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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 NTRS2012

Peregrine 100-km Sounding Rocket Project

The Peregrine Sounding Rocket Program is a joint basic research program of NASA Ames Research Center, NASA Wallops, Stanford University, and the Space Propulsion Group, Inc. (SPG). The goal is to determine the applicability of this technology to a small launch system. The approach is to design, build, and fly a stable, efficient liquefying fuel hybrid rocket vehicle to an altitude of 100 km. The program was kicked off in October of 2006 and has seen considerable progress in the subsequent 18 months. This research group began studying liquifying hybrid rocket fuel technology more than a decade ago. The overall goal of the research was to gain a better understanding of the fundamental physics of the liquid layer entrainment process responsible for the large increase in regression rate observed in these fuels, and to demonstrate the effect of increased regression rate on hybrid rocket motor performance. At the time of this reporting, more than 400 motor tests were conducted with a variety of oxidizers (N2O, GOx, LOx) at ever increasing scales with thrust levels from 5 to over 15,000 pounds (22 N to over 66 kN) in order to move this technology from the laboratory to practical applications. The Peregrine program is the natural next step in this development. A number of small sounding rockets with diameters of 3, 4, and 6 in. (7.6, 10.2, and 15.2 cm) have been flown, but Peregrine at a diameter of 15 in. (38.1 cm) and 14,000-lb (62.3-kN) thrust is by far the largest system ever attempted and will be one of the largest hybrids ever flown. Successful Peregrine flights will set the stage for a wide range of applications of this technology.

Zilliac, Gregory↗

NASA NTRS1977

The design of a solar energy collection system to augment heating and cooling for a commercial office building

Analytical studies supported by experimental testing indicate that solar energy can be utilized to heat and cool commercial buildings. In a 50,000 square foot one-story office building at the Langley Research Center, 15,000 square feet of solar collectors are designed to provide the energy required to supply 79 percent of the building heating needs and 52 percent of its cooling needs. The experience gained from the space program is providing the technology base for this project. Included are some of the analytical studies made to make the building design changes necessary to utilize solar energy, the basic solar collector design, collector efficiencies, and the integrated system design.

Basford, R. C.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Development of the Advanced Regolith Ground Operations (ARGO) Test Bed – A Robotic Excavation and Construction Test Facility with Simulated Lunar Environments

NASA’s Artemis Program is working towards developing a sustained presence on the Moon and eventually Mars. To achieve this goal, robotic excavation, site preparation and construction technologies are under development to establish the capability to construct infrastructure such as launch/landing pads and radiation protection shelters. Technologies must be proven in simulated Lunar conditions prior to surface demonstration missions. To that end, the Relevant Additive Construction Technology (REACT) Announcement of Collaboration Opportunities (ACO) project with AI Space Factory and the NASA Kennedy Space Center’s (KSC) Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations Laboratory (a.k.a. Swamp Works) has developed the Advanced Regolith Ground Operations (ARGO) Test Bed. ARGO includes a ~1.5m x 1.5m x 1.2m (~5x5x4ft) vacuum chamber, cryogenically cooled thermal shroud, 3-axis robotic positioning system, and regolith bin. For the REACT project, a pellet extruder, feed hopper, and heated 600mm x 600mm (23.6x23.6in) build plate have been installed on ARGO to advance the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of regolith-polymer composite Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) additive construction systems, processes, and materials. This paper will focus on the design and operational characteristics of the ARGO Test Bed with pellet extruder.

regolith↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Development of the Advanced Regolith Ground Operations (ARGO) Test Bed: A Robotic Excavation and Construction Test Facility with Simulated Lunar Environments

regolith↗

NASA NTRS2011

Application of ESE Data and Tools to Air Quality Management: Services for Helping the Air Quality Community use ESE Data (SHAirED)

The goal of this REASoN applications and technology project is to deliver and use Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) data and tools in support of air quality management. Its scope falls within the domain of air quality management and aims to develop a federated air quality information sharing network that includes data from NASA, EPA, US States and others. Project goals were achieved through a access of satellite and ground observation data, web services information technology, interoperability standards, and air quality community collaboration. In contributing to a network of NASA ESE data in support of particulate air quality management, the project will develop access to distributed data, build Web infrastructure, and create tools for data processing and analysis. The key technologies used in the project include emerging web services for developing self describing and modular data access and processing tools, and service oriented architecture for chaining web services together to assemble customized air quality management applications. The technology and tools required for this project were developed within DataFed.net, a shared infrastructure that supports collaborative atmospheric data sharing and processing web services. Much of the collaboration was facilitated through community interactions through the Federation of Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP) Air Quality Workgroup. The main activities during the project that successfully advanced DataFed, enabled air quality applications and established community-oriented infrastructures were: develop access to distributed data (surface and satellite), build Web infrastructure to support data access, processing and analysis create tools for data processing and analysis foster air quality community collaboration and interoperability.

