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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 NTRS2019

NASA Proof-of-Concept 1-W Stirling Convertor Development for Small RPS

Low power Stirling convertors are being developed at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) to provide future small spacecraft with electrical power by converting heat from one or more Light Weight Radioisotope Heater Units (LWRHU). An initial design converts multiple watts of heat to one watt of electrical power output using a Stirling convertor. A variety of mission concepts have been studied by NASA and the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) that would utilize low power Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) for probes, landers, rovers, and repeaters. These missions would contain science instruments distributed across planetary surfaces or near objects of interest where solar flux is insufficient for using solar cells. Landers could be used to provide data such as, radiation, temperature, pressure, seismic activity, and other surface measurements for planetary science and to inform future mission planners. The studies propose using fractional versions of the General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) or multiple LWRHUs to heat power conversion technologies for science instruments and communication. Dynamic power systems are capable of higher conversion efficiencies, which could enable equal power using less fuel or more power using equal fuel, when compared to less efficient static power conversion technologies. Providing spacecraft with more power would decrease duty cycling of basic functions and, therefore, increase the quality and abundance of science data. Efforts to develop the concept have focused on maturation of a 1-We convertor and controller design and performance evaluation of an evacuated metal foil insulation. A proof-of-concept 1-We convertor, controller, and evacuated metal foil insulation package have been fabricated and are undergoing characterization testing. The current status, findings, and path forward for the effort are explained in this paper.

Schifer, Nicholas A.↗
NASA NTRS2019

NASA Proof-of-Concept 1-W Stirling Convertor Development for Small RPS

Low power Stirling convertors are being developed at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) to provide future small spacecraft with electrical power by converting heat from one or more Light Weight Radioisotope Heater Units (LWRHU). An initial design converts multiple watts of heat to one watt of electrical power output using a Stirling convertor. A variety of mission concepts have been studied by NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that would utilize low power Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) for probes, landers, rovers, and repeaters. These missions would contain science instruments distributed across planetary surfaces or near objects of interest where solar flux is insufficient for using solar cells. Landers could be used to provide data such as, radiation, temperature, pressure, seismic activity, and other surface measurements for planetary science and to inform future mission planners. The studies propose using fractional versions of the General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) or multiple LWRHUs to heat power conversion technologies for science instruments and communication. Dynamic power systems are capable of higher conversion efficiencies, which could enable equal power using less fuel or more power using equal fuel, when compared to less efficient static power conversion technologies. Providing spacecraft with more power would decrease duty cycling of basic functions and, therefore, increase the quality and abundance of science data. Efforts to develop the concept have focused on maturation of a 1-We (1-watt electrical) convertor and controller design and performance evaluation of an evacuated metal foil insulation. A proof-of-concept 1-We convertor, controller, and evacuated metal foil insulation package have been fabricated and are undergoing characterization testing. The current status, findings, and path forward for the effort are explained in this paper.

Stirling↗
NASA NTRS2004

Planetary Remote Sensing Science Enabled by MIDAS (Multiple Instrument Distributed Aperture Sensor)

The science capabilities and features of an innovative and revolutionary approach to remote sensing imaging systems, aimed at increasing the return on future space science missions many fold, are described. Our concept, called Multiple Instrument Distributed Aperture Sensor (MIDAS), provides a large-aperture, wide-field, diffraction-limited telescope at a fraction of the cost, mass and volume of conventional telescopes, by integrating optical interferometry technologies into a mature multiple aperture array concept that addresses one of the highest needs for advancing future planetary science remote sensing.

Pitman, Joe↗
NASA NTRS2018

NASA Low Power Stirling Convertor for Small Landers, Probes, and Rovers Operating in Darkness

