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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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NASA NTRS2016

Managing a Safe and Successful Multi-User Spaceport

Encouraged by the creation of the Office of Commercial Space Transportation within the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1984 and the Commercial Space Act of 1998, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) now relies on an extensive network of support from commercial companies and organizations. At NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC), this collaboration opens competitive opportunities for launch providers, including repurposing underutilized Shuttle Program resources, constructing new facilities, and utilizing center services and laboratories. The resulting multi-user spaceport fosters diverse activity, though it engenders risk from hazards associated with various spaceflight processing activities. The KSC Safety & Mission Assurance (S&MA) Directorate, in coordination with the center's Spaceport Integration and Center Planning & Development organizations, has developed a novel approach to protect NASA's workforce, critical assets, and the public from hazardous, space-related activity associated with KSC's multi-user spaceport. For NASA KSC S&MA, the transformation to a multi-user spaceport required implementing methods to foster safe and successful commercial activity while resolving challenges involving: Retirement of the Space Shuttle program; Co-location of multiple NASA programs; Relationships between the NASA programs; Complex relationships between NASA programs and commercial partner operations in exclusive-use facilities; Complex relationships between NASA programs and commercial partner operations in shared-use facilities. NASA KSC S&MA challenges were met with long-term planning and solutions involving cooperation with the Spaceport Integration and Services Directorate. This directorate is responsible for managing active commercial partnerships with customer advocacy and services management, providing a dedicated and consistent level of support to a wide array of commercial operations. This paper explores these solutions, their relevance to the current commercial space industry, and the challenges that continue to drive improvement with a focus on areas of safety management and risk assessment that have been crucial in KSC's evolution into a multi-user spaceport. These solutions may be useful to government entities and private companies looking to partner with the commercial space industry.

Range↗
NASA NTRS2016

Space Weathering of Silicates Simulated by Successive Laser Irradiation: in Situ Reflectance Measurements of Fo90, Fo99+, and SiO2

Pulsed-laser irradiation causes the visible-near-infrared spectral slope of olivine (Fo90 and Fo99+) and SiO2 to increase (redden), while the olivine samples darken and the SiO2 samples brighten slightly. XPS analysis shows that irradiation of Fo90 produces metallic Fe. Analytical SEM and TEM measurements confirm that reddening in the Fo90 olivine samples correlates with the production of "nanophase" metallic Fe (npFe0) grains, 20-50 nm in size. The reddening observed in the SiO2 sample is consistent with the formation of SiO or other SiOx species that absorb in the visible. The weak spectral brightening induced by laser irradiation of SiO2 is consistent with a change in surface topography of the sample. The darkening observed in the olivine samples is likely caused by the formation of larger npFe0 particles, such as the 100-400 nm diameter npFe0 identified during our TEM analysis of Fo90 samples. The Fo90 reflectance spectra are qualitatively similar to those in previous experiments suggesting that in all cases formation of npFe0 is causing the spectral alteration. Finally, we find that the accumulation of successive laser pulses cause continued sample darkening in the Vis-NIR, which suggests that repeated surface impacts are an efficient way to darken airless body surfaces.

Airless planetary bodies↗
NASA NTRS2016

Successes with the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission

Water is essential to our planet Earth. Knowing when, where and how precipitation falls is crucial for understanding the linkages between the Earth's water and energy cycles and is extraordinarily important for sustaining life on our planet during climate change. The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory spacecraft launched February 27, 2014, is the anchor to the GPM international satellite mission to unify and advance precipitation measurements from a constellation of research and operational sensors to provide "next-generation" precipitation products. GPM is currently a partnership between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Status and successes in terms of spacecraft, instruments, retrieval products, validation, and impacts for science and society will be presented. Precipitation, microwave, satellite

microwave↗
NASA NTRS2016

Successful Completion of the JWST OGSE2 Cryogenic Test at JSC Chamber-A While Managing Numerous Challenges

