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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 253 records · Page 14
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NASA NTRS1977

Modulation of Jovian electron intensity in interplanetary space by corotating interaction regions

Large-scale intensity variations of Jovian electrons in the energy range from 3 to 6 MeV persisting for several days were observed with instrumentation on the Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 spacecraft out to several AU from Jupiter along the pre- and post-planetary encounter trajectories. The corotating interaction regions (CIRs), found by Smith and Wolfe (1976) on these missions to be approximately 25-day recurring regions of enhanced magnetic fields bounded by jumps in solar-wind velocity and frequently shocks, are shown to be impenetrable 'barriers' for the Jovian electrons propagating in the interplanetary medium. Thus, the principal electron-intensity variations are due to the modulating effects of CIRs and are not due to either variations in escape rate of electrons from the magnetosphere or interplanetary electron acceleration. The implications for electron observations at the orbit of earth are discussed.

Conlon, T. F.↗
NASA NTRS1982

High-temperature electronics applications in space exploration

One of the most exciting applications of high-temperature electronics is related to the exploration of the planet Venus. On this planet the atmospheric temperatures range from about 170 K at elevations of 100 km to a searing 730 K near the surface. Mechanisms for exploring the atmosphere might include balloons, airplanes, surface landers, and surface-launched probes. Balloons, for example, could fly in the region from 20 (320 C at 22 bars) to 60 km (-20 C at 0.2 bar). Suitable balloon fabrics presently exclude excursions to lower altitudes; however, adequate electronic systems could survive to 325 C. Small airplanes would require more sophisticated electronics for guidance and control. Long life surface landers would most likely be developed first, as these could be used to measure long-term variations in weather. Ranging transponders would be important for ephemeris development, measurement of spin state, and studies of general relativity. Surface temperatures of 460 C and pressures of 90 bars present a challenge to the developers of such instruments. Other space applications for high-temperature electronics include transponders for the surface of Mercury, near solar drag-free orbiters, and deep atmospheric penetrators for Jupiter and Saturn. Each of these has its own particular problems with respect to instrumentation adequate to meet the desired scientific goals. This paper is primarily concerned with defining possible mission applications, the required electronic systems, and the approaches that are currently being studied for their development.

Jurgens, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Cassini: Mission to Saturn and Titan

The Cassini Mission to Saturn and Titan represents an important step into the exploration of the outerplanets. It will expand on the flyby encounters of Pioneer and Voyager and parallel the detailed exploration of the Jupiter system to be accomplished by the Galileo Mission. By continuing the study of the two giant planets and enabling detailed comparisons of their structure and behavior, Cassini will provide a tremendous insight into the formation and evolution of the solar system. In addition, by virtue of its focus on the Saturnian satellite Titan, Cassini will return detailed data on an environment whose atmospheric chemistry may resemble that of the primitive Earth. The scientific objectives can be divided into five categories: Titan, Saturn, rings, icy satellites, and magnetospheres. The key area of interest to exobiologists is Titan; the other four scientific categories will be discussed briefly to provide a comprehensive overview of the Cassini Mission.

Kerridge, Stuart J.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Ultra High Voltage Propellant Isolators and Insulators for JIMO Ion Thrusters

Within NASA's Project Prometheus, high specific impulse ion thrusters for electric propulsion of spacecraft for the proposed Jupiter Icy Moon Orbiter (JIMO) mission to three of Jupiter's moons: Callisto, Ganymede and Europa will require high voltage operation to meet mission propulsion. The anticipated approx.6,500 volt net ion energy will require electrical insulation and propellant isolation which must exceed that used successfully by the NASA Solar Electric Propulsion Technology Readiness (NSTAR) Deep Space 1 mission thruster by a factor of approx.6. Xenon propellant isolator prototypes that operate at near one atmosphere and prototypes that operate at low pressures (<100 Torr) have been designed and are being tested for suitability to the JIMO mission requirements. Propellant isolators must be durable to Paschen breakdown, sputter contamination, high temperature, and high voltage while operating for factors longer duration than for the Deep Space 1 Mission. Insulators used to mount the thrusters as well as those needed to support the ion optics have also been designed and are under evaluation. Isolator and insulator concepts, design issues, design guidelines, fabrication considerations and performance issues are presented. The objective of the investigation was to identify candidate isolators and insulators that are sufficiently robust to perform durably and reliably during the proposed JIMO mission.

Banks, Bruce A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The long life of Pioneer interplanetary spacecraft

The Pioneer 6 to 9 interplanetary spacecraft were launched in 1965, 66, 67, and 68. All continue to operate in various orbits about the sun, gathering data on the solar system environment. Pioneer 10 was launched in 1972, and is now more than halfway to Jupiter, with all systems performing their required functions. The paper reviews these programs and the few anomalies which have been observed. The long-term mission success is discussed in terms of possible causative factors: simplicity in design and operation, redundancy in function and in equipment, comprehensive development and acceptance tests, the mildness of the space environment, and luck.

