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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 NTRS1985

The investigation of tethered satellite system dynamics

A progress report is presented that deals with three major topics related to Tethered Satellite System Dynamics. The SAO rotational dynamics computer code was updated. The program is now suitable to deal with inclined orbits. The output has been also modified in order to show the satellite Euler angles referred to the rotating orbital frame. The three-dimensional high resolution computer program SLACK3 was developed. The code simulates the three-dimensional dynamics of a tether going slack taking into account the effect produced by boom rotations. Preliminary simulations on the three-dimensional dynamics of a recoiling slack tether are shown in this report. A program to evaluate the electric potential around a severed tether is immersed in a plasma. The potential is computed on a three-dimensional grid axially symmetric with respect to the tether longitudinal axis. The electric potential variations due to the plasma are presently under investigation.

Lorenzini, E.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Advances in Cryogenic Sorption Cooling

Advanced infrared and sub-mm wavelength instruments require the use of detector assemblies with improved sensitivity and background noise performance that can only be achieved at cryogentic temperatures. For many spaceborne missions currently in development, the high cost of achieving improved performance has led to lifetime requirements in excess of ten years, in addition to stringent requirements for vibration, size, weight, power, and temperature. Continued research in sorption cooler technology has resulted in cryocooler designs that offer competitive performance and long life. The substantial progress achieved in the past 3 years is leading to a Space Shuttle flight demonstration of this technology in January 1995. This paper updates an earlier review, by this author, of the subject by describing recent advances in the development status of sorption coolers, materials, and component technologies for spaceborne applications.

technology↗
NASA NTRS2023

CME Propagation Through the Heliosphere: Status and Future of Observations and Model Development

The ISWAT (International Space Weather Action Teams) heliosphere clusters H1 and H2 have a focus on interplanetary space and its characteristics, especially on the large-scale co-rotating and transient structures impacting Earth. Solar wind stream interaction regions, generated by the interaction between high-speed solar wind originating in large-scale open coronal magnetic fields and slower solar wind from closed magnetic fields, are regions of compressed plasma and magnetic field followed by high-speed streams that recur at the ~27 day solar rotation period. Short-term reconfigurations of the lower coronal magnetic field generate flare emissions and provide the energy to accelerate enormous amounts of magnetised plasma and particles in the form of coronal mass ejections into interplanetary space. The dynamic interplay between these phenomena changes the configuration of interplanetary space on various temporal and spatial scales which in turn influences the propagation of individual structures. While considerable efforts have been made to model the solar wind, we outline the limitations arising from the rather large uncertainties in parameters inferred from observations that make reliable predictions of the structures impacting Earth difficult. Moreover, the increased complexity of interplanetary space as solar activity rises in cycle 25 is likely to pose a challenge to these models. Combining observational and modeling expertise will extend our knowledge of the relationship between these different phenomena and the underlying physical processes, leading to improved models and scientific understanding and more-reliable space-weather forecasting. The current paper summarizes the efforts and progress achieved in recent years, identifies open questions, and gives an outlook for the next 5–10 years. It acts as basis for updating the existing COSPAR roadmap by Schrijver et al. (2015), as well as providing a useful and practical guide for peer-users and the next generation of space weather scientists.

Space weather↗
DOE OSTI2016

TH-C-204-00: Medical Physics Workshop: An Update On the Journal’s Improvement Activities and Guidance On Writing and Reviewing Papers

