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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 NTRS2005

Long-Term Dynamics of Small Bodies in the Solar System

As part of the NASA Planetary Geology and Geophysics program Prof. Norm Murray (CITA) and I have been conducting investigations of the long-term dynamics of small bodies in the outer solar system. This grant, and its predecessor NAG5-7761, supported travel for collaboration by the Investigators and also supports Murray during an annual one month visit to the CfA for further collaboration. In the course of this grant we made a number of advances in solar system dynamics. For example, we developed an analytic model for the origin and consequence of chaos associated with three-body resonances in the asteroid belt. This has been shown to be important for the delivery of near Earth objects. We later extended this model to three-body resonances among planets. We were able to show that the numerically identified chaos among the outer planets results from a three-body resonance involving Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus. The resulting paper was awarded the 1999 Newcomb Cleveland award from the AAAS. This award singles out one paper published in Science each year for distinction. This grant has also supported, in part, my participate in other solar system dynamics projects. The results from those collaborations are also listed.

Saunders, Steve↗
NASA NTRS1979

Supernovae and the origin of the solar system

This review concentrates on recent ideas involving a relationship between the early solar system and supernova explosions. It summarizes briefly the data that has helped inspire those ideas. Because the true relationship is still unknown and generates controversy, the distinct ideas are introduced singly in the historical context of their origins, and the active sense of surprise and controversy is visible. Quotations from pivotal papers are used as part of the exposition. The subject involves equally the isotopic anomalies detected in meteorites and the dynamic events of galactic evolution, nucleosynthesis, and protosolar collapse. Whatever the correct situation is, new connections have been found between the origin of the elements and the formation of the solar system. The objective of this review is to enable interested space scientists to quickly identify the competing points of view and the experiments and theories that have led to them.

Clayton, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Heliophysics: The New Science of the Sun-Solar System Connection. Recommended Roadmap for Science and Technology 2005-2035

This is a Roadmap to understanding the environment of our Earth, from its life-sustaining Sun out past the frontiers of the solar system. A collection of spacecraft now patrols this space, revealing not a placid star and isolated planets, but an immense, dynamic, interconnected system within which our home planet is embedded and through which space explorers must journey. These spacecraft already form a great observatory with which the Heliophysics program can study the Sun, the heliosphere, the Earth, and other planetary environments as elements of a system--one that contains dynamic space weather and evolves in response to solar, planetary, and interstellar variability. NASA continually evolves the Heliophysics Great Observatory by adding new missions and instruments in order to answer the challenging questions confronting us now and in the future as humans explore the solar system. The three heliophysics science objectives: opening the frontier to space environment prediction; understanding the nature of our home in space, and safeguarding the journey of exploration, require sustained research programs that depend on combining new data, theory, analysis, simulation, and modeling. Our program pursues a deeper understanding of the fundamental physical processes that underlie the exotic phenomena of space.

Heliophysics↗
NASA NTRS1963

SOLAR SYSTEM SCIENCE- 1962 LITERATURE SURVEY

Bibliography of literature on solar system science, including such topics as atmospheric and interplanetary physics, planetary biology, geodesy, geology and physics

ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1982

Plasma shocks and energetic particles in the outer solar system - Trapping and asymmetry observations from Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11

The April 15 and 28, 1978 solar flares appear to have 0.5-20 MeV protons trapped between a pair of shocks, and the large count rate enhancement observed, along with large ranges of radial distance and longitudinal angles, imply a prolongation of trapping for a period of weeks. The apparent ability of a shock whose plasma signature is faint to confine MeV protons in the outer solar system may have significant implications for cosmic ray studies. Analytical results also imply significant azimuthal asymmetry in plasma and energetic particle behavior, at distances as far as 16 AU from the sun. Combining these observations provides evidence for unexpectedly complex interactions in the outer solar system between energetic particles and solar wind plasma.