A variety of mission concepts have been studied by NASA and the U. S. Department of Energy that would utilize low power Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) for probes, landers rovers, and repeaters. These missions would contain science instruments distributed across planetary surfaces or near objects of interest where solar flux is insufficient for using solar cells. Landers could be used to provide data like radiation, temperature, pressure, seismic activity, and other surface measurements for planetary science and to inform future mission planners. The studies proposed using fractional versions of the General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) or multiple Light Weight Radioisotope Heater Units (LWRHU) to heat power conversion technologies for science instruments and communication. Dynamic power systems are capable of higher conversion efficiencies, which could enable equal power using less fuel or more power using equal fuel, when compared to less efficient static power conversion technologies. Providing spacecraft with more power would decrease duty cycling of basic functions and, therefore, increase the quality and abundance of science data. Low power Stirling convertors are being developed at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) to provide future micro spacecraft with electrical power by converting heat from one or more LWRHUs. An initial design converts multiple watts of heat to one watt of electrical power output using a Stirling convertor. Development of the concept includes maturation of convertor and controller designs, performance evaluation of an evacuated metal foil insulation, and development of system interfaces. Demonstration of the convertor is planned and represents a new class of RPS with power levels an order of magnitude lower than previous practical designs.

Wilson, Scott D.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Terahertz Science, Technology, and Communication

The term "terahertz" has been ubiquitous in the arena of technology over the past couple of years. New applications are emerging every day which are exploiting the promises of terahertz - its small wavelength; capability of penetrating dust, clouds, and fog; and possibility of having large instantaneous bandwidth for high-speed communication channels. Until very recently, space-based instruments for astrophysics, planetary science, and Earth science missions have been the primary motivator for the development of terahertz sensors, sources, and systems. However, in recent years the emerging areas such as imaging from space platforms, surveillance of person-borne hidden weapons or contraband from a safe stand-off distance and reconnaissance, medical imaging and DNA sequencing, and in the world high speed communications have been the driving force for this area of research.

Chattopadhyay, Goutam↗
NASA NTRS2015

Planetary Science with Balloon-Borne Telescopes

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the planetary science community have recently been exploring the potential contributions of stratospheric balloons to the planetary science field. A study that was recently concluded explored the roughly 200 or so science questions raised in the Planetary Decadal Survey report and found that about 45 of those questions are suited to stratospheric balloon based observations. In September of 2014, a stratospheric balloon mission called BOPPS (which stands for Balloon Observation Platform for Planetary Science) was flown out of Fort Sumner, New Mexico. The mission had two main objectives, first, to observe a number of planetary targets including one or more Oort cloud comets and second, to demonstrate the applicability and performance of the platform, instruments, and subsystems for making scientific measurements in support planetary science objectives. BOPPS carried two science instruments, BIRC and UVVis. BIRC is a cryogenic infrared multispectral imager which can image in the.6-5 m range using an HgCdTe detector. Narrow band filters were used to allow detection of water and CO2 emission features of the observed targets. The UVVis is an imager with the science range of 300 to 600 nm. A main feature of the UVVis instrument is the incorporation of a guide camera and a Fine Steering Mirror (FSM) system to reduce image jitter to less than 100 milliarcseconds. The BIRC instrument was used to image targets including Oort cloud comets Siding Spring and Jacques, and the dwarf planet 1 Ceres. BOPPS achieved the first ever earth based CO2 observation of a comet and the first images of water and CO2 of an Oort cloud comet (Jacques). It also made the first ever measurement of 1Ceres at 2.73 m to refine the shape of the infrared water absorption feature on that body. The UVVis instrument, mounted on its own optics bench, demonstrated the capability for image correction both from atmospheric disturbances as well as some of the residual motion from the gondola that was not addressed by the gondolas coarse pointing systems. The mission met its primary science and engineering objectives. The results of the BOPPS mission will feed into the body of science knowledge but also feed into future planning for more science from balloon-borne platforms. A notional platform called Gondola for High-Altitude Planetary Science (GHAPS) has been explored and this concept platform can address a number of important decadal questions. This paper provides a summary of the assessment of potential balloon borne observations for planetary science purposes including where potential science contributions can be expected, the necessary performance characteristics of the platform, and other features required or desired. The BOPPS mission is summarized including descriptions of the main elements and key science and engineering results. The paper then briefly describes GHAPS, and the salient features that can make it a valuable tool for future planetary observations.

Telescope↗
NASA NTRS1994

Use of a multimission system for cost effective support of planetary science data processing

JPL's Multimission Operations Systems Office (MOSO) provides a multimission facility at JPL for processing science instrument data from NASA's planetary missions. This facility, the Multimission Image Processing System (MIPS), is developed and maintained by MOSO to meet requirements that span the NASA family of planetary missions. Although the word 'image' appears in the title, MIPS is used to process instrument data from a variety of science instruments. This paper describes the design of a new system architecture now being implemented within the MIPS to support future planetary mission activities at significantly reduced operations and maintenance cost.

