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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 NTRS2014

Relationship between LIBS Ablation and Pit Volume for Geologic Samples: Applications for in situ Absolute Geochronology

In planetary sciences, in situ absolute geochronology is a scientific and engineering challenge. Currently, the age of the Martian surface can only be determined by crater density counting. However this method has significant uncertainties and needs to be calibrated with absolute ages. We are developing an instrument to acquire in situ absolute geochronology based on the K‐Ar method. The protocol is based on the laser ablation of a rock by hundreds of laser pulses. Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) gives the potassium content of the ablated material and a mass spectrometer (quadrupole or ion trap) measures the quantity of 40Ar released. In order to accurately measure the quantity of released 40Ar in cases where Ar is an atmospheric constituent (e.g., Mars), the sample is first put into a chamber under high vacuum. The 40Arquantity, the concentration of K and the estimation of the ablated mass are the parameters needed to give the age of the rocks. The main uncertainties with this method are directly linked to the measures of the mass (typically some μg) and of the concentration of K by LIBS (up to 10%). Because the ablated mass is small compared to the mass of the sample, and because material is redeposited onto the sample after ablation, it is not possible to directly measure the ablated mass. Our current protocol measures the ablated volume and estimates the sample density to calculate ablated mass. The precision and accuracy of this method may be improved by using knowledge of the sample's geologic properties to predict its response to laser ablation, i.e., understanding whether natural samples have a predictable relationship between laser energy deposited and resultant ablation volume. In contrast to most previous studies of laser ablation, theoretical equations are not highly applicable. The reasons are numerous, but the most important are: a) geologic rocks are complex, polymineralic materials; b) the conditions of ablation are unusual (for example, variable vacuum pressure), and c) the ablation is made with hundreds of successive laser pulses. In this work, we aim to understand the effects that occur on LIBS spectra when a homogeneous rock or a mineral is ablated under high vacuum. Understanding these effects is important to define best practices for LIBS measurements and may lead to improved measurement (or possibly prediction) of the ablated volume. We will describe our laboratory approach and first results, and discuss its utility for situ absolute geochronology campaigns.

Devismes, D.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Comparison of Directionally Solidified Samples Solidified Terrestrially and Aboard the International Space Station

This article reports research that has been carried out under the aegis of NASA as part of a collaboration between ESA and NASA for solidification experiments on the International Space Station (ISS). The focus has been on the effect of convection on the microstructural evolution and macrosegregation in hypoeutectic Al-Si alloys during directional solidification (DS). Terrestrial DS-experiments have been carried out at Cleveland State University (CSU) and under microgravity on the International Space Station (ISS). The thermal processing-history of the experiments is well defined for both the terrestrially processed samples and the ISS-processed samples. As of this writing, two dendritic metrics was measured: primary dendrite arm spacings and primary dendrite trunk diameters. We have observed that these dendrite-metrics of two samples grown in the microgravity environment show good agreements with models based on diffusion controlled growth and diffusion controlled ripening, respectively. The gravity-driven convection (i.e., thermosolutal convection) in terrestrially grown samples has the effect of decreasing the primary dendrite arm spacings and causes macrosegregation. Dendrite trunk diameters also show differences between the earth- and space-grown samples. In order to process DS-samples aboard the ISS, the dendritic seed crystals were partially remelted in a stationary thermal gradient before the DS was carried out. Microstructural changes and macrosegregation effects during this period are described and have modeled.

Angart, S.↗
NASA NTRS2014

The Apollo Lunar Sample Image Collection: Digital Archiving and Online Access

The primary goal of the Apollo Program was to land human beings on the Moon and bring them safely back to Earth. This goal was achieved during six missions - Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17 - that took place between 1969 and 1972. Among the many noteworthy engineering and scientific accomplishments of these missions, perhaps the most important in terms of scientific impact was the return of 382 kg (842 lb.) of lunar rocks, core samples, pebbles, sand, and dust from the lunar surface to Earth. Returned samples were curated at JSC (then known as the Manned Spacecraft Center) and, as part of the original processing, high-quality photographs were taken of each sample. The top, bottom, and sides of each rock sample were photographed, along with 16 stereo image pairs taken at 45-degree intervals. Photographs were also taken whenever a sample was subdivided and when thin sections were made. This collection of lunar sample images consists of roughly 36,000 photographs; all six Apollo missions are represented.

