Behavior of Combined Dielectric-Metallic Systems in a Charged Particle Environment

The charging and discharging characteristics of an electrically isolated solar array segment were studied in order to simulate discharges seen during geomagnetic substorms. A solar array segment was floated while bombarded with monoenergetic electrons at various angles of incidence. The potentials of the array surface and of the interconnects were monitored using Trek voltage probes to maintain electrical isolation. A back plate was capacitively coupled to the array to provide information on the characteristics of the transients accompanying the discharges. Several modes of discharging of the array were observed at relatively low differential and absolute potentials (a few kilovolts). A relatively slow discharge response in the array was observed, discharging over one second with currents of nanoamps. Two types of faster discharges were also seen which lasted a few hundredths of a millisecond and with currents on the order of microamps. Some results indicate an electron emission process associated with the arcs

Electron yields from spacecraft materials

Photoyields and secondary electron emission (SEE) characteristics were determined under UHV conditions for a group of insulating materials used in spacecraft applications. The SEE studies were carried out with a pulsed primary beam while photoyields were obtained with a chopped photon beam from a Kr resonance source with major emission at 123.6 nm. This provides a photon flux close to that of the Lyman alpha in the space environment. Yields per incident photon are obtained relative to those from a freshly evaporated and air oxidized Al surface. Results are presented for Kapton, FEP Teflon, the borosilicate glass covering of a shuttle tile, and spacesuit outer fabric

A spiral guidance approach concept for commercial VTOL operations

The results of an investigation of the guidance and navigation requirements for VTOL spiral descents in the presence of winds are reported. Models were developed to describe the spiral maneuver and candidate guidance laws were formulated and analyzed. An important element of the guidance scheme is a unique wind estimator which uses the perturbations in bank angle and heading to improve the knowledge of the winds. Finally, recommendations for additional research, including a flight program, were outlined to evaluate the spiral guidance concept

Method for alleviating thermal stress damage in laminates

A method is provided for alleviating the stress damage in metallic matrix composites, such as laminated sheet or foil composites. Discontinuities are positively introduced into the interface between the layers so as to reduce the thermal stress produced by unequal expansion of the materials making up the composite. Although a number of discrete elements could be used to form one of the layers and thus carry out this purpose, the discontinuities are preferably produced by simply drilling holes in the metallic matrix layer or by forming grooves in a grid pattern in this layer

Secondary Electron Emission Yields

The secondary electron emission (SEE) characteristics for a variety of spacecraft materials were determined under UHV conditions using a commercial double pass CMA which permits sequential Auger electron electron spectroscopic analysis of the surface. The transparent conductive coating indium tin oxide (ITO) was examined on Kapton and borosilicate glass and indium oxide on FED Teflon. The total SEE coefficient ranges from 2.5 to 2.6 on as-received surfaces and from 1.5 to 1.6 on Ar(+) sputtered surfaces with 5 nm removed. A cylindrical sample carousel provides normal incidence of the primary beam as well as a multiple Faraday cup measurement of the approximately nA beam currents. Total and true secondary yields are obtained from target current measurements with biasing of the carousel. A primary beam pulsed mode to reduce electron beam dosage and minimize charging of insulating coatings was applied to Mg/F2 coated solar cell covers. Electron beam effects on ITO were found quite important at the current densities necessary to do Auger studies

Light detection instrument Patent

Detection instrument for light emitted from ATP biochemical reactio

Metal-metal reinforced laminar composites

Two prototype laminar composites have shown potential for high strength and high temperature applications. These composites might be made with less in-place anisotropy and be less expensive than comparable fiber composites

A preliminary collation of the thermodynamic and transport properties of potassium

Thermodynamic, transport, and nuclear properties of saturated liquid and vapor potassiu