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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1998

Spaceflight alters microtubules and increases apoptosis in human lymphocytes (Jurkat)

Alteration in cytoskeletal organization appears to underlie mechanisms of gravity sensitivity in space-flown cells. Human T lymphoblastoid cells (Jurkat) were flown on the Space Shuttle to test the hypothesis that growth responsiveness is associated with microtubule anomalies and mediated by apoptosis. Cell growth was stimulated in microgravity by increasing serum concentration. After 4 and 48 h, cells filtered from medium were fixed with formalin. Post-flight, confocal microscopy revealed diffuse, shortened microtubules extending from poorly defined microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs). In comparable ground controls, discrete microtubule filaments radiated from organized MTOCs and branched toward the cell membrane. At 4 h, 30% of flown, compared to 17% of ground, cells showed DNA condensation characteristic of apoptosis. Time-dependent increase of the apoptosis-associated Fas/ APO-1 protein in static flown, but not the in-flight 1 g centrifuged or ground controls, confirmed microgravity-associated apoptosis. By 48 h, ground cultures had increased by 40%. Flown populations did not increase, though some cells were cycling and actively metabolizing glucose. We conclude that cytoskeletal alteration, growth retardation, and metabolic changes in space-flown lymphocytes are concomitant with increased apoptosis and time-dependent elevation of Fas/APO-1 protein. We suggest that reduced growth response in lymphocytes during spaceflight is linked to apoptosis.

STS-76 Shuttle Project↗
NASA NTRS1981

A radar image time series

A set of ten side-looking radar images of a mining area in Arizona that were aquired over a period of 14 yr are studied to demonstrate the photogrammetric differential-rectification technique applied to radar images and to examine changes that occurred in the area over time. Five of the images are rectified by using ground control points and a digital height model taken from a map. Residual coordinate errors in ground control are reduced from several hundred meters in all cases to + or - 19 to 70 m. The contents of the radar images are compared with a Landsat image and with aerial photographs. Effects of radar system parameters on radar images are briefly reviewed.

Leberl, F.↗
NASA NTRS2026

The Trash Compaction Processing Systems (TCPS) Ground Unit Control Sample Testing

The Trash Compaction Processing System (TCPS) is being developed by NASA and Sierra Space to process crew trash for long-duration missions. The system compacts and thermally processes mixed spacecraft waste to reduce volume and stabilize the material while managing gas and liquid effluents. A Ground Unit (GU) located at Sierra Space in Madison, Wisconsin was used to run a series of tests using standardized control samples representing different trash conditions, including nominal, high liquid, high cloth, benign, and foam. Gas grab samples were collected during processing and analyzed to identify the compounds present in the effluent stream and compare the concentrations to the NASA spacecraft maximum allowable concentrations (SMACs). Additional testing included odor testing at White Sands Test Facility, aerosol measurements, microbiology, and tile characterization. Overall, the compounds detected in the gas samples were well below the SMAC limits for all trash models tested. The results from this testing are being used to help guide the verification approach and test planning for the TCPS Flight Unit that is planned for on-orbit testing on the International Space Station.

Control Samples↗
NASA NTRS2019

Command and Control System Automated Testing

The Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has developed its own Command and Control System for the launch of the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion capsule. The Command and Control System (CCS) is used by console engineers for the launch and system checkout of aerospace vehicles. The CCS allows console engineers to read data from the flight hardware on the launch pad and from the ground control systems and allows console engineers to issue commands, like opening a valve, to the flight hardware and ground control systems. The CCS needs to interact with thousands of devices and hardware controllers for the spacecraft and ground systems, receive data from these devices, distribute the data to console engineers in real-time, and allow console engineers to issue commands to manipulate hardware on the launch pad. The system needs to be robust, fault tolerant, responsive, and fast. In order to keep up with the pace of development of the CCS, a Test Automation System (TAS) is needed to validate the integrity of the system as a whole along with its individual components. Automated tests allow for faster development time, since tests can be ran through a Continuous Integration system and allow developers to check their code faster. Currently, the different modules, classes, and functions that make up the CCS are tested at the unit level, and the system level, with all the modules working together. My project was to implement a system for the data protocol layer of the Command Control System to be tested as a complete functional unit, with all of its classes and functions working together, but independent of the other modules of the CCS.

