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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 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2013

Supporting Real-Time Operations and Execution through Timeline and Scheduling Aids

Since 2003, the NASA Ames Research Center has been actively involved in researching and advancing the state-of-the-art of planning and scheduling tools for NASA mission operations. Our planning toolkit SPIFe (Scheduling and Planning Interface for Exploration) has supported a variety of missions and field tests, scheduling activities for Mars rovers as well as crew on-board International Space Station and NASA earth analogs. The scheduled plan is the integration of all the activities for the day/s. In turn, the agents (rovers, landers, spaceships, crew) execute from this schedule while the mission support team members (e.g., flight controllers) follow the schedule during execution. Over the last couple of years, our team has begun to research and validate methods that will better support users during realtime operations and execution of scheduled activities. Our team utilizes human-computer interaction principles to research user needs, identify workflow processes, prototype software aids, and user test these. This paper discusses three specific prototypes developed and user tested to support real-time operations: Score Mobile, Playbook, and Mobile Assistant for Task Execution (MATE).

scheduling↗
NASA NTRS1988

An interactive testbed for development of expert tools for pattern recognition

The initial implementation of an interactive testbed for development of expert system applications in image processing, i.e., a toolbox of procedures designed to facilitate the capture of expert knowledge for region grouping and analysis is described. The user can elect to interactively enter commands (via a command interpreter) for region manipulation to, in effect, simulate the actions of a hypothetical expert system. The user can then incorporate any rules and procedures as derived from interactive experimentation into customized region processing procedures using the library of utility functions. An iterative technique based on image pyramids is used to compute the initial region segmentation without the use of process parameters. These regions can then be interactively examined and manipulated using the command interpreter.

Wharton, Stephen W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Operating system for a real-time multiprocessor propulsion system simulator

The success of the Real Time Multiprocessor Operating System (RTMPOS) in the development and evaluation of experimental hardware and software systems for real time interactive simulation of air breathing propulsion systems was evaluated. The Real Time Multiprocessor Operating System (RTMPOS) provides the user with a versatile, interactive means for loading, running, debugging and obtaining results from a multiprocessor based simulator. A front end processor (FEP) serves as the simulator controller and interface between the user and the simulator. These functions are facilitated by the RTMPOS which resides on the FEP. The RTMPOS acts in conjunction with the FEP's manufacturer supplied disk operating system that provides typical utilities like an assembler, linkage editor, text editor, file handling services, etc. Once a simulation is formulated, the RTMPOS provides for engineering level, run time operations such as loading, modifying and specifying computation flow of programs, simulator mode control, data handling and run time monitoring. Run time monitoring is a powerful feature of RTMPOS that allows the user to record all actions taken during a simulation session and to receive advisories from the simulator via the FEP. The RTMPOS is programmed mainly in PASCAL along with some assembly language routines. The RTMPOS software is easily modified to be applicable to hardware from different manufacturers.

Cole, G. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Considerations for an earth physics information-management service.

In a preliminary investigation into the feasibility of establishing a data center for earth physics, 12 disciplines were considered for inclusion. Estimation of the size of the data base for each indicated a need for storage of approximately 10 to the 10th power characters. The computer-based system deemed most worthy of further investigation was the interactive concept with remote-terminal access. Users are divided into three classes according to how they would access information: with no terminal, with an interactive terminal, and with a multidevice terminal. All these users can be served by the same center without any particular difficulty, but the real benefactor is the user with an interactive terminal, because he can compile, debug, and run programs in one continuous session. Final points stressed are multiprogramming for dynamic resource sharing, hardware modularity for future expansion, and information protection for such a large community of users. It is concluded that a survey should be conducted to gather more information from the potential users of such a system, and that a pilot project should be developed at some location where both earth-physics research and data-processing capabilities already exist.

Martin, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Distributed scheduling with COMPASS

COMPASS (COMPuter Aided Scheduling System) is a sophisticated, interactive scheduling tool used within NASA. Like most existing tools, however, COMPASS is a single-user application. There is a large class of scheduling problems which may be better solved by allowing several people at various locations to build separate schedules with shared resources. DISCORS (DIStributed COmputer Resource Scheduling) is a set of services which support a distributed version of COMPASS. This architecture naturally accommodates the integration of user-defined resource models without modifying COMPASS. DISCORS services include the ability to establish and manage communications, to code messages in efficient formats, to provide fault detection and recovery, and to configure schedulers across a network. In its present form, DISCORS effectively supports distributed COMPASS, but fails to run fast and to guarantee efficient schedules. Further enhancements may allow several users to simultaneously and interactively work together to create complex schedules while COMPASS detects and coordinates the resolution of conflicting requests.

