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NASA NTRS2008

Adhesion of Silicone Elastomer Seals for NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle

Silicone rubber seals are being considered for a number of interfaces on NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). Some of these joints include the docking system, hatches, and heat shield-to-back shell interface. A large diameter molded silicone seal is being developed for the Low Impact Docking System (LIDS) that forms an effective seal between the CEV and International Space Station (ISS) and other future Constellation Program spacecraft. Seals between the heat shield and back shell prevent high temperature reentry gases from leaking into the interface. Silicone rubber seals being considered for these locations have inherent adhesive tendencies that would result in excessive forces required to separate the joints if left unchecked. This paper summarizes adhesion assessments for both as-received and adhesion-mitigated seals for the docking system and the heat shield interface location. Three silicone elastomers were examined: Parker Hannifin S0899-50 and S0383-70 compounds, and Esterline ELA-SA-401 compound. For the docking system application various levels of exposure to atomic oxygen (AO) were evaluated. Moderate AO treatments did not lower the adhesive properties of S0899-50 sufficiently. However, AO pretreatments of approximately 10(exp 20) atoms/sq cm did lower the adhesion of S0383-70 and ELA-SA-401 to acceptable levels. For the heat shield-to-back shell interface application, a fabric covering was also considered. Molding Nomex fabric into the heat shield pressure seal appreciably reduced seal adhesion for the heat shield-to-back shell interface application.

deGroh, Henry C., III↗

NASA NTRS2012

The International Space Station: A National Laboratory

After more than a decade of assembly missions and the end of the space shuttle program, the International Space Station (ISS) has reached assembly completion. With other visiting spacecraft now docking with the ISS on a regular basis, the orbiting outpost now serves as a National Laboratory to scientists back on Earth. The ISS has the ability to strengthen relationships between NASA, other Federal entities, higher educational institutions, and the private sector in the pursuit of national priorities for the advancement of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The ISS National Laboratory also opens new paths for the exploration and economic development of space. In this presentation we will explore the operation of the ISS and the realm of scientific research onboard that includes: (1) Human Research, (2) Biology & Biotechnology, (3) Physical & Material Sciences, (4) Technology, and (5) Earth & Space Science.

Giblin, Timothy W.↗

NASA NTRS2008

Integration Testing of Space Flight Systems

Based on the previous success' of Multi-Element Integration Testing (MEITs) for the International Space Station Program, these type of integrated tests have also been planned for the Constellation Program: MEIT (1) CEV to ISS (emulated) (2) CEV to Lunar Lander/EDS (emulated) (3) Future: Lunar Surface Systems and Mars Missions Finite Element Integration Test (FEIT) (1) CEV/CLV (2) Lunar Lander/EDS/CaL V Integrated Verification Tests (IVT) (1) Performed as a subset of the FEITs during the flight tests and then performed for every flight after Full Operational Capability (FOC) has been obtained with the flight and ground Systems.

Honeycutt, Timothy↗

NASA NTRS2011

Fifty Years of Observing Hardware and Human Behavior

During this half-day workshop, Joe McMann presented the lessons learned during his 50 years of experience in both industry and government, which included all U.S. manned space programs, from Mercury to the ISS. He shared his thoughts about hardware and people and what he has learned from first-hand experience. Included were such topics as design, testing, design changes, development, failures, crew expectations, hardware, requirements, and meetings.

McMann, Joe↗

NASA NTRS2016

Commercial Application of In-Space Assembly

In-Space assembly (ISA) expands the opportunities for cost effective emplacement of systems in space. Currently, spacecraft are launched into space and deploy into their operational configuration through a carefully choreographed sequence of operations. The deployment operation dictates the arrangement of the primary systems on the spacecraft, limiting the ability to take full advantage of launch vehicles volume and mass capability. ISA enables vastly different spacecraft architectures and emplacement scenarios to be achieved, including optimal launch configurations ranging from single launch and assembly to on-orbit aggregation of multiple launches at different orbital locations and times. The spacecraft can be visited at different orbital locations and times to effect expansion and maintenance of an operational capability. To date, the primary application of ISA has been in large programs funded by government organizations, such as the International Space Station. Recently, Space Systems Loral (SSL) led a study funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), called Dragonfly, to investigate the commercial applicability and economic advantages of ISA. In the study, it was shown that ISA enables SSL to double the capability of a commercial satellite system by taking advantage of alternate packaging approaches for the reflectors. The study included an ultra-light-weight robotic system, derived from Mars manipulator designs, to complete assembly of portions of the antenna system using a tool derived from DARPA orbital express and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) automated structural assembly experience. The mechanical connector that enables robotic ISA takes advantage of decades of development by NASA from the 1970's to 1980's during the Space Station Freedom program, the precursor to the ISS. The mechanical connector was originally designed for rapid astronaut assembly while also providing a high quality structural connection with linear load deflection response. The paper will discuss the business case for ISA, the general approach taken to exploit on-orbit assembly in the GEO communication satellite market, and the concept of operations associated with the ISA approach, thus laying the foundation for ISA to become an accepted operational approach for commercial in-space operations.

