ALBERT

Beschreibung: The discovery of concentrations of meteorites in Antarctica by Japanese field parties in 1969, and subsequently by joint U.S.-Japanese and U.S. field parties since 1976 has provided a significant new resource for understanding the origin and evolution of the solar system. The number of meteorites as well as the variety of meteorites has increased dramatically, and substantial amounts of data derived from their study has begun to appear in the scientific literature. The U.S. program of investigation has drawn on curatorial experience derived from the lunar program to: (1) develop specific collection and preliminary examination protocols; (2) provide documented samples for scientific investigations in response to specific requests; and (3) coordinate research by scientific consortia. The productivity of scientific research is significantly enhanced by these management approaches. Some of the results of the curatorial program for Antarctic meteorites carried out over the past three years are described.

Beschreibung: Studies are being conducted to determine how manufacturing-induced defects affect the performance of ablative heat shields. If commonly occurring defects do not affect material performance, simpler manufacturing techniques can be used, quality control requirements can be relaxed, repair and rework operations can be held to a minimum, and thus the total manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Beschreibung: Manufacturing development studies have been conducted to provide information on the fabrication and handling characteristics of a number of candidate multilayer insulation systems. The application of these complex, lightweight insulation systems to large-scale, flight-type cryogenic tankage and other structures has of necessity required the development of new methods, processes, and tooling concepts. Results of some of the studies that have contributed to the advancement of cryogenic technology are presented. The insulation systems that are of primary importance for future application are those using the sliced foam spacers, the net type spacers, the glass fiber paper spacers, and the Superfloc system which consists of tufts of dacron fibers flocked on the surface of the radiation shields.

Beschreibung: The design of principal multilayer insulation (MLI) systems being investigated by Marshall Space Flight Center and its contractors for application to flight-type cryogenic tankage for long-term storage in space vehicles is described. The MLI systems were designed for application to a 105 in. diameter cryogenic test tank to simulate full-scale design and installation methods representative of flight-type hardware. The MLI systems selected for design represent systems suitable for use on space vehicles such as the modular nuclear vehicles that require application of thicknesses up to 6 in. The MLI systems are lightweight and structurally efficient.

Beschreibung: A number of tests are required to evaluate both multilayer high performance insulation samples and the materials that comprise them. Some of the techniques and tests being employed for these evaluations and some of the results obtained from thermal conductivity tests, outgassing studies, effect of pressure on layer density tests, hypervelocity impact tests, and a multilayer high performance insulation ambient storage program at the Kennedy Space Center are presented.

Beschreibung: Work that has been performed to provide information on the effects of various fire extinguishing agents in special atmospheres is discussed. Data used in the development of both equipment and techniques for manned spacecraft and related equipment are discussed. The equipment includes a hypobaric chamber suitable for low pressure use and a hyperbaric chamber for high pressure operation. The effectiveness of agents in weightless environment is also discussed.

Beschreibung: The effect of thermodynamic, chemical, and physical properties on the combustion of materials is discussed. The mechanisms which produce and support combustion of various materials are examined. The effects of free radical reactions, convection and gravitational effects on combustion rates, and changes in flame propagation due to size and shape of surfaces are described.

Beschreibung: Design and characteristics of supersonic cruise inlets

Beschreibung: Model for calculation of parameters for local thermodynamic equilibrium in uranium

Beschreibung: Thermal control techniques in designing large orbiting telescopes

Beschreibung: Pollution aspects of internal combustion engine thermodynamics

Beschreibung: Properly tuned Helmholtz resonator damping devices are an effective method for eliminating high frequency combustion instability in rocket engine thrust chambers. A program was implemented with the objective of extending Helmholtz resonator theory to thrust chamber conditions to establish a standard design procedure. By using systematic cold-flow testing and hot firings, empirical design equations were formulated. An effort is currently underway to extend the design theory to other types of acoustical damping devices such as quarter-wave tubes and slots.

Beschreibung: Small rocket engine tests were conducted for the purpose of obtaining pulse performance data to aid in preliminary design and evaluation of attitude control systems. Both monopropellant and hypergolic bipropellant engines of thrust levels from 5 to 445 N (1 to 100 lb) were tested. The performance data for the hypergolic propellant rockets are compared with theoretical performance calculated from idealized chamber filling and evacuation characteristics. Electromechanical delays in valve response and heat transfer characteristics were found to cause substantial deviation between theoretical performance and test performance. The theoretical analysis is modified to obtain a semiempirical model for hypergolic propellant rockets.

Beschreibung: An evaluation is presented of J-2 engine modifications that will simplify operation and improve reliability of the advanced Saturn 1C launch vehicle. Methods of increasing thrust without extensively modifying the S-2 or S-4B stages are also evaluated. A thrust increase was achieved by raising engine combustion through a redesign of the engine thrust chamber and propellant feed system.

Beschreibung: Reusable surface insulation is considered a prime candidate for heat shielding large areas of the space shuttle vehicle. The composition and fabrication of RSI materials are discussed, followed by evolution of RSI and current problems, physical and thermal properties, arc plasma test data and results, and material improvement research. Finally, a summary of RSI technology status is presented.

Beschreibung: The goal of the ablation technology program is to bring ablation research and development to a high state of readiness for application to space shuttle vehicles. Some recent results and current work in the areas of materials, designs, and refurbishment for ablative TPS are reported. Future research and development needs are also presented.

Beschreibung: Analytical trade studies are presented that consider passive TPS configurations using the following material categories: (1) reuseable surface insulation - surface-coated rigidized ceramic fiber; (2) low density charring ablators; and (3) carbon-carbon and high density ablators for leading edge areas. Emphasized are effects on TPS weight by variations in entry trajectories and material thermal characteristics.

Beschreibung: The metallic thermal protection system technology program for the space shuttle is reviewed for the areas of environmental uncertainties, materials data base, TPS design concepts and heat-shield panel configurations, testing and evaluation of materials, panels, and complete systems.

