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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

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NASA NTRS1980

Solar electric propulsion - A versatile stage for earth orbiting missions

The paper examines recent developments in solar array and ion propulsion systems which make possible the utilization of readily available solar energy for spacecraft propulsion and operation. The Solar Electric Propulsion System (SEPS) stage represents a substantial increase in capability to perform interplanetary and earth orbiting missions due to the combination of high performance and low thrust. SEPS is an important augmentation to the Space Transportation System (STS) for numerous earth orbit missions because it can deliver a greatly increased total satellite mass to a geosynchronous orbit or greatly increase the on-orbit delta V capability.

Smith, D. D.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Space Telescope - A versatile new instrument

The design, in-orbit operation and projected performance of the Space Telescope are discussed. The telescope will be in a moderately low earth orbit and communicate with the earth through the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite and directly for a few minutes each orbit. The optical system contains a 2.4-m mirror in a standard Cassegrain configuration, with four axial instrument positions and one radial and a fine guidance sensor which will allow the maintenance of telescope pointing during an observation to seven thousandths of an arcsec. The satellite will be launched by the Space Shuttle, and is capable of being serviced in space or recaptured and brought back to earth for more extensive modifications. The telescope employs a fairly standard Ritchey-Chretian optical design with a primary field of view of 18 arcmin and good mirror reflection of wavelengths from 1100 A to 1 mm. Image quality will be very insensitive to wavelength, with image size on the order of 0.04 arcsec. Instruments to be carried on the first launch include a guidance system for astrometry, a wide-field and planetary camera, a faint object camera, a high resolution spectrograph, a faint object spectrograph and a high-speed photometer.

Roman, N.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Highly versatile computer-controlled television detector system

A description is presented of a television detector system which has been designed to accommodate a wide range of applications. It is currently being developed for use in X-ray diffraction, X-ray astrophysics, and electron microscopy, but it is also well suited for astronomical observations. The image can be integrated in a large, high-speed memory system, in the memory of a computer system, or the target of the TV tube or CCD array. The detector system consists of a continuously scanned, intensified SIT vidicon with scan and processing electronics which generate a digital image that is integrated in the detector memory. Attention is given to details regarding the camera system, scan control and image processing electronics, the memory system, and aspects of detector performance.

Kalata, K.↗

NASA NTRS1984

A versatile structure for GAS payloads

A strong, square cross-section, central column to which experimental and accessory compartments are attached is described. The attachment may be by direct bolting or through vibration and/or thermal isolators, as needed. Structural and thermal characteristics are evaluated.

Punwani, K. G.↗

NASA NTRS1983

A versatile ground data display system for Spacelab experiments

A microprocessor-based data capture and display system suited to the needs of many Spacelab experimenters is described. Although developed specifically for the needs of the FAUST UV astronomy telescope, several features of the system may make it attractive to other groups who need to interact with their Spacelab data in real or near-real time. The display system captures data from the serial data stream originating in the Spacelab experiment computer input/output (ECIO) data channel, and can reformat and display several hundred variables per second in real time. The system offers a combination of CRT display and analog paper strip-chart output. A facility is also provided for simultaneously creating floppy-disk records of short segments of data according to prearranged criteria, to allow detailed examination of critical events in the operation of the experiment. The simplicity, economy, reliability, and flexibility of the display system suggest its use for monitoring a variety of low- and medium-data-rate Spacelab experiments.

Werthimer, D.↗

NASA NTRS1984

The versatile array

A four-element, nonredundant array telescope-interferometer for ground use is discussed. The elements are 8-meter mirrors, and the maximum array spacing and two element spacing are 75 m and of 108 m, respectively. The array may be used as three separate telescopes, one of 11.3 m and two of 8 m, for work not requiring highest angular resolution. The problems of making speckle measures to high enough precision for synthetic images to be produced are discussed. It is shown that the high resolution presents opportunities for making types of observation that are possible with neither the VLBA nor the National New Technology Telescope.

Woolf, N. J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Versatile X-Ray Telescope

Proposed telescope for x-rays and extreme ultraviolet rays features high spectral and spatial resolution. Basic x-ray telescope includes glancing-incidence, two-element primary reflector and concave, off-axis ellipsoidal secondary reflector. Different versions of telescope obtained by use of different reflector and detector configurations.

Hoover, R. B.↗

NASA NTRS1987

A versatile and low order hybrid stress element for general shell geometry

A hybrid stress general shell element is developed based on the Hellinger-Reissner principle modified for relaxed element compatibility conditions. The element is based on a consistent first order thin shell theory with Love Kirchhoff hypotheses. It is of quadrilateral shape with only four corner nodes and five degrees of freedom per node. The geometry of the element is approximated through a bi-cubic polynomial surface patch. Numerical examples consist of torsion-loaded slit cylinder and pinched cylinder with open ends and rigid diaphragmed ends. Also, the representation of the rigid body motion is studied by series of parametric eigenvalue analysis of the stiffness matrix.

Kang, David S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Science Research Facilities - Versatility for Space Station

The Space Station Science Lab Module (SLM) and its interfaces are designed to minimize complexity and maximize user accommodations. The facilities provided encompass life sciences research, the control of external payloads, the servicing of customer equipment, and general scientific investigations. The SLM will have the unprecedented ability to diagnose, service, and replace equipment while in orbit. In addition, the SLM will have significant operational advantages over previous spacecraft in terms of available volume, power, and crew interaction possibilities.