Automated TestingTest Automation↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

37-Day Microgravity Exposure in 16-Week Female C57BL/6J Mice is Associated with Weight Bearing Site-Specific Bone Loss

Exposure to space environment factors, including microgravity unloading and space radiation, is well-known to be associated with rapid bone loss in mammals, but significant questions remain about mechanistic aspects of this process. Specifically, bone loss may vary depending on many interacting factors including age and skeletal maturity, physical activity, social versus individual housing, and habitat configuration. Likewise cellular tissue loss mechanisms in space may include changes to mineral homeostasis by activation of bone degradation by osteoclasts, or inhibition of bone formation by osteoblasts, and be caused by microgravity mechanical unloading or increased space radiation. In this study we used microcomputed tomography to quantify bone loss in multiple skeletal sites of group housed mice either exposed to 37 days in space on ISS during the Rodent Research 1, (RR1), experiments using the NASA Rodent Habitat, (RH), versus ground controls in the same habitats or standard vivarium cages. Our results in space versus matched RH ground controls show significant cancellous and cortical bone loss in the femur and tibia, but not in vertebrae, indicating that only weight-bearing bones experience significant bone loss during spaceflight. This finding suggests that space radiation at the low levels found in low Earth Orbit may not be a significant contributing factor to bone loss in space. Interestingly while mice maintained in the RH maintained or gained bone relative to Basal controls, mice kept in standard vivarium cages for 37 days showed significant loss in weight bearing bones, not as acute, but comparable in magnitude to spaceflight effects. These results suggest the RH configuration versus vivarium cages, may allow for greater mechanical loading of weight bearing bones as mice climb internal habitat surfaces, promoting maintenance of bone regenerative health.

mouse↗
NASA NTRS2005

Design and Performance Evaluation of a UWB Communication and Tracking System for Mini-AERCam

NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) is developing a low-volume, low-mass, robotic free-flying camera known as Mini-AERCam (Autonomous Extra-vehicular Robotic Camera) to assist the International Space Station (ISS) operations. Mini-AERCam is designed to provide astronauts and ground control real-time video for camera views of ISS. The system will assist ISS crewmembers and ground personnel to monitor ongoing operations and perform visual inspections of exterior ISS components without requiring extravehicular activity (EAV). Mini-AERCam consists of a great number of subsystems. Many institutions and companies have been involved in the R&D for this project. A Mini-AERCam ground control system has been studied at Texas A&M University [3]. The path planning and control algorithms that direct the motions of Mini-AERCam have been developed through the joint effort of Carnegie Mellon University and the Texas Robotics and Automation Center [5]. NASA JSC has designed a layered control architecture that integrates all functions of Mini-AERCam [8]. The research described in this report is part of a larger effort focused on the communication and tracking subsystem that is designed to perform three major tasks: 1. To transmit commands from ISS to Mini-AERCam for control of robotic camera motions (downlink); 2. To transmit real-time video from Mini-AERCam to ISS for inspections (uplink); 3. To track the position of Mini-AERCam for precise motion control. The ISS propagation environment is unique due to the nature of the ISS structure and multiple RF interference sources [9]. The ISS is composed of various truss segments, solar panels, thermal radiator panels, and modules for laboratories and crew accommodations. A tracking system supplemental to GPS is desirable both to improve accuracy and to eliminate the structural blockage due to the close proximity of the ISS which could at times limit the number of GPS satellites accessible to the Mini-AERCam. Ideally, the tracking system will be a passive component of the communication system which will need to operate in a time-varying multipath environment created as the robot camera moves over the ISS structure. In addition, due to many interference sources located on the ISS, SSO, LEO satellites and ground-based transmitters, selecting a frequency for the ISS and Mini-AERCam link which will coexist with all interferers poses a major design challenge. To meet all of these challenges, ultrawideband (UWB) radio technology is being studied for use in the Mini-AERCam communication and tracking subsystem. The research described in this report is focused on design and evaluation of passive tracking system algorithms based on UWB radio transmissions from mini-AERCam.

