) are compiled from flow charts transformed to equivalent directed graphs. The CCM is a measure of the total number of linearly independent paths through the code's control structure. These metrics were computed for the Ada mathematical functions library using Software Automated Verification and Validation (SAVVAS), the SSE IV and V tool. A table with selected results was shown, indicating that most of these routines are of good quality. Thresholds for the Halstead measures indicate poor quality if the length metric exceeds 260 or difficulty is greater than 190. The McCabe CCM indicated a high quality of software products.

Moebes, Travis↗