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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 NTRS2004

Chemical and Solar Electric Propulsion Systems Analyses for Mars Sample Return Missions

Conceptual in-space transfer stages, including those utilizing solar electric propulsion, chemical propulsion, and chemical propulsion with aerobraking or aerocapture assist at Mars, were evaluated. Roundtrip Mars sample return mission vehicles were analyzed to determine how specific system technology selections influence payload delivery capability. Results show how specific engine, thruster, propellant, capture mode, trip time and launch vehicle technology choices would contribute to increasing payload or decreasing the size of the required launch vehicles. Heliocentric low-thrust trajectory analyses for Solar Electric Transfer were generated with the SEPTOP code.

Donahue, Benjamin B.↗

NASA NTRS2019

Revolutionizing our Understanding of the Solar System via Sample Return from Mercury

Data from Mariner 10, MESSENGER, and ground-based telescopic observations have facilitated great advancements towards understanding the geochemistry, geology, internal structure, exosphere, and magnetosphere of Mercury. However, there are critical science questions that can be only addressed via examination of a sample in Earth-based laboratories, where numerous highly sensitive analytical measurements are possible. Collecting a sample from the surface of Mercury and bringing it to Earth for in-depth analysis would allow for transformative Solar System science to be conducted, examining aspects of our Solar System such as the evolution of the protoplanetary disk, space weathering on airless bodies, the geochemical behavior of elements at extreme conditions, and the origin and distribution of volatiles across the terrestrial planets. Furthermore, our knowledge of Mercury’s differentiation and geochemical processes, chronology and geologic evolution, tectonism and geomechanical properties, and past and ongoing magnetism would be greatly advanced via analysis of a sample from Mercury. Although there are ample challenges and knowledge gaps associated with sample return from Mercury in terms of both spacecraft requirements and material requirements for curatorial facilities, a sample from the planet would be an invaluable scientific resource for generations to come, enabling the most sophisticated measurements to be brought to bear for decades and helping to truly unlock the mysteries of our Solar System.

Vander Kaaden, Kathleen E.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Analytical Simulations of Energy-Absorbing Impact Spheres for a Mars Sample Return Earth Entry Vehicle

Nonlinear dynamic finite element simulations were performed to aid in the design of an energy-absorbing impact sphere for a passive Earth Entry Vehicle (EEV) that is a possible architecture for the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission. The MSR EEV concept uses an entry capsule and energy-absorbing impact sphere designed to contain and limit the acceleration of collected samples during Earth impact without a parachute. The spherical shaped impact sphere is composed of solid hexagonal and pentagonal foam-filled cells with hybrid composite, graphite-epoxy/Kevlar cell walls. Collected Martian samples will fit inside a smaller spherical sample container at the center of the EEV's cellular structure. Comparisons were made of analytical results obtained using MSC.Dytran with test results obtained from impact tests performed at NASA Langley Research Center for impact velocities from 30 to 40 m/s. Acceleration, velocity, and deformation results compared well with the test results. The correlated finite element model was then used for simulations of various off-nominal impact scenarios. Off-nominal simulations at an impact velocity of 40 m/s included a rotated cellular structure impact onto a flat surface, a cellular structure impact onto an angled surface, and a cellular structure impact onto the corner of a step.

Billings, Marcus Dwight↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

State of the Art Thermal Protection Systems at NASA for Outer Planet Probes and TPS Developments in Support of Mars Sample Return Mission

In the recent NASA Planetary Science Decadal Survey (2023-2032) the committee recommended that the highest scientific priority of NASA’s robotic exploration efforts this decade should be completion of Mars Sample Return (MSR) and recommended to prioritize the Uranus Orbiter and Probe as the highest-priority new flagship missions for the next decade while Saturn Probe is one of the themes still under consideration for New Frontiers. This short course presentation will discuss relevant environments for outer planet missions and TPS materials under development at NASA and their readiness to meet mission needs. In addition the presentation will discuss the status of thermal protection system for the MSR Earth Entry System that brings the Martian samples safely through the Earth’s atmosphere.

