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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 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2016

An Independent Orbit Determination Simulation for the OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission

After arriving at the near-Earth asteroid (101955) Bennu in late 2018, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will execute a series of observation campaigns and orbit phases to accurately characterize Bennu and ultimately collect a sample of pristine regolith from its surface. While in the vicinity of Bennu, the OSIRIS-REx navigation team will rely on a combination of ground-based radiometric tracking data and optical navigation (OpNav) images to generate and deliver precision orbit determination products. Long before arrival at Bennu, the navigation team is performing multiple orbit determination simulations and thread tests to verify navigation performance and ensure interfaces between multiple software suites function properly. In this paper, we will summarize the results of an independent orbit determination simulation of the Orbit B phase of the mission performed to test the interface between the OpNav image processing and orbit determination software packages.

Orbit↗
NASA NTRS2000

Explosive Joining for the Mars Sample Return Mission

A unique, small-scale, ribbon explosive joining process is being developed as an option for closing and sealing a metal canister to allow the return of a pristine sample of the Martian surface and atmosphere to Earth. This joining process is accomplished by an explosively driven, high-velocity, angular collision of the metal, which melts and effaces the oxide films from the surfaces to allow valence electron sharing to bond the interface. Significant progress has been made through more than 100 experimental tests to meet the goals of this ongoing developmental effort. The metal of choice, aluminum alloy 6061, has been joined in multiple interface configurations and in complete cylinders. This process can accommodate dust and debris on the surfaces to be joined. It can both create and sever a joint at its midpoint with one explosive input. Finally, an approach has been demonstrated that can capture the back blast from the explosive.

Bement, Laurence J.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Lessons Learned from the Stardust Sample Return Mission

These are science and mission design and operations lessons learned from the Stardust Mission, which returned grains from comet Wild-2 and fresh interstellar dust to Earth in 2006 [1]. Science Lessons: Major discoveries of the Stardust Wild-2 samples include the presence of numerous chondrules and CAI in a comet, which requires a much more dynamic early solar system than many had envisaged, and verified predictions made by models requiring outward flow of early solar system solids before the early nebular gas had dissipated [1-3]. No evidence has been found for the presence of live Al-26 in the comet, suggesting late accretion [4]. Carbonates and unusual sulfides were found which potentially require activity of liquid water within the comet, but to only a minor degree at best [5-6]. The presence of abundant thermally-metamorphosed silicates in Wild-2 appears to require assembly from an earlier generation of bodies [7]. The abundance of presolar grains in the Wild-2 samples appears to be below what has been found in most chondritic IDPs and primitive chondrites [1]. The bulk mineralogy of Wild-2 grains does not match the mineralogy from any single other known astromaterial [7], and is also strikingly unlike that inferred from Spitzer Telescope spectra of Comet Temple 1 dust [8]. Amino acids and other fragile organics have been detected among the Wild-2 samples [9], which highlights the critical importance of further developing techniques for organic analysis in small samples, and cleaning outbound spacecraft.

Zolensky, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Mars Sample Return Mission Design

The impetus for this Workshop comes from NASA and the Administration's request of funds from Congress for an ambitious, long-term Mars exploration program that includes the return of samples from Mars. This paper will describe that program, the science strategy behind it, and key aspects relevant to this Workshop.

Adler, Mark↗
NASA NTRS1989

The case for planetary sample return missions. 2. History of Mars

Principal science goals for exploration of Mars are to establish the chemical, isotopic, and physical state of Martian material, the nature of major surface-forming processes and their time scales, and the past and present biological potential of the planet. Many of those goals can only be met by detailed analyses of atmospheric gases and carefully selected samples of fresh rocks, weathered rocks, soils, sediments, and ices. The high-fidelity mineral separations, complex chemical treatments, and ultrasensitive instrument systems required for key measurements, as well as the need to adapt analytical strategies to unanticipated results, point to Earth-based laboratory analyses on returned Martian samples as the best means for meeting the stated objectives.