In this presentation, the Editors will outline our vision for the future of Medical Physics and review recent work-in-progress initiatives to implement this vision. Finally, we will close with guidance to authors on how to write a good Medical Physics paper. A major focus will be the transition to a new publisher in 2017 following a more than 40-year association with American Institute of Physics Publishing (AIPP). Vision for Medical Physics and status of current initiatives: Jeff Williamson, Editor-in-Chief The broad vision of Medical Physics is “to continue the Journal’s tradition of publishing the very best science that propels our discipline forward and improves our contribution to patient care.” More concretely, the Journal should be the preeminent forum for exchange of cutting edge medical physics science. We seek to identify the best contributions in (a) high impact clinical physics innovations; (b) clinical translation and validation of basic science innovations; and (c) cutting edge basic science developments with potential for patient care improvements. Among the challenges and opportunities, we face are: electronic-only and open access publishing; competition from new radiological science journals; trends towards more interactive, social-media based scientific communities; and diversification of the medical physics research, authorship, and readership domains, including clinical applications quite foreign to core ABR clinical competencies. Recently implemented and ongoing initiatives include: Revised Table of Contents (TOC) and more contemporary topical submission categories Structured review template in HTML format Comprehensive hierarchical taxonomy for identifying reviewer expertise Formal process for soliciting high quality and impact Review and Vision 20/20 Articles We have recruited four Review Article Co-editors: John Rowlands and Ingrid Reiser (imaging physics) and Joao Seco and Tim Zhu (therapy physics). The Co-Editors will identify timely topics and solicit high profile authors to submit review manuscripts. To submit an article, authors will need to work with an assigned Co-Editor to develop a mutually acceptable outline and abstract. 5) A new and exciting class of articles: Medical Physics Dataset Articles (MPDAs) MPDAs describe scientifically or clinically valuable open-access datasets with high potential for contributing to the research of medical physicists working on related problems. In contrast to Research Articles, MPDAs should not include hypothesis testing; or data analyses supporting generalizable conclusions. The publically accessible dataset must be permanently archived before the MPDA can be published. This initiative is being led by Joe Deasy. Update on new publisher transition: The transition of AAPM scientific publishing operations to a major publishing house is a major opportunity to expand Medical Physics readership and its scholarly impact. The advantages include: (a) common manuscript management and web hosting platforms for Medical Physics and its sister journal, JACMP; (b) greater than 4-fold expansion of subscribing institutions; and (c) resources to mount data-driven, highly targeted marketing campaigns to enhance citation and download rates. A transition update of this epochal development, which has only begun as of this writing (3/31/16), will be given. Improving manuscript quality via structured reviews, enhanced scientific category taxonomy, and outreach: Shiva Das, Therapy Physics Editor Medical Physics is committed to continuous improvement with the ultimate goal of improving the potential impact of accepted manuscripts. In order to do so, Medical Physics must be able to tap into important/emerging areas and be able to select high quality contributions consistently via discerning reviews. Improving the quality of reviews is crucial to selecting high quality manuscripts and also to improving manuscript impact via feedback in the review process. With this in mind, Medical Physics is in the process of: (a) fostering outreach to important areas that are currently underrepresented in Medical Physics; (b) implementing a structured template review form; and (c) implementing a comprehensive scientific category taxonomy to identify reviewers who are best suited to an article. Outreach efforts have begun to various scientific areas. Strategies to increase submissions from these areas will be discussed. As a consequence of this effort, a special issue on particle therapy is under development. A review template was implemented in late 2014 on a limited test basis. Based on reviewer feedback, the template was restructured and shortened to capture essential review elements. The restructured template is due to be released shortly. The new scientific category taxonomy is in the process of being deployed to reviewers and associate editors. Salient aspects of the structured review template and scientific category taxonomy will be discussed in this talk. Writing good scientific papers and responding to critiques: Mitch Goodsitt, Imaging Physics Editor The essential components of the abstract, introduction, methods, discussion and conclusion sections of manuscripts, as well as the desired writing style and style of the figures and tables will be reviewed. Publishable Medical Physics manuscripts must include clear and concise statements of the novelty and clinical and/or scientific importance of the authors’ work. Examples of novelty include: new technical solution to an important clinical problem; new generalizable knowledge; and first demonstration that an existing engineering solution solves a clinical problem. Please note that we encourage authors of recently published conference proceedings (e.g., SPIE, IEEE) papers on novel medical physics related work to submit more substantial versions of that work to our journal. All submissions must include: sufficient background information and rationale; enough detail for others to reproduce the authors’ work; sufficient statistical analysis to refute or validate the authors’ hypotheses; a description of how the present work compares to, is distinct from, and improves upon others’ work; and sections devoted to the limitations of the study and future directions. Writing should be polished. Poor wording, grammar and composition frustrate the review process. Our journal does not have copyeditors for revising manuscripts. When authors receive critiques from the referees and associate editor, the authors should provide a detailed point-by-point response to each comment. The authors’ rebuttal should include the text of the original criticism, the authors’ response, and a pasted copy of the modified text along with the line numbers in the revised article. The new text should be highlighted in a different font color in the revised submission. Following these recommendations will improve submissions and facilitate the review process.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1984

Update: San Andreas Fault experiment

Satellite laser ranging techniques are used to monitor the broad motion of the tectonic plates comprising the San Andreas Fault System. The San Andreas Fault Experiment, (SAFE), has progressed through the upgrades made to laser system hardware and an improvement in the modeling capabilities of the spaceborne laser targets. Of special note is the launch of the Laser Geodynamic Satellite, LAGEOS spacecraft, NASA's only completely dedicated laser satellite in 1976. The results of plate motion projected into this 896 km measured line over the past eleven years are summarized and intercompared.