Thermal Protection Systems↗

NASA NTRS2024

Enantioselective Three-Dimensional High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Amino Acids in the Hayabusa2 Returned Samples from the Asteroid Ryugu

The chirality of amino acids in extraterrestrial materials may provide an insight into the origin of the essential L-enantiopure amino acids in the terrestrial biosphere. In 2020, the Hayabusa2 mission succeeded in bringing back surface materials from the C-type asteroid (162173) Ryugu to the Earth. Amino acids were one of the targeted organic molecules to be studied in the Ryugu samples. To analyze the various structural isomers of amino acids, which were expected to be present, from the limited amount of the returned samples, the development of a highly-sensitive and selective analytical method was necessary. In the present study, a three-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography (3D-HPLC) system has been developed for the enantioselective determination of five proteinogenic and three non-proteinogenic amino acids in the Ryugu samples, in which amino acids in the sample were separated by reversed-phase, anion-exchange and enantioselective columns after the fluorescence derivatization with 4-fluoro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiozole. The applicability of the analytical system to the extraterrestrial samples was evaluated by analyzing several types of carbonaceous meteorites before applying the system to the Ryugu samples. In the analysis of the Ryugu samples, all of the target amino acids were successfully determined quantitatively. Non-proteinogenic amino acids including 2-amino-n-butyric acid, isovaline and norvaline, rarely present in the terrestrial environment, were found as almost racemic mixtures with 47.1 to 55.2%L.

Amino acids↗

NASA NTRS2020

Returning Samples from Enceladus for Life Detection

Evidence suggests that Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus has a subsurface ocean that sources plumes of water vapor and ice vented to space from its south pole. In situ analyses of this material by the Cassini spacecraft have shown that the ocean contains key ingredients for life (elements H, C, N, O and possibly S; simple and complex organic compounds; chemical disequilibria at water-rock interfaces; clement temperature, pressure, and pH). The Cassini discoveries make Enceladus’ interior a prime locale for life detection beyond Earth. Scant material exchange with the inner Solar System makes it likely that such life would have emerged independently of life on Earth. Thus, its discovery would illuminate life’s universal characteristics. The alternative result of an upper bound on a detectable biosphere in an otherwise habitable environment would likewise considerably advance our understanding of the prevalence of life beyond Earth. Here we outline the rationale for returning vented ocean samples, accessible from Enceladus’ surface or low altitudes, to Earth for life detection. Returning samples allows analyses using laboratory instruments that cannot be flown, with decades or more to adapt and repeat analyses. We describe an example set of measurements to estimate the amount of sample to be returned and discuss possible mission architectures and collection approaches. We then turn to the challenges of preserving sample integrity and implementing planetary protection policy. We conclude by placing such a mission in the broader context of Solar System exploration.

Enceladus↗

NASA NTRS2006

Subsonic Dynamic Stability Tests of a Sample Return Entry Vehicle

An investigation has been conducted in the NASA Langley 20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel (VST) to determine the subsonic dynamic stability characteristics of a proposed atmospheric entry vehicle for sample return missions. In particular, the effects of changes in aft-body geometry on stability were examined. Freeflying tests of a dynamically scaled model with various geometric features were conducted, including cases in which the model was perturbed to measure dynamic response. Both perturbed and non-perturbed runs were recorded as motion time histories using the VST optical data acquisition system and reduced for post-test analysis. In addition, preliminary results from a static force and moment test of a similar model in the Langley 12-Foot Low Speed Tunnel are presented. Results indicate that the configuration is dynamically stable for the baseline geometry, but exhibits degraded dynamic behavior for the geometry modifications tested.

Fremaux, C. Michael↗

NASA NTRS1999

Trade Study of Five In-Situ Propellant Production Systems for a Mars Sample Return Mission

One of the goals of NASA's HEDS enterprise is to establish a long-term human presence on Mars at a fraction of the cost of employing today's technology. The most direct method of reducing mission cost is to reduce the launch mass of the spacecraft. If the propellants for the return phase of the mission are produced on Mars, the total spacecraft mass could be reduced significantly. An interim goal is a Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, which is proposed to demonstrate the feasibility of in-situ propellant production (ISPP). Five candidate ISPP systems for producing two fuels and oxygen from the Martian atmosphere are considered in this design trade-off study: 1) Zirconia cell with methanol synthesis, 2) Reverse water gas shift with water electrolysis and methanol synthesis, 3) Sabatier process for methane product ion with water electrolysis, 4) Sabatier process with water electrolysis and partial methane pyrolysis, and 5) Sabatier/RWGS combination with water electrolysis.

