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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 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1970

Optics at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Optical equipment development at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, discussing flight TV systems and associated digital image processing laboratory, planetary spectroscopy, spacecraft guidance, etc

Johnston, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Planetary explorer liquid propulsion study

An analytical evaluation of several candidate monopropellant hydrazine propulsion system approaches is conducted in order to define the most suitable configuration for the combined velocity and attitude control system for the Planetary Explorer spacecraft. Both orbiter and probe-type missions to the planet Venus are considered. The spacecraft concept is that of a Delta launched spin-stabilized vehicle. Velocity control is obtained through preprogrammed pulse-mode firing of the thrusters in synchronism with the spacecraft spin rate. Configuration selection is found to be strongly influenced by the possible error torques induced by uncertainties in thruster operation and installation. The propulsion systems defined are based on maximum use of existing, qualified components. Ground support equipment requirements are defined and system development testing outlined.

Mckevitt, F. X.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Design study of a low bit rate transmitter and simulator

The results achieved toward developing a baseline communications channel model for studying low bit rate telemetry transmissions from Venus Planetary Explorer spacecraft are presented. The overall communications systems model, discrete channel model, input signal generation, and signal acquisition model are discussed. Discrete Fourier transform considerations, sampling routines, and flow charts are included.

Zusman, F. S.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Attenuation of stress waves in single and multi-layered structures

Analytical and experimental studies were made of the attenuation of the stress waves during passage through single and multilayer structures. The investigation included studies on elastic and plastic stress wave propagation in the composites and those on shock mitigating material characteristics such as dynamic stress-strain relations and energy absorbing properties. The results of the studies are applied to methods for reducing the stresses imposed on a spacecraft during planetary or ocean landings.

Yang, J. C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Scintillations during occultations by planets. 1. An approximate theory

Scintillations observed during occultations of both stars and spacecraft by planetary atmospheres are discussed theoretically. The effects of severe flattening of the Fresnel zone or source image by defocusing on occultations are presented, along with temporal power spectra. Other topics discussed include atmospheric turbulence, saturation of scintillation, effects of saturation on occultation curves, and some methods for a more accurate determination of atmospheric structure.

Young, A. T.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Viking mission support

The launches of Vikings 1 and 2 and the circumstances surrounding each launch were described, followed by early cruise coverage of both spacecraft. The planetary testing effort being carried out by the DSN to prepare for planetary operations.

D. J. Mudgway↗
NASA NTRS1976

The role of automatic control in future interplanetary spaceflight

The paper reviews the guidance and automatic control techniques used in previous U.S. and Soviet lunar and planetary exploration spacecraft, and examines the objectives and requirements of potential future interplanetary missions from the viewpoint of their further demands on automatic control technology. These missions include the Venus orbital imaging radar mission, the Pioneer Mars penetrator mission, the Mars surface sample return mission, Pioneer Saturn/Uranus/Titan probe missions, the Mariner Jupiter orbiter with daughter satellite, and comet and asteroid missions.

Scull, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Orbital heat rate package

Package consisting of three separate programs used to accurately predict temperature distribution of spacecraft in planetary orbit is invaluable tool for design and analysis of other structures that must function in complex thermal environment.

Lovin, J. K.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Navigation of the 1982 Jupiter Orbiter Probe mission

A new NASA interplanetary flight project, called Jupiter Orbiter Probe (JOP), has been recently approved by Congress. JOP involves a dual mission intended to explore the planet Jupiter and its environment with an atmospheric probe and a planetary orbiter spacecraft. The probe and orbiter vehicles are to be launched in tandem as a single spacecraft during the time from December 1981 to January 1982. The spacecraft will arrive at Jupiter at the earliest on November 14, 1984. Navigating the JOP spacecraft will be a critical task for the JOP mission. Attention is given to aspects of probe and orbiter delivery, Jupiter orbit insertion and perijove raise, the Satellite Tour, navigation development and the navigation system, the probe delivery, example orbits, velocity perturbation and correction, orbit determination characteristics, orbit determination and control profile, and the correction velocity requirements.

Rourke, K. H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Gyrotron: A high-frequency microwave amplifier

A proposed microwave amplifier mechanism for future generations of millimeter high power uplinks to spacecraft and planetary radar transmitters is introduced. Basic electron-electromagnetic field interaction theory for RF power gain is explained. The starting point for general analytical methods leading to detailed design results is presented.

Kupiszewski, A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Replacing a technology - The Large Space Telescope and CCDs

The technological improvements, design choices and mission goals which led to the inclusion of CCD detectors in the wide field camera of the Large Space Telescope (LST) to be launched by the STS are recounted. Consideration of CCD detectors began before CCDs had seen wide astronomical applications. During planning for the ST, in the 1960s, photographic methods and a vidicon were considered, and seemed feasible provided that periodic manual maintenance could be performed. The invention of CCDs was first reported in 1970 and by 1973 the CCDs were receiving significant attention as potential detectors instead of a vidicon, which retained its own technological challenges. The CCD format gained new emphasis when success was achieved in developments for planetary-imaging spacecraft. The rapidity of progress in CCD capabilities, coupled with the continued shortcomings of the vidicon, resulted in a finalized choice for a CCD device by 1977. The decision was also prompted by continuing commercial and military interest in CCDs, which was spurring the development of the technology and improving the sensitivities and reliability while lowering the costs.

Smith, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Advanced propulsion activities in the USA

An evaluation is made of technology development prospects for launch vehicle, orbit transfer vehicle, satellite, and planetary exploration spacecraft propulsion systems being contemplated by NASA and its research contractors. Attention is given to such electric propulsion systems as arcjet, pulsed plasma, ion, and resistojet thrusters, as well as to solar thermal heat exchanger powerplants, beamed energy propulsion systems, and ultra-advanced nuclear fission and fusion propulsion concepts.

Garrison, P. W.↗