Falke, Stefan↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Autonomous In-space Construction, Maintenance, and Reconfiguration Using Programmable Meta-Material

NASA ARC's Coded Structures Laboratory (CSL) is developing autonomous construction, maintenance, and reconfiguration technologies to meet long-duration and deep space infrastructure needs, in accordance with long-term NASA goals of "in-space reliance" and "mass-less exploration." We seek to achieve these capabilities by utilizing a "programmable meta-material" approach that integrates emerging advances in materials (mechanical meta-materials), manufacturing (cooperative mobile robotics), and autonomy (multi-agent planning algorithms). Through the ARMADAS project, we have shown assembly of high-performance engineered cellular materials using multiple cooperating mobile robotic assemblers. In this paper, we describe how such a programmable meta-material architecture may shift the paradigm of how we design, build, manufacture, and operate future space infrastructure and assets. The core of a programmable meta-material architecture consists of 3 main technology sub-areas: the structure, the assembly agents, and the assembly algorithms. We co-design these systems to ensure an adaptable system that can create and reconfigure structures from a base set of building block components. From this core technology, we can branch out and expand the capability of the system through additional secondary component types and robotic agents to perform activities such as inspections, maintenance, repair, payload installation, or perform power and communications interconnect. As these technologies mature, future designers will be able to utilize the system to rapidly integrate and operate assets in space or on planetary surfaces from a set of well-tested part library, or create their own modules to integrate into the system. A core trait to the development of this system is the automation approach. Because of the modular and functional discrete (pixel-like) nature of the structural system, a diverse set of powerful algorithms for analysis, planning, and simulation can be adapted and leveraged to optimize construction, maintenance, and dynamic reorganization (as hardware with programmable form and function). With an ability to free the design space from launch vehicle constraints and fundamentally shift how a mission is designed and conducted, we discuss the influence of a programmable meta-material architecture on mission design, build, and operations. For the "design phase", we discuss project lifecycle effects, costs, time, and performance. For the "build phase", we discuss reusability, ISRU, manufacturing, material logistics, and scalability. And for "operations", we discuss autonomy, maintenance and upgrades, reliability, and reconfiguration. Autonomy and modularity are the primary enabling traits of this system. Engineering systems that utilize a modular and reconfiguration building block approach such as digital communication and computation systems, currently lead all other areas of technology in size and complexity scalability. NASA is extending the benefits and flexibility of digital systems to hardware systems, to optimize materials lifecycle management and expand our space exploration mission capabilities.

in space assembly↗

NASA NTRS2000

X-33, Stepping Stone ot Low Cost Access to Space

In response to the Access to Space Study, which was conducted in 1993 through the Office of Space Systems Development, an advanced technology Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) was selected for demonstration. The X-33 was advanced as an demonstration project, to build and test a 53-percent scale prototype of an operational RLV, it would also demonstrate new technologies which would be required to assure the operation of the new RLV. This presentation reviews the progress of the X-33 development and supporting sites. The X-33 design has been completed and fabrication and assembly is progressing well. The X-33 launch site has been completed. The first LH2 tank and engine is in testing. This will lead to the full scale development of VentureStar(tm).

