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NASA NTRS1974

Materials science and manufacturing in space: The NBS program of ground based research

National Bereau of Standards work for NASA in support of NASA's Space Processing Program is described. The objectives of the NBS program are to perform ground-based studies of those aspects of space that could possibly provide a unique environment for making materials more perfect or more pure. The approach taken deals primarily with experimental and theoretical studies of the possible effects of the absence of gravitational forces on those materials preparation processes where the presence of gravity may be important in reducing perfection or purity. The materials preparation processes studied comprise 6 tasks in the areas of crystal growth, purification and chemical processing, and the preparation of composites. They are: (1) crystal perfection in Czochralski growth; (2) evaporative preparation of ultrahigh purity materials; (3) vacuum effects in the preparation of composite materials; (4) melt shape in weightless crystal growth; (5) vapor transport synthesis and crystal growth of oxides; and (6) surface traction and other surface phenomena.

Passaglia, E.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Development of experimental facilities for processing metallic crystals in orbit

This paper discusses the evolution, current status, and planning for facilities to exploit the microgravity environment of earth orbit in applied metallic materials science. Space-Shuttle based facilities and some precursor flight programs are reviewed. Current facility development programs and planned Space Station furnace capabilities are described. The reduced gravity levels available in earth orbit allow the processing of metallic materials without the disturbing influence of gravitationally induced thermal convection, stratification due to density differences in sample components, or the effects of hydrostatic pressure.

Duncan, Bill J.↗

NASA NTRS2018

Initial Operations Experience and Results from the Juno Gravity Experiment

Radio communications between the Juno spacecraft, in orbit around Jupiter, and the Earth-based observing stations of NASA’s Deep Space Network enable measurements of the Doppler shift induced on the radio signals by Juno’s motion in the Jovian environment. This measurement of the Doppler shift improves the knowledge of Jupiter’s gravitational field. As a radio science instrument, Juno’s gravity science instrument utilizes a ground component at the Deep Space Network’s DSS-25 antenna, equipped with simultaneous dual X- and Ka-band transmitters and receivers, and a spacecraft component, which includes X- and Ka-band transponders to relay the transmitted signal back to Earth. Originally planned to be in 14-day orbits around Jupiter, a risk identified in the propulsion system led to the decision to stay in the 53-day orbit period. Rapid turnaround of observation planning led to successful near-term perijove passes. Although maintaining a 53-day orbit period provides a scientific benefit to the gravity science investigation, the longer orbit period further increases the large dynamic range in Doppler shift and pointing angles induced by the geometry of each perijove. Between entering orbit at Jupiter on July 5, 2016 and September 2017, the Juno spacecraft has executed eight closest approach periods every 53 days where science data was collected. The first five perijove passes were conducted in different telecom configurations, each presenting unique challenges in data collection and processing. Perijoves PJ-01, PJ-02, PJ-03, and PJ-06 utilized the high-gain antenna and various configurations of the X- and Ka-bands. Perijoves PJ-04 and PJ-05 utilized the medium-gain antenna at X-band only while the spacecraft was off-Earth point. Additional perijoves are planned every 53-days, with an additional five by March 2018. Lessons learned from operating and collecting data at each perijove are documented and will be utilized in future perijoves. Analysis of the first two gravity science perijoves has improved the precision of Jupiter’s gravity field by a factor of five, providing crucial constraints on the interior structure of Jupiter.

Buccino, Dustin↗

NASA NTRS1988

An adiabatic demagnetization cooled bolometer system

An adiabatic demagnetization refrigeration (ADR) system suitable for cooling bolometers for use at infrared and submillimeter wavelengths is constructed. Because it does not rely on a gravitational field for operation, this refrigeration method has been proposed to cool bolometers intended for NASA's Space Infrared Telescope Facility. To explore the use of ADR in this manner, a portable instrument that has been used successfully for ground-based astronomical observations was constructed. By employing chromic potassium sulfate as a paramagnetic cooling material, bolometers were cooled to temperatures of 0.1 K with a cryogenic hold time of greater than nine hours.

