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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 55 records · Page 3

Atomic Oxygen Environment, Effects and Simulation

Atomic oxygen is the most predominant constituent in the low Earth orbital environment between the altitudes of 180 and 650 km. It is also a major constituent of the Mars orbital environment. It is very chemically reactive and can oxidize materials on the outside of spacecraft. In many cases the reaction products are volatile which can lead to mechanical failure. Stable oxides can also form that change the optical or thermal properties of the material. The importance of understanding atomic oxygen reactions with materials has led to both flight experiments in low Earth orbit and ground-based testing in vacuum chambers containing atomic oxygen to study its’ effect on materials. This presentation will focus on defining atomic oxygen environments, discussing atomic oxygen effects on spacecraft materials, reviewing some methods of atomic oxygen simulation, and discussing differences in ground-based testing and space testing as well as synergistic effects.

atomic oxygen, space environment, ground-based tes↗

Tracks to therapy

Studies of the structure of particle tracks have led to models of track effects based on radial dose and radiobiological target theory that have been very successful in describing and predicting track effects in physical, chemical, and biological systems. For describing mammalian cellular inactivation two inactivation modes are required, called gamma-kill and ion-kill, the first due to synergistic effects of delta rays from adjacent ion paths thus resembling the effects from gamma rays, and the second to the effects of single ion transits through a cell nucleus. The ion-kill effect is more severe, where the fraction of cells experiencing ion kill is responsible for a decrease in the oxygen enhancement ratio, and an increase in relative biological effectiveness, but these are accompanied by loss of repair, hence to a reduction in the efficiency of fractionation in high LET therapy, as shown by our calculations for radiobiological effects in the "spread out Bragg Peak".

Review, Tutorial↗

Environmental microbiology as related to planetary quarantine

The experimental design of a study to evaluate the effect of different cleaning methods and storage conditions on the dry heat resistance of Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores is described and the results for the first evaluation are reported. Specifically, the synergistic effect which occurs when spores are subjected simultaneously to dry heat and gamma radiation so as to be able to specify thermoradiation sterilization cycles was investigated. Attempts were made to understand the underlying mechanism(s) that lead to spore death from this combination of stresses. Data cover: (1) the survival of spores on surfaces at various temperatures in a precisely controlled environmental system, (2) the rate of destruction of these spores at ambient temperature when subjected to gamma radiation, and (3) the rate of destruction of spores when they are subjected to combined gamma radiation and thermal stresses.

Pflug, I. J.↗

Atomic oxygen effects on spacecraft materials: The state of the art of our knowledge

In the flight materials exposure data base extensive quantitative data is available from limited exposures in a narrow range of orbital environments. More data is needed in a wider range of environments as well as longer exposure times. Synergistic effects with other environmental factors; polar orbit and higher altitude environments; and real time materials degradation data is needed to understand degradation kinetics and mechanism. Almost no laboratory data exists from high fidelity simulations of the LEO environment. Simulation and test system are under development, and the data base is scanty. Theoretical understanding of hyperthermal atom surface reactions in the LEO environment is not good enough to support development of reliable accelerated test methods. The laser sustained discharge, atom beam sources are the most promising high fidelity simulation-test systems at this time.

Koontz, Steven L.↗

Fundamental studies of the solid-particle erosion of silicon

The predictions of the theories of solid-particle erosion of brittle materials are compared to experimental results of studies in which angular Al2O3 particles with mean diameters D of 23 to 270 microns are used to erode (111) surfaces of silicon single crystals at impact angles alpha from 20 to 90 deg and velocities v from 30 to 150 m/s. The description of the steady state erosion rate by a power law, delta W varies directly as (v sin alpha)(n)D(m) must be modified to include threshold and plasticity effects. Furthermore the velocity exponent n depends on D. Results using abrasives of different sizes mixed together can be explained using a logarithmic-normal distribution. The results of transient experiments can be used to explain the synergistic effects which are observed using a biomodal distribution of abrasives.

Routbort, J. L.↗

Cellular Response to Bleomycin-Induced DNA Damage in Human Fibroblast Cells in Space

