Comparative neutral composition instrumentation and new results

Composition and gas density measurement at all altitudes in the atmospheres of earth and other planets are made by mass spectrometers. Because of the impartiality and large dynamic range they are particularly favored for exploratory missions. Measurements of trace constituents, inert gases and height profiles, especially below clouds, are objectives where mass spectrometry is most useful. Significant advances have been made in recent years in development of light weight automated instruments. Experiments conducted in rarified atmospheres have been more successful or results were less controversial than in attempts to analyze high pressure atmospheres. Gas sampling and conditioning techniques are highly specific because of measurement environments and engineering constraints on the mission, and are usually the most critical elements in the experiment. Chemical sample enrichment and scrubbing for noble gas enhancement are additional sample conditioning techniques now employed. Dynamic range of more than 10⁸ is achievable. Reliable measurements of complex organic or chemically active trace constituents with mixing ratios of less than 10^?9 still require significant instrument development particularly where weight, power and sampling time are severely restricted. Adaptation of familiar and proven laboratory techniques for flight instruments is usually not straightforward and practical.     

Analysis of Detection Probability for the Acoustooptic Receiver

A numerical method is described for analyzing the performance of an acoustooptic receiver. The method provides output waveforms, probability density functions for samples of the output, and detection probabilities for output samples. The approach is general in that input pulse envelope shapes, pulse offset frequencies, and output rilter magnitude responses are arbitrary. The basic analysis is also independent of the shape of the optical beam and of the photodiode windows.     

Minimal-Order Models for False-Alarm Calculations on Sliding Windows

A procedure is developed to obtain practical numerical results in connection with the m-out-of-n sliding-window detection problem. This effort was motivated by difficulties with previous approaches involving approximation, Markov models, and Monte Carlo simulation. Generating-function methods were found to be unsatisfactory for window lengths greater than 6 due to their complexity. Instead, a Markov model is described that is then constructively reduced to the minimum number of state variables. The results are derived for binary strings with intersymbol correlation. Computational aids are discussed for obtaining design information, such as quantiles, from the minimal-order Markov models. Numerical results are given comparing the methods of the paper with a "jumping" window approximation for an 8/10 problem.     

A more accurate modeling of the effects of actuators in large space structures

The present paper deals with finite actuators. A nonspinning three-axis stabilized space vehicle having a two-dimensional large structure and a rigid body at the center is chosen for analysis. The torquers acting on the vehicle are modeled as antisymmetric forces distributed in a small but finite area. In the limit they represent point torquers which also are treated as a special case of surface distribution of dipoles. Ordinary and partial differential equations governing the forced vibrations of the vehicle are derived by using the Hamilton's principle. Associated modal inputs are obtained for both the distributed moments and the distributed forces. We show that the finite torquers excite the higher modes less than the point torquers. Modal Cost Analysis proves to be a suitable methodology to this end.     

Zener Diodes as Vehicular and Aircraft Transient Suppressors

The prime purpose of this paper is to describe the characteristics and application of high powered Zener diodes as transient suppressors for transients emanating in ground vehicle and aircraft power supplies. Information is presented on voltage transients as specified in MIL-STD-704 for aircraft and MIL-STD-1275(AT) for military ground vehicles and the ability of advanced high power Zener diodes in suppressing the levels of voltages specified therein. A complete transient suppressor capable of operating externally to the equipment intended for protection is also described.     

Implications of an Engineering Manpower Shortage

Many competent sources have been predicting an increasing shortage of graduate engineers to perform needed research and development work in the United States. Consequently, many industrialists, educators, and government officials have been advocating an increased enrollment of students in the engineering curriculum in college in a greater effort to produce more engineers. This paper examines the assumptions behind the projected manpower shortage, and proposes some rather unique and occasionally radical alternatives to the solution of a manpower deficit. The paper, and the solutions, may produce violent controversy, but at least the material is not the usual dull rehash so often seen of late.     

Stable mid-latitude red arcs: Observations and theory

Summary The observational features of the arc are fairly well established. At present, the thermal conduction model appears to explain the red arc features most consistently, but it must be noted that a soft electron flux would give very similar results. Ion temperature measurements in the vicinity of an arc, which should be forthcoming in the very near future, can establish conclusively whether transverse electric fields play any important role in the formation of the arcs. Accepting the assumption that the arcs are the result of energy flowing down from the plasmasphere, the major remaining question is: where does the energy come from and how does it get into the plasmasphere? The various proposed mechanisms discussed in the previous chapter appear feasible, but much work needs to be done before this problem is completely resolved.On leave from the Department of Electrical Engineering, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

The Goddard Experiment Package?An Automated Space Telescope

The Goddard Experiment Package will measure the ultraviolet spectral emittance of stars and nebulae. It has a spectral resolution of 2 ? in the 1050-? to 4000-? band. The telescope has a 38-inch clear aperture and automatically reduces the spectral data to digital form. Guidance accuracy is 1 of second arc.     

Spectral computation of Tandem mirror equilibria with Finite Larmor Radius effects

A direct iterative method of solving for Tandem equilibria by moving magnetic field lines in a manner to satisfy the linearized equilibrium equations converges much more rapidly than standard relaxation techniques, typically in under a fifty iterations. At the highest BORDER="0">'s the number of iterations increase, but is still far less than other methods. In quadrupole tandem mirror equilibrium, octupole and higher distortions of the flux surfaces are important which forces us to abandon finite differences in the angle-like flux variable and resort to a spectral decomposition to solve the equilibrium equations. We display equilibria at the high BORDER="0"> expected for MFTF-B and show how Finite Larmor Radius (FLR) effects strongly suppress these azimuthal distortions.     

Artificial gravity

NASA's Artificial Gravity program consists of a team of researchers from Wyle Laboratories, NASA Johnson Space Center, and the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). The short-radius centrifuge (SRC), built by Wyle Laboratories, will be integrated with UTMB's conducted bedrest studies, which mimic the detrimental effects of weightlessness (or microgravity). Bedrest subjects will be spun on the SRC at various accelerations and for various time periods, while being monitored medically. Parameters such as bone loss, muscle atrophy, balance control, and oxygen consumption will then be compared in order to research ways of mitigating the impact on astronauts' physiology. Other potential benefits from these studies extend to population groups on Earth, such as bedridden patients.