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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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Environmental control and life support system evolution

Space station growth scenarios were reviewed and environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) growth requirements and ECLSS-driven constraints derived. A broad range of advanced ECLSS technologies were evaluated for their potential of being developed for flight use. Based on these evaluations the 'hooks and scars' needed to accommodate subsystems based on the technologies were defined with particular attention to the fluid electrical interface requirements.

Wieland, Paul D.↗

Advanced Environmental Barrier Coating Development for SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites: NASA's Perspectives

This presentation reviews NASA environmental barrier coating (EBC) system development programs and the coating materials evolutions for protecting the SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites in order to meet the next generation engine performance requirements. The presentation focuses on several generations of NASA EBC systems, EBC-CMC component system technologies for SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite combustors and turbine airfoils, highlighting the temperature capability and durability improvements in simulated engine high heat flux, high pressure, high velocity, and with mechanical creep and fatigue loading conditions. The current EBC development emphasis is placed on advanced NASA 2700F candidate environmental barrier coating systems for SiC/SiC CMCs, their performance benefits and design limitations in long-term operation and combustion environments. Major technical barriers in developing environmental barrier coating systems, the coating integrations with next generation CMCs having the improved environmental stability, erosion-impact resistance, and long-term fatigue-environment system durability performance are described. The research and development opportunities for advanced turbine airfoil environmental barrier coating systems by utilizing improved compositions, state-of-the-art processing methods, and simulated environment testing and durability modeling are discussed.

Ceramic Matrix Composites↗

Endangered and potentially endangered wildlife on John F. Kennedy Space Center and faunal integrity as a goal for maintaining biological diversity

Buffer zones for space operations provide for a wildlife diversity unsurpassed among most federal facilities in the continental U.S. demonstrating the coexistence possible with one of man's greatest technological achievements. This document ranks 119 resident or migratory wildlife species that are endangered or declining. The ranking system herein was based on species' vulnerability to extinction and the relevance of Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for maintaining populations in the U.S. and Florida. One amphibian, 19 reptiles, 80 birds, and 19 mammals were considered endangered or declining. KSC is an integral area for regional species diversity being the focus of the Merritt Island/Cape Canaveral/Turnbull Ecosystem which is part of the Indian River Lagoon watershed, an estuary of national significance. Many species that use this system also use the nearby St. Johns River Basin ecosystem. These two ecosystems are biological corridors between temperate Carolinian and tropical/subtropical Caribbean biotic provinces. Threats to biological diversity on KSC were also reviewed. Traditional environmental assessments, resulting from environmental regulation guidelines, focus on environmental contaminants and habitat lost due to construction. However, this review suggested that small population sizes, isolation of populations, ecosystem and habitat fragmentation, road mortality, and other edge effects may represent more critical threats to biological diversity than the traditional topics.

Breininger, David R.↗

Environmental Factors Affecting Asthma and Allergies: Predicting and Simulating Downwind Exposure to Airborne Pollen

This slide presentation reviews the environmental factors that affect asthma and allergies and work to predict and simulate the downwind exposure to airborne pollen. Using a modification of Dust REgional Atmosphere Model (DREAM) that incorporates phenology (i.e. PREAM) the aim was to predict concentrations of pollen in time and space. The strategy for using the model to simulate downwind pollen dispersal, and evaluate the results. Using MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), to get seasonal sampling of Juniper, the pollen chosen for the study, land cover on a near daily basis. The results of the model are reviewed.

Luvall, Jeffrey↗

Apollo experience report: Command and service module communications subsystem

The development of spacecraft communications hardware from design to operation is described. Programs, requirements, specifications, and design approaches for a variety of functions (such as voice, telemetry, television, and antennas) are reviewed. Equipment environmental problems such as vibration, extreme temperature variation, and zero gravity are discussed. A review of the development of managerial techniques used in refining the roles of prime and subcontractors is included. The hardware test program is described in detail as it progressed from breadboard design to manned flight system evaluations. Finally, a series of actions is recommended to managers of similar projects to facilitate administration.

Lattier, E. E., Jr.↗

Space environmental effects, materials, and NDE/NDI presentation to SSTAC/ARTS Review Committee

Viewgraphs are presented on space environmental effects, materials, and NDE/NDI for the integrated technology plan for the civil space program. Topics covered include: space materials; space durable polymers; simulated space environmental effects; space radiation effects on polymer matrix composites; advanced coatings for spacecraft; Long Duration Exposure Facility; meteoroid and debris velocity distribution; and space environmental effects.

Venneri, Samuel L.↗

GENESIS: GPS Environmental and Earth Science Information System

This presentation reviews the GPS ENvironmental and Earth Science Information System (GENESIS). The objectives of GENESIS are outlined (1) Data Archiving, searching and distribution for science data products derived from Space borne TurboRogue Space Receivers for GPS science and other ground based GPS receivers, (2) Data browsing using integrated visualization tools, (3) Interactive web/java-based data search and retrieval, (4) Data subscription service, (5) Data migration from existing GPS archived data, (6) On-line help and documentation, and (7) participation in the WP-ESIP federation. The presentation reviews the products and services of Genesis, and the technology behind the system.

