Development of a KSC test and flight engineering oriented computer language, Phase 1

Ten, primarily test oriented, computer languages reviewed during the phase 1 study effort are described. Fifty characteristics of ATOLL, ATLAS, and CLASP are compared. Unique characteristics of the other languages, including deficiencies, problems, safeguards, and checking provisions are identified. Programming aids related to these languages are reported, and the conclusions resulting from this phase of the study are discussed. A glossary and bibliography are included. For the reports on phase 2 of the study, see N71-35027 and N71-35029

GCR access to the Moon as measured by the CRaTER instrument on LRO

[1] Recent modeling efforts have yielded varying and conflicting results regarding the possibility that Earth\u27s magnetosphere is able to shield energetic particles of \u3e10 MeV at lunar distances. This population of particles consists of galactic cosmic rays as well as energetic particles that are accelerated by solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation (CRaTER) onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is in orbit about the Moon and is thus able to directly test these modeling results. Over the course of a month, CRaTER samples the upstream solar wind as well as various regions of Earth\u27s magnetotail. CRaTER data from multiple lunations demonstrate that Earth\u27s magnetosphere at lunar distances produces no measurable influence on energetic particle flux, even at the lowest energies (\u3e14 MeV protons) where any effect should be maximized. For particles with energies of 14–30 MeV, we calculate an upper limit (determined by counting statistics) on the amount of shielding caused by the magnetosphere of 1.7%. The high energy channel (\u3e500 MeV) provides an upper limit of 3.2%

Monitoring the Low-Energy Gamma-Ray Sky Using Earth Occultation with GLAST GBM

Long term all-sky monitoring of the 20 keV – 2 MeV gamma-ray sky using the Earth occultation technique was demonstrated by the BATSE instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. The principles and techniques used for the development of an end-to-end earth occultation data analysis system for BATSE can be extended to the GLAST Burst Monitor (GBM), resulting in multiband light curves and time-resolved spectra in the energy range 8 keV to above 1 MeV for known gamma-ray sources and transient outbursts, as well as the discovery of new sources of gamma-ray emission. In this paper we describe the application of the technique to the GBM. We also present the expected sensitivity for the GBM

Variables Affecting Measurements of Vertical Occlusal Force

Previous studies of occlusal force have provided conflicting results. The purpose of these studies was to determine whether the extent of vertical opening, contralateral occlusal support, or head posture influenced vertical occlusal forces during swallowing, simulated chewing, and maximum biting effort. Three samples of subjects with normal vertical facial proportions - one each of children, adolescents, and young adults - were evaluated to determine the effects of changes in small (2.5 vs. 6.0 mm) vertical separation of the first molars. A sample of young adults was used to evaluate changes in large (10-40 mm) vertical openings, and a sample of adolescents was used to investigate the effect of contralateral support and head posture. All between-group comparisons were evaluated using non-parametric statistics. For the small vertical openings, there was significantly more vertical occlusal force at 6.0 than 2.5 mm in children during swallowing and chewing but not during maximum biting effort. In adults, there was significantly more force during swallowing at 6.0 than at 2.5 mm separation, but no differences in chewing or maximum biting. Increasingly large vertical openings resulted in a progressive increase in maximum bite force to a maximum at about 20 mm, followed by a decrease and then a second increase to near-maximum force at about 40 mm for young adults. There were no significant differences in vertical force with or without contralateral support or between flexed, normal, and extended head postures at either of the small openings.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68036/2/10.1177_00220345860650020901.pd

Bostonia: The Boston University Alumni Magazine. Volume 29

Founded in 1900, Bostonia magazine is Boston University's main alumni publication, which covers alumni and student life, as well as university activities, events, and programs

The radiation environment near the lunar surface: CRaTER observations and Geant4 simulations

[1] At the start of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission in 2009, its Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation instrument measured the radiation environment near the Moon during the recent deep solar minimum, when galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) were at the highest level observed during the space age. We present observations that show the combined effects of GCR primaries, secondary particles (“albedo”) created by the interaction of GCRs with the lunar surface, and the interactions of these particles in the shielding material overlying the silicon solid-state detectors of the Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation. We use Geant4 to model the energy and angular distribution of the albedo particles, and to model the response of the sensor to the various particle species reaching the 50 kilometer altitude of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Using simulations to gain insight into the observations, we are able to present preliminary energy-deposit spectra for evaluation of the radiation environment\u27s effects on other sensitive materials, whether biological or electronic, that would be exposed to a similar near-lunar environment