Beschreibung: The selection and design of velocity diagrams for axial flow turbines are considered. Application is treated in two parts which includes: (1) mean-section diagrams, and (2) radial variation of diagrams. In the first part, the velocity diagrams occurring at the mean section are assumed to represent the average conditions encountered by the turbine. The different types of diagrams, their relation to stage efficiency, and their selection when staging is required are discussed. In the second part, it is shown that in certain cases the mean-section diagrams may or may not represent the average flow conditions for the entire blade span. In the case of relatively low hub- to tip-radius ratios, substantial variations in the velocity diagrams are encountered. The radial variations in flow conditions and their effect on the velocity diagrams are considered.

Beschreibung: A silicone material was developed which gives suitable ablative protection in the high heat flux, high shear environments encountered in severe reentry applications, such as nose cones for ballistic vehicles and protection of leading edges or other critical areas of a vehicle. In addition, the ease of handling, low application cost, and room temperature cure make such a silicon material suitable nozzles for the large rockets necessary for vehicle launching. The development of this product is traced from the selection of suitable polymers through the choice of fillers and the finalization of filler loadings.

Beschreibung: An environmental test facility is described which allows in-situ measurements for evaluation of near real time sinergistic effects of combined space environments.

Beschreibung: A summary is presented of the work performed by Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and industry toward the development of flight-type multilayer insulation(MLI) systems. The MSFC MLI program is divided into three large categories: (1) the generation and compilation of MLI composite test data; (2) the analysis, design, and testing of heat flow through MLI applied to ducting, seams, electrical feedthroughs, structural supports, and the tank sidewall; and (3) the development, modification, and utilization of new testing procedures, tanks, and the test facilities. Numerous data have been generated, analyzed, and documented on different MLI composites.

Beschreibung: Qualitative tests were made by injecting water through a rocket nozzle wall, and the droplet trajectories were observed photographically. These tests were conducted for nozzles in which boundary layer flow is significant. The tests indicated that both gases and particulate matter will be found in the region outside of the plume boundaries, and can be calculated using current analytical techniques. A test program is being conducted to measure the distribution of exhaust gases from small nozzles using an electron beam/photomultiplier system and a matrix of quartz crystal microbalances. Calibration tests, using simulated hydrazine exhaust product gas mixtures, were also conducted. The test program and results of the pumping calibration tests with hydrazine (simulated hydrazine exhaust products) are reported.

Beschreibung: Precision temperature control of large orbiting telescopes

Beschreibung: Rate constant determination for ignition of hydrogen carbon monoxide oxygen system

Beschreibung: Pyrolized carbon-carbon has one unique advantage over other materials that makes its application to the space shuttle thermal protection system very attractive. This unique characteristic is the increase in material strength and modulus with increase in temperature up to about 2500 K (4040 F). Offsetting this unique advantage are disadvantages which include brittleness, high cost, and the tendency of the material to react with oxygen, particularly at high temperatures. The development of an oxidation inhibitor for the material and the definition of fabrication processes for selected full-scale components are considered.

Beschreibung: The criteria governing materials to be used in an oxygen enriched atmosphere and tests to determine suitability for fireproof considerations in spacecraft design are discussed. The nine tests applied to materials before acceptance in spacecraft construction are presented. The application of the standard tests to determine ranking of materials is included.

Beschreibung: Design and development of rocket engines

Beschreibung: Turbine geometric, flow, energy transfer, efficiency, and performance characteristics are considered by the use of definitions, diagrams, and dimensionless parameters. Emphasis is placed on the determination of the fluid velocity as it passes from one blade row to the next. The general methods for constructing velocity diagrams and relating them to the work and flow capacity of the turbine are discussed.

Beschreibung: Heat pipes are used in spacecraft to equalize the temperature of structures and maintain temperature control of electronic components. Information is provided for a designer on: (1) a typical mounting technique, (2) choices available in wick geometries and fluids, (3) tests involved in flight-qualifying the design, and (4) heat pipe limitations. An evaluation of several heat pipe designs showed that the behavior of heat pipes at room temperature does not necessarily correlate with the classic equations used to predict their performance. They are sensitive to such parameters as temperature, fluid inventory, orientation, and noncondensable gases.

Beschreibung: An internal foam fabrication is one of the concepts being considered for cryogenic insulation on the hydrogen tanks of the shuttle vehicle. The three-dimensional polyurethane used on the S-4 B tanks failed to meet the higher temperature requirements of the shuttle vehicle, however, and other foams under consideration include polyisocyanurates, polyphenylene oxides, polyimides, and polybenzimidazoles. Improved adhesive systems for attaching the foams to the interior tank wall are under study.

Beschreibung: Tests were conducted in the NASA Langley continuous flow, variable density and Mach 20 helium tunnels. The orbiter was tested alone and with various side and tandem mounted tanks. Test conditions spanned a Reynolds number range which resulted in both laminar and turbulent flows. Experimental studies also examined the heat transfer problems associated with integration of the auxiliary propulsion system into the orbiter. Tests in the hypersonic shock tunnel investigated heating to cavities and heating from single and multiple hydrogen-oxygen plumes while tests, run as part of the configuration evaluation, examined the heating to wing pods.

Beschreibung: The flammability test program for Apollo command module and lunar module mockups is described. The fire safety design of the modules was verified by performing deliberate ignitions at many locations while the interior atmosphere was controlled to simulate realistic flight conditions. The data obtained for each test and restrictions on various materials are discussed.

Beschreibung: The criteria and requirements governing the selection and use of nonmetallic materials in manned spacecraft to control potential fire hazards are reviewed. The development of flammability requirements is discussed and traced through the historical evolution. Events that dictated the changes that have taken place are discussed. The current nonmetallic material requirements are presented. Significant features of a nonmetallic materials handbook are included.

Beschreibung: Atmospheric air storage for use in space vehicle engines during planetary flight

Beschreibung: Heat balance equation for predicting heat transfer of ejector exhaust nozzle at afterburning phase

Beschreibung: Opinions conflict over the role of surface gravity in shaping impact craters on Mercury. One view holds that the effects of g are evident in measurable aspects of crater form; other investigators find little or no evidence for g's geomorphic importance. Ambiguity in the role of g and other variables in cratering on Mercury stems largely from uncertainty in identifying major geomorphic contrasts and the crater sizes at which they occur. One of these, depth/diameter (d/D), undergoes a major change at the transition from simple (bowl shaped) to complex (peaks and terraces) crater interiors. Four least-squares d/D fits for fresh craters on Mercury were attemped. The results are inconsistent. The d/D data that should resolve previous shortcomings is presented. The revised d/D distributions for simple and complex craters, which intersect at a diameter of about 5 km, support the initial thesis that g substantially influences the form of Mercury's craters.

