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At least 217 records · Page 12

Mission Design Overview for Mars 2003/2005 Sample Return Mission

In May 2003, a new and exciting chapter in Mars exploration will begin with the launch of the first of three spacecraft that will collectively contribute toward the goal of delivering samples from the Red Planet to Earth. This mission is called Mars Sample Return (MSR) and will utilize both the 2003 and 2005 launch opportunities with an expected sample return in October 2008. NASA and CNES are major partners in this mission. The baseline mission mode selected for MSR is Mars orbit rendezvous (MOR), analogous in concept to the lunar orbit rendezvous (LOR) mode used for Apollo in the 1960s. Specifically, MSR will employ two NASA-provided landers of nearly identical design and one CNES-provided orbiter carrying a NASA payload of rendezvous sensors, orbital capture mechanisms, and an Earth entry vehicle (EEV). The high-level concept is that the landers will launch surface samples into Mars orbit, and the orbiter will retrieve the samples in orbit and then carry them back to Earth. The first element to depart for Mars will be one of the two landers. Currently, it is proposed that an intermediate class launch vehicle, such as the Boeing Delta 3 or Lockheed Martin Atlas 3A, will launch this 1800-kg lander from Cape Canaveral during the May 2003 opportunity. The lander will utilize a Type-1 transfer trajectory with an arrival at Mars in mid-December 2003. Landing will be aided by precision approach navigation and a guided hypersonic entry to achieve a touchdown accuracy of 10 km or better. Although the exact landing site has not yet been determined, it is estimated that lander resource constraints will limit the site to between 15 degrees north and south latitudes. Following touchdown, the lander will deploy a six-wheeled, 60-kg rover carrying an extensive suite of instruments designed to aid in the analysis of the local terrain and collection of core samples from selected rocks. The surface mission is currently designed around a concept called the surface traverse. Each traverse will involve the rover exploring a selected area of terrain up to 100 meters from the lander, the collection of rock core samples, and the delivery of the samples from the traverse back to a sample canister on the lander. Planning estimates indicate that up to three traverses may be possible during the expected 90-sol lifetime of the lander. The canister that will receive the samples from the rover will be attached to the top stage of a small solid-fueled rocket mounted to the deck of the lander. This rocket is called the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) and consists of three stages weighing a total of about 140 kg. After the conclusion of the surface mission, the MAV will lift-off and insert the sample canister into a near-circular orbit with an altitude of about 600 km and inclination of 45 degrees. The sample canister will wait in this orbit until it is retrieved by the orbiter sometime in early 2007. In August 2005, the second lander and a CNES-provided orbiter weighing 2700 kg will depart for Mars. Currently, it is proposed that a single Ariane 5 provided by CNES will launch both of these two elements onto a Type-2 transfer trajectory. Although the orbiter and lander will be launched together, they will separate shortly after injection and will fly to Mars as two independent spacecraft. However, both spacecraft will perform a maneuver between 10 and 15 days after launch so that their arrival times at Mars differ by between 12 and 24 hours. This scheme will reduce the operational complexity at the encounter date. A set of four 60-kg surface probes will ride piggyback on the orbiter to Mars. These CNES-provided probes are called Netlanders and will serve as surface stations for scientific investigations independent of the Mars Sample Return goals. Starting approximately one month prior to arrival at Mars, the orbiter will begin to release the Netlanders one at a time. Each release cycle will take several days, and will include time for precision navigation to execute one or two maneuvers that will target the Netlanders to their proper landing site. All four deployment cycles will be completed prior to 10 days before arrival. Both the orbiter and lander will arrive in late-July 2006. Upon arrival, the lander will perform a precision landing and surface mission similar in concept to the one that was executed during the 2003 opportunity. Although the landing site for the 2005 opportunity has not been selected, it is expected to be different from the 2003 site to enhance the diversity of the collected samples. The orbiter's arrival at Mars will be highlighted by the first use of aerocapture to insert a spacecraft into a capture orbit around another planet. The choice of aerocapture, as opposed to a propulsive orbit insertion, was considered mission enabling due to a reduction of over 2000 m/s in mission AV. Aerocapture will be targeted to produce a 250 km x 1400 km capture orbit with an inclination of 45 degrees. Current analysis indicates that achieving this goal will require approximately six minutes of flight deep in the atmosphere with a targeted periapsis of approach of about 43 km. After factoring into account the penalty for carrying a heat shield to survive aerocapture, the net savings compared to a propulsive orbital insertion amounts to several hundred kilograms.

