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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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NASA NTRS1985

Research and technology: 1985 annual report of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Johnson Space Center accomplishments in new and advanced concepts during 1985 are highlighted. Included are research funded by the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology; Solar System Exploration and Life Sciences research funded by the Office of Space Sciences and Applications; and Advanced Programs tasks funded by the Office of Space Flight. Summary sections describing the role of the Johnson Space Center in each program are followed by one-page descriptions of significant projects. Descriptions are suitable for external consumption, free of technical jargon, and illustrated to increase ease of comprehension.

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NASA NTRS1986

Second Symposium on Chemical Evolution and the Origin of Life

Recent findings by NASA Exobiology investigators are reported. Scientific papers are presented in the following areas: cosmic evolution of biogenic compounds, prebiotic evolution (planetary and molecular), early evolution of life (biological and geochemical), evolution of advanced life, solar system exploration, and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI).

Donald L Devincenzi↗
NASA NTRS1986

multiplex gas chromatography: A novel analytical technique for future planetary studies

Determination of molecular species comprised of the biogenic elements in the atmospheres of planets and moons of the solar system is one the foremost requirements of the exobiologist studying chemical evolution and the origin of life. Multiplex chromatography is a technique where many samples are pseudo-randomly introduced to the chromatograph without regard to elution of preceding components. The resulting data are then reduced using mathematical techniques such as cross correlation or Fourier Transforms. To demonstrate the utility of this technique for future solar system exploration, chemical modulators were developed. Several advantages were realized from this technique in combination with these modulators: improvement in detection limits of several orders of magnitude, improvement in the analysis of complex mixtures by selectively modulating some of the components present in the sample, increase in the number of analyses that can be conducted in a given period of time, and reduction in the amount of expendables needed to run an analysis. In order to apply this technique in a real application, methane in ambient air was monitored continuously over a period of one week. By using ambient air as its own carrier all expendables beyond power were eliminated.

Valentin, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Exobiology experiment concepts for space station

The exobiology discipline uses ground based and space flight resources to conduct a multidiscipline research effort dedicated to understanding fundamental questions about the origin, evolution, and distribution of life and life related molecules throughout the universe. Achievement of this understanding requires a methodical research strategy which traces the history of the biogenic elements from their origins in stellar formation processes through the chemical evolution of molecules essential for life to the origin and evolution of primitive and, ultimately, complex living species. Implementation of this strategy requires the collection and integration of data from solar system exploration spacecraft and ground based and orbiting observatories and laboratories. The Science Lab Module (SLM) of the Space Station orbiting complex may provide an ideal setting in which to perform certain classes of experiments which form the cornerstone of exobiology research. These experiments could demonstrate the pathways and processes by which biomolecules are synthesized under conditions that simulate the primitive Earth, planetary atmospheres, cometary ices, and interstellar dust grains. Exobiology experiments proposed for the Space Station generally fall into four classes: interactions among gases and grains (nucleation, accretion, gas-grain reactions), high energy chemistry for the production of biomolecules, physical and chemical processes occurring on an artificial comet, and tests of the theory of panspermia.

Griffiths, L. D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Mossbauer spectroscopy of extraterrestrial materials

Mossbauer Spectroscopy (MS) has recently been added to the tools used by Dr. Richard Morris of the Experimental Planetology Branch of the Solar System Exploration Division at Johnson Space Flight Center in his research on synthetic and natural analogs of lunar and Martian soils. A least-squares fitting program for MS data written originally for an IBM 360 Mainframe computer was adapted for use on an IBM-PC microcomputer. The adapted program has been applied to the analysis of MS spectra obtained from several samples of Antarctic soil under investigation at JSC as analogs to soil of the Martian regolith. Preliminary conclusions have been drawn from the MS data about the composition of the Antarctic samples. Inferences from optical spectra obtained for these same samples have been compared with the MS results.

Agresti, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Life sciences space station planning document: A reference payload for the exobiology research facilities

The Cosmic Dust Collection and Gas Grain Simulation Facilities represent collaborative efforts between the Life Sciences and Solar System Exploration Divisions designed to strengthen a natural exobiology/Planetary Sciences connection. The Cosmic Dust Collection Facility is a Planetary Science facility, with Exobiology a primary user. Conversely, the Gas Grain Facility is an exobiology facility, with Planetary Science a primary user. Requirements for the construction and operation of the two facilities, contained herein, were developed through joint workshops between the two disciplines, as were representative experiments comprising the reference payloads. In the case of the Gas Grain Simulation Facility, the astrophysics Division is an additional potential user, having participated in the workshop to select experiments and define requirements.