Lymer, John↗

NASA NTRS2016

Synthetic Biologic Membrane

The International Space Station (ISS) is a test bed for the technologies that will be used to travel to Mars and beyond. The lessons learned from operating the ISS provide valuable direction to future research and technology development programs. One of the most critical and complicated subsystems on ISS is the life support system. The life support system keeps the crew alive by recycling both air and water. The ISS water recycling system has been operating since 2009 and one of the main lessons learned is that reliability is a key technology performance metric. In the long run reliability is a key cost driver and is a critical factor in insuring crew safety. For long duration missions such as the exploration of Mars, where resupply of spare parts from Earth is difficult if not impossible, reliability is even more important. This presentation will cover research into improving the reliability of ISS systems. It will discuss research into the development of a biomimetic membrane materials that provides self-regeneration capabilities for water recycling systems. It will also cover research into past failures of the ISS water recycling system caused by astronaut bone loss and the build-up of trace contaminates in the cabin.

Biology↗

NASA NTRS2013

TPSAS-NF1676L-16349-DND

This presentation is a status review to the NESC NDE TDT of the UBNT program that is on the ISS.

Eric Madaras↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

RadLab: A Comprehensive Database and Analysis Toolkit for Space Radiation Measurements Relevant to Space Radiation Biology

RadLab, a new addition to the NASA Open Science Data Repository (OSDR), is a public platform for space radiation data relevant to human space exploration. RadLab consists of a database, a submission portal, and user-friendly visualization and data analysis tools, including a graphical user interface (GUI) and an application programming interface (API). Investigators from ISS partners including Germany, Italy, Canada, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Russia, Japan have committed to providing data from their instruments. RadLab will also include data from other spacecraft in LEO: the Space Shuttle, the Mir space station, biosatellites; and beyond LEO: the lunar and the Martian surface, the heliocentric orbit at 1 AU, Mars orbit, and Earth-Mars space. Once fully operational, RadLab will provide open, centralized access to space radiation physics data relevant to human space exploration; a platform for submission of data by agencies and research institutions responsible for radiation detectors deployed in space; analysis tools to facilitate detector and dataset intercomparison to better understand space habitat radiation environments; capabilities for space biology investigators to determine the radiation environment to which samples were exposed. A RadLab Working Group (RLWG) has been formed, modeled on the GeneLab Analysis Working Groups and comprised of data contributors and users. RLWG tasks include identifying data sources, normalizing data from diverse detectors, expanding the analysis toolkit and, perhaps most importantly, sharing ideas for research exploiting capabilities of RadLab. We will provide an overview of RadLab data and capabilities and discuss examples of its potential as a resource for open science.

radiation↗

NASA NTRS2011

International Space Station as a Base Camp for Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit

The idea for using the International Space Station (ISS) as platform for exploration has matured in the past year and the concept continues to gain momentum. ISS provides a robust infrastructure which can be used to test systems and capabilities needed for missions to the Moon, Mars, asteroids and other potential destinations. International cooperation is a critical enabler and ISS has already demonstrated successful management of a large multi-national technical endeavor. Systems and resources needed for expeditions can be aggregated and thoroughly tested at ISS before departure thus providing wide operational flexibility and the best assurance of mission success. A small part of ISS called an Exploration Platform (ISS-EP) can be placed at Earth-Moon Libration point 1 (EML1) providing immediate benefits and flexibility for future exploration missions. We will show how ISS and the ISS-EP can be used to reduce risk and improve the operational flexibility for missions beyond low earth orbit. Life support systems and other technology developed for ISS can be evolved and adapted to the ISS-EP and other exploration spacecraft. New technology, such as electric propulsion and advanced life support systems can be tested and proven at ISS as part of an incremental development program. Commercial companies who are introducing transportation and other services will benefit with opportunities to contribute to the mission since ISS will serve as a focal point for the commercialization of low earth orbit services. Finally, we will show how use of ISS provides immediate benefits to the scientific community because its capabilities are available today and certain critical aspects of exploration missions can be simulated.