Outside the protection of the geomagnetic field, astronauts and other living organisms are constantly exposed to space radiation that consists of energetic protons and other heavier charged particles. Whether spaceflight factors, microgravity in particular, have effects on cellular responses to DNA damage induced by exposure to radiation or cytotoxic chemicals is still unknown, as is their impact on the radiation risks for astronauts and on the mutation rate in microorganisms. Although possible synergistic effects of space radiation and other spaceflight factors have been investigated since the early days of the human space program, the published results were mostly conflicting and inconsistent. To investigate effects of spaceflight on cellular responses to DNA damages, human fibroblast cells flown to the International Space Station (ISS) were treated with bleomycin for three hours in the true microgravity environment, which induced DNA damages including double-strand breaks (DSB) similar to the ionizing radiation. Damages in the DNA were measured by the phosphorylation of a histone protein H2AX (g-H2AX), which showed slightly more foci in the cells on ISS than in the ground control. The expression of genes involved in DNA damage response was also analyzed using the PCR array. Although a number of the genes, including CDKN1A and PCNA, were significantly altered in the cells after bleomycin treatment, no significant difference in the expression profile of DNA damage response genes was found between the flight and ground samples. At the time of the bleomycin treatment, the cells on the ISS were found to be proliferating faster than the ground control as measured by the percentage of cells containing positive Ki-67 signals. Our results suggested that the difference in g-H2AX focus counts between flight and ground was due to the faster growth rate of the cells in space, but spaceflight did not affect initial transcriptional responses of the DNA damage response genes to bleomycin treatment.

Lu, Tao↗

Integrated Research Plan to Assess the Combined Effects of Space Radiation, Altered Gravity, and Isolation and Confinement on Crew Health and Performance: Implementation Strategy

This document supplements the white paper titled CBS Integrated Research Plan: Problem Statement. The Problem Statement describes why it is important to implement a fully integrated research plan to derive risk estimates for the combined, potentially synergistic, effects of the three major spaceflight hazards (space radiation; isolated, confined, and extreme environments; altered gravity). These risk estimates will help establish acceptable maximum decrement or change in a physiological or behavioral parameter during or after spaceflight, and the acceptable limit of exposure to the combined spaceflight hazards. This Implementation Strategy describes how the research plan will accomplish the CBS Integrated Research Plan goals. The Implementation Strategy includes approaches to evaluate relationships among biological responses underlying three risks that are managed by three of NASA’s Human Research Project (HRP) organizational “elements”. This CBS (Acute effects of radiation on CNS, BMed, Sensorimotor) Integrated Research Plan also identifies strategies to monitor and mitigate decrements to operationally relevant performance. Currently, the strategy that was initiated in 2018, includes an eight-year research plan and a four-year validation plan that extend to the year 2030. Once the monitoring tools and countermeasures are developed, they will be validated and refined during four years of early exploration missions. The planned tasks and their associated research products and deliverables have been mapped to the individual research emphases to clearly demonstrate how each research area helps ensure crew health and safety during exploration missions.

Susan Steinberg↗

Evidence Report: Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Other Degenerative Tissue Effects from Radiation Exposure

Occupational radiation exposure from the space environment may result in non-cancer or non-CNS degenerative tissue diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cataracts, and respiratory or digestive diseases. However, the magnitude of influence and mechanisms of action of radiation leading to these diseases are not well characterized. Radiation and synergistic effects of radiation cause DNA damage, persistent oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and accelerated tissue aging and degeneration, which may lead to acute or chronic disease of susceptible organ tissues. In particular, cardiovascular pathologies such as atherosclerosis are of major concern following gamma-ray exposure. This provides evidence for possible degenerative tissue effects following exposures to ionizing radiation in the form of the GCR or SPEs expected during long-duration spaceflight. However, the existence of low dose thresholds and dose-rate and radiation quality effects, as well as mechanisms and major risk pathways, are not well-characterized. Degenerative disease risks are difficult to assess because multiple factors, including radiation, are believed to play a role in the etiology of the diseases. As additional evidence is pointing to lower, space-relevant thresholds for these degenerative effects, particularly for cardiovascular disease, additional research with cell and animal studies is required to quantify the magnitude of this risk, understand mechanisms, and determine if additional protection strategies are required.The NASA PEL (Permissive Exposure Limit)s for cataract and cardiovascular risks are based on existing human epidemiology data. Although animal and clinical astronaut data show a significant increase in cataracts following exposure and a reassessment of atomic bomb (A-bomb) data suggests an increase in cardiovascular disease from radiation exposure, additional research is required to fully understand and quantify these adverse outcomes at lower doses (less than 0.5 gray (SI unit for ionizing radiation dosage, i.e. one joule of radiation energy per one kilogram of matter)) to facilitate risk prediction. This risk has considerable uncertainty associated with it, and no acceptable model for projecting degenerative tissue risk is currently available. In particular, risk factors such as obesity, alcohol, and tobacco use can act as confounding factors that contribute to the large uncertainties. The PELs could be violated under certain scenarios, including following a large SPE (solar proton event) or long-term GCR (galactic cosmic ray) exposure. Specifically, for a Mars mission, the accumulated dose is sufficiently high that epidemiology data and preliminary risk estimates suggest a significant risk for cardiovascular disease. Ongoing research in this area is intended to provide the evidence base for accurate risk quantification to determine criticality for extended duration missions. Data specific to the space radiation environment must be compiled to quantify the magnitude of this risk to decrease the uncertainty in current PELs and to determine if additional protection strategies are required. New research results could lead to estimates of cumulative radiation risk from CNS and degenerative tissue diseases that, when combined with the cancer risk, may have major negative impacts on mission design, costs, schedule, and crew selection. The current report amends an earlier report (Human Research Program Requirements Document, HRP-47052, Rev. C, dated Jan 2009) in order to provide an update of evidence since 2009.

