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NASA NTRS2001

Mars Rovers: Past, Present, and Future

This viewgraph presentation provides information on the exploration of Mars through the use of rover vehicles. Mars is considered an interesting planet because it is the most like Earth of all known planets, and it may have or have had water on or below its surface. There are many different engineering design challenges for roving vehicles intended for Mars. These include: communications time delay, narrow communications bandwidth, extreme temperatures, rough and rocky terrain, the lack of a global positioning system, and dust. The Sojourner Rover specifications are provided including wheel diameter and instruments. There are prototypes being tested at NASA's Ames Research Center of the next generation Mars rovers.

Bualat, Maria↗

NASA NTRS1978

Induced velocities of grains embedded in a turbulent gas

A theory is presented for the dynamics of dust particles in an incompressible turbulent fluid. Grain-gas coupling occurs through friction forces that are proportional to the mean grain velocity relative to the gas. This test particle theory is applied to the case of Kolmogoroff spectrum in a protostellar cloud. The mean turbulence induced grain velocity and the mean turbulent relative velocity of two grains are calculated. Whereas the former should determine the dust scale height, grain-grain collisions are influenced by the latter. For a reasonable strength of turbulence, the mean induced relative velocity of two particles turns out to be at least as large as the corresponding terminal velocity difference during gravitational settling.

Voelk, H. J.↗

NASA NTRS2012

Degradation of Spacesuit Fabrics in Low Earth Orbit

Six samples of pristine and dust-abraded outer layer spacesuit fabrics were included in the Materials International Space Station Experiment-7, in which they were exposed to the wake-side low Earth orbit environment on the International Space Station (ISS) for 18 months in order to determine whether abrasion by lunar dust increases radiation degradation. The fabric samples were characterized using optical microscopy, optical spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and tensile testing before and after exposure on the ISS. Comparison of pre- and post-flight characterizations showed that the environment darkened and reddened all six fabrics, increasing their integrated solar absorptance by 7 to 38 percent. There was a decrease in the ultimate tensile strength and elongation to failure of lunar dust abraded Apollo spacesuit fibers by a factor of four and an increase in the elastic modulus by a factor of two.

Gaier, James R.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Hypervelocity Impact Test Facility: A gun for hire

An affordable technique has been developed to duplicate the types of impacts observed on spacecraft, including the Shuttle, by use of a certified Hypervelocity Impact Facility (HIF) which propels particulates using capacitor driven electric gun techniques. The fully operational facility provides a flux of particles in the 10-100 micron diameter range with a velocity distribution covering the space debris and interplanetary dust particle environment. HIF measurements of particle size, composition, impact angle and velocity distribution indicate that such parameters can be controlled in a specified, tailored test designed for or by the user. Unique diagnostics enable researchers to fully describe the impact for evaluating the 'targets' under full power or load. Users regularly evaluate space hardware, including solar cells, coatings, and materials, exposing selected portions of space-qualified items to a wide range of impact events and environmental conditions. Benefits include corroboration of data obtained from impact events, flight simulation of designs, accelerated aging of systems, and development of manufacturing techniques.

Johnson, Calvin R.↗

NASA NTRS2011

Transient Plume Model Testing Using LADEE Spacecraft Attitude Control System Operations

We have learned it is conceivable that the Neutral Mass Spectrometer on board the Lunarr Atmosphere Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) could measure gases from surface-reflected Attitude Control System (ACS) thruster plume. At minimum altitude, the measurement would be maximized, and gravitational influence minimized ("short" time-of-flight (TOF) situation) Could use to verify aspects of thruster plume modeling Model the transient disturbance to NMS measurements due to ACS gases reflected from lunar surface Observe evolution of various model characteristics as measured by NMS Species magnitudes, TOF measurements, angular distribution, species separation effects

Woronowicz, Michael↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Powering the Lunar Surface: Managing Dust, Extreme Environments, and Power Needs

Power availability remains one of the primary constraints for lunar surface science. This talk reviews power requirements from previously flown instruments to help prepare future payloads for upcoming CLPS opportunities and highlights the testing and environmental simulation capabilities at NASA JSC that enable reliable lunar payload development. It also outlines the power needs, environmental challenges, and emerging technologies required to support sustained human and robotic operations on the lunar surface as part of NASA’s Moon to Mars strategy. Key challenges include variable solar illumination at polar and equatorial regions, extreme thermal environments, and dust driven degradation that limit current surface power systems. The science data needed for resource identification and landing site planning will allow for the successful preparation of crewed Artemis activities and long-term presence. Building on recent missions, current test infrastructure, and emerging power technology pathways, this presentation equips industry, academia, and government teams with the information needed to design robust lunar payloads, reduce development risk, and fully leverage the increasing cadence of CLPS missions. These developments will form a critical technical foundation for long duration lunar presence and future Mars exploration.

