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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 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2018

Overview of the Mars 2020 Parachute Risk Reduction Activity

In 2012, the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) landed safely on the surface of Mars using a supersonic Disk-Gap-Band (DGB) parachute, which was structurally qualified for flight via a subsonic wind tunnel test program. Results of the Low Density Supersonic Decelerators (LDSD) program have called into question the methodology and principles that form the foundation of the MSL subsonic test program. LDSD discovered that quasi-static subsonic proof loading a parachute via ground testing may not provide canopy stresses that sufficiently bound the stresses experienced during a rapid supersonic inflation at Mars. Additionally, deeper scrutiny of the materials and structural margins present in previously successful supersonic DGBs indicated that the MSL parachute flew with lowest margins of any previous parachute. These factors have increased the perceived risk of reusing a heritage MSL DGB parachute design with a subsonic test program for Mars 2020. To reduce this risk,a series of risk reduction steps were initiated starting in 2016. First, two parachute assemblies have been pursued in parallel: a Build-to-Print (BTP) MSL parachute, designed and manufactured by Pioneer Aerospace Corporation, which maintains the heritage of the successful MSL parachute, and a strengthened parachute, designed and manufactured by Airborne Systems North America, which uses higher strength materials throughout the parachute assembly but maintains the same overall size as the MSL parachute. Second, each parachute system was tested in a subsonic wind tunnel to examine the canopies in their fully inflated state and assess the workmanship of each canopy. Finally, full-scale parachutes from each vendor will experience at least one supersonic inflation at Mars relevant Mach numbers and atmospheric densities at Earth via a supersonic sounding rocket test campaign. This paper presents high-level details regarding the risk reduction strategy, the two candidate parachute configurations, the ground test program, and the supersonic flight test program, and brief results from each of the test programs.

Chen, Allen↗
NASA NTRS2005

NASA Johnson Space Center Usability Testing and Analysis facility (UTAF) Overview

The Usability Testing and Analysis Facility (UTAF) is part of the Space Human Factors Laboratory at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The facility performs research for NASA's HumanSystems Integration Program, under the HumanSystems Research and Technology Division. Specifically, the UTAF provides human factors support for space vehicles, including the International Space Station, the Space Shuttle, and the forthcoming Crew Exploration Vehicle. In addition, there are ongoing collaborative research efforts with external corporations and universities. The UTAF provides human factors analysis, evaluation, and usability testing of crew interfaces for space applications. This includes computer displays and controls, workstation systems, and work environments. The UTAF has a unique mix of capabilities, with a staff experienced in both cognitive human factors and ergonomics. The current areas of focus are: human factors applications in emergency medical care and informatics; control and display technologies for electronic procedures and instructions; voice recognition in noisy environments; crew restraint design for unique microgravity workstations; and refinement of human factors processes and requirements. This presentation will provide an overview of ongoing activities, and will address how the UTAF projects will evolve to meet new space initiatives.

Whitmore, Mihriban↗
DOE OSTI2024

45Q Carbon Oxide Utilization LCA Training Workshop: Toolkit Overview

This training workshop was offered to inform stakeholders and LCA professionals of the tools and resources available from the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) to support the development of an LCA that is compliant with the 45Q requirements. This presentation provides a descriptive overview which preceded a demonstration of the new and existing tools, available to view on the USEA website. A description and recording on USEA website here: https://usea.org/event/doenetl-45q-carbon-oxide-conversion-lca-training-workshop-hybrid.

Krynock, Michelle↗
DOE OSTI2021

Universal Utility Data Exchange (UUDEX) Phase 4 Demonstration Environment and Results

This report provides an overview of the environment used by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the Universal Utility Data Exchange (UUDEX) Phase 4 demonstration, and description of the demonstrations performed in the environment. The UUDX Phase 4 demonstration took place on March 31, 2021, with representatives from PNNL and the two project sub-contractors, OATI and MITRE, performing the demonstration for members of the UUDEX Industry Advisory Board (IAB). The demonstration tasks were based on the previous Phase 3 demonstration but conducted in a multi-site environment. Additional demonstrations showed features that were developed since the Phase 3 demonstration. The development environment was constructed by PNNL programming staff using the previously developed UUDEX Functional Design, Protocol Design, and Workflow Design documents as a starting point. The environment was augmented with subject creation management and access control security data structures and workflows, and data exchange structure documents developed as part of Phase 3 and Phase 4.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Programs Enabling Deep Technology Transfer from National Labs

To maximize the technology transfer potential, it is important to create an ecosystem for the inventors to adapt the technologies developed for basic science to successful commercial ventures. In this white paper we present a brief overview of technology transfer programs at high energy physics (HEP) laboratories with a focus on the programs at Fermilab and KEK, and identify opportunities and recommendations for increasing partnerships and commercialization at HEP-centric laboratories.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1973

Earth observations, overview

An overview is given of research and development activities at the Laboratory for Meteorology and Earth Sciences. Highlights of satellite techniques in earth observation missions and projects are outlined, as are remote sensing methods by aircraft overflights; most noteworthy among these is the development of multispectral scanners that monitor both the reflected infrared solar radiation and the emitted terrestrial radiation. The application of observations to the survey of environmental conditions and resource management is emphasized.