Beschreibung: The procedures used in the application of the phase change technique to the phase B shuttle configuration are discussed along with factors which may affect data accuracy. These factors include variation of thermal properties of phase change model material, sensitivity of measured heat transfer coefficients to the assumed value of the adiabatic to total temperature ratio, and wall temperature effects. These sensitivities are illustrated in sample calculations for a shuttle geometry. Factors which may affect the visual clarity and interpretation of phase change data are discussed, and a method of improving photographic data quality through the use of polarized light is presented.

Beschreibung: An experimental study of the plume impingement heating on the space shuttle booster afterbody resulting from the space shuttle orbiter engine plumes was conducted. The 1/100-scale model tests consisted of one and two orbiter engine firings on a flat plate, a flat plate with a fin, and a cylinder model. The plume impingement heating rates on these surfaces were measured using thin film heat transfer gages. Results indicate the engine simulation is a reasonable approximation to the two engine configuration, but more tests are needed to verify the plume model of the main engine configuration. For impingment, results show models experienced laminar boundary layer convective heating. Therefore, tests at higher Reynolds numbers are needed to determine impingment heating.

Beschreibung: In an effort to minimize the cost of the thermal protection system (TPS) for space shuttles, an analysis is made of environmental uncertainties. The basic categories of these uncertainties include aerodynamic heating, trajectory dispersions, atmospheric variations, and vehicle attitude variations. Also discussed are TPS design sensitivity to environmental uncertainties, and uncertainty profiles. Preliminary results indicate moderate TPS cost for a high confidence level environment may be obtained.

Beschreibung: The effect of shuttle configuration geometry, angle of attack, and free stream flow conditions on the heat-transfer distribution as influenced by three-dimensional effects, the wing-fuselage shock-interaction, and resultant wing-impingement phenomena are examined. In addition, the data provided information regarding the flow field in the vicinity of the nose and boundary layer transition in the plane of symmetry of the fuselage. The data included measurements of the surface pressure, the heat transfer rate distributions, (using models instrumented with thermocouples and models painted with thermographic phosphor) and schlieren and shadowgraph photographs. Posttest photographs of the painted models supplemented the heat transfer data.

Beschreibung: Lee surface heating data, obtained at relatively low unit Reynolds numbers at Mach 6 and 19, are discussed with emphasis on the peak heating behavior. Surface pressures measured along the lee meridian of the delta-wing orbiter are presented and analyzed in conjunction with the heating. The effects of nose bluntness and lee surface geometry on the heating are discussed and general guidelines are presented for modifying the lee surface geometry of the shuttle to reduce vortex-induced heating. The application of the wind tunnel results to realistic shuttle flight conditions is discussed.

Beschreibung: A preliminary investigation on the effects of roughness on heating in delta wing orbiters was conducted on the windward surface of the vehicle. The purpose of the experiment was to determine the feasibility of using parametric relationships obtained from discrete roughness effects on heating in flat plates and cones, to complex shuttle configurations. An attempt was also made to characterize what parameters were needed to influence roughness. Experimental results show that effective roughness Reynolds numbers are less than or equal to those of flat plates at the same edge Mach number, but, the roughness correlations for plates and cones cannot be applied to the shuttle configuration.

Beschreibung: Results of a pitot pressure investigation of the flow field on the lee side of a delta wing shuttle orbiter are presented. The results delineate the extent of the lee side separated flow and give a tentative cross sectional definition to the shock wave structure for angles of attack of 15 deg and 30 deg. It is shown that while, in general, the effects of Reynolds number on the flow field are not large, detailed effects are observed that may have significant bearing on the heating estimate. Two examples are cited for an angle of attack of 15 deg; these are: (1) The scope of the vertical tail exposed to the unseparated flow increases with increasing Reynolds number and (2) the depth of the separated flow adjacent ot where the bow wave crosses the wing appears to decrease with increasing Reynolds number. In addition, it is shown that at a spanwise station outboard of the wing-fuselage juncture, increasing Reynolds number decreased the pitot pressure in the unseparated flow. This defect of pitot pressure appears associated with the flow over the wing-fillet-fuselage juncture.

Beschreibung: The effects of distributed roughness, arising from space shuttle orbiter panel joints, on boundary layer transition are investigated. The North American Rockwell 134B delta wing shuttle configuration was used for the study. Results show: (1) Premature boundary layer transition occurred in models having simulated heat shield panels with rased joints. (2) Laminar flow was maintained with slot type panel joint models to a Reynolds number twice that at which transition occurred in raised joints. (3) Significant increases in peak surface temperature and the time during which turbulent flow occurs may result from distributed roughness of heat shield panel joints. (4) Laminar and turbulent heating levels were predicted within available theories. (5) A complex interference between the wing and fuselage flow was observed in the delta wing model.

Beschreibung: Turbulent heating and transition data, taken from three test facilities, for two space shuttle configurations are presented. Major efforts were on: (1) the effect of the two geometries having different amounts of cross flow and how the different cross flows affect heating and transition, (2) the experimental level of turbulent heating and the ability to predict the level of turbulent heating, and (3) a comparison of the transitional and turbulent heating in three facilities with two model scale sizes to investigate the facility effects and scale-size effect on transition and turbulent heating. The three facilities in which the configurations were tested are the Langley Mach 8 variable-density hypersonic tunnel and the Arnold Engineering Development Center tunnel B and tunnel F at Mach numbers of 8 and 10.5, respectively.

