Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “space utilization”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

Feasibility of remotely manipulated welding in space. A step in the development of novel joining technologies

In order to establish permanent human presence in space technologies of constructing and repairing space stations and other space structures must be developed. Most construction jobs are performed on earth and the fabricated modules will then be delivered to space by the Space Shuttle. Only limited final assembly jobs, which are primarily mechanical fastening, will be performed on site in space. Such fabrication plans, however, limit the designs of these structures, because each module must fit inside the transport vehicle and must withstand launching stresses which are considerably high. Large-scale utilization of space necessitates more extensive construction work on site. Furthermore, continuous operations of space stations and other structures require maintenance and repairs of structural components as well as of tools and equipment on these space structures. Metal joining technologies, and especially high-quality welding, in space need developing.

Masubuchi, K.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Spreading the Word on Safety

Beginning with the Apollo Program in the early 1960s, the NASA White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) has supported every U.S. human exploration space flight program to date. Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, WSTF is part of Johnson Space Center. The facility's primary mission is to provide the expertise and infrastructure to test and evaluate spacecraft materials, components, and rocket propulsion systems to enable the safe human exploration and utilization of space. WSTF stores, tests, and disposes of Space Shuttle and International Space Station propellants. Since aerospace fluids can have harmful reactions with the construction materials of the systems containing them, a major component of WSTF's work is the study of propellants and hazardous materials. WSTF has a wide variety of resources to draw upon in assessing the fire, explosion, compatibility, and safety hazards of these fluids, which include hydrogen, oxygen, hydrazine fuels, and nitrogen tetroxide. In addition to developing new test methods, WSTF has created technical manuals and training courses for the safe use of aerospace fluids.

Source record↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Design and Applications of Tethered Spacecraft Simulators

Small, tethered spacecraft, or space tugs, are a promising space capability. They can be deployed on tethers and used for a wide variety of in-space activities; a large portion of which fall under in-space servicing, assembly, manufacturing (ISAM) functions. This includes functions such as structural mating and assembly, servicing, proximity operations, capture, docking, mating, and relocation. However, there is a great deal of work to be done to raise the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the capabilities needed to fully realize these capabilities. The Flat Floor Robotics Lab (FFRL) at NASA’s Marshall Spaceflight Center (MSFC) has been working on space tug development for several years. The eponymous floor is 44 by 86 feet, made from a self-leveling epoxy. This creates an extremely smooth surface that air bearings can float on with very little friction, creating a simulation of zero gravity in a two-dimensional plane. The lab has several platforms of various sizes that act as vehicle simulators for testing sensors, control algorithms, mechanisms, etc. One of these platforms is a small spacecraft simulator, which can be tethered to simulate a space tug. In the last several months, the FFRL team has been working with MSFC’s welding group to conduct a laser beam welding demonstration on air bearing platforms. This demo is utilizing a space tug simulator to fly up to a floating weld platform, where two parts are clamped together and laser welded. The space tug simulator has an air bearing to provide float, as well as several actuated air thrusters to provide propulsion and make the simulator maneuverable. Currently, flights of this simulator are completed by a human operator. An RF hand controller sends signals to both actuate and fire three sets of thrusters on the simulator. This makes any maneuvers of the space tug highly subject to human error, and operators must have dedicated practice time before being able to perform maneuvers with any sufficient reliability. For the current laser welding demonstration, human operated performance is sufficient, but future implementations of in-space welding and other ISAM efforts will require higher precision, reliability, and autonomy. MSFC has funded a project that will allow a small team in the FFRL to develop the next generation of space tug simulator, which will be automated. Closed loop control will allow a user to command a position, or set of positions, that the simulator will be able to “fly” to on its own. This Maneuverable Automated Tethered Spacecraft (MATS) simulator will have configurable design, to allow a variety of payloads and mission configurations to be demonstrated on the air bearing floor. This will be an invaluable test bed for low and mid TRL advancement for space tether mission subsystems, such as more advanced demonstrations of in-space welding. Once one MATSS is constructed and demonstrated effectively, several more can be built, enabling more advanced tether missions; Electric Sail test beds, sensor arrays, and other science-enabling missions. This paper will detail the design and test of the FFRL’s MATS simulator, including efforts to establish closed loop control and autonomous capabilities. It will also detail use cases for this technology, and how it will further develop both develop science and exploration missions.

