SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Energy Planning”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1978

Low energy stage study. Volume 1: Executive summary

Cost effective approaches for placing automated payloads into circular and elliptical orbits using energy requirements significantly lower than that provided by the smallest, currently planned shuttle upper stage, SSUS-D, were investigated. Launch costs were derived using both NASA existing/planned launch approaches as well as new propulsion concepts meeting low-energy regime requirements. Candidate new propulsion approaches considered were solid (tandem, cluster, and controlled), solid/liquid combinations and all-liquid stages. Results show that the most economical way to deliver the 129 low energy payloads is basically with a new modular, short liquid bipropellant stage system for the large majority of the payloads. For the remainder of the payloads, use the shuttle with integral OMS and the Scout form for a few specialized payloads until the Shuttle becomes operational.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2004

Maximizing Science Capability for Far-Infrared Space Missions

The far-infrared and submillimeter region (20 microns-800 microns) has perhaps the greatest potential of all wavelengths for advancement in astronomy. When viewed in terms of the cosmic backgrounds, the far-IR is extremely important: half of the total luminosity in the Universe is emitted at rest wavelengths approximately 80-100 microns. At the highest known galaxy redshifts (z approximately equal to 6) this energy is redshifted to approximately 600 microns. Existing and planned missions have a broad range of capabilities, defined in terms of their spectral coverage, spectral resolution, angular resolution, mapping speed, and sensitivity. In this 5-dimensional parameter space, the far-IR is substantially be-hind most other wavelength bands. The opportunity for future missions with great discovery potential is evident. Such missions will be well-suited to answering fundamental questions about the history of energy release in the Universe, the formation and evolution of galaxies, and formation of stellar and protoplanetary systems. We discuss the parameter space that can be filled by a few well-chosen space missions, specifically a submillimeter all-sky survey and a far-IR to submillimeter observatory. Ultimately, a long baseline submillimeter interferometer is necessary to provide sensitivity and angular resolution.

Benford, Dominic↗

NASA NTRS1981

A photovoltaic industry overview - The results of a survey on photovoltaic technology industrialization

The National Photovoltaics Program of the United States Department of Energy has the objective of bringing photovoltaic power systems to a point where they can supply a significant portion of the United States energy requirements by the year 2000. This is planned to be accomplished through substantial research and technology development activities aimed at achieving major cost reductions and market penetration. This paper presents information derived from a limited survey performed to obtain photovoltaic industry attitudes concerning industrialization, and to determine current industry plans to meet the DOE program goals. Silicon material production, a key photovoltaic manufacturing industry, is highlighted with regards to implementation of technology improvement and silicon material supply outlook.

Ferber, R. R.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Automating the U.S. Space Station's electrical power system

NASA's Lewis Research Center is developing a highly automated system for the generation, storage and distribution of electrical power aboard the projected Space Station. This autonomous power system will employ conventional algorithms, enhanced by expert systems, to schedule power, allocate energy, diagnose causes of failure, propose goals, prepare plans for their implementation, evaluate their consequences, and select optimum plans for their execution. While crew-interactive expert systems will be ready for the initial Space Station, total system autonomy is expected to require additional development time.

Dolce, James L.↗

NASA NTRS1987

An integrated approach to space station power system autonomous control

Space Station electrical power management must be accomplished autonomously in order to decrease both airborne and ground support costs. Attention is presently given to the augmentation of terrestrial utility algorithmic decision aids for power dispatching for space station use, using expert systems to direct power demand analyses and the integration of results into operational decisions. Functions to be thus managed encompass power scheduling, energy allocation, failure cause diagnoses, goal proposal and plan preparation, consequence evaluation, and execution plan selection. The operating states of the system are normal, preventive, emergency, and restorative.

Dolce, James L.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The Small Explorer power system electronics

The power system electronics for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Small Explorer Satellites are intended to satisfy various planned missions. The selected topology is a direct energy transfer (DET) system with the battery connected directly to the bus. The shunt control technique is a linear sequential full shunt which provides a simple solar array interface and can support both 3 axis stabilized and spinner satellites. In addition, it can meet stringent electromagnetic interference requirements which are expected on some Small Explorer Missions. The Power Systems Electronics (PSE) performs battery charge control using both temperature compensated charge/discharge ratio ampere hour integration and voltage-temperature control. The PSE includes all the circuits needed to perform telemetry and command functions using an optical MIL-STD-1773 interface.

Dakermanji, G.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Particle Identification in the ACCESS Mission

ACCESS (Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structures) is a planned Space Station mission to measure the elemental energy spectra of Galactic cosmic rays at energies above 100 GeV/nuc. ACCESS consists of a transition radiation detector (TRD) mounted on top of an ionization calorimeter (IC). A silicon matrix detector placed on top of the IC determines the elemental identity of each cosmic ray measured by the IC. The silicon matrix must be designed to identify each cosmic ray in the presence of backscatter from the calorimeter. Because the TRD is mounted above the IC, the matrix must also recognize cosmic rays that have interacted within the TRD before reaching the IC. We will report the results of detailed GEANT simulations of the silicon matrix in ACCESS. Results will be presented on backscatter interference with charge identification and the ability of the matrix to recognize cosmic rays that interacted in the TRD.

