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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

Space transportation main engines for single-stage vehicles

Studies are currently being conducted that could lead to the development of new hydrocarbon booster and hydrogen upper-stage engines. More advanced engines are also being considered which could be developed instead of the baseline designs if the vehicle programs allow time. This paper describes results of the analyses of the advanced engines on single-stage-to-orbit vehicles. The results show that the vehicle dry mass can be reduced about 20 percent with advanced engines when compared to the baseline engines. Some of the advanced engines may not require much extra development time.

Martin, James A.↗

Mars scouts: an overview

The Mars program institutes the Mars Scout Missions in order to address science goals in the program not otherwise covered in the baseline Mars plan. Mars Scout Missions will be Principle-Investigator (PI) led science missions. Analogous to the Discovery Program, PI led investigations optimize the use of limited resources to accomplish the best focused science and allow the flexibility to quickly respond to discoveries at Mars. Scout missions also require unique investments in technology and reliance upon Mars-based infrastructure such as telecom relay orbiters.

mars scout missions↗

Qualification of room-temperature-curing epoxy adhesives for spacecraft structural applications

An adhesive-bonding test program is being conducted in order to develop structural adhesives applicable to JPL spacecraft. A noteworthy application for such an adhesive will be JPL's Galileo mission, whose trajectory will involve the circumnavigation of the planet Venus prior to Jupiter rendezvous, and will accordingly require stringent temperature and radiation environment requirements. The baseline adhesive for the test program is the EA 934 room temperature-cure epoxy, which has been widely used as a 'space-qualified' material.

Carpenter, Alain↗

Environmental monitoring and research at the John F. Kennedy Space Center

The Biomedical Operations and Research Office at the NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center has been supporting environmental monitoring and research since the mid-1970s. Program elements include monitoring of baseline conditions to document natural variability in the ecosystem, assessments of operations and construction of new facilities, and ecological research focusing on wildlife habitat associations. Information management is centered around development of a computerized geographic information system that incorporates remote sensing and digital image processing technologies along with traditional relational data base management capabilities. The proactive program is one in which the initiative is to anticipate potential environmental concerns before they occur and, by utilizing in-house expertise, develop impact minimization or mitigation strategies to reduce environmental risk.

Hall, C. R.↗

VLBI Observing System for VSOP

The very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) Space Observatory Program (VSOP) satellite is scheduled for launch in September 1996. This paper describes the VLBI observing system for VSOP and its differences from ground radio telescope VLBI systems.

radio telescope very long baseline interferometry ↗

National facilities study. Volume 3: Mission and requirements model report

The National Facility Study (NFS) was initiated in 1992 by Daniel S. Goldin, Administrator of NASA as an initiative to develop a comprehensive and integrated long-term plan for future facilities. The resulting, multi-agency NFS consisted of three Task Groups: Aeronautics, Space Operations, and Space Research and Development (R&D) Task Groups. A fourth group, the Engineering and Cost Analysis Task Group, was subsequently added to provide cross-cutting functions, such as assuring consistency in developing an inventory of space facilities. Space facilities decisions require an assessment of current and future needs. Therefore, the two task groups dealing with space developed a consistent model of future space mission programs, operations and R&D. The model is a middle ground baseline constructed for NFS analytical purposes with excursions to cover potential space program strategies. The model includes three major sectors: DOD, civilian government, and commercial space. The model spans the next 30 years because of the long lead times associated with facilities development and usage. This document, Volume 3 of the final NFS report, is organized along the following lines: Executive Summary -- provides a summary view of the 30-year mission forecast and requirements baseline, an overview of excursions from that baseline that were studied, and organization of the report; Introduction -- provides discussions of the methodology used in this analysis; Baseline Model -- provides the mission and requirements model baseline developed for Space Operations and Space R&D analyses; Excursions from the baseline -- reviews the details of variations or 'excursions' that were developed to test the future program projections captured in the baseline; and a Glossary of Acronyms.