Space Tethers↗
NASA NTRS2000

ISRU: An Overview of NASA'S Current Development Activities and Long-Term Goals

The concept of "living off the land" by utilizing the indigenous resources of the Moon, Mars, or other potential sites of robotic and human exploration has been termed In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). It is fundamental to any program of extended human presence and operation on other extraterrestrial bodies that we learn how to utilize the indigenous resources. The chief benefits of ISRU are that it can reduce the mass, cost, and risk of robotic and human exploration while providing capabilities that enable the commercial development of space. In January 1997, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Space Processing Technical Committee released a position paper entitled, "Need for A NASA Indigenous Space Resource Utilization (ISRU) Program". Besides outlining some of the potential advantages of incorporating ISRU into Lunar and Mars human mission plans and providing an overview of technologies and processes of interest, the position paper concluded with a list of seven recommendations to NASA. This paper will examine the seven recommendations proposed and provide an overview of NASA's current ISRU development activities and possible long term goals with respect to these recommendations.

Sanders, Gerald B.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The reusable launch vehicle technology program

Today's launch systems have major shortcomings that will increase in significance in the future, and thus are principal drivers for seeking major improvements in space transportation. They are too costly; insufficiently reliable, safe, and operable; and increasingly losing market share to international competition. For the United States to continue its leadership in the human exploration and wide ranging utilization of space, the first order of business must be to achieve low cost, reliable transportatin to Earth orbit. NASA's Access to Space Study, in 1993, recommended the development of a fully reusable single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) rocket vehicle as an Agency goal. The goal of the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) technology program is to mature the technologies essential for a next-generation reusable launch system capable of reliably serving National space transportation needs at substantially reduced costs. The primary objectives of the RLV technology program are to (1) mature the technologies required for the next-generation system, (2) demonstrate the capability to achieve low development and operational cost, and rapid launch turnaround times and (3) reduce business and technical risks to encourage significant private investment in the commercial development and operation of the next-generation system. Developing and demonstrating the technologies required for a Single Stage to Orbit (SSTO) rocket is a focus of the program becuase past studies indicate that it has the best potential for achieving the lowest space access cost while acting as an RLV technology driver (since it also encompasses the technology requirements of reusable rocket vehicles in general).

Cook, S.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Utilizing HDTV as Data for Space Flight

In the aftermath of the Space Shuttle Columbia accident February 1, 2003, the Columbia Accident Investigation Board recognized the need for better video data from launch, on-orbit, and landing to assess the status and safety of the shuttle orbiter fleet. The board called on NASA to improve its imagery assets and update the Agency s methods for analyzing video. This paper will feature details of several projects implemented prior to the return to flight of the Space Shuttle, including an airborne HDTV imaging system called the WB-57 Ascent Video Experiment, use of true 60 Hz progressive scan HDTV for ground and airborne HDTV camera systems, and the decision to utilize a wavelet compression system for recording. This paper will include results of compression testing, imagery from the launch of STS-114, and details of how commercial components were utilized to image the shuttle launch from an aircraft flying at 400 knots at 60,000 feet altitude. The paper will conclude with a review of future plans to expand on the upgrades made prior to return to flight.

Grubbs, Rodney↗
NASA NTRS2020

2020 IEEE Paper on Psyche margin management, Draft

In January 2017, the mission concept Psyche: Journey to a Metal World was one of two concepts selected by NASA for implementation as part of the 14th Discovery mission competition. Over the course of the past year, the Psyche team has actively worked to refine and mature the technical design, culminating in a successful completion of the Project Preliminary Design review and approval to proceed to Phase C in mid-2019. Psyche is a deep space mission utilizing solar electric propulsion (SEP), consisting of SPT-140 Hall thrusters which have been successfully employed on multiple commercial spacecraft. When launched, Psyche will carry over 1000 kg of Xenon, and will represent the farthest usage of electric propulsion usage from the Sun – a distance of over 3.3 AU. The use of solar electric propulsion in deep space has resulted in challenges unique to other missions. Spacecraft designs typically balance margins across two main elements – mass and power – that are independent of one another. Utilizing a low thrust trajectory through the application of electric propulsion introduces more elements - namely flight time, missed thrust percentage and thruster duty cycle. Moreover, these elements become connected, presenting additional relationships that must be considered. This paper will present an overview of the margin management process for Psyche, and how it has evolved from the early proposal stage to its current state. It will discuss the elements that are margined, their relationship with one another, and key uncertainties that must be addressed. It discusses challenges and mitigations obtained during the refinement of the Psyche project, culminating in a new margin strategy that enables optimization across many of the system elements, and will serve as a template for future deep space SEP missions.