Lee, Wayne J.↗

The expected morphology of the solar system planetary nebula

We examine the evolution of Jupiter's orbit as the Sun evolves to form a planetary nebula. We use an orbital synchronization mechanism, which was proposed by Tassoul (1987, ApJ, 322, 856), and find that Jupiter is likely to deposit a substantial fraction of its orbital angular momentum, in spinning-up the Sun, when the latter is on the upper Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB). This amount of angular momentum is likely to cause some small degree of axisymmetric mass loss from the Sun. In this case, the Sun will form an elliptical planetary nebula. The formation of elliptical planetary nebulae with the influence of massive planets and brown dwarfs, may explain the large fraction of elliptical planetary nebulae among the total number of planetary nebulae known today.

Soker, Noam↗

Liquid helium pumps for in-orbit transfer

Both mechanical and fountain-effect pumps are being considered for use in the in-orbit resupply of superfluid helium to a number of scientific instrument systems. This paper presents a review of the operating characteristics of these pumps. Particular emphasis will be given to the different methods of evaluating the efficiency of these pumps and their effectiveness in a transfer system.

Kittel, P.↗

Preliminary Evaluation of Greases for Space Mechanisms Using a Vacuum Spiral Orbit Tribometer

Most currently used greases for space applications are based on perfluoropolyalkylethers (PFPE) and multiply alkylated cyclopentane (MAC) oils. Evaluation of the greases includes outgassing properties, rheological behavior, and particularly the ability to create EHL films under conditions as close as possible to an actual application. A spiral orbit tribometer (SOT) has been developed to conduct accelerated tests under realistic conditions. The SOT was employed to evaluate two greases used in space mechanisms: a PFPE oil with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) thickener, and a multiply alkylated cyclopentane oil with n-octadecylterephthalamate soap. The results from the greases are in agreement with results previously obtained with the base oils.

Marchetti, Mario↗

Astrodynamics. Volume 1 - Orbit determination, space navigation, celestial mechanics.

Essential navigational, physical, and mathematical problems of space exploration are covered. The introductory chapters dealing with conic sections, orientation, and the integration of the two-body problem are followed by an introduction to orbit determination and design. Systems of units and constants, as well as ephemerides, representations, reference systems, and data are then dealt with. A detailed attention is given to rendezvous problems and to differential processes in observational orbit correction, and in rendezvous or guidance correction. Finally, the Laplacian methods for determining preliminary orbits, and the orbit methods of Lagrange, Gauss, and Gibbs are reviewed.

Herrick, S.↗

Coherent spin wave excitation with radio-frequency spin–orbit torque

Spin waves, collective perturbations of magnetic moments, are both fundamental probes for magnetic physics and promising candidates for energy-efficient signal processing and computation. Traditionally, coherent propagating spin waves have been generated by radio frequency (RF) inductive Oersted fields from current-carrying electrodes. An alternative mechanism, spin–orbit torque (SOT), offers more localized excitation through interfacial spin accumulation but has been mostly limited to DC to kHz frequencies. SOT driven by RF currents, with potentially enhanced pumping efficiency and unique spin dynamics, remains largely unexplored, especially in magnetic insulators. Here, we conduct a comprehensive theoretical and computational investigation into the generation of coherent spin waves via RF-SOT in the prototypical yttrium iron garnet. We characterize the excitation of forward volume, backward volume, and surface modes in both linear and nonlinear regimes, employing single and interdigitated electrode configurations. We reveal and explain several unique and surprising features of RF-SOT compared to inductive excitation, including higher efficiency, distinct mode selectivity, and directional symmetry, a ~ $3π/4$ phase offset, reduced anharmonic distortion in the nonlinear regime, and the absence of second harmonic generation. These insights position RF-SOT as a promising new mechanism for future magnonic and spintronic applications.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