Raftery, Michael↗

NASA NTRS2018

Automated Impact Assessment: A New Approach to ISS Payload Operations Anomaly Response

The International Space Station (ISS) Payload Operations and Integration Center (POIC) is undergoing rapid growth as the space station program focuses on science and commercial activities. The ISS is expanding its onboard capabilities to support additional science activities. In parallel, the POIC is expanding the capabilities of our operations tools to support the higher pace of payload activities being executed each week. An effect of these changes is that anomaly resolution has become more challenging. In the event of a real-time system fault, operators are responsible for analyzing telemetry displays, anomaly monitoring tools, documentation, and system models in order to produce failure impacts and recovery strategies. This approach to operations relies on the operator to ingest, process, and analyze information from an array of deterministic sources to provide actionable data on impacted systems and activities. Changing the existing approach of anomaly response is necessary if the ISS community is to succeed in the age of science and commercialization of space. The creation of a tool that captures deterministic technical systems knowledge and integrates existing telemetry, documentation, and planning information will allow the burden of impact assessment to be automated, thereby allowing the operator to focus on non-deterministic tasks, such as recovering failed systems and restoring critical payload operations.

Hall, R. Mason↗

NASA NTRS2015

SPHERES: From Ground Development to Operations on ISS

SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold Engage and Reorient Experimental Satellites) is an internal International Space Station (ISS) Facility that supports multiple investigations for the development of multi-spacecraft and robotic control algorithms. The SPHERES Facility on ISS is managed and operated by the SPHERES National Lab Facility at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) at Moffett Field California. The SPHERES Facility on ISS consists of three self-contained eight-inch diameter free-floating satellites which perform the various flight algorithms and serve as a platform to support the integration of experimental hardware. To help make science a reality on the ISS, the SPHERES ARC team supports a Guest Scientist Program (GSP). This program allows anyone with new science the possibility to interface with the SPHERES team and hardware. In addition to highlighting the available SPHERES hardware on ISS and on the ground, this presentation will also highlight ground support, facilities, and resources available to guest researchers. Investigations on the ISS evolve through four main phases: Strategic, Tactical, Operations, and Post Operations. The Strategic Phase encompasses early planning beginning with initial contact by the Principle Investigator (PI) and the SPHERES program who may work with the PI to assess what assistance the PI may need. Once the basic parameters are understood, the investigation moves to the Tactical Phase which involves more detailed planning, development, and testing. Depending on the nature of the investigation, the tactical phase may be split into the Lab Tactical Phase or the ISS Tactical Phase due to the difference in requirements for the two destinations. The Operations Phase is when the actual science is performed; this can be either in the lab, or on the ISS. The Post Operations Phase encompasses data analysis and distribution, and generation of summary status and reports. The SPHERES Operations and Engineering teams at ARC is composed of experts who can guide the Payload Developer (PD) and Principle Investigator (PI) in reaching critical milestones to make their science a reality using the SPHERES platform. From performing integrated safety and verification assessments, to assisting in developing crew procedures and operations products, to organizing, planning, and executing all test sessions, to helping manage data products, the SPHERES team at ARC is available to support microgravity research with the SPEHRES Guest Scientist Program.

ISS Research↗

NASA NTRS2005

Formaldehyde Concentration Dynamics of the International Space Station Cabin Atmosphere

Formaldehyde presents a significant challenge to maintaining cabin air quality on board crewed spacecraft. Generation sources include offgassing from a variety of non-metallic materials as well as human metabolism. Because generation sources are pervasive and human health can be affected by continual exposure to low concentrations, toxicology and air quality control engineering experts jointly identified formaldehyde as a key compound to be monitored as part the International Space Station's (ISS) environmental health monitoring and maintenance program. Data acquired from in-flight air quality monitoring methods are the basis for assessing the cabin environment's suitability for long-term habitation and monitoring the performance of passive and active controls that are in place to minimize crew exposure. Formaldehyde concentration trends and dynamics served in the ISS cabin atmosphere are reviewed implications to present and future flight operations discussed.

