SEARCH · Search NASA
Results for “space exploration technology”
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.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Expanding Suborbital Testing: NASA Flight Opportunities and Commercial Partners Advance New Capabilities
The Flight Opportunities program rapidly demonstrates promising technologies for space exploration, discovery, and the expansion of space commerce through suborbital testing with industry flight providers.
NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Rapidly demonstrate promising technologies for space exploration, discovery, and the expansion of space commerce through suborbital testing with commercial flight providers. NASA Techrise Student Challenge 2021 - 2023 Competition overviews.
Metallic Vs Inflatable Primary Structure: A Comprehensive Trade for a Mars Transit Habitat
Large diameter inflatable habitat solutions are hypothesized to have an advantage over traditional metallic habitats of equal volume and functional requirements in terms of minimizing mass. A fair and comprehensive trade of metallic primary structure versus inflatable softgoods primary structure for a Mars Transit Habitat was conducted by The Boeing Company under the NASA Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-2 (NextSTEP-2)Appendix A contract in order to determine the minimum mass option from a system level. A Mars Transit Habitat is a major system mass driver because small increases in the mass can create large mass changes in the propulsive stage, adding complexity and cost to the mission. Three different vehicle configurations were traded using a fixed volume constraint and the same Ground Rules and Assumptions(GR&A)provided by NASA. The configurations were 1) 5.5 m diameter metallic habitat, 2) 7.0 m diameter metallic habitat, and 3) 7.63 m diameter inflatable habitat. In order to complete the trade, each configuration was analyzed and sized, but a system level approach had to be taken to ensure other aspects and subsystems besides the structure were captured. The primary functions (i.e. restraint layer, bladder, multilayer insulation [MLI], micro-meteoroid orbital debris [MMOD]) and strength advantages of softgoods are well understood, but there were other system level impacts that were discovered or addressed that are unique to softgoods. For the metallic structure, a modern and mass optimal material and manufacturing process was adopted to ensure the lightest weight options were evaluated. Two different aluminium lithium structures were evaluated, a longer length 5.5 m diameter and a shorter length 7 m diameter structure. The trade demonstrates that each configuration is feasible and close to the target dry mass for the Mars Transit Habitat Trans-Martian Injection burn. System level mass was the primary consideration, but since the three concepts were close in total mass, a clear winner did not arise. Secondary factors were evaluated such as architecture habitability (human factors), development considerations, on-orbit activation and outfitting, extensibility to other applications, and configuration flexibility. The aggregation of the lowest mass, most benefits, and fewest challenges resulted in the 5.5m diameter metallic configuration being the most favorable.
NASA Langley Transformation Plan
NASA Langley Research Center has a strong history of creating impactful contributions to NASA’s mission and the Nation, working across NASA’s mission directorate portfolio. NASA Langley develops and delivers innovative solutions and technologies across a diversified portfolio that includes aeronautics, space technology and exploration, and science. As NASA Langley enters its 106th year, the Center is working in changing environment driven by the global pace of technology advancement and increased global connectivity. It is within this global context that NASA Langley leadership has recognized the need to intentionally invest in modernization efforts and established the Langley Transformation Initiative. This document outlines the Langley Transformation Initiative vision and goals. Current transformation challenges are described, and a strategy is outlined for how to the Transformation Initiative plans to advance towards the transformation vision.
Trajectory Design and Early Mission Operations for the Lunar IceCube Mission
The Lunar IceCube (LIC) mission, a Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NSTEP) program selection, was launched as a rideshare onboard Artemis-I on November 16th 2022, and deployed into a high energy lunar flyby trajectory. The final destination of the mission was a polar elliptical lunar orbit from which it could conduct spectroscopy observations of the lunar surface; however, a near rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO) was planned to be used as a staging orbit that divided the lunar transfer and low-thrust spiral phases of the mission. This paper presents the process used to design the LIC transfer trajectory from the high-energy deployment state to a 9:2 synodic resonance NRHO. Additional analyses performed, to assess the critical deployment to lunar flyby phase of the trajectory and to generate recovery trajectories following a loss of contact with the spacecraft, are described as well. Lessons learned from working on the LIC mission are presented to inform the design of similar future CubeSat missions.
