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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 NTRS2018

How NASA is Building a Petabyte Scale Geospatial Archive in the Cloud

NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) is working towards a vision of a cloud-based, highly-flexible, ingest, archive, management, and distribution system for its ever-growing and evolving data holdings. This free and open source system, Cumulus, is emerging from its prototyping stages and is poised to make a huge impact on how NASA manages and disseminates its Earth science data. This talk outlines the motivation for this work, present the achievements and hurdles of the past 18 months and charts a course for the future expansion of Cumulus. We explore not just the technical, but also the socio-technical challenges that we face in evolving a system of this magnitude into the cloud. The NASA EOSDIS archive is currently at nearly 30 PBs and will grow to over 300PBs in the coming years. We've presented progress on this effort at AWS re:Invent and the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting in 2017 and hope to have the opportunity to share with FOSS4G attendees information on the availability of the open sourced software and how NASA intends on making its Earth Observing Geospatial data available for free to the public in the cloud.

NASA Archive↗
NASA NTRS2017

Unlocking the Commercial Value of NASA Technology Investments

Success in executing NASA's ambitious aerospace missions requires solutions to difficult technical challenges that build on proven capabilities, as well as development of new capabilities. Early and continuous investments in aeronautics over 76 years in Cleveland at NASA Glenn have led to Ohio being the number one supplier to both Boeing and Airbus. New technologies that NASA Glenn is working on, the Center's efforts to engage US industry in the global space exploration efforts, and ways GRC is leading spin-offs of NASA IP are enabling new industries from clean water technologies to biomedical applications.

Innovation↗
NASA NTRS2018

Driving Innovation in the ATS Market

This PowerPoint presentation will discuss efforts to increase rideshare initiatives: current technical challenges and initiatives underway.

Caffrey, Bob↗
NASA NTRS2018

International Space Station Passive Thermal Control System Top Ten Lessons-Learned

Final document not an Abstract attached. The International Space Station (ISS) has been on-orbit for nearly 20 years, and there have been numerous technical challenges along the way from design to assembly to on-orbit anomalies and repairs. The Passive Thermal Control System (PTCS) management team has been a key player in successfully dealing with these challenges. The PTCS team performs thermal analysis in support of design and verification, launch and assembly constraints, integration, sustaining engineering, failure response, and model validation. This analysis is a significant body of work and provides a unique opportunity to compile a wealth of real world engineering and analysis knowledge and the corresponding lessons-learned. The PTCS lessons encompass the full life cycle of flight hardware from design to on-orbit performance and sustaining engineering. These lessons can provide significant insight for new projects and programs. Key areas to be presented include thermal model fidelity, verification methods, analysis uncertainty, and operations support.

Iovine, John V.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Assessing C2 Communications for UAS Traffic Management

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) project works to develop tools and technologies essential for safely enabling civilian low-altitude UAS operations. Currently there is no established infrastructure to enable and safely manage the widespread use of low-altitude airspace and UAS operations, regardless of the type of UAS. The UTM technical challenge will develop comprehensive and validated airspace operations and integration requirements to safely enable large-scale persistent access to visual line of sight and autonomous beyond visual line of sight small UAS in low-altitude airspace. Within the UTM project, a number of communications technologies to support UTM command and control (C2) are under investigation. In particular, commercial networked cellular systems are being tested and assessed for their ability to meet the reliability, scalability, cybersecurity and redundancy required. NASA Glenn Research Center is studying some of the aspects of employing such networks for UTM C2 communications. This includes the development of a test platform for sensing and characterizing the airborne C2 communications environment at various altitudes and in various terrains and topologies, measuring such aspects as received signal strength and interference. System performance aspects such as latency in the link, handover performance, packet error loss rate, drop outs, coverage gaps and other aspects impacting UTM operation will also be assessed. In this paper we explore some of the C2 approaches being proposed and demonstrated in the UTM project, the reliability, availability and other general C2 performance requirements, and approaches to evaluating and analyzing UTM C2 links based on commercial cellular networks.

air traffic control↗
NASA NTRS2018

Assessing C2 Communications

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) project works to develop tools and technologies essential for safely enabling civilian low-altitude UAS operations. Currently there is no established infrastructure to enable and safely manage the widespread use of low-altitude airspace and UAS operations, regardless of the type of UAS. The UTM technical challenge will develop comprehensive and validated airspace operations and integration requirements to safely enable large-scale persistent access to visual line of sight and autonomous beyond visual line of sight small UAS in low-altitude airspace. Within the UTM project, a number of communications technologies to support UTM command and control (C2) are under investigation. In particular, commercial networked cellular systems are being tested and assessed for their ability to meet the reliability, scalability, cybersecurity and redundancy required. NASA Glenn Research Center is studying some of the aspects of employing such networks for UTM C2 communications. This includes the development of a test platform for sensing and characterizing the airborne C2 communications environment at various altitudes and in various terrains and topologies, measuring such aspects as received signal strength and interference. System performance aspects such as latency in the link, handover performance, packet error loss rate, drop outs, coverage gaps and other aspects impacting UTM operation will also be assessed. In this paper we explore some of the C2 approaches being proposed and demonstrated in the UTM project, the reliability, availability and other general C2 performance requirements, and approaches to evaluating and analyzing UTM C2 links based on commercial cellular networks.

