Two formats are used at Langley. The NASA technical coordinator determines which format you will use. The usual order of the full technical paper format (see Sample: Format One) is text, references, tables, and figures (unless tables and figures are integrated into the text). Do not use only one subheading under a main heading; if you cannot determine a second subheading, write the other subheading into the text. The setup of the second format (text at the top of the pages and figures at the bottom) is shown in Sample: Format Two.
1. Cite your references in numerical order in the text and in the reference list.
2. Use only published references in the reference list. Do not cite documents that are in press, to be published, or accepted for publication in the list.
3. If you cite another paper in the same Conference Publication, use the following format: Author of paper: Title of paper. Title of conference, NASA CP- (allow 4 spaces), 19__. (Editors will provide the CP number prior to printing.)
Cite your figures and tables in numerical order in the text. Label the figure number lightly in nonreproducible blue pencil in the margin or on the back of each table or figure. Figures and tables can be integrated into the text or pasted two to a page after the text (see your format sample). Do not send photocopies (for example, from Xerox machines) to be used as original figures. You may reduce and paste line drawings, charts, and tables or send full-size originals and we will reduce and paste them for you. In this case, include lists of figure captions and table titles. Because of the expense and time delay involved in printing color figures, please avoid using them in Conference Publications.
Send the original glossy photographs; do not reduce the photo or send halftone prints. (A halftone is a photo that has been screened into a series of dots for the camera.) We will reduce and paste the photos for you. Indicate the figure number and the top of the photo in the white margin or on the back; do not use a ballpoint pen to do this. Use a felt-tip, nonreproducible blue pen and do not mark hard.
Define symbols and abbreviations (especially acronyms) the first time they are used or include a Symbols and Abbreviations Section and include it near the beginning of the paper (after the Introduction).
Do not use trade or manufacturer's names unless you cannot describe a product generically. If you must use a trade name, use it as an adjective and give credit to the owner (e.g., "Kevlar 49 aramid fibers, manufactured by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Inc.").
You are responsible for obtaining copyright permission from the publisher for material taken directly from copyrighted documents. You must send a written clearance from the publisher when you submit your paper to NASA. Material taken from government publications or done on government contract is not copyrighted.
In addition to sending a hard copy of your paper, please submit an electronic version on disc or send via e-mail. This will enable us to make any minor changes to your paper with the least amount of effort. Contact the conference coordinator to find out what software is acceptable and how files should be transferred.
If your work was performed under contract, indicate this by a footnote to the title.