Our Shared Journey to the Cosmos: A Partnership in Space Communications, Technology, Science, and Human Exploration
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biennial Research and Technology Development Report: Johnson Space Center
The Biennial Research and Technology Development Report is a compilation of advances in research and technology accomplished by Johnson Space Center (JSC) engineers and scientists. The articles contained within this report further JSC's and NASA's historical tradition of working with colleges and universities, industry, federal laboratories, and other research and technology development organizations for the betterment of humankind. This report is organized into10 broad categories: Human Health, Life Support and Habitation Systems, and Space Medicine; Human Exploration Systems, Technologies for Extravehicular Activity and Harsh Environments; Environmental Technologies; Materials, Structures, Development and Testing; Space Power, Energy Storage, and Propulsion; Robotics, Tele-Robotics, Autonomous Systems, and Software; Exploration, Planetary Science, and Sensor Systems; Flammability and Explosive Technologies; Space and Ground Operations; and Education and Outreach.
Space Resources Roundtable 2
Contents include following: Developing Technologies for Space Resource Utilization - Concept for a Planetary Engineering Research Institute. Results of a Conceptual Systems Analysis of Systems for 200 m Deep Sampling of the Martian Subsurface. The Role of Near-Earth Asteroids in Long-Term Platinum Supply. Core Drilling for Extra-Terrestrial Mining. Recommendations by the "LSP and Manufacturing" Group to the NSF-NASA Workshop on Autonomous Construction and Manufacturing for Space Electrical Power Systems. Plasma Processing of Lunar and Planetary Materials. Percussive Force Magnitude in Permafrost. Summary of the Issues Regarding the Martian Subsurface Explorer. A Costing Strategy for Manufacturing in Orbit Using Extraterrestrial Resources. Mine Planning for Asteroid Orebodies. Organic-based Dissolution of Silicates: A New Approach to Element Extraction from LunarRegohth. Historic Frontier Processes Active in Future Space-based Mineral Extraction. The Near-Earth Space Surveillance (NIESS) Mission: Discovery, Tracking, and Characterization of Asteroids, Comets, and Artificial Satellites with a microsatellite. Privatized Space Resource Property Ownership. The Fabrication of Silicon Solar Cells on the Moon Using In-Situ Resources. A New Strategy for Exploration Technology Development: The Human Exploration and Development of Space (HEDS) Exploratiori/Commercialization Technology Initiative. Space Resources for Space Tourism. Recovery of Volatiles from the Moon and Associated Issues. Preliminary Analysis of a Small Robot for Martian Regolith Excavation. The Registration of Space-based Property. Continuous Processing with Mars Gases. Drilling and Logging in Space; An Oil-Well Perspective. LORPEX for Power Surges: Drilling, Rock Crushing. An End-To-End Near-Earth Asteroid Resource Exploitation Plan. An Engineering and Cost Model for Human Space Settlement Architectures: Focus on Space Hotels and Moon/Mars Exploration. The Development and Realization of a Silicon-60-based Economy in CisLunar Space. Our Lunar Destiny: Creating a Lunar Economy. Cost-Effective Approaches to Lunar Passenger Transportation. Lunar Mineral Resources: Extraction and Application. Space Resources Development - The Link Between Human Exploration and the Long-term Commercialization of Space. Toward a More Comprehensive Evaluation of Space Information. Development of Metal Casting Molds by Sol-Gel Technology Using Planetary Resources. A New Concept in Planetary Exploration: ISRU with Power Bursts. Bold Space Ventures Require Fervent Public Support. Hot-pressed Iron from Lunar Soil. The Lunar Dust Problem: A Possible Remedy. Considerations on Use of Lunar Regolith in Lunar Constructions. Experimental Study on Water Production by Hydrogen Reduction of Lunar Soil Simulant in a Fixed Bed Reactor.