Perry, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Design Concepts for Zero-G Whole Body Cleansing on ISS Alpha: Individual Design Project - Part 2

Johnson Space Center, the Mecca of manned Space Programs, is now abuzz with preparations for the International Space Station—ISS Alpha. The work on the various systems and subsystems for the U.S. Habitation Module is scheduled to begin in l998. As a prelude to that, the Flight Crew Support Division perceived the need to take a closer and more critical look at the planning for the Whole Body Cleansing function onboard the ISS. This report is an endeavour to dig and delve all data available on Whole Body Cleansing mechanisms used in the past and the present, by the Russians and the Americans, analyze it and come up with design concepts for products/ product systems for Zero-g Whole Body Cleansing onboard ISS Alpha, for typical stay duration of about 90 days. This report takes a close look at the Skylab collapsible shower, the Mir shower/ sauna, the full body cleansing methods currently in use onboard the Space Shuttle and Mir and at the Whole Body Shower designed and tested for Space Station Freedom. It attempts to "listen" carefully to what the Mir astronauts—Norman Thagard, Shannon Lucid and John Blaha¾have to say about their personal hygiene experiences during their recent long-duration stays on the Russian station Mir. The findings in the report call for a change in paradigm. What is good for Earth conditions is not necessarily good for Zerog! It concludes that a shower is not a good idea for the ISS. The final concept that is proposed reflects very strongly what the Mir astronauts would like to have and to use onboard a station like the ISS. The report concludes with directions of how to take the "idea" further and realize it in the form of a product system for Whole Body Cleansing onboard the ISS.

Susmita Mohanty↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

International Space Station Bipropellant Plume Contamination Model Update for Short Thruster Pulse Widths

The International Space Station (ISS) Bipropellant Plume Contamination Model has been a vital tool for characterizing the thruster plume-induced contamination environment at the ISS but was not intended to be used for very short thruster pulse widths. This paper presents an updated model that ensures full start-up and shut-down phases are modeled for each thruster firing, when the majority of liquid phase contaminant mass is released. The updated ISS Bipropellant Plume Contamination Model prevents potential under-prediction of thruster plume-induced contamination due to visiting vehicle proximity operations and provides a way to take advantage of thruster start-up and shut-down data performance data gathered during thruster test programs, if available. The International Space Station (ISS) Bipropellant Plume Contamination Model developed by Boeing Space Environments is a semi-empirical model anchored in flight experiment data and has been a vital tool for characterizing the thruster plume-induced contamination environment at the ISS.[1] The current model utilizes flight experiment data from the Plume Impingement Contamination (PIC) and Shuttle Plume Impingement Flight Experiment (SPIFEX) studies, which include Orbiter 3870 N Primary Reaction Control System (PRCS) and Russian 130 N thrusters operating in pulse mode with 80-100 ms.[2] As the next generation of crew and cargo visiting vehicles are developed and arrive at ISS, minimum pulse widths of vehicle thrusters used for ISS proximity operations have decreased significantly below 80 ms. An update to the ISS Bipropellant Contamination Model is needed to prevent potential under-prediction of thruster plume-induced contamination for these very short pulse widths. Contamination due to thruster plumes occurs in the liquid phase (i.e., unburned or partially burned propellant in the plume). Liquid phase releases primarily occur during thruster start-up and shut-down phases, with the steady state phase contributing a small amount to the total contaminant mass released. The current ISS Bipropellant Plume Contamination Model includes functional dependencies on thruster parameters (thrust, mass flow rate, specific impulse (Isp)), distance to receiver surface, and angle off plume centerline. For modeling purposes, contaminant mass released scales linearly with pulse width. This is a conservative approach for pulse widths greater than 80 ms but could under-predict contamination for very short pulse widths (i.e., with little or no steady state phase). This paper presents a model update to add a functional dependency on commanded pulse width to ensure the portion of the pulse spent in start-up and shut-down phases is appropriately modeled, when the majority of liquid phase contaminant mass is released. The updated model prevents potential under-prediction of thruster plume-induced contamination due to visiting vehicle proximity operations while providing a way to take advantage of thruster start-up and shut-down data gathered during test programs, if available. Developing the plume model for a specific thruster using the ISS Bipropellant Plume Contamination Model must be done in consideration of all available thruster performance data. Example thruster data will be used to illustrate this point and options for implementing the model update with existing ISS Bipropellant Plume Contamination Model code will be discussed.