NASA Center ARC↗
NASA NTRS2020

Thermal Decomposition of the Murchison CM2 Carbonaceous Chondrite: Implications of Space Weathering Processes for Sample Return Missions

Primitive carbonaceous asteroids are the target bodies for the JAXA Hayabusa2 mission to Ryugu and the NASA OSIRIS-REx mission to Bennu. Both asteroids share spectral characteristics of CI/CM type carbonaceous chondrites. Ryugu, in particular, appears to have undergone thermal processing that has modified its spectral properties. The nature and extent of space weathering processes on the surfaces of Bennu and Ryugu are under active investigation using remote sensing data from the missions [4] and through laboratory studies on analog materials. The analog studies are needed in order to understand the mineralogical and chemical changes that occur in space weathered samples that give rise to the observed optical effects measured by remote-sensing and to prepare for the analysis of returned samples. The space weathering effects of micrometeorite impact and solar wind irradiation on primitive carbonaceous chondrites have been simulated by analog studies on the Murchison CM2 chondrite. We performed a coordinated mineralogical, chemical and spectroscopic study to examine in detail the effects of thermal metamorphism on Murchison samples as an analog to processes that may have occurred on Ryugu. The bulk measurements including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Mössbauer spectroscopy, UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and evolved gas analysis are reported in a companion paper. Here we report on our preliminary nanoscale mineralogical and chemical analyses of pre- and post-heated Murchison samples using multiple electron beam techniques to understand how the mineralogical, chemical, and physical characteristics of carbonaceous chondrites change with increasing thermal effects.

Lee, S.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Earth Entry Requirements for Mars, Europa and Enceladus Sample Return Missions: A Thermal Protection System Perspective

This oral presentation will be given at the 13th International Planetary Probe Workshop on June 14th, 2016 and will cover the drivers for reliability and the challenges faced in selecting and designing the thermal protection system (TPS). In addition, an assessment is made on new emerging TPS related technologies that could help with designs to meet the planetary protection requirements to prevent backward (Earth) contamination by biohazardous samples.

Earth Entry↗
NASA NTRS2004

NASA STARDUST Sample Return Mission

This viewgraph presentation reviews the Stardust mission. The objectives of the mission is to rendezvous with the Wild 2 comet, and using a specially designed aerogel capture some of the cometary material, and then return a capsule with the material to Earth. Other objectives are to provide images of the comet, and capture interstellar dust. There is a description of the aerogel, the trajectory, and views of the Stardust Sample Return Capsule (SRC), Cometary and Interstellar Dust Analyzer (CIDA) instrument, and the JPL designed camera. Also included is a timeline of the projected release of data to the Planetary Data System.

Wild 2↗
NASA NTRS2011

Sample Return Missions Where Contamination Issues are Critical: Genesis Mission Approach

The Genesis Mission, sought the challenging analytical goals of accurately and precisely measuring the elemental and isotopic composition of the Sun to levels useful for planetary science, requiring sensitivities of ppm to ppt in the outer 100 nm of collector materials. Analytical capabilities were further challenged when the hard landing in 2004 broke open the canister containing the super-clean collectors. Genesis illustrates that returned samples allow flexibility and creativity to recover from setbacks.

Allton, Judith H.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The ridged plains as a possible landing site for the Mars sample return mission

Differences in the shape and density of crater size-frequency distribution curves have been interpreted as indicators of different impactor populations. Within the inner solar system two production populations are seen. The signature of the first is recorded in the heavily cratered regions of the Moon, Mercury, and Mars and displays a multi-sloped distribution curve which cannot be described by a power law function at all crater diameters. The signature of the second population is seen in the lightly cratered lunar and Martian plains, where the size-frequency distribution curve can be approximated by a power law function of -3 differential slope in the 8- to 70-km diameter range. Based on data obtained from the Apollo lunar samples and crater flux estimates, the first population is believed to have been emplaced during the period of heavy bombardment which, at least on the Moon, ended about 3.8 BY ago. The second population has dominated the cratering record since that time and is commonly assumed to be due to comets and asteroids.

