Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Johnson, Charles W..
This presentation highlights NASA use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and related technologies for civil purposes. This briefing will give more insight into the UAS projects progress and future goals.
This presentation discusses progress and future plans with NASAs UAS NAS access program.
UAS Integration in the NAS Project Overview.
UAS Integration in the NAS Project Overview.
The vision of the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Integration in the National Airspace System (NAS) Project is "A global transportation system which allows routine access for all classes of UAS." The goal of the UAS Integration in the NAS Project is to "contribute capabilities that reduce technical barriers related to the safety and operational challenges associated with enabling routine UAS access to the NAS." This goal will be accomplished through a two-phased approach based on development of system-level integration of key concepts, technologies and/or procedures, and demonstrations of integrated capabilities in an operationally relevant environment. Phase 1 will take place the first two years of the Project and Phase 2 will take place the following three years. The Phase 1 and 2 technical objectives are: Phase 1: Developing a gap analysis between current state of the art and the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) UAS Concept of Operations . Validating the key technical areas identified by this Project . Conducting initial modeling, simulation, and flight testing activities . Completing Sub-project Phase 1 deliverables (spectrum requirements, comparative analysis of certification methodologies, etc.) and continue Phase 2 preparation (infrastructure, tools, etc.) Phase 2: Providing regulators with a methodology for developing airworthiness requirements for UAS, and data to support development of certifications standards and regulatory guidance . Providing systems-level, integrated testing of concepts and/or capabilities that address barriers to routine access to the NAS. Through simulation and flight testing, address issues including separation assurance, communications requirements, and human systems integration in operationally relevant environments. The UAS in the NAS Project will demonstrate solutions in specific technology areas, which will address operational/safety issues related to UAS access to the NAS. Since the resource allocation for this Project is limited ($150M over the five years), the focus is on reducing the technical barriers where NASA has unique capabilities. As a result, technical areas, such as Sense and Avoid (SAA) and beyond line of sight command and control will not be addressed. While these are critical barriers to UAS access, currently, there is a great deal of global effort being exercised to address these challenge areas. Instead, specific technology development in areas where there is certainty that NASA can advance the research to high technology readiness levels will be the Project's focus. Specific sub-projects include Separation Assurance, Human Systems Integration, Communications, Certification, and Integrated Test and Evaluation. Each sub-project will transfer technologies to relevant key stakeholders and decision makers through research transition teams, technology forums, or through other analogous means.
Spacelab is a series of multiple configuration payload carriers that fit in the Orbiter cargo bay. The carriers, ranging from pressurized modules to simple support structures that span across the cargo bay, provide a variety of payload support services, such as cooling, power distribution, data management, pointing, and structural attachment. Previously published papers have addressed the joint development of the initial Spacelab system by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Herein, the emphasis will be on the NASA utilization and evaluation of the system into the operational era of the Space Transportation System (STS), system enhancement, additional carrier configuration, the effects of time on system hardware, and subsequent replacements and improvement. All configurations added were intended to fulfill payload requirements not originally foreseen. Subsystem replacements thus far have resulted from life limits or unreliable performance while assessments and plans are underway to look also for increased performance and new payload requirements, to the transition from Spacelab to the Space Station Freedom.