Barton, Richard J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Pineal physiology in microgravity - Relation to rat gonadal function aboard Cosmos 1887

Results are reported from an analysis of pineal glands obtained for five male rats flown aboard an orbiting satellite for their melatonin, serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIA), and calcium content. Plasma 5-HT and 5-HIAA were measured. These parameters were compared to indicators of gonadal function: plasma testosterone concentration and spermatogonia development. Plasma melotonin was found to be low at the time of euthanasia and was not different among the experimental groups. Pineal calcium of flight animals was not different from ground controls. Pineal 5-HT and 5-HIAA in the flight group were significantly higher than those in ground controls. These findings suggest a possible increase in pineal 5-HT turnover in flight animals which may result in increased melatonin secretion. It is argued that the alteration of pinal 5-HT turnover and its expected effects on melatonin secretion may partially explain the lower plasma testosterone levels and 4-11 percent fewer spermatogonia cells observed in flight animals.

Holley, Daniel C.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Demonstrating autonomous controls on hardware test beds is a necessity for successful missions to Mars and beyond

NASA and the Department of Defense are planning for a mission to Mars in the 2030s–2040s using nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP). NTP uses a nuclear reactor to heat flowing hydrogen and create thrust. A serious concern for crewed and uncrewed missions to Mars is the loss of reactor control. The reactor startup and initial rocket impulse are initiated in cislunar or near-earth orbital regions; therefore, radio communications between ground control and the NTP engine should occur in real time. However, radio communications can take more than 20 min, depending on planet positions, to reach Mars orbiters from ground control. To address this delay, local autonomous controls are implemented onboard the NTP engine to ensure acceptable operation. However, autonomous controls have not been demonstrated or implemented in research or power reactor contexts because of safety and reliability concerns. To enable autonomous controls development, demonstration, and validation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has created a nonnuclear hardware-in-the-loop test bed. Sensors throughout the test bed relay system status and hardware response to the user control algorithm, including measurements of temperature, flow, pressure of a loop, control drum position, and drum speed. This paper discusses the development of this facility and user accessibility.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
NASA NTRS1989

View graphs for GSFC Colloquium on OFMspert

Viewgraphs providing an overview of activities concerned with the development and testing of the Operator Function Model (OFM) expert system (OFMspert) are presented. The OFM is a mathematical tool for representing operator interaction with predominantly automated space ground control systems. OFM provides cognitive task analysis and served as the basis for the design of an intelligent operator's associate called OMFspert. An experimental implementation of OFMspert, referred to as Ally, was developed. An empirical evaluation of Ally was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a supervisory control team consisting of a human operator and Ally versus a control team consisting of two human operators. The experiment was carried out in the GT-MSOCC (Georgia Tech MultiSatellite Operations Control Center) domain, a research tool consisting of a high fidelity implementation of the operator interface to a GSFC ground control system. The viewgraphs outline the experimental design, operator performance measures, and preliminary results.

Mitchell, Christine M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The automatic human

An overview is presented of the growth and role of automation in civil aircraft operations for both cockpit management and ground control. NASA has initiated a research program centered on furthering automation and developing a consistent and rational philosophy of human centered aircraft and air traffic control automation. Introduction of the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) has proved successful in bringing together pilots and ground controllers to report incidents of operational anomalies that can then be analyzed, leading to corrective action to prevent similar reoccurrences. Attention is given to the growing trend of extensive automation in the cockpit that appears to be leading to a diminution of management control of the aircraft by the decreasing number of flight crew members. A majority of reports indicate that there is a serious mismatch between new aircraft capabilities and ATC procedures, which were designed for older aircraft. ASRS has also kept research oriented toward real problems and community needs.

Billings, Charles↗
NASA NTRS1994

Seedling growth and development on space shuttle

Young pine seedlings, and mung bean and oat seeds were flown on shuttle flights, STS-3 and STS-51F, in March, 1982 and July/August, 1985, respectively. The plant growth units built to support the two experiments functioned mechanically as anticipated and provided the necessary support data. Pine seedlings exposed to the microgravity environment of the space shuttle for 8 days continued to grow at a rate similar to ground controls. Pine stems in flight seedlings, however, averaged 10 to 12% less lignin than controls. Flight mung beans grew slower than control beans and their stems contained about 25% less lignin than control seedlings. Reduced mung bean growth in microgravity was partly due to slower germination rate. Lignin also was reduced in flight oats as compared to controls. Oats and mung beans exhibited upward growing roots which were not observed in control seedlings. Chlorophyll A/B ratios were lower in flight tissues than controls. The sealed PGCs exhibited large variations in atmospheric gas composition but the changes were similar between flight and ground controls. Ethylene was present in low concentrations in all chambers.