Rufat-Latre, Jorge↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Creating an Interface to view Multi-Spacecraft Swarm Telemetry

Distributed Spacecraft Systems are a type of multi-spacecraft mission architecture that can not only provide improved resolution, coverage, and availability of existing missions, but also enable missions that would be previously infeasible using traditional approaches. Distributed Spacecraft Autonomy (DSA) is a project developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration that enables distributed spacecraft systems. In previous science swarm missions, the spacecraft involved have not been able to communicate with each other without utilizing a ground station. Now that the spacecraft can perform inter-satellite communication, the spacecraft can be treated as a collective. Swarm autonomy is critical for a growing number of satellites which means novel ways of displaying swarm data needs to be implemented. Such systems introduce unique challenges to traditional approaches for command and control of these spacecraft, due to the large number of spacecraft and the complexity of the interactions between them. The ground data system for DSA addresses these challenges through the creation of a custom user interface that allows a single operator to orchestrate a multi-spacecraft swarm in a scalable way. This plenary describes the details of the autonomy demonstration being performed, the requirements of those using the interface to analyze the spacecraft telemetry to assess demonstration success, and the approach taken by the ground systems team to create an interface that satisfies these requirements. This approach involves the creation of several distinct components that correspond to the level of detail presented to the user. These components are based on conventional user roles in human-robot interaction, including supervisor, operator, and mechanic, extended to accommodate the additional overhead of coordinating actions between agents. One main feature of the interface is the listenability matrix component which will represent inter-satellite communications in a heat mapped matrix. The above work described will enable users to command and interact with the spacecraft as a collective.

human-swarm interaction↗
NASA NTRS1992

Advanced composites structural concepts and materials technologies for primary aircraft structures. Structural response and failure analysis: ISPAN modules users manual

The ISPAN Program (Interactive Stiffened Panel Analysis) is an interactive design tool that is intended to provide a means of performing simple and self contained preliminary analysis of aircraft primary structures made of composite materials. The program combines a series of modules with the finite element code DIAL as its backbone. Four ISPAN Modules were developed and are documented. These include: (1) flat stiffened panel; (2) curved stiffened panel; (3) flat tubular panel; and (4) curved geodesic panel. Users are instructed to input geometric and material properties, load information and types of analysis (linear, bifurcation buckling, or post-buckling) interactively. The program utilizing this information will generate finite element mesh and perform analysis. The output in the form of summary tables of stress or margins of safety, contour plots of loads or stress, and deflected shape plots may be generalized and used to evaluate specific design.

Hairr, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Interactive algebraic grid-generation technique

An algebraic grid generation technique and use of an associated interactive computer program are described. The technique, called the two boundary technique, is based on Hermite cubic interpolation between two fixed, nonintersecting boundaries. The boundaries are referred to as the bottom and top, and they are defined by two ordered sets of points. Left and right side boundaries which intersect the bottom and top boundaries may also be specified by two ordered sets of points. when side boundaries are specified, linear blending functions are used to conform interior interpolation to the side boundaries. Spacing between physical grid coordinates is determined as a function of boundary data and uniformly space computational coordinates. Control functions relating computational coordinates to parametric intermediate variables that affect the distance between grid points are embedded in the interpolation formulas. A versatile control function technique with smooth-cubic-spline functions is presented. The technique works best in an interactive graphics environment where computational displays and user responses are quickly exchanged. An interactive computer program based on the technique and called TBGG (two boundary grid generation) is also described.