NASA Utilization of Space Nuclear Systems for Robotic and Human Exploration Missions: Response to EO 13972: Promoting Small Nuclear Reactors for National Defense and Space Exploration
Space Nuclear Systems (SNS) technology development offers a wide range of capabilities to support NASA’s current and future missions. Executive Order (EO) 13972, “Promoting Small Modular Reactors for National Defense and Space Exploration” [1], issued 5 January 2021, directs NASA to define requirements for NASA utilization of nuclear energy systems for human and robotic exploration missions through 2040 and analyze the costs and benefits of such requirements.” Although it is premature to define requirements and cost for future exploration missions that have not yet been formulated, this report describes planned objectives and missions by 2040 that are enabled or enhanced by nuclear systems while taking into account a number of unique considerations for nuclear energy in the space environment. Nuclear energy systems are enabling for space missions and critical capabilities where conventional forms of energy production are impractical or impossible due to mass constraints, mission duration, or distance from the Sun. Space nuclear technologies available or in development for use by 2040 utilize radioisotope decay or nuclear fission and fall into three categories: heat, power, and propulsion. Current applications utilize radioisotope power systems that provide consistent and reliable performance in the sub-kilowatt power range. More advanced SNS can enable new mission objectives where high energy density solutions are critical, or where access to solar solutions is prohibitive. Higher power radioisotope and fission systems are under development within NASA for a wide variety of human exploration and science mission applications. Planned missions designed to use radioisotope systems include Dragonfly, a rotorcraft that will explore the surface of Titan, and Persephone, a mission concept for a Pluto orbiter. Nuclear fission systems have the key advantage of providing significantly higher power, lower mass solutions from tens to even thousands of kilowatts. Fission power is enabling to a sustained human presence on the Moon and developing a robust lunar economy. Fission propulsion is enabling for missions within and beyond cis-lunar space. This report examines NASA-envisioned mission applications and associated performance needs for SNS over the next twenty years leading to 2040 along with the unique technical considerations posed by space nuclear technology development. This includes engineering and operational logistics for ground handling, thermal management, survival of the space environment, operational safety, power requirements, and service longevity. Safety to the public, the NASA work force, and agency assets remains a top priority for NASA and particular attention is given to this aspect in the design, hardware assembly, ground operation, launch, and mission operation of an SNS. NASA relies on the Department of Energy as nuclear authority and its legacy of rigorous safety procedures as standards for ground development, test, transportation, and launch site operation. The principal concern is preventing unintended radiological release to the public or environment. Radioisotope system experience has established processes, including ground operation, transportation, and launch, that are considered directly applicable to emerging fission systems; however, fission systems have unique design needs that impact the safety and performance requirements. High efficiency power conversion from both fission and radioisotope systems requires high operating temperatures necessitating both passive and active thermal management to maintain safe and nominal operating conditions. Effective cooling and waste heat rejection have special considerations for space applications, whether in zero-g or reduced gravity. Fluid and heat transfer within the reactor system is not anticipated to be impacted by reduced or zero-g environments. Cryogenic working fluids and propellant supplies utilized in some space nuclear applications will need low mass, high capacity cryocoolers to meet the long-term storage and near zero-boiloff needs. Integrated, high power density SNS capable of being packaged in a single vehicle is a key consideration for NASA. Due to concerns for complexity and reliability, in space reactor assembly and reactor refueling are not current design considerations. Expanding into a new era for space exploration depends on mass-efficient, high-energy solutions to power deep-space vehicles, operate in harsh environments, and increase mission flexibility. NASA nuclear technology investments are targeting power for surface operations and propulsion for fast-transit, deep-space missions, all with the ability to reliably operate without the need for repair or refueling. NASA’s goals, enabled by nuclear technologies, provide for exciting advances in scientific objectives and human exploration, ushering in a new space age that enables a human presence on bodies beyond our Earth.
Roadmap for In-Space Propulsion Technology
NASA has created a roadmap for the development of advanced in-space propulsion technologies for the NASA Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT). This roadmap was drafted by a team of subject matter experts from within the Agency and then independently evaluated, integrated and prioritized by a National Research Council (NRC) panel. The roadmap describes a portfolio of in-space propulsion technologies that could meet future space science and exploration needs, and shows their traceability to potential future missions. Mission applications range from small satellites and robotic deep space exploration to space stations and human missions to Mars. Development of technologies within the area of in-space propulsion will result in technical solutions with improvements in thrust, specific impulse (Isp), power, specific mass (or specific power), volume, system mass, system complexity, operational complexity, commonality with other spacecraft systems, manufacturability, durability, and of course, cost. These types of improvements will yield decreased transit times, increased payload mass, safer spacecraft, and decreased costs. In some instances, development of technologies within this area will result in mission-enabling breakthroughs that will revolutionize space exploration. There is no single propulsion technology that will benefit all missions or mission types. The requirements for in-space propulsion vary widely according to their intended application. This paper provides an updated summary of the In-Space Propulsion Systems technology area roadmap incorporating the recommendations of the NRC.
NASA Workshop on Technology for Human Robotic Exploration and Development of Space
Continued constrained budgets and growing interests in the industrialization and development of space requires NASA to seize every opportunity for assuring the maximum return on space infrastructure investments. This workshop provided an excellent forum for reviewing, evaluating, and updating pertinent strategic planning, identifying advanced concepts and high-risk/high-leverage research and technology requirements, developing strategies and roadmaps, and establishing approaches, methodologies, modeling, and tools for facilitating the commercial development of space and supporting diverse exploration and scientific missions. Also, the workshop addressed important topic areas including revolutionary space systems requiring investments in innovative advanced technologies; achieving transformational space operations through the insertion of new technologies; revolutionary science in space through advanced systems and new technologies enabling experiments to go anytime to any location; and, innovative and ambitious concepts and approaches essential for promoting advancements in space transportation. Details concerning the workshop process, structure, and results are contained in the ensuing report.
