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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

Development of a mobile research flight test support capability

This paper presents the approach taken by the NASA Western Aeronautical Test Range (WATR) of the Ames Research Center to develop and utilize mobile systems to satisfy unique real-time research flight test requirements of research projects such as the advanced fighter technology integration (AFTI)F-16, YAV-8B Harrier, F-18 high-alpha research vehicle (HARV), XV-15, and the UH-60 Black Hawk. The approach taken is cost-effective, staff efficient, technologically current, and provides a safe and effective research flight test environment to support a highly complex set of real-time requirements including the areas of tracking and data acquisition, communications (audio and video) and real-time processing and display, postmission processing, and command uplink. The development of this capability has been in response to the need for rapid deployment at varied site locations with full real-time computations and display capability. This paper will discuss the requirements, implementation and growth plan for mobile systems development within the NASA Western Aeronautical Test Range.

Rhea, Donald C.↗

Development of a mobile research flight test support capability

This paper presents the approach taken by the NASA Western Aeronautical Test Range (WATR) of the Ames Research Center (ARC) to develop and utilize mobile systems to satisfy unique real-time research flight test requirements of research projects such as the advanced fighter technology integration (AFTI) F-16, YAV-8B Harrier, F-18 high-alpha research vehicle (HARV), XV-15, and the UH-60 Black Hawk. The approach taken is cost-effective, staff efficient, technologically current, and provides a safe and effective research flight test environment to support a highly complex set of real-time requirements including the areas of tracking and data acquisition, communications (audio and video) and real-time processing and display, postmission processing, and command uplink. The development of this capability has been in response to the need for rapid deployment at varied site locations with full real-time comutation and display capability. This paper will discuss the requirements, implementation and growth plan for mobile systems development within the NASA Western Aeronautical Test Range.

Rhea, Donald C.↗

Environmental control and life support testing at the Marshall Space Flight Center

The Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) test program at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is addressed. The immediate goals and current activities of the test program are discussed. Also described are the Core Module Integration Facility (CMIF) and the initial ECLSS test configuration. Future plans for the ECLSS test program and the CMIF are summarized.

Schunk, Richard G.↗

Spacelab scrubber analysis and test support

Contaminants to be used in qualification and development tests of the add-on charcoal bed scrubber were established, along with rates and methods for their introduction. The contaminant levels to be achieved were predicted and test results were analyzed.

Source record↗

Configuration management issues and objectives for a real-time research flight test support facility

An account is given of configuration management activities for the Western Aeronautical Test Range (WATR) at NASA-Ames, whose primary function is the conduct of aeronautical research flight testing through real-time processing and display, tracking, and communications systems. The processing of WATR configuration change requests for specific research flight test projects must be conducted in such a way as to refrain from compromising the reliability of WATR support to all project users. Configuration management's scope ranges from mission planning to operations monitoring and performance trend analysis.

Yergensen, Stephen↗

New Model Exhaust System Supports Testing in NASA Lewis' 10- by 10-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel

In early 1996, the ability to run NASA Lewis Research Center's Abe Silverstein 10- by 10- Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel (10x10) at subsonic test section speeds was reestablished. Taking advantage of this new speed range, a subsonic research test program was scheduled for the 10x10 in the fall of 1996. However, many subsonic aircraft test models require an exhaust source to simulate main engine flow, engine bleed flows, and other phenomena. This was also true of the proposed test model, but at the time the 10x10 did not have a model exhaust capability. So, through an in-house effort over a period of only 5 months, a new model exhaust system was designed, installed, checked out, and made ready in time to support the scheduled test program.

Roeder, James W., Jr.↗

Shuttle launched flight tests - Supporting technology for planetary entry missions

The feasibility of conducting Space Shuttle-launched earth entry flight tests to enhance the technology base for second generation planetary entry missions is examined. Outer planet entry environments are reviewed, translated into earth entry requirements and used to establish entry test system design and cost characteristics. Entry speeds up to those needed to simulate radiative heating levels of more than 30 kW/sq cm are shown to be possible. A standardized recoverable test bed concept is described that is capable of accommodating a wide range of entry technology experiments. The economic advantage of shared Shuttle launches are shown to be achievable through a test system configured to the volume constraints of a single Spacelab pallet using existing propulsion components.