Smith, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Reinventing Image Detective: An Evidence-Based Approach to Citizen Science Online

Usability studies demonstrate that web users are notoriously impatient, spending as little as 15 seconds on a home page. How do you get users to stay long enough to understand a citizen science project? How do you get users to complete complex citizen science tasks online? Image Detective, a citizen science project originally developed by scientists and science engagement specialists at the NASA Johnson Space center to engage the public in the analysis of images taken from space by astronauts to help enhance NASA's online database of astronaut imagery, partnered with the CosmoQuest citizen science platform to modernize, offering new and improved options for participation in Image Detective. The challenge: to create a web interface that builds users' skills and knowledge, creating engagement while learning complex concepts essential to the accurate completion of tasks. The project team turned to usability testing for an objective understanding of how users perceived Image Detective and the steps required to complete required tasks. A group of six users was recruited online for unmoderated and initial testing. The users followed a think-aloud protocol while attempting tasks, and were recorded on video and audio. The usability test examined users' perception of four broad areas: the purpose of and context for Image Detective; the steps required to successfully complete the analysis (differentiating images of Earth's surface from those showing outer space and identifying common surface features); locating the image center point on a map of Earth; and finally, naming geographic locations or natural events seen in the image. Usability test findings demonstrated that the following best practices can increase participation in Image Detective and can be applied to the successful implementation of any citizen science project: (1) Concise explanation of the project, its context, and its purpose; (2) Including a mention of the funding agency (in this case, NASA); (3) A preview of the specific tasks required of participants; (4) A dedicated user interface for the actual citizen science interaction. In addition, testing revealed that users may require additional context when a task is complex, difficult, or unusual (locating a specific image and its center point on a map of Earth). Video evidence will be made available with this presentation.

Romano, Cia↗
NASA NTRS1984

Interactive systems design and synthesis of future spacecraft concepts

An interactive systems design and synthesis is performed on future spacecraft concepts using the Interactive Design and Evaluation of Advanced spacecraft (IDEAS) computer-aided design and analysis system. The capabilities and advantages of the systems-oriented interactive computer-aided design and analysis system are described. The synthesis of both large antenna and space station concepts, and space station evolutionary growth is demonstrated. The IDEAS program provides the user with both an interactive graphics and an interactive computing capability which consists of over 40 multidisciplinary synthesis and analysis modules. Thus, the user can create, analyze and conduct parametric studies and modify Earth-orbiting spacecraft designs (space stations, large antennas or platforms, and technologically advanced spacecraft) at an interactive terminal with relative ease. The IDEAS approach is useful during the conceptual design phase of advanced space missions when a multiplicity of parameters and concepts must be analyzed and evaluated in a cost-effective and timely manner.

Wright, R. L.↗
DOE OSTI2026

The U.S. DOE ARM User Facility Establishes a New Site for Studies of Land–Aerosol–Cloud Interactions in the Southeastern United States

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility has established a new site in the Bankhead National Forest (BNF) in northern Alabama that will gather data on how clouds, the land surface, and aerosols interact at a hierarchy of scales important to understanding and simulating the Earth system. Starting its operations in October 2024, the BNF site provides a multi-year opportunity for scientists to unravel complex land-atmosphere interactions. A suite of ground-based sensors, elevated tower-based instrumentation, and aerial facilities will enable scientists to investigate those interactions from within the canopy to the clouds. The Southeastern United States was recommended by the DOE ARM and its collaborators in the broader community as an important region to address their common scientific questions given the region’s abundant surface-forced convective clouds and mesoscale convective systems that pose ongoing challenges in Earth system models. The region is also home to significant terrain complexity and land-use heterogeneity that will unleash new understanding of anthropogenic and biogenic aerosol processes, boundary-layer aerosol-cloud interactions, and the interactions between the terrestrial ecosystem and coupled aerosol-cloud-radiation processes.

Aerosols↗
NASA NTRS1984

Conceptual spacecraft systems design and synthesis

An interactive systems design and synthesis is performed on future spacecraft concepts using the Interactive Design and Evaluation of Advanced Systems (IDEAS) computer-aided design and analysis system. The capabilities and advantages of the systems-oriented interactive computer-aided design and analysis system are described. The synthesis of both large antenna and space station concepts, and space station evolutionary growth designs is demonstrated. The IDEAS program provides the user with both an interactive graphics and an interactive computing capability which consists of over 40 multidisciplinary synthesis and analysis modules. Thus, the user can create, analyze, and conduct parametric studies and modify earth-orbiting spacecraft designs (space stations, large antennas or platforms, and technologically advanced spacecraft) at an interactive terminal with relative ease. The IDEAS approach is useful during the conceptual design phase of advanced space missions when a multiplicity of parameters and concepts must be analyzed and evaluated in a cost-effective and timely manner.

