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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 451 records · Page 25

Space transportation system payload interface verification

The paper considers STS payload-interface verification requirements and the capability provided by STS to support verification. The intent is to standardize as many interfaces as possible, not only through the design, development, test and evaluation (DDT and E) phase of the major payload carriers but also into the operational phase. The verification process is discussed in terms of its various elements, such as the Space Shuttle DDT and E (including the orbital flight test program) and the major payload carriers DDT and E (including the first flights). Five tools derived from the Space Shuttle DDT and E are available to support the verification process: mathematical (structural and thermal) models, the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory, the Shuttle Manipulator Development Facility, and interface-verification equipment (cargo-integration test equipment).

Everline, R. T.↗

Life science payloads planning study

Preferred approaches and procedures were defined for integrating the space shuttle life sciences payload from experiment solicitation through final data dissemination at mission completion. The payloads operations plan was refined and expended to include current information. The NASA-JSC facility accommodations were assessed, and modifications recommended to improve payload processing capability. Standard format worksheets were developed to permit rapid location of experiment requirements and a Spacelab mission handbook was developed to assist potential life sciences investigators at academic, industrial, health research, and NASA centers. Practical, cost effective methods were determined for accommodating various categories of live specimens during all mission phases.

Nelson, W. G.↗

Approach to Spacelab Payload mission management

The nucleus of the approach to Spacelab Payload mission management is the establishment of a single point of authority for the entire payload on a given mission. This single point mission manager will serve as a 'broker' between the individual experiments and the STS, negotiating agreements by two-part interaction. The payload mission manager, along with a small support team, will represent the users in negotiating use of STS accommodations. He will provide the support needed by each individual experimenter to meet the scientific, technological, and applications objectives of the mission with minimum cost and maximum efficiency. The investigator will assume complete responsibility for his experiment hardware definition and development and will take an active role in the integration and operation of his experiment.

Craft, H. G.↗

Considerations in STS payload environmental verification

Considerations regarding the Space Transportation System (STS) payload environmental verification are reviewed. It is noted that emphasis is placed on testing at the subassembly level and that the basic objective of structural dynamic payload verification is to ensure reliability in a cost-effective manner. Structural analyses consist of: (1) stress analysis for critical loading conditions, (2) model analysis for launch and orbital configurations, (3) flight loads analysis, (4) test simulation analysis to verify models, (5) kinematic analysis of deployment/retraction sequences, and (6) structural-thermal-optical program analysis. In addition to these approaches, payload verification programs are being developed in the thermal-vacuum area. These include the exposure to extreme temperatures, temperature cycling, thermal-balance testing and thermal-vacuum testing.

Keegan, W. B.↗

Shuttle payload S-band communications study

The work to identify, evaluate, and make recommendations concerning the functions and interfaces of those orbiter avionic subsystems which are dedicated to, or play some part in, handling communication signals (telemetry and command) to/from payloads (spacecraft) that will be carried into orbit by the shuttle is reported. Some principal directions of the research are: (1) analysis of the ability of the various avionic equipment to interface with and appropriately process payload signals; (2) development of criteria which will foster equipment compatibility with diverse types of payloads and signals; (3) study of operational procedures, especially those affecting signal acquisition; (4) trade-off analysis for end-to-end data link performance optimization; (5) identification of possible hardware design weakness which might degrade signal processing performance.

Springett, J. C.↗

An assessment of thermal design procedures for Shuttle payloads

A review of the thermal design options for unmanned Shuttle payloads is presented. Because many future Shuttle payloads will have budgets and less time available for the definition of their thermal subsystems, simplified design procedures will be the most cost-effective. The thermal interface between an individual payload and the Orbiter is discussed. A simplified, modular thermal control system that will reduce the cost of providing thermal protection by minimizing both the initial procurement cost of any specialized hardware and the need for a detailed thermal interface analysis is described.

Almgren, D. W.↗

Payload data processing for the Space Shuttle program

The paper examines communications and data handling services that the Space Shuttle will provide for payloads and discusses mission and data processing capabilities. Uses of these capabilities are considered, and the Orbiter data processing system is described. Functional scientific data interfaces for attached payloads and functional system status data interfaces for attached payloads are indicated.

Batson, B. H.↗

Shuttle small self-contained payloads - 'Getaway' to the educational opportunities of space

The Space Shuttle Small Self-Contained Payload Program is described, as are ways in which high schools and universities can be helped to take advantage of its unique educational potential. The mechanics of obtaining payload space are presented. Suggestions for aiding educational institutions establish payload experiment programs are discussed. To illustrate suggestions, examples are given of programs established to date and of experiments which are being considered for participation.

