Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Rowley, R. W..
Outer planet probe missions are part of the on-going Mission and Technology Roadmap effort to define the framework for the future NASA Solar System Exploration program...A baseline mission/system design is described to which the technology needs can be related.
Platforms for polar and 28.5 deg orbits were studied to determine the platform requirements and characteristics necessary to support the science objectives. Large platforms supporting the Earth-Observing System (EOS) were initially studied. Co-orbiting platforms were derived from these designs. Because cost estimates indicated that the large platform approach was likely to be too expensive, require several launches, and generally be excessively complex, studies of small platforms were undertaken. Results of these studies show the small platform approach to be technically feasible at lower overall cost. All designs maximized hardware inheritance from the Space Station program to reduce costs. Science objectives as defined at the time of these studies are largely achievable.
Oxygen difluoride/diborane propellant thrust chamber and injector technology, discussing engine duty cycles and performance
Physical processes involved in heat transfer between burning spray and thrust chamber wall
Relation between injector design and erosion of ablative and pyrolytic graphite thrust chamber throat
Control of injector spray and heat transfer properties can reduce erosion of ablative and pyrolytic graphite thrust-chamber throats