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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 NTRS2024

Graphene-Based Filtration Media for Spacecraft Potable Water Systems: An Early Investigation

Graphene-based materials have allowed fundamental advances in fields such as energy storage, electronics development, material science, optics, medicine, and water processing due to its unique two-dimensional structure, mechanical robustness, large surface, and high conductivity. However, little to no effort has been devoted to exploiting and studying these materials to develop new water technologies suited for spacecraft applications. One such application is the potential use of graphene-based materials as filtration media for reclaimed water. Therefore, studying the adsorptive performance of these new materials becomes crucial in identifying the opportunity to replace/upgrade State-of-the-Art filtration media currently used in space vehicles with water-recovery capability; especially if consumable requirements can be lessened as a result of extended filtration capacity. This early life-support-systems investigation pioneers in graphene-research by testing a number of graphene-based materials in comparative adsorption and antimicrobial experiments where contaminant removal efficiency, maximum adsorption capacity, and log reduction are probed. This preliminary investigation informs on the practicability of using graphene-based materials as filtration media and provides a discussion on the scaling-up and optimization of this prospective filtration technology for spacecraft potable water systems.

graphene↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Graphene-Based Filtration Media for Spacecraft Potable Water Systems: An Early Investigation

graphene↗

NASA NTRS2024

Graphene-Based Filtration Media for Spacecraft Potable Water Systems: An Early Investigation

Graphene-based materials have allowed fundamental advances in fields such as energy storage, electronics development, material science, optics, medicine, and water processing due to their unique two-dimensional structure, mechanical robustness, large surface, and high conductivity. However, little to no effort has been devoted to exploiting and studying these materials to develop new water technologies suited for spacecraft applications. One such application is the potential use of graphene-based materials as filtration media for reclaimed water. Therefore, studying the adsorptive performance of these new materials becomes crucial in identifying the opportunity to replace/upgrade state-of-the-art filtration media currently used in space vehicles with water recovery capability; especially if consumable requirements can be lessened as a result of extended filtration capacity. This early Life-Support-Systems investigation pioneers in graphene research by testing a number of graphene-based materials in comparative adsorption and antimicrobial experiments where contaminant removal efficiency, maximum adsorption capacity, and bacterial reduction are probed. This preliminary investigation informs on the practicality of using graphene-based materials as filtration media and provides a discussion on the scaling-up and optimization of this prospective filtration technology for spacecraft potable water systems.

graphene↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Graphene-Based Filtration Media for Spacecraft Potable Water Systems: An Early Investigation

Graphene-based materials have allowed fundamental advances in fields such as energy storage, electronics development, material science, optics, medicine, and water processing due to their unique two-dimensional structure, mechanical robustness, large surface, and high conductivity. However, little to no effort has been devoted to exploiting and studying these materials to develop new water technologies suited for spacecraft applications. One such application is the potential use of graphene-based materials as filtration media for reclaimed water. Therefore, studying the adsorptive performance of these new materials becomes crucial in identifying the opportunity to replace/upgrade state-of-the-art filtration media currently used in space vehicles with water recovery capability; especially if consumable requirements can be lessened as a result of extended filtration capacity. This early Life-Support-Systems investigation pioneers in graphene research by testing a number of graphene-based materials in comparative adsorption and antimicrobial experiments where contaminant removal efficiency, maximum adsorption capacity, and bacterial reduction are probed. This preliminary investigation informs on the practicality of using graphene-based materials as filtration media and provides a discussion on the scaling-up and optimization of this prospective filtration technology for spacecraft potable water systems.

graphene↗

NASA NTRS1987

How to feed a spacecraft

The uplink process between ground computers and the spacecraft computer is examined. Data is uplinked to a spacecraft by a load (a sequence of preplanned commands) or by real-time commands; the differences between these two types of uplinks are discussed. The sequencing of a load involves: (1) request generation, (2) request integration, (3) reference generation, and (4) transmitting the load. The functions of each of the sequencing steps are described. The development of new sequencing methods using expert systems and AI is being studied. A symbolic processing software which has the ability to transmit data typed into a computer in English was developed. Consideration is given to the composition, capabilities of the parser, and application of the symbolic processing software to the Comet Renedezvous Asteroid Flyby spacecraft.

Mclaughlin, William↗

NASA NTRS1980

Development of a special purpose spacecraft coating, phase 4

Coating formulations based on a fluorocarbon resin were evaluated for use on spacecraft exteriors. Formulations modified with an acrylic resin were found to have excellent offgassing properties. A much less expensive process for increasing to solid content of the fluorocarbon latex was developed.