Beschreibung: The results of work on the McDonnell Douglas delta wing orbiter are summarized and compared to other data and theories where applicable. The tests were conducted in the continuous hypersonic Tunnel B at Mach 8 and in the hypervelocity hotshot Tunnel F at Mach 10.5. Photographic data are used to illustrate the regions of peak heating on the lee-side and to show the vortical nature of the flow. Windward centerline data include measurements of shock angle, surface pressure, flow field pitot pressure and total temperature, and heat transfer rate coefficient distributions. Shock angles, surface pressures, and local Mach number distributions are compared with tangent cone theory over an angle of attack range from 10 to 60 deg. The measured heat transfer rate coefficient distributions are compared to both laminar and turbulent theories and boundary layer transition data are compared to the McDonnell Douglas criteria.

Beschreibung: Craters within the Ganymede Jg-7 quadrangle were divided into seven mappable units. The units represent: (1) irregular or elongate craters, (2) craters with dark ejecta, (3) palimpsests, (4) secondary craters, (5) and craters of young, mature, and old age. Symbols used for crater floors include: (1) flat floors, (2) floors with pits, (3) floora with a central dome or peak, (4) and floors with a central dome and pit. Grooved terrains were divided into five mappable units. Three units of light grooved material represent small, medium, and large grooves, which are arbitrarily divided. The other two units of grooved terrain represent dark grooved materials, and reticulate grooves. Two units of ungrooved dark terrain and two units of ungrooved light terrain were defined. In Galileo Regio, two units were defined repesenting large furrowed grooves, and smaller grooves which are orthogonal to the furrowed grooves.

Beschreibung: The relative time of emplacement of some major rock units on Mars was recognized to some degree from geologic mapping using Mariner Images. Correlation charts showing the map units and their position in sequence, however, displayed little discrimination in their vertical range of occurrence. A more detailed time-stratigraphy is currently being developed as Viking geologic mapping of the planet progresses.

Beschreibung: Although many radar profiles and images of the area within 20 deg of Mercury's equator had been obtained from 1971 to 1981, at both Goldstone and Arecibo radar facilities, surprisingly little geological analysis had been done with these data until recently. Topographic profiles and radar roughness reflectivity images which can be derived from these data will be crucial in completing the geological mapping of Mercury now underway at the U.S. Geological Survey. Processing of available radar data must be completed to establish any systematic relationship between radar reflectivities and roughness, density, dielectric constant, and other related geological parameters. Specific tasks accomplished for these purposes include the following. Documentation was located and searched to establish the type and quantity of Goldstone 12.5 cm radar observations which were available for Mercury. Data has been collected during approximately 50 observation periods from 1971 to 1981. About half of the data, collected during 1972 and 1973, have been processed, but without adequate documentation. A standardized, well-documented procedure for processing and analysis for all Goldstone Earth-based observations of Mercury was established.

Beschreibung: The origin of Mars surface units and the extent of subsequent cratering play key roles in determining surface texture. At scale sizes of 0.1-10 meters, however, there is a growing body of evidence that wind is the dominant force. The direct and indirect evidence which implies that meter-scale surface texture on Mars is controlled by the wind is presented. Since radar is uniquely sensitive to structure on these scales, radio wave scattering data can provide insight on aeolian activity available from no other source.

Beschreibung: Two old volcano-tectonic collapse structures are exposed north and northeast of the huge shield volcano, Olympus Mons. They are semicircular and were probably low shield volcanoes similar to Alba Patera, but whose central portions have subsided or collapsed. They form the basement upon which younger volcanic materials of Alba Patera Olympus Mons have been emplaced. The oldest structure, Acheron Fossae is over 700 km across and is north of Olympus Mons. It has a surface of considerable relief broken by graben and extensive en echelon and parallel fractures and faults with varied displacements. Acheron Fossae is the most densely cratered in the Olympus Mons region. The structure must have formed very early in martian time. The second is Halex Fossae, northeast of Olympus Mons. Where exposed, it is cut by a series of arcuate grabens that become closer spaced toward its center. The radii of the fractures indicate that the structure may be at least 250 km across and centered beneath the Olympus Plains. Lava flows appear to have issued from some of the arcuate fractures and to have flowed radially away from the center of Halex Fossae. North of Halex Fossae, material of the same age as Halex Fossae overlaps Acheron Fossae.

Beschreibung: High spatial resolution data from the Viking infrared thermal mapper (IRTM) are used to examine the Tharsis volcanoes which are situated within a vast area of low thermal inertia material very fine particle size or very high porosity, with the volcanoes having the lowest thermal inertias. Thermal infrared images of the 1823 flow on Kilauea's southwest rift zone show lower thermal inertias near the vent area where shelly pahoehoe is common while individual channelized aa flows with abundant broken pahoehoe slabs are higher thermal inertia. The increase in aa flows to the southeast leads to a general trend of increasing thermal inertias from near vent to distal areas. Martian shield volcanoes have thermal inertias equal to or higher than their surrounding plans when atmospheric effects are removed from the data. The general increase in thermal inertias away from the summit calderas is consistent with the trend of the Hawaiian 1823 flow and may be related to changing lava properties away from the summit.

Beschreibung: A photometrically and geometrically reduced data base is being produced for the Galilean Satellites using Voyager Imaging data. The basic data set used is essentially all the useful satellite images returned by Voyager. Each frame was radiometrically calibrated and many are projected into cartographic formats. Mosaics of low, medium and high resolution frames being made for each satellite consist of registered digital images with intensity values scaled through a traceable calibration procedure to normal albedo values. Many of the mosaics are being made in two versions. One version is an albedo version and the second is a maximum discrimination version in which large variations in brightness across the picture are suppressed.

Beschreibung: One unique feature on Mars is the presence of ring furrows which are apparently produced by inversion of topography at the rims of partially buried craters. Ring furrows are flat-floored trenches, circular in plan view, forming rings 7 to 50 km in diameter. The moat is on the order of 0.5 km deep and 2 to 10 km wide, and it surrounds a flat topped circular mesa or plateau that is 5 to 40 km across. The central plateau is at the same elevation or lower than the surrounding plain outside the ring. The circular nature and size range of ring furrows tend to suggest that these features are related to craters partially buried by younger lava flows. The rings have been formed by preferential removal of the exposed crater rims. Ground ice decay, sapping, or fluvial erosion removed the less resistant, porous material of crater rims while leaving the more resistant volcanic flow material. Differential erosion has thus led to a reversal of topography in which the original positive relief of the rim is reduced to a negative relief feature.