Green, William B.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Update on the Ares V to Support Heavy Lift for U.S. Space Exploration Policy

The focus of design efforts in the near future will be on the primary Lunar mission. We are currently just beginning to integrate the design functions from the various centers for this mission. We appreciate all thoughts and ideas for different ways to use the Ares V platform. The Ares V can support an order of magnitude more science instrumentation for outer planetary exploration missions. It can also reach outer planets such as Neptune and other high energy insertion destinations. Current Ares V Point-of-Departure (51.00.48) exceeds Saturn mass capability by approx.40%. Ares V Lunar Capabilities Concept Review analysis focused on meeting lunar requirements and developing margin. Ares V is sensitive to Loiter, Attitude, Power, and Altitude requirements in addition to payload performance. LCCR-approved 51.00.48 POD 5.5-segment steel case booster/6 engine core) Ares V can meet current Human Lunar Return requirements with approx.6 mT of Margin. LCCR-approved 51.00.47 option maintained (5 segment HTPB composite case booster/6 engine core) can meet HLR requirement with more than 9 mT Margin. Ares V team is actively reaching out to external organizations during this early concept phase to ensure that the Ares V vehicle can be leveraged for national security, scientific and commercial development needs.

Creech, Steve↗
NASA NTRS2012

Multi-Color QWIP FPAs for Hyperspectral Thermal Emission Instruments

Infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs) covering broad mid- and long-IR spectral ranges are the central parts of the spectroscopic and imaging instruments in several Earth and planetary science missions. To be implemented in the space instrument these FPAs need to be large-format, uniform, reproducible, low-cost, low 1/f noise, and radiation hard. Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors (QWIPs), which possess all needed characteristics, have a great potential for implementation in the space instruments. However a standard QWIP has only a relatively narrow spectral coverage. A multi-color QWIP, which is compromised of two or more detector stacks, can to be used to cover the broad spectral range of interest. We will discuss our recent work on development of multi-color QWIP for Hyperspectral Thermal Emission Spectrometer instruments. We developed QWIP compromising of two stacks centered at 9 and 10.5 ?m, and featuring 9 grating regions optimized to maximize the responsivity in the individual subbands across the 7.5-12 ?m spectral range. The demonstrated 1024x1024 QWIP FPA exhibited excellent performance with operability exceeding 99% and noise equivalent differential temperature of less than 15 mK across the entire 7.5-12 ?m spectral range.

Infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs)↗
NASA NTRS2013

Multi-color QWIP FPAs for hyperspectral thermal emission instruments

Infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs) covering broad mid- and long-IR spectral ranges are the central parts of the spectroscopic and imaging instruments in several Earth and planetary science missions. To be implemented in the space instrument these FPAs need to be large-format, uniform, reproducible, low-cost, low 1/f noise, and radiation hard. Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors (QWIPs), which possess all needed characteristics, have a great potential for implementation in the space instruments. However a standard QWIP has only a relatively narrow spectral coverage. A multi-color QWIP, which is compromised of two or more detector stacks, can to be used to cover the broad spectral range of interest. We will discuss our recent work on development of multi-color QWIP for Hyperspectral Thermal Emission Spectrometer instruments. We developed QWIP compromising of two stacks centered at 9 and 10.5 μm, and featuring 9 grating regions optimized to maximize the responsivity in the individual subbands across the 7.5-12 μm spectral range. The demonstrated 1024x1024 QWIP FPA exhibited excellent performance with operability exceeding 99% and noise equivalent differential temperature of less than 15 mK across the entire 7.5-12 μm spectral range.

