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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

A mosaic infrared sensor for space astronomy

The objectives were to give a theoretical and/or experimental evaluation of HgCdTe detector arrays (1 to 5 micron) for space astronomy applications; to analyze low background HgCdTe/CCD coupling schemes for low temperature space astronomy; and to test and evaluate existing silicon CCDs at temperatures below 77 K. The accomplishments are the theoretical tradeoffs for PV-HgCdTe detectors completed at low temperatures; the characterization of existing PV-HgCdTe detector arrays (1 to 5 Micron) at low temperatures (low temperature performance exceeds measurement capability, preamplifier designed and built, and limiting detector current mechanisms analyzed); various detector/CCD coupling approaches were evaluated (resettable gate coupled approach chosen for low background); and low temperature CCD performance at 50 K shows compatibility with astronomical requirements.

Sood, Ashok K.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Ultraviolet-Optical Space Astronomy Beyond HST Conference (Origins Conference and UV-Optical Working Group Support)

This grant supported three major activities, from 1997-2001. (1) Origins Conference. The funds from this grant were used, initially, to support a Conference on "Origins", held May 19-23, 1997 at Estes Park, CO and attended by a wide range of astronomers, planetary scientists, and astrobiologists. The scientific proceedings of this meeting were published in 1998 by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific: "Origins" (1998) "Proceedings of the International Origins Conference". (2) UV-Optical Space Astronomy. Conference Additional funds provided by the NASA Office of Space Science were used to support a meeting held August 5-7, 1998 at Boulder, CO and attended by ultraviolet and optical astronomers and instrumentalists interested in a UV-O successor to the Hubble Space Telescope. The scientific proceedings of this meeting were published in 1999: "Ultraviolet-Optical Space Astronomy Beyond the Hubble Space Telescope" (1999), NASA provided funds and commissioned the UVOWG (Ultraviolet-Optical Working Group), charged with recommending a set of fundamental scientific problems and new space missions in the UV/Optical wavelength bands. The working group was chaired by J. M. Shull, and included ten other astrophysicists. Their report was published as a "White Paper" (Nov. 1999) entitled "The Emergence of the Modern Universe: Tracing the Cosmic Web" available. The results of this report were used in the NASA Strategic Planning ("Roadmap") exercise and by the NRC Astronomy/Astrophysics Decade Committee.

Shull, J. Michael↗
NASA NTRS1992

NASA's future plans for space astronomy and astrophysics

NASA's plans in the field of space astronomy and astrophysics through the first decade of the next century are reviewed with reference to specific missions and mission concepts. The missions discussed include the Space Infrared Telescope Facility, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, the Submillimeter Intermediate Mission, the Astrometric Interferometry Mission, the Greater Observatories program, and Mission from Planet Earth. Plans to develop optics and sensors technology to enable these missions are also discussed.

Kaplan, Michael S.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The development and applications of charge-coupled devices for space astronomy

The developments in charge-coupled device technology over the past decade are reviewed, with emphasis on the relevance of these developments to astronomical applications. The characteristics and limitations of current commercial devices are described, and the future requirements on CCDs for space astronomy are summarized for the X-ray and near UV, optical, and infrared wavelength ranges. Emphasis is placed on the commonality of technological development which is called for, including the issues of quantum detection efficiency (photon entrance and depletion depth), charge transfer efficiency, modulation transfer function, output noise level, and array size. The system requirements on focal plane instrumentation for space astronomy are summarized, and shown to have much in common for the different wavelength bands. These requirements are discussed in terms of CCD mosaicing, cryogenic cooling, and electronics. The overlap in CCD developments in the defense, astronomical and commercial arenas is summarized.

Griffiths, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS2004

New Concepts for Far-Infrared and Submillimeter Space Astronomy

The Second Workshop on New Concepts for Far-Infrared and Submillimeter Space Astronomy aimed to highlight the groundbreaking opportunities available for astronomical investigations in the far-infrared to submillimeter using advanced, space-based telescopes. Held at the University of Maryland on March 7-8, 2002, the Workshop was attended by 130 participants from 50 institutions, and represented scientists and engineers from many countries and with a wide variety of experience. The technical content featured 17 invited talks and 44 contributed posters, complemented by two sixperson panels to address questions of astronomy and technology.

Benford, Dominic J.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Bolometric detector systems for IR and mm-wave space astronomy

Recent developments in bolometric detector systems for millimeter and submillimeter wave space astronomy are described. Current technologies meet all the requirements for the high frequency instrument onboard the cosmic background radiation anisotropy satellite/satellite for the measurement of background anisotropies (COBRAS/SAMBA) platform. It is considered that the technologies that are currently being developed will significantly reduce the effective time constant and/or the cooling requirements of bolometric detectors. These technologies lend themselves to the fabrication of the large format arrays required for the Far Infrared and Submillimeter Space Telescope (FIRST). The scientific goals and detector requirements of the COBRAS/SAMBA platform that will use infrared bolometers are reviewed and the baseline detector system is described, including the feed optics, the infrared filters, the cold amplifiers and the warm readout electronics.

Church, S. E.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Generic mission planning concepts for space astronomy missions

The past two decades have seen the rapid development of space astronomy, both manned and unmanned, and the concurrent proliferation of the operational concepts and software that have been produced to support each individual project. Having been involved in four of these missions since the '70's and three yet to fly in the present decade, the authors believe it is time to step back and evaluate this body of experience from a macro-systems point of view to determine the potential for generic mission planning concepts that could be applied to future missions. This paper presents an organized evaluation of astronomy mission planning functions, functional flows, iteration cycles, replanning activities, and the requirements that drive individual concepts to specific solutions. The conclusions drawn from this exercise are then used to propose a generic concept that could support multiple missions.

Guffin, O. T.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A mosaic infrared sensor for space astronomy, phase 3

Short wavelength (1 to 3 micron) HgCdTe mosaic detector arrays for space astronomy purposes were fabricated and studied. Honeywell will test and analyze these arrays at moderate temperatures (300-130K). Low temperature testing will be performed at the University of Hawaii. Short wavelength mosaic arrays were fabricated on three wafers and one array from each wafer was tested and analyzed. The p-type base carrier concentration on these wafers was an order of magnitude lower than typically used so far on this program (10 to the 14/cc as compared to 10 to the 15/cc). Tunneling currents are expected to decrease with this decrease in carrier concentration, resulting in improved performance at very low temperatures. The risk with such a low carrier concentration is that fixed charge in the surface passivating layer must be carefully controlled to prevent surface inversion layers.

Sood, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Data and data retrieval in space astronomy

To illustrate the range of storage and retrieval facilities and data products that are involved in space astronomy, the present situation on data from some instruments on the following missions is presented: Small Astronomy Satellite-B, Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 3, High Energy Astrophysics Observatory 2, International Ultraviolet Explorer, Viking Orbiter, and Solar Maximum Mission. In addition, the Coordinated Data Analysis Workshops conducted at the National Space Science Data Center are outlined to demonstrate the usefulness of building a problem-oriented on-line data base from instruments flown on a number of spacecraft and operating from ground-based facilities.

Vette, J. I.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A high voltage power converter for space astronomy applications

A dc-dc low-power, high-voltage converter for use in space is described which furnishes a commandable, low-noise dc output in the range of 0 to -7500 V. The converter is suitable for biasing of detectors commonly employed in space astronomy, microchannel plates, photomultipliers, and gas discharge detectors. The converter's reliability has been demonstrated by accelerated life testing under thermal vacuum. The electrical and mechanical design, packaging, layout and fabrication techniques, and tests employed are described.

Ray, David C.↗