Green, S. T.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Trade Study of Five In-Situ Propellant Production System for a Mars Sample Return Mission

One of the goals of NASA''s HEDS enterprise is to establish a long-term human presence on Mars at a fraction of the cost of employing today''s technology. The most direct method of reducing mission cost is to reduce the launch mass of the spacecraft. If the propellants for the return phase of the mission are produced on Mars, the total spacecraft mass could be reduced significantly. An interim goal is a Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, which is proposed to demonstrate the feasibility of in-situ propellant production (ISPP). Five candidate ISPP systems for producing two fuels and oxygen from the Martian atmosphere are considered in this design trade-off study:(1) Zirconia cell with methanol synthesis, (2) Reverse water gas shift (RWGS) with water electrolysis and methanol synthesis, (3) Sabatier process for methane production with water electrolysis, (4) Sabatier process with water electrolysis and partial methane pyrolysis, and (5) Sabatier/RWGS combination with water electrolysis. These systems have been the subject of numerous previous analytical studies and laboratory demonstrations. In this investigation, the systems are objectively compared on the basis of thermochemical performance models using a commonly used chemical plant analysis software package. The realistic effects of incomplete chemical conversion and gas phase separator performance are included in these models. This study focuses on the chemical processing and product separation subsystems. The CO2 compression upstream of the chemical plane and the liquefaction/storage components are not included here.

Green, S. T.↗

NASA NTRS2007

Optical Property Measurements on the Stardust Sample Return Capsule

The Advanced Materials for Exploration (AME) task Materials Analysis of Returned Hardware from Stardust received funding to perform non-destructive analyses of the non-primary science hardware components of the Stardust sample return capsule. These components were (a) the blunt body reentry heatshield, encased in Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA); (b) the backshell of Super Lightweight Ablator 561 (SLA-561) material handpacked into phenolic Flexcore and coated with CV-1100 silicone; (c) the rope seal used in between the heatshield and backshell; (d) the internal multi-layer insulation (MLI) blankets; and (e) parts of the Kevlar straps left attached to the backshell. These components were analyzed to determine the materials' durability in the space environment. The goals of the task were (a) to determine how the various materials from which the components were built weathered the extreme temperatures and harsh space environment during the capsule's nearly 7-year voyage to and from its rendezvous with Comet Wild 2 and (b) to provide lessons-learned data for designers of future missions.

Finckenor, Miria↗

NASA NTRS2017

Advanced Curation Activities at NASA: Preparing to Receive, Process, and Distribute Samples Returned from Future Missions

The Astromaterials Acquisition and Curation Office (henceforth referred to herein as NASA Curation Office) at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) is responsible for curating all of NASA's extraterrestrial samples. Under the governing document, NASA Policy Directive (NPD) 7100.10F JSC is charged with curation of all extraterrestrial material under NASA control, including future NASA missions. The Directive goes on to define Curation as including documentation, preservation, preparation, and distribution of samples for research, education, and public outreach. Here we briefly describe NASA's astromaterials collections and our ongoing efforts related to enhancing the utility of our current collections as well as our efforts to prepare for future sample return missions. We collectively refer to these efforts as advanced curation.

McCubbin, Francis M.↗

NASA NTRS2000

FIDO Field Trials in Preparation for Mars Rover Exploration and Discovery and Sample Return Missions

The Mars 2003 Mission may include a rover to acquire remote sensing and in-situ measurements of surface materials, including rock surfaces that have been cleared of dust and coatings by use of an abrasion tool. Mars Sample Return Missions for 2005 and beyond may include rovers with remote sensing and in-situ measurement capabilities. Further, these mobility platforms may have systems to drill into rocks and collect cores, acquire soil samples, and place the rock and soil samples in ascent vehicles. The point of this abstract is to document that these operations have already been shown to be tractable based on continuing field trials of the FIDO Mars prototype rover.

Arvidson, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Mars 2005 Sample Return Workshop

Convened at the request of Dr. Jurgen Rahe of the NASA Office of Space Science, the purpose of this workshop was to reexamine the science issues that will determine how an optimum sample return mission would be carried out in 2005 given the new context that has emerged for Mars exploration since the last such workshop was held (in 1987). The results and summary of discussion that took place at the meeting are contained in this volume. The community was invited to participate in the preparation of the final written report by browsing through the agenda and reading the text and viewgraphs provided by workshop participants and submitting comments for that section.

Gulick, V. C.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Student Participation in Mars Sample Return Rover Field Tests, Silver Lake, California

An integrated team of students and teachers from four high schools across the country developed and implemented their own mission of exploration and discovery using the Mars Sample Return prototype rover, FIDO, at Silver Lake in the Mojave Desert.

Anderson, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS2003