Wang, J. Z.↗

NASA NTRS2011

Use of Cold Radiometers in Several Thermal/Vacuum Tests

We have developed a low cost low temperature broadband radiometer for use with low temperature tests as a diagnostic tool for measuring stray thermal radiation and remote measurement of material properties. So far these radiometers have been used in two large thermal/vacuum tests for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Project. In the first test the radiometers measured stray radiation in a test of part of the JWST sunshield, and in the second test the radiometers were used to measure the reflectivity and specularity of black Z307 painted aluminum walls on a 25 K cooled shroud. These results will be presented as well as plans for future tests to measure the residual energy through a baffled aperture in the shroud and other stray thermal energy measurements.

DiPirro, M.↗

NASA NTRS1982

The determination of the stacking fault energy in copper-nickel alloys

Methods for determining the stacking fault energies of a series of nickel-copper alloys to gain an insight into the embrittling effect of hydrogen are evaluated. Plans for employing weak beam dark field electron microscopy to determine stacking fault energies are outlined.

Leighly, H. P., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Imaging Gas Counters for X- and Gamma Ray Astronomy

Gas-filled detectors, such as proportional counters, have long been used in x-ray astronomy. They are robust, relatively easy to fabricate, and can provide large collecting areas with reasonable spatial and energy resolution. Despite coming of age in the 50's and 60's, their versatility is such that they are still planned for future missions. A vigorous development program, led mostly by the high energy physics community, has ensured continued improvements in proportional counter technology. These include multistep counters, microstrip technologies and optical avalanche chambers. High fill-gas pressures and the use of suitable converters permit operation up to 100s of GeV. The current status of imaging gas-filled detectors will be reviewed, concentrating on the lower energy region (less than 100 keV) but also briefly covering higher energy applications up to the GeV region. This review is not intended to be exhaustive and draws heavily on work currently in progress at MSFC.

Ramsey, Brian D.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The O sub 2/H sub 2 propulsion module for planetary spacecraft injection energy augmentation

A propulsion module to augment the Centaur G-Prime and the Aerobraked OTV (AOTV) injection energy (C sub 3) was studied. The characteristics and performance of a variety of Earth-storable and cryogenic propulsion systems are presented. A pump-fed, cryogenic O2/H2 propulsion system enables the elimination of a three-year delta V Earth gravity assist (delta VEGA) maneuver for several planetary missions currently under consideration by the NASA. This trip time reduction can significantly reduce mission support costs, reduce spacecraft (S/C) life requirements and potentially increase the probability of mission success. This study also shows that an O2/H2 propulsion module, developed for Centaur C sub 3 augmentation can be used with a space-based AOTV in the return mode, allowing the reuse of the high-value AOTV while still delivering the required high-injection energy for direct planetary missions. The propulsion module performance was estimated for a space shuttle delivery capability to LEO of 65,000 lb sub m and 75,000 lb sub m. The required minimum thrust level to minimize gravity losses was also determined. For several currently planned NASA planetary missions, the Centaur G-Prime injection energy is augmented by a delta VEGA maneuver. For these missions, direct injection by the Centaur cannot provide a shorter trip time than the delta VEGA injection trip time.

Palaszewski, B. A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Robot path planning using a genetic algorithm

Robot path planning can refer either to a mobile vehicle such as a Mars Rover, or to an end effector on an arm moving through a cluttered workspace. In both instances there may exist many solutions, some of which are better than others, either in terms of distance traversed, energy expended, or joint angle or reach capabilities. A path planning program has been developed based upon a genetic algorithm. This program assumes global knowledge of the terrain or workspace, and provides a family of good paths between the initial and final points. Initially, a set of valid random paths are constructed. Successive generations of valid paths are obtained using one of several possible reproduction strategies similar to those found in biological communities. A fitness function is defined to describe the goodness of the path, in this case including length, slope, and obstacle avoidance considerations. It was found that with some reproduction strategies, the average value of the fitness function improved for successive generations, and that by saving the best paths of each generation, one could quite rapidly obtain a collection of good candidate solutions.

Cleghorn, Timothy F.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Astronomy satellites in the U.S. program

The Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO) series demonstrated that necessary thermal control systems and high pointing stability are feasible on astronomical satellites. A geosynchronous International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) is being planned by the US, UK, and ESRO for stellar spectroscopy. High Energy Astronomy Observatories, HEAO-A B, and C, will concentrate on stellar X-ray objects, cosmic ray physics, and gamma ray astronomy. A Shuttle-compatible Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) is planned for studying solar flares and flare related phenomena during the next solar maximum. Now in the instrumentation definition stage is the Large Space Telescope (LST), to provide higher resolution and sensitivity, larger wavelength range (from ultraviolet to far infrared), and higher time resolution than ground-based telescopes.