Vetter, H. C.↗

LTCS (Laser Thermal Control System) Test Supporting the Improvement of DeCoM (Deepak Condenser Model)

Thermal and Fluids Analysis Workshop, Cleveland OH. NCTS 19701-14. On Dec 2013 a Loop Heat Pipe (LHP) test was performed as part of the integral Laser Thermal Control System (LTCS). During the balance portion of this testing it was noticed that the LHP was not going to be able to maintain temperature on the operational thermal mass. The test was stopped. After multiple meetings with the LTCS designers, LHP experts (in house and external) it was concluded that gravity was preventing the control heaters to maintain control on the reservoir. A heater was installed onto the liquid return line as part of the fix. After implementing the fix on the liquid return line, the test on May 2014 proved that the system works in vertical orientation using the liquid line heater. Through this testing, the correlation of the Deepak Condenser Model (DeCoM) was possible. This paper describes how well DeCoM predicts the condenser behavior in comparison to the test results of LTCS test.

0000↗

Water recovery and management test support modeling for Space Station Freedom

The water-recovery and management (WRM) subsystem proposed for the Space Station Freedom program is outlined, and its computerized modeling and simulation based on a Computer Aided System Engineering and Analysis (CASE/A) program are discussed. A WRM test model consisting of a pretreated urine processing (TIMES), hygiene water processing (RO), RO brine processing using TIMES, and hygiene water storage is presented. Attention is drawn to such end-user equipment characteristics as the shower, dishwasher, clotheswasher, urine-collection facility, and handwash. The transient behavior of pretreated-urine, RO waste-hygiene, and RO brine tanks is assessed, as well as the total input/output to or from the system. The model is considered to be beneficial for pretest analytical predictions as a program cost-saving feature.

Mohamadinejad, Habib↗

Artificial Neural Network Test Support Development for the Space Shuttle PRCS Thrusters

A significant anomaly, Fuel Valve Pilot Seal Extrusion, is affecting the Shuttle Primary Reaction Control System (PRCS) Thrusters, and has caused 79 to fail. To help address this problem, a Shuttle PRCS Thruster Process Evaluation Team (TPET) was formed. The White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) and Boeing members of the TPET have identified many discrete valve current trace characteristics that are predictive of the problem. However, these are difficult and time consuming to identify and trend by manual analysis. Based on this exhaustive analysis over months, 22 thrusters previously delivered by the Depot were identified as high risk for flight failures. Although these had only recently been installed, they had to be removed from Shuttles OV103 and OV104 for reprocessing, by directive of the Shuttle Project Office. The resulting impact of the thruster removal, replacement, and valve replacement was significant (months of work and hundreds of thousands of dollars). Much of this could have been saved had the proposed Neural Network (NN) tool described in this paper been in place. In addition to the significant benefits to the Shuttle indicated above, the development and implementation of this type of testing will be the genesis for potential Quality improvements across many areas of WSTF test data analysis and will be shared with other NASA centers. Future tests can be designed to incorporate engineering experience via Artificial Neural Nets (ANN) into depot level acceptance of hardware. Additionally, results were shared with a NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Super Problem Response Team (SPRT). There was extensive interest voiced among many different personnel from several centers. There are potential spin-offs of this effort that can be directly applied to other data acquisition systems as well as vehicle health management for current and future flight vehicles.

Lehr, Mark E.↗

Crane Cell Testing Support of Nasa/goddard Space Flight Center: an Update

The objective of this paper is to verify the quality and reliability of aerospace battery cells and batteries for NASA flight programs, disseminate the data - to develop a plan for in-orbit battery management - to design a cell/battery for future NASA spacecraft and establish a cell test data base for rechargeable cell/batteries.

Strawn, Mike↗

Scramjet Development Tests Supporting the Mach 10 Flight of the X-43

The Hyper-X Project s successful third flight of the X-43 at near Mach 10 in 2004 proved the potential for airbreathing propulsion at hypersonic speeds. The engine flowpath used in the X-43 research vehicle was developed and evaluated in a systematic series of ground tests in the NASA HyPulse Shock Tunnel at conditions duplicating Mach 10 flight using a full scale height, partial width engine model of the flight engine. Tests were conducted over a range of equivalence ratios from 0.8 to 1.6 using hydrogen and a mixture of two-percent silane in hydrogen fuels. Silane gas was used as an ignition aid during the short duration of the pulse facility tests. Variation of the engine inflow conditions, pressure, temperature, and Mach number, were parametrically varied during the test entries to broaden the database over the expected uncertainty in the flight conditions. A review of the ground test technique and comparisons of the ground test pressures along with selected flight data are presented.