plume contamination↗

NASA NTRS2016

GeneLab: Multi-Omics Investigation of Rodent Research-1 Bio-Banked Tissues

NASAs Rodent Research (RR) project is playing a critical role in advancing biomedical research on the physiological effects of space environments. Due to the limited resources for conducting biological experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS), it is imperative to use crew time efficiently while maximizing high-quality science return. NASAs GeneLab project has as its primary objectives to 1) further increase the value of these experiments using a multi-omics, systems biology-based approach, and 2) disseminate these data without restrictions to the scientific community. The current investigation assessed viability of RNA, DNA, and protein extracted from archived RR-1 tissue samples for epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic assays. During the first RR spaceflight experiment, a variety of tissue types were harvested from subjects, snap-frozen or RNAlater-preserved, and then stored at least a year at -80OC after return to Earth. They were then prioritized for this investigation based on likelihood of significant scientific value for spaceflight research. All tissues were made available to GeneLab through the bio-specimen sharing program managed by the Ames Life Science Data Archive and included mouse adrenal glands, quadriceps, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, soleus, eye, and kidney. We report here protocols for and results of these tissue extractions, and thus, the feasibility and value of these kinds of omics analyses. In addition to providing additional opportunities for investigation of spaceflight effects on the mouse transcriptome and proteome in new kinds of tissues, our results may also be of value to program managers for the prioritization of ISS crew time for rodent research activities. Support from the NASA Space Life and Physical Sciences Division and the International Space Station Program is gratefully acknowledged.

GeneLab↗

NASA NTRS2011

Next Steps in the Evolution of Human Spaceflight Training

Train before you fly has always been a watchword at NASA, and consequently, NASA has been conducting training for human spaceflight missions for longer than it has been involved in the actual conduct of human spaceflight missions. Throughout that time, NASA s approach to human spaceflight training has continuously evolved to keep pace with the technology of the modern world, but the approach to training itself has not changed significantly. Today, there are more tools and technologies that enable learning than ever before. This paper intends to review the challenges of human spaceflight training and how modern technology and an updated approach could improve that training. The Spaceflight Training Management Office (DA7) within the Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) has been investigating the current training of instructors, flight controllers and astronauts in order to identify where a new approach to training and training management may be necessary to improve the efficacy of the training provided. Through this investigation, the DA7 team has identified potential areas of improvement within International Space Station (ISS) training in a wide range of areas, including the delivery of training, the structure of the training program, the concept of what is considered training, and the management of that training. The ISS is an operational program with an established training paradigm. As such, the implementation of these concepts will be met with several challenges that may prevent or preclude them from being adopted. These challenges include demonstrating return-on-investment (ROI) and overcoming cultural or technological obstacles. This report will delve into the possible improvement areas for training, the future training concepts that are being considered, and the challenges associated with implementation. The paper will include concepts for utilization of Web 2.0 technologies, electronic learning, digital media, and other technologies in the development, management, and conduct of human spaceflight training.

Balmain, Clint↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA's Heliophysics Flight Opportunities in Research and Technology Program

The Heliophysics Flight Opportunities in Research and Technology (H-FORT) program performs space and science and science-enabling investigations that use platforms including Small Satellites, CubeSats, Hosted Rideshare Payloads, and International Space Station (ISS) attached payloads. The H-FORT program encourages the development of technologies that will enable investigation of heliophysics science questions. The program also encourages the use of innovation, commercially available spaceflight hardware, rideshare launch opportunities, and high risk to drive the cost of achieving science to a fraction of what was previously possible. H-FORT missions also provide an opportunity for preparing future leaders of NASA spaceflight missions and most missions are supported by academic institutions and involve both graduate and under-graduate students. Since starting the program in 2013, 27 missions have been awarded, twelve missions and seventeen spacecraft have flown, three missions are waiting for launch, eleven missions are in development, and one mission was not completed as planned. This paper will provide an overview of the Heliophysics Flight Opportunities in Research and Technology (H-FORT) program and will provide a summary of the missions that have been awarded. This will include mission successes, challenges, failures, and lessons learned.

Thomas E. Johnson↗

NASA NTRS2008

Computational Model of Heat Transfer on the ISS

SCRAM Lite (SCRAM signifies Station Compact Radiator Analysis Model) is a computer program for analyzing convective and radiative heat-transfer and heat-rejection performance of coolant loops and radiators, respectively, in the active thermal-control systems of the International Space Station (ISS). SCRAM Lite is a derivative of prior versions of SCRAM but is more robust. SCRAM Lite computes thermal operating characteristics of active heat-transport and heat-rejection subsystems for the major ISS configurations from Flight 5A through completion of assembly. The program performs integrated analysis of both internal and external coolant loops of the various ISS modules and of an external active thermal control system, which includes radiators and the coolant loops that transfer heat to the radiators. The SCRAM Lite run time is of the order of one minute per day of mission time. The overall objective of the SCRAM Lite simulation is to process input profiles of equipment-rack, crew-metabolic, and other heat loads to determine flow rates, coolant supply temperatures, and available radiator heat-rejection capabilities. Analyses are performed for timelines of activities, orbital parameters, and attitudes for mission times ranging from a few hours to several months.

Torian, John G.↗