Anastasia Ford↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Powering the Lunar Surface: Managing Dust, Extreme Environments, and Power Needs

lunar power↗

NASA NTRS2003

Microgravity Apparatus And Ground-Based Study Of The Flame Propagation And Quenching In Metal Dust Suspensions

Due to particle sedimentation and relatively low laminar flame speeds in dust suspensions, microgravity environment is essential for the observation of laminar dust flames in a wide range of particle sizes and fuel concentrations [1]. The capability of a reduced-gravity environment to facilitate study of dust combustion was realized by researchers long before current microgravity programs were established by the various national Space Agencies. Thus, several experimentalists even built their own, albeit very short-duration, drop tower facilities to study flames in particle and droplet suspensions [2,3]. About ten years ago, authors of the present paper started their dust combustion reduced gravity research with the investigation of the constant volume dust flames in a spherical-bomb on board a parabolic flight aircraft [4]. However it was soon realized that direct observation of the constant-pressure flame might be more beneficial. Thus, microgravity apparatus, permitting examination of the freely propagating flames in open-end tubes, was tested in parabolic flights three years later [5]. The improved design of the newlyconstructed apparatus for the experiments on board the NASA KC-135 aircraft is also based on the observation of the dust flame propagating in semi-opened tubes with free expansion of the combustion products that are continuously vented overboard. The apparatus design and results of its extensive ground-based testing are presented below.

Goroshin, Sam↗

NASA NTRS1979

Collection and analysis of cometary dust during a rendezvous mission

An experimental program has been undertaken to investigate and develop methods for high-efficiency collection of dust particles during a rendezvous mission with a preselected comet. A laboratory apparatus has been designed and tested for acceleration of fine particles (0.1 to 100 microns) to velocities of 0.5 to 50 m/s. Tests of collection efficiency are being conducted under vacuum and with control of substrate temperature. Collection materials include filters, plastic films, metal foils, liquid metals, and sticky organic compounds. Results to date indicate that only certain materials will be adequate to meet collection requirements.

Clark, B. C.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Long Day's Drive: An Alternative Paradigm for Martian Robotic Exploration

Long Day's Drive (LLD) will investigate the north polar layered deposits (PLD). The overarching science rationale for LDD is the belief that the PLD preserve within their stratigraphy an interpretable record of recent climate and geologic history for Mars. Our primary goal is to obtain data that can provide a basis for interpreting that record. In addition, we will test the hypothesis that the ice of the PLD contains organics at higher concentrations than the aeolian dust sampled at the two Viking sites. Finally, we seek to contribute to the understanding of Mars' total volatile inventory by detailed determination of the ice content of the PLD over the traverse.

Sims, M. H.↗

NASA NTRS2008

Eta Carinae: An Astrophysical Laboratory

In the 1840s, Eta Carinae, a massive binary near the end of its hydrogen burning cycle, ejected at least ten solar masses of material rich in nitrogen at the expense of carbon and oxygen. The resultant chemistry has led to a most peculiar mix of metals, molecules and dust. We identify thousands of nebular absorption lines of ions including Fe, Ni, V, Sr, Sc and molecules including H2, CH, OH, but no CO. Today we see a wind-enshrouded massive binary in the center of an expanding neutral hourglass and skirt. A similar ionized internal structure is associated with a lesser ejection of the 1890s. Both systems respond to the 5.54-year modulation of X-ray and ultraviolet radiation as the less massive, hotter companion plunges through the extended wind of the more massive, cooler primary. Observations and models are being brought together to understand the properties of the wind-enshrouded central binary. In turn we are learning much atomic spectroscopy, what molecules form in oxygen-and carbon-deprived environments and potentially about a dust that is quite different from the interstellar dust. As the next periastron occurs in January 2009, a number of observing teams are preparing to test these models with new observations.