Naftel, J. Chris↗

NASA NTRS2006

NASA Balloon Technology Activities

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Balloon Program technology development efforts are fundamental to improving the capabilities of the balloon systems, better understanding of the flight dynamics, and to support the science missions throughout the next decade. Building on the foundations of the 20-year research and development program, a technology roadmap has been generated which identifies specific areas of interest to NASA and the vision of future developments. The major components of the roadmap are: vehicle systems, ballooncraft systems, operational and safety support systems, and planetary vehicles. Within each of these major components, technologies are targeted that will provide both better understanding and foster advancements. The Program's technology thrust areas are directed both in broad efforts that touch on a number of the major components as well as specific tasks that address elements within a specific component. Advances in vehicle systems have focused on producing better balloon designs. This is being attempted through the use of improved inputs into the ba!loon des@ process. Central to this is an increasing the understanding of materials used to fabricate balloons. Testing techniques have been improved with better bi-axial characterization of the balloon materials. More realistic radiative properties of the balloon films and components have also been made. Analytical assessments of the balloon designs are also key in improving balloon designs. These analytical assessments have been accomplished using improving analysis tools and an increased understanding of the float environment. Details of these improvements will be presented. To help improve the operational and flight safety of the balloons, improved flight performance predictions have been made using new analytical tools as well as incorporating the increased understanding of the float environment. These two have combined to allow for improved post-flight balloon performance correlations. A potential to significantly improve the potential safety of a long duration flight can be accomplished using some form of a trajectory modification system. An overview of the development efforts for a trajectory modification system will be presented. A number of efforts will be presented that are focused on the improvement of the ballooncraft systems. Planetary ballooning activities have benefited from a number of separate but related technology advancements made by the NASA Balloon Program's technology developments. The tools, techniques, and advancements made for balloon design and balloon analysis are directly applicable to the processes to develop planetary balloons for either Mars or Venus. An overview of the NASA Balloon Program's role in these efforts and testing will be presented. The technology roadmap, as well as specific projects and recent advancements, will be presented. This overview will demonstrate the technology advancements made by the NASA Balloon Program are focusing on leading balloon developments into the future.

Fairbrother, Debora A.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Fabrication of liquid-rocket thrust chambers by electroforming

Electroforming has proven to be an excellent fabrication method for building liquid rocket regeneratively cooled thrust chambers. NASA sponsored technology programs have investigated both common and advanced methods. Using common procedures, several cooled spool pieces and thrust chambers have been made and successfully tested. The designs were made possible through the versatility of the electroforming procedure, which is not limited to simple geometric shapes. An advanced method of electroforming was used to produce a wire-wrapped, composite, pressure-loaded electroformed structure, which greatly increased the strength of the structure while still retaining the advantages of electroforming.

Duscha, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Gamma ray observatory dynamics simulator in Ada (GRODY)

This experiment involved the parallel development of dynamics simulators for the Gamma Ray Observatory in both FORTRAN and Ada for the purpose of evaluating the applicability of Ada to the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center's flight dynamics environment. The experiment successfully demonstrated that Ada is a viable, valuable technology for use in this environment. In addition to building a simulator, the Ada team evaluated training approaches, developed an Ada methodology appropriate to the flight dynamics environment, and established a baseline for evaluating future Ada projects.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1990

TMIS-design knowledge capture

The Boeing Advanced Technology Center is conducting research towards the goal of building a corporate memory facility that will provide techniques for capturing and using decision history and rationale throughout the lifecycle of a major NASA program. Currently, much of the information regarding decision alternatives and trade-offs made in the course of a major program development effort is not represented or retained in a way that permits computer-based reasoning over the lifecycle of the program. The loss of this information results in problems in tracing design alternatives to requirements, in assessing the impact of change in requirements, and in configuration management. To address these problems, we are studying the problem of building an intelligent active corporate memory facility which would provide for the capture of the requirements and standards of a program, analyze the design alternatives and trade-offs made over the program's lifetime, and examine relationships between requirements and design trade-offs.

Boose, John H.↗

NASA NTRS1994

ASI's space automation and robotics programs: The second step

The strategic decisions taken by ASI in the last few years in building up the overall A&R program, represent the technological drivers for other applications (i.e., internal automation of the Columbus Orbital Facility in the ESA Manned Space program, applications to mobile robots both in space and non-space environments, etc...). In this context, the main area of application now emerging is the scientific missions domain. Due to the broad range of applications of the developed technologies, both in the in-orbit servicing and maintenance of space structures and scientific missions, ASI foresaw the need to have a common technological development path, mainly focusing on: (1) control; (2) manipulation; (3) on-board computing; (4) sensors; and (5) teleoperation. Before entering into new applications in the scientific missions field, a brief overview of the status of the SPIDER related projects is given, underlining also the possible new applications for the LEO/GEO space structures.