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Optical Telescope Element (OTE) assembly is the largest optically stable infrared-optimized telescope currently being manufactured and assembled, and scheduled for launch in 2018. The JWST OTE, including the primary mirrors, secondary mirror, and the Aft Optics Subsystems (AOS) are designed to be passively cooled and operate at near 45 degrees Kelvin. Due to the size of its large sunshield in relation to existing test facilities, JWST cannot be optically or thermally tested as a complete observatory-level system at flight temperatures. As a result, the telescope portion along with its instrument complement will be tested as a single unit very late in the program, and on the program schedule critical path. To mitigate schedule risks, a set of 'pathfinder' cryogenic tests will be performed to reduce program risks by demonstrating the optical testing capabilities of the facility, characterizing telescope thermal performance, and allowing project personnel to learn valuable testing lessons off-line. This paper describes the 'pathfinder' cryogenic test program, focusing on the recently completed second test in the series called the Optical Ground Support Equipment 2 (OGSE2) test. The JWST OGSE2 was successfully completed within the allocated project schedule while faced with numerous conflicting thermal requirements during cool-down to the final cryogenic operational temperatures, and during warm-up after the cryo-stable optical tests. The challenges include developing a pre-test cool-down and warm-up profiles without a reliable method to predict the thermal behaviors in a rarified helium environment, and managing the test article hardware safety driven by the project Limits and Constraints (L&C's). Furthermore, OGSE2 test included the time critical Aft Optics Subsystem (AOS), a part of the flight Optical Telescope Element that would need to be placed back in the overall telescope assembly integrations. The OGSE2 test requirements included the strict adherence of the project contamination controls due to the presence of the contamination sensitive flight optical elements. The test operations required close coordination of numerous personnel while they being exposed and trained for the 'final' combined OTE and instrument cryo-test in 2017. This paper will also encompass the OGSE2 thermal data look-back review.

JWST OGSE2 Cryogenic Test↗
NASA NTRS2017

Hinode: A Decade of Success in Capturing Solar Activity

As the present solar cycle passes into its minimum phase, the Hinode mission marks its tenth year of investigating solar activity. Hinode's decade of successful observations have provided us with immeasurable insight into the solar processes that invoke space weather and thereby affect the interplanetary environment in which we reside. The mission's complementary suite of instruments allows us to probe transient, high energy events alongside long-term, cycle-dependent phenomena from magnetic fields at the Sun's surface out to highly thermalized coronal plasma enveloping active regions (ARs). These rich data sets have already changed the face of solar physics and will continue to provoke exciting research as new observational paradigms are pursued. Hinode was launched as part of the Science Mission Directorate's (SMD) Solar Terrestrial Probes Program in 2006. It is a sophisticated spacecraft equipped with a Solar Optical Telescope (SOT), an Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS), and an X-Ray Telescope (XRT) (see x 4). With high resolution and sensitivity, Hinode serves as a microscope for the Sun, providing us with unique capabilities for observing magnetic fields near the smallest scales achievable, while also rendering full-Sun coronal context in the highest thermal regimes. The 2014 NASA SMD strategic goals objective to "Understand the Sun and its interactions with the Earth and the solar system, including space weather" forms the basis of three underlying Heliophysics Science Goals. While Hinode relates to all three, the observatory primarily addresses: Explore the physical processes in the space environment from the Sun to the Earth and through the solar system. Within the NASA National Research Council (NRC) Decadal Survey Priorities, Hinode targets: (a) Determine the origins of the Sun's activity and predict the variations of the space environment and (d) Discover and characterize fundamental processes that occur both within the heliosphere and throughout the universe. In response to the 2012 NRC Decadal Survey Science Challenges and 2014 Heliophysics Roadmap Research Focus Areas, the Hinode mission has set forth four Prioritized Science Goals (PSGs): (a) Study the sources and evolution of highly energetic dynamic events; (b) Characterize cross-scale magnetic field topology and stability; (c) Trace mass and energy flow from the photosphere to the corona; and (d) Continue long term synoptic support to quantify cycle variability.

review↗
NASA NTRS2017

Microbial Monitoring from the Frontlines to Space: A Successful Validation of a Department of Defense (DoD) Funded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Technology on Board the International Space Station (ISS)

The RAZOR EX (Registered Trademark) PCR unit was initially developed by the DoD as part of an SBIR project to detect and identify biothreats during field deployment. The system was evaluated by NASA as a commercial technology for future microbial monitoring requirements and has been successfully demonstrated in microgravity on-board the International Space Station.