Lesyna, L.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Resource Letter GrW-1: Gravitational Waves

The phenomenon of gravitational radiation was one of the first predictions of Einstein's general theory of relativity. Progress in understanding this radiation theoretically was slow at first, owing to the difficulty of the nonlinear field equations and the subtleties of their physical effects. The experimental side of this subject also has taken a long time to develop, with efforts at detection severely challenged by the extreme weakness of the waves impinging on the Earth. However, as the 21st century begins, observations of the gravitational waves from astrophysical sources such as black holes, neutron stars, and stellar collapse are expected to open a new window on the universe. Vigorous experimental programs centered on ground-based detectors are being carried out worldwide, and a space-based detector is in the planning stages. On the theoretical side, much effort is being expended to produce robust models of the astrophysical sources and accurate calculations of the waveforms they produce. In this Resource Letter, a set of basic references will be presented first, to provide a general introduction to and overview of the literature in this field. The focus then will shift to highlighting key resources in more specialized areas at the forefront of current research.

White, Nicholas E.↗

NASA NTRS2015

Goddard's Astrophysics Science Divsion Annual Report 2014

The Astrophysics Science Division (ASD, Code 660) is one of the world's largest and most diverse astronomical organizations. Space flight missions are conceived, built and launched to observe the entire range of the electromagnetic spectrum, from gamma rays to centimeter waves. In addition, experiments are flown to gather data on high-energy cosmic rays, and plans are being made to detect gravitational radiation from space-borne missions. To enable these missions, we have vigorous programs of instrument and detector development. Division scientists also carry out preparatory theoretical work and subsequent data analysis and modeling. In addition to space flight missions, we have a vibrant suborbital program with numerous sounding rocket and balloon payloads in development or operation. The ASD is organized into five labs: the Astroparticle Physics Lab, the X-ray Astrophysics Lab, the Gravitational Astrophysics Lab, the Observational Cosmology Lab, and the Exoplanets and Stellar Astrophysics Lab. The High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC) is an Office at the Division level. Approximately 400 scientists and engineers work in ASD. Of these, 80 are civil servant scientists, while the rest are resident university-based scientists, contractors, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and administrative staff. We currently operate the Swift Explorer mission and the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. In addition, we provide data archiving and operational support for the XMM mission (jointly with ESA) and the Suzaku mission (with JAXA). We are also a partner with Caltech on the NuSTAR mission. The Hubble Space Telescope Project is headquartered at Goddard, and ASD provides Project Scientists to oversee operations at the Space Telescope Science Institute. Projects in development include the Neutron Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) mission, an X-ray timing experiment for the International Space Station; the Transiting Exoplanet Sky Survey (TESS) Explorer mission, in collaboration with MIT (Ricker, PI); the Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS) for the Astro-H mission in collaboration with JAXA, and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), the highest ranked mission in the 2010 decadal survey, is in a pre-phase A study, and we are supplying study scientists for that mission.

Caltech on the NuSTAR mission↗

NASA NTRS2012

Atom Interferometry for Fundamental Physics and Gravity Measurements in Space

Laser-cooled atoms are used as freefall test masses. The gravitational acceleration on atoms is measured by atom-wave interferometry. The fundamental concept behind atom interferometry is the quantum mechanical particle-wave duality. One can exploit the wave-like nature of atoms to construct an atom interferometer based on matter waves analogous to laser interferometers.

atom interferometry↗

NASA NTRS1979

Gravitational influences on the liquid-state homogenization and solidification of aluminum antimonide

Typical commercial or laboratory-prepared samples of polycrystalline AlSb contain microstructural inhomogeneities of Al- or Sb-rich phases in addition to the primary AlSb grains. The paper reports on gravitational influences, such as density-driven convection or sedimentation, that cause microscopic phase separation and nonequilibrium conditions to exist in earth-based melts of AlSb. A triple-cavity electric furnace is used to homogenize the multiphase AlSb samples in space and on earth. A comparative characterization of identically processed low- and one-gravity samples of commercial AlSb reveals major improvements in the homogeneity of the low-gravity homogenized material.