Patel, Zarana↗

The SCEPTRE facility: Improved simulation of the space environment through the application of advanced technology

SCEPTRE (Space Combined Effects Primary Test Research Equipment) is the Air Force Materials Laboratory's primary device for performance testing of spacecraft thermal control materials. It has been undergoing a major upgrade in the last two years aimed at making it capable of simulating the synergistic effects of vacuum, ultraviolet radiation, and electron radiation. In the course of this work, a number of advances have been made in the areas of computer data processing, solar simulation, and the analysis of test results.

Ruley, J. D.↗

Effects of Inert Dust Clouds on the Extinction of Strained, Laminar Flames at Normal and Micro Gravity

A combined experimental and detailed numerical study was conducted on the interaction between chemically inert solid particles and strained, atmospheric methane/air and propane/air laminar flames, both premixed and non-premixed. Experimentally, the opposed jet configuration was used with the addition of a particle seeder capable of operating in conditions of varying gravity. The particle seeding system was calibrated under both normal and micro gravity and a noticeable gravitational effect was observed. Flame extinction experiments were conducted at normal gravity by seeding inert particles at various number densities and sizes into the reacting gas phase. Experimental data were taken for 20 and 37 (mu) nickel alloy and 25 and 60 (mu) aluminum oxide particles. The experiments were simulated by solving along the stagnation streamline the conservation equations of mass, momentum, energy, and species conservation for both phases, with detailed descriptions of chemical kinetics, molecular transport, and thermal radiation. The experimental data were compared with numerical simulations, and insight was provided into the effects on extinction of the fuel type, equivalence ratio, flame configuration, strain rate. particle type. particle size. particle mass, delivery rate. the orientation of particle injection with respect to the flame and gravity. It was found that for the same injected solid mass, larger particles can result in more effective flame cooling compared to smaller particles, despite the fact that equivalent masses of the larger particles have smaller total surface area to volume ratio. This counter-intuitive finding resulted from the fact that the heat exchange between the two phases is controlled by the synergistic effect of the total contact area and the temperature difference between the two phases. Results also demonstrate that meaningful scaling of interactions between the two phases may not be possible due to the complexity of the couplings between the dynamic and thermal parameters of the problem.

Andac, M. Gurhan↗

An overview of the first results on the solar array materials passive LDEF experiment (sample), A0171

Power degradation in the solar cells was consistent with the exposure environment and appears to be produced principally by the radiation and atomic oxygen environments. Atomic oxygen erosion was generally as expected; atomic oxygen effects dominated for the most part in materials that were both atomic oxygen and ultraviolet vulnerable. Silicone coatings appear to protect Kapton, and adhesive systems contained under photon opaque materials were surprisingly environmentally resistant. A high density of small micro-meteroid/space debris impacts were observed on mirrors, protective coatings, paints, and composites. New synergistic effects of the space environment were noted in the interaction of atomic oxygen and copious amounts of contamination and in the induced luminescence of many materials.

Ann F Whitaker↗

Overview of the space environmental effects observed on the retrieved Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF)

The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), which encompassed 57 experiments with more than 10,000 test specimens, spent 69 months in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) before it was retrieved by the Space Shuttle in January 1990. Hundreds of LDEF investigators, after studying for over two years these retrieved test specimens and the onboard recorded data and systems hardware, have generated a unique first-hand view of the long-term synergistic effects that the LEO environment can have on spacecraft. These studies have also contributed significantly toward more accurate models of the LEO radiation, meteoroid, manmade debris and atomic oxygen environments. This paper provides an overview of some of the many LDEF observations and the implications these can have on future spacecraft such as Space Station Freedom.

Kinard, W.↗

Combustion synthesis of advanced composite materials

Self-propagating high temperature (combustion) synthesis (SHS), has been investigated as a means of producing both dense and expanded (foamed) ceramic and ceramic-metal composites, ceramic powders and whiskers. Several model exothermic combustion synthesis reactions were used to establish the importance of certain reaction parameters, e.g., stoichiometry, green density, combustion mode, particle size, etc. on the control of the synthesis reaction, product morphology and properties. The use of an in situ liquid infiltration technique and the effect of varying the reactants and their stoichiometry to provide a range of reactant and product species i.e., solids, liquids and gases, with varying physical properties e.g., volatility and thermal conductivity, on the microstructure and morphology of synthesized composite materials is discussed. Conducting the combustion synthesis reaction in a reactive gas environment to take advantage of the synergistic effects of combustion synthesis and vapor phase transport is also examined.