Oubre, Cherie↗
NASA NTRS2017

Experiences in Applying Earth Observing Satellite Technology in SERVIR Regions with an Emphasis on Disasters: Successes, Lessons and Paths Forward

Earth observing satellites offer a unique perspective of our environment from the vantage point of space. Repeated measurements of the Earths subsystems such as the biosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and of humans interactions with their environments, allow for a better understanding of Earth system processes, and they can provide input for decision making in areas of environmental management and disaster risk reduction. SERVIR is a joint initiative of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) that began in 2005 and has been active in applying Earth observations for sustainable development in many regions around the world, recently the Lower Mekong and West Africa regions. This talk will highlight some successes achieved and lessons learned through SERVIR in Central America, Eastern Southern Africa, and the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region, focusing on disasters. We will also present opportunities for enhanced decision making with Earth observations and geospatial technologies in the Lower Mekong region.

SERVIR↗
NASA NTRS2017

Improvement of Automated POST Case Success Rate Using Support Vector Machines

During early conceptual design of complex systems, concept down selection can have a large impact upon program life-cycle cost. Therefore, any concepts selected during early design will inherently commit program costs and affect the overall probability of program success. For this reason it is important to consider as large a design space as possible in order to better inform the down selection process. For conceptual design of launch vehicles, trajectory analysis and optimization often presents the largest obstacle to evaluating large trade spaces. This is due to the sensitivity of the trajectory discipline to changes in all other aspects of the vehicle design. Small deltas in the performance of other subsystems can result in relatively large fluctuations in the ascent trajectory because the solution space is non-linear and multi-modal. In order to help capture large design spaces for new launch vehicles, the authors have performed previous work seeking to automate the execution of the industry standard tool, Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories (POST). This work initially focused on implementation of analyst heuristics to enable closure of cases in an automated fashion, with the goal of applying the concepts of design of experiments (DOE) and surrogate modeling to enable near instantaneous throughput of vehicle cases.3 As noted in [4] work was then completed to improve the DOE process by utilizing a graph theory based approach to connect similar design points.

Zwack, Mathew R.↗
NASA NTRS2017

NASA's Space Launch System: Systems Engineering Approach for Affordability and Mission Success

NASA is working toward the first launch of the Space Launch System, a new, unmatched capability for deep space exploration with launch readiness planned for 2019. Since program start in 2011, SLS has passed several major formal design milestones, and every major element of the vehicle has produced test and flight hardware. The SLS approach to systems engineering has been key to the program's success. Key aspects of the SLS SE&I approach include: 1) minimizing the number of requirements, 2) elimination of explicit verification requirements, 3) use of certified models of subsystem capability in lieu of requirements when appropriate and 4) certification of capability beyond minimum required capability.

Hutt, John J.↗
NASA NTRS2018

History and Archives Contribute to the Success of Space Flight Programs

Final Paper, not the Abstract, is attached: This report discusses how history can be used by management, engineering, and operations personnel within space flight programs. Works by professional historians and sociologists inform key decision makers and policy specialists on lessons learned from space flight program management successes and failures, as well as from legislative affairs, policy making, and commercial space efforts. Vehicle engineering history written by engineers for an engineering or operations audience informs project management and technical personnel on lessons learned, best practices, and the rationale behind the design and operation of flight vehicles and supporting ground systems. Archives play a critical role in supporting the efforts of both professional historians and flight program personnel. Suggestions are made concerning how professional historians could leverage the interests and knowledge of flight program personnel to obtain more insight that is needed to support historical research efforts.

Archive↗
NASA NTRS2019

Key Result Areas and Critical Success Factors

Measuring government agency performance is a relatively hot topic, yet the process continues to be problematic to implement. Identifying goals and objectives and determining the right measures is the subject of much literature and discussion, but according to the General Accounting Office (see below), there has been little success in the actual use of performance metrics. Fortunately, there is a logical thought process that can serve to facilitate the identification and implementation of appropriate measures.

Shepherd, Christena C.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Risk Informed Philosophy: Using What We Fear to Lose to Guide Us to Success

When an organization sets out on a new effort, program, or project, one of the first steps undertaken is to understand the related requirements. Most often, these requirements come in the form of standards, directives, or other organizational processes, and are derived to meet a broad range of efforts, programs, and projects. The net result is that organizations or teams are forced to start with a maximum set of requirements and expend time and energy tailoring the set of requirements down to what is more appropriate for the effort, program, or project at hand. This presentation will present an alternate method for the application of requirements or best practices that is based upon the actual risks to the safety, performance, or success of the effort. This additive route for applying best practices and requirements also encourages an early exploration of the risks, thus yielding a better understanding of where resources should be applied. This presentation also extends this concept of risk-based application of best practices and requirements to the selection of organization-wide improvement or standardization efforts, such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Quality Management Systems.