Intriligator, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Early Solar System Chronology

The titles in this section discuss: 1) Mg Isotopic Systematics in Eutectites; 2) Diffusion Kinetics of Cr in Olivine; 3) The W Isotope Composition of Eucrite Metals; 4) U-Pb and Hf-W Chronometry; 5) Fe-60 in Silicate from a Semarkona Chondrule; 6) The Isotope Geochemistry of Nickel in Chondrites and Iron Meteorites; 7) Iron-60 in the Early Solar System; 8) Endemic Mo Isotopic Anomalies in Iron and Carbonaceous Meteorites; 9) Solar System Iron and Tungsten Isotope Abundances; 10) Li and B Isotope Variations in CAI; 11) Short-lived Radionuclides and Early Solar System Irradiation; Ru Endemic Isotope Anomalies in Meteorites; 12) Cl-36 in Ca-Al rich inclusions from a carbonaceous chondrite.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2015

NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute: Science and Technology for Lunar Exploration

The NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) is a virtual institute focused on research at the intersection of science and exploration, training the next generation of lunar scientists, and development and support of the international community. As part of its mission, SSERVI acts as a hub for opportunities that engage the larger scientific and exploration communities in order to form new interdisciplinary, research-focused collaborations. The nine domestic SSERVI teams that comprise the U.S. complement of the Institute engage with the international science and exploration communities through workshops, conferences, online seminars and classes, student exchange programs and internships. SSERVI represents a close collaboration between science, technology and exploration enabling a deeper, integrated understanding of the Moon and other airless bodies as human exploration moves beyond low Earth orbit. SSERVI centers on the scientific aspects of exploration as they pertain to the Moon, Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) and the moons of Mars, with additional aspects of related technology development, including a major focus on human exploration-enabling efforts such as resolving Strategic Knowledge Gaps (SKGs). The Institute focuses on interdisciplinary, exploration-related science focused on airless bodies targeted as potential human destinations. Areas of study represent the broad spectrum of lunar, NEA, and Martian moon sciences encompassing investigations of the surface, interior, exosphere, and near-space environments as well as science uniquely enabled from these bodies. This research profile integrates investigations of plasma physics, geology/geochemistry, technology integration, solar system origins/evolution, regolith geotechnical properties, analogues, volatiles, ISRU and exploration potential of the target bodies. New opportunities for both domestic and international partnerships are continually generated through these research and community development efforts, and SSERVI can further serve as a model for joint international scientific efforts through its creation of bridges across disciplines and between countries. Since the inception of the NASA Lunar Science Institute (SSERVIs predecessor), it has and will continue to contribute in many ways toward the advancement of lunar science and the eventual human exploration of the Moon.

virtual↗
NASA NTRS1997

Fragmentary Solar System History

The objective of this research is an improved understanding of the early solar system environment and of the processes involved in the nebula and in the evolution of solid bodies. We present results of our studies on the isotopic signatures in selected primitive solar system objects and on the evaluation of the cosmic ray records and of inferred collisional events. Furthermore, we report data of trapped martian atmospheric gases in meteorites and the inferred early evolution of Mars' atmosphere.

Marti, Kurt↗
NASA NTRS1991

Studies of relationships among outer solar system small bodies and related objects

This program involves telescopic observations of colorimetry, spectroscopy, and photometry of small bodies of the solar system, emphasizing possible relationships among outer solar system asteroids, comets, and certain satellites. Earth approacher targets of opportunity and lab spectroscopic studies are included.

Hartmann, William K.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Revolutionizing our Understanding of the Solar System via Sample Return from Mercury

Data from Mariner 10, MESSENGER, and ground-based telescopic observations have facilitated great advancements towards understanding the geochemistry, geology, internal structure, exosphere, and magnetosphere of Mercury. However, there are critical science questions that can be only addressed via examination of a sample in Earth-based laboratories, where numerous highly sensitive analytical measurements are possible. Collecting a sample from the surface of Mercury and bringing it to Earth for in-depth analysis would allow for transformative Solar System science to be conducted, examining aspects of our Solar System such as the evolution of the protoplanetary disk, space weathering on airless bodies, the geochemical behavior of elements at extreme conditions, and the origin and distribution of volatiles across the terrestrial planets. Furthermore, our knowledge of Mercury’s differentiation and geochemical processes, chronology and geologic evolution, tectonism and geomechanical properties, and past and ongoing magnetism would be greatly advanced via analysis of a sample from Mercury. Although there are ample challenges and knowledge gaps associated with sample return from Mercury in terms of both spacecraft requirements and material requirements for curatorial facilities, a sample from the planet would be an invaluable scientific resource for generations to come, enabling the most sophisticated measurements to be brought to bear for decades and helping to truly unlock the mysteries of our Solar System.

