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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 289 records · Page 16

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NASA NTRS1978

Orbiter multiplexer-demultiplexer (MDM)/Space Lab Bus Interface Unit (SL/BIU) serial data interface evaluation, volume 2

Tests were performed to evaluate the operating characteristics of the interface between the Space Lab Bus Interface Unit (SL/BIU) and the Orbiter Multiplexer-Demultiplexer (MDM) serial data input-output (SIO) module. This volume contains the test equipment preparation procedures and a detailed description of the Nova/Input Output Processor Simulator (IOPS) software used during the data transfer tests to determine word error rates (WER).

Tobey, G. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Commerce Lab: Mission analysis. Payload integration study

The objectives of the commerce lab mission analysis and payload integration study are discussed. A mission model which accommodates commercial users and provides a basic data base for future mission planning is described. The data bases developed under this study include: (1) user requirements; (2) apparatus capabilities and availabilities; and (3) carrier capabilities. These data bases are synthesized in a trades and analysis phase along with the STS flight opportunities. Optimum missions are identified.

Marvin, G. D.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Commerce Lab: Mission analysis payload integration study. Appendix A: Data bases

The development of Commerce Lab is detailed. Its objectives are to support the space program in these areas: (1) the expedition of space commercialization; (2) the advancement of microgravity science and applications; and (3) as a precursor to future missions in the space program. Ways and means of involving private industry and academia in this commercialization is outlined.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1986

Space station science lab module

The Science Lab Module (SLM), a key component of the proposed Space Station (SS) orbiting complex, is undergoing intensive study during the project design phase which is currently underway. The SLM is one of the two laboratory modules which, together with two habitation modules, comprise the core elements of the SS reference configurations. Current project emphasis is to configure the SLM as a national science laboratory module facility which would have four major functions: maximize life sciences research potential, support operations of attached payloads, provide shirtsleeve environment for other payload instrument servicing, and support other science requirements. The design studies are focusing on outfitting a common module basic design to accommodate the four specific functions. Although design work for outfitting the SLM for life sciences research is underway, science requirements for the other sciences and functions are not as well developed.

Devincenzi, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Reduction of the spermatogonial population in rat testes flown on Space Lab-3

Quantization of the testicular spermatogonial population reduction in six rats is performed 12 hours after their return from seven days aboard Space Lab-3. The observed 7.1 percent organ weight loss, and 7.5 percent stage six spermatogonial cell population reduction in comparison with control rats correlate very well. Accurate dosimetry was not conducted on board, but radiation can not be considered the primary cause of the observed change. The decrease in protein kinase in the heart of these rats indicates that stress from adapting to weightlessness, the final jet flight, or other sources, is an important factor.

Philpott, D. E.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Reduction of spermatogonia and testosterone in rat testes flown on Space Lab-3

The effects of space flight on rat testes were investigated. The weight, spermatogonial cell count, and testosterone levels in six rats flown on Space Lab-3 were measured. It is observed that compared to ground control rats the average weight loss was 7.1 percent and the spermatogonial cell count decreased by 7.5 percent. The data reveal that the testosterone level for large control rats was 9.13 ng/ml and 0.31 ng/ml for flight rats; and 2.54 ng/ml and 0.233 ng/ml for smaller control and flight rats, respectively. It is noted that spermatogenesis and testosterone production are reduced during spaceflight.

Philpott, Delbert E.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Soil bed reactor work of the Environmental Research Lab. of the University of Arizona in support of the research and development of Biosphere 2

Research at the Environmental Research Lab in support of Biosphere 2 was both basic and applied in nature. One aspect of the applied research involved the use of biological reactors for the scrubbing of trace atmospheric organic contaminants. The research involved a quantitative study of the efficiency of operation of Soil Bed Reactors (SBR) and the optimal operating conditions for contaminant removal. The basic configuration of a SBR is that air is moved through a living soil that supports a population of plants. Upon exposure to the soil, contaminants are either passively adsorbed onto the surface of soil particles, chemically transformed in the soil to usable compounds that are taken up by the plants or microbes as a metabolic energy source and converted to CO2 and water.