Gillman, H. D.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Modeling, Monitoring and Fault Diagnosis of Spacecraft Air Contaminants

Progress and results in the development of an integrated air quality modeling, monitoring, fault detection, and isolation system are presented. The focus was on development of distributed models of the air contaminants transport, the study of air quality monitoring techniques based on the model of transport process and on-line contaminant concentration measurements, and sensor placement. Different approaches to the modeling of spacecraft air contamination are discussed, and a three-dimensional distributed parameter air contaminant dispersion model applicable to both laminar and turbulent transport is proposed. A two-dimensional approximation of a full scale transport model is also proposed based on the spatial averaging of the three dimensional model over the least important space coordinate. A computer implementation of the transport model is considered and a detailed development of two- and three-dimensional models illustrated by contaminant transport simulation results is presented. The use of a well established Kalman filtering approach is suggested as a method for generating on-line contaminant concentration estimates based on both real time measurements and the model of contaminant transport process. It is shown that high computational requirements of the traditional Kalman filter can render difficult its real-time implementation for high-dimensional transport model and a novel implicit Kalman filtering algorithm is proposed which is shown to lead to an order of magnitude faster computer implementation in the case of air quality monitoring.

Ramirez, W. Fred↗

NASA NTRS1980

Attitude determination of Galileo spacecraft from star data

An entirely autonomous attitude determination algorithm has been developed for the dual spin Galileo spacecraft in its mission to Jupiter. A batch mode process is established which identifies three stars within the scanner's field-of-view based on the criteria of intensity and geometry. This is followed by a continuous star acquisition procedure which provides star transit times and a spacecraft spin rate estimate. A least-squares estimator then sequentially determines the spacecraft's attitude from successive star crossings by minimizing an error derived using the necessary condition of star and scanner slit normal orthogonality. Simulation results are presented, showing successful star identification and attitude convergence in the presence of nutation and star transit time uncertainty.

Wong, E. C.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Evaluation of an experimental system for spaceborne processing of multispectral image data

An experimental data processing system has been developed to demonstrate the feasibility of processing high speed, multispectral image data on board the spacecraft. The design incorporates real-time processing with adaptable operation in an expandable architecture. The experimental hardware is coupled to test support and computing equipment to provide a laboratory tool for evaluating and demonstrating each of the processing functions as well as the overall system operation. An evaluation of the high speed processor was conducted to ensure that the desired system throughput was achieved without sacrificing processing accuracy. A description of the system is presented along with the results of the test and evaluation activity.

Meredith, B. D.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Dehumidification via membrane separation for space-based applications

The paper describes the development of a membrane-based dehumidification process for space-based applications, such as spacecraft cabins and EVA space suits. Results presented are from: (1) screening tests conducted to determine the efficacy of various membranes to separate water vapor from air, and (2) parametric and long-term tests of membranes operated at conditions that simulate the range of environmental conditions (e.g., temperature and relative humidity) expected in the planned Space Station. Also included in this paper is a discussion of preliminary designs of membrane-based dehumidification processes for the Space Station and EVA space suits. These designs result in compact and energy-efficient systems that offer significant advantages over conventional dehumidification processes.

Gienger, Jane Kucera↗

NASA NTRS1993

On-orbit performance of the Extended Gyrocompass Controller for the TOPEX/Poseidon spacecraft

The paper describes the Earth Acquisition Mode Extended Gyrocompass Controller flown aboard the NASA-CNES TOPEX/Poseidon Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem spacecraft for providing highly accurate measurements of the surface elevations over all the ocean basins. Particular attention is given to the on-orbit performance of the Extended Gyrocompass Controller used during quaternion initialization and Update Filter convergence processing, both of these procedures requiring maintenance of the spacecraft attitude control and knowledge. The development of the Extended Gyrocompass control technique is reviewed, and the results of the on-orbit yaw attitude control and knowledge performance provided by this algorithm are presented.