Beschreibung: The morphology of channels, valleys, chaotic and fretted terrains and many smaller features on Mars is consistent with the hypothesis that localized deterioration of thick layers of ice-rich permafrost was a dominant geologic process on the Martian surface. Such ground ice deterioration gave rise to large-scale mass movement, including sliding, slumping and sediment gravity flowage, perhaps also catastropic floods. In contrast to Earth, such mass movement processes on Mars lack effective competition from erosion by surface runoff. Therefore, Martian features due to mass movement grew to reach immense size without being greatly modified by secondary erosional processes. The Viking Mission to Mars in 1976 provided adequate measurements of the relevant physical parameters to constrain models for Martian permafrost.

Beschreibung: High-resolution pictures of talus slopes on Mars show small, dark streaks that characteristically widen downward. These streaks are different from the thin and even streaks of various albedos that stream from cliffs on talus slopes, but gradations between the two streak types occur and not all streaks can be classified with confidence. In order to study the nature and origin of the small, widening, dark streaks, all Viking pictures with a resolution of less than 100 m/pixel were surveyed. To date several hundred streaks were located, but only few are of high enough resolution to be confidently identified as widening downwards. The approximate dimensions of the streaks were measured and their shapes, numbers, position, and spacing on slopes were noted. They were plotted on a topographic map, and their relation to topography, geologic units, and regions of distinct thermal inertia and albedo were studied. Also noted was the season at which images containing streaks were acquired and the direction of illumination. Albedo measurements are in progress. Several streaks can be seen stereoscopically, but none are observed on color images. The observation of small dark streaks on talus slopes on Mars is compatible with an interpretation of their origin as eruptions of small masses of wet debris in places where steep walls intersect aquifers or where seasonal equatorial warming permits the local melting of ground ice.

Beschreibung: The valley networks of Mars are widely believed to have formed at a time when climatic conditions on the planet were significantly different from those that currently prevail. This view arises from the following observations: (1) the valleys form integrated branching networks which suggests fluid drainage, and water is the most plausible fluid, (2) the present atmosphere contains only minute amounts of water, (3) the networks appear to be more akin to terrestrial valleys that are eroded by streams of modest discharges than features that form by catastrophic floods, and (4) small streams of water will rapidly freeze under present climatic conditions. Climatic conditions at the time of formation of the valleys are studied based on the assumption that they were cut by running water.

Beschreibung: Images of the surface of Venus obtained by the Soviet Venera 9, 10, 13 and 14 landers are analyzed to provide a basis for understanding the nature of geologic processes operating there. Bedrock is exposed at the Venera 10, 13 and 14 sites and is characterized by semi-continuous, flat polygonal to subrounded patches up to several meters in width. The bedrock surface is often dominated by sub horizontal to horizontal layered plates with thicknesses of several cm and abundant linear and polygonal vertical fractures. Soils (particles 1 cm) are abundant at the Venera 9, 10 and 13 sites, but are uncommon at Venera 14. Features indicative of a strong aeolian influence (moats, dunes, wind tails) are not observed. Several hypotheses are considered for the origin of the bedrock surfaces, and it is concluded that bedrock originated from surface lava flows. The relative freshness of features observed by the Veneras suggests that erosion rates are very low or that some bedrock surfaces are geologically young.

Beschreibung: A tectonic orgin for Venus banded terrain is consistent with band spacing. Both compressional (folding) and extensional models for band formation can fit present observations. Band spacing cannot distinguish among scenarios for global heat loss and for the origin of highland terrain. Tectonic models for band formation indicate that the surface brittle layer in the venus highlands is no more than a few kilometers thick.

Beschreibung: A study to determine the feasibility of conducting experiments to simulate the aeolian environment on Venus as related to wind abrasion was completed. Ideally, such experiments should involve complete investigation of weathering, in which mechanical, thermal, and chemical parameters are taken into account. This is particularly important for Venus, where atmospheric temperatures and pressures at the surface produce an environment which is equivalent to low or medium grade metamorphic conditions on Earth. Details that describe the Venus Aeolian Abrasion Device (VAAD) are included. The VAAD device would enable experiments to be conducted with the same chemistry, temperature, pressure, and other physical properties of the Venus atmosphere near the surface. The proposed device enables the important aeolian parameters to be controlled and monitored, including particle size, velocity, impact-angle and flux, atmospheric pressure, temperature, and gas composition.

Beschreibung: Why the lowlands of Mars are concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere and the highlands in the Southern Hemisphere is probably the most fundamental unsolved problem in martian geology. No explanation that accounts both for this asymmetric distribution and for the isostatic equilibrium across the scarp or sloping transition zone dividing the two provinces has been generally accepted; thinning of the lithosphere in the northern hemisphere by internal processes has been suggested. Because other lowland-highland distributions on Mars, Moon, and Mercury are controlled by impact basins, it is proposed that a giant basin formed early in Mars' history has caused the martian hemispheric dichotomy as well.

Beschreibung: A number of researchers have concluded that saturation equilibrium cratering exists nowhere in the solar system, and therefore that diameter distributions in even the most heavily cratered provinces reveal initial production functions related to impacting bodies. Based on this premise, different populations of impactors are identified in different epochs and regions of the solar system. These hypotheses are clearly crucial to interpreting planetary history and need further independent examination. The production function in the outer solar system may differ from that in the inner solar system, but it is also possible that viscous relaxation of ice craters or immediate flooding of craters that penetrate through an ice lithosphere into watery substrate may explain the greater deficiency of large craters on icy moons. This problem is controversial and needs more study.

Beschreibung: Properties of the planetary surface and subsurface can affect the morphology of impact craters. A mechanism was proposed to explain pedestal craters and domed floors within fresh craters on Ganymede. Voyager 1 and 2 images with resolutions = to or 3.2 km/lp were examined and 523 fresh craters were identified. For each crater, the rim and ejecta diameters were measured, and the crater was characterized by ejecta class(es), interior features, floor morphology and target terrain. Of the craters examined, 97 show moderate to prominent doming of the crater floor; 340 craters have continuous ejecta which terminates in a scarp pedestal craters, of which 86 (25%) have a high albedo diffuse deposit beyond the pedestal.

