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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 505 records · Page 28

Cost-effective technology advancement directions for electric propulsion transportation systems in earth-orbital missions

The directions that electric propulsion technology should take to meet the primary propulsion requirements for earth-orbital missions in the most cost effective manner are determined. The mission set requirements, state of the art electric propulsion technology and the baseline system characterized by it, adequacy of the baseline system to meet the mission set requirements, cost optimum electric propulsion system characteristics for the mission set, and sensitivities of mission costs and design points to system level electric propulsion parameters are discussed. The impact on overall costs than specific masses or costs of propulsion and power systems is evaluated.

Regetz, J. D., Jr.↗

Space transportation system shuttle turnabout analysis report

The progress made and the problems encountered by the various program elements of the shuttle program in achieving the 160 hour ground turnaround goal are presented and evaluated. Task assessment time is measured against the program allocation time.

Reedy, R. E.↗

A continuation of base-line studies for environmentally monitoring space transportation systems at John F. Kennedy Space Center. Executive summary

Studies conducted in and around John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merrit Island, Florida were designed to establish baseline conditions for various attributes of the biotic and abiotic environment. Features were described and quantitatively measured. Certain condition were found to be appropriate for the detection and assessment of possible environmental perturbations caused by future NASA activities. These include plant communities, mammal populations, rainfall chemistry, fish populations, and the status of rare and endangered species. On the basis of statistical analysis of quantitative data and logistic considerations, it was possible to refine the kinds and amounts of measurements needed to evaluate perturbations in selected environmental components.

Stout, I. J.↗

Space transportation system disconnect

The use of medium duty 300 psi fluid disconnects for orbital servicing was demonstrated to be both practical and technically feasible. A prototype disconnect was designed and tested, based on criteria formulated from a survey of expected usage requirements for orbital servicing concepts. Testing involved the comparison of three seal materials (EPR, Neoprene and Teflon), and two test media (helium and Freon 21), and was conducted over a temperature range of -150 F to +225 F. Results indicate low helium leakage (10 to the -4 power sccs) and extremely low engagement forces (56 lb sub f). Testing was also performed on a new seal design. Design concepts for a cryogenic disconnect and a high pressure disconnect were investigated. Results of an industry survey for usable orbital servicing disconnects and areas needing attention in future studies are discussed.

Source record↗

A continuation of base-line studies for environmentally monitoring Space Transportation Systems (STS) at John F. Kennedy Space Center. Volume 4: Threatened and endangered species of the Kennedy Space Center. Part 1: Marine turtle studies

The status of marine turtle populations in the KSC area was studied using data from previous results from ground and aerial surveillance conducted from 1976 to April 1979. During ground surveillance, various data were recorded on emergent turtles such as: species, weight, tag number (if previously tagged), time discovered, activity at discovery and the location of discovery. Observations were also made on nesting and reproductive characteristics, population estimates, immigration and emigration and growth rate of the turtles. Mortality studies were additionally made and autopsies performed on dead turtles found in the area. It is concluded that further mortality documentation should be done just prior to and just after a future space launch operation in order to accurately assess the cause and effect relationship of such a launch on the turtle population.

Ehrhart, L. M.↗

A continuation of base-line studies for environmentally monitoring Space Transportation Systems (STS) at John F. Kennedy Space Center. Volume 4: Threatened and endangered species of the Kennedy Space Center. Part 2: Threatened and endangered birds and other threatened and endangered forms

Data are presented which were collected by ground and aerial surveillance of 37 species of birds observed within the environs of KSC which are on lists of rare and endangered biota in Florida. Additional information was obtained on other threatened species such as the West Indian manatee, the salt marsh snake, the Indigo snake, the Gopher tortoise, the American alligator, and the Florida mouse. Results of the literature search were used to obtain a historical perspective and aid in the analysis of the field data collected.

Ehrhart, L. M.↗

Cost-effective technology advancement directions for electric propulsion transportation systems in earth-orbital missions

This paper presents the results of a study to determine the directions that electric propulsion technology should take to meet the primary propulsion requirements for earth-orbital missions of the next three decades in the most cost-effective manner. Discussed are the mission set requirements, state-of-the-art electric propulsion technology and the baseline system characterized by it, adequacy of the baseline system to meet the mission set requirements, cost-optimum electric propulsion system characteristics for the mission set, and sensitivities of mission costs and design points to system-level electric propulsion parameters. It is found that the efficiency-specific impulse characteristic generally has a more significant impact on overall costs than specific masses or costs of propulsion and power systems.

Regetz, J. D., Jr.↗

Space Transportation System - Status report

A series of detailed illustrations present graphically the status of the STS. The Shuttle vehicle is compared to other expendable vehicles hitherto used by NASA, and data on the Shuttle's components and dimensions and weights are provided. Also presented is the mission profile for the Shuttle and the installation of Spacelab into the Orbiter. Illustrations cover the steps of the vehicle preparation for launch and a chart is given representing current plans for the launch of various payloads. Finally, the automated beam builder for aluminum beams, orbital test of a space machine for fabrication of structural elements or beams and a multibeam communications antenna, which can be used for very small receivers, are described.

Scherer, L. R.↗

Development of an experiment of opportunity test payload for the space transportation system

This paper describes a means for flying existing Sounding Rocket payloads aboard the Space Shuttle by developing small experiment carriers which become detached from the Orbiter and are later retrieved and reused. An effort is underway at the Goddard Space Flight Center to develop such a carrier which would be flown as an Experiment of Opportunity Payload (EOP). The activity is viewed as a feasibility test, and success will encourage the construction of similar packages for additional sounding rocket experiments, for eventual evolution of p

Shrewsberry, D. J.↗

A Continuation of Base-line Studies for Environmentally Monitoring Space Transportation Systems at John F. Kennedy Space Center: Chemical Studies of Rainfall and Soil Analysis - Volume 2

The results of a study which was designed to monitor, characterize, and evaluate the chemical composition of precipitation (rain) which fell at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida (KSC) during the period July 1977 to March 1979 are reported. Results which were obtained from a soil sampling and associated chemical analysis are discussed. The purpose of these studies was to determine the environmental perturbations which might be caused by NASA space activities.

Madsen, B. C.↗

A Continuation of Base-Line Studies for Environmentally Monitoring Space Transportation System (STS) at John F. Kennedy Space Center: Terrestrial Community Analysis - Volume 1

Vegetation and small mammal populations in or around the Merritt Island area were studied. Thirty sites were selected from plant communities which were relatively free of logging, grazing, and clearing operations. The vegetative analysis was designed to yield a quantitative description and ecological explanation of the major types of upland vegetation in order to determine the possible future effects of NASA space activities on them. Changes in the relative abundance of small mammal populations, species diversity, standing crop biomass, reproductive activity, and other demographic features were documented in order to gather sufficient information on these populations so that it would be possible to detect even the smaller nonnatural behavior changes in the mammals which might be attributable to NASA space activities.

Stout, I. J.↗

Columbia's first flight shakes down space transportation system

The first space shuttle mission is described. Topics include launch preparations, flight profile, trajectory, and landing operations. The spaceflight tracking and data network is discussed and the photography and television schedules are included.

Garrett, D.↗