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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 541 records · Page 30
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

Approach to SSME health monitoring. II - Exhaust plume emission spectroscopy at the DTF

The Diagnostics Testbed Facility (DTF) located at the Stennis Space Center (SSC) is used for obtaining extensive sets of H2O2 exhaust plume emission spectral data for the SSME critical components related elements and materials. The SSME related elements and materials are simulated by mixing appropriate amounts of compounds of their respective constituent elements in an aqueous solution which is injected into the combustion chamber of the DTFT. Five of the most critical components of the SSME which have experienced very severe wear and tear problems in the past are analyzed. These are high pressure turbopump (HPTP) turbine blades, HPTP turbine disks, HPTP bearing, main injector LOX posts, and the main combustion chamber structural shell. The alloys used in the manufacturing of these components are MAR-M 246 + Hf, Waspaloy X, AISI 440C, Haynes 188, and Inconel 718, respectively. The experimental setup and procedures at the DTF are described; stratospheric data for the five alloys are presented; and strategies for the material identification in the SSME exhaust plume are discussed.

Tejwani, Gopal D.↗
NASA NTRS1992

User's guide to the Reliability Estimation System Testbed (REST)

The Reliability Estimation System Testbed is an X-window based reliability modeling tool that was created to explore the use of the Reliability Modeling Language (RML). RML was defined to support several reliability analysis techniques including modularization, graphical representation, Failure Mode Effects Simulation (FMES), and parallel processing. These techniques are most useful in modeling large systems. Using modularization, an analyst can create reliability models for individual system components. The modules can be tested separately and then combined to compute the total system reliability. Because a one-to-one relationship can be established between system components and the reliability modules, a graphical user interface may be used to describe the system model. RML was designed to permit message passing between modules. This feature enables reliability modeling based on a run time simulation of the system wide effects of a component's failure modes. The use of failure modes effects simulation enhances the analyst's ability to correctly express system behavior when using the modularization approach to reliability modeling. To alleviate the computation bottleneck often found in large reliability models, REST was designed to take advantage of parallel processing on hypercube processors.

Nicol, David M.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Expanding Hardware-in-the-Loop Formation Navigation and Control with Radio Frequency Crosslink Ranging

The Formation Flying Testbed (FFTB) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) provides a hardware-in-the-loop test environment for formation navigation and control. The facility continues to evolve as a modular, hybrid, dynamic simulation facility for end-to-end guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) design and analysis of formation flying spacecraft. The core capabilities of the FFTB, as a platform for testing critical hardware and software algorithms in-the-loop, are reviewed with a focus on recent improvements. With the most recent improvement, in support of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 testing of the Inter-spacecraft Ranging and Alarm System (IRAS) for the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, the FFTB has significantly expanded its ability to perform realistic simulations that require Radio Frequency (RF) ranging sensors for relative navigation with the Path Emulator for RF Signals (PERFS). The PERFS, currently under development at NASA GSFC, modulates RF signals exchanged between spacecraft. The RF signals are modified to accurately reflect the dynamic environment through which they travel, including the effects of medium, moving platforms, and radiated power.

Mitchell, Jason W.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Standardizing A Method to Recreate the Density Profile of the Lunar Surface at Depth

As humanity prepares to return to the moon, it becomes ever more important to understand the geotechnical properties of the body we are visiting. However, with only a small number of samples and few missions that took geotechnical measurements, lunar simulants are essential for developing working technologies to use on the lunar surface. Understanding density related properties can allow us to calculate the shear strength and bearing capacity, which is vital for surface trafficability and building permanent structures. However, testbeds do not exist at a depth that would allow us to be able to accurately test certain equipment and loads in these geotechnical conditions. The goal of this project is to be able to recreate the density profile of the lunar surface at depth using piston compaction, and to evaluate success with geotechnical measurements.

C G Locke↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Physics-Informed Reinforcement Learning Framework for Economic-Thermal Co-Optimization of Crypto Mining Data Centers: Preprint

The rapid expansion of cryptocurrency mining has created a new class of high-density data centers characterized by extreme thermal flux and high sensitivity to volatile economic markets. Traditional thermal management strategies, typically reliant on rule-based control, maintain static setpoints that fail to account for fluctuating electricity prices and cryptocurrency values - factors critical to mining profitability. To address this, we present a physics-informed reinforcement learning (PIRL) framework for economic-thermal co-optimization in crypto mining data centers. This framework consists of a proximal policy optimization (PPO) agent, a virtual testbed powered by high-fidelity physics-based models, and an interactive frontend dashboard. The PPO agent is trained using the virtual testbed and strict hardware safety limits. This physics-informed approach allows the agent to learn a stochastic policy that dynamically balances mining revenue against operational costs by co-optimizing HVAC cooling setpoints and IT computational hashrate. The simulation results demonstrate that the integrated framework achieved an 8.62% increase in net operational profit compared to traditional baseline strategies while strictly adhering to safety-critical temperature constraints (coolant supply temperature < 32 degrees C). This work provides a scalable template for the deployment of reinforcement learning in mission critical facilities where economic volatility and physical safety must be managed simultaneously.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Testbed for Lunar Extreme Environment Wear Tolerant Applications