Gull, T.↗

NASA NTRS2008

Image-Based Empirical Modeling of the Plasmasphere

A new suite of empirical models of plasmaspheric plasma based on remote, global images from the IMAGE EUV instrument is proposed for development. The purpose of these empirical models is to establish the statistical properties of the plasmasphere as a function of conditions. This suite of models will mark the first time the plasmaspheric plume is included in an empirical model. Development of these empirical plasmaspheric models will support synoptic studies (such as for wave propagation and growth, energetic particle loss through collisions and dust transport as influenced by charging) and serves as a benchmark against which physical models can be tested. The ability to know that a specific global density distribution occurs in response to specific magnetospheric and solar wind factors is a huge advantage over all previous in-situ based empirical models. The consequence of creating these new plasmaspheric models will be to provide much higher fidelity and much richer quantitative descriptions of the statistical properties of plasmaspheric plasma in the inner magnetosphere, whether that plasma is in the main body of the plasmasphere, nearby during recovery or in the plasmaspheric plume. Model products to be presented include statistical probabilities for being in the plasmasphere, near thermal He+ density boundaries and the complexity of its spatial structure.

Adrian, Mark L.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Materials for Space Exploration

Topics include a lab overview, testing and processing equipment, hemochromic hydrogen sensors, antimicrobial materials, wire system materials, CNT ink formulations, CNT ink dust screens, CNT ink printed circuitry, cryogenic materials development, fire and polymers, the importance of lighting, electric lighting systems, LED for plant growth, and carbon nanotube fiber filaments.

Robertson, Luke B.↗

NASA NTRS2011

Performance and Life Tests of a Regenerative Blower for EVA Suit Ventilation

Ventilation fans for future space suits must meet demanding performance specifications, satisfy stringent safety requirements for operation in an oxygen atmosphere, and be able to increase output to operate in buddy mode. A regenerative blower is an attractive choice due to its ability to meet these requirements at low operating speed. This paper describes progress in the development and testing of a regenerative blower designed to meet requirements for ventilation subsystems in a future space suit Portable Life Support Systems (PLSS). The blower assembly includes a custom-designed motor that has significantly improved in efficiency during this development effort. The blower was tested at both nominal and buddy mode operating points and head/flow performance and power consumption were measured. The blower was operated for over 1000 hours to demonstrate safe operation in an oxygen test loop at prototypical pressures. In addition, the blower demonstrated operation with the introduction of simulated lunar dust.

Izenson, Mike↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Strategies Toward Lunar Dust Adhesion Mitigation

Recently, the NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate solicited feedback to prioritize shortfalls, which were defined as technology areas needed to enable future exploration missions. Lunar dust mitigation emerged as a critical area and is cross-cutting with many of the highest ranked shortfalls with passive dust mitigation technologies being directly ranked in the top 50. Hazards associated with lunar dust are ubiquitous across all aspects of long duration lunar surface missions, whether crewed or robotic, due to the abrasive, electrostatically charged, and chemically reactive properties of lunar dust. Compounding the issue, lunar dust moves across the lunar surface due to levitation, twilight craters, and plume-surface interactions, which can result in particle velocities exceeding 1 km/h. To address lunar dust challenges, NASA is developing active and passive adhesion mitigation technologies to address specific mission needs, including electrodynamic dust screens, piezoelectric materials, biomimetic engineered surfaces, among many others. Additionally, abrasion-resistant materials are being evaluated for applications for use near landing sites and in surface manipulation and excavation equipment. These approaches, as well as test methodologies both in the laboratory and on the lunar surface to evaluate technology efficacy, will be described.

Dust Mitigation↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Designing the PLANET Chamber for Lunar Environment Ground Testing

The Planetary, Lunar, and Asteroid Natural Environments Testbed (PLANET) is a new 2m x 3m high-vacuum chamber facility currently being designed and built at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. When completed, it will be one of the highest-fidelity space/surface environment simulation chambers in existence. Instrumented with equipment to produce charged particle radiation, full spectrum ultraviolet, low-density plasma, and thermal extremes, PLANET can be configured to recreate the most challenging space environments. Additionally, a large regolith bed and distribution system will expose hardware to lunar regolith simulants and dust. This paper will describe the process of designing and optimizing PLANET and discuss some common considerations for performing ground-based environmental testing for lunar exploration.