Hart, William↗
NASA NTRS2017

Determination of the Risk of Radiation-Associated Circulatory and Cancer Disease Mortality in a NASA Early Astronaut Cohort

Of the many possible health challenges posed during extended exploratory missions to space, the effects of space radiation on cardiovascular disease and cancer are of particular concern. There are unique challenges to estimating those radiation risks; care and appropriate and rigorous methodology should be applied when considering small cohorts such as the NASA astronaut population. The objective of this work was to determine if there was sufficient evidence for excess risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer in early NASA astronaut cohorts. NASA astronauts in selection groups 1-7 were chosen; this relatively homogeneous cohort consists of 73 white males, who unlike today's astronauts, maintained similar smoking and drinking habits to the general US population, and have published radiation doses. The participants flew in space on missions Mercury through Shuttle and received space radiation doses between 0-74.1 milligrays. Cause of death information was obtained from the Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health (LSAH) program at NASA Johnson Space Center. Mortality was compared with the US male population. Trends of mortality with dose were assessed using a logistic model, fitted by maximum likelihood. Only 32 (43.84 percent) of the 73 early astronauts have died. Standard mortality ratios (SMRs) for cancer (n=7, SMR=43.4, 95 percent CI 17.8, 84.9), all circulatory disease (n=7, SMR=33.2, 95 percent CI 13.7, 65.0), and ischemic heart disease (IHD) (n=5, SMR=40.1, 95 percent CI 13.2, 89.4) were significantly lower than for the US white male population. For cerebrovascular disease, the upper confidence interval for SMR included 100, indicating it was not significantly different from the US population (n=2, SMR = 77.0, 95 percent CI 9.4, 268.2). The power of the study is low and remains below 10 percent even when risks 10 times those reported in the literature are assumed. Due to small sample size, there is currently insufficient statistical power to evaluate space radiation exposure effects on mortality in NASA astronauts. In addition to a comprehensive longitudinal study of NASA astronauts, a research strategy of low dose epidemiology data integration with cell and animal studies should be utilized for space radiation risk assessment in the astronauts.

Elgart, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Applying a Space-Based Security Recovery Scheme for Critical Homeland Security Cyberinfrastructure Utilizing the NASA Tracking and Data Relay (TDRS) Based Space Network

Protection of the national infrastructure is a high priority for cybersecurity of the homeland. Critical infrastructure such as the national power grid, commercial financial networks, and communications networks have been successfully invaded and re-invaded from foreign and domestic attackers. The ability to re-establish authentication and confidentiality of the network participants via secure channels that have not been compromised would be an important countermeasure to compromise of our critical network infrastructure. This paper describes a concept of operations by which the NASA Tracking and Data Relay (TDRS) constellation of spacecraft in conjunction with the White Sands Complex (WSC) Ground Station host a security recovery system for re-establishing secure network communications in the event of a national or regional cyberattack. Users would perform security and network restoral functions via a Broadcast Satellite Service (BSS) from the TDRS constellation. The BSS enrollment only requires that each network location have a receive antenna and satellite receiver. This would be no more complex than setting up a DIRECTTV-like receiver at each network location with separate network connectivity. A GEO BSS would allow a mass re-enrollment of network nodes (up to nationwide) simultaneously depending upon downlink characteristics. This paper details the spectrum requirements, link budget, notional assets and communications requirements for the scheme. It describes the architecture of such a system and the manner in which it leverages off of the existing secure infrastructure which is already in place and managed by the NASAGSFC Space Network Project.

Cybersecurity↗
NASA NTRS2019

Supply Chain Research and Analysis: Illuminating Risks in Complex Systems

Framing the strategic challenge posed by the interconnected, multitiered supply chains of mission projects managed by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Discussing conditions and risks which can disrupt or threaten the availability, production and delivery of products and services for complex space systems. Utilizing a holistic analytical framework, business intelligence techniques, an integrated information system platform and analytics to produce insight into suppliers / supply chains and associated risks. Advancing supply chain risk management capabilities to support the successful performance of space missions.

supply chain risk management↗
NASA NTRS1983

Space Technology for Book Preservation

The Library of Congress has patented a process to extend book life. It is called vapor phased deacidification, and involves the use of DEZ (diethyl zinc), a chemical vapor which neutralizes acid and deposits an alkaline reserve on book pages. As the process must be done in an airless environment, the library utilized Goddard Space Flight Center's vacuum chamber for deacidification. The chamber can treat 5,000 books at once, and a new facility is planned. The Library plans to license the technology to private companies; several universities are interested in the process.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1990

The expanded role of computers in Space Station Freedom real-time operations

The challenges that NASA and its international partners face in their real-time operation of the Space Station Freedom necessitate an increased role on the part of computers. In building the operational concepts concerning the role of the computer, the Space Station program is using lessons learned experience from past programs, knowledge of the needs of future space programs, and technical advances in the computer industry. The computer is expected to contribute most significantly in real-time operations by forming a versatile operating architecture, a responsive operations tool set, and an environment that promotes effective and efficient utilization of Space Station Freedom resources.

Crawford, R. Paul↗
NASA NTRS1993

Spacecraft propulsion systems test capability at the NASA White Sands Test Facility

The NASA White Sands Facility (WSTF), a component insallation of the Johnson Space Center, is located on a 94-square-mile site in southwestern New Mexico. WSTF maintains many unique capabilities to support its mission to test and evaluate spacecraft materials, components, and propulsion systems to enable the safe human exploration and utilization of space. WSTF has tested over 340 rocket engines with more than 2.5 million firings to date. Included are propulsion system testing for Apollo, Shuttle, and now Space Station as well as unmanned spacecraft such as Viking, Pioneer, and Mars Observer. This paper describes the current WSTF propulsion test facilities and capabilities.

