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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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Active university R and D activities funded by NASA which contribute to mission needs are documented. Technical rather than fiscal information is emphasized. A classification of government sponsored research is included. A cross index providing access to the project description is also included.
Active university research projects for Fiscal Year 1975 are reported by state, and foreign country. Cross indexes by: (1) grant/contract number; (2) field of science and engineering; (3) technical officer location; and (4) RTOP are included.
Air transportation research being carried on at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, and Ohio University is discussed. Global Positioning System experiments, Loran-C monitoring, inertial navigation, the optimization of aircraft trajectories through severe microbursts, fault tolerant flight control systems, and expert systems for air traffic control are among the topics covered.
The goals of this program are consistent with the interests of both NASA and the FAA in furthering the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System. Research carried out at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Ohio University, and Princeton University are covered. Topics studied include passive infrared ice detection for helicopters, the cockpit display of hazardous windshear information, fault detection and isolation for multisensor navigation systems, neural networks for aircraft system identification, and intelligent failure tolerant control.
Communication satellites use as educational medium, discussing program organization, student and faculty involvement, course contents and methods
Each entry includes institution and location, brief description of project, period of performance, principal investigator at institution, NASA technical officer (monitor), sponsoring NASA installation, interagency field of science or engineering classification C.A.S.E. category, grant or contract number, FY 74 obligations, cumulative obligations, and most recent RTOP coding. Entries are arranged alphabetically within state or country. Four cross indices are presented: (1) grant or contract number; (2) C.A.S.E. field or science or engineering; (3) NASA technical officer location; and (4) RTOP code.
Current information and related statistics are provided for each grant/contract/ cooperative agreement during the report period. Cross indexes by agreement number, field of science and engineering, and technical officer location are included.
Low cost avionics concepts and hardware for general aviation aircraft are discussed. Topics include navigation, guidance, control and display concepts, with special emphasis on application.
Data on projects active during fiscal year 1980 are organized alphabetically by state. The appendix includes a cross-reference indexed by field of science and engineering.
Navigation, guidance, control and display concepts, and hardware, with special emphasis on applications to general aviation aircraft are discussed.
A summary of the research on air transportation is addressed including navigation; guidance, control and display concepts; and hardware, with special emphasis on applications to general aviation aircraft. Completed works and status reports are presented also included are annotated bibliographies of all published research sponsored on these grants since 1972.
This presentation outlines a concept for an adaptive, interactive decision support system to assist controllers at a busy airport in achieving efficient use of multiple runways. The concept is being implemented as a computer code called FASA (Final Approach Spacing for Aircraft), and will be tested and demonstrated in ATCSIM, a high fidelity simulation of terminal area airspace and airport surface operations. Objectives are: (1) to provide automated cues to assist controllers in the sequencing and spacing of landing and takeoff aircraft; (2) to provide the controller with a limited ability to modify the sequence and spacings between aircraft, and to insert takeoffs and missed approach aircraft in the landing flows; (3) to increase spacing accuracy using more complex and precise separation criteria while reducing controller workload; and (4) achieve higher operational takeoff and landing rates on multiple runways in poor visibility.
University faculty members go to Goddard for a period, often weeks, during which they engage actively in research and at the same time participate in seminars related to their research. The objectives of this program are: (1) stimulation of schools to become interested in the research problems confronting Goddard; (2) creation of interest of the university faculty to continue their research after completing the formal program; (3) stimulation of people through associations with the university faculty and through participation in the program's seminars; and (4) establishment of closer ties with the universities.
Propulsion options for CubeSats are limited but are necessary for the CubeSat industry to continue future growth. Challenges to CubeSat propulsion include volume/mass constraints, availability of sufficiently small and certified hardware, secondary payload status, safe storage of high energy, and power requirements. A multi-mode (chemical and electric) thruster was developed by at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) to enable CubeSat propulsion missions. Two satellite buses, a 3U and 6U, are being developed by the M-SAT satellite research team at Missouri S&T to demonstrate the multi-mode thruster's capabilities. Two key challenges related to these missions are the development of the feed system to support the thruster and management of the two programs' personnel, resources, timelines, and budgets. The feed system was designed to support the unique needs of the thruster including material compatibility with the custom ionic liquid, variable flow rate, high pressurization, and high voltage within the constraints and budget of a student-designed propulsion system. The feed system was also designed to minimize risk as a secondary payload. This resulted in the development of a unique method to pressurize propellant stored in the feed system tubing. Within the expected operating pressure range, the method was experimentally shown to provide sufficient pressure and propellant volume to the thruster to meet mission success criteria. The 3U and 6U CubeSat buses were designed concurrently with complimentary payloads, hardware, objectives, and team structures. Resources such as personnel, lab space, and time had to be carefully balanced between the two teams. With proper management, the two programs have been able to support one another, providing valuable insight and collaboration between the two teams. Lessons learned include experience with design, testing, and assembly of hardware, team training/mentoring and motivation, improved documentation practices, and risk management.
The Space Engineering program at Utah State University has developed a small satellite, known as USUSat, under funding from AFOSR, AFRL, NASA and Utah State University's Space Dynamics Laboratory. This satellite was designed and significantly manufactured by students in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Departments within the College of Engineering. USUSat is one of three spacecraft being designed for the Ionospheric Observation Nanosatellite Formation (ION- F). This formation comprises three 15 kg. spacecraft designed and built in cooperation by Utah State University, University of Washington, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. The ION-F satellites are being designed and built by students at the three universities, with close coordination to insure compatibility for launch, deployment, and the formation flying mission. The JON-F mission is part of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) University Nanosatellite Program, which provides technology development and demonstrations for the TechSat2l Program. The University Nanosatellite Program involves 10 universities building nanosatellites for a launch in 2004 on two separate space shuttle missions. Additional support for the formation flying demonstration has been provided by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
University research activities and impact on national space program
The University's design project, the Unmanned Probe to Pluto, is reviewed. Forty-two students divided into seven groups, participated in the program. A presentation, prepared by three students and a graduate teaching assistant for the program's summer conference, summarized the project results.
Since 1996, the Imagine the Universe! E/PO program has brought information and curriculum support materials to upper middle school, high school, and lower undergraduate students and their teachers on topics in the Structure and Evolution of the Universe (SEU) theme. The Imagine E/PO program consists of a web site, a series of posters and information/activity booklets, and a repertoire of educator workshops. We involve both scientists and educators in the development and testing of the materials. We describe here the various aspects of this program.