Cowles, J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

An integrated software system for geometric correction of LANDSAT MSS imagery

A system for geometrically correcting LANDSAT MSS imagery includes all phases of processing, from receiving a raw computer compatible tape (CCT) to the generation of a corrected CCT (or UTM mosaic). The system comprises modules for: (1) control of the processing flow; (2) calculation of satellite ephemeris and attitude parameters, (3) generation of uncorrected files from raw CCT data; (4) creation, management and maintenance of a ground control point library; (5) determination of the image correction equations, using attitude and ephemeris parameters and existing ground control points; (6) generation of corrected LANDSAT file, using the equations determined beforehand; (7) union of LANDSAT scenes to produce and UTM mosaic; and (8) generation of output tape, in super-structure format.

Parada, N. D. J.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Robonaut 2 - Initial Activities On-Board the ISS

Robonaut 2, or R2, arrived on the International Space Station in February 2011 and is currently undergoing testing in preparation for it to become, initially, an Intra-Vehicular Activity (IVA) tool and then evolve into a system that can perform Extra-Vehicular Activities (EVA). After the completion of a series of system level checks to ensure that the robot traveled well on-board the Space Shuttle Atlantis, ground control personnel will remotely control the robot to perform free space tasks that will help characterize the differences between earth and zero-g control. For approximately one year, the fixed base R2 will perform a variety of experiments using a reconfigurable task board that was launched with the robot. While working side-by-side with human astronauts, Robonaut 2 will actuate switches, use standard tools, and manipulate Space Station interfaces, soft goods and cables. The results of these experiments will demonstrate the wide range of tasks a dexterous humanoid can perform in space and they will help refine the methodologies used to control dexterous robots both in space and here on earth. After the trial period that will evaluate R2 while on a fixed stanchion in the US Laboratory module, NASA plans to launch climbing legs that when attached to the current on-orbit R2 upper body will give the robot the ability to traverse through the Space Station and start assisting crew with general IVA maintenance activities. Multiple control modes will be evaluated in this extra-ordinary ISS test environment to prepare the robot for use during EVAs. Ground Controllers will remotely supervise the robot as it executes semi-autonomous scripts for climbing through the Space Station and interacting with IVA interfaces. IVA crew will locally supervise the robot using the same scripts and also teleoperate the robot to simulate scenarios with the robot working alone or as an assistant during space walks.

Diftler, M. A.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Benchmarking Computational Tools for Calling SNPs and Indels in Complex Microbial Populations

The NASA BioNutrients missions seek to understand the suitability of microorganisms for bioproduction during space flight. One topic of interest is the stability of microbial genomes during long-term ambient storage and subsequent rehydration and growth. To address these questions, samples from 8 species were flown to ISS for 5 years of desiccated storage at ambient temperature (Stasis Packs) and 2 species were packaged along with powdered media inside a bioreactor system to allow hydration and growth in microgravity (Production Packs). For both systems, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) of the DNA extracted from the returned samples and paired ground controls will be conducted to identify changes in genome stability due to time, storage conditions and growth in space. Across the technical replicates, ground controls, 10 timepoints, and multiple experimental conditions, ~300 samples have been selected for initial analysis with WGS sequencing to 100x coverage. A flexible and resource efficient mutation calling pipeline is needed to process this large dataset and allow for comparisons between species. Many bioinformatics tools for calling Indels and Single Nucleotide Variants (SNVs) are designed for use with pure isolates, where true variations from the reference genome are expected to dominate the reads aligning to the location of mutation. In contrast, DNA from the Stasis Pack (SP) samples was collected directly after recovery from desiccated storage and the Production Pack (PP) samples were collected after fermentation. In this context, reads with mutations are expected to be less frequent than reads that align with the reference genome, as each sample will include multiple lines of cells. Thus, BioNutrients samples are expected to be similar to samples from cancer cell or “pooled” sequencing approaches. In preparation for the analysis of the BioNutrients samples, we have tested three mutation calling tools (GATK for Microbes, BreSeq and DiscoSNP) designed for complex samples. A challenge of validating mutation identification pipelines is a lack of “Ground Truth” datasets, especially for complex samples. To compare these three tools, we sought to identify mutations in pre-existing WGS data collected from populations of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that were exposed to UV mutagenesis and growth in LEO as part of the Space Algae-1 mission. Here we present a summary of these tools against the analysis originally conducted using the CRISP tool. Critical metrics are compared such as runtime, the number of SNPs, the number and size of Indels, and patterns of transversion and transitions identified by each tool are reported. By sharing these benchmarking results collected in support of the BioNutrients mission, we aim to guide others seeking to identify SNVs in similarly complex microbial samples.