Baker, Pleddie↗
NASA NTRS1987

Space station power semiconductor package

A package of high-power switching semiconductors for the space station have been designed and fabricated. The package includes a high-voltage (600 volts) high current (50 amps) NPN Fast Switching Power Transistor and a high-voltage (1200 volts), high-current (50 amps) Fast Recovery Diode. The package features an isolated collector for the transistors and an isolated anode for the diode. Beryllia is used as the isolation material resulting in a thermal resistance for both devices of .2 degrees per watt. Additional features include a hermetical seal for long life -- greater than 10 years in a space environment. Also, the package design resulted in a low electrical energy loss with the reduction of eddy currents, stray inductances, circuit inductance, and capacitance. The required package design and device parameters have been achieved. Test results for the transistor and diode utilizing the space station package is given.

Balodis, Vilnis↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Analytical Modeling of Planetary Excavation for in Situ Resource Utilization

The space-faring capabilities of humans are dependent on the ability to interact with plan-etary surfaces safely and efficiently and utilize local re-sources. Since planetary regolith will be the primary feedstock for in situ resource utilization (ISRU) and infrastructure development activities [1,2], the site-specific geomechanical properties must be understood to optimize excavation operations [3]. Excavating planetary regolith is challenging due to its unique geomechanical properties, 1/6th G reduced gravity extreme conditions, and limited energy resources. Therefore, it is critical to develop technologies that reduce excavation force requirements and minimize tool path inefficiencies to save time and energy during planetary re-source acquisition and infrastructure development [3]. There have been several experimental investigations of methods to optimize planetary excavations [4,5], but none developed predictive capabilities. This abstract presents a simple analytical method that will be used to model laboratory and mission excavation data. Future work will build on the simple analytical method here to include high-fidelity numerical simulations of planetary excavation mechanics.

Regolith↗
NASA NTRS1979

Mass estimating techniques for earth-to-orbit transports with various configuration factors and technologies applied

A study of an array of advanced earth-to-orbit space transportation systems with a focus on mass properties and technology requirements is presented. Methods of estimating weights of these vehicles differ from those used for commercial and military aircraft; the new techniques emphasizing winged horizontal and vertical takeoff advanced systems are described utilizing the space shuttle subsystem data base for the weight estimating equations. The weight equations require information on mission profile, the structural materials, the thermal protection system, and the ascent propulsion system, allowing for the type of construction and various propellant tank shapes. The overall system weights are calculated using this information and incorporated into the Systems Engineering Mass Properties Computer Program.

Klich, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS2000

International Space Station Research Plan: Assembly Sequence

These viewgraphs discuss the International Space Station's Research Plan. The goals for the International Space Station Utilization are to provide a state-of-the-art research facility on which to study gravity's effects on physical, chemical, and biological systems. It is also an advanced testbed for technology and human exploration as well as a commercial platform for space research and development.

Source record↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA’s Geospace Dynamics Constellation—Providing the first Systematic Measurements of Global Magnetospheric Energy Inputs and Ionosphere-Thermosphere Responses

The Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC) is NASA's next strategic Living With a Star mission. GDC's goals are: 1) Understand how the high-latitude ionosphere-thermosphere system responds to variable solar wind/magnetosphere forcing; and 2) Understand how internal processes in the global ionosphere-thermosphere system redistribute mass, momentum, and energy. Planned for launch by the end of the decade, GDC will use six identical observatories, each identically instrumented to fully characterize the magnetospheric drivers of the I-T system as well as the global response of the ionized and neutral gases. GDC will do this with a series of orbital configurations that will enable it to study the widest range of spatial and temporal scales to date, ranging from hundreds of kilometers and several seconds to tens of minutes, and extending through the regional to the global scale. This talk presents GDC's current status, measurement capabilities, sampling scheme, and model development efforts and show how GDC will fit into the larger Heliophysics ecosystem, by 1) obtaining critically needed scientific observations; 2) providing a source for real-time space weather and situational awareness, as well as retrospective studies to further the science of space weather; 3) serving as a "strategic hub" for other space-based and ground-based efforts that want to leverage GDC to perform complementary science. To get the most benefit from GDC’s observations, it will be critical to identify partnerships with other research efforts in the ITM and Geospace arenas, including those utilizing space-based, ground-based, or theoretical investigations. We particularly would like to discuss with groups who are planning or considering observational campaigns during the GDC era, to find ways to leverage GDC observations to do synergistic science that could not be done otherwise.

Douglas E Rowland↗