Hajj, George↗

Overview of NASA's Environmental Control and Life Support Systems

This presentation reviews NASA's Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) on the International Space Station. A look inside of the International Space Station detailing ECLSS processes of controlling atmospheric pressure, conditioning the atmosphere, responding to emergency conditions, controlling internal carbon dioxide and contaminants and providing water are described. A detailed description of ISS Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System is also presented.

Monsi Roman↗

Some anomalies between wind tunnel and flight transition results

A review of environmental disturbance influence and boundary layer transition measurements on a large collection of reference sharp cone tests in wind tunnels and of recent transonic-supersonic cone flight results have previously demonstrated the dominance of free-stream disturbance level on the transition process from the beginning to end. Variation of the ratio of transition Reynolds number at onset-to-end with Mach number has been shown to be consistently different between flight and wind tunnels. Previous correlations of the end of transition with disturbance level give good results for flight and large number of tunnels, however, anomalies occur for similar correlation based on transition onset. Present cone results with a tunnel sonic throat reduced the disturbance level by an order of magnitude with transition values comparable to flight.

Harvey, W. D.↗

The oxidation and corrosion of ODS alloys

The oxidation and hot corrosion of high temperature oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys are reviewed. The environmental resistance of such alloys are classified by oxide growth rate, oxide volatility, oxide spalling, and hot corrosion limitations. Also discussed are environmentally resistant coatings for ODS materials. It is concluded that ODS NiCrAl and FeCrAl alloys are highly oxidation and corrosion resistant and can probably be used uncoated.

Lowell, Carl E.↗

NASA Specialized Center for Research and Training (NSCORT) in space environmental health

Activities of the Center for Space Environmental Health (CSEH), one of several NSCORTs supported by NASA in order to advance knowledge in environmental health in space habitats, are reviewed. Research in environmental health will define the standards or requirements needed to protect human health. This information will affect mission plans and the design of space habitats. This reseach will study unique contaminant stresses and lead to risk models for human health and performance.

Clarkson, Thomas W.↗

Space Flight Requirements for Fiber Optic Components: Qualification Testing and Lessons Learned

This viewgraph presentation reviews the qualification testing requirements for Fiber Optic Components used during space flight. Since most components for space flight fiber optic components are now commercial of the shelf (COTS) products, and the changes at Goddard Space Flight Center, such as short term projects, and low budgets and other changes, have made full qualification of Fiber Optic Components not only too expensive also impossible. This presentation reviews the environmental parameters, the testing and or testing requirements of some optical components on board some NASA satellites.

Ott, Melanie N.↗

Exoplanet Biosignatures: Understanding Oxygen as a Biosignature in the Context of Its Environment

Here we review how environmental context can be used to interpret whether O 2 is a biosignature in extrasolar planetary observations. This paper builds on the overview of current biosignature research discussed in Schwieterman et al. (2017), and provides an in-depth, interdisciplinary example of biosignature identification and observation that serves as a basis for the development of the general framework for biosignature assessment described in Catling et al., (2017). O 2 is a potentially strong biosignature that was originally thought to be an unambiguous indicator for life at high-abundance. In exploring O 2 as a biosignature, we describe the coevolution of life with the early Earth's environment, and how the interplay of sources and sinks in the planetary environment may have resulted in suppression of O 2 release into the atmosphere for several billion years, a false negative for biologically generated O 2 . False positives may also be possible, with recent research showing potential mechanisms in exoplanet environments that may generate relatively high abundances of atmospheric O 2 without a biosphere being present. These studies suggest that planetary characteristics that may enhance false negatives should be considered when selecting targets for biosignature searches. Similarly our ability to interpret O 2 observed in an exoplanetary atmosphere is also crucially dependent on environmental context to rule out false positive mechanisms. We describe future photometric, spectroscopic and time-dependent observations of O 2 and the planetary environment that could increase our confidence that any observed O 2 is a biosignature, and help discriminate it from potential false positives. The rich, interdisciplinary study of O 2 illustrates how a synthesis of our understanding of life's evolution and the early Earth, scientific computer modeling of star-planet interactions and predictive observations can enhance our understanding of biosignatures and guide and inform the development of next-generation planet detection and characterization missions. By observing and understanding O 2 in its planetary context we can increase our confidence in the remote detection of life, and provide a model for biosignature development for other proposed biosignatures.

Victoria S Meadows↗

The Biological Potential of Present-day Mars

In the mid-1970s the twin Viking Landers conducted three biological experiments in two different locations on the surface of Mars. Results from these experiments did not provide conclusive evidence of biological activity, and instead they were consistent with abiotic chemical reactions in the regolith. The paradigm established by the Viking missions is that the near-surface environment on Mars is too cold, dry, and hostile for life as we know it. Our understanding of the limits of metabolic activity and growth in terrestrial organisms, together with ecological studies in terrestrial analog environments, some of which approximate the temperature and dryness conditions on Mars, seem to support this view. But data gathered by surface and orbital assets in the past two decades suggests that liquid water could still be an important agent of landscape evolution over timescales ranging from seasons to millions of years. In addition, the tantalizing discovery of both liquid water buried deep beneath the southern polar deposits and fluctuating levels of methane in the atmosphere make the existence of a subsurface biosphere both possible and realistic. These discoveries have sparked a renewed interest on the biological potential of present-day Mars, and the possibility of extant life. This chapter reviews the environmental aspects most relevant to the biological potential of present-day Mars, emphasizing the near-surface environment that will be sampled and investigated by future robotic missions.

Life↗