Ang, C.-Y.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Computation of near-minimum-time maneuvers of flexible structures by parameter optimization

Near-minimum-time attitude maneuvers of space structures as well as ground based test articles are considered. Switching nature of the controls for rigid body maneuvers are illustrated using a control-cube and a critical control axis of rotation. The presence of torque smoothing and where appropriate, gravitational effects and connections to other bodies are explicitly included in the mathematical models of the systems to be optimized. A maximum fuel consumption constraint is included besides the required terminal conditions on attitude and angular velocities. The switch times, maximum thrust magnitudes, and smoothing parameters are determined using the Sequential Quadratic Programming method for parameter optimization. Results indicating attitude and angular velocity histories, thruster forces, and structural vibrations are presented for three, four, and five switch maneuvers, as well as maneuvers that involve large coasting arcs.

Vadali, S. R.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Models to study gravitational biology of Mammalian reproduction

Mammalian reproduction evolved within Earth's 1-g gravitational field. As we move closer to the reality of space habitation, there is growing scientific interest in how different gravitational states influence reproduction in mammals. Habitation of space and extended spaceflight missions require prolonged exposure to decreased gravity (hypogravity, i.e., weightlessness). Lift-off and re-entry of the spacecraft are associated with exposure to increased gravity (hypergravity). Existing data suggest that spaceflight is associated with a constellation of changes in reproductive physiology and function. However, limited spaceflight opportunities and confounding effects of various nongravitational factors associated with spaceflight (i.e., radiation, stress) have led to the development of ground-based models for studying the effects of altered gravity on biological systems. Human bed rest and rodent hindlimb unloading paradigms are used to study exposure to hypogravity. Centrifugation is used to study hypergravity. Here, we review the results of spaceflight and ground-based models of altered gravity on reproductive physiology. Studies utilizing ground-based models that simulate hyper- and hypogravity have produced reproductive results similar to those obtained from spaceflight and are contributing new information on biological responses across the gravity continuum, thereby confirming the appropriateness of these models for studying reproductive responses to altered gravity and the underlying mechanisms of these responses. Together, these unique tools are yielding new insights into the gravitational biology of reproduction in mammals.

Review, Tutorial↗

NASA NTRS1975

Study of diffusion coefficients of glasses under zero-G

Diffusion studies of the glass forming ion are examined in zero-g environments and diffusion data obtained from these experiments are unique because of earth based experimental problems. The choice of system for diffusion studies is discussed along with the lab processing. The space processing is described consisting of a heating cycle designed to maximize time exposed to the diffusion temperature without exposing the low viscosity melt to gravitational forces.

Kinser, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Astronomy and astrophysics for the 1980's, volume 1

The programs recommended address the most significant questions that confront contemporary astronomy and fall into three general categories: prerequisites for research initiatives, including instrumentation and detectors, theory and data analysis, computational facilities, laboratory astrophysics, and technical support at ground-based observatories; programs including an Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility, a Very-Long Baseline Array, a Technology Telescope and a Large Deployable Reflector; and programs for study and development, including X-ray observatories in space, instruments for the detection of gravitational waves from astronomical objects, and long duration spaceflights of infrared telescopes. Estimated costs of these programs are provided.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1989

Earth-orbiting resonant-mass gravitational wave detectors

Earth-based gravitational wave detectors suffer from the need to support the large antenna masses against the earth's gravity without transmitting a significant amount of seismic noise. Passive vibration isolation is difficult to achieve below 1 Hz on the earth. Vibration-free space environment thus gives an opportunity to extend the frequency window of gravitational wave detection to ultralow frequencies. The weightless condition of a space laboratory also enables construction of a highly symmetric multimode antenna which is capable of resolving the direction of the source and the polarization of the incoming wave without resorting to multiantenna coincidence. Two types of earth-orbiting resonant-mass gravitational wave detectors are considered. One is a skyhook gravitational wave detector, proposed by Braginsky and Thorne (1985). The other is a spherical detector, proposed by Forward (1971) and analyzed by Wagoner and Paik (1976).