Nordberg, W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Commercial space services

An overview of space service opportunities as identified by a Wyle Laboratories' research team is given. Through the use of a baseline space scenario, a variety of space hardware, services, and commercial activities are identified and related on a time-phased basis. A model is presented to relate the potential functions of government and the private sector in a commercialized space environment during the period 1984 to 2004. Barriers, incentives and key issues are likewise identified and addressed to aid in the implementation of private sector activities for spacerelated programs. Broader awareness, legislative actions, incentive development and benefit analyses are considered in the presentation. The time-phased plan provides a useful planning and management tool, allows broader communication, and supports overall space commercialization program assessment.

Christensen, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Facilities and programs for research in a low-gravity environment

The history of NASA-supported microgravity material-processing research on Apollo, Skylab, and Apollo-Soyuz is reviewed; the currently available ground and Space Shuttle laboratory facilities are characterized and illustrated with drawings; and an overview of the Microgravity Science and Applications Program (MSAP) is given. The ground systems include drop tubes, drop towers, aircraft, and levitators; on the Space Shuttle, facilities are provided in the Orbiter middeck, in the payload bay, and in the Spacelab module. The aims of MSAP and the mechanisms for academic or industry participation are outlined, and typical results of MSAP-organized research in electronic materials, biotechnology, metals and alloys, glasses and ceramics, combustion, fluid dynamics, and transport phenomena are summarized.

Halpern, Richard E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Issues in human/computer control of dexterous remote hands

Much research on dexterous robot hands has been aimed at the design and control problems associated with their autonomous operation, while relatively little research has addressed the problem of direct human control. It is likely that these two modes can be combined in a complementary manner yielding more capability than either alone could provide. While many of the issues in mixed computer/human control of dexterous hands parallel those found in supervisory control of traditional remote manipulators, the unique geometry and capabilities of dexterous hands pose many new problems. Among these are the control of redundant degrees of freedom, grasp stabilization and specification of non-anthropomorphic behavior. An overview is given of progress made at the MIT AI Laboratory in control of the Salisbury 3 finger hand, including experiments in grasp planning and manipulation via controlled slip. It is also suggested how we might introduce human control into the process at a variety of functional levels.

Salisbury, K.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Applications of AI for automated monitoring - The SHARP system

This paper describes a software system which utilizes artificial intelligence technology to automate several real-time mission operations functions. The paper gives an overview of Voyager spacecraft telecommunications operations at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to highlight requirements for operations automation in the area of real-time monitoring and analysis. A knowledge-based system, called the 'Spacecraft Health Automated Reasoning Prototype' (SHARP), was developed to explore methods for automated ground data system health and status analysis. The prototype system was applied to Voyager spacecraft telecommunications operations, and installed in the Voyager real-time telecommunications operations area during the spacecraft's encounter with the planet Neptune. The paper reviews the design of the fault detection and diagnosis portions of SHARP, and discusses the performance of SHARP during the encounter. Two follow-on systems based on SHARP which are now in development are also discussed.

Atkinson, David J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Overview of magnetic suspension research at Langley Research Center

An overview of research in small- and large-gap magnetic suspension systems at LaRC is presented. The overview is limited to systems which have been built as laboratory models or engineering models. Small-gap systems applications include the Annular Momentum Control Device (AMCD), which is a momentum storage device for the stabilization and control of spacecraft, and the Annular Suspension and Pointing System (ASPS), which is a general purpose pointing mount designed to provide orientation, mechanical isolation, and fine pointing space experiments. These devices are described and control and linearization approaches for the magnetic suspension systems for these devices are discussed. Large-gap systems applications at LaRC have been almost exclusively wind tunnel magnetic suspension systems. A brief description of these efforts is also presented.