Craig, M. K.↗

An autonomous payload controller for the Space Shuttle

The Autonomous Payload Control (APC) system discussed in the present paper was designed on the basis of such criteria as minimal cost of implementation, minimal space required in the flight-deck area, simple operation with verification of the results, minimal additional weight, minimal impact on Orbiter design, and minimal impact on Orbiter payload integration. In its present configuration, the APC provides a means for the Orbiter crew to control as many as 31 autononous payloads. The avionics and human engineering aspects of the system are discussed.

Hudgins, J. I.↗

Sounding rocket thermal analysis techniques applied to GAS payloads

Simplified analytical techniques of sounding rocket programs are suggested as a means of bringing the cost of thermal analysis of the Get Away Special (GAS) payloads within acceptable bounds. Particular attention is given to two methods adapted from sounding rocket technology - a method in which the container and payload are assumed to be divided in half vertically by a thermal plane of symmetry, and a method which considers the container and its payload to be an analogous one-dimensional unit having the real or correct container top surface area for radiative heat transfer and a fictitious mass and geometry which model the average thermal effects.

Wing, L. D.↗

Deployable multi-payload platform

Many space payloads with similar mission requirements can be grouped and accommodated on an orbiting platform which provides high-capacity, centralized services. Various concepts for such a platform were devised and evaluated to identify optimal features, interface prospects and areas of technological challenge. Guidelines included minimum and augmented mission models for science and applications payloads for the 1985-90 time period, minimum extension of the Orbiter capability, maximum use of the Orbiter remote manipulator system and capitalization on EVA where applicable. Deployable structures were employed to provide spacious payload berthing on a platform which can be highly-compacted for shuttle delivery.

Jenkins, L. M.↗

Spacelab payload accommodation handbook. Appendix B: Structure interface definition module

The mechanical interfaces between Spacelab and its payload are defined. The envelopes available for mounting payload hardware are specified together with the standard structural attachment interfaces. Overall load capabilities and the local load capabilities for individual attachment interfaces are defined for the standard mounting locations. The mechanical environment is defined and the mechanical interfaces between the payload and the EPDS, CDMS and ECS are included.

Source record↗

Engineering evaluation of existing space hardware for utilization in small self-contained payloads

The NASA small self-contained payload program allows research and development experiments of less than 5 cu ft to be flown in the Orbiter payload bay on a space available basis. Materials processing equipment available from Apollo, Skylab, SPAR, and MEA that include such items as furnaces for metallurgical processing and crystal growth, apparatus for measuring crystallization processes, and electrophoretic separators for cell separation are being offered by NASA through this program. Eighteen items for the self-contained payload program were evaluated and many were found to be suitable.

Lovoi, P. A.↗

The development of a method for predicting the noise exposure of payloads in the space shuttle orbiter vehicle

The development of an analytical model for the prediction of sound levels in the payload bay of the space shuttle orbiter vehicle is outlined. Formulation of the analytical model and its validation by means of model scale and full scale tests are included. It is shown that the approach used in the development effort has resulted in a prediction procedure which can be expected to give reliable estimates of payload bay sound levels, even when a payload is present. Furthermore, the analytical model has the capability of being readily modified to include other excitations such as turbulent boundary layers and propeller near-field pressures, and to other aerospace vehicles.

Wilby, J. F.↗

Strawman payload data for science and applications space platforms

The need for a free flying science and applications space platform to host compatible long duration experiment groupings in Earth orbit is discussed. Experiment level information on strawman payload models is presented which serves to identify and quantify the requirements for the space platform system. A description data base on the strawman payload model is presented along with experiment level and group level summaries. Payloads identified in the strawman model include the disciplines of resources observations and environmental observations.

Source record↗

Assessment of shuttle payloads gaseous environment contamination and its control

A prediction is given of the in-orbit gaseous environment and the contamination it could produce on cryogenic and room temperature surfaces of payloads in the shuttle bay. The time varying environment was obtained by the superposition of the calculated shuttle environment for a discrete time and payload induced environments measured in large space chambers. Representative contaminant surface accretions were calculated for flights 1 week and 1 month long for payloads having the largest source of outgassing and an orbit of 200 km. A number of calculations were based on the magnitude of the sources, the molecular natures, the decay rate with time, the sticking coefficients, the view factors, and the temperatures of the surfaces being contaminated. Significant results are reported.

Scialdone, J. J.↗