Paik, Ho Jung↗

NASA NTRS1991

Ground-based testing of the dynamics of flexible space structures using band mechanisms

A suspension system based on a band mechanism is studied to provide the free-free conditions for ground based validation testing of flexible space structures. The band mechanism consists of a noncircular disk with a convex profile, preloaded by torsional springs at its center of rotation so that static equilibrium of the test structure is maintained at any vertical location; the gravitational force will be directly counteracted during dynamic testing of the space structure. This noncircular disk within the suspension system can be configured to remain unchanged for test articles with the different weights as long as the torsional spring is replaced to maintain the originally designed frequency ratio of W/k sub s. Simulations of test articles which are modeled as lumped parameter as well as continuous parameter systems, are also presented.

Yang, L. F.↗

NASA NTRS2003

ST7-DRS: A Step Towards Drag-free and High-precision Formation Control

The Space Technology 7 Disturbance Reduction System (ST7-DRS) is an in-space technology demonstration within NASA's New Millennium Program. ST7-DRS is designed to validate system-level technologies that are required for future gravity missions (including the planned LISA gravitational-wave observatory) and for future formation-flying interferometer missions (including the planned MAXIM black-hole imager). ST7-DRS is based around a freely-floating test mass contained within a spacecraft structure that will shield this test mass from all external forces (aside from gravity). The spacecraft position will be continuously controlled, such that the spacecraft, itself, will remain centered about this test mass, essentially flying in formation with it. Colloidal micro-thrusters will be used to control the spacecraft s position to within a few nanometers, over time scales of tens to thousands of seconds. In order to detect the residual acceleration noise on the main test mass, a second test mass will be flown alongside the first, within the same physical spacecraft structure. This test mass will serve as a cross-reference for the first, and will also be used as a reference for the spacecraft's attitude control. The spacecraft's attitude will be controlled to an accuracy of a few milli-arc-seconds, also utilizing the colloidal micro-thrusters. ST7-DRS will consist of an instrument package (containing the test masses) and a set of micro-thrusters, which will be attached to the European Space Agency s SMART-2 spacecraft, set to launch in November 2007.

Houghton, M.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Biomechanics of the Treadmill Locomotion on the International Space Station