Dixon, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Landing on Europa: Challenges, Technologies, and a Strategy

Jupiter’s moon Europa is of intense scientific interest because of the vast quantities of salty liquid water which likely lay beneath its thin icy crust and the tantalizing prospect of finding life elsewhere in the solar system. The planned Europa Mission, which would perform remote science through multiple flybys of Europa, is under development and promises to yield unprecedented insight into this intriguing body. However, there remains a strong desire in the scientific community to perform in situ Europa science through a landed mission. Europa presents unique challenges to a landing mission because of its hostile radiation environment and the lack of information about its terrain. As a complement to the flyby mission, a bold concept to land on Europa and perform in situ science is being studied. Such a mission requires significant technology development to overcome the inherent landing challenges. This paper provides a brief overview of the Europa Lander mission concept and its notional objectives. It then describes the significant challenges associated with landing on Europa, the technologies required to overcome those challenges, and a strategy for Deorbit, Descent, and Landing.

Frick, Andreas↗
NASA NTRS2018

SPRITE: NF4 Saturn Probe Mission

The giant planets in our solar system contain clues to the origin of the planets and the conditions that set up terrestrial planet formation. These will be key to also understanding exoplanet systems Comparative study of Giant Planet composition and structure maps gradients in time and space in our protoplanetary disk Jupiter will be well studied after Galileo/Juno, but which of its features (core size, circulation, etc.) are unique vs universal? Cassini will leave remaining knowledge gaps about Saturn that require in situ sampling and are needed to fit into the puzzle of solar system formation

planetary Science↗
NASA NTRS1973

Exploring Jupiter, Saturn and their satellites.

By exploring the outer solar system, it is possible to go back in time and sample the conditions and the energetics of primitive solar nebula from which the sun and the planets are believed to have condensed. With the aid of particle detectors and magnetometers on a spacecraft going to the outer planets, it will be possible to study the gradients of the solar plasma, cosmic rays, and the interplanetary magnetic field. A number of questions regarding the outer solar system are examined, giving attention to problems of the origin of excess energy in the case of Jupiter, Jupiter radio emissions, problems of planetary meteorology, the rings of Saturn, and the planetary satellites. Critical in situ measurements are discussed together with exploratory missions, spacecraft characteristics, and aspects of preliminary mission design.

Rasool, S. I.↗
NASA NTRS2001

A Power And Thermal System with Thermoelectric Generators At 930 C For Solar Probe Inside 0.1 AU

The Power System for Solar Probe is required to provide an electrical power of 100 W to 200 W over a wide range of radial distances from the Sun. The distance varies from 5.2 AU (i.e., Jupiter gravity assist orbit) and 4 solar radii. The solar intensity varies by nearly 5 orders of magnitude. Radioactive Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) is one way to meet the power requirement. However, the use of an RTG presents a politically expensive risk for the mission. An alternative is a totally non-nuclear and intrinsically conservative method, which uses mostly developed technologies. This paper presents an innovative concept, which uses thermoelectric generators with a high temperature cooling system to meet the power requirement inside 0. 1 AU. In this concept, Silicon Germanium (SiGe)/Gallium Phosphorus (GaP) thermoelectric generators use the infrared radiation from the spacecraft primary heat shield as an energy source, and a liquid sodium high temperature cooling system to maintain the SiGe/GaP thermoelectric generators at 1200 K. It allows a routine access by interplanetary probes to the innermost regions of the heliosphere, which is prudent to the scientific community.

Choi, Michael K.↗
NASA NTRS2014

In Situ Probe Science at Saturn

A fundamental goal of solar system exploration is to understand the origin of the solar sys-tem, the initial stages, conditions, and processes by which the solar system formed, how the formation pro-cess was initiated, and the nature of the interstellar seed material from which the solar system was born. Key to understanding solar system formation and subsequent dynamical and chemical evolution is the origin and evolution of the giant planets and their atmospheres. Several theories have been put forward to explain the process of solar system formation, and the origin and evolution of the giant planets and their atmospheres. Each theory offers quantifiable predictions of the abundances of noble gases He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe, and abundances of key isotopic ratios 4He3He, DH, 15N14N, 18O16O, and 13C12C. Detection of certain dis-equilibrium species, diagnostic of deeper internal pro-cesses and dynamics of the atmosphere, would also help discriminate between competing theories. Measurements of the critical abundance profiles of these key constituents into the deeper well-mixed at-mosphere must be complemented by measurements of the profiles of atmospheric structure and dynamics at high vertical resolution and also require in situ explora-tion. The atmospheres of the giant planets can also serve as laboratories to better understand the atmospheric chem-istries, dynamics, processes, and climates on all planets including Earth, and offer a context and provide a ground truth for exoplanets and exoplanetary systems. Additionally, Giant planets have long been thought to play a critical role in the development of potentially habitable planetary systems. In the context of giant planet science provided by the Galileo, Juno, and Cassini missions to Jupiter and Sat-urn, a small, relatively shallow Saturn probe capable of measuring abundances and isotopic ratios of key at-mospheric constituents, and atmospheric structure in-cluding pressures, temperatures, dynamics, and cloud locations and properties not accessible by remote sens-ing can serve to test competing theories of solar system and giant planet origin, chemical, and dynamical evolution.