Vander Kaaden, Kathleen E.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Navigation Strategies for Primitive Solar System Body Rendezvous and Proximity Operations

A wealth of scientific knowledge regarding the composition and evolution of the solar system can be gained through reconnaissance missions to primitive solar system bodies. This paper presents analysis of a baseline navigation strategy designed to address the unique challenges of primitive body navigation. Linear covariance and Monte Carlo error analysis was performed on a baseline navigation strategy using simulated data from a· design reference mission (DRM). The objective of the DRM is to approach, rendezvous, and maintain a stable orbit about the near-Earth asteroid 4660 Nereus. The outlined navigation strategy and resulting analyses, however, are not necessarily limited to this specific target asteroid as they may he applicable to a diverse range of mission scenarios. The baseline navigation strategy included simulated data from Deep Space Network (DSN) radiometric tracking and optical image processing (OpNav). Results from the linear covariance and Monte Carlo analyses suggest the DRM navigation strategy is sufficient to approach and perform proximity operations in the vicinity of the target asteroid with meter-level accuracy.

Getzandanner, Kenneth M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Giant planets: Clues on current and past organic chemistry in the outer solar system

The giant planets of the outer solar system - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - were formed in the same flattened disk of gas and dust, the solar nebula, as the terrestrial planets were. Yet, the giant planets differ in some very fundamental ways from the terrestrial planets. Despite enormous differences, the giant planets are relevant to exobiology in general and the origin of life on the Earth in particular. The giant planets are described as they are today. Their basic properties and the chemistry occurring in their atmospheres is discussed. Theories of their origin are explored and aspects of these theories that may have relevance to exobiology and the origin of life on Earth are stressed.

Pollack, James B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Cs-135 - Ba-135: A new cosmochronometric constraint on the origin of the Earth and the astrophysical site of the origin of the solar system

It is argued that if Cs-135 was indeed present in the early solar system at the level inferred from evidence presented here, then two major conclusions follow. (1) A supernova contributed newly synthesized r-process matter into the protosolar reservoir within approx. 5 Ma of the Cs/Ba fractionation recorded in LEW 86010; (2) The strong Cs depletion in the bulk Earth reservoir (Cs-133/Ba-135 approx. 0.1) took place very early in solar system history. If this volatile loss was pre-accretionary, then the accretionary chronology of the Earth is not constrained. However, if it is a consequence of accretion, then the very tight time constraint of approx. less than 5 Ma (rel. to LEW 86010) is obtained for accretion of most of the Earth's mass.

Harper, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Physical State of Ices in the Outer Solar System

Comparison of the identity and abundances of ices observed around protostars and those associated with comets clearly suggests that comets preserve the heritage of the interstellar materials that aggregated to form them. However, the ability to identify these same species on icy satellites in the outer solar system is a complex function of the composition of the original ices, their subsequent thermal histories, and their exposure to various radiation environments. Our ability to identify the ices currently present on objects in the outer solar system relies upon observational and laboratory, and theoretical efforts. To date there is ample observational evidence for crystalline water ice throughout the outer solar system. In addition, there is growing evidence that amorphous ice may be present on some bodies. More volatile ices, e.g. N2, CH4. CO, and other species, e.g. ammonia hydrate, are identified on objects lying at and beyond Uranus. Both photolysis and radiolysis play important roles in altering the original surfaces due to chemical reactions and erosion of the surface. Ultraviolet photolysis appears to dominate alteration of the upper few hundred Angstroms, although sputtering the surface can sometimes be a significantly competitative process; dominating on icy surfaces embedded in a strong planetary magnetospheric field. There is growing observational evidence that the by-products of photolysis and radiolysis, suggested on a theoretical basis, are present on icy surfaces.

Roush, Ted L.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Mars ROCKS! in North Dakota, Solar System Ambassador Program in North Dakota

Mars is Rock'n in the Midwest! With a total of 5 currently running space missions exploring the red planet, what can teachers locally do to bring Mars into the classroom and capitalize on free and low-cost resources to teach Earth Science in terms of Mars? The NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador is one such resource that Earth science teachers in the region can utilize. Currently only one Solar System Ambassador exists in the whole state of North Dakota. North Dakota is a rural state with the majority of its population concentrated on the eastern frindges which include the cities of Grand Forks and Fargo. The ruralness of the rest of the state provide a interesting challenge for any outreach program especially the solar system ambassador program.

Milford, C. R.↗