Frye, Robert↗

NASA NTRS1990

Results from teleoperated free-flying spacecraft simulations in the Martin Marietta space operations simulator lab

To augment the capabilities of the Space Transportation System, NASA has funded studies and developed programs aimed at developing reusable, remotely piloted spacecraft and satellite servicing systems capable of delivering, retrieving, and servicing payloads at altitudes and inclinations beyond the reach of the present Shuttle Orbiters. Since the mid 1970's, researchers at the Martin Marietta Astronautics Group Space Operations Simulation (SOS) Laboratory have been engaged in investigations of remotely piloted and supervised autonomous spacecraft operations. These investigations were based on high fidelity, real-time simulations and have covered a wide range of human factors issues related to controllability. Among these are: (1) mission conditions, including thruster plume impingements and signal time delays; (2) vehicle performance variables, including control authority, control harmony, minimum impulse, and cross coupling of accelerations; (3) maneuvering task requirements such as target distance and dynamics; (4) control parameters including various control modes and rate/displacement deadbands; and (5) display parameters involving camera placement and function, visual aids, and presentation of operational feedback from the spacecraft. This presentation includes a brief description of the capabilities of the SOS Lab to simulate real-time free-flyer operations using live video, advanced technology ground and on-orbit workstations, and sophisticated computer models of on-orbit spacecraft behavior. Sample results from human factors studies in the five categories cited above are provided.

Hartley, Craig S.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Geodetic positioning of the Aerospace Electronics Research Lab (ERL) Osborne Time Transfer Receiver (TTR) using the GPS NAVSTAR Block I satellites

Aerospace has routinely processed the Osborne Time Transfer Receiver (TTR) data for the purpose of monitoring the performance of ground and GPS atomic clocks in near real-time with on-line residual displays and characterizing clock stability with Allan Variance calculations. Recently, Aerospace added the ability to estimate the TTR's location by differentially correcting the TTR's location in the WGS84 reference system. This new feature is exercised on a set of TTR clock phase data and Sub-meter accurate station location estimates of the TTR at the Aerospace Electronic Research Lab (ERL) are obtained.

Liu, Anthony S.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Testing of the high accuracy inertial navigation system in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Lab

The description, results, and interpretation is presented of comparison testing between the High Accuracy Inertial Navigation System (HAINS) and KT-70 Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). The objective was to show the HAINS can replace the KT-70 IMU in the space shuttle Orbiter, both singularly and totally. This testing was performed in the Guidance, Navigation, and Control Test Station (GTS) of the Shuttle Avionics Integration Lab (SAIL). A variety of differences between the two instruments are explained. Four, 5 day test sessions were conducted varying the number and slot position of the HAINS and KT-70 IMUs. The various steps in the calibration and alignment procedure are explained. Results and their interpretation are presented. The HAINS displayed a high level of performance accuracy previously unseen with the KT-70 IMU. The most significant improvement of the performance came in the Tuned Inertial/Extended Launch Hold tests. The HAINS exceeded the 4 hr specification requirement. The results obtained from the SAIL tests were generally well beyond the requirements of the procurement specification.

Strachan, Russell L.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Leak detection of the Space Station Freedom U.S. Lab vacuum system using reverse flow leak detection methodology

A vacuum system leak detection technique (reverse flow leak detection) under development for use aboard Space Station Freedom is presented. The technique will be applied to the Vacuum System (VS) and Waste Gas Management Subsystem (WGMS) of the U.S. Lab Module. These two systems contain over 45.7 m of distributed vacuum tubing located in remote utility runs. Fluid flow calculations which utilize known system geometry and measured steady state pressure measurements from the VS and WGMS can be used to identify leak sites within +/- 38 cm. Exact leak position can then be pinpointed by conventional tracer gas leak detection in the identified region. Tests have been performed using a simple, unrestricted 12.8 m length of vacuum tubing with a calibrated air leak attached.

Moore, Jeffrey D.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Production of O2 on the Moon: A lab-top demonstration of ilmenite reduction with hydrogen

Estimates of the costs of transporting materials from Earth to the Moon are around $25,000 per pound. Therefore, it is imperative that we learn to utilize the resources on the Moon to partially offset these 'astronomical' expenses. The production of oxygen on the Moon utilizing indigenous materials is crucial to the establishment and development of an autonomous lunar colony. Besides obvious biologic needs, this lunar liquid oxygen (LLOX) could result in tremendous cost savings on fuel for effective transportation systems, particularly with its export to low-Earth orbit. Over 20 different process concepts were proposed and evaluated for the production of oxygen from lunar materials. Simplicity, low energy, easily attainable feedstock, and low resupply mass are the keywords for the process(es) which will ultimately be selected for the initial production of oxygen on the Moon. One of these schemes, which has received considerable study to date, is the hydrogen reduction of ilmenite. In fact, Carbotek, Inc. (Houston, TX) patented an ilmenite, hydrogen-reduction technique involving a three-stage, fluidized-bed process for the production of LLOX. A lab-top demonstration unit of the basic concepts of this oxygen generation process that was constructed by our group at the University of Tennessee is explained. It utilizes many of the principles which must be addressed in designing an effective production plant for operation on the Moon.