The abrasive dust from lunar regolith poses significant long-term durability and performance challenges to materials, vehicles, mechanisms and structures that will be used for the next generation of lunar exploration. The development of advanced materials, coatings and device technologies that can withstand these abrasive particles and extreme environmental conditions is critical. However, the lack of standardized and accessible methods for evaluating such materials and devices in a facsimile of the harsh lunar environment hinders progress in dust-tolerant technologies. To address this challenge, NASA Langley Research Center is creating an extreme environment testbed. This reconfigurable testbed will allow rapid, repeatable wear testing of material and candidate mechanisms under vacuum conditions, facilitating the development of critical materials technologies for lunar exploration. Preliminary results from exposing an actuating mechanism similar to a pin joint to lunar regolith simulant under high vacuum are reported.

lunar dust↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Testbed for Lunar Extreme Environment Wear Tolerant Applications

The abrasive dust from lunar regolith poses significant long-term durability and performance challenges to materials, vehicles, mechanisms and structures that will be used for the next generation of lunar exploration. The development of advanced materials, coatings and device technologies that can withstand these abrasive particles and extreme environmental conditions is critical. However, the lack of standardized and accessible methods for evaluating such materials and devices in a facsimile of the harsh lunar environment hinders progress in dust-tolerant technologies. To address this challenge, NASA Langley Research Center is creating an extreme environment testbed. This reconfigurable testbed will allow rapid, repeatable wear testing of material and candidate mechanisms under vacuum conditions, facilitating the development of critical materials technologies for lunar exploration. Preliminary results from exposing an actuating mechanism similar to a pin joint to lunar regolith simulant under high vacuum are reported.

lunar dust↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Testbed for Lunar Extreme Environment Wear Tolerant Applications

The abrasive dust from lunar regolith poses significant long-term durability and performance challenges to materials, vehicles, mechanisms and structures that will be used for the next generation of lunar exploration. The development of advanced materials, coatings and device technologies that can withstand these abrasive particles and extreme environmental conditions is critical. However, the lack of standardized and accessible methods for evaluating such materials and devices in a facsimile of the harsh lunar environment hinders progress in dust-tolerant technologies. To address this challenge, NASA Langley Research Center is creating an extreme environment testbed. This reconfigurable testbed will allow rapid, repeatable wear testing of material and candidate mechanisms under vacuum conditions, facilitating the development of critical materials technologies for lunar exploration. Preliminary results from exposing an actuating mechanism similar to a pin joint to lunar regolith simulant under high vacuum are reported.

lunar dust↗
DOE OSTI2024

Implementing a Hardware Testbed Using 3-Level ANPC Software Defined Inverters for Fault Analysis of a Transmission Network

In this paper, we propose the implementation of a hardware testbed using 3-level active neutral point clamped (ANPC) software-defined inverters for fault analysis. A test case transmission network equipped with two grid forming (GFM) inverters and four resistive loads is considered in this research. Firstly, grid forming control laws including PI feedback control and droop control are implemented to operate the inverters in parallel. Then, we implement a fault ride-through (FRT) logic and perform a simulation of the test system by applying a three-phase fault. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the fault recovery algorithm upon clearance of the fault. Finally, a 3-level ANPC software-defined inverter is programmed with required control laws and characterized through various lab experiments.

3-level ANPC inverter↗
NASA NTRS1992

Earth-based analogs of lunar and planetary facilities

Antarctica contains areas where the environment and terrain are more similar to regions on the Moon and Mars than any other place on Earth. These features offer opportunities for simulations to determine performance capabilities of people and machines in harsh, isolated locales. The Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture (SICSA) plans to create a facility on Antarctica for research, planning, and demonstrations in support of planetary exploration. The Antarctic Planetary Testbed (APT) will be financed and utilized by public and private organizations throughout the world. Established on a continent owned by no country, it can serve as a model for cooperation between spacefaring nations. APT science and technology programs will expand knowledge about the nature and origin of our solar system, and will support preparations for human settlements beyond Earth that may occur within the first quarter of the next century. The initial APT facility, conceived to be operational by the year 1992, will be constructed during the summer months by a crew of approximately 12. Six to eight of these people will remain through the winter. As in space, structures and equipment systems will be modular to facilitate efficient transport to the site, assembly, and evolutionary expansion. State-of-the-art waste recovery/recycling systems are also emphasized due to their importance in space.

