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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2008

The NASA Phoenix 2007 Mars Lander Thruster Calibration Estimator: Design and Validation

The NASA Phoenix 2007 Mars Lander mission, launched in August 2007 on its mission to land near the north pole of Mars in May 2008, had a driving need for entry-corridor delivery precision, which parlayed into stringent requirements on deep space navigation accuracy. This, in turn, necessitated in-cruise calibration of the three-axis thrust force vectors produced by each of the vehicle's four reactioncontrol system (RCS) thrusters during frequent daily low-catalyst-bed-temperature firings done to maintain the 3-axis attitude deadbands. A novel recursive sigmapoint consider-covariance filter was designed, validated and ultimately utilized extensively during flight operations, to estimate the RCS force vectors, per individual thruster. The estimate was achieved through ground-based processing of Deep Space Network (DSN) and telemetered gyroscope data from the spacecraft's inertial measurement unit (IMU), using a novel sigma-point consider filter (SPCF) formulation. During early-cruise active calibration, the spacecraft was flown in attitudes chosen, using this filter, to maximize observability of all thruster axes, to an extent constrained by vehicle thermal and communication considerations. The design of the Phoenix thruster calibration filter, and its validation through processing of archived Mars Odyssey thruster calibration radiometric data, and simulated sets of data, are discussed in this paper. The paper concludes with the formulation of the thruster calibration campaign and a summary of the thruster calibration campaign results. The SPCF algorithm is summarized in the Appendix.

sigma-point filter↗
NASA NTRS1974

Sequential filter design for precision orbit determination and physical constant refinement

Earth-based spacecraft tracking data have historically been processed with classical least squares filtering techniques both for navigation purposes and for physical constant determination. The small, stochastic nongravitational forces acting on the spacecraft are described to motivate the use of sequential estimation as an alternative to the least squares fitting procedures. The stochastic forces are investigated both in terms of their effect on the tracking data and their influence on estimation accuracy. A flexible sequential filter design which leaves the existing trajectory, variational equations, data observable and partial computations undisturbed is described. A detailed filter design is presented that meets the precision demands and flexibility requirements of deep space navigation and of scientific problems.

Curkendall, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Recursive filter initialization.

Description of an initialization technique which partially accounts for the interrelation between the true-state vector errors when recursive filtering is applied in space navigation systems. The technique reduces the undesirable transient effects of the first few measurements and inhibits filter divergence when the interval between measurements is inordinately large. The key feature of this technique is the inclusion of the effect of a number of pseudo-measurements of certain orbital parameters into the initial covariance matrix. The pseudo-measurement technique has been shown to be useful when reinitialization of the error covariance matrix is required to prevent filter divergence.

Battin, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Evaluation of Skylab earth laser beacon imagery

During the Skylab 3 and 4 missions the Skylab spacecraft was illuminated by a low power argon ion and dye laser. The earth laser beacon was studied visually by the astronauts. In addition, they collected 35 mm hand-held color photographs of the beacons. Photographs are shown that were obtained on Skylab 3 and Skylab 4. The imagery collected during the Skylab mission was analyzed to evaluate the utility of beacon lasers as terrestial 'artificial stars' for space navigation. The analyses of the imagery revealed two unusual features of the earth laser beacon: (1) The beacon, even though of a low power (approximately 1 watt), is considerably brighter than any other terrain feature and is readily visible on imagery at a distance in excess of 1500 km (900 miles). (2) Another feature of the beacon is its large size. The typical beacon extends over about 5 resolution areas with a characteristic dimension of about 200 m.

Piech, K. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A history of the deep space network

The Deep Space Network (DSN) has been managed and operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) under NASA contract ever since NASA was formed in late 1958. The Tracking and data acquisition tasks of the DSN are markedly different from those of the other NASA network, STDN. STDN, which is an amalgamation of the satellite tracking network (STADAN) and the Manned Space Flight Network (MSFN), is primarily concerned with supporting manned and unmanned earth satellites. In contrast, the DSN deals with spacecraft that are thousands to hundreds of millions of miles away. The radio signals from these distant craft are many orders of magnitude weaker than those from nearby satellites. Distance also makes precise radio location more difficult; and accurate trajectory data are vital to deep space navigation in the vicinities of the other planets of the solar system. In addition to tracking spacecraft and acquiring data from them, the DSN is required to transmit many thousands of commands to control the sophisticated planetary probes and interplanetary monitoring stations. To meet these demanding requirements, the DSN has been compelled to be in the forefront of technology.