Christodoulidis, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS2011

From Paper to Production to Test: An Update on NASA's J-2X Engine for Exploration

The NASA/industry team responsible for developing the J-2X upper stage engine for the Space Launch System (SLS) Program has made significant progress toward moving beyond the design phase and into production, assembly, and test of development hardware. The J-2X engine exemplifies the SLS Program goal of using proven technology and experience from more than 50 years of United States spaceflight experience combined with modern manufacturing processes and approaches. It will power the second stage of the fully evolved SLS Program launch vehicle that will enable a return to human exploration of space beyond low earth orbit. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) is under contract to develop and produce the engine, leveraging its flight-proven LH2/LOX, gas generator cycle J-2 and RS-68 engine capabilities, recent experience with the X-33 aerospike XRS-2200 engine, and development knowledge of the J-2S tap-off cycle engine. The J- 2X employs a gas generator operating cycle designed to produce 294,000 pounds of vacuum thrust in primary operating mode with its full nozzle extension. With a truncated nozzle extension suitable to support engine clustering on the stage, the nominal vacuum thrust level in primary mode is 285,000 pounds. It also has a secondary mode, during which it operates at 80 percent thrust by altering its mixture ratio. The J-2X development philosophy is based on proven hardware, an aggressive development schedule, and early risk reduction. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and PWR began development of the J-2X in June 2006. The government/industry team of more than 600 people within NASA and PWR successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) in November 2008, following extensive risk mitigation testing. Assembly of the first development engine was completed in May 2011 and the first engine test was conducted at the NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC), test stand A2, on 14 July 2011. Testing of the first development engine will continue through the autumn of 2011, be paused for test stand modifications to the passive diffuser, and then restart in the spring of 2012. This testing will be followed by specialized powerpack testing intended to examine the design and operating margins of the engine turbomachinery. The development plan beyond this point leads through more system-level, engine testing of several samples, analytical model validation activities, functional and performance verification, and then ultimate certification to support human spaceflight. This paper will discuss the J-2X development background, provide top-level information on design and development planning, and will explore some of the development challenges and mitigation activities pursued to date.

Kynard, Michael↗
DOE OSTI2016

MPACT Verification and Validation Manual (rev 1)

The MPACT code provides the capability to calculate the steady-state and transient reactor core neutron distribution for operating nuclear power plant (PWR) conditions across multiple fuel cycles. As required in the CASL SQA plan, it is the responsibility of UM and ORNL as joint owners of MPACT to ensure that verification and validation activities are performed and documented in a V&V manual with supporting publications and CASL technical reports which can be distributed for reference and distribution within VERA. This document provides the first revision of the MPACT verification and validation (V&V) manual and describes the current state of MPACT V&V and updates the framework for future MPACT V&V activities. During FY16, MPACT V&V activities in the areas of code verification have continued to mature and work has progressed on code error evaluation using the Method of Manufactured Solutions (MMS). Several specific tasks have also been completed to improve MPACT code verification to include tasks to improve the unit and regression test coverage. A joint UM/ORNL task was completed to develop standardize coding standards and workflow for the continued collaborative development of MPACT. During the past year, MPACT validation work has continued in both the areas of measured data from critical experiments as well as measured data from operating nuclear power plants. Preliminary work was also performed in FY16 on the use of post-irradiation examinations for evaluation and validation of the isotopic depletion capability in MPACT. Based on the results of V&V efforts this past year, the confidence level has increased in the ability of MPACT to model an operational Pressurized Water Reactor. Areas were identified which require increased emphasis during FY17 to include updating all the V&V problems with the new 51-group library, the completion of cycle 2 of the BEAVRS benchmark, initial validation for BWR applications, the addition of Uncertainty Quantification results into the benchmark results, and the completion of specific validation tasks for the CASL Challenge problems.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Summary of Investigations on Technical Feasibility of Direct Disposal of Dual-Purpose Canisters

This report is a revision of the Fiscal Year (FY)-15 summary report on the investigations on technical feasibility of direct disposal of dual-purpose canisters (DPCs) in a geological repository. Notable progress has been made in the postclosure criticality area supporting direct disposal of DPCs in FY-16 and FY-17. As such, this revision updates the postclosure criticality related studies to capture the advances made over the last two FYs.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2023