Exercise prescriptions completed by International Space Station (ISS) crewmembers are typically based upon evidence obtained during ground-based investigations, with the assumption that the results of long-term training in weightlessness will be similar to that attained in normal gravity. Coupled with this supposition are the assumptions that exercise motions and external loading are also similar between gravitational environments. Normal control of locomotion is dependent upon learning patterns of muscular activation and requires continual monitoring of internal and external sensory input [1]. Internal sensory input includes signals that may be dependent on or independent of gravity. Bernstein hypothesized that movement strategy planning and execution must include the consideration of segmental weights and inertia [2]. Studies of arm movements in microgravity showed that individuals tend to make errors but that compensation strategies result in adaptations, suggesting that control mechanisms must include peripheral information [3-5]. To date, however, there have been no studies examining a gross motor activity such as running in weightlessness other than using microgravity analogs [6-8]. The objective of this evaluation was to collect biomechanical data from crewmembers during treadmill exercise before and during flight. The goal was to determine locomotive biomechanics similarities and differences between normal and weightless environments. The data will be used to optimize future exercise prescriptions. This project addresses the Critical Path Roadmap risks 1 (Accelerated Bone Loss and Fracture Risk) and 11 (Reduced Muscle Mass, Strength, and Endurance). Data were collected from 7 crewmembers before flight and during their ISS missions. Before launch, crewmembers performed a single data collection session at the NASA Johnson Space Center. Three-dimensional motion capture data were collected for 30 s at speeds ranging from 1.5 to 9.5 mph in 0.5 mph increments with a 12-camera system. During flight, each crewmember completed up to 6 data collection sessions spread across their missions, performing their normal exercise prescription for the test day, resulting in varying data collection protocols between sessions. Motion data were collected by a single HD video camera positioned to view the crewmembers' left side, and tape markers were placed on their feet, legs, and neck on specific landmarks. Before data collection, the crewmembers calibrated the video camera. Video data were collected during the entire exercise session at 30 Hz. Kinematic data were used to determine left leg hip, knee, and ankle range of motion and contact time, flight time, and stride time for each stride. 129 trials in weightlessness were analyzed. Mean time-normalized strides were found for each trial, and cross-correlation procedures were used to examine the strength and direction of relationships between segment movement pattern timing in each gravitational condition. Cross-correlation analyses between gravitational conditions revealed highly consistent movement patterns at each joint. Peak correlation coefficients occurred at 0% phase, indicating there were no lags in movement timing. Joint ranges of motion were similar between gravitational conditions, with some slight differences between subjects. Motion patterns in weightlessness were highly consistent at a given speed with those occurring in 1G, indicating that despite differing sensory input, subjects maintain running kinematics. The data suggest that individuals are capable of compensating for loss of limb weight when creating movement strategies. These results have important implications for creating training programs for use in weightlessness as practitioners can have greater confidence in running motions transferring across gravitational environments. Furthermore, these results have implications for use by researchers investigating motor control mechanisms and investigating hypotheses related to movement strategies when using sensory input that is dependent upon gravity.

DeWitt, John↗

NASA NTRS1974

Radiation from highly relativistic geodesics

A number of recent works are reviewed concerning the generation and emission of gravitational waves. It is shown that at high frequencies, the generation of gravitational radiation is a local phenomenon. Two examples are described illustrating this generation when a high-energy particle collides against the space-time curvature. One, after Matzner and Nutku, uses a method of virtual photons; the other, after Chrzanowski and Misner, is based on the W.K.B. approximation, corresponding to geometric optics, for the inhomogeneous wave equation. This method uses a factorized integral representation of the Green function which is valid asymptotically to infinity in space.

Misner, C. W.↗

NASA NTRS2007

Pixelation Effects in Weak Lensing

Weak gravitational lensing can be used to investigate both dark matter and dark energy but requires accurate measurements of the shapes of faint, distant galaxies. Such measurements are hindered by the finite resolution and pixel scale of digital cameras. We investigate the optimum choice of pixel scale for a space-based mission, using the engineering model and survey strategy of the proposed Supernova Acceleration Probe as a baseline. We do this by simulating realistic astronomical images containing a known input shear signal and then attempting to recover the signal using the Rhodes, Refregier, and Groth algorithm. We find that the quality of shear measurement is always improved by smaller pixels. However, in practice, telescopes are usually limited to a finite number of pixels and operational life span, so the total area of a survey increases with pixel size. We therefore fix the survey lifetime and the number of pixels in the focal plane while varying the pixel scale, thereby effectively varying the survey size. In a pure trade-off for image resolution versus survey area, we find that measurements of the matter power spectrum would have minimum statistical error with a pixel scale of 0.09' for a 0.14' FWHM point-spread function (PSF). The pixel scale could be increased to ~0.16' if images dithered by exactly half-pixel offsets were always available. Some of our results do depend on our adopted shape measurement method and should be regarded as an upper limit: future pipelines may require smaller pixels to overcome systematic floors not yet accessible, and, in certain circumstances, measuring the shape of the PSF might be more difficult than those of galaxies. However, the relative trends in our analysis are robust, especially those of the surface density of resolved galaxies. Our approach thus provides a snapshot of potential in available technology, and a practical counterpart to analytic studies of pixelation, which necessarily assume an idealized shape measurement method.

gravitational lensing↗