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NASA NTRS1986

The Cassini mission

An assessment study of a Saturn-Orbiter plus Titan-probe mission was made. The NASA Solar System Exploration Committee (SSEC) had recommended two separate missions to the Saturn system, in keeping with its charter to design low-cost, dedicated planetary missions. These were a Titan probe, to be carried by a small spacecraft that would include some type of radar mapping device, and a Saturn Orbiter that would be a more sophisticated spacecraft, to be launched separately. A Saturn orbiter and a Titan probe are combined in a single mission that would be carried out in collaboration with NASA. It is this proposal, called the Cassini Project, which was approved by NASA and ESA for an assessment study to be carried out over the next year and a half. Details of the Cassini mission are discussed.

Owen, Tobias↗
NASA NTRS1987

Ka-band (32-GHz) downlink capability for deep space communications

The first quarter century of U.S. solar system exploration using unmanned spacecraft has involved progressively higher operating frequencies for deep space telemetry: L-band (960 MHz) in 1962 to S-band (2.3 GHz) in 1964 to X-band (8.4 GHZ) in 1977. The next logical frequency to develop for deep space is the Ka-band (32 GHz) for which a primary deep space allocation of 500 MHz between 31.8 to 32.3 GHz was established in 1979. The telecommunications capability was improved by a factor of 77 (18.9 dB) through the frequency changes from L-band to X-band. Another improvement factor of 14.5 (11.6 dB) can be achieved by going to Ka-band. Plans to develop and demonstrate Ka-band capability include the continued measurement of weather effects at Deep Space Network (DSN) sites, development of a prototype DSN ground antenna and supporting subsystems, augmentation of planned spacecraft with Ka-band beacons, and development of spacecraft prototype modules for future Ka-band transmitters. Plans for augmenting the DSN with Ka-band capability by 1995 were also developed. A companion set of articles describes the Ka-band performance and technology in greater detail.

Smith, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Research and technology: 1986 annual report of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Johnson Space Center accomplishments in new and advanced concepts during 1986 are highlighted. Included are research funded by the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology; Solar System Exploration and Life Sciences research funded by the Office of Space Sciences and Applications; and Advanced Programs tasks funded by the Office of Space Flight. Summary sections describing the role of the Johnson Space Center in each program are followed by one-page descriptions of significant projects. Descriptions are suitable for external consumption, free of technical jargon, and illustrated to increase ease of comprehension.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1987

Reflectance spectroscopy in planetary science: Review and strategy for the future

Reflectance spectroscopy is a remote sensing technique used to study the surfaces and atmospheres of solar system bodies. It provides first-order information on the presence and amounts of certain ions, molecules, and minerals on a surface or in an atmosphere. Reflectance spectroscopy has become one of the most important investigations conducted on most current and planned NASA Solar System Exploration Program space missions. This book reviews the field of reflectance spectroscopy, including information on the scientific technique, contributions, present conditions, and future directions and needs.

Mccord, Thomas B.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Research and technology of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Johnson Space Center accomplishments in new and advanced concepts during 1987 are highlighted. Included are research projects funded by the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology, Solar System Exploration and Life Sciences research funded by the Office of Space Sciences and Applications, and advanced Programs tasks funded by the Office of Space Flight. Summary sections describing the role of the Johnson Space Center in each program are followed by descriptions of significant projects. Descriptions are suitable for external consumption, free of technical jargon, and illustrated to increase ease of comprehension.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1987

Technology for submillimeter wave remote sensing

NASA's sub-mm wave technology development program addresses emerging possibilities in spaceborne sensor design for what is one of the few unexplored regions of the spectrum, from 1.0 to 0.1 mm wavelengths. Astrophysics, earth atmosphere research and solar system exploration can all benefit from the development of such sensor capabilities. Technology status evaluations are presented for Shottky-diode and SIS mixers, solid state and backward wave oscillators, intermodulation frequency amplifiers, and digital autocorrelator and acoustooptic spectrometers.