Taylor, Lawrence A.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Integration for navigation on the UMASS mobile perception lab

Integration of real-time visual procedures for use on the Mobile Perception Lab (MPL) was presented. The MPL is an autonomous vehicle designed for testing visually guided behavior. Two critical areas of focus in the system design were data storage/exchange and process control. The Intermediate Symbolic Representation (ISR3) supported data storage and exchange, and the MPL script monitor provided process control. Resource allocation, inter-process communication, and real-time control are difficult problems which must be solved in order to construct strong autonomous systems.

Draper, Bruce↗

NASA NTRS1994

Multi-lab comparison on R-curve methodologies: Alloy 2024-T3

In an effort to determine an optimum method for ranking the fracture toughness of developmental aluminum alloys for High Speed Civil Transport applications, five labs performed K and/or J based fracture tests on aluminum alloy 2024-T3. Two material thicknesses were examined: 0.063 in. and 0.125 in. Middle crack tension and compact tension specimens were excised from 60 in. wide middle crack tension panels which had been previously tested at Boeing. The crack resistance curves generated were compared to the R-curves from 60 in. wide specimens. The experimental program indicated that effective stress intensity from secant compliance based crack length and stress intensity calculated from J-integral testing were equivalent. In addition, comparison of different specimen sizes and configurations indicated that standard validity requirements for compact tension specimens may be overly restrictive.

Reynolds, Anthony P.↗

NASA NTRS1994

KATE: From the lab to the firing room

For the past 9 years, the AI group at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has been developing a real-time model-based reasoning (MBR) system that can diagnose faults and provide control advisories. The system resulting from this effort is called KATE (Knowledge-based Autonomous Test Engineer). This article describes the transition of KATE from the applied research lab to the firing room (the firing room is the main control and monitoring center for all Shuttle ground support and launch processing). Because the problems that were countered along the way are not unique, we decided to share some of our experiences. This article also includes a brief overview of the latest application of KATE.

Pepe, Charles↗

NASA NTRS1996

Petabyte Class Storage at Jefferson Lab (CEBAF)

By 1997, the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility will collect over one Terabyte of raw information per day of Accelerator operation from three concurrently operating Experimental Halls. When post-processing is included, roughly 250 TB of raw and formatted experimental data will be generated each year. By the year 2000, a total of one Petabyte will be stored on-line. Critical to the experimental program at Jefferson Lab (JLab) is the networking and computational capability to collect, store, retrieve, and reconstruct data on this scale. The design criteria include support of a raw data stream of 10-12 MB/second from Experimental Hall B, which will operate the CEBAF (Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility) Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS). Keeping up with this data stream implies design strategies that provide storage guarantees during accelerator operation, minimize the number of times data is buffered allow seamless access to specific data sets for the researcher, synchronize data retrievals with the scheduling of postprocessing calculations on the data reconstruction CPU farms, as well as support the site capability to perform data reconstruction and reduction at the same overall rate at which new data is being collected. The current implementation employs state-of-the-art StorageTek Redwood tape drives and robotics library integrated with the Open Storage Manager (OSM) Hierarchical Storage Management software (Computer Associates, International), the use of Fibre Channel RAID disks dual-ported between Sun Microsystems SMP servers, and a network-based interface to a 10,000 SPECint92 data processing CPU farm. Issues of efficiency, scalability, and manageability will become critical to meet the year 2000 requirements for a Petabyte of near-line storage interfaced to over 30,000 SPECint92 of data processing power.

Chambers, Rita↗

NASA NTRS1996

Diamond Research Overview and a Model for Lab Experiments Using Oxyacetylene Torch

High pressure synthetic diamonds have now been a commercial product for over 40 years. Russian scientists invented the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process 30 years ago, while the Japanese followed 10 years later and the U.S. was introduced to it 10 years after that. The new syntheses focus is on liquid and solid phase approaches. There are three CVD processes: microwave plasma, hot filament, and oxy-acetylene torch. The oxy-acetylene torch is an excellent materials synthesis lab experiment, emphasizing the simplicity of the science.

Roy, Rustum↗

NASA NTRS1998

Virtual Environment User Interfaces to Support RLV and Space Station Simulations in the ANVIL Virtual Reality Lab

Several virtual reality I/O peripherals were successfully configured and integrated as part of the author's 1997 Summer Faculty Fellowship work. These devices, which were not supported by the developers of VR software packages, use new software drivers and configuration files developed by the author to allow them to be used with simulations developed using those software packages. The successful integration of these devices has added significant capability to the ANVIL lab at MSFC. In addition, the author was able to complete the integration of a networked virtual reality simulation of the Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator System docking Space Station modules which was begun as part of his 1996 Fellowship. The successful integration of this simulation demonstrates the feasibility of using VR technology for ground-based training as well as on-orbit operations.

Dumas, Joseph D., II↗