Beschreibung: A systematic survey of the entire Mariner 10 coverage of Mercury was performed to determine the number, distribution and dimensions of additional ancient basins on the planet. Ancient multi-ringed basins on Mercury can be recognized by the following criteria: (1) arcs of massif chains and isolated massifs that protrude through younger units, (2) arcuate segments of lobate ridges (rupes) that align with massifs in circular patterns, (3) arcuate scarps that are aligned with ridges and massif, and (4) isolated regions of anomalously high topography within the intercrater regions of heavily cratered terrain. All of the newly identified basins predate the mercurian intercrater plains, previously held to be the oldest geologic unit on the planet. Subsequent structural evolution of various regions was influenced by the presence of these basins. Smooth plains units appear to be more extensive than mapped by Mariner 10 and more than 90 percent of them appear to be basin contained or basin related. The concentration of extensive smooth plains material within and associated with basin structural and depositional environments suggests a volcanic origin for most of this unit, analogous to the lunar maria. Basins appear to provide the basic structural pattern of early terrestrial planetary crusts.

Beschreibung: An improved version of the Pionner-Venus orbital data was used for a statistical analysis of global radar roughness and (alpha(0)) (rho) reflectivity. Classification maps of the venusian surface are produced in a supervised manner on the basis of statistical and empirical studies of the individual data sets. The primary objective is to assess the degree of homogeneity of surface radar properties within topographic provinces in order to map possible geologic boundaries. Maps were produced by correlating two data sets at a time. Classification of specific regions, such as Ishtar, has demonstrated that distinct geological units can be identified.

Beschreibung: Interest on Venus has centered on three regions; (1) Aphrodite Terra, especially east of the main uplant portion, (2) Ishtar Terra, especially Lakshmi Planum and its bounding scarp and massifs, and (3) Beta Regio-Phoebe Regio. The last region is topographically similar to the East African rift system, and has been inferred to have a similar tectonic origin. The Aphrodite region is part of a 21,000 km long tectonic zone that seems best explained as due to extension, and that may represent hot spots clustered along an incipient divergent plate boundary. The most interesting and complex portion of this tectonic zone is that part of eastern Aphrodite between Thetis Regio and Atla Regio. In contrast, the Lakshmi Planum region has many topographic characteristics suggesting that it is a true continent, and thus indicative of convergence and a thick crust. Detailed topographic contour maps of eastern Aphrodite Terra and of Lakshmi Planum are included.

Beschreibung: The results of analyses of near infrared reflectance spectra are inconsistent with numerous previous interpretations of the Reiner Gamma Formation. These include: (1) nue ardente or volcanic ash deposits, (2) volcanically derived sublimates, (3) high albedo volcanic deposits, and (4) highlands debris emplaced as impact ejecta. These results, strongly suggest that the selective preservation of high albedo features (formed by secondaries) by a local magnetic field enhancement is not a viable hypothesis. The results are generally consistent with, but place constraints on, the cometary impact hypothesis of Schultz and co-workers. While the presence of a magnetized component was not detected in either the bright or dark portions of the Reiner Gamma Formation, this material may be present in amounts under the current detection limits.

Beschreibung: On the basis of the icy conglomerate model of cometary nuclei, various observations demonstrate the spotted nature of many or most nuclei, i.e., regions of unusual activity, either high or low. Rotation periods, spin axes and even precession of the axes are determined. The observational evidence for variations in activity over the surfaces of cometary nuclei are listed and discussed. On June 11 the comet IRAS-ARAKI-ALCOCK approached the Earth to a distance of 0.031 AU, the nearest since C/Lexell, 1770 I, providing a unique opportunity for near-nucleus observations. Preliminary analysis of these images establishes the spin axis of the nucleus, with an oblioquity to the orbit plane of approximately 50 deg, and a lag angle of sublimation approximately 35 deg from the solar meridian on the nucleus. Asymmetries of the inner coma suggests a crazy-quilt distribution of ices with differing volatility over the surface of the nucleus. The observations of Comet P/Homes 1892 III, exhibiting two 8-10 magnitude bursts, are carefully analyzed. The grazing encounter produced, besides the first great burst, an active area on the nucleus, which was rotating retrograde with a period of 16.3hr and inclination nearly 180 deg. After the first burst the total magnitude fell less than two magnitudes from November 7 to November 30 (barely naked eye) while the nuclear region remained diffuse or complex, rarely if ever showing a stellar appearance. The fading was much more rapid after the second burst. The grazing encounter distributed a volume of large chunks in the neighborhood of the nucleus, maintaining activity for weeks.

Beschreibung: Dione is one of the most geologically complex of the Saturnian satellites. Crater counts and surface morphology indicates the geologic units observed are of variable age and origin. In an attempt to understand the processes which have affected Dione, a geologic map was prepared. Several geologic units were identified; ancient heavily cratered terrain, two plains units: cratered plains and lightly cratered plains, lobate deposits, crater rim deposits and bright wispy materials.

Beschreibung: For large parts of the surfaces of the Galilean satellites there is no stereoscopic high resolution imagery, and so for shadow-free regions far from the terminator, the only method of obtaining topograpic information is photoclinometry, the technique of converting brightness variations into local surface tilts and hence into topographic profiles and contour maps. The conversion from brightness changes to slopes require knowledge of the angular photometric function for the type of planetary surface terrain being analyzed, i.e., the relationship describing the brightness of the surface as a function of the angles of incidence (I) and emergence (E) of light at a surface element. In order to investigate the effects of these changes on the shapes of topographic profiles deduced from the functions, an area of grooved terrain (lines 500-505, samples 550-650 on frame 20640.27 0060J2) using wide ranges of values of all the adjustable parameters in Hapke's new photometric function were analyzed.

Beschreibung: Exploratory work on the structure of the Ionian lithosphere is reported. The approach is to examine temperature profiles within the lithosphere that result from different distributions of sulfur and silicates and different conductive heat fluxes, then compare such profiles with observations in the expectation that only a limited set of the profiles are possible. In this preliminary work some rather simplistic assumptions were taken and the report should be viewed more as a demonstration of a method rather than a presentation of results.

