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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 271 records · Page 15

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NASA NTRS2012

Antarctic Exploration Parallels for Future Human Planetary Exploration: The Role and Utility of Long Range, Long Duration Traverses

Topics covered include: Antarctic Exploration Parallels for Future Human Planetary Exploration: Science Operations Lessons Learned, Planning, and Equipment Capabilities for Long Range, Long Duration Traverses; Parallels Between Antarctic Travel in 1950 and Planetary Travel in 2050 (to Accompany Notes on "The Norwegian British-Swedish Antarctic Expedition 1949-52"); My IGY in Antarctica; Short Trips and a Traverse; Geologic Traverse Planning for Apollo Missions; Desert Research and Technology Studies (DRATS) Traverse Planning; Science Traverses in the Canadian High Arctic; NOR-USA Scientific Traverse of East Antarctica: Science and Logistics on a Three-Month Expedition Across Antarctica's Farthest Frontier; A Notional Example of Understanding Human Exploration Traverses on the Lunar Surface; and The Princess Elisabeth Station.

Hoffman, Stephen J.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Using Lunar Sample Disks and Resources to Promote Scientific Inquiry

This poster presentation will illustrate the use of NASA Lunar Sample Disks and resources to promote scientific inquiry and address the Next Generation Science Standards. The poster will present information on the Lunar Sample Disks, housed and managed by the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Directorate at the NASA Johnson Space Center. The poster will also present information on an inquiry‐based planetary sample and impact cratering unit designed to introduce students in grades 4‐10 to the significance of studying the rocks, soils, and surfaces of a planetary world. The unit, consisting of many hands‐on activities, provides context and background information to enhance the impact of the Lunar Sample Disks.

Graff, Paige↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Hardware Autonomy for Space Infrastructure

NASA prioritizes autonomous systems development with the expectation that it will continue to drive significant improvements in human and science exploration capability. Crew operations benefit from a spectrum of machine assistance to complete replacement of dangerous or highly repetitive tasks. Many science operations have a teleoperation component, and similarly benefit from a range of autonomy implementations that make long distance applications feasible. As we consider longer duration deep space missions, we also consider higher levels of autonomy in order meet emergent safety, maintenance, and logistics needs. One of the challenges within this scope is installation and maintenance of infrastructure, such as large scale instrumentation and communications equipment, crew habitats, and operational facilities. We describe how a programmable meta-material architecture may shift the paradigm of how we design, build, and operate future space infrastructure and assets. A primary objective of this strategy is to free the design space from launch vehicle constraints and fundamentally shift how a mission is designed and conducted. This integrates advances in materials (mechanical meta-materials), manufacturing (cooperative mobile robotics), and autonomy (multi-agent planning algorithms). Engineering systems that utilize a modular and reconfiguration building block approach, such as digital communication and computation systems, currently lead in terms of size and complexity scalability. NASA is extending the benefits and flexibility of digital systems to hardware systems, to optimize materials life-cycle management and expand our space exploration mission capabilities to meet long duration and deep space infrastructure needs, in accordance with long term NASA goals of "in-space reliance" and "mass-less exploration."

In space assembly↗

NASA NTRS1999

Precise Image-based Motion Estimation for Autonomous Small Body Exploration

Space science and solar exploration are driving NASA to develop an array of small body missions ranging in scope from near body flybys to complete sample return.

motion↗

NASA NTRS1990

A surface systems architecture for an evolutionary lunar base

The NASA Office of Exploration has completed a Systems Engineering and Integration effort to define a point design for an evolving lunar base that supports substantial science, exploration, and resource production objectives. This study addressed systems level design; element requirements and conceptual designs; assessments of precursor and technology needs, and operations concepts. The central base is assumed to be located equatorially on the lunar nearside north of the crater Moltke in Mare Tranquillitatis. The study considers an aggressive case with three main phases. The initial Man-Tended Phase establishes basic enabling facilities that include a modular habitat that periodically houses a crew of four. During the Experimental Phase the base becomes permanently manned with the construction of a larger habitat that provides augmented workshop and laboratory volumes and housing for crew. The Operational Phase expands base capabilities to a substantially mature level while reducing reliance on earth.