Moore, John J.↗

Combustion synthesis of advanced materials

The combustion synthesis of ceramic-metal composites using an in-situ liquid infiltration technique is described. The effect of varying the reactants and their stoichiometry to provide a range of reactant and product species i.e. solids, liquids and gases, with varying physical properties e.g. thermal conductivity, on the microstructure and morphology of synthesized products is also described. Alternatively, conducting the combustion synthesis reaction in a reactive gas environment is also discussed, in which advantages can be gained from the synergistic effects of combustion synthesis and vapor phase transport. In each case, the effect of the presence or absence of gravity (density) driven fluid flow and vapor transport is discussed as is the potential for producing new and perhaps unique materials by conducting these SHS reactions under microgravity conditions.

Moore, J. J.↗

Space Product Development: NASA Partnering With Industry For Out of This World Results

True space commercialization can only be achieved through having the broadest possible industrial participation. Commercial paradigms focused simply on commercial launch operations are not viable since there are limited payload launch opportunities in terms of satellites and similar vehicles, and there are not yet sufficient markets to support large-scale operations and innovation. What is required to expand commercial operations to the point of viability is a broad base of industry that understands the opportunities of commercial space and microgravity operations, and is eager to take advantage of it. Interesting non-aerospace companies in commercial space and microgravity research or operations is a major challenge, since these companies must be educated about the opportunities, introduced into the process in an effective and comfortable manner, and encouraged to continue and expand their work in this area. The NASA Space Product Development Program does this through fifteen Commercial Space Centers located across the United States, each focusing on a different area of interest to industry rather than of interest to NASA. These Centers serve as a consortium of industry, academia, and government, bringing the synergistic effects of membership to the benefit of all. This paper will discuss the guiding philosophies of this program, its organization, the successes obtained by industry in a variety of fields, and the success NASA is experiencing in building the broad base of industry needed to achieve true space commercialization.

Nall, Mark E.↗

The definition of the low earth orbital environment and its effect on thermal control materials

The LEO environment and its effects on thermal-control materials (TCMs) being evaluated for use in long-term-mission space structures such as the Space Station are characterized, summarizing the results of recent space and laboratory experiments. Factors examined include atomic oxygen (a serious problem out to 600-700 km), ionizing radiation, solar UV radiation, solid particles (manmade debris and micrometeoroids, a significant hazard out to about 1000 km), and synergistic effects. Numerical data on the expected intensity of these effects for the different Space Station components, the resistance of specific TCMs to the effects, and the effectiveness of protective coatings are compiled in extensive tables and illustrated with diagrams, graphs, and micrographs.

Durcanin, J. T.↗

The effects of RF plasma ashing on zinc orthotitanate/potassium silicate thermal control coatings

Samples of YB-71, a white thermal control coating composed of zinc orthotitanate pigment in a potassium silicate binder, were exposed in air plasma and in oxygen plasma to determine optical property and surface chemistry changes. Results show that YB-71 undergoes a significant reflectance decrease upon exposure to the simulated LEO atomic oxygen environment provided by an air plasma asher. YB-71 samples exposed to the same effective fluence in oxygen plasma, or in a UV screening Faraday cage in air or oxygen, do not undergo as severe reflectance decreases as the samples exposed in the air plasma asher environment. The UV and VUV radiation present in the plasma ashers affects the YB-71 degradation. It is noted that, when using plasma ashers to determine LEO degradation, it is necessary to take into account the sensitivity of the material to the synergistic effects of atomic oxygen and accelerated UV radiation.

Dever, Joyce A.↗

The Effect of Oxidation in Environmental Barrier Coatings Subject to Foreign Object Damage

Oxidation and foreign object damage (FOD) are two key failure modes for environmental barrier coatings (EBCs). For EBCs with a silicon (Si) bond coat, a thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer forms at the EBC –bond coat interface. The TGO layer is considered the weak interface, and directly influences the life of the EBC. Moreover, FOD has been shown to cause significant subsurface damage resulting in delamination or spallation of the EBC which can occur at the EBC -bond coat interface or the bond coat -substrate interface. The purpose of this work is to investigate the synergistic effects of oxidation and FOD in a ytterbium disilicate (𝑌𝑏2𝑆𝑖2𝑂7) EBC. FOD testing is conducted on as-deposited and steam oxidized samples at room temperature using a 1.59-mm hardened steel ball projectile. The resulting damage is characterized by optical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, a quasi-static, mechanical assessment of the EBC bond strength in the presence of a growing TGO is presented.

environmental barrier coatings (EBCs)↗