aircraft communications↗
NASA NTRS2018

A Laser-Induced Fluorescence Diagnostic for HERMeS and High-Power Electric Propulsion

NASA is continuing the development of a 12.5-kW Hall thruster system, which is baselined in a phased exploration concept to expand human presence to cis-lunar space and eventually to Mars. The development team is transitioning knowledge gained from the testing of the government-built Technology Development Unit (TDU) to the contractor-built Engineering Development Unit (EDU). A new laser-induced fluorescence diagnostic that is compatible with the testing of engineering hardware was developed to obtain data for thruster model validation in the lowest background pressure achievable. Prior to performing the test on the EDU, the team performed a functional checkout test of this new diagnostic using the TDU. In addition to providing a checkout of the diagnostic, this test provided data that can be correlated to electron mobility for comparison to the EDU at a later date. A number of technical challenges related to large test facilities and interfacing with engineering hardware were overcome while implementing the new laser diagnostic system. The initial data set was in good agreement with prior optical and non-optical diagnostics data collected on the TDU thrusters. This data set also revealed the spatial origin of high angle ions that have been of concern for spacecraft integration.

Huang, Wensheng↗
NASA NTRS2018

Two-Speed Rotorcraft Research Transmission Power-Loss Associated with the Lubrication and Hydraulic Rotating Feed-Through Design Feature

An investigation was completed into the power loss associated with a rotating feed-through (RFT) design feature used to transfer lubrication and a hydraulic control signal from the static reference frame to a rotating reference frame in the NASA GRC two-speed transmission tests conducted in the Variable-Speed Drive Test Rig. The RFT feature, not commercially available, was created specifically for this research project and is integral to all two-speed transmission configurations tested, as well as a variant concept design for a geared variable-speed transmission presented at AHS Forum 71 in 2015. The experimental set-up and results from measurements in the isolated rotating-feed-through (RFT) experiments are presented. Results were used in an overall power loss assessment for a scaled conceptual 1,000 horsepower inline concentric two-speed transmission to support a NASA Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technologies (RVLT) Technical Challenge, demonstrating 50% speed change with less than 2% power loss while maintaining current power-to-weight ratios.

Rotorcraft↗
NASA NTRS2018

Two-Speed Rotorcraft Research Transmission Power-Loss Associated with the Lubrication and Hydraulic Rotating Feed-Through Design Feature

An investigation was completed into the power loss associated with a rotating feed-through (RFT) design feature used to transfer lubrication and a hydraulic control signal from the static reference frame to a rotating reference frame in the NASA GRC two-speed transmission tests conducted in the Variable-Speed Drive Test Rig. The RFT feature, not commercially available, was created specifically for this research project and is integral to all two-speed transmission configurations tested, as well as a variant concept design for a geared variable-speed transmission presented at AHS Forum 71 in 2015. The experimental set-up and results from measurements in the isolated rotating-feed-through (RFT) experiments are presented. Results were used in an overall power loss assessment for a scaled conceptual 1,000 horsepower inline concentric two-speed transmission to support a NASA Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technologies (RVLT) Technical Challenge, demonstrating 50% speed change with less than 2% power loss while maintaining current power-to-weight ratios.

Rotorcraft↗
NASA NTRS2018

Ion Velocity in the Discharge Channel and Near-Field of the HERMeS Hall Thruster

NASA is continuing the development of a 12.5-kW Hall thruster system, which is baselined in a phased exploration concept to expand human presence to cis-lunar space and eventually to Mars. The development team is transitioning knowledge gained from the testing of the government-built Technology Development Unit (TDU) to the contractor-built Engineering Development Unit (EDU). A new laser-induced fluorescence diagnostic that is compatible with the testing of engineering hardware was developed to obtain data for thruster model validation in the lowest background pressure achievable. Prior to performing the test on the EDU, the team performed a functional checkout test of this new diagnostic using the TDU. In addition to providing a checkout of the diagnostic, this test provided data that can be correlated to electron mobility for comparison to the EDU at a later date. A number of technical challenges related to large test facilities and interfacing with engineering hardware were overcome while implementing the new laser diagnostic system. The initial data set was in good agreement with prior optical and non-optical diagnostics data collected on the TDU thrusters. This data set also revealed the spatial origin of high angle ions that have been of concern for spacecraft integration.

Huang, Wensheng↗
NASA NTRS2018

NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) Single-Aisle Transport Air Vehicle Hybrid Electric Tail-Cone Thruster Powertrain Configuration and Test Results

A key technical challenge is to establish a viable concept for a MW-class hybrid gas-electric propulsion system for a commercial transport aircraft. This includes developing aircraft propulsion system conceptual designs, integrating sub-systems, high efficiency/power density electric machines, flight-weight power system and electronics, and enabling materials in high voltage insulation, high frequency soft magnetics, and conductors. The primary benefit of this research is to diversify the current turbofan propulsion options to include hybrid electric propulsion elements that reduce energy usage, emissions, and noise. A reconfigurable powertrain testbed at NASA Glenn Research Center is described including test results from the initial 500 kW powertrain configuration.