Gunapala, Sarath D.↗
NASA NTRS1994

(abstract) Sciencecraft

The technological capabilities are now at hand to design an integrated system that combines science instruments, spacecraft, and propulsion elements into a single system. The authors have called this a sciencecraft since it is intended to provide automatic scientific observations of planetary and astrophysical objects. Integration of function allows lower mass and cost and supports a short development cycle. A specific science mission is described in this paper, a flyby of Neptune, Triton, and an object in the Kuiper belt. The SCIENCECRAFT system is described. It has electric propulsion and is capable of measuring the surface constituents and morphology of objects visited and characterizing their atmospheres both in emission and adsorption (against the Sun). Miniature fields and particles experiments are incorporated that will provide interplanetary information together with details of the magnetic and electric attributes of each object. The Sciencecraft is Delta launched and has a flight time to the Kuiper belt of 7 years. The design is such that the craft functions in a largely autonomous mode to provide low cost mission operations.

planetary astrophysics science instruments spacecr↗
NASA NTRS2013

Silicon Alignment Pins: An Easy Way to Realize a Wafer-to-Wafer Alignment

Submillimeter heterodyne instruments play a critical role in addressing fundamental questions regarding the evolution of galaxies as well as being a crucial tool in planetary science. To make these instruments compatible with small platforms, especially for the study of the outer planets, or to enable the development of multi-pixel arrays, it is essential to reduce the mass, power, and volume of the existing single-pixel heterodyne receivers. Silicon micromachining technology is naturally suited for making these submillimeter and terahertz components, where precision and accuracy are essential. Waveguide and channel cavities are etched in a silicon bulk material using deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) techniques. Power amplifiers, multiplier and mixer chips are then integrated and the silicon pieces are stacked together to form a supercompact receiver front end. By using silicon micromachined packages for these components, instrument mass can be reduced and higher levels of integration can be achieved. A method is needed to assemble accurately these silicon pieces together, and a technique was developed here using etched pockets and silicon pins to align two wafers together.

Jung-Kubiak, Cecile↗
NASA NTRS2018

NASA Low-Power Stirling Convertor for Small Landers, Probes, and Rovers Operating in Darkness

A variety of mission concepts have been studied by NASA and the U. S. Department of Energy that would utilize low power Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) for landers, probes, and rovers. These missions would contain science measuring instruments distributed across planetary surfaces or near objects of interest where solar flux is insufficient for using solar cells. Landers could be used to provide data like wind, temperature, pressure, seismic activity, and other planetary measurements to mission planners or future explorers. The studies proposed using fractional versions of the General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) or multiple Light Weight Radioisotope Heater Units (LWRHU) to heat power conversion technologies for science instruments and communication. Dynamic power systems are capable of higher conversion efficiencies, which could enable equal power using less fuel or more power using equal fuel, when compared to less efficient static power conversion technologies. Providing spacecraft with more power would decrease duty cycling of basic functions and, therefore, increase the quality and abundance of science data. Low power Stirling convertors are being developed at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) to provide future micro spacecraft with electrical power by converting heat from one or more LWRHUs. An initial design converts multiple Watts of heat to one Watt of electrical power output using a Stirling convertor. Development of the concept includes maturation of convertor and controller designs, performance evaluation of an evacuated metal foil insulation, and development of system interfaces.

Wilson, Scott D.↗
NASA NTRS2018

NASA Low Power Stirling Convertor for Small Landers, Probes, and Rovers Operating in Darkness

A variety of mission concepts have been studied by NASA and the U. S. Department of Energy that would utilize low power Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) for landers, probes, and rovers. These missions would contain science measuring instruments distributed across planetary surfaces or near objects of interest where solar flux is insufficient for using solar cells. Landers could be used to provide data like wind, temperature, pressure, seismic activity, and other planetary measurements to mission planners or future explorers. The studies proposed using fractional versions of the General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) or multiple Light Weight Radioisotope Heater Units (LWRHU) to heat power conversion technologies for science instruments and communication. Dynamic power systems are capable of higher conversion efficiencies, which could enable equal power using less fuel or more power using equal fuel, when compared to less efficient static power conversion technologies. Providing spacecraft with more power would decrease duty cycling of basic functions and, therefore, increase the quality and abundance of science data. Low power Stirling convertors are being developed at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) to provide future micro spacecraft with electrical power by converting heat from one or more LWRHUs. An initial design converts multiple Watts of heat to one Watt of electrical power output using a Stirling convertor. Development of the concept includes maturation of convertor and controller designs, performance evaluation of an evacuated metal foil insulation, and development of system interfaces.

Wilson, Scott↗