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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1988

Rechargeable metal hydrides for spacecraft application

Storing hydrogen on board the Space Station presents both safety and logistics problems. Conventional storage using pressurized bottles requires large masses, pressures, and volumes to handle the hydrogen to be used in experiments in the U.S. Laboratory Module and residual hydrogen generated by the ECLSS. Rechargeable metal hydrides may be competitive with conventional storage techniques. The basic theory of hydride behavior is presented and the engineering properties of LaNi5 are discussed to gain a clear understanding of the potential of metal hydrides for handling spacecraft hydrogen resources. Applications to Space Station and the safety of metal hydrides are presented and compared to conventional hydride storage. This comparison indicates that metal hydrides may be safer and require lower pressures, less volume, and less mass to store an equivalent mass of hydrogen.

Perry, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A survey of some regenerative physico-chemical life support technology

To date, manned spaceflight has used the relatively simple support methodology of bringing all the necessary water, oxygen, and food for the duration of the mission, and collecting and storing waste products for return to Earth. This is referred to as an open system. It was recognized early, as manned missions became longer and crew size increased, that the weight, volume, and transportation penalties of storing or routinely resupplying consumables would at some point become too expensive. Since the early 1960's regenerative ECLSS technology has been under development, and there now exists a foundation in both systems definition and subsystem technology to support long-duration manned missions. In many cases this development has reached the engineering prototype stage for physico-chemical subsystems and in this article some of these subsystems are described. Emphasis is placed on physico-chemical waste conversion and related processes which provide sustenance and not on environmental factors or subsystems, e.g., temperature and humidity control, spacecraft architecture, lighting, etc.

Wydeven, Theodore↗
NASA NTRS1988

An automation simulation testbed

The work being done in porting ROBOSIM (a graphical simulation system developed jointly by NASA-MSFC and Vanderbilt University) to the HP350SRX graphics workstation is described. New additional ROBOSIM features, like collision detection and new kinematics simulation methods are also discussed. Based on the experiences of the work on ROBOSIM, a new graphics structural modeling environment is suggested which is intended to be a part of a new knowledge-based multiple aspect modeling testbed. The knowledge-based modeling methodologies and tools already available are described. Three case studies in the area of Space Station automation are also reported. First a geometrical structural model of the station is presented. This model was developed using the ROBOSIM package. Next the possible application areas of an integrated modeling environment in the testing of different Space Station operations are discussed. One of these possible application areas is the modeling of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), which is one of the most complex subsystems of the station. Using the multiple aspect modeling methodology, a fault propagation model of this system is being built and is described.

Cook, George E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Advanced Technology Space Station studies at Langley Research Center

The paper describes the Advanced Technology Space Station systems studies at Langley Research Center, which were initiated to identify the technologies required for the construction of a high-performance station in the first quarter of the 21st century. Technologies which would maximize the synergistic effects between the subsystems and structural configurations were selected. The ECLSS and propulsion systems show promising synergistic relationships in the areas of oxygen and hydrogen production and attitude control.

Ferebee, Melvin J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1988

International interface design for Space Station Freedom - Challenges and solutions

The definition of interfaces for the International Space Station is discussed, with a focus on negotiations between NASA and ESA. The program organization and division of responsibilities for the Space Station are outlined; the basic features of physical and functional interfaces are described; and particular attention is given to the interface management and documentation procedures, architectural control elements, interface implementation and verification, and examples of Columbus interface solutions (including mechanical, ECLSS, thermal-control, electrical, data-management, standardized user, and software interfaces). Diagrams, drawings, graphs, and tables listing interface types are provided.

Mayo, Richard E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Maturity of the Bosch CO2 reduction technology for Space Station application

The Bosch process, which catalytically reduces CO2 with H2 to solid carbon and water, is a promising technique for the reduction of the CO2 removed from the Space Station atmosphere and the subsequent water formation for O2 recovery. A Bosch engineering subsystem prototype CO2 reduction unit was developed to demonstrate the feasibility of the Bosch process as a viable technology for Space Station application. A man-rated prototype unit is then described as part of the ECLSS Technology Demonstrator Program. The goal was to develop a Bosch subsystem that not only meets the performance requirements of two 60 person-day carbon cartridge capacities, but also satisfies inherent man-rated requirements such as offgassing characteristics, fail-safe operation, and ease of maintainability. It is concluded that the technology is at a state of maturity directly applicable to flight status for the NASA Space Station program.