Beschreibung: The application of vibroacoustic techniques for diagnosing aircraft engine malfunctions is discussed. An experiment was conducted to determine the defects introduced by the nature of change in the amplitude-frequency characteristics of the noises and vibrations of an aircraft jet engine. The manner in which the defects were simulated is explained. The test equipment used during the experiment is identified. The results of the amplitude-frequency characteristics investigation are summarized to show optimum location of the microphone pick-up to record the acoustic data.

Beschreibung: The physics of noise formation in an internal combustion engine is discussed. A dependence of the acoustical radiation on the engine operating process, its construction, and operational parameters, as well as on the degree of wear on its parts, has been established. An example of tests conducted on an internal combustion engine is provided. A system for cybernetic diagnostics for internal combustion engines by vibroacoustical parameters is diagrammed.

Beschreibung: Some theoretical studies on the time-independent and oscillatory combustion of nonmetallized ammonium perchlorate (AP)/composite propellants are presented. A coherent and unified interpretation was made of the voluminous data available from experiments related to propellant combustion. Three fundamental hypotheses are introduced: the extent of propellant degradation at the vaporization step has to be specified through a scientific criterion; the condensed-phase degradation reaction of ammonium perchlorate to a vaporizable state is the overall rate-limiting step; gas-phase combustion rate is controlled by the mixing rate of fuel and oxidizer vapors. In the treatment of oscillatory combustion, the assumption of quasi-steady fluctuations in the gas phase is used to supplement these hypotheses.

Beschreibung: An exploratory test series was conducted on three types of 0.45-N (0.1 lbf) liquid hydrazine thrusters to ascertain the minimum impulse bit capability for this class of engine. The test series is described and the results are presented. The testing was performed at 21 and 145 C (70 and 300 F) while maintaining nominal 0.45 N (0.1 lbf) upstream conditions. Valve on-times as low as 0.008 sec were applied. Impulse bits were observed for thruster temperatures of 21 and 145 C (70 and 300 F), respectively.

Beschreibung: On 14 November 1971 the Mariner 9 1334-N-(300-lbf)-thrust rocket engine was fired for just over 15 min to place the first man-made satellite into orbit about Mars. Propulsion subsystem data gathered during the 5-month interplanetary cruise and orbit insertion are of significance to future missions of this type. Specific results related to performance predictability, zero g heat transfer, and nitrogen permeation, diffusion, and solubility values are presented.

Beschreibung: The development of a propulsion system that employs a detonating propellant is described, and the need for such a system and its use in certain planetary atmospheres are demonstrated. A theoretical formulation of the relevant gas-dynamic processes was developed, and a related series of experimental tests were pursued.

Beschreibung: During recent cryodeposit tests with an 0.18-N thruster, the mass flux in the plume back field was measured for the first time for nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and a mixture of nitrogen, hydrogen, and ammonia at various inlet pressures. This mixture simulated gases that would be generated by a hydrazine plenum attitude propulsion system. The measurements furnish a base upon which to build a mathematical model of plume back flow that will be used in predicting the mass distribution in the boundary region of other plumes. The results are analyzed and compared with existing analytical predictions.

Beschreibung: Improvements to the design of the Mariner spacecraft resulted in the Viking spacecraft. The Viking spacecraft would consist of two major systems - an orbiter and a lander, while the lander would provide the means for safely delivering the scientific instruments to the surface, house, and provide the necessary power source and communication links for those experiments, the orbiter would transport the lander to Mars, rovide a platform for the Viking imaging system so that proposed landing sites could be surveyed and certified, relay lander science information back to Earth, and conduct scientific observations in its own right.

Beschreibung: Characteristics of fans and compressors for aircraft turbine engines

Beschreibung: Dynamics and control of supersonic propulsion systems

Beschreibung: Effects of engine inlet disturbances on engine stall performance

Beschreibung: Design and characteristics of exhaust system for supersonic aircraft

Beschreibung: Propulsion technology for STOL and V/STOL commercial aircraft

Beschreibung: Development of improved turbine cooling processes and facilities for conducting turbine cooling research

Beschreibung: Feasibility of cryogenic heat pipe for cooling isotopic spacecraft power supply cycle

Beschreibung: Development and characteristics of low cost engines for general aviation aircraft

Beschreibung: Effects of engine design and propulsion system configurations on combustion efficiency

Beschreibung: The Tharsis ridge system appears to form a great circle around the major volcanoes. The roughly circumferential orientation of these ridges could be interpreted as the formation of a ridge system in response to a single stress field with a center near Pavonis Mons. Wise, et al. (1979) plotted the perpendiculars to strikes of ridges on the eastern flanks of Tharsis as great circles on the upper hemisphere of an equal area net. In order to further test for circular symmetry and possible other influences on ridge orientations, normals to vector means of ridge orientations were calculated using over 1850 digitized ridge segments sampled in 10 degree boxes. Orientations of individual ridge segments were weighted by their lengths, and the magnitudes of normals to vectors means were weighted by cummulative length of the ridge segments. Normals to vector means with magnitudes less than 100 km are not shown. Assuming a single fold origin for ridges, the resulting plot shows compressive stress trajectories for the ridges in the Tharsis region. The averaged compressive stress orientation around Tharsis confirm the suggestion by Wise, et al. that the ridge system is not concentric to any single point.

Beschreibung: In this paper the tectonic features of the Elysium region are identified and characterized. Identification of features was made using USGS controlled photomosaics (Elysium quadrangle, and portions of Amenthes and Cebrenia quadrangles); Viking Orbiter photographic data were used in individual cases to assist in identification. The positions and orientations of tectonic features can then be used, in conjunction with estimates of the mass of the volcanic load obtained from gravity modelling, to constrain the thickness of the elastic lithosphere in the region.

