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999 records · Page 17

Space Programs Summary 37-43, Vol. VI, Space Exploration Programs and Space Sciences For the Period November 1 to December 31, 1966

The Space Programs Summary is a six-volume bimonthly publication designed to report on JPL space exploration programs and related supporting research and advanced development projects. The titles of all volumes of the Space Programs Summary are: Vol. I. The Lunar Program (Confidential) Vol. 11. The Planetary-Interplanetary Program (Confidential) Vol. 111. The Deep Space Network (Unclassified) Vol. IV. Supporting Research and Advanced Development (Unclassified) Vol. V. Supporting Research and Advanced Development (Confidential) Vol. VI. Space Exploration Programs and Space Sciences (Unclassified) The Space Programs Summary, Vol. VI, consists of: an unclassified digest of appropriate material from Vols. I, II, and III; an original presentation of the JPL quality assurance and reliability efforts, and the environmental- and dynamic-testing facility-development activities; and a reprint of the space science instrumentation studies of Vols. I and 11. This instrumentation work is conducted by the JPL Space Sciences Division and also by individuals of various colleges, universities, and other organizations. All such projects are supported by the Laboratory and are concerned with the development of instruments for use in the NASA space flight programs.

MARINER PROGRAM

Parameterization of Nuclear Electric Propulsion Trajectories for Outer Solar System Science Missions Methodology

This manuscript addresses the methodology used to create a database of low thrust missions to outer planets. This database utilizes previous work modeling NEP systems to determine the maximum delivered mass to outer planets based on a range of mission parameters, such as time of flight, launch vehicle, and power system mass. Trajectories were selected which best utilized NEP benefits. Additionally, a discussion on the database outputs for missions to Saturn is included, such as time of flight based on trajectory type and maximum payload, given a specific launch vehicle. The purpose of this work was to create a basis for future mission design, and a tool to investigate general trends across mission options.

Outer Planets

Early Fire Detection System for Partial and Low Gravity Environments

We present preliminary results on the development of a fire detection system for partial and low gravity environments. A significant challenge is the design of a system with a low false alarm rate. The detection system therefore has to discriminate between combustion particles, cabin, and lunar dust. Aerosol properties are measured and cross referenced to the target detectors at the Gases and Aerosols from Smoldering Polymers (GASP) Laboratory located at the NASA Glenn Research Center. A computational fluid dynamics plume model is also employed to determine the smoke transport properties of the targeted habitats.

Early fire detectioin

Multi-Agent Swarm State of the Art Report

The Next-Generation Multi-Agent Swarm (NGS) Study conducted by NASA’s Ames Research Center for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) will develop a comprehensive understanding of emerging multi-agent swarm capabilities. The study aims to identify existing swarm capabilities and asses their potential for persistent lunar space situational awareness, surface monitoring, and distributed autonomy demonstrations. A key objective is to inform the design of a next-generation multi-agent swarm that can perform autonomous distributed remote sensing, position, navigation, and timing (PNT) services, automated deployment that leverages autonomy, edge computing, and interoperable networking to enable cooperative operations without the need for immediate human operation. This study will address specific shortfalls identified by STMD, including intelligent multi-agent constellations, autonomy, edge computation, position, navigation, and timing for small spacecraft, small spacecraft propulsion, and space situational awareness (1625, 1438, 1433, 1557, 1431, 1430, 1589). The NASA Ames Mission Design Center (MDC) will provide subject matter expertise to support systems engineering trades, while experts in autonomy and spacecraft swarms in NASA’s Intelligent Systems Division will lead the study and focus on identifying emerging next-generation swarm capabilities. The study objectives include: capturing the current state-of-the-art for multi-agent swarm capabilities, evaluating technologies and creating technology roadmaps, and developing at least one new technology demonstration mission concept. This initial NGS study report surveys the current state of the art in technology areas relevant for the next-generation multi-agent swarm design. Our primary focus is on surveying relevant deployed space systems1, supplemented with selective analysis of relevant proposed missions and technology developments that have yet to fly.

agent

Smart Droplets Stabilized by Designer Surfactants: From Biomimicry to Active Motion to Materials Healing

The science and technologies of emulsion droplets have been a long‐term focus of extensive research endeavors for their practical utility across a breadth of industries, including pharmaceutical products, oil recovery processes, and the food sciences. However, with advances in materials chemistry and characterization tools, new emerging areas are arising with a focus on “smart droplets”. The versatility of emulsion droplets across is based on their ability to partition and create isolated systems with properties defined by the liquid–liquid interface, while preparative routes allow manipulation of droplet size, stability, and encapsulated contents. As described in this article, significant efforts are being devoted to creating new types of droplets by “activating” this interface through the incorporation of reactive structures that trigger droplet response to applied or environmental stimuli (e.g., pH, temperature, salt, or external fields). Moreover, parallels between droplets and live cells inspire efforts to conceive systems that resemble biological motifs or that can produce cellular behaviors that imitate biology (e.g., swarming, communication, or motion). Here, the authors highlight recent advances in smart droplets, with emphasis on organic, polymer, and/or particle surfactants that give rise to inter‐droplet communication (via aggregation, fusion, division, or mass transfer), droplet vehicles for controlled delivery, autonomous droplet motion, and tunable emulsion inversion. Especially emphasized is the macromolecular design to produce reactive and functional surfactants, which are crucial to responsive droplet behavior and their underlying mechanisms. More generally, the exquisite interplay between materials science and biology inspires the review of this research area that provides unique opportunities for insight and inspiration into the capabilities of new droplet designs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE