Observations of magnetospheric ionization enhancements using upper-hybrid resonance noise band data from the RAE-1 satellite

Noise bands associated with the upper-hybrid resonance were used to provide direct evidence for the existence of regions of enhanced density in the equatorial magnetosphere near L = 2. Density enhancements ranging from several percent to as high as 45 percent are observed with radial dimensions of several hundred kilometers. The enhancement characteristics strongly suggest their identification as magnetospheric whistler ducts

A new high-speed solar radio spectrograph for meter and decameter wavelengths

The design and characteristics of a high resolution, digital solar spectrograph are discussed. The spectrometer operates in the 10 to 80 MHz range. The primary considerations in the design of the spectrograph were: (1) optimun sensitivity, (2) wide dynamic range, (3) flexibility in time and frequency resolution, and (4) modern data handling techniques with a simple computer interface

Levels of Information Processing in a Fitts law task (LIPFitts)

State-of-the-art flight technology has restructured the task of human operators, decreasing the need for physical and sensory resources, and increasing the quantity of cognitive effort required, changing it qualitatively. Recent technological advances have the most potential for impacting a pilot in two areas: performance and mental workload. In an environment in which timing is critical, additional cognitive processing can cause performance decrements, and increase a pilot's perception of the mental workload involved. The effects of stimulus processing demands on motor response performance and subjective mental workload are examined, using different combinations of response selection and target acquisition tasks. The information processing demands of the response selection were varied (e.g., Sternberg memory set tasks, math equations, pattern matching), as was the difficulty of the response execution. Response latency as well as subjective workload ratings varied in accordance with the cognitive complexity of the task. Movement times varied according to the difficulty of the response execution task. Implications in terms of real-world flight situations are discussed

Theory of the Injun 5 VLF Poynting flux measurements

VLF Poynting flux measurement technique used on Injun 5 satellit

Calibration of a cylindrical RF capacitance probe

The calibration is considered of an RF antenna capacitance probe carried aboard the RAE-1 spacecraft and the correction of the probe for external effects, believed to be primarily due to local positive ion sheaths and/or photoelectron sheaths surrounding the antenna. The RAE-1 spacecraft was launched in July 1968 into a 5850-km. Circular orbit of 121-degree inclination and carried several antenna and radiometer systems covering a frequency range of 0.2 to 9.2 MHz for radio astronomical studies. The RF capacitance probe measurements discussed utilized a 37-meter electric dipole antenna formed by two monopoles made of silver-coated beryllium-copper alloy tapes formed into hollow cylindrical tubes 1.3 cm in diameter

Poynting flux studies of hiss with the Injun 5 satellite

Injun 5 Poynting flux measurements of VLF hiss emissions at low altitude

VLF electric and magnetic fields observed in the auroral zone with the Javelin 8.46 sounding rocket

VLF electric and magnetic fields observed in auroral zone with Javelin 8.46 sounding rocke

Materials for Advanced Turbine Engines

An attempt was made to improve methods for producing powder metallurgy aircraft gas turbine engine parts from the nickel base superalloy known as Rene 95. The parts produced were the high pressure turbine aft shaft for the CF6-50 engine and the stages 5 through 9 compressor disk forgings for the CFM56/F101 engines. A 50% cost reduction was achieved as compared to conventional cast and wrought processing practices. An integrated effort involving several powder producers and a major forging source were included

ORION: A Small, Full Capability, General Purpose, Low Earth Orbit Satellite Bus

A low cost general purpose satellite bus has been designed to support a wide variety of small scientific and commercial payloads. The design provides a number of launch options, including the new NASA extended Get- Away-Special * (GAS) canister and several small expendable launch vehicles. The satellite is 48 cm. (19 in,) in diameter, 89 cm. (35 in.) high and weighs approximately 123 kg. (270 Ibs.). The satellite bus provides telemetry, attitude control, orbital boost/station keeping, electrical power, microprocessor and data storage for up to 23 kg. (50 Ibs.) of user payload. The satellite. has a hydrazine propulsion system, with up to 123 m/s (2600 ft/s) delta-V capability. On-board propulsion reduces launcher orbital insertion accuracy requirements and allows the satellite to independently achieve 1480 km. (300 nm. } circular or 4070 km, (2200 nm.) elliptic orbits from an initial orbit of 250 km. (135 nm.)

Impact of Hybrid Energy Storage System Topology on Performance: Exploration for Hydropower Hybrids

We investigate the technical performance of six HESS topologies integrated with run-of-river (ROR) hydropower to provide frequency support. We choose ROR hydropower because there are 23 GW of installed ROR hydropower in the U.S. and integrating these plants with energy storage could boost their contribution to grid services. We focus on HESSs composed of batteries and ultra-capacitors because batteries are cost effective for storing energy but degrade more quickly as a function of cycling. In contrast, ultra-capacitors can be cycled millions of times and are cost effective for quick injections of power. We find that active HESS topologies demonstrate the best overall improvement to grid frequency during a contingency while adhering to the power ramping limits of the HESS devices. Future work will investigate other services to identify if one HESS topology performs best for all services of interest or, more likely, different HESS topologies are best suited for specific services