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Combustor diffuser interaction program

Advances in gas turbine engine performance are achieved by using compressor systems with high stage loading and low part count, which result in high exit Mach numbers. The diffuser and combustor systems in such engines should be optimized to reduce system pressure loss and to maximize the engine thrust-to-weight ratio and minimize length. The state-of-the-art combustor-diffuser systems do not meet these requirements. Detailed understanding of the combustor-diffuser flow field interaction is required for designing advanced gas turbine engines. An experimental study of the combustor-diffuser interaction (CDI) is being conducted to obtain data for the evaluation and improvement of analytical models applicable to a wide variety of diffuser designs. The CDI program consists of four technical phases: Literature Search; Baseline Configuration; Parametric Configurations; and Performance Configurations. Phase 2 of the program is in progress.

Srinivasan, Ram↗

Subsonic panel method for the efficient analysis of multiple geometry perturbations

An accurate and efficient method was developed for the aerodynamic analysis of a series of arbitrary small geometry perturbations to a given baseline configuration. The method is appropriate for wing-fuselage configurations in incompressible potential flow. Mathematical formulations are presented for three computer programs that are employed. The first program is a conventional surface panel method for calculating the baseline singularity distribution. The second program calculates a partial derivative matrix. Each element of the matrix is the rate of change of singularity strength at one point with respect to a surface coordinate of a different point. For each baseline configuration, the calculated quantities from the first two programs establish an input file for the third. The third program calculates the surface pressure distribution and forces and moments for a series of geometry perturbations.

Bristow, D. R.↗

Astronomy sortie missions definition study. Volume 2, book 1: Astronomy sortie program technical report

The work performed to arrive at a baseline astronomy sortie mission concept is summarized. The material includes: (1) definition of the telescopes and arrays; (2) preliminary definition of mission and systems; (3) identification, definition, and evaluation of alternative sortie programs; (4) the recommended astronomy sortie program; and (5) the astronomy sortie program concept that was approved as a baseline for the remainder of the project.

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Space shuttle configuration accounting functional design specification

An analysis is presented of the requirements for an on-line automated system which must be capable of tracking the status of requirements and engineering changes and of providing accurate and timely records. The functional design specification provides the definition, description, and character length of the required data elements and the interrelationship of data elements to adequately track, display, and report the status of active configuration changes. As changes to the space shuttle program levels II and III configuration are proposed, evaluated, and dispositioned, it is the function of the configuration management office to maintain records regarding changes to the baseline and to track and report the status of those changes. The configuration accounting system will consist of a combination of computers, computer terminals, software, and procedures, all of which are designed to store, retrieve, display, and process information required to track proposed and proved engineering changes to maintain baseline documentation of the space shuttle program levels II and III.

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Apollo experience report: Food systems

Development, delivery, and use of food systems in support of the Apollo 7 to 14 missions are discussed. Changes in design criteria for this unique program as mission requirements varied are traced from the baseline system that was established before the completion of the Gemini Program. Problems and progress in subsystem management, material selection, food packaging, development of new food items, menu design, and food-consumption methods under zero-gravity conditions are described. The effectiveness of various approaches in meeting food system objectives of providing flight crews with safe, nutritious, easy to prepare, and highly acceptable foods is considered. Nutritional quality and adequacy in maintaining crew health are discussed in relation to the establishment of nutritional criteria for future missions. Technological advances that have resulted from the design of separate food systems for the command module, the lunar module, The Mobile Quarantine Facility, and the Lunar Receiving Laboratory are presented for application to future manned spacecraft and to unique populations in earthbound situations.

Smith, M. C., Jr.↗

Application of shuttle EVA systems to payloads. Volume 1: EVA systems and operational modes description

Descriptions of the EVA system baselined for the space shuttle program were provided, as well as a compendium of data on available EVA operational modes for payload and orbiter servicing. Operational concepts and techniques to accomplish representative EVA payload tasks are proposed. Some of the subjects discussed include: extravehicular mobility unit, remote manipulator system, airlock, EVA translation aids, restraints, workstations, tools and support equipment.