Wagner, Robert C.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Fluid Phase Separation (FPS) experiment for flight on a space shuttle Get Away Special (GAS) canister

The separation of fluid phases in microgravity environments is of importance to environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) and materials processing in space. A successful fluid phase separation experiment will demonstrate a proof of concept for the separation technique and add to the knowledge base of material behavior. The phase separation experiment will contain a premixed fluid which will be exposed to a microgravity environment. After the phase separation of the compound has occurred, small samples of each of the species will be taken for analysis on the Earth. By correlating the time of separation and the temperature history of the fluid, it will be possible to characterize the process. The experiment has been integrated into space available on a manifested Get Away Special (GAS) experiment, CONCAP 2, part of the Consortium for Materials Complex Autonomous Payload (CAP) Program, scheduled for STS-42. The design and the production of a fluid phase separation experiment for rapid implementation at low cost is presented.

Peters, Bruce↗
NASA NTRS1989

Microgravity sensitivities for Space Station ECLS subsystems

This report presents a review of the Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support subsystems (ECLSS) for sensitivity to low gravity environments. The object of this review is to categorize sensitivity areas and to quantify the risks. This review addresses all processes from a top level view and then examines in more detail those areas which were considered potential risks. The study has concentrated on the primary function of the subsystems which may be significant to the performance of the particular component and does not address integration of the subsystem and/or the mechanical aspects of the designs. The areas of primary concern were the Atmosphere Revitalization (AR), Water Recovery and Management (WRM), and the Waste Management (WM) subsystems.

Bangham, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1989

System level design analyses for the Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support System

The development and verification of a computer model for the design and analysis of the current Space Station ECLSS configuration are discussed. The model is used to resolve system-level design issues, such as sizing accumulators and assessing flow control techniques. Actual component verification efforts are outlined, and technical aspects of each component model are identified. The results obtained to date and plans for future analytical efforts are summarized.

Bacskay, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support System Test Facility at Marshall Space Flight Center

Different aspects of Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) testing are currently taking place at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Unique to this testing is the variety of test areas and the fact that all are located in one building. The north high bay of building 4755, the Core Module Integration Facility (CMIF), contains the following test areas: the Subsystem Test Area, the Comparative Test Area, the Process Material Management System (PMMS), the Core Module Simulator (CMS), the End-use Equipment Facility (EEF), and the Pre-development Operational System Test (POST) Area. This paper addresses the facility that supports these test areas and briefly describes the testing in each area. Future plans for the building and Space Station module configurations will also be discussed.

Springer, Darlene↗
NASA NTRS1990

Computer aided system engineering and analysis (CASE/A) modeling package for ECLS systems - An overview

An overview of the CASE/A-ECLSS series modeling package is presented. CASE/A is an analytical tool that has supplied engineering productivity accomplishments during ECLSS design activities. A components verification program was performed to assure component modeling validity based on test data from the Phase II comparative test program completed at the Marshall Space Flight Center. An integrated plotting feature has been added to the program which allows the operator to analyze on-screen data trends or get hard copy plots from within the CASE/A operating environment. New command features in the areas of schematic, output, and model management, and component data editing have been incorporated to enhance the engineer's productivity during a modeling program.

Dalee, Robert C.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Space Station Freedom viewed as a 'tight building'

The Space Station Freedom (SSF), with a 30-year projected lifetime and a completely closed-loop Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), is perhaps the ultimate 'tight building'. Recognizing the potential for the development of 'tight building syndrome' (TBS), and initiating actions to minimize possible TBS occurrences on SSF, requires a multidisciplinary approach that begins with appropriate design concerns and ends with detection and control measures on board SSF. This paper presents a brief summary of current experience with TBS on earth. Air contamination, including volatile organic compounds and microorganisms, is the focus of the discussion. Preventive steps to avoid TBS, control of environmental factors that may lead to TBS, and use of real-time instrumentation for the detection of potential causes of TBS are also outlined.