Roberts, Barney B.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Options for a lunar base surface architecture

The analysis of the Space Exploration Initiative architectures involves making definitions of systems engineering designs for the construction of lunar and Mars bases for the support of science, exploration, and resource production on these planets. This paper discusses the results of the Space Resource Utilization Architecture study, which was initiated to develop the technical capability for extracting useful materials from the indigenous resources of the moon and Mars. For the moon, an infrastructure concept of a base is designed which can support a crew of 12. The major phases of the lunar-base development, the systems and the elements involved, and the physical layout and evolution of the base are described.

Roberts, Barney B.↗

NASA NTRS2008

Update on the Ares V to Support Heavy Lift for U.S. Space Exploration Policy

When NASA's Ares V cargo launch vehicle begins flying late next decade, its capabilities will significantly exceed the 1960s-era Saturn V. It will send more crew and cargo to more places on the lunar surface than Apollo and provide ongoing support to a permanent lunar outpost that will open the Moon to greater exploration, science and adventure than ever before. Moreover, it will restore the United States heavy-lift capability, which can support human and robotic exploration for decades to come. Ares V remains in a pre-design analysis cycle stage pending a planned Authority to Proceed (ATP) in late 2010. Ares V benefits from the decision to draw from heritage hardware and its commonality with the Ares I crew launch vehicle, which completed its preliminary design review (PDR) in September 2008. Most of the work on Ares V to date has been focused on refining the vehicle design through a variety of internal studies. This paper will provide background information on the Ares V evolution, emphasizing the vehicle configuration as it exists today.

Sumrall, John P.↗

NASA NTRS2022

An Astro-Animation Class: Optimizing Artistic, Educational and Outreach Outcomes

The authors investigate how teaching art and astronomy together has the potential to inspire new art forms, enhance scientific public outreach, and promote art and science education. The authors teach an astro-animation class at the Maryland Institute College of Art in partnership with NASA scientists. The animations explore science in creative ways. Astrophysicists, educators, students, and the general public were surveyed to evaluate the experiences, and benefits from this project. The responses were very positive -the program is an effective way to stimulate art students to learn science, share an artist’s viewpoint beyond the classroom, and engage with the public.

Animation↗

NASA NTRS2003

An evolving Mars telecommunications network to enable exploration and increase science data return

The coming decade of Mars exploration involves a variety of unique telecommunications challenges. Increasing spatial and spectral resolution of in situ science instruments drive the need for increased bandwidth. At the same time, many innovative and low-cost in situ mission concepts are enabled by energy-efficient relay communications. In response to these needs, the Mars Exploration Program has established a plan for an evolving orbital infrastructure that can provide enhancing and enabling telecommunications services to future Mars missions. We will present the evolving capabilities of this network over the coming decade in terms of specific quantitative metrics such as data volume per sol and required lander energy per Gb of returned data for representative classes of Mars exploration spacecraft.

Mars Telecommunication↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Lunar Communications and Navigation: Lunar Communications, Position, Navigation, and Time (CPNT) Architecture

The NASA Moon-to-Mars (M2M) Architecture will enable the return of humans to the Moon, establish a long-term presence there, and open more of the lunar surface to exploration than ever before. This growth of lunar activity requires robust and resilient communications, position, navigation, and time capabilities for crew safety, the command and control of spacecraft, the return of science data, and the precise telerobotic maneuvering of assets both in space and on the lunar surface. Within the M2M Architecture, the sub-architecture for Communications, Position, Navigation, and Time (CPNT) details the specific CPNT systems and infrastructure required to meet the M2M objectives. Two objectives most fundamental to the CPNT sub-architecture are: (1) develop a lunar surface, orbital, and Moon-to-Earth communications architecture that scales to support long term science, exploration, and industrial needs and (2) develop a lunar position, navigation, and timing (PNT) architecture that also scales to support long term needs. The subject presentation provides an overview of the M2M Architecture, planned mission activities, and infrastructure development underway by NASA. The presentation provides overview of the surface wireless network and the challenges associated with operating on the lunar surface.

architecture↗

NASA NTRS1986

Pioneering the space frontier

The goals and plans of the program for exploration and development of the space frontier recommended by the National Commission on Space for the next 50 years are described. The topics discussed include civilian space goals for 21st-century America, low-cost access to the solar system, opening the space frontier, and American leadership on the space frontier. Papers are presented on advancing science; exploring, prospecting, and settling the solar system; space enterprise and building the technology base; and on an economical, phased approach. In addition, consideration is given to the aspects of conducting an effective science program, government policy and the private sector, international cooperation and competition, 21st-century America, and to what the recommended program will do.

