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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 235 records · Page 13

Life sciences experiments in the first Spacelab mission

The development of the Shuttle Transportation System (STS) by the United States and the Spacelab pressurized modules and pallets by the European Space Agency (ESA) presents a unique multi-mission space experimentation capability to scientists and researchers of all disciplines. This capability is especially pertinent to life scientists involved in all areas of biological and behavioral research. This paper explains the solicitation, evaluation, and selection process involved in establishing life sciences experiment payloads. Explanations relative to experiment hardware development, experiment support hardware (CORE) concepts, hardware integration and test, and concepts of direct Principal Investigator involvement in the missions are presented as they are being accomplished for the first Spacelab mission. Additionally, discussions of future plans for life sciences dedicated Spacelab missions are included in an attempt to define projected capabilities for space research in the 1980s utilizing the STS.

Huffstetler, W. J.↗

Accelerated stress testing of terrestrial solar cells

A program to investigate the reliability characteristics of unencapsulated low-cost terrestrial solar cells using accelerated stress testing is described. Reliability (or parametric degradation) factors appropriate to the cell technologies and use conditions were studied and a series of accelerated stress tests was synthesized. An electrical measurement procedure and a data analysis and management system was derived, and stress test fixturing and material flow procedures were set up after consideration was given to the number of cells to be stress tested and measured and the nature of the information to be obtained from the process. Selected results and conclusions are presented.

Prince, J. L.↗

NASA quiet short-haul research aircraft experimenters' handbook

A summary of guidelines and particulars concerning the use of the NASA-Ames Research Center Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft for applicable flight experiments is presented. Procedures for submitting experiment proposals are included along with guidelines for experimenter packages, an outline of experiment selection processes, a brief aircraft description, and additional information regarding support at Ames.

Mccracken, R. C.↗

Satellite Power System (SPS)

Potential organizational options for a solar power satellite system (SPS) were investigated. Selection and evaluation criteria were determined to include timeliness, reliability, and adequacy to contribute meaningfully to the U.S. supply; political feasibility (both national and international); and cost effectiveness (including environmental and other external costs). Based on these criteria, four organizational alternatives appeared to offer reasonable promise as potential options for SPS. A large number of key issues emerged as being factors which would influence the final selection process. Among these issues were a variety having to do with international law, international institutions, environmental controls, economics, operational flexibility, congressional policies, commercial-vs-governmental ownership, national dedication, and national and operational stategic issues.

Edler, H. G.↗

Lander flight path analysis

The primary functions of the Lander Flight Path Analysis Team (LFPAT) were to (1) design the Viking Lander (VL) descent trajectory and compute the descent guidance parameters for command transmission to the Viking Lander and Viking Orbiter (VO), (2) reconstruct the VL trajectory from separation to touchdown using data transmitted from the VL to Earth via the VO during descent, and (3) predict the VL/VO relay link system performance during descent and post touchdown. The preflight VL capability, the history of proposed descent trajectory designs as the site selection process evolved, and the final trajectory design and guidance parameters for each vehicle are addressed along with the trajectory reconstruction process, including the overall reconstructed VL flight path summary and a detailed discussion of the entry trajectory and atmosphere reconstruction results. The postland relay link prediction function is discussed.

Euler, E. A.↗

Analysis of nuclear waste disposal in space, phase 3. Volume 2: Technical report

The options, reference definitions and/or requirements currently envisioned for the total nuclear waste disposal in space mission are summarized. The waste form evaluation and selection process is documented along with the physical characteristics of the iron nickel-base cermet matrix chosen for disposal of commercial and defense wastes. Safety aspects of radioisotope thermal generators, the general purpose heat source, and the Lewis Research Center concept for space disposal are assessed as well as the on-pad catastrophic accident environments for the uprated space shuttle and the heavy lift launch vehicle. The radionuclides that contribute most to long-term risk of terrestrial disposal were determined and the effects of resuspension of fallout particles from an accidental release of waste material were studied. Health effects are considered. Payload breakup and rescue technology are discussed as well as expected requirements for licensing, supporting research and technology, and safety testing.

Rice, E. E.↗

Near hybrid passenger vehicle development program, phase 1. Appendices A and B. Mission analysis and performance specification studies report, volume 1

The three most promising vehicle use patterns (missions) for the near term electric hybrid vehicle were found to be all-purpose city driving, commuting, and family and civic business. The mission selection process was based principally on an analysis of the travel patterns found in the Nationwide Transportation Survey and on the Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. origin-destination studies data. Travel patterns in turn were converted to fuel requirements for 1985 conventional and hybrid cars. By this means, the potential fuel savings for each mission were estimated, and preliminary design requirements for hybrid vehicles were derived.

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Private sector involvement in civil space remote sensing. Volume 1: Report

A survey of private sector developers, users, and interpreters of Earth resources data was conducted in an effort to encourage private investment and participation in remote sensing systems. Results indicate positive interest in participation beyond the current hardware contracting level, however, there is a substantial gap between current market levels and system costs. Issues identified include the selection process for an operating entity, the public/private interface, data collection and access policies, price and profit regulation in a subsidized system, international participation, and the responsibility for research and development. It was agreed that the cost, complexity, and security implications of integrated systems need not be an absolute bar to their private operation.

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Computerized systems analysis and optimization of aircraft engine performance, weight, and life cycle costs

The paper describes the computational techniques employed in determining the optimal propulsion systems for future aircraft applications and to identify system tradeoffs and technology requirements. The computer programs used to perform calculations for all the factors that enter into the selection process of determining the optimum combinations of airplanes and engines are examined. Attention is given to the description of the computer codes including NNEP, WATE, LIFCYC, INSTAL, and POD DRG. A process is illustrated by which turbine engines can be evaluated as to fuel consumption, engine weight, cost and installation effects. Examples are shown as to the benefits of variable geometry and of the tradeoff between fuel burned and engine weights. Future plans for further improvements in the analytical modeling of engine systems are also described.