Sanneman, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Arteriosclerosis Detection

The Veterans Administration Hospital used computer image-processing techniques to detect arteriosclerosis. Originally developed by Goddard Space Flight Center engineers to enhance spacecraft pictures, this device replaced the previous testing for this disease which was extremely painful and time consuming. With this instrument, computer detected edges are shown along with an estimate of location of pre-arteriosclerosis vessel wall. The difference between the two represents the relative amount of disease in the blood vessel. Instrumentation will be expanded again in 1976 to analyze the coronary arteries and the blood vessels of the retina.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1994

Space Hardware Test Effectiveness

A reassessment of the Assurance Processes regarding spacecraft is underway at JPL. Missions are more difficult, funding is constrained, and development guidelines are different. It is necessary to separate the nice-to-do tasks from the required tasks. We need to determine what we are doing, how well we are doing it, and what we should be doing. Tools to be used are reports of flight anomolies, reports of preflight test anomolies, evaluations of flight performance, and studies of the management of risk during development and performance stages and within programmatic realms.

product assurance risk management funding costs an↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Advanced Manufacturing of the SLS Block 1B Payload Adapter: Engineering Development Unit

The Payload Adapter (PLA) for the Space Launch System Block 1B configuration (SLS B1B) is a structural frustum that interfaces with the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) and the Universal Stage Adapter (USA) or the cargo fairing at the aft end and interfaces with the primary or co-manifested payload at the forward end. The primary structure is composed of a single piece aluminum forward ring, a segmented aluminum aft ring, eight carbon composite sandwich panels, and composite bonded longitudinal joints. The PLA is designed and fabricated in-house at MSFC. Development and flight article builds are joint efforts between the Materials & Processes Laboratory (EM), the Spacecraft & Vehicle Systems Department (EV), the Space Systems Department (ES), and the Test Laboratory (ET). The large-scale manufacturing efforts associated with this task include the fabrication of pathfinder panels; the fabrication and assembly of a full-scale Manufacturing Demonstration Article (MDA); the fabrication, assembly, and test of an Engineering Demonstration Unit (EDU); the fabrication, assembly, and test of a qualification Article; and the fabrication, assembly, and proof test of subsequent flight articles. The PLA team recently completed assembly of the EDU. The final assembly included the instillation of the co-manifested secondary payload, NEST, and the instillation and tensioning of the Payload Separation System (PSS). This poster will detail the assembly process which includes: (1) composite panel to ring assembly, (2) adhesive bonding for the longitudinal joints, and (3) instillation of the NEST and PSS. The PLA EDU is prepared to undergo modal and static load testing.

Monique Wallace↗

NASA NTRS1996

Reduced Cost and Increased Capability Through Technology in the New Millennium

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) New Millennium Program (NMP) is designed to reduce the cost of spacecraft in the 21 st century while simultaneously increasing spacecraft capabilities, thereby increasing the return on our investment in space exploration. The NMP process ins being enacted in the following manner: We are developing a science vision for the 21 st century and identifying the attendant missions of this vision. These missions, in turn, will specify the capabilities that future spacecraft require.

New↗

NASA NTRS1978

Architectures for fault-tolerant spacecraft computers

This paper summarizes the results of a long-term research program in fault-tolerant computing for spacecraft on-board processing. In response to changing device technology this program has progressed from the design of a fault-tolerant uniprocessor to the development of fault-tolerant distributed computer systems. The unusual requirements of spacecraft computing are described along with the resulting real-time computer architectures. The following aspects of these designs are discussed: (1) architectural features to minimize complexity in the distributed computer system, (2) fault-detection and recovery, (3) techniques to enhance reliability and testability, and (4) design approaches for LSI implementation.

Rennels, D. A.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Integrated Systems and Operational Autonomy for Gateway

The Lunar Gateway space station will be operated with less human oversight and control than any human spacecraft thus far. An autonomous software control architecture has been developed to allow the spacecraft to maintain safe operations of the vehicle during times of no human involvement. The development of these autonomous control functionalities has been both technical and process driven. Given that the Gateway will be built modularly with contributions from all over the world, the systems engineering processes had to be shaped to fit with the contractual and political realities of the construction of the international lunar habitat. This paper will describe these challenges and contributions to the development of human spacecraft for sustainable deep space missions.

J M Badger↗

NASA NTRS1972

Bosch CO2 reduction unit research and development.

Development of Bosch CO2 reduction units for manned spacecraft application has been in progress for a decade. The Bosch process catalytically reacts CO2 with H2 to produce water and carbon. The water may then be electrolyzed to close the biological oxygen and process hydrogen loops. A critical problem has been to confine the reaction so that carbon does not block flow and stop the process. Reaction isolation within a replaceable catalyst cartridge has been successfully demonstrated. Objectives of the current development program are a 25% reduction in operating power, an 80% reduction in expendable weight, and minimized resupply volume.

Holmes, R. F.↗