Bell, Larry↗
NASA NTRS2010

iLIDS Simulations and Videos for Docking TIM

The video shows various aspects of the International Low Impact Docking System, including team members, some production, configuration, mated androgynous iLIDS, SCS Lockdown system, thermal analysis, electrical engineering aspects, the iLIDS control box and emulator, radiation testing at BNL, component environmental testing, component vibration testing, 3G processor board delivery system, GTA vibe test, EMA testbed, hook and hook disassembly, flex shaftdrive assembly, GSE cradle MISSE-6 Columbus, MISSE 6 and 7 seal experiments, actuated full scale seal test rig, LIDS on Hubble, dynamics test prep, EDU 54 mass emulation and SCS, load ring characterization, 6DOF proof test, SCS at 6DOF, machining EEMS and inner ring assembly, APAS assembly, inner ring fitting, rotation stand assembly, EEMS mating, and EEMS proof of concept demonstration.

Lewis, James L.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Project Morpheus: Lessons Learned in Lander Technology Development

NASA's Morpheus Project has developed and tested a prototype planetary lander capable of vertical takeoff and landing, that is designed to serve as a testbed for advanced spacecraft technologies. The lander vehicle, propelled by a LOX/Methane engine and sized to carry a 500kg payload to the lunar surface, provides a platform for bringing technologies from the laboratory into an integrated flight system at relatively low cost. Designed, developed, manufactured and operated in-house by engineers at Johnson Space Center, the initial flight test campaign began on-site at JSC less than one year after project start. After two years of testing, including two major upgrade periods, and recovery from a test crash that caused the loss of a vehicle, flight testing will evolve to executing autonomous flights simulating a 500m lunar approach trajectory, hazard avoidance maneuvers, and precision landing, incorporating the Autonomous Landing and Hazard Avoidance (ALHAT) sensor suite. These free-flights are conducted at a simulated planetary landscape built at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. The Morpheus Project represents a departure from recent NASA programs and projects that traditionally require longer development lifecycles and testing at remote, dedicated testing facilities. This paper expands on the project perspective that technologies offer promise, but capabilities offer solutions. It documents the integrated testing campaign, the infrastructure and testing facilities, and the technologies being evaluated in this testbed. The paper also describes the fast pace of the project, rapid prototyping, frequent testing, and lessons learned during this departure from the traditional engineering development process at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

Olansen, Jon B.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Water Electrolysis for In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)

Sending humans to Mars for any significant amount of time will require capabilities and technologies that enable Earth independence. To move towards this independence, the resources found on Mars must be utilized to produce the items needed to sustain humans away from Earth. To accomplish this task, NASA is studying In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) systems and techniques to make use of the atmospheric carbon dioxide and the water found on Mars. Among other things, these substances can be harvested and processed to make oxygen and methane. Oxygen is essential, not only for sustaining the lives of the crew on Mars, but also as the oxidizer for an oxygen-methane propulsion system that could be utilized on a Mars ascent vehicle. Given the presence of water on Mars, the electrolysis of water is a common technique to produce the desired oxygen. Towards this goal, NASA designed and developed a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) water electrolysis system, which was originally slated to produce oxygen for propulsion and fuel cell use in the Mars Atmosphere and Regolith COllector/PrOcessor for Lander Operations (MARCO POLO) project. As part of the Human Exploration Spacecraft Testbed for Integration and Advancement (HESTIA) project, this same electrolysis system, originally targeted at enabling in situ propulsion and power, operated in a life-support scenario. During HESTIA testing at Johnson Space Center, the electrolysis system supplied oxygen to a chamber simulating a habitat housing four crewmembers. Inside the chamber, oxygen was removed from the atmosphere to simulate consumption by the crew, and the electrolysis system's oxygen was added to replenish it. The electrolysis system operated nominally throughout the duration of the HESTIA test campaign, and the oxygen levels in the life support chamber were maintained at the desired levels.

Lee, Kristopher A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Wind tunnel tests on a one-foot diameter SR-7L propfan model

Wind tunnel tests have been conducted on a one-foot diameter model of the SR-7L propfan in the Langley 16-Foot and 4 x 7 Meter Wind Tunnels as part of the Propfan Test Assessment (PTA) Program. The model propfan was sized to be used on a 1/9-scale model of the PTA testbed aircraft. The model propeller was tested in isolation and wing-mounted on the aircraft configuration at various Mach numbers and blade pitch angles. Agreement between data obtained from these tests and data from Hamilton Standard validate that the 1/9-scale propeller accurately simulates the aerodynamics of the SR-7L propfan. Predictions from an analytical computer program are presented and show good agreement with the experimental data.