Bioenergy Feedstock Library 2023 Annual Summary Report

The Bioenergy Feedstock Library (BFL), part of the Biomass Feedstock National User Facility (BFNUF) located at INL, is a physical sample repository and a web-accessible electronic database. The BFL stores physical and chemical characteristics of biomass and waste carbon sources for energy use as well as samples generated from across U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and U.S. Department of Agriculture funded projects. The objective of this Bioenergy Feedstock Library Annual Summary Report for 2023 is to focus on the updates to (1) publicly available analytical data and equipment tracked through the BFNUF, (2) physical samples available for request, (3) sample and data archival progress from recent BETO-funded projects, and (4) publicly available datasets created upon request from BETO, INL projects, or outside entities compared to the 2022 Bioenergy Feedstock Library Annual Summary Report. This report highlights key statistics and available data and information important for INL, BFL users, academics, and industry.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Cost of Wind Energy Review: 2024 Edition [Slides]

The primary elements of this analysis include: Estimated LCOE for (1) a representative land-based wind energy project installed in a moderate wind resource in the United States, (2) a representative fixed-bottom offshore wind energy project installed in the U.S. North Atlantic, and (3) a representative floating offshore wind energy project installed off the U.S. Pacific Coast. It also updates the LCOE estimates for representative residential-, commercial-, and large-scale distributed wind projects installed in a moderate wind resource in the United States. A sensitivity analyses is included that shows the range of effects that basic LCOE variables could have on the cost of wind energy for land-based and offshore wind projects and provides updated Fiscal Year 2024 values for land-based and offshore wind energy used for Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) reporting and illustrated progress toward established GPRA targets.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

TPSAS-NF1676L-31179-DND

This presentation will brief the GEWEX Radiation Panel on the progress and results of the GEWEX SRB project during the last year toward production and assessment of the Release 4.0 data set. First, an update is presented regarding SRB Release 4.0 "Integrated Product" that produces consistent with GEWEX projects estimating land and ocean latent and sensible heat fluxes. Changes from the Release 3/3.1 data products to Release 4 are reviewed both for key inputs (such as the ISCCP HXS, the nn-HIRS, Land and Sea surface temperatures) and key algorithm changes. Differences between the old and new input properties are assessed and flux sensitivities to those inputs are summarized. Sample radiative flux data products are presented and compared against the previous version for span of the production run, currently from 1998 through 2012. These fluxes are also compared to surface measurements (i.e., BSRN) and CERES (Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System) data products both in terms of bulk statistics and also time series variability. Lastly, the plans for continued processing, archival, assessment and research and will be presented to the panel for discussion and feedback.

Paul W Stackhouse, Jr↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Update on NASA’s ISRU Development and Mission Plans for the Artemis Program

In 2017, NASA initiated the Artemis program to send astronauts back to the lunar surface, create a sustainable human lunar exploration program, and lead the first human exploration mission to the Mars surface. While much of NASA’s plans for the Artemis program currently focus on the Human Lunar Return and the ability for astronauts to explore the lunar surface for limited durations each year, the longer-term vision for the Artemis program is to enable sustained human exploration and commercial operations in cis-lunar space and the lunar surface. An important aspect of achieving this long-term vision, is to better understand and characterize the resources on the Moon and Mars and learn how to extract and use these resources. Known as In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), the identification, mapping, extraction, and processing of space resources has the potential to greatly reduce the cost and risk of human exploration. These are achieved by reducing what needs to be delivered from Earth and the dependency on these supplies, lowering costs through commercial operations, and expanding infrastructure for safer and more capable exploration and surface operations. To guide development of ISRU technologies and systems on the ground and demonstrate these capabilities on the Moon and Mars, the NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) created and released the ISRU Envisioned Future Priorities (EFP) strategic plan in 2022 and updated it in 2023. While lunar ISRU technology development had already started, these publicly released strategic plans have been used to guide and prioritize technology development, and assess the progress in achieving the vision. Since the release of the ISRU EFP, there have been several significant activities/events that have occurred with respect to human lunar exploration, surface infrastructure, and ISRU. One was the release of the Artemis Architecture Definition Document Revision 1 that included ISRU as a sub-architecture. The second was the release of several STMD solicitations including the Announcement of Collaborative Opportunities (ACO) and Tipping Point (TP). The third was the release of a Request for Information for the Lunar Infrastructure Foundational Technology-1 (LIFT-1) mission with the primary objective of extracting oxygen from lunar regolith. The fourth was the release of STMD technology and capability Shortfalls, and the review, ranking by numerous stakeholders and individuals, and subsequent prioritization of the Shortfalls that will be utilized in future solicitation and development plans. This paper will provide an overview and status of on-going technology and system development activities, an update of ISRU into the Artemis campaign, an update on ISRU-related mission, and the impacts of the Shortfall prioritization.