Space Exploration↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Engaging Learners with NASA's Antarctic Meteorites and Apollo Moon Rocks

A primary goal of our Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Science Engagement team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) has been to engage students, educators, the science community, and the public with NASA’s Astromaterials assets including Astromaterials samples, specialized facilities, and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Our team has facilitated this through in-person events, hands-on activities, and virtual connections with educator and student (grades 3-12+) audiences. During COVID, our team initiated an effort, focusing on NASA’s Antarctic Meteorite and Apollo Lunar Collections, to reimagine existing resources and content to facilitate access to these assets whether an educator or SME is connecting with audiences virtually or in-person, or ultimately when a learner is exploring on their own. These collections provide rich scientific data for the science community but they can also be used to help inspire the public, including the next generation of scientists.

P. V. Graff↗

NASA NTRS2023

Gateway Program Safety and Mission Assurance Integration - The Future of Safe Deep Space Human Exploration

Helen Vaccaro↗

NASA NTRS2002

RASC-AL (Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts-Academic Linkage): 2002 Advanced Concept Design Presentation

The Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts-Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) is a program of the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) in collaboration with the Universities Space Research Association's (USRA) ICASE institute through the NASA Langley Research Center. The RASC-AL key objectives are to develop relationships between universities and NASA that lead to opportunities for future NASA research and programs, and to develop aerospace systems concepts and technology requirements to enable future NASA missions. The program seeks to look decades into the future to explore new mission capabilities and discover what's possible. NASA seeks concepts and technologies that can make it possible to go anywhere, at anytime, safely, reliably, and affordably to accomplish strategic goals for science, exploration, and commercialization. University teams were invited to submit research topics from the following themes: Human and Robotic Space Exploration, Orbital Aggregation & Space Infrastructure Systems (OASIS), Zero-Emissions Aircraft, and Remote Sensing. RASC-AL is an outgrowth of the HEDS-UP (University Partners) Program sponsored by the LPI. HEDS-UP was a program of the Lunar and Planetary Institute designed to link universities with NASA's Human Exploration and Development of Space (HEDS) enterprise. The first RASC-AL Forum was held November 5-8, 2002, at the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront Hotel in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Representatives from 10 university teams presented student research design projects at this year's Forum. Each team contributed a written report and these reports are presented.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1996

Solar Electric Propulsion

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's New Millennium Program (NMP) is a space flight technology demonstration program that will validate the technologies needed to carry out the Earth and space science missions NASA envisions for the 21(sup st) century. The program is employing an innovative decision-making process to select the specific technologies that will be flight validated. First, NMP has articulated NASA's vision of science exploration for the next century, then it has defined the capabilities needed to execute that vision, and finally it will select and demonstrate the revolutionary technologies that provide those capabilities, thus enabling the science vision.

New Millennium New Millennium Program NMP space fl↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Gateway Program Safety and Mission Assurance Integration - the Future of Safe Deep Space Human Exploration