Erin G Hayward↗

NASA NTRS2013

Development of an Indexing Media Filtration System for Long Duration Space Missions

The effective maintenance of air quality aboard spacecraft cabins will be vital to future human exploration missions. A key component will be the air cleaning filtration system which will need to remove a broad size range of particles including skin flakes, hair and clothing fibers, other biological matter, and particulate matter derived from material and equipment wear. In addition, during surface missions any extraterrestrial planetary dust, including dust generated by near-by ISRU equipment, which is tracked into the habitat will also need to be managed by the filtration system inside the pressurized habitat compartments. An indexing media filter system is being developed to meet the demand for long-duration missions that will result in dramatic increases in filter service life and loading capacity, and will require minimal crew involvement. These features may also benefit other closed systems, such as submarines, and remote location terrestrial installations where servicing and replacement of filter units is not practical. The filtration system consists of three stages: an inertial impactor stage, an indexing media stage, and a high-efficiency filter stage, packaged in a stacked modular cartridge configuration. Each stage will target a specific range of particle sizes that optimize the filtration and regeneration performance of the system. An 1/8th scale and full-scale prototype of the filter system have been fabricated and have been tested in the laboratory and reduced gravity environments that simulate conditions on spacecrafts, landers and habitats. Results from recent laboratory and reducegravity flight tests data will be presented.

Filtration↗

NASA NTRS2011

Contribution of Spaceflight Environmental Factors to Vision Risks

The risk of visual impairment and elevated intracranial pressure as a result of low-earth orbit microgravity exposure has directed our attention and research efforts to the eye. While the alterations observed in astronauts returning from long duration missions include vision and neuroanatomical changes observed by non-invasive methods, other effects and subsequent tissue responses at the molecular and cellular level can only be studied by accessing the tissue itself. As a result of this need, several studies are currently taking place within the Human and Health Countermeasures Element (HHC) that use animal models for eye research. The rodent eye has many similarities to the human eye, and both rats and mice have historically been used as models of human eye disease, aiding in the identification of the disease genes, elucidation of mechanisms of disease, as well as in the assessment of therapeutic treatments. These studies attempt to answer two central questions in the etiology of possible vision alterations in the environment of space exploration missions. The first is: what effects and response mechanisms take place in the different eye structures at the cellular and molecular level? The second question is directed to elucidate the contribution of the various environmental stressors (radiation, nutrition, fluid shift) to these effects. Collaborative approaches with internal and external investigators have allowed performing these studies in a most cost-effective fashion, providing preliminary data and laying the bases for testing further hypotheses in future and specifically designed animal experiments. From a study centered on the radioadaptive response in mice, we have learned that the retina responds to low and high dose gamma radiation by elevating antioxidant-related genes at early time points (4hrs) and that this response returns to control levels after 1 day post-irradiation. We are expanding this research with another collaborative study that investigates the combined effects of radiation exposure and iron overload on sensitivity to radiation injury in rat eyes. All main eye structures will be analyzed in this study: retina, lens and cornea. A study in collaboration with the Space Human Factors and Habitability Element (SHFH) investigates the effects of lunar dust exposure on the rat cornea. It is anticipated that common underlying oxidative stress mechanisms of damage may be observed as a result of these three stressors: radiation, nutritional iron and lunar dust. The contribution of fluid shift is addressed by a study using rats subjected to hindlimb suspension. The hypothesis to be tested in this study is that the mechanical stress imparted by the pressure differential across the optic disc and lamina cribosa will impact oxygenation (therefore causing oxidative stress and hypoxia) and cell survival. This study also includes the assessment of two nutritional antioxidant countermeasures: epigallocatechin gallate (green tea) and resveratrol. Finally, as a result of two successful tissue sharing efforts, we are proceeding with the analysis of eye samples of mice aboard two shuttle missions: STS-133 and STS-135. Results from the STS-133 study are presented in an independent abstract. Briefly, the results show that spaceflight represents a source of environmental stress that directly translates into oxidative and cellular stress in the retina. Similar analysis is also planned for the cornea. These samples add large value to our current vision research as they provide data on the direct effects of low-earth orbit spaceflight on eye structures and physiology.

Zanello, Susana B.↗