Interstellar↗
NASA NTRS1976

An inside look at NASA planetology

Staffing, financing and budget controls, and research grant allocations of NASA are reviewed with emphasis on NASA-supported research in planetary geological sciences: studies of the composition, structure, and history of solar system planets. Programs, techniques, and research grants for studies of Mars photographs acquired through Mariner 6-10 flights are discussed at length, and particularly the handling of computer-enhanced photographic data. Scheduled future NASA-sponsored planet exploration missions (to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus) are mentioned.

Dwornik, S. E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A continued program of planetary study

This program conducts solar system research in support of NASA missions and of general astronomical interest. Investigations of the composition, physical characteristics, and changes in solar system bodies are conducted primarily utilizing facilities of McDonald Observatory, but also utilizing various space vehicles where appropriate. The first detection of 2 micrometer II2 emission from Jupiter's southern auroral zone was made. Previous detection of northern auroral emission from Jupiter's H2 S(1) quadrupole line at 2.12 micrometer was confirmed. Unlike the previously known 8 micrometer aurorae, this phenomenon can not be thermal in origin. Analysis of Raman scattering in the blue and ultraviolet spectrum of Uranus (200 to 500 Angstroms) show that there must be absorbing aerosol particles in the upper 10 mbar region of the atmosphere. Spectra of Pluto-Charon in and out of eclipse in the red and near IR were obtained. These data confirm that CH4 is confined to Pluto and absent on Charon.

Smith, Harlan↗
NASA NTRS1991

Magellan, Galileo, and Ulysses

A combination of sophisticated computer animation and shuttle footage describe the missions of Ulysses, Galileo, and Magellan satellites to the solar system. Ulysses, launched in October 1990 by the European Space Agency, will study the sun. Galileo, launched in October 1989, will probe the Jovian system by releasing a probe that will descend into Jupiter's atmosphere and by using 12 instruments which will study Jupiter's 16 moons, its atmosphere, and its radiation and magnetic fields. Magellan, released from Space Shuttle Atlantis in May 1989, uses a synthetic aperture radar to probe through Venus' dense atmosphere to map its planetary surface. A computer animation simulates flying over the surface of Venus.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2017

OSIRIS-REx Asterod Sample Return Mission

OSIRIS-REx is NASA's third New Frontiers Program mission, following New Horizons that completed a flyby of Pluto in 2015 and the Juno mission to Jupiter that has just begun science operations. The OSIRIS-REx mission's primary objective is to collect pristine surface samples of a carbonaceous asteroid and return to Earth for analysis. Carbonaceous asteroids and comets are 'primitive' bodies that preserved remnants of the Solar System starting materials and through their study scientists can learn about the origin and the earliest evolution of the Solar System. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft was successfully launched on September 8, 2016, beginning its seven year journey to asteroid 101955 Bennu. The robotic arm will collect 60-2000 grams of material from the surface of Bennu and will return to Earth in 2023 for worldwide distribution by the Astromaterials Curation Facility at NASA Johnson Space Center. The name OSIRIS-REx embodies the mission objectives (1) Origins: Return and analyze a sample of a carbonaceous asteroid, (2) Spectral Interpretation: Provide ground-truth for remote observation of asteroids, (3) Resource Identification: Determine the mineral and chemical makeup of a near-Earth asteroid (4) Security: Measure the non-gravitational that changes asteroidal orbits and (5) Regolith Explorer: Determine the properties of the material covering an asteroid surface. Asteroid Bennu may preserve remnants of stardust, interstellar materials and the first solids to form in the Solar System and the molecular precursors to the origin of life and the Earth's oceans. Bennu is a potentially hazardous asteroid, with an approximately 1 in 2700 chance of impacting the Earth late in the 22nd century. OSIRIS-REx collects from Bennu will help formulate the types of operations and identify mission activities that astronauts will perform during their expeditions. Such information is crucial in preparing for humanity's next steps beyond low Earthy orbit and on to deep space destinations.

