Engineering topics
Ross, R. G.
Publications and source records attributed to Ross, R. G..
NASA advanced cryocooler technology development program
This paper presents an overview of the ACTDP program including programmatic objectives and timelines, and conceptual details of the cooler concepts under development.
Cryocooler load increase due to external contamination of low-epsilon cyrogenic surfaces
This paper attempts to compile available flight data on contamination effects experienced during multi-year space missions and ground tests to date as a help to those designing and conducting future long-life missions with cryocoolers.
AIRS pulse tube cooler system-level and in-space performance comparison
This paper presents the derivation of the test and analysis techniques as well as the measured system-level performance of the flight AIRS coolers during instrument-level, spacecraft-level, and in-space operation.
NASA space cryocooler programs - an overview
An overview is presented of ongoing efforts at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Goddard Space Flight Center in support of current flight projects, near-term flight instruments, and long-term technology development.
Gas Contamination Effects on Pulse Tube Performance
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(abstract) JPL Cryocooler Development and Test Program Overview
Many near-term and future space-instrument programs within NASA and the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) depend on the successful development of long-life, low-vibration space cryocoolers. The most demanding near-term programs include a number of science instruments selected for NASA's Earth Observing System (Eos) program, and a number of space reconnaissance instruments associated with the BMDO's Brilliant Eyes program; both of these programs require delivery of similar types of flight coolers in the next few years. To help ensure the success of these cooler commitments, JPL has implemented an extensive cryocooler program in support of the NASA/JPL AIRS project, the Air Force Phillips Laboratory (AFPL), and the Air Force Space and Missiles Systems Division (SMC). This program is directed at assisting industry in developing advanced cryocoolers that successfully address the broad array of complex performance requirements needed for NASA and BMDO long-life space instruments. The JPL cryocooler program includes extensive characterization and life testing of industry-developed cryocoolers, development and flight testing of advanced sorption cooler systems for detector cooling to 10 K , development of mechanical cryocooler enhancement technologies, and flight tests of advanced low-vibration Stirling-cooler systems.
Mechanical proof testing in cell processing
Fracture mechanics test methods are applied to evaluate the proof test characteristics of silicon Cz wafers. The results indicate that the strength distribution of silicon wafers is truncated by proof testing and no subcritical crack growth in silicon is observed during proof loading. Mechanical proof testing appears to be an effective method to eliminate weak samples before cell processing.
Dual shear plate power processor packaging design
The use of solar electric propulsion (SEP) for spacecraft primary propulsion imposes an extreme range of operational and environmental design requirements associated with the diversity of missions for which solar electric primary propulsion is advantageous. One SEP element which is particularly sensitive to these environmental extremes is the power processor unit (PPU) which powers and controls the electric ion thruster. An improved power processor thermal-mechanical packaging approach, referred to as dual shear plate packaging, has been designed to accommodate these different requirements with minimum change to the power processor design. Details of this packaging design are presented together with test results obtained from thermal-vacuum and structural-vibration tests conducted with prototype hardware.