Beschreibung: Several 3.8 cm radar frames were calibrated empirically by histogram fitting, because no instrument background data is available. Then data were corrected for geometric distortion by: (1) redetermining position of individual frames using most accurate recent lunar ephemerides; (2) reprojecting frames into simple cylindrical map projection; (3) using most recent catalog of lunar craters to determine the exact positions of features identifiable on radar frames; and (4) correcting for apparent distortion (misplacement of features in frames) by resampling using a different bilinear interpolation derived for each of the parallelopideds of the set defined for each frame. A hardcopy set of corrected frames was produced. Attempts to produce a mosaic of such corrected frames continue. The resulting mosaic can be used to show the systematic relationship between photographic thermal IR and radar data at different wavelengths in a region dominated by both mare and highland terrain.

Beschreibung: Studies of the stratigraphy of southwest Coprates have led to further constraints on both the geographic extent and the relative age of the major compressional ridge forming events in the Tharsis region of Mars. Southwestern Coprates is characterized by curvilinear ridges that are regularly spaced, suggestive of harmonic folding. The western edge of the ridged plains unit of Coprates is marked by volcanic flow fronts. In an enhanced Viking-Orbiter image, a ridge can be seen completely surrounded by a flow with only a small portion of the ridge crest still exposed. Comparison of partially buried ridges on the western edge of the ridged plains to those in central Coprates suggests that flooding of the inter-ridge plains does not exceed a few hundred meters. The morphological relationship between the flow units to the west and the ridged plains indicates that the deformational events in this region predates the emplacement of the younger units.

Beschreibung: Layered deposits within Valles Marineris and its associated system of canyons have been considered to consist of two different rock types: (1) thick, competent, cliff-forming, light and dark bedded material in canyon walls, and (2) relatively thin, alternating series of light and dark layered material, both horizontal and inclined, that form rounded hills and large flat-topped mesas rising above the canyon floors. The dissimilarity in appearance between canyon wall and floor materials, as well as their contrasting patterns of erosion, have been considered strong evidence that their modes of origin were different.

Beschreibung: The scarps along the margins of the Vales Marineris display a complex assemblage of forms that have been related to a variety of mass wasting and sapping processes. These scarp segments display variations in the degree of development of spur and gully topography, the number and density of apparent sapping features and the frequency of large scale landslides which reflect the age, geology and processes of slope development throughout the Valles Marineris. This regional analysis should provide more information on the geologic evolution of the Valles Marineris as well as new insight into the relative importance of different processes in the development of the scarp forms. In order to evaluate the regional variation in scarp form and the influence of time and structure on scarp development geomorphic mapping and morphometric analysis of geologically distinct regions of Valles Marineris is being undertaken.

Beschreibung: Parallel studies of Martian geomorphic features and their analogs on Earth continue to be fruitful in deciphering the geologic history of Mars. In the context of rock weathering, the Earth-analog approach is admirably served by the study of meteorites recovered from ice sheets in Antarctica. The weathering environment of Victoria Land possesses several Mars-like attributes. Four of the five Antarctic meteorites being studied contain rust and EETA79005 further possesses a conspicuous, dark, weathering rind on one side. Secondary minerals (rust and salts) occur both on the surfaces and interiors of some of the samples and textural evidence indicates that such secondary mineralization contributed to physical weathering (by salt riving) of the rocks. Several different rust morphologies occur and emphasis is being placed on identifying the phase compositions of the various rust occurrances. A thorough understanding of terrestrial weathering features of the meteorites is a prerequisite for identifying possible Martian weathering features (if such features exist) that might be postulated to occur in some meteorites.

Beschreibung: Photometric studies of crater related bright and dark streaks have strongly supported the hypothesis that the bright streaks are excess dust deposits and dark streaks are erosional windows in a partial dust cover. Red-blue (and red-violet) plots show that bright streaks are consistent with mosaics of bright red dust and background material. Here the plains are also consistent with a partial dust cover; the dark streak is the least covered area. Bright and dark streaks both reverse contrast relative to surrounding plains at phase angles over 100 deg in violet filter images. The similar phase behavior of both bright and dark streaks supports the idea that they are both changes in the amount of dust cover. Red-violet plots of bright streaks are most easily explained by mosaics of optically thick dust and plains material. Lengths of bright streaks are independent of their contrasts. This suggests the streak deposition, if in the mosaic patterns indicated above, is a function of available sites of deposition, rather than atmospheric dust loading. Contrasts of dark streaks with plains indicate the plains have fractional dust covers nealy as great as the maximum additional cover in bright streaks. The bright streaks thus store little of the global supply of dust.

Beschreibung: Viking Lander 1 observations on Mars were punctuated by a strong local dust storm after two martian years of mild wind conditions. Tens of micrometers of dust settled to the surface during global dust storms of the first two falls and winters; some of this dust was locally removed during the second year. A late winter local dust storm of the first year caused little or no erosion of the surface materials despite wind speeds of 25 to 30 m/s. The strong local dust storm occurred during late winter of the third martian year. Winds of this storm altered and demolished small conical piles of surface materials constructed at the onset the first winter, removed 4 to 5 mm size fragments, displaced centimeter size fragments, destroyed clouds in areas disrupted by the sampler and footpad, eroded impact pits, and darkened the sky. Movement of erosional products and tiny wind tails indicate easterly to northeasterly winds. If the 4 to 5 mm size fragments were entrained and removd by the wind, threshold friction speeds near 3 to 5 m/s would have been required for the atmospheric temperatures and pressures that prevailed during the late winter of the third year.

Beschreibung: There are classes of landforms whose presence on Mars is strongly suggestive, if not confirmatory, of the participation of volatiles, presumably water, in its geomorphic development: (1) valley networks, (2) outflow channels, (3) landslides, and (4) flow-ejecta blankets. The first two may represent landforms generated by the movement of volatiles from sources, while the latter two probably represent the dissipation of energy generated by forcing inputs (e.g., kinetic energy and gravity) modulated by volatiles. In many areas on Mars, all four processes have acted on the same lithologic materials and were influenced by the composition of those units, and possibility by the climatic regime at the time of their formation. One of the approaches discussed to this specific problem of landform genesis, and to the general problem of the present and past states of martian volatiles, is to attempt to constrain the distribution, amount, and history of available volatiles by using possible evidence of volatile participation expressed in the morphology of other related landforms (e.g., flow-ejecta blankets and landslides) coupled with physical models for landform genesis.