Limero, Thomas F.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Marshall Space Flight Center CFD overview

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) activities at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) have been focused on hardware specific and research applications with strong emphasis upon benchmark validation. The purpose here is to provide insight into the MSFC CFD related goals, objectives, current hardware related CFD activities, propulsion CFD research efforts and validation program, future near-term CFD hardware related programs, and CFD expectations. The current hardware programs where CFD has been successfully applied are the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME), Alternate Turbopump Development (ATD), and Aeroassist Flight Experiment (AFE). For the future near-term CFD hardware related activities, plans are being developed that address the implementation of CFD into the early design stages of the Space Transportation Main Engine (STME), Space Transportation Booster Engine (STBE), and the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) for the Space Station. Finally, CFD expectations in the design environment will be delineated.

Schutzenhofer, Luke A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Panel summary of recommendations

The following Space Station internal contamination topics were addressed: past flight experience (Skylab and Spacelab missions); present flight activities (Spacelabs and Soviet Space Station Mir); future activities (materials science and life science experiments); Space Station capabilities (PPMS, FMS, ECLSS, and U.S. Laboratory overview); manned systems/crew safety; internal contamination detection; contamination control - stowage and handling; and contamination control - waste gas processing. Space Station design assumptions are discussed. Issues and concerns are discussed as they relate to (1) policy and management, (2) subsystem design, (3) experiment design, and (4) internal contamination detection and control. The recommendations generated are summarized.

Dunbar, Bonnie J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Fluid Phase Separation (FPS) experiment for flight on the shuttle in a Get Away Special (GAS) canister: Design and fabrication

The separation of fluid phases in microgravity environments is of importance to environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) and materials processing in space. A successful fluid phase separation experiment will demonstrate a proof of concept for the separation technique and add to the knowledge base of material behavior. The phase separation experiment will contain a premixed fluid that will be exposed to a microgravity environment. After the phase separation of the compound has occurred, small samples of each of the species will be taken for analysis on Earth. By correlating the time of separation and the temperature history of the fluid, it will be possible to characterize the process. The phase separation experiment is totally self-contained, with three levels of containment on all fluids, and provides all necessary electrical power and control. The controller regulates the temperature of the fluid and controls data logging and sampling. An astronaut-activated switch will initiate the experiment and an unmaskable interrupt is provided for shutdown. The experiment has been integrated into space available on a manifested Get Away Special (GAS) experiment, CONCAP 2, part of the Consortium for Materials Complex Autonomous Payload (CAP) Program, scheduled for STS 42 in April 1991. Presented here are the design and the production of a fluid phase separation experiment for rapid implementation at low cost.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1991

Space water electrolysis: Space Station through advance missions

Static Feed Electrolyzer (SFE) technology can satisfy the need for oxygen (O2) and Hydrogen (H2) in the Space Station Freedom and future advanced missions. The efficiency with which the SFE technology can be used to generate O2 and H2 is one of its major advantages. In fact, the SFE is baselined for the Oxygen Generation Assembly within the Space Station Freedom's Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). In the conventional SFE process an alkaline electrolyte is contained within the matrix and is sandwiched between two porous electrodes. The electrodes and matrix make up a unitized cell core. The electrolyte provides the necessary path for the transport of water and ions between the electrodes, and forms a barrier to the diffusion of O2 and H2. A hydrophobic, microporous membrane permits water vapor to diffuse from the feed water to the cell core. This membrane separates the liquid feed water from the product H2, and, therefore, avoids direct contact of the electrodes by the feed water. The feed water is also circulated through an external heat exchanger to control the temperature of the cell.

Ronald J Davenport↗
NASA NTRS1991

Advanced instrumentation: Technology database enhancement, volume 4, appendix G

The purpose of this task was to add to the McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Company's Sensors Database, including providing additional information on the instruments and sensors applicable to physical/chemical Environmental Control and Life Support System (P/C ECLSS) or Closed Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) which were not previously included. The Sensors Database was reviewed in order to determine the types of data required, define the data categories, and develop an understanding of the data record structure. An assessment of the MDSSC Sensors Database identified limitations and problems in the database. Guidelines and solutions were developed to address these limitations and problems in order that the requirements of the task could be fulfilled.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1991

The environmental control and life support system advanced automation project

The objective of the ECLSS Advanced Automation project includes reduction of the risk associated with the integration of new, beneficial software techniques. Demonstrations of this software to baseline engineering and test personnel will show the benefits of these techniques. The advanced software will be integrated into ground testing and ground support facilities, familiarizing its usage by key personnel.

Dewberry, Brandon S.↗