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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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Conference on NASA plans, lunar logistics and bases, lunar water detection and recovery, planetary material for food synthesis and life support systems, and biological exploitation
Extraterrestrial resource utilization for lunar and space exploration and life support systems.
Lunar environment, bases, exploration, and extraterrestrial resources
Derivation of international geomagnetic reference field
Ion chemistry of D and E regions to be studied during years of solar maximum in framework of IQSY/IUCSTP
Lunar water detection and removal, soil adhesion and friction, and other lunar and planetary resources recovery - conferences
Examples of contamination of sensors from various sources during space missions are presented. Design precautions to provide access to optical surfaces and venting of outgassing products are recommended as methods for coping with contamination. The effects of the sensor materials on sensor contamination are analyzed. Actions to be taken during transportation, storage, and testing of sensors to avoid contamination are discussed.
The physical behavior of water and carbon dioxide on Mars was studied. Topics discussed include: physics of polar frosts, CO2 budget, atmospheric minor constituents, chemical and physical properties of surface materials, layered deposits, and the role of volatiles in the Martian landscape formation.
Atmospheric processes on Mars are reported based on atmospheric observations from Mariner 9. Topics discussed include: atmospheric temperature and wind, cloud processes, minor constituents, global dust storm, and surface pressure distribution.
The scope of cometary research is delineated in papers covering the present state of knowledge, detailed objectives of further cometary investigations, the need for ground-based observations, and the types of space missions which would be most suited in the period from 1975 to the mid-1980's. Major contributions of space missions are (1) to identify parent molecules released by the nucleus before they dissociate in the coma, (2) to measure the composition of tail constituents and the electromagnetic environment in the tail, and (3) to define the nature of the cometary nucleus. Experimental payloads and mission parameters are identified for fast flyby, slow flyby, and rendezvous missions to particular comets.
The space astronomy missions to be accomplished by the space shuttle are discussed. The principal instrument is the Large Space Telescope optimized for the ultraviolet and visible regions of the spectrum, but usable also in the infrared. Two infrared telescopes are also proposed and their characteristics are described. Other instruments considered for the astronomical observations are: (1) a very wide angle ultraviolet camera, (2) a grazing incidence telescope, (3) Explorer-class free flyers to measure the cosmic microwave background, and (4) rocket-class instruments which can fly frequently on a variety of missions. The stability requirements of the space shuttle for accomplishing the astronomy mission are defined.
The findings and recommendations of the Materials Processing and Space Manufacturing group of the space shuttle payload planning activity are presented. The effects of weightlessness on the levitation processes, mixture stability, and control over heat and mass transport in fluids are considered for investigation. The research and development projects include: (1) metallurgical processes, (2) electronic materials, (3) biological applications, and (4)nonmetallic materials and processes. Additional recommendations are provided concerning the allocation of payload space, acceptance of experiments for flight, flight qualification, and private use of the space shuttle.
The findings and recommendations of the Space Technology group of the space shuttle payload planning activity are presented. The elements of the space technology program are: (1) long duration exposure facility, (2) advanced technology laboratory, (3) physics and chemistry laboratory, (4) contamination experiments, and (5) laser information/data transmission technology. The space technology mission model is presented in tabular form. The proposed experiments to be conducted by each test facility are described. Recommended approaches for user community interfacing are included.
Technological aspects of solar energy conversion by photovoltaic cells are considered. The advantage of the single crystal silicon solar cell approach is developed through comparisons with polycrystalline silicon, cadmium sulfide/copper sulfide thin film cells, and other materials and devices.
The background behind the congressional legislation that led to the requirement for the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) and the Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) to be installed on certain types of aircraft and inspected marine vessels respectively is discussed. The DAL problem is discussed for existing ELT and EPIRB equipped aircraft and ships. It is recognized that the DAL requirement for CONUS and Alaska and the maritime regions are not identical. In order to address the serious DAL problem which currently exists in CONUS and Alaska, a low orbiting satellite system evolves as the most viable and cost effective alternative that satisfies the overall SAR system design requirements. A satellite system designed to meet the needs of the maritime regions could be either low orbiting or geostationary. The conclusions drawn from this report support the recommendation to proceed with the implementation of a SAR orbiting satellite system.
The science objectives of a first comet mission are reviewed and related to what is known or can be expected to be learned in the near future from ground-based and near earth observations. A set of instruments and their science objectives are defined for a mission to Comet Halley during its 1985/86 apparition. The benefits from a fast flyby, a slow flyby, or a rendezvous mission and the relative impact of each on the instrument payload were assessed. The relative scientific value of encounters with the comet at distances from the sun ranging from 1 AU to 2.5 AU, including possible tradeoffs between flyby velocity and distance was considered. Pre- and post-perihelion encounters were likewise evaluated.
The justification, scientific objectives, instrumentation, and strategy for a first comet mission are discussed. Topics include: mission target; rendezous, propulsion system requirements, measurement objectives, instrument capabilities for rendezvous and the tail probe payload, and backup missions if rendezvous with Halley's comet is not possible to achieve. Support research to be done by NASA is recommended.
Current knowledge of Mercury, Venus, Mars, the Moon, asteroids, comets, and the Galilean satellites were reviewed along with related NASA programs and available mission concepts. Exploration plans for the 1980 to 1990 period are outlined and recommendations made. Topics discussed include: scientific objectives and goals, exploration strategy and recommended mission plans, supporting research and technology, Earth-based and Earth-orbital investigations, data analysis and synthesis, analysis of extraterrestrial materials, broadening the science support base, and international cooperation.