Alan C. Rhodes | Search NASA

NASA NTRS2020

Cryogenic Technologies for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Science Instruments

This work was performed at the request of the Program Chief Engineer for Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). The intended audience for this position paper is the prospective SOFIA Science Instrument (SI) developer, who may not have extensive experience with cryogenics or cryostat design. The objective is to provide an introductory handbook that (1) concisely summarizes SOFIA requirements, (2) describes components and techniques that enable cryostats to reach temperatures ranging from 4 K to 50 mK, and (3) warns of common pitfalls that an SI developer might encounter.

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Development and Implementation of A Small Satellite Systems Engineering Webinar Series: A Collaboration Between the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) established a webinar series on NASA systems engineering standards and practices for the purpose of sharing knowledge in this area. UNOOSA’s “Access to Space for All” initiative provides capacity-building opportunities in space science, technology, and space applications for United Nations member states. Due to the cooperation among established space actors, the United Nations, and emerging space entities, the initiative enables students from developing countries from all over the world to carry out projects using technologies and space applications. Through NASA’s Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI), the four-part webinar series was designed to cover basic systems engineering and project management skills that are fundamental to planning, developing, and implementing an experiment or a space project and that serve as critical knowledge for those engaged in space activities, whether as a designer, builder, or manager of space infrastructure and services. The first series of webinars was convened over the course of November 2023 through February 2024.

Systems Engineering↗