MOPITT Mechanisms 16 Years In-Orbit Operation on TERRA

The 16th anniversary of the launch of NASA's Terra Spacecraft was marked on December 18, 2015, with the Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) instrument being a successful contributor to the NASA EOS flagship. MOPITT has been enabled by a large suite of mechanisms, allowing the instrument to perform long-duration monitoring of atmospheric carbon monoxide, providing global measurements of this important greenhouse gas for 16 years. Mechanisms have been successfully employed for scanning, cooling of detectors, and to optically modulate the gas path length within the instrument by means of pressure and gas cell length variation. The instrument utilizes these devices to perform correlation spectroscopy, enabling measurements with vertical resolution from the nadir view, and has thereby furthered understanding of source and global transport effects of carbon monoxide. Given the design requirement for a 5.25-year lifetime, the stability and performance of the majority of mechanisms have far surpassed design goals. With 16 continuously operating mechanisms in service on MOPITT, including 12 rotating mechanisms and 4 with linear drive elements, the instrument was an ambitious undertaking. The long life requirements combined with demands for cleanliness and optical stability made for difficult design choices including that of the selection of new lubrication processes. Observations and lessons learned with regards to many aspects of the mechanisms and associated monitoring devices are discussed here. Mechanism behaviors are described, including anomalies, long-term drive current/power, fill pressure, vibration and cold-tip temperature trends. The effectiveness of particular lubrication formulations and the screening method implemented is discussed in relation to continuous rotating mechanisms and stepper motors, which have exceeded 15 billon rotations and 2.5 billion steps respectively. Aspects of gas cell hermeticity, optical cleanliness, heater problems and SEU effects on accelerometers are also discussed.

Gibson, Andrew S.↗

Deterministic representation of chaos in classical dynamics

Chaos in an Anosov-type mechanical system is eliminated by referring the governing equations to a specially selected rapidly oscillating (non-inertial) frame of reference in which the stabilization effect is caused by inertia forces. The result is generalized to any orbitally unstable mechanical system.

Zak, M.↗

Mechanical properties of silicate glasses exposed to a low-Earth orbit

The effects of a 5.8 year exposure to low earth orbit environment upon the mechanical properties of commercial optical fused silica, low iron soda-lime-silica, Pyrex 7740, Vycor 7913, BK-7, and the glass ceramic Zerodur were examined. Mechanical testing employed the ASTM-F-394 piston on 3-ball method in a liquid nitrogen environment. Samples were exposed on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) in two locations. Impacts were observed on all specimens except Vycor. Weibull analysis as well as a standard statistical evaluation were conducted. The Weibull analysis revealed no differences between control samples and the two exposed samples. We thus concluded that radiation components of the Earth orbital environment did not degrade the mechanical strength of the samples examined within the limits of experimental error. The upper bound of strength degradation for meteorite impacted samples based upon statistical analysis and observation was 50 percent.

Wiedlocher, David E.↗

Observation of two cascading screening processes in an iron-based superconductor

Understanding how renormalized quasiparticles emerge in strongly correlated electron materials provides a challenge for both experiment and theory. It has been predicted that distinctive spin and orbital screening mechanisms drive this process in multiorbital materials with strong Coulomb and Hund’s interactions. Here, we provide the experimental evidence of both mechanisms from angle- resolved photoemission spectroscopy on RbFe 2 As 2 . We observe that the emergence of low-energy Fe 3d xy quasiparticles below 90K coincides with spin screening. A second process changes the spectral weight at high energies up to room temperature. Supported by theoretical calculations we attribute it to orbital screening of Fe 3d atomic excitations. These two cascading screening processes drive the temperature evolution from a bad metal to a correlated Fermi liquid.