Todd, Nancy S.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Miniature Piezoelectric Shaker Mechanism for Autonomous Distribution of Unconsolidated Sample to Instrument Cells

To perform in-situ measurements on Mars or other planetary bodies many instruments require powder produced using some sampling technique (drilling/coring) or sample processing technique (core crushing) to be placed in measurement cells. This usually requires filling a small sample cell using an inlet funnel. In order to minimize cross contamination with future samples and ensure the sample is transferred from the funnel to the test cell with minimal residual powder the funnel is shaken. The shaking assists gravity by fluidizing the powder and restoring flow of the material. In order to counter cross contamination or potential clogging due to settling during autonomous handling a piezoelectric shaking mechanism was designed for the deposition of sample fines in instrument inlet funnels. This device was designed to be lightweight, consume low power and demonstrated to be a resilient solid state actuator that can be mechanically and electrically tuned to shake the inlet funnel. In the final design configuration tested under nominal Mars Ambient conditions the funnel mechanism is driven by three symmetrically mounted piezoelectric flexure actuators that are out of the funnel support load path. The frequency of the actuation can be electrically controlled and monitored and mechanically tuned by the addition of tuning mass on the free end of the actuator. Unlike conventional electromagnetic motors these devices are solid state and can be designed with no macroscopically moving parts. This paper will discuss the design and testing results of these shaking mechanisms.

powder movement↗
NASA NTRS2016

Oxychlorine Species on Mars: Implications from Gale Crater Samples

Evidence of oxychlorine species such as perchlorates or chlorates have been detected in nearly every acquired sample analyzed on the surface of Mars. Perchlorates were first discovered by the Wet Chemistry Laboratory (WCL) instrument on the Phoenix lander in 2008. The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) has analyzed twelve samples from Gale Crater (as of July 2016), nine drilled samples and three scooped samples. After delivery to SAM, samples are heated to approximately 850 C and evolved gases are measured by a quadrupole mass spectrometer.

Archer, P. Douglas, Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Study of the Effect of Temporal Sampling Frequency on DSCOVR Observations Using the GEOS-5 Nature Run Results: Cloud Coverage - Part II

This is the second part of a study on how temporal sampling frequency affects satellite retrievals in support of the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) mission. Continuing from Part 1, which looked at Earth's radiation budget, this paper presents the effect of sampling frequency on DSCOVR-derived cloud fraction. The output from NASA's Goddard Earth Observing System version 5 (GEOS-5) Nature Run is used as the "truth". The effect of temporal resolution on potential DSCOVR observations is assessed by subsampling the full Nature Run data. A set of metrics, including uncertainty and absolute error in the subsampled time series, correlation between the original and the subsamples, and Fourier analysis have been used for this study. Results show that, for a given sampling frequency, the uncertainties in the annual mean cloud fraction of the sunlit half of the Earth are larger over land than over ocean. Analysis of correlation coefficients between the subsamples and the original time series demonstrates that even though sampling at certain longer time intervals may not increase the uncertainty in the mean, the subsampled time series is further and further away from the "truth" as the sampling interval becomes larger and larger. Fourier analysis shows that the simulated DSCOVR cloud fraction has underlying periodical features at certain time intervals, such as 8, 12, and 24 h. If the data is subsampled at these frequencies, the uncertainties in the mean cloud fraction are higher. These results provide helpful insights for the DSCOVR temporal sampling strategy.

GEOS-5↗
NASA NTRS2017

Occurrence of Radio Minihalos in a Mass-Limited Sample of Galaxy Clusters

We investigate the occurrence of radio minihalos-diffuse radio sources of unknown origin observed in the cores of some galaxy clusters-in a statistical sample of 58 clusters drawn from the Planck Sunyaev-Zeldovich cluster catalog using a mass cut (M(sub 500) greater than 6 x 10(exp 14) solar mass). We supplement our statistical sample with a similarly sized nonstatistical sample mostly consisting of clusters in the ACCEPT X-ray catalog with suitable X-ray and radio data, which includes lower-mass clusters. Where necessary (for nine clusters), we reanalyzed the Very Large Array archival radio data to determine whether a minihalo is present. Our total sample includes all 28 currently known and recently discovered radio minihalos, including six candidates. We classify clusters as cool-core or non-cool-core according to the value of the specific entropy floor in the cluster center, rederived or newly derived from the Chandra X-ray density and temperature profiles where necessary (for 27 clusters). Contrary to the common wisdom that minihalos are rare, we find that almost all cool cores-at least 12 out of 15 (80%)-in our complete sample of massive clusters exhibit minihalos. The supplementary sample shows that the occurrence of minihalos may be lower in lower-mass cool-core clusters. No minihalos are found in non-cool cores or "warm cores." These findings will help test theories of the origin of minihalos and provide information on the physical processes and energetics of the cluster cores.