Giannovario, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

The versatility of a truss mounted mobile transporter for in-space construction

The Mobile Transporter (MT) evolution from early erectable structures assembly activities is detailed. The MT operational features which are required to support astronauts performing on-orbit structure construction or spacecraft assembly functions are presented and discussed. Use of the MT to perform a variety of assembly functions is presented. Estimated EVA assembly times for a precision segmented reflector approximately 20 m in diameter are presented. The EVA/MT technique under study for construction of the reflector (and the entire spacecraft) is illustrated. Finally, the current status of development activities and test results involving the MT and Space Station structural assembly are presented.

Bush, Harold G.↗

NASA NTRS1988

A versatile power converter for high-frequency link systems

A single-phase HF link appears to be an attractive alternative to the dc link commonly used in power conversion systems. Here, a power converter suitable for one-step conversion of the single-phase HF link voltage to the three-phase LF voltages typically required for interfacing with system sources and loads is proposed. The converter utilizes zero-voltage switching principles to minimize switching losses and an easy-to-implement technique of pulse-density modulation for the control of the amplitude, frequency, and waveshape of the synthesized LF signals. Adaptation of the proposed topology for power conversion to single-phase ac and dc voltage or current outputs is shown to be straightforward. The feasibility of the proposed power circuit and the control technique has been experimentally verified.

Sood, Pradeep K.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Design of a Versatile, Teleoperable, Towable Lifting Machine with Robotic Capabilities for Use in Nasa's Lunar Base Operations

The lifting machine will assist in lifting cargo off of landers sent to the Moon and in the construction of a lunar base. Three possible designs were considered for the overall configuration of the lifting machine: the variable angle crane, the tower crane, and the gantry crane. Alternate designs were developed for the major components of the lifting machine. A teleoperable, variable angle crane was chosen as its final design. The design consists of a telescoping boom mounted to a chassis that is supported by two conical wheels for towing and four outriggers for stability. Attached to the end of the boom is a seven degree of freedom robot arm for light, dexterous, lifting operations. A cable and hook suspends from the end of the boom for heavy, gross, lifting operations. Approximate structural sizes were determined for the lifter and its components. However, further analysis is needed to determine the optimum design dimensions. The design team also constructed a model of the design which demonstrates its features and operating principals.

Harris, Elizabeth↗

NASA NTRS1990

The versatility of a truss mounted mobile transporter for in-space construction

Bush, Harold G.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Servomotor-Linked Articulated Versatile End Effector (SLAVE2)

A strategy is presented for the design and construction of a large master/slave-controlled, five-finger robotic hand. Each of the five fingers will possess four independent axes each driven by a brushless DC servomotor and, thus, four degrees-of-freedom. It is proposed that commercially available components be utilized as much as possible to fabricate a working laboratory model of the device with an anticipated overall length of approximately three feet (0.9 m). The fingers are to be designed to accommodate proximity, tactile, or force/torque sensors imbedded in their structure. In order to provide for the simultaneous control of the operator wears a specially instrumented glove which produces control signals corresponding to the finger configuration and which is capable of conveying sensor feedback signals to the operator. Two dexterous hand master devices are currently commercially available for this application with both undergoing continuing development.

Ajayi-Majebi, Abayomi J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Development of a versatile laser light scattering instrument

NASA Lewis Research Center is providing and coordinating the technology for placing a compact Laser Light Scattering (LLS) instrument in a microgravity environment. This will be accomplished by defining and assessing user requirements for microgravity experiments, coordinating needed technological developments, and filling technical gaps. This effort is striving to brassboard and evaluate a miniature multi-angle LLS instrument. The progress of the program is reported.

Meyer, William V.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A versatile get away special furnace for materials processing in space

A furnace suitable for performing a variety of high-temperature materials science experiments, including crystal growth in the microgravity of Shuttle orbit, has been developed by GTE Laboratories under the sponsorship of NASA Lewis Research Center. It has been designed for use in NASA's Get Away Special (GAS), small self-contained payload program. A prototype has been designed, built, installed in a simulated GAS container, purged with argon, and used for a series of characterization tests. Also, it was outfitted twice with high-temperature GaAs crystal growth charges and used to successfully grow both. Two different GAS payload configurations have been outlined; one is entirely self-contained and includes one furnace; the other requires external power but incorporates 3 furnaces and their control systems.

Bellows, A. H.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Versatile Lightweight Ladder

Proposed multipurpose escape-and-rescue device primarily ladder but also used as escape chute, stretcher, or float. Ladder fabricated as single composite piece, with staggered openings for feet and an integral handrail. Foot openings designed less likely to cause injuries by jamming one's hands, arms, and legs between ladder and structure on which mounted. Quick-release fasteners used for mounting.

Breen, Clarence F.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Versatile dynamic isotope power systems for the exploration of space

Dynamic, isotope-heated power systems are needed to carry out the exploration of space and are major elements identified by NASA for the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI). The Dynamic Isotope Power System (DIPS) Demonstration Program is aimed at establishing the advanced technology as well as the system designs and hardware for the SEI and other exploratory missions. Several conceptual designs of DIPS systems have been developed to provide compact, reliable, and long-lived power systems.

Johnson, Richard A.↗