NASA↗
DOE OSTI2022

Recent 238 Pu Production Activities at Idaho National Laboratory

The Plutonium-238 ( 238 Pu) Production program at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is actively qualifying irradiation targets containing 237 Np for the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) to produce 238 Pu for future National Aeronautics and Space Administration missions. INL qualified and loaded seven targets in the ATR’s south flux trap for cycle 169A, which occurred in Spring 2021. The irradiation qualification program has expanded to additional ATR irradiation positions after two baseline production targets in three positions validated significant production of 238 Pu. The validation model was followed by the PFS-1 experimental test in the ATR Critical Facility that verified 238 Pu production cross sections. This paper outlines the progress and status of the 238 Pu production program at INL. The qualification effort, safety analysis, hardware status, and future activities for qualification of an updated target design for use in the ATR are discussed.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Improved Weld Residual Stress Modeling System in BlackBear

This report presents enhancements to the MOOSE-based BlackBear application aimed at improving its capability to simulate welding and other thermo-mechanical manufacturing processes. Two primary avenues of improvement are pursued. First, to enhance user accessibility, we introduce a centralized default block restriction mechanism that ensures coverage checks are performed within user-specified default blocks. This default setting is applied consistently to all block-describable objects, such as variables, kernels, and more. In addition, we develop a modular action for moving heat source simulations, which integrates path file parsing, subdomain modification, and heat source kernel enforcement into a single, streamlined configuration. Second, to improve solver robustness, we implement an alternative method for assigning initial conditions to the updated active domain during the simulation, thereby enhancing convergence behavior. To validate the framework, we design and conduct several benchmark simulations, including heat conduction with progressive material addition, linear elasticity with time-dependent material deposition, and viscoplasticity model with isotropic hardening under similar conditions. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework through large-scale thermo-mechanical welding simulations in both two and three dimensions.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1989

NASA/RECON - Its unique resources

The capabilities of the NASA/RECON system are described. Over half of this online information retrieval system contains computerized versions of STAR and IAA. NASA/RECON also contains work in progress, contract, preview, computer software (COSMIC), space commercialization, NACA, Nalnet, NASA TechBriefs, and the Library of Congress Aerospace Medicine and Biology files. The availability and updating of the NASA/RECON system are discussed. A list of printed materials that are helpful tools for using NASA/RECON is provided.

Buchan, Ronald L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Advanced Solid Rocket Motor nozzle development status

This paper presents a status update of the design and development of an improved nozzle for the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM). The ASRM nozzle incorporates advanced state-of-the-art design features and materials which contribute to enhanced safety, reliability, performance, and producibility for the space shuttle boosters. During 1992 the nozzle design progressed through a successful Preliminary Design Review (PDR). An improved ablative material development program also culminated in the selection of new standard and low density carbon cloth phenolic prepreg offering reduced variability and improved process attributes. A subscale motor test series to evaluate new materials and design features was also completed. An overview update of the matured design characteristics, supporting analysis, key development-program results and program status and plans is reported.

Kearney, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Standardizing Navigation Data: A Status Update

This paper presents the work of the Navigation Working Group of the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) on development of standards addressing the transfer of orbit, attitude and tracking data for space objects. Much progress has been made since the initial presentation of the standards in 2004, including the progression of the orbit data standard to an accepted standard, and the near completion of the attitude and tracking data standards. The orbit, attitude and tracking standards attempt to address predominant parameterizations for their respective data, and create a message format that enables communication of the data across space agencies and other entities. The messages detailed in each standard are built upon a keyword = value paradigm, where a fixed list of keywords is provided in the standard where users specify information about their data, and also use keywords to encapsulate their data. The paper presents a primer on the CCSDS standardization process to put in context the state of the message standards, and the parameterizations supported in each standard, then shows examples of these standards for orbit, attitude and tracking data. Finalization of the standards is expected by the end of calendar year 2007.

VanEepoel, John M.↗