Corliss, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1977

F. Gomez Arias' rocket vehicle project

Research done by Spanish pioneer rocket scientists in the 19th century was investigated with major emphasis placed on F. Gomez Arias' rocket vehicle project. Arias, considered the world's first designer of rocket propelled, manned aircraft, was interested in solving the problem of space navigation. Major concerns included ascent and direction of heavier-than-airmachines, as well as ascent and direction of balloons.

Carreras, R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

An extensive bibliography on long baseline interferometry

Long baseline interferometry has grown from a simple concept of an optical device for detecting light fringes to a highly theoretical and sophisticated system assisted by computers and modern electronic components. The areas of applications include radio astronomy, radio science, geodesy, tectonics, space navigation, and seismology.

Benjauthrit, B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Large scale state estimation algorithms for DSN tracking station location determination

Estimation of precise tracking station locations for deep space navigation is based on combining state estimates derived from a multitude of planetary encounter missions with planet direction information provided by the planetary ephemeris. Procedures for reducing the dimensionality of the station location estimation problem and for analytically correcting estimates for ephemeris updates have been developed. Using Householder transforms the large scale state estimation problem is decomposed into a sequence of dynamically uncoupled problems of lower dimension. The effect of an ephemeris update is shown to be adequately approximated by Brouwer-Clemence Set III perturbations for the earth-moon barycenter and the target planet for each mission.

Ellis, J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Proceedings of a workshop: Multidisciplinary Use of the Very Long Baseline Array

The National Research Council organized a workshop to gather together experts in very long baseline interometry, astronomy, space navigation, general relativity and the earth sciences. The purpose of the workshop was to provide a forum for consideration of the various possible multi-disciplinary uses of the very long baseline array. Geophysical investigations received major attention. Geodesic uses of the very long baseline array were identified as were uses for fundamental astronomy investigations. Numerous specialized uses were identified.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1993

Introduction to magnetic bearings

Multi-axis suspension has several advantages over single axis system, in that it provides control of an object with precision in two or three orthogonal axes. In this report, we discuss the primary use of magnetic-bearing suspension and it's relevance to what was formally known as NASA's Annular Suspension and Pointing System (ASPS). This system is an experimental pointing system with applications for the space shuttle and the space station programs. The objectives behind this magnetic suspension research project are to provide insight to the use of the ASPS configuration, to control the solar panels of the space station. This is important to maintain the correct position of the panels in relation to the sun and orbiting space station for the continuous supply of solar energy. Since the panels are suspended, they can be aligned with minimum outside interference. The approach of using magnetic suspension technology guarantees mechanical isolation since there are no contacting surfaces. This isolation reduces vibration transmission and mechanical wear which in turn extends the life of the payload and of the carrier. It should be noted that ASPS has a high pointing accuracy along the line of 0.01 arc-second. This research will be done in a laboratory setting by incorporating five bearing stations and one motion control station. We will attempt to suspend an object of dead weight similar to that of a solar panel. The long term applications may include deep-space navigation, fire control in weapon systems, and an improved mass transit system.

Skowronski, Lori↗
NASA NTRS1999

Test Results for the Automated Rendezvous and Capture System

The Automated Rendezvous and Capture (AR&C) system was designed and tested at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to demonstrate technologies and mission strategies for automated rendezvous and docking of spacecraft in Earth orbit, The system incorporates some of the latest innovations in Global Positioning, System space navigation, laser sensor technologies and automated mission sequencing algorithms. The system's initial design and integration was completed in 1998 and has undergone testing at MSFC. This paper describes the major components of the AR&C system and presents results from the official system tests performed in MSFC's Flight Robotics Laboratory with digital simulations and hardware in the loop tests. The results show that the AR&C system can safely and reliably perform automated rendezvous and docking missions in the absence of system failures with 100 percent success. When system failures are included, the system uses its automated collision avoidance maneuver logic to recover in a safe manner. The primary objective of the AR&C project is to prove that by designing a safe and robust automated system, mission operations cost can be reduced by decreasing the personnel required for mission design, preflight planning and training required for crewed rendezvous and docking missions.

Cruzen, Craig↗
NASA NTRS2005

CCSDS concept paper: Delta-DOR

This Concept Paper proposes the development of Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) standards for the deep space navigation technique known as 'delta-DOR' (Delta Differential One-Way Ranging).

delta-DOR↗
NASA NTRS2003

Astrometry at 24 and 43 GHz

We describe the goals and initial results of a collaboration formed to survey extragalactic objects at radio frequencies of 24 and 43 GHz This survey is for extending the International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF) that is the current coordinate system for astrometry and wh ich is the angular inertial frame of deep space navigation. In princ iple, the extension should lead to a more stable reference frame. We report upon our initial three 24-hour observing sessions involving about 100 radio sources at the VLBA.

astrometry↗