Aucremanne, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS2015

Affordable Development and Demonstration of a Small NTR Engine and Stage: A Preliminary NASA, DOE, and Industry Assessment

In FY11, NASA formulated a plan for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) development that included Foundational Technology Development followed by system-level Technology Demonstrations. The ongoing NTP project, funded by NASA's Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) program, is focused on Foundational Technology Development and includes 5 key task activities: (1) Fuel element fabrication and non-nuclear validation testing of heritage fuel options; (2) Engine conceptual design; (3) Mission analysis and engine requirements definition; (4) Identification of affordable options for ground testing; and (5) Formulation of an affordable and sustainable NTP development program. Performance parameters for Point of Departure designs for a small criticality-limited and full size 25 klb (sub f) (kip, or 1000 pound-force)-class engine were developed during FYs 13-14 using heritage fuel element designs for both Rover NERVA (Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Applications) Graphite Composite (GC) and Ceramic Metal (Cermet) fuel forms. To focus the fuel development effort and maximize use of its resources, the AES program decided, in FY14, that a leader-follower down-selection between GC and cermet fuel was required. An Independent Review Panel (IRP) was convened by NASA and tasked with reviewing the available fuel data and making a recommendation to NASA. In February 2015, the IRP recommended and the AES program endorsed GC as the leader fuel In FY14, a preliminary development schedule DDTE (Design Development Test and Evaluation) plan was produced by GRC (Glenn Research Center), DOE (Department of Energy) and industry for the AES program. Assumptions, considerations and key task activities are presented here. At the direction of NASA HQ (32515), NASA and DOE are to work together to formulate a detailed development plan and schedule allowing the affordable development of a small (7.5-16.5 klbf) GC engine for possible flight technology demonstration (FTD) mission within a 10-year timeframe.

Lunar Flyby Mission↗

NASA NTRS2003

NUCLEON Satellite Mission. Status and Plans

The main objective of the NUCLEON satellite mission is direct measurements of the elemental energy spectra of high-energy (10(exp 11) - 10(exp 15) eV) cosmic rays with Kinematic Lightweight Energy Meter (KLEM) device. The design of the instrument has been corrected to increase geometry factor and improve charge resolution. The special mechanical and electronic systems have been developed for installation of the experimental apparatus in a regular Russian satellite. It is planned to launch the NUCLEON instrument in 2006.

Bashindzhagyan, G.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Research in Support of the Use of Rankine Cycle Energy Conversion Systems for Space Power and Propulsion

This is the report of a Scientific Working Group (SWG) formed by NASA to determine the feasibility of using a liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor and Rankine energy conversion cycle for dual purpose power and propulsion in space. This is a high level technical report which is intended for use by NASA management in program planning. The SWG was composed of a team of specialists in nuclear energy and multiphase flow and heat transfer technology from academia, national laboratories, NASA and industry. The SWG has identified the key technology issues that need to be addressed and have recommended an integrated short term (approx. 2 years) and a long term (approx. 10 year) research and development (R&D) program to qualify a Rankine cycle power plant for use in space. This research is ultimately intended to give NASA and its contractors the ability to reliably predict both steady and transient multiphase flow and heat transfer phenomena at reduced gravity, so they can analyze and optimize designs and scale-up experimental data on Rankine cycle components and systems. In addition, some of these results should also be useful for the analysis and design of various multiphase life support and thermal management systems being considered by NASA.

Lahey, Richard T., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Autonomous navigation ability: FIDO test results

The FIDO platform of the JPL has been used to evaluate the ability of autonomous obstacle avoidance developed by JPL and CNES autonomous long range path planning. The test results show that only a very small amount of energy and computing time is used to implement autonomy and that the capabilities of the rover are fully used, allowing a much longer daily traverse than purely ground-planned strategies.

rover stereovision autonomous navigation planetary↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Analytical Calculation of the Energy Deposition Spectrum and Average Dose to A Spherical Target at All Impact Parameters

Microdosimetry is used to estimate quality factors for risk assessment in radiation protection and to quantify relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for treatment planning of hadron radiation therapy. Radiation physics has shown that energetic ions deposit energy in a complex manner: the track structure. The Local Effect Model (LEM) is often used as an approximation to describe this complex track structure. We have previously calculated an analytical expression for the dose to a spherical target fully located in the penumbra of an ion track using the LEM. In this work, the calculation has been extended to all impact parameters. Furthermore, using these analytical expressions, it was possible to obtain the theoretical energy deposition spectra to a sphere irradiated uniformly.

Ianik Plante↗