Biology↗
NASA NTRS2000

Effects of orbital spaceflight on human osteoblastic cell physiology and gene expression

During long-term spaceflight, astronauts lose bone, in part due to a reduction in bone formation. It is not clear, however, whether the force imparted by gravity has direct effects on bone cells. To examine the response of bone forming cells to weightlessness, human fetal osteoblastic (hFOB) cells were cultured during the 17 day STS-80 space shuttle mission. Fractions of conditioned media were collected during flight and shortly after landing for analyses of glucose utilization and accumulation of type I collagen and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). Total cellular RNA was isolated from flight and ground control cultures after landing. Measurement of glucose levels in conditioned media indicated that glucose utilization occurred at a similar rate in flight and ground control cultures. Furthermore, the levels of type I collagen and PGE(2) accumulation in the flight and control conditioned media were indistinguishable. The steady-state levels of osteonectin, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin messenger RNA (mRNA) were not significantly changed following spaceflight. Gene-specific reductions in mRNA levels for cytokines and skeletal growth factors were detected in the flight cultures using RNase protection assays. Steady-state mRNA levels for interleukin (IL)-1alpha and IL-6 were decreased 8 h following the flight and returned to control levels at 24 h postflight. Also, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(2) and TGF-beta(1) message levels were modestly reduced at 8 h and 24 h postflight, although the change was not statistically significant at 8 h. These data suggest that spaceflight did not significantly affect hFOB cell proliferation, expression of type I collagen, or PGE(2) production, further suggesting that the removal of osteoblastic cells from the context of the bone tissue results in a reduced ability to respond to weightlessness. However, spaceflight followed by return to earth significantly impacted the expression of cytokines and skeletal growth factors, which have been implicated as mediators of the bone remodeling cycle. It is not yet clear whether these latter changes were due to weightlessness or to the transient increase in loading resulting from reentry.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Lunar Explorer Instrument for space biology Applications (LEIA): An overview of planned science concept of operations

Radiation and reduced gravity pose biological risks to crewed deep space exploration. To better understand deep space radiation biology, the LEIA mission will measure charged particles and fast neutrons as well as yeast growth, metabolic rate, and bioengineered production of carotenoids at the lunar surface. LEIA will be delivered to the south polar region of the Moon by the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. The LEIA science concept of operations was developed to isolate radiation and partial gravity from other environmental conditions experienced by the payload. Due to CLPS integration requirements, there will be at least eight months from loading yeast into the payload until activation on the lunar surface. Replicate yeast strains will be loaded in a randomized complete block design to minimize batch differences in desiccation tolerance and positional effects in the microfluidics culture system. Temperature and relative humidity will be controlled throughout integration and flight to maintain yeast viability and to enable measurement of yeast growth parameters within the lunar surface operations timeframe, with the ground control matching environmental conditions where possible. LEIA is co-manifested with the European Space Agency’s PROSPECT mission, which will be operating a drill during yeast growth. Vibration translated through the lunar lander will be mitigated and quantified to account for potential impacts on LEIA optical measurements and yeast growth rate. Total space radiation dose, including the transit exposure from Earth to the Moon, will be measured to obtain more accurate charged particle and fast neutron dose rates on the lunar surface. These radiation data will also yield ground truth radiation dose experienced by the yeast during the mission. Quantifying these environmental factors impacting the LEIA payload will allow more accurate ground control experiments to better isolate the biological responses to radiation and reduced gravity at the lunar surface.

Lunar Surface Mission↗
NASA NTRS1972

Microbial response to space environment, part B

The performance of the microbial response to space environment experiment is considered excellent by all investigators. For most microbial systems, only preliminary survival data are available at this time. None of the available data indicate space flight-mediated changes in cell viability or recovery. One quite important observation has been made at this early date, however. The eggs produced after mice had been infected with N. dubius larvae demonstrated a significant decrease in hatchability when compared to identical ground controls. Except for the fact that the Apollo 16 flight larvae had been on board the command module, treatment of the flown larvae and ground control larvae was the same; neither had been exposed to UV irradiation. The significance and implications of this finding are currently being studied.

Taylor, G. R.↗