catalogs↗
NASA NTRS2017

Characterization of Volatiles Loss from Soil Samples at Lunar Environments

Resource Prospector Integrated Thermal Vacuum Test Program A series of ground based dirty thermal vacuum tests are being conducted to better understand the subsurface sampling operations for RP Volatiles loss during sampling operations Hardware performance Sample removal and transfer Concept of operationsInstrumentation5 test campaigns over 5 years have been conducted with RP hardware with advancing hardware designs and additional RP subsystems Volatiles sampling 4 years Using flight-forward regolith sampling hardware, empirically determine volatile retention at lunar-relevant conditions Use data to improve theoretical predictions Determine driving variables for retention Bound water loss potential to define measurement uncertainties. The main goal of this talk is to introduce you to our approach to characterizing volatiles loss for RP. Introduce the facility and its capabilities Overview of the RP hardware used in integrated testing (most recent iteration) Summarize the test variables used thus farReview a sample of the results.

In Situ Resource Utilization↗
NASA NTRS2017

A Spaceflight Experiment to Determine the Effect of Chamfered Sample Holders on Atomic Oxygen Erosion

The exteriors of low Earth orbit (LEO) spacecraft are subjected to many environmental threats that can cause the surface materials to degrade. One of these threats is atomic oxygen (AO), which is formed by photo dissociation of molecular oxygen by energetic UV radiation. Atomic oxygen exposure can result in oxidative erosion of polymers leading to structural or thermal failure of spacecraft components. The amount of AO erosion expected during a mission can be calculated by knowing the AO erosion yield (Ey, volume loss per incident atom) of the material and the AO fluence expected for the mission. The Ey can be determined through dehydrated mass loss measurements of test samples if one knows the AO fluence, density, and exposure area. Such measurements have been made as part of flight experiments, including the Materials International Space Station Experiment 2 (MISSE 2) Polymers Experiment. The MISSE 2 Polymers Experiment sample holders had chamfered circular apertures that controlled the exposure area, but also allowed some additional AO to scatter from the chamfered edges onto the samples thus causing some samples to erode thru and peel at their perimeter due to this scattering effect. By modeling the scattered AO flux one can predict the actual total AO fluence, and hence more accurate sample Ey. Sample holders with different chamfered-perimeter to exposed-area ratios have been designed for future spaceflight experiments that allow a more accurate determination of the Ey for large area polymers, representative of their use on spacecraft surfaces.

Earth Orbital Environments↗
NASA NTRS2018

The Opera Instrument: An Advanced Curation Development for Mars Sample Return Organic Contamination Monitoring

Mars Sample Return (MSR) requires strict organic contamination control (CC) and contamination knowledge (CK) as outlined by the Mars 2020 Organic Contamination Panel (OCP). This includes a need to monitor surficial organic contamination to a ng/sq. cm sensitivity level. Archiving and maintaining this degree of surface cleanliness may be difficult but has been achieved. MSR's CK effort will be very important because all returned samples will be studied thoroughly and in minute detail. Consequently, accurate CK must be collected and characterized to best interpret scientific results from the returned samples. The CK data are not only required to make accurate measurements and interpretations for carbon-depleted martian samples, but also to strengthen the validity of science investigations performed on the samples. The Opera instrument prototype is intended to fulfill a CC/CK role in the assembly, cleaning, and overall contamination history of hardware used in the MSR effort, from initial hardware assembly through post-flight sample curation. Opera is intended to monitor particulate and organic contamination using quartz crystal microbalances (QCMs), in a self-contained portable package that is cleanroom-compliant. The Opera prototype is in initial development capable of approximately 100 ng/sq. cm organic contamination sensitivity, with additional development planned to achieve 1 ng/sq. cm. The Opera prototype was funded by the 2017 NASA Johnson Space Center Innovation Charge Account (ICA), which provides funding for small, short-term projects.

Fries, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Compositions and Methods Associated with Intercalating and Exfoliating a Sample

Compositions and methods associated with intercalating and exfoliating a sample are described herein. For example, of a method may include mixing the sample with intercalation materials. The intercalation materials are then intercalated into the sample to obtain a sample intercalated with the intercalation materials. The intercalated sample can then be exfoliated to produce an exfoliated sample.