Dipippo, Simonetta↗

NASA NTRS1992

A Boon for the Architect Engineer

Langley Research Center's need for an improved construction specification system led to an automated system called SPECSINTACT. A catalog of specifications, the system enables designers to retrieve relevant sections from computer storage and modify them as needed. SPECSINTACT has also been adopted by government agencies. The system is an integral part of the Construction Criteria Base (CCB), a single disc containing design and construction information for 10 government agencies including the American Institute of Architects' MASTERSPEC. CCB employs CD- ROM technologies and is available from the National Institute of Building Sciences. Users report substantial savings in time and productivity.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2012

Pathfinding the Flight Advanced Stirling Convertor Design with the ASC-E3

The Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) was initially developed by Sunpower, Inc. under contract to NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) as a technology development project. The ASC technology fulfills NASA s need for high efficiency power convertors for future Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS). Early successful technology demonstrations between 2003 to 2005 eventually led to the expansion of the project including the decision in 2006 to use the ASC technology on the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG). Sunpower has delivered 22 ASC convertors of progressively mature designs to date to GRC. Currently, Sunpower with support from GRC, Lockheed Martin Space System Company (LMSSC), and the Department of Energy (DOE) is developing the flight ASC-F in parallel with the ASC-E3 pathfinders. Sunpower will deliver four pairs of ASC-E3 convertors to GRC which will be used for extended operation reliability assessment, independent validation and verification testing, system interaction tests, and to support LMSSC controller verification. The ASC-E3 and -F convertors are being built to the same design and processing documentation and the same product specification. The initial two pairs of ASC-E3 are built before the flight units and will validate design and processing changes prior to implementation on the ASC-F flight convertors. This paper provides a summary on development of the ASC technology and the status of the ASC-E3 build and how they serve the vital pathfinder role ahead of the flight build for ASRG. The ASRG is part of two of the three candidate missions being considered for selection for the Discovery 12 mission.

Wong, Wayne A.↗

NASA NTRS2012

Pathfinding the Flight Advanced Stirling Convertor Design with the ASC-E3

The Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) was initially developed by Sunpower, Inc. under contract to NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) as a technology development project. The ASC technology fulfills NASA's need for high efficiency power convertors for future Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS). Early successful technology demonstrations between 2003 to 2005 eventually led to the expansion of the project including the decision in 2006 to use the ASC technology on the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG). Sunpower has delivered 22 ASC convertors of progressively mature designs to date to GRC. Currently, Sunpower with support from GRC, Lockheed Martin Space System Company (LMSSC), and the Department of Energy (DOE) is developing the flight ASC-F in parallel with the ASC-E3 pathfinders. Sunpower will deliver four pairs of ASC-E3 convertors to GRC which will be used for extended operation reliability assessment, independent validation and verification testing, system interaction tests, and to support LMSSC controller verification. The ASC-E3 and -F convertors are being built to the same design and processing documentation and the same product specification. The initial two pairs of ASC-E3 are built before the flight units and will validate design and processing changes prior to implementation on the ASC-F flight convertors. This paper provides a summary on development of the ASC technology and the status of the ASC-E3 build and how they serve the vital pathfinder role ahead of the flight build for ASRG. The ASRG is part of two of the three candidate missions being considered for selection for the Discovery 12 mission.

Wong, Wayne A.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Rocket University at KSC

"Rocket University" is an exciting new initiative at Kennedy Space Center led by NASA's Engineering and Technology Directorate. This hands‐on experience has been established to develop, refine & maintain targeted flight engineering skills to enable the Agency and KSC strategic goals. Through "RocketU", KSC is developing a nimble, rapid flight engineering life cycle systems knowledge base. Ongoing activities in RocketU develop and test new technologies and potential customer systems through small scale vehicles, build and maintain flight experience through balloon and small‐scale rocket missions, and enable a revolving fresh perspective of engineers with hands on expertise back into the large scale NASA programs, providing a more experienced multi‐disciplined set of systems engineers. This overview will define the Program, highlight aspects of the training curriculum, and identify recent accomplishments and activities.

Training↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

TPSAS-NF1676L-34431-DND

On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (OSAM) provide a suite of capabilities to build larger, more resilient spacecraft than current approaches. OSAM Technologies for which NASA Langley retains intellectual property rights will be described to foster possible technology transfer from the government to industry.

Johnny Fernandez↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

TPSAS-NF1676L-35311-DND

Objectives: - Inspect and identify the normal and abnormal cells, tissues, and biofluids (e.g., urine, serum, etc.) using a 532 nm pulsed laser within target distances of several centimeters (6 to 20 cm) and a line shaped laser spot-size 10 µm width by 5 mm height that would be suitable for astronauts’ health monitoring in space. Goals: - The goals of this research study are: - Solve some of the limitations of traditional micro-Raman systems (e.g., requires dark condition, sample collection, and slow) - build an instrument with pulsed-time gated Raman technology, operates in daylight, doesn’t require sample collection, and faster detection - Reduce the size and weight of the instrument - eliminate a high power laser and a large collection optics/telescope with a short working distance of several centimeters.

Nurul Abedin↗