As a foundational element of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Artemis Campaign, the Gateway is an incrementally built cislunar spacecraft that will serve as a platform for deep space human exploration, science, and technology demonstration. The Gateway will be a unifying catalyst for international partners around the world to establish sustained deep space scientific investigations, lunar surface access, and missions to Mars. As human exploration moves farther away from Earth, spacecraft designs must prioritize and optimize mass and volume allocations, while minimizing human and spacecraft risk. To accomplish this objective, the Gateway Program Safety and Mission Assurance functions develop, implement, and ensure compliance with requirements, in concert with the accurate characterization and transparent communication of residual hazard risks, for integrated safety, reliability and maintainability and quality assurance. Safety and Mission Assurance was a key contributor during Gateway program pre-formulation and formulation activities where safety and reliability analysis was embedded in the Gateway Systems Engineering and Integration team. During these early program stages, a preliminary Gateway Integrated Hazard Analysis and Preliminary Gateway Probabilistic Risk Assessment assisted in Gateway architectural and operational definition as part of a risk-informed design process. As the deep space architecture has matured, the integrated Safety and Mission Assurance analyses have matured, new safety review processes have been developed, and requirements have been refined to ensure compliance with integrated safety and mission assurance objectives. The Gateway Program is currently concluding the preliminary design review informed milestone, where the primary objectives included: - Ensured completeness and consistency of the preliminary design, including the meeting of all requirements within appropriate margins and acceptable risk posture. - Identification of any major issues moving forward to the Critical Design phase. At this milestone, Safety and Mission Assurance provided numerous products, including Gateway Top Risks and Risk Mitigation Plans, updated integrated hazard analyses, updated probabilistic risk assessment, Crew Survival Analysis Report, and updated Safety and Mission Assurance Requirements and Plans. These products provide a many-faceted perspective on the inherent risk and available mitigations involved in flying the current proposed vehicle design and anticipated stack configurations. In addition, Safety and Mission Assurance identified top technical, process and workforce concerns to be addressed as the program progresses toward the critical design phase. This paper will detail the evolution of the Gateway Program Safety and Mission Assurance integration functions, provide its current status and lessons learned for future human spaceflight programs. Throughout this paper the key tenets of the Gateway Program Safety and Mission Assurance will be discussed: - Application of a risk-informed approach to identify and mitigate areas of highest risk. - Leverage of valuable processes and lessons learned from earlier spaceflight programs. - Development of Safety and Mission Assurance products to inform design risk trades. - Utilization of common Safety and Mission Assurance practices to identify safety risks for multiple perspectives: top-down, bottom-up, and across lines of integration. - Approval of safety hazards at the appropriate level of authority, keeping most deliberation closest to design expertise and elevating risks of greatest concern for program-level consideration. - Championing of Safety and Mission Assurance processes and forums to foster a pervasive safety culture that is transparent, inclusive, and collaborative between all partners. These tenets have allowed the Gateway Safety and Mission Assurance function to play a key role in optimized vehicle design evolution, and early identification and mitigation of Gateway program and Artemis mission risk.

Helen Vaccaro↗

NASA NTRS2023

Science Objectives for Human Exploration of Mars Workshop Report

The Science Objectives for Human Exploration of Mars Workshop was held in Denver, Colorado on May 4–6, 2022. The workshop was co-sponsored by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate to actively engage the planetary science community to determine what planetary science should be done by human crews on the martian surface and how those science objectives can be achieved. Sessions at the Science Objectives for Human Exploration of Mars Workshop were organized around specific planetary science objectives and mission architecture concepts that were identified during the workshop as the highest priority for human exploration. The intent of this workshop was to synthesize a notional, integrated concept of operations for each scenario to aid in planning and refining the mission architecture for the first human mission to Mars. Results from the Planetary Decadal Survey Report were released xx days before the workshop and were briefed to workshop participants who incorporated the findings in the discussions. With the Artemis missions, humans will return to the Moon using innovative technologies to explore the lunar surface. We will apply what we learn about exploration architecture, surface infrastructure, and science and exploration operations on and around the Moon to conduct successful missions with the first astronauts to Mars. A human mission to Mars will be a landmark achievement and a golden opportunity to make groundbreaking scientific discoveries on Mars. The potential scope of the science activities and impact of achieving those objectives are extraordinary.

Mars↗

NASA NTRS1988

Life sciences - On the critical path for missions of exploration

Life sciences are important and critical to the safety and success of manned and long-duration space missions. The life science issues covered include gravitational physiology, space radiation, medical care delivery, environmental maintenance, bioregenerative systems, crew and human factors within and outside the spacecraft. The history of the role of life sciences in the space program is traced from the Apollo era, through the Skylab era to the Space Shuttle era. The life science issues of the space station program and manned missions to the moon and Mars are covered.

Sulzman, Frank M.↗