Nakamura-Messinger, Keiki↗
NASA NTRS2005

Planetary Protection Technologies: Technical Challenges for Mars Exploration

The search for life in the solar system, using either in situ analysis or sample return, brings with it special technical challenges in the area of planetary protection. Planetary protection (PP) requires planetary explorers to preserve biological and organic conditions for future exploration and to protect the Earth from potential extraterrestrial contamination that could occur as a result of sample return to the Earth-Moon system. In view of the exploration plans before us, the NASA Solar System Exploration Program Roadmap published in May 2003 identified planetary protection as one of 13 technologies for "high priority technology investments." Recent discoveries at Mars and Jupiter, coupled with new policies, have made this planning for planetary protection technology particularly challenging and relevant.New missions to Mars have been formulated, which present significantly greater forward contamination potential. New policies, including the introduction by COSPAR of a Category IVc for planetary protection, have been adopted by COSPAR in response. Some missions may not be feasible without the introduction of new planetary protection technologies. Other missions may be technically possible but planetary protection requirements may be so costly to implement with current technology that they are not affordable. A strategic investment strategy will be needed to focus on technology investments designed to enable future missions and reduce the costs of future missions. This presentation will describe some of the potential technological pathways that may be most protective.

planetary protections↗
NASA NTRS2002

Photometric Modeling of a Cometary Nucleus: Taking Hapke Modeling to the Limit

In the past two decades, photometric models developed by Bruce Hapke have been fit to a wide range of bodies in the Solar System: The Moon, Mercury, several asteroids, and many icy and rocky satellites. These models have enabled comparative descriptions of the physical attributes of planetary surfaces, including macroscopic roughness, particle size and size-distribution, the single scattering albedo, and the compaction state of the optically active portion of the regolith. One challenging type of body to observe and model, a cometary nucleus, awaited the first space based mission to obtain images unobscured by coma. The NASA-JPL Deep Space 1 Mission (DS1) encountered the short-period Jupiter-family comet 19/P Borrelly on September 22, 2001, about 8 days after perihelion. Prior to its closest approach of 2171 km, the remote-sensing package on the spacecraft obtained 25 CCD images of the comet, representing the first closeup, unobscured view of a comet's nucleus. At closest approach, corresponding to a resolution of 47 meters per pixel, the intensity of the coma was less than 1% of that of the nucleus. An unprecedented range of high solar phase angles (52-89 degrees), viewing geometries that are in general attainable only when a comet is active, enabled the first quantitative and disk-resolved modeling of surface photometric physical parameters.

Buratti, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Introduction to the Ulysses encounter with Jupiter

The Ulysses spacecraft encountered Jupiter in February 1992, passing within 6.31 radii of the planet. For approximately 8 days it was inside the Jovian magnetosphere, and for several days before and after that, Ulysses was in the interaction regions formed by the solar wind (the magnetosheath and boundary layer). The inbound trajectory was at an approximately 1000 LT and the outbound trajectory was at 1800 LT, that is, dusk, a unique feature of the flight path. Three regions interior to the magnetosphere were identified as on previous missions both inbound and outbound. In addition, the spacecraft twice penetrated a cusplike region at high latitude in the inner magnetosphere. Following closest approach, Ulysses traversed the Io plasma torus in basically a north-south direction. Although Ulysses is a heliospheric mission, the experiments were suited to an investigation of Jupiter's magnetosphere and have returned much new information. This introduction to the accompanying articles by the Ulysses investigators provides basic information on the experiments, the spacecraft, and the trajectory. In addition, the scientific context of the encounter is reviewed on the basis of the preliminary analyses of the Ulysses observations and a rudimentary comparison with the earlier Pioneer and Voyager results. Some important scientific questions raised by the encounter, along with some tentative answers, are presented.

Smith, Edward J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The NASA space program

Current and planned NASA space programs are outlined. The major current activity is the development and installation of the Space Transportation System consisting of the Space Shuttle, Spacelab and upper stages for payload launching from the Shuttle. NASA's space sciences program includes spaceborne astronomy by means of the future Space Telescope and Spacelab instruments as well as the current HEAO and IUE satellites. In the area of solar-terrestrial physics, the Solar Maximum Mission and the Solar Polar Mission are scheduled for 1980 and 1983, respectively. Planetary programs generally include ground-based and flyby observations to specify planetary environments, exploration missions to acquire knowledge of planetary processes, history and evolution, and study missions to investigate specific problems. Missions underway include the Voyager mission to Jupiter and Saturn and the Pioneer Venus mission. Research involving the inner planets, the outer planets and asteroids and comets is being planned.

Naugle, J. E.↗