Condensed-matter physics↗

Space Shuttle Orbiter - Leading edge structural design/analysis and material allowables

Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC), a structural composite whose development was targeted for the high temperature reentry environments of reusable space vehicles, has successfully demonstrated that capability on the Space Shuttle Orbiter. Unique mechanical properties, particularly at elevated temperatures up to 3000 F, make this material ideally suited for the 'hot' regions of multimission space vehicles. Design allowable characterization testing, full-scale development and qualification testing, and structural analysis techniques will be presented herein that briefly chart the history of the RCC material from infancy to eventual multimission certification for the Orbiter. Included are discussions pertaining to the development of the design allowable data base, manipulation of the test data into usable forms, and the analytical verification process.

Johnson, D. W.↗

Landsat - An unmanned space platform

Landsats 4 and 5, the latest in the series of unmanned earth observation satellites, are used as the space platform for two remote sensing, mechanical scanning instruments: the multispectral scanner (MSS) and the recently developed thematic mapper (TM). The primary objective of the experimental portion of the Landsat 4 and 5 missions is to assess the capability of the TM to provide improved information relative to the MSS.The higher spatial resolution of the TM over the MSS requires a higher degree of flight segment attitude stability than the earlier Landsats; therefore, a more stable, low-orbit space platform must be provided. This paper describes the orbital, electrical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics of Landsat 4 and 5 flight segment with special emphasis on the TM and MSS interfaces. Also described are flight segment disturbances caused by the TM and MSS scanning mirrors, motion from the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) antenna, solar array, and the attitude control system (ACS).

Schulman, J. R.↗

Magnetic docking aid for orbiter to ISS docking

The present docking system for the Orbiter uses mechanical capture latches that are actuated by contact forces. The forces are generated when the two approaching masses collide at the docking mechanism. There is always a trade-off between having high enough momentum to effect capture and low enough momentum to avoid structural overload or unacceptable angular displacements. The use of the present docking system includes a contact thrusting maneuver that causes high docking loads to be included into Space Station. A magnetic docking aid has been developed to reduce the load s during docking. The magnetic docking aid is comprised of two extendible booms that are attached adjacent to the docking structure with electromagnets attached on the end of the boom. On the mating vehicle, two steel plates are attached. As the Orbiter approaches Space Station, the booms are extended, and the magnets attach to the actuated (without thrusting), by slowly driving the extendible booms to the stowed position, thus reacting the load into the booms. This results in a docking event that has lower loads induced into Space Station structure. This method also greatly simplifies the Station berthing tasks, since the Shuttle Remote Manipulation System (SRMS) arm need only place the element to be berthed on the magnets (no load required), rather than firing the Reaction Control System (RCS) jets to provide the required force for capture latch actuation. The Magnetic Docking Aid was development testing on a six degree-of-freedom (6 DOF) system at JSC.

Schneider, William C.↗

Orbital Winch for High-Strength, Space-Survivable Tethers

An Orbital Winch mechanism enables high-load, multi-line tethers to be deployed and retracted without rotating the spool on which the tether is wound. To minimize damage to the tether and the wound package during retraction or deployment under load, it can incorporate a Tension Management Module that reduces the infeed tension by a factor of 15 through the use of a powered capstan with guide rollers. This design eliminates the need for rotating high-voltage electrical connections in tether systems that use propellantless electro-dynamic propulsion. It can also eliminate the need for rotating optical connections in applications where the tether contains optical fibers. This winch design was developed to deploy a 15-km-long, 15-kg high-strength Hoytether structure incorporating conductive wires as part of the MXER-1 demonstration mission concept. Two slewing rings that orbit around the tether spool, combined with translation of one of the slewing rings back and forth along the spool axis to traverse the wind point, enables the winch to wind the tether. Variations of the traverse motion of the slewing ring can accomplish level winds and conical pirn winds. By removing the non-traversing slewing ring, and adding an actuated guide arm, the winch can manage rapid, low-drag deployment of a tether off the end of a pirn-wound spool, followed by controlled retraction and rewinding, in a manner very similar to a spin-casting reel. The winch requires at least two motor driver controller units to coordinate the action of two stepper motors to accomplish tether deployment or retraction.

Hoyt, Robert↗