Fishbach, L. H.↗

Voyager 2 - A grand tour of the giant planets

The current Voyager 2 multiple gravity assist mission encountering Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune is reviewed. Included in the discussion are an historical background of the mission, emphasizing objectives and constraints, and the mission synthesis and selection for the Saturn, Uranus and Neptune encounters. The philosophy, options, characteristics and constraints of the encounters are also discussed, including the avoidance of rings, penetration into magnetic fields, and date synchronization. In addition, the trajectory selection process which resulted in the choice of the specific outer planet tour is summarized, and current reevaluations are presented.

Sergeyevsky, A. B.↗

Development and operating characteristics of an advanced two-stage combustor

Results are presented from an experimental program aimed at optimizing the features of an advanced two-stage combustor that currently is being developed as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Energy Efficient Engine program. The combustor is designed to meet stringent goals for performance, emissions, durability and operational characteristics. An overview of the design selection process in light of these goals is discussed. Combustor rig test results, which highlight the techniques used to reduce emissions, development of the pilot and main power zone fuel injection systems, and methods of achieving efficient fuel staging, are presented.

Greene, W.↗

Satellite Data Transmission (SDT) requirement

An 85 Mb/s modem/codec to operate in a 34 MHz C-band domestic satellite transponder at a system carrier to noise power ratio of 19.5 dB is discussed. Characteristics of a satellite channel and the approach adopted for the satellite data transmission modem/codec selection are discussed. Measured data and simulation results of the existing 50 Mbps link are compared and used to verify the simulation techniques. Various modulation schemes that were screened for the SDT are discussed and the simulated performance of two prime candidates, the 8 PSK and the SMSK/2 are given. The selection process that leads to the candidate codec techniques are documented and the technology of the modem/codec candidates is assessed. Costs of the modems and codecs are estimated.

Chie, C. M.↗

Viking lander: Creating the science teams

The teams of scientists and the contractors involved in designing and fabricating the Viking lander spacecraft for Mars exploration are discussed. The requirements established for each member of the research teams are enumerated and the personnel selection process is described. Two instruments for the lander, a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer and a biology life detection instrument, are addressed in terms of costs, design, planning, and subcontractors. The challenges and ultimate success of the research management efforts are related in detail.

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Subjective Workload Assessment and Voluntary Control of Effort in a Tracking Task

A manual control tracking task was manipulated along two dimensions: (1) control order and (2) forcing function bandwidth. In the first phase of the experiment subjective workload assessments were collected. It was found that subjective assessments of workload were closely associated with performance in the case of increasing control order, but not in the case of increasing bandwidth. This was interpreted as indicating that subjective workload assessments are most appropriate for the study of increasing difficulty centered in response selection processes as opposed to response execution processes. In the second phase of the experiment the subjects were asked to voluntarily limit the effort they applied in the performance of the tracking task. The results indicate that the subjects were quite facile in doing this. However, comparison of these data to the findings of other studies that manipulated effort via dual-task biasing indicate that effort manipulation is much more potent in a single-task configuration. This finding is discussed in terms of multiple resource theories of attentional capacity. The utility of an analysis of covariance procedure in studying the relationships between subjective ratings and performance is highlighted.

Vidulich, M. A.↗

Error Reduction Program

The details of a study to select, incorporate and evaluate the best available finite difference scheme to reduce numerical error in combustor performance evaluation codes are described. The combustor performance computer programs chosen were the two dimensional and three dimensional versions of Pratt & Whitney's TEACH code. The criteria used to select schemes required that the difference equations mirror the properties of the governing differential equation, be more accurate than the current hybrid difference scheme, be stable and economical, be compatible with TEACH codes, use only modest amounts of additional storage, and be relatively simple. The methods of assessment used in the selection process consisted of examination of the difference equation, evaluation of the properties of the coefficient matrix, Taylor series analysis, and performance on model problems. Five schemes from the literature and three schemes developed during the course of the study were evaluated. This effort resulted in the incorporation of a scheme in 3D-TEACH which is usuallly more accurate than the hybrid differencing method and never less accurate.

Syed, S. A.↗

A survey of structural material issues for a space station

An NASA enters the definition phase of the space station project, one of the important issues to be considered is structural material selection. The complexity of the space station and its long life requirement are two key factors which must be considered in the material selection process. Both aluminum and graphite/epoxy are considered as potential structural materials. Advantages and disadvantages of these materials with respect to mechanical and thermal considerations, space environment, manufacturing, and cost are discussed.

Hagaman, J. A.↗

Space station orbit selection

Architecture and operations with respect to a permanent manned space facility are being studied, and basic modules of such a space station could be in orbit by 1992. A manned space station in low-earth orbit (LEO) represents a transportation node between the Space Shuttle and orbital transfer vehicles which together comprise a total space transportation system. The present investigation has the objective to examine the trades between performance and operational requirements of a space transportation system which affect space station orbit selection. Factors influencing the trades and selection process include launch vehicle and orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) delivery performance, vehicle launch frequency and windows, station drag characteristics, drag-makeup propulsion, and minimum orbital lifetime requirements.

Talay, T. A.↗

Selection of the Apollo 15 landing site

Telescopic studies in the early 1960's pinpointed the future Apollo 15 landing site as a potential exploration site because it included one of the largest lunar sinuous rilles, Rima Hadley, and some of the highest mountains, Montes Apenninus. Additional targets were identified once Apennine-Hadley emerged as a potential landing site. Site selection processes were discussed.

Wilhelms, D. E.↗