Rogers, R. C.↗

Crane Cell Testing Support of NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center: An Update

The objectives presented in this viewgraph presentation include: 1) Verify the quality and reliability of aerospace battery cells and batteries for NASA flight programs; 2) Disseminate the data to develop a plan for in-orbit battery management and to design a cell/battery for future NASA spacecraft; and 3) Establish a cell test data base for rechargeable cell/batteries. In summary: quality EPT Ni-H2, EPT Super NiCd and SAFT NiCd cells have been demonstrated for aerospace applications; the data has been provided to NASA Centers and other agencies for their use and application; developed plan and used in NASA in-orbit battery management. Database on rechargeable cell/batteries is now available for customer use.

Strawn, Mike↗

Software Development and Testing Support for the Avionics Systems Telemetry Tool Suite

The Customer Avionics Interface Development and Analysis (CAIDA) team helps to provide modeling and simulation software for the verification of the Launch Control System (LCS). With a new iteration of telemetry tools being developed, extensive work must be done to ensure features are implemented in an efficient manner. The authors worked to develop new functionalities in the telemetry tools, update documentation, and perform various tests on the CAIDA Advanced Telemetry Tool (CATT). This was accomplished with Python through built-in library frameworks. In addition, work needed to be performed to set up a training document for new engineers and interns joining the team in the future. The outcome of this internship was the completion of several new features, unit and functional tests on CATT, thorough documentation, and a developer’s guide to programming under CAIDA.

Negron-Martinez, Antonio Jose↗

Software Development and Testing Support for the Avionics Systems Telemetry Tool Suite

The Customer Avionics Interface Development and Analysis (CAIDA) team provides modeling and simulation software for the verification of the Launch Control System (LCS). In late 2015, CAIDA began development of the Data Exchange Message (DEM) Generator (DEMGen) and development of the DEM Modifier (DEMMod) in early 2017. DEMGen is able to mimic the telemetry streams normally sent by different simulators allowing increased user control and more telemetry instances. DEMMod takes in a telemetry stream and allows the modification of entire packets or simple measurement values. Together, these tools provide the capabilities to simulate and test complex launch scenarios to ensure LCS is fully prepared for any anomalous behavior during an actual launch. In early 2018, CAIDA began a new project called the CAIDA Advanced Telemetry Tool (CATT), which combined the code and documentation of DEMGen and DEMMod. CATT now allows the integration of new tools into a singular program providing compact and easy access. In the fall of 2018, the author worked with another intern, Antonio Negron, to develop several new CATT features along with proper documentation and unit testing. In the following spring, the author continued that work by integrating the features into CATT, solidifying the documentation, and expanding the testing to cover more cases. The outcome of both semesters includes an inspection engine for automated packet analysis, a packet-masking feature, and a multi-measurement sequencing feature.

Thomas, Taylor Walter↗

Exercise Countermeasures Demonstration Project During the Lunar-Mars Life Support Test Project Phase 2A

This demonstration project assessed the crew members' compliance to a portion of the exercise countermeasures planned for use onboard the International Space Station (ISS) and the outcomes of their performing these countermeasures. Although these countermeasures have been used separately in other projects and investigations, this was the first time they'd been used together for an extended period (60 days) in an investigation of this nature. Crew members exercised every day for six days, alternating every other day between aerobic and resistive exercise, and rested on the seventh day. On the aerobic exercise days, subjects exercised on an electronically braked cycle ergometer using a protocol that has been previously shown to maintain aerobic capacity in subjects exposed to a space flight analogue. On the resistive exercise days, crew members performed five major multijoint resistive exercises in a concentric mode, targeting those muscle groups and bones we believe are most severely affected by space flight. The subjects favorably tolerated both exercise protocols, with a 98% compliance to aerobic exercise prescription and a 91% adherence to the resistive exercise protocol. After 60 days, the crew members improved their peak aerobic capacity by an average 7%, and strength gains were noted in all subjects. These results suggest that these exercise protocols can be performed during ISS, lunar, and Mars missions, although we anticipate more frequent bouts with both protocols for long-duration spaceflight. Future projects should investigate the impact of increased exercise duration and frequency on subject compliance, and the efficacy of such exercise prescriptions.

Lee, Stuart M. C.↗