Groom, Nelson J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Space Congress, 27th, Cocoa Beach, FL, Apr. 24-27, 1990, Proceedings

The present symposium on aeronautics and space encompasses DOD research and development, science payloads, small microgravity carriers, the Space Station, technology payloads and robotics, commercial initiatives, STS derivatives, space exploration, and DOD space operations. Specific issues addressed include the use of AI to meet space requirements, the Astronauts Laboratory Smart Structures/Skins Program, the Advanced Liquid Feed Experiment, an overview of the Spacelab program, the Autonomous Microgravity Industrial Carrier Initiative, and the Space Station requirements and transportation options for a lunar outpost. Also addressed are a sensor-data display for telerobotic systems, the Pegasus and Taurus launch vehicles, evolutionary transportation concepts, the upgrade of the Space Shuttle avionics, space education, orbiting security sentinels, and technologies for improving launch-vehicle responsiveness.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1996

STS-73 Mission Highlights Resource Tape

The flight crew of the STS-73 Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia Cmdr. Kenneth D. Bowersox, Pilot Kent V. Rominger, Payload Commander Kathryn C. Thornton, Mission Specialists Catherine G. Coleman Ph.D, and Michael E. Lopez-Alegria, and Payload Specialists Fred W. Leslie Ph.D, Albert Sacco Jr Ph.D, David H. Matthiesen Ph.D, and R. Glynn Holt Ph.D present an overview of their mission. This, the second United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML) Spacelab mission, is the centerpiece of the STS-73 Space Shuttle mission. Some of the experiments being carried on the USML-2 payload cover a variety of scientific disciplines including fluid physics, materials science, biotechnology and combustion science. Video footage includes the following: prelaunch and launch activities; various Spacelab experiments; and reentry and the landing of the Columbia at KSC.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2002

NASA space cryocooler programs - an overview

An overview is presented of ongoing efforts at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Goddard Space Flight Center in support of current flight projects, near-term flight instruments, and long-term technology development.

cryocooler AIRS↗
NASA NTRS2008

ACCESS - A Science and Engineering Assessment of Space Coronagraph Concepts for the Direct Imaging and Spectroscopy of Exoplanetary Systems

Topics include and overview, science objectives, study objectives, coronagraph types, metrics, ACCESS observatory, laboratory validations, and summary. Individual slides examine ACCESS engineering approach, ACCESS gamut of coronagraph types, coronagraph metrics, ACCESS Discovery Space, coronagraph optical layout, wavefront control on the "level playing field", deformable mirror development for HCIT, laboratory testbed demonstrations, high contract imaging with the HCIT, laboratory coronagraph contrast and stability, model validation and performance predictions, HCIT coronagraph optical layout, Lyot coronagraph on the HCIT, pupil mapping (PIAA), shaped pupils, and vortex phase mask experiments on the HCIT.

exoplanets↗
NASA NTRS2012

High Contrast Vacuum Nuller Testbed (VNT) Contrast, Performance and Null Control

Herein we report on our Visible Nulling Coronagraph high-contrast result of 109 contrast averaged over a focal planeregion extending from 14 D with the Vacuum Nuller Testbed (VNT) in a vibration isolated vacuum chamber. TheVNC is a hybrid interferometriccoronagraphic approach for exoplanet science. It operates with high Lyot stopefficiency for filled, segmented and sparse or diluted-aperture telescopes, thereby spanning the range of potential futureNASA flight telescopes. NASAGoddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has a well-established effort to develop the VNCand its technologies, and has developed an incremental sequence of VNC testbeds to advance this approach and itsenabling technologies. These testbeds have enabled advancement of high-contrast, visible light, nulling interferometry tounprecedented levels. The VNC is based on a modified Mach-Zehnder nulling interferometer, with a W configurationto accommodate a hex-packed MEMS based deformable mirror, a coherent fiber bundle and achromatic phase shifters.We give an overview of the VNT and discuss the high-contrast laboratory results, the optical configuration, criticaltechnologies and null sensing and control.

visible nulling coronagraph↗
NASA NTRS2016

Advanced in In Situ Inspection of Automated Fiber Placement Systems

Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) systems have been developed to help take advantage of the tailorability of composite structures in aerospace applications. AFP systems allow the repeatable placement of uncured, spool fed, preimpregnated carbon fiber tape (tows) onto substrates in desired thicknesses and orientations. This automated process can incur defects, such as overlapping tow lines, which can severely undermine the structural integrity of the part. Current defect detection and abatement methods are very labor intensive, and still mostly rely on human manual inspection. Proposed is a thermographic in situ inspection technique which monitors tow placement with an on board thermal camera using the preheated substrate as a through transmission heat source. An investigation of the concept is conducted, and preliminary laboratory results are presented. Also included will be a brief overview of other emerging technologies that tackle the same issue. Keywords: Automated Fiber Placement, Manufacturing defects, Thermography

Juarez, Peter D.↗