Darpel, Scott↗
NASA NTRS2019

Plant Microbiomes May Provide Vital Information to Plant Success

Plant associated microbiomes, the rhizosphere and phyllosphere, are composed of communities of bacteria and fungi that may be mutualistic or pathogenic. These communities have the potential to influence plant health and development and can affect plant growth. Crop plants are being investigated as a fresh and safe supplement to astronauts’ diet and it is critical to understand and characterize these microbial communities. Multi-species crops, Mizuna mustard (Brassica rapa var japonica), ‘Outredgeous’ red romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa), and Waldman’s Green lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were grown in two Veggie units on the International Space Station (ISS) for three grow outs in various combinations of plant types. Upon harvest, plant and pillow samples were frozen and returned to Earth for analysis. Bacterial and fungal community analyses for plant leaf and root, as well as pillow components, wick and media, were completed using next generation sequencing with the goal of surveying the composition of the entire community and identifying any potential pathogens. Bacteria were identified using the 16S rRNA gene whereas, fungi were identified with the internal transcribed spacer (ITS). The community composition for these three crops was compared between crop types and between plant tissue types. It is vital to mission success for the short term and long term to add nutritious, safe to eat vegetables providing a supplement to the crew members’ dietary requirements as well as to develop planning for deep space missions as we reach for the moon and on to Mars. Veggie technology validation tests were supported by NASA’s Space Biology Program.

Khodadad, Christina L.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Major Design Choices and Challenges that Enabled the Success of the Ejectable Data Recorder System

The Ejectable Data Recorder (EDR) subsystem was added to the Crew Module (CM) of the Ascent Abort 2 (AA-2) test flight due to a risk that the communications architecture would be insufficient to downlink all the data to the ground during the test flight. Since the EDR subsystem was a secondary system for data collection, AA-2 management enabled the team to take a different approach to hardware development that was more agile-like. This paper discusses key design decisions, technical challenges, and lessons learned that enabled the success of the EDR system during its flight on July 2, 2019.

Jeff Hagen↗
NASA NTRS2020

Successful Demonstration of an Electrostatic Actuated Microshutter System for Space Telescope Flight Missions

After developing magnetically actuated microshutter array sub-systems as a field object selector for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a team at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) focused on the development of electrostatically actuated microshutter arrays – Next Generation Microshutter Arrays (NGMSA). The demonstration described in this late news is for the first NGMSA array that performed shutter operations for telescope imaging and spectroscopy in space. The carrier telescope, the Next-Generation Far-UV Off Roland-circle Telescope for Imaging and Spectroscopy (NG-FORTIS), has been designed and produced by Prof. Stephan McCandliss and his team at Johns Hopkins University. NG-FORTIS was launched into space successfully.

M. J. Li↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Human-system Interaction Issues and Proposed Solutions To Promote Successful Maturation of the UTM System

Over five years, NASA, together with partnering organizations, has been developing and successfully demonstrating the maturing capabilities of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) system and its ability to support communication and coordination among small UAS operations through a series of flight tests. During these flight tests, human-system interaction (HSI) elements were also explored in order to identify the barriers to implementation as human operators transitionally fulfill roles that will be ultimately tasked to future automation. Throughout the tests, similar issues were regularly documented and are expected to persist if not formally addressed by consistent procedures or regulation. Documented here, along with suggested mitigations, are the most frequently noted HSI items, which include operator training, data standardization, and information quantity.

UTM↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Human-system interaction issues and proposed solutions to promote successful maturation of the UTM system

Over five years, NASA, together with partnering organizations, has been developing and successfully demonstrating the maturing capabilities of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) system and its ability to support communication and coordination among small UAS operations through a series of flight tests. During these flight tests, human-system interaction (HSI) elements were also explored in order to identify the barriers to implementation as human operators transitionally fulfill roles that will be ultimately tasked to future automation. Throughout the tests, similar issues were regularly documented and are expected to persist if not formally addressed by consistent procedures or regulation. Documented here, along with suggested mitigations, are the most frequently noted HSI items, which include operator training, data standardization, and information quantity.

UTM↗