Jan 27 1978
From The Space Library
NASA announced that scientists from NASA's Ames Research Center and NOAA's Environmental Research Laboratory in Boulder, Colo., had begun flight tests of an instrument designed by NOAA scientist Dr. Peter Kuhn to warn pilots of impending turbulence (see A&A 1976, Nov. 11, 277). Dr. Kuhn, an experimenter on NASA's Gerard P. Kuiper Observatory (a C-141 aircraft equipped with a large telescope for astronomy research), had noticed that variations in atmospheric water vapor as measured by an infrared (IR) water-vapor radiometer had often accompanied extreme turbulence encountered by the aircraft; he had succeeded in using IR radiometer to define atmospheric conditions in the telescope's field of vision. Dr. Kuhn then suggested mounting an IR radiometer aimed forward in an aircraft; this system had successfully predicted occurrences of turbulence in clear air from 2.5 to 5.5min before encounter. However, researchers needed more encounters from various directions and altitudes to test the instrument, and wanted to experiment with filters and to fine-tune the instrument for optimum results.
The joint NASA-NOAA program would consist of exhaustive tests using a NASA Learjet research aircraft to develop a low-cost system that would enhance flight safety and comfort, be suitable for any aircraft, be able to operate unattended and require minimum maintenance, and produce a cockpit visual alert 4 to 5min before a turbulence encounter. (NASA Release 78-15)
LaRC reported on its Jan. 17-19 seminar on Large Space Systems Technology (LSST) attended by more than 200 persons who had exchanged ideas on the technology needed to build large space systems in the future. The group had tried to guess what research and technology the multimission needs of the Space Shuttle would be in 1985 to 2000; NASA had scheduled no definite programs for 1985 to 2000, but wanted to ensure performance of economical and well-organized future missions.
Seminar subjects included predictions of structural behavior in space, particularly under loads and stresses; advanced materials and techniques for joining various kinds of structures; distribution of controls for large structures; and electronics equipment needed for operation and control of structures. Those attending had represented six NASA centers, 24 aerospace firms, 8 universities,. and 4 DOD centers. To continue cooperation between government agencies and industry, LaRC planned to hold a similar seminar yearly. (LaRC Release 78-3; Langley News, Jan. 27/78, 1)
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