Aljabri, Abdullah S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A concurrent distributed system for aircraft tactical decision generation

A research program investigating the use of AI techniques to aid in the development of a tactical decision generator (TDG) for within visual range (WVR) air combat engagements is discussed. The application of AI programming and problem-solving methods in the development and implementation of a concurrent version of the computerized logic for air-to-air warfare simulations (CLAWS) program, a second-generation TDG, is presented. Concurrent computing environments and programming approaches are discussed, and the design and performance of prototype concurrent TDG system (Cube CLAWS) are presented. It is concluded that the Cube CLAWS has provided a useful testbed to evaluate the development of a distributed blackboard system. The project has shown that the complexity of developing specialized software on a distributed, message-passing architecture such as the Hypercube is not overwhelming, and that reasonable speedups and processor efficiency can be achieved by a distributed blackboard system. The project has also highlighted some of the costs of using a distributed approach to designing a blackboard system.

Mcmanus, John W.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Design Sensitivity for a Subsonic Aircraft Predicted by Neural Network and Regression Models

A preliminary methodology was obtained for the design optimization of a subsonic aircraft by coupling NASA Langley Research Center s Flight Optimization System (FLOPS) with NASA Glenn Research Center s design optimization testbed (COMETBOARDS with regression and neural network analysis approximators). The aircraft modeled can carry 200 passengers at a cruise speed of Mach 0.85 over a range of 2500 n mi and can operate on standard 6000-ft takeoff and landing runways. The design simulation was extended to evaluate the optimal airframe and engine parameters for the subsonic aircraft to operate on nonstandard runways. Regression and neural network approximators were used to examine aircraft operation on runways ranging in length from 4500 to 7500 ft.

Hopkins, Dale A.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Assimilation of AERONET and MODIS AOT Observations Using Variational and Ensemble Data Assimilation Methods and Its Impact on Aerosol Forecasting Skill

Data assimilation of Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aerosol optical thickness (AOT) for aerosol forecasting was tested within the Navy Aerosol Analysis Prediction System (NAAPS) framework, using variational and ensemble data assimilation methods. Navy aerosol forecasting currently makes use of a deterministic NAAPS simulation coupled to Navy Variational Data Assimilation System for aerosol optical depth, a two-dimensional variational data assimilation system, for MODIS AOT assimilation. An ensemble version of NAAPS (ENAAPS) coupled to an ensemble adjustment Kalman filter (EAKF) from the Data Assimilation Research Testbed was recently developed, allowing for a range of data assimilation and forecasting experiments to be run with deterministic NAAPS and ENAAPS. The main findings are that the EAKF, with its flow-dependent error covariances, makes better use of sparse observations such as AERONET AOT. Assimilating individual AERONET observations in the two-dimensional variational system can increase the analysis errors when observations are located in high AOT gradient regions. By including AERONET with MODIS AOT assimilation, the magnitudes of peak aerosol events (AOT> 1) were better captured with improved temporal variability, especially in India and Asia where aerosol prediction is a challenge. Assimilating AERONET AOT with MODIS had little impact on the 24 h forecast skill compared to MODIS assimilation only, but differences were found downwind of AERONET sites. The 24 h forecast skill was approximately the same for forecasts initialized with analyses from AERONET AOT assimilation alone compared to MODIS assimilation, particularly in regions where the AERONET network is dense; including the United States and Europe, indicating that AERONET could serve as a backup observation network for over-land synoptic-scale aerosol events.

Rubin, Juli I.↗
NASA NTRS2018

The Wide-Field Spatio-Spectral Interferometer: System Overview, Data Synthesis and Analysis

The Wide-field Imaging Interferometry Testbed (WIIT) is a double Fourier (DF) interferometer operating at optical wavelengths, and provides data that are highly representative of those from a space-based far-infrared interferometer like SPIRIT. We have used the testbed to observe both geometrically simple and astronomically representative test scenes. Here we present an overview of the astronomical importance of high angular resolution at the far infrared, followed by the description of the optical set-up of WIIT, including the source simulator CHIP (Calibrated Hyperspectral Image Projector). We describe our synthesis algorithms used in the reconstruction of the input test scenes via a simulation of the most recent measurements. The updated algorithms, which include instruments artifacts that allow the synthesis of DF experimental data, are presented and the most recent results analyzed.

Juanola-Parramon, Roser↗