Wright, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

KARL: A Knowledge-Assisted Retrieval Language

Data classification and storage are tasks typically performed by application specialists. In contrast, information users are primarily non-computer specialists who use information in their decision-making and other activities. Interaction efficiency between such users and the computer is often reduced by machine requirements and resulting user reluctance to use the system. This thesis examines the problems associated with information retrieval for non-computer specialist users, and proposes a method for communicating in restricted English that uses knowledge of the entities involved, relationships between entities, and basic English language syntax and semantics to translate the user requests into formal queries. The proposed method includes an intelligent dictionary, syntax and semantic verifiers, and a formal query generator. In addition, the proposed system has a learning capability that can improve portability and performance. With the increasing demand for efficient human-machine communication, the significance of this thesis becomes apparent. As human resources become more valuable, software systems that will assist in improving the human-machine interface will be needed and research addressing new solutions will be of utmost importance. This thesis presents an initial design and implementation as a foundation for further research and development into the emerging field of natural language database query systems.

Dominick, Wayne D.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Design and evaluation of alphabetic and numeric input methods for virtual reality

In today’s virtual reality (VR), users have various ways to influence their VR experience, including alphanumeric input. While typing characters and numbers is straightforward on desktop computers, it presents challenges and opportunities in head-mounted display VR due to specific interaction methods and a lack of real-world visual stimuli. Addressing these open questions, our work implements and evaluates ten approaches to alphabetic and numeric inputs in VR. Here, we describe the design motivation behind these input methods and evaluate them in a user study with 40 participants divided into groups for alphabetic and numeric keyboards. This comparison investigates each method’s performance and user interactions. Our findings suggest that different input methods significantly impact words per minute and error rates, and that certain keyboard designs may receive better subjective evaluations despite poorer objective performance.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
NASA NTRS1980

Integration of design information

The overall concepts of the integrated programs for aerospace-vehicle design (IPAD) from the user's viewpoint are discussed. Also a top-level view of what the user requires from such a system is provided, and the interactions between the system and user are described. The four major components discussed are design process; data storage, management and manipulation; user interface; and project management. Although an outgrowth of aerospace production experience, the basic concepts discussed, and especially their emphasis on integration, are considered applicable to all problem solving. Thus, these concepts may offer a broad base for exploitation by industry in general. This is the first in a set of three papers, the other two being Future Integrated Design Process, by D. D. Mayer, and Requirements for Company-Wide Management of Engineering Information, by J. W. Southall. In addition to tying the three together, how project management can be handled in a computing environment and also the user interface needs are discussed in detail.

Anderton, G. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

User's guide for the Flight Design System (FDS)

Information about the Flight Design System (FDS) in the context of flight design is presented. The guide introduces the FDS user to the structure of FDS and to constructs within FDS (such as files of information or the part of FDS which interacts directly with the user). A guide to the commands available to FDS users is presented. A glossary of important terms, an index to terms, and a quick reference to the commands of FDS are included.

Ramsey, H. R.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

An Interactive MATLAB Program for Fitting Transfer Functions to Frequency Responses

A computer program called FRFit (Frequency Response Fitting) for matching single-input single-output (SISO) transfer function models to empirical frequency response data is described. The program was written in MATLAB and has a graphical user interface (GUI). It is interactive in that the user manually builds the transfer function model using ``elementary factors'' (gain, delay, differentiators and integrators, and first- and second-order poles and zeros) and adjusts their values with sliders or entry fields. A nonlinear optimization can also be used to determine maximum-likelihood estimates of the transfer function parameters and their associated uncertainties. The program has some usefulness as a teaching aid, and can be applied to model structure determination, reduced-order modeling, preliminary analysis, and other system identification problems. FRFit is demonstrated using example problems, including the identification of aircraft transfer functions and rational function approximations of Theodorsen's function.

Frequency response↗
NASA NTRS1994

Interactive shape metamorphosis

A technique for controlled metamorphosis between surfaces in 3-space is described. Well-understood techniques to produce shape metamorphosis between models in a 2D parametric space is applied. The user selects morphable features interactively, and the morphing process executes in real time on a high-performance graphics multicomputer.

Chen, David T.↗