Sokoloski, Martin M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Exobiology experiment concepts for Space Station

The exobiology discipline uses ground based and space flight resources to conduct a multidiscipline research effort dedicated to understanding fundamental questions about the origin, evolution, and distribution of life and life related molecules throughout the universe. Achievement of this understanding requires a methodical research strategy which traces the history of the biogenic elements from their origins in stellar formation processes through the chemical evolution of molecules essential for life to the origin and evolution of primitive and, ultimately, complex living species. Implementation of this strategy requires the collection and integration of data from solar system exploration spacecraft and ground based and orbiting observatories and laboratories. The Science Lab Module (SLM) of the Space Station orbiting complex may provide an ideal setting in which to perform certain classes of experiments which form the cornerstone of exobiology research. These experiments could demonstrate the pathways and processes by which biomolecules are synthesized under conditions that stimulate the primitive earth, planetary atmospheres, cometary ices, and interstellar dust grains. Exobiology experiments proposed for the Space Station generally fall into four classes: interactions among gases and grains (nucleation, accretion, gas-grain reactions), high energy chemistry for the production of biomolecules, physical and chemical processes occurring on an artificial comet, and tests of the theory of panspermia.

Griffiths, Lynn D.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A preliminary study of Mars rover/sample return missions

The Solar System Exploration Committee (SSEC) of the NASA Advisory Council recommends that a Mars Sample Return mission be undertaken before the year 2000. Comprehensive studies of a Mars Sample Return mission have been ongoing since 1984. The initial focus of these studies was an integrated mission concept with the surface rover and sample return vehicle elements delivered to Mars on a single launch and landed together. This approach, to be carried out as a unilateral U.S. initiative, is still a high priority goal in an Augmented Program of exploration, as the SSEC recommendation clearly states. With this background of a well-understood mission concept, NASA decided to focus its 1986 study effort on a potential opportunity not previously examined; namely, a Mars Rover/Sample Return (MRSR) mission which would involve a significant aspect of international cooperation. As envisioned, responsibility for the various mission operations and hardware elements would be divided in a logical manner with clearly defined and acceptable interfaces. The U.S. and its international partner would carry out separately launched but coordinated missions with the overall goal of accomplishing in situ science and returning several kilograms of surface samples from Mars. Important considerations for implementation of such a plan are minimum technology transfer, maximum sharing of scientific results, and independent credibility of each mission role. Under the guidance and oversight of a Mars Exploration Strategy Advisory Group organized by NASA, a study team was formed in the fall of 1986 to develop a preliminary definition of a flight-separable, cooperative mission. The selected concept assumes that the U.S. would undertake the rover mission with its sample collection operations and our international partner would return the samples to Earth. Although the inverse of these roles is also possible, this study report focuses on the rover functions of MRSR because rover operations have not been studied in as much detail as the sample return functions of the mission.

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NASA NTRS1988

Space Science in the Twenty-First Century: Imperatives for the Decades 1995 to 2015

The opportunities for space science in the period from 1995 to 2015 are discussed. A perspective on progress in the six disciplines (the planet Earth; planetary and lunar exploration; solar system space physics; astronomy and astrophysics; fundamental physics and chemistry; and life sciences) of space science are reviewed. The prospectives for major achievements by 1995 from missions already underway or awaiting new starts are included. A set of long range goals for these disciplines are presented for the first two decades of the twenty-first century. Broad themes for future scientific pursuits are presented and some examples of high-priority missions for the turn of the century are highlighted. A few recommendations are cited for each discipline to suggest how these themes might be developed.

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NASA NTRS1987

A bootstrap lunar base: Preliminary design review 2

A bootstrap lunar base is the gateway to manned solar system exploration and requires new ideas and new designs on the cutting edge of technology. A preliminary design for a Bootstrap Lunar Base, the second provided by this contractor, is presented. An overview of the work completed is discussed as well as the technical, management, and cost strategies to complete the program requirements. The lunar base design stresses the transforming capabilities of its lander vehicles to aid in base construction. The design also emphasizes modularity and expandability in the base configuration to support the long-term goals of scientific research and profitable lunar resource exploitation. To successfully construct, develop, and inhabit a permanent lunar base, however, several technological advancements must first be realized. Some of these technological advancements are also discussed.

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NASA NTRS1989

Mars Observer Mission Operations

Mars Observer, planned for launch in September 1992, will be the first deep space planetary mission to fully utilize a distributed operations concept for science instrument control. In addition, several of the other concepts proposed by the Mission Operations and Information Systems Subcommittee of the Solar System Exploration Committee have been adopted for the purpose of improving the efficiency and reducing the costs of Deep Space Mission Operations.

Mckinley, Edward L.↗