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Assessment of state-of-the-art of in-service inspection methods for graphite epoxy composite structures on commercial transport aircraft

A survey was conducted to determine current in-service inspection practices for all types of aircraft structure and particularly for advanced composite structures. The survey consisted of written questionnaires to commercial airlines, visits to airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and government agencies, and a literature search. Details of the survey including visits, questions asked, a bibliography of reviewed literature and details of the results are reported. From the results, a current in-service inspection baseline and a preliminary inspection program for advanced composite structures is documented as appendices to the report.

Phelps, M. L.↗

Development of a preprototype vapor compression distillation water recovery subsystem

The activities involved in the design, development, and test of a preprototype vapor compression distillation water recovery subsystem are described. This subsystem, part of a larger regenerative life support evaluation system, is designed to recover usable water from urine, urinal rinse water, and concentrated shower and laundry brine collected from three space vehicle crewmen for a period of 180 days without resupply. Details of preliminary design and testing as well as component developments are included. Trade studies, considerations leading to concept selections, problems encountered, and test data are also presented. The rework of existing hardware, subsystem development including computer programs, assembly verification, and comprehensive baseline test results are discussed.

Johnson, K. L.↗

Lightweight, high-frequency transformers

The 25-kVA space transformer was developed under contract by Thermal Technology Laboratory, Buffalo, N. Y. The NASA Lewis transformer technology program attempted to develop the baseline technology. For the 25-kVA transformer the input voltage was chosen as 200 V, the output voltage as 1500 V, the input voltage waveform as square wave, the duty cycle as continuous, the frequency range (within certain constraints) as 10 to 40 kHz, the operating temperatures as 85 deg. and 130 C, the baseplate temperature as 50 C, the equivalent leakage inductance as less than 10 micro-h, the operating environment as space, and the life expectancy as 10 years. Such a transformer can also be used for aircraft, ship and terrestrial applications.

Schwarze, G. E.↗

Space Station overview

This paper presents an overview of the Space Station, including program guidelines, international involvement, current baseline configuration, and utilization for science and application missions. Space Station configuration and capabilities, plus methods of utilizing the Space Station for scientific and engineering investigations, are described. The Space Station is being designed as a multipurpose facility to support a number of functions, such as a laboratory in space, a transportation node, an assembly facility, a staging base, etc. The description includes the baseline configuration, location of the pressurized modules, servicing and assembly facilities, and the work package structure for Space Station management. The Space Station will accommodate a wide variety of user requirements in laboratory modules and as attached payloads. To show the utility of the Space Station, a variety of science and application missions currently being studied for NASA at the Marshall Space Flight Center are discussed.

De Sanctis, Carmine E.↗

Human factors: Space

The objectives are to provide a technology base for intelligent operator interfaces, especially with autonomous subsystems, and to develop a new generation of high performance space suits, gloves, and tools/end effectors to meet the requirements of advanced space missions. The technology base is intended to meet the requirements of productivity, efficiency, and safety in complex manned operations within automated onboard systems and extravehicular activities (EVA) environments. Crew station research is the first of two major areas. Development of methods for the astronaut to supervise, monitor, and evaluate the performance of robotic systems, other space subsystems, and orbital vehicles are key areas of research. The second major area is development of an EVA space suit and gloves. Emphasis in the space human factors research program is placed on technology baseline studies and development of methods, techniques, and data to support productive and safe operations by the astronaut and crew as they interface with complex systems, advance automation, and robotic assistants.

Jenkins, James P.↗

An electrostatically suspended, micro-mechanical rate gyroscope

SatCon Technology has performed a study of micromechanical gyroscopes. The goals of this program were to define a baseline system configuration and establish technical feasibility for proof of principle and prototype fabrication. This report documents the research and presents the baseline mechanical design, sensors, control systems, and electronics. This section presents a project overview and specific technical objectives. Section 2 contains a background on micromechanical technology. Section 3 contains the microgyroscope specifications and configurations. Section 4 contains the electromechanical design. Section 5 outlines the control and electronics. Section 6 presents a preliminary sequence for microfabrication of the baseline design, and Section 7 contains conclusions and recommendations for further work.

Hawkey, Timothy↗