Hung, Ching-Cheh↗
NASA NTRS2018

Results of the Aerosol Sampling Experiment on the International Space Station

The indoor air quality of the International Space Station (ISS), in terms of particulate matter, has been assessed through a sampling experiment that collected airborne debris for return to Earth. The Aerosol Sampling Experiment took place on ISS in December 2016 and January 2017, with sample return in February 2017. For redundancy, two different aerosol samplers collected particles in two size ranges spanning from 10 nm to hundreds of micrometers. Multiple analysis techniques have been used to characterize the particles, such as reflective light microscopy, manual scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis (secondary and backscattered imaging) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) x-ray analysis, computer controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Sampling took place in five locations on ISS, with the greatest deposition of particles in Node 3, followed by Node 1, the US Lab and Node 2. The PMM had very few airborne particles, as expected, owing to the lack of human presence. A large proportion of the sampled material consisted of fibers from clothing. Many particles had complex morphologies or contained multiple metals in a carbonaceous matrix. Metal particles were analyzed for each sampling location in terms of both weight and number percent, with 27 heavy metals detected. Fiberglass and TiO2 particles were present in every location. Quantitative analysis results are presented, and where possible, particle emission sources are identified with the intention to fuel discussions on mitigation.

Meyer, Marit E.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Novel Applications of Focused Ion Beam Technique for Planetary Sample Analyses

We are using innovative FIB techniques to prepare samples of planetary materials for different types of coordinated analyses using ion microprobes, synchrotron beamlines, and specialized transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. In these cases, the FIB sample preparation is the critical step in enabling these specialized analyses. We discuss several examples below utilizing the FEI Quanta3D instrument at the NASA Johnson Space Center. Trace element analyses utilizing synchrotron x-ray fluorescence. The trace element content of mineral grains in comet dust provides important clues on their formation and processing in the early solar system. We preformed coordinated analyses of a comet dust particle that had been prepared using ultramicrotomy for TEM analysis. Following the TEM analyses, we extracted a 70 nm thick section from a region of the carbon (C) film of the TEM grid, for additional analyses. A carbon ring ~2-3 μm thick was deposited on top of the C film using the FIB. The C film on the outer rim of the ring was milled away using various patterns to uniformly release the stresses on the film, preventing rupture and collapse, and was attached to the micromanipulator needle. We then isolated the ring completely and transferred the section to a silicon sample holder for analysis using the HXN (hard X-ray nanoprobe) beamline at NSLSII at Brookhaven National Lab. Coordinated Analyses of Presolar Grains. Rare sub-m presolar grains that originate in evolved stars and supernovae, occur in primitive astromaterials and are identified by their exotic isotopic compositions. Coordinated analyses of these grains using NanoSIMS, TEM, and other techniques on the same grain is enabled by innovative FIB sample preparation. In order to obtain subsequent isotopic analyses of Mg and Fe, contributions from surrounding grains were minimized. We precisely deposited a protective cap of Pt on top of the grain to preserve the grain of interest and then milled away about 5 μm diameter of the surrounding material. Following the isotopic analyses, the spindle was extracted and thinned to electron transparency for TEM microstructural analyses. In situ heating TEM experiments on lunar samples. We extracted a FIB thin section from Apollo 17 lunar rock 76015. To avoid ion-beam damage, e-beam deposition was used to deposit the first 500 nm of the C strap, followed by ion beam-assisted deposition of ~3 μm carbon. We performed an ex situ lift-out of the section and placed the section on one of the elements of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) - specialized heating substrate and attached the section to the substrate by depositing small C straps with the FIB. The heating chips utilize silicon nitride windows to support the samples and provide uniform heating while enabling TEM imaging. The heating chip was loaded into a Hitachi “Blaze” heating holder and analyzed using a Hitachi HF5000 at the University of Arizona.

Rahman, Z.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Outgassing From the OSIRIS-REx Sample Return Capsule: Characterization and Mitigation

The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security–Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft launched on September 8, 2016, beginning a seven-year journey to return at least 60 g of asteroid material from (101955) Bennu to Earth. During the outbound cruise, Doppler tracking of the spacecraft observed a small but measurable acceleration when the sample return capsule (SRC) was first placed in sunlight. Subsequent analysis determined that outgassing from the SRC is the most likely cause for the acceleration. This outgassing received combined engineering and scientific attention because it has potential implications both for spacecraft navigation performance and for contamination of the collected samples. Thermal modeling, laboratory studies of SRC materials, and monitoring of the acceleration are all consistent with H2O as the main component of the outgassing. Dedicated, in-flight campaigns continued to expose the SRC to sunlight until the acceleration dropped to the acceleration noise floor. Any residual amounts of H2O outgassing are not considered to be a hazard with regards to mission operations or pristine sample acquisition. The sample stow procedure has been updated to ensure that no direct line of site exists between any residual outgassing and the samples during future operations. Similar outgassing of the Stardust SRC probably also occurred. No adverse contamination of Stardust samples was observed that could be associated with this process. Future missions that use similar reentry vehicles should consider procedures to test for and, if necessary, mediate such outgassing after launch.

Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identif↗
NASA NTRS2019

Outgassing From the OSIRIS-REx Sample Return Capsule: Characterization and Mitigation

The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security–Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft launched on September 8, 2016, beginning a seven-year journey to return at least 60 g of asteroid material from (101955) Bennu to Earth. During the outboundcruise, Doppler tracking of the spacecraft observed a small but measurable acceleration when the sample return capsule (SRC) was first placed in sunlight. Subsequent analysis determined that outgassing from the SRC is the most likely cause for the acceleration. This outgassing received combined engineering and scientific attention because it has potential implications both for spacecraft navigation performance and for contamination of the collected samples. Thermal modeling, laboratory studies of SRC materials, and monitoring of the acceleration are all consistent with H2O as the main component of the outgassing. Dedicated, in-flight campaigns continued to expose the SRC to sunlight until the acceleration dropped to the acceleration noise floor. Any residual amounts of H2O outgassing are not considered to be a hazard with regards to mission operations or pristine sample acquisition. The sample stow procedure has been updated to ensure that no direct line of site exists between any residual outgassing and the samples during future operations. Similar outgassing of the Stardust SRC probably also occurred. No adverse contamination of Stardust samples was observed that could be associated with this process. Future missions that use similar reentry vehicles should consider procedures to test for and, if necessary, mediate such outgassing after launch.

Scott A Sandford↗
NASA NTRS2019

Refactoring the Curiosity Rover's sample handling architecture on Mars

The Curiosity Mars rover sample handling hardware and software were architected assuming that end-to-end sampling operations would occur in a single rover position, from acquisition of a powdered sample with a scoop or drill, through to the cleaning out of all sample residue in the sample chain. However, after analysis of the first drilled samples in Yellowknife Bay, the science team wanted to iterate with additional experiments on Mars and in laboratories on Earth to better understand their results and increase the value of science returned. With the architecture as conceived, the time needed to do so was in direct competition with the exploration of other targets and satisfaction of success criteria during the prime mission.

Kuhn, Stephen↗
NASA NTRS2019

Sampling tool concepts for Enceladus Lander in-situ analysis

A potential future in-situ lander mission to the surface of Enceladus could be the lowest cost mission to determine if life exists beyond Earth since material from the subsurface ocean, where the presence of hydrothermal activity has been strongly suggested by the Cassini mission, is available on its surface after being ejected by plumes and then settling on the surface. In addition, the low radiation environment of Enceladus would not significantly alter the chemical makeup of samples recently deposited on the surface. A study was conducted to explore various sampling devices that could be used by an in-situ lander mission to provide 1cc to 5cc volume samples to instruments. In addition to temperature and vacuum environmental conditions, the low surface gravity of Enceladus (1% of Earth gravity) represents a new challenge for surface sampling that is not met by sampling systems developed for microgravity (e.g., comets and asteroids) or higher gravity (e.g., Europa 13%g, Moon 16%g, or Mars 38%g) environments. It is desired to acquire surface plume material that has accumulated in the top 1cm to ensure acquisition of the least processed material. Several sampling devices were developed or adapted and then tested in simulated conditions that resemble the Enceladus surface properties. These devices and test results are presented in this paper.

Genta, Giancarlo↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Preliminary Examination Process of Apollo Core 73002 - Insights and Lessons Learned From ANGSA for Future Sample Return Missions

Apollo Sample 73002 is part of a 2-foot long “drive tube” (73001/73002) of regolith that was collected from a landslide deposit near Lara Crater at the Apollo 17 site, Station 3. The double drive tube is believed to have penetrated a lunar landslide deposit that was transported from the slope of the South Massif into the TLV [1]. As part of the ANGSA (Apollo Next Generation Sample Analyses) initiative, preparing preliminary examination (PE) catalog of 73002 is a crucial first step for the early identification of material types such as rock fragments, and potential stratigraphy within the core. PE of Apollo core 73002 is distinct from science activities with the main goal to produces a sample catalog with a level of detail about sample characterization that is sufficient for the ANGSA PIs (and later on the lunar sample community) to select and request the samples to conduct their individual, scientific studies. Ultimately, the PE catalog of 73002 will help to establish a better understanding of the stratigraphy of the land slide deposit; the processes of the landslide including the trigger(s) and possibly number of landslide events, as well as the role of volatiles [1] and will aid in the careful preservation of the material for future studies [2].

Apollo↗