New measurements of total ionizing dose in the lunar environment

[1] We report new measurements of solar minimum ionizing radiation dose at the Moon onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) from June 2009 through May 2010. The Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation (CRaTER) instrument on LRO houses a compact and highly precise microdosimeter whose design allows measurements of dose rates below 1 micro-Rad per second in silicon achieved with minimal resources (20 g, ∼250 milliwatts, and ∼3 bits/second). We envision the use of such a small yet accurate dosimeter in many future spaceflight applications where volume, mass, and power are highly constrained. As this was the first operation of the microdosimeter in a space environment, the goal of this study is to verify its response by using simultaneous measurements of the galactic cosmic ray ionizing environment at LRO, at L1, and with other concurrent dosimeter measurements and model predictions. The microdosimeter measured the same short timescale modulations in the galactic cosmic rays as the other independent measurements, thus verifying its response to a known source of minimum-ionizing particles. The total dose for the LRO mission over the first 333 days was only 12.2 Rads behind ∼130 mils of aluminum because of the delayed rise of solar activity in solar cycle 24 and the corresponding lack of intense solar energetic particle events. The dose rate in a 50 km lunar orbit was about 30 percent lower than the interplanetary rate, as one would expect from lunar obstruction of the visible sky

Record-setting Cosmic-ray Intensities in 2009 and 2010

We report measurements of record-setting intensities of cosmic-ray nuclei from C to Fe, made with the Cosmic Ray Isotope Spectrometer carried on the Advanced Composition Explorer in orbit about the inner Sun-Earth Lagrangian point. In the energy interval from ~70 to ~450 MeV nucleon^(–1), near the peak in the near-Earth cosmic-ray spectrum, the measured intensities of major species from C to Fe were each 20%-26% greater in late 2009 than in the 1997-1998 minimum and previous solar minima of the space age (1957-1997). The elevated intensities reported here and also at neutron monitor energies were undoubtedly due to several unusual aspects of the solar cycle 23/24 minimum, including record-low interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) intensities, an extended period of reduced IMF turbulence, reduced solar-wind dynamic pressure, and extremely low solar activity during an extended solar minimum. The estimated parallel diffusion coefficient for cosmic-ray transport based on measured solar-wind properties was 44% greater in 2009 than in the 1997-1998 solar-minimum period. In addition, the weaker IMF should result in higher cosmic-ray drift velocities. Cosmic-ray intensity variations at 1 AU are found to lag IMF variations by 2-3 solar rotations, indicating that significant solar modulation occurs inside ~20 AU, consistent with earlier galactic cosmic-ray radial-gradient measurements. In 2010, the intensities suddenly decreased to 1997 levels following increases in solar activity and in the inclination of the heliospheric current sheet. We describe the conditions that gave cosmic rays greater access to the inner solar system and discuss some of their implications

Development of a test and flight engineering oriented language. Phase 1: Oral presentation material

The material used in an oral presentation of the phase 1 study effort is given. Phase 1 was directed at the examination of existing related languages and their applications

Fox Squirrels Cause Power Outages: An Urban Wildlife Problem

In urban areas, power outages are caused each year by fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) that use electrical power equipment as travel lanes, rest sites, or for other activities. When a squirrel crosses a live bare wire on a transformer, the result is a blown fuse and electrocution of the squirrel. Power company outage reports were examined to determine when and where squirrel-caused outages occurred. Sixteen field sites in Lincoln were selected for study. Eight sites encircled transformers with ≥4 squirrel-caused outages, 1980-1985, and eight were adjacent control sites with no such outages. Squirrel behavior in relation to power equipment was observed and habitat variables were measured at all sites. Additional data on vegetation within 2 m of the power equipment were collected at 22 sites in Omaha. Eleven Omaha sites were at transformers that had ≥3 squirrel-caused outages (1985-1986) and 11 were at adjacent control sites. Results indicate that problem sites had more squirrels than control sites. Numbers of leaf nests were significantly greater in problem sites (P \u3c 0.05). In addition, squirrels were observed almost twice as many minutes in problem sites, and time-area counts indicated increased numbers of squirrels in problem sites. Mean basal area of mulberries within 2 m of all power equipment and within 2 m of the power pole was 2.5 or 15 times greater, respectively, in problem sites than in control sites. Results indicate that barriers and habitat management may be potential control techniques. Results of this study provide a greater understanding of squirrel biology in urban environments and may yield greater predictability and control of squirrel-caused power outages