Barlow, Nadine G.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Terrestrial quarantine considerations for unmanned sample return missions

For the purpose of understanding some of the possible implications of a terrestrial quarantine constraint on a mission and for developing a basic approach which can be used to demonstrate compliance beyond that developed for Apollo, a terrestrial quarantine study was performed. It is shown that some of the basic tools developed and used by the planetary quarantine community have applicability to terrestrial quarantine analysis. By using these tools, it is concluded that: (1) the method of biasing the earth aiming point when returning from the planet is necessary but, by itself, may not satisfy terrestrial quarantine constraints; and (2) spacecraft and container design significantly influence contamination transfer.

Hoffman, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Mars surface-to-orbit vehicles for sample return missions

Review of the results of a Mars surface-to-orbit launch vehicle study using an upgraded atmospheric density profile and an ascent trajectory optimization program. Orbit insertion was achieved with velocity losses less than those found in an earlier study. Values of thrust-to-mass ratio which minimize velocity losses for dual-burn vehicles were found to be significantly greater than the values of thrust-to-launch-mass ratio for the minimum-velocity-loss continuous-burn vehicle. The use of a two-stage solid-propellant vehicle employing a spin-stabilized second stage offers an attractive design option for a Mars surface-to-orbit launch vehicle.

Weaver, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Design integration of aerocapture and aeromaneuver vehicles for a Mars sample return mission

The concept of using an aerocapture vehicle for Mars and other planetary missions is a technology that yields significant fuel savings. This concept uses the planet's atmosphere to dissipate excess velocity of the entry vehicle allowing it to go into orbit. A conceptual design integration study of two configurations of aerocapture vehicles which can make an aerodynamically controlled entry has been made. The first configuration contains the existing Viking type Lander and an Orbiter. The second spacecraft is more general in payload and could be used to place an Orbiter and a Lander on other planets with a single aeroshell.

Hassett, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Mars Rover Sample Return mission study

The Mars Rover/Sample Return mission is examined as a precursor to a manned mission to Mars. The value of precursor missions is noted, using the Apollo lunar program as an example. The scientific objectives of the Mars Rover/Sample Return mission are listed and the basic mission plans are described. Consideration is given to the options for mission design, launch configurations, rover construction, and entry and lander design. Also, the potential for international cooperation on the Mars Rover/Sample Return mission is discussed.

Bourke, Roger D.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Scientific objectives of the primitive body sample return missions: An approach from the light-induced effect on water vapor

Water is undoubtedly one of the most crucial components of the solar nebula for determining planetary composition: planets were formed from the accretion of the dust particles in the nebula, and the redox state of Fe in the particles can be determined by the reaction of Fe with water vapor diffused into the interior of the particle in the early stage of solar system formation. It has been discussed from various observations that the cores of Mercury, Venus, and the Earth might be metallic Fe, although the core of the Earth may be somewhat oxidized by the high pressure and temperature reaction of liquid Fe with perovskite at the boundary of the mantle and the core, whereas the core of Mars may be highly oxidized, as suggested by its low density. Isotopic anomalies of various elements have frequently been observed in the solar system (in planetary atmospheres and in meteorites) and some of them can be attributed to the injection of exotic particles formed in other stars into the solar nebula. Hydrogen and D anomalies in planetary atmospheres were frequently believed to correlate with the differential escape of H and D from the exospheres of Venus and Mars, although no one knows the primordial D/H ratios before thermal escape. This paper explains the decrease of the observed D/H ratios with distance from the sun by considering the light-induced drift effect to displace H2(16)O alone to the outside in the solar nebula.

Shimizu, Mikio↗