Overview of the NASA Advanced In-Space Propulsion Project
In FY11, NASA established the Enabling Technologies Development and Demonstration (ETDD) Program, a follow on to the earlier Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP) within the NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. Objective: Develop, mature and test enabling technologies for human space exploration.
Deep Space Habitat Wireless Smart Plug
NASA has been interested in technology development for deep space exploration, and one avenue of developing these technologies is via the eXploration Habitat (X-Hab) Academic Innovation Challenge. In 2013, NASA's Deep Space Habitat (DSH) project was in need of sensors that could monitor the power consumption of various devices in the habitat with added capability to control the power to these devices for load shedding in emergency situations. Texas A&M University's Electronic Systems Engineering Technology Program (ESET) in conjunction with their Mobile Integrated Solutions Laboratory (MISL) accepted this challenge, and over the course of 2013, several undergraduate students in a Capstone design course developed five wireless DC Smart Plugs for NASA. The wireless DC Smart Plugs developed by Texas A&M in conjunction with NASA's Deep Space Habitat team is a first step in developing wireless instrumentation for future flight hardware. This paper will further discuss the X-Hab challenge and requirements set out by NASA, the detailed design and testing performed by Texas A&M, challenges faced by the team and lessons learned, and potential future work on this design.
Marshall Space Flight Center Research and Technology Report 2016
Marshall Space Flight Center is essential to human space exploration and our work is a catalyst for ongoing technological development. As we address the challenges facing human deep space exploration, we advance new technologies and applications here on Earth, expand scientific knowledge and discovery, create new economic opportunities, and continue to lead global space exploration.
In-Space Manufacturing: Pioneering a Sustainable Path to Mars
In order to provide meaningful impacts to exploration technology needs, the In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) Initiative must influence exploration systems design now. In-space manufacturing offers: dramatic paradigm shift in the development and creation of space architectures; efficiency gain and risk reduction for low Earth orbit and deep space exploration; and "pioneering" approach to maintenance, repair, and logistics leading to sustainable, affordable supply chain model. In order to develop application-based capabilities in time to support NASA budget and schedule, ISM must be able to leverage the significant commercial developments, which requires innovative, agile collaborative mechanisms (contracts, challenges, SBIR's, etc.); and NASA-unique investments to focus primarily on adapting the technologies and processes to the microgravity environment. We must do the foundational work - it is the critical path for taking these technologies from lab curiosities to institutionalized capabilities: characterize, certify, institutionalize, design for Additive Manufacturing (AM). Ideally, International Space Station (ISS) U.S. lab rack or partial rack space should be identified for in-space manufacturing utilization in order to continue technology development of a suite of capabilities required for exploration missions, as well as commercialization on ISS.
Pathfinder technologies for bold new missions
Project Pathfinder is a proposed U.S. Space Research and Technology program intended to enable bold new missions of space exploration. Pathfinder continues the advancement of technological capabilities and extends the foundation established under the Civil Space Technology Initiative, CSTI. By filling critical technological gaps, CSTI enhances access to Earth orbit and supports effective operations and science missions therein. Pathfinder, with a longer-term horizon, looks to a future that builds on Shuttle and Space Station and addresses technologies that support a range of exploration missions including: a return to the Moon to build an outpost; piloted missions to Mars; and continued scientific exploration of Earth and the other planets. The program's objective is to develop, within reasonable time frames, those emerging and innovative technologies that will make possible both new and enhanced missions and system concepts.
Evaluation of Advanced Composite Structures Technologies for Application to NASA's Vision for Space Exploration
An assessment was performed to identify the applicability of composite material technologies to major structural elements of the NASA Constellation program. A qualitative technology assessment methodology was developed to document the relative benefit of 24 structural systems with respect to 33 major structural elements of Ares I, Orion, Ares V, and Altair. Technology maturity assessments and development plans were obtained from more than 30 Boeing subject matter experts for more than 100 technologies. These assessment results and technology plans were combined to generate a four-level hierarchy of recommendations. An overarching strategy is suggested, followed by a Constellation-wide development plan, three integrated technology demonstrations, and three focused projects for a task order follow-on.