Dyson, Rodger W.↗
NASA NTRS2018

A Laser-Induced Fluorescence Diagnostic for HERMeS and High-Power Electric Propulsion

NASA is continuing the development of a 12.5-kW Hall thruster system, which is baselined in a phased exploration concept to expand human presence to cis-lunar space and eventually to Mars. The development team is transitioning knowledge gained from the testing of the government-built Technology Development Unit (TDU) to the contractor-built Engineering Development Unit (EDU). A new laser-induced fluorescence diagnostic that is compatible with the testing of engineering hardware was developed to obtain data for thruster model validation in the lowest background pressure achievable. Prior to performing the test on the EDU, the team performed a functional checkout test of this new diagnostic using the TDU. In addition to providing a checkout of the diagnostic, this test provided data that can be correlated to electron mobility for comparison to the EDU at a later date. A number of technical challenges related to large test facilities and interfacing with engineering hardware were overcome while implementing the new laser diagnostic system. The initial data set was in good agreement with prior optical and non-optical diagnostics data collected on the TDU thrusters. This data set also revealed the spatial origin of high angle ions that have been of concern for spacecraft integration.

Huang, Wensheng↗
NASA NTRS2018

Two-Speed Rotorcraft Research Transmission Power-Loss Associated with the Lubrication and Hydraulic Rotating Feed-Through Design Feature

An investigation was completed into the power loss associated with a rotating feed-through (RFT) design feature used to transfer lubrication and a hydraulic control signal from the static reference frame to a rotating reference frame in the NASA GRC two-speed transmission tests conducted in the Variable-Speed Drive Test Rig. The RFT feature, not commercially available, was created specifically for this research project and is integral to all two-speed transmission configurations tested, as well as a variant concept design for a geared variable-speed transmission presented at AHS Forum 71 in 2015. The experimental set-up and results from measurements in the isolated rotating-feed-through (RFT) experiments are presented. Results were used in an overall power loss assessment for a scaled conceptual 1,000 horsepower inline concentric two-speed transmission to support a NASA Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technologies (RVLT) Technical Challenge, demonstrating 50% speed change with less than 2% power loss while maintaining current power-to-weight ratios.

Rotorcraft↗
NASA NTRS2018

Ion Velocity in the Discharge Channel and Near-Field of the HERMeS Hall Thruster

NASA is continuing the development of a 12.5-kW Hall thruster system, which is baselined in a phased exploration concept to expand human presence to cis-lunar space and eventually to Mars. The development team is transitioning knowledge gained from the testing of the government-built Technology Development Unit (TDU) to the contractor-built Engineering Development Unit (EDU). A new laser-induced fluorescence diagnostic that is compatible with the testing of engineering hardware was developed to obtain data for thruster model validation in the lowest background pressure achievable. Prior to performing the test on the EDU, the team performed a functional checkout test of this new diagnostic using the TDU. In addition to providing a checkout of the diagnostic, this test provided data that can be correlated to electron mobility for comparison to the EDU at a later date. A number of technical challenges related to large test facilities and interfacing with engineering hardware were overcome while implementing the new laser diagnostic system. The initial data set was in good agreement with prior optical and non-optical diagnostics data collected on the TDU thrusters. This data set also revealed the spatial origin of high angle ions that have been of concern for spacecraft integration.

Huang, Wensheng↗
NASA NTRS2018

NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed Single-Aisle Transport Air Vehicle Hybrid Electric Tail-Cone Thruster Powertrain Configuration and Test Results

A key technical challenge is to establish a viable concept for a MW-class hybrid gas-electric propulsion system for a commercial transport aircraft. This includes developing aircraft propulsion system conceptual designs, integrating sub-systems, high efficiency/power density electric machines, flight-weight power system and electronics, and enabling materials in high voltage insulation, high frequency soft magnetics, and conductors. The primary benefit of this research is to diversify the current turbofan propulsion options to include hybrid electric propulsion elements that reduce energy usage, emissions, and noise.

Dyson, Rodger↗
NASA NTRS2018

International Space Station Passive Thermal Control System Top Ten Lessons-Learned

Final document not an Abstract attached. The International Space Station (ISS) has been on-orbit for nearly 20 years, and there have been numerous technical challenges along the way from design to assembly to on-orbit anomalies and repairs. The Passive Thermal Control System (PTCS) management team has been a key player in successfully dealing with these challenges. The PTCS team performs thermal analysis in support of design and verification, launch and assembly constraints, integration, sustaining engineering, failure response, and model validation. This analysis is a significant body of work and provides a unique opportunity to compile a wealth of real world engineering and analysis knowledge and the corresponding lessons-learned. The PTCS lessons encompass the full life cycle of flight hardware from design to on-orbit performance and sustaining engineering. These lessons can provide significant insight for new projects and programs. Key areas to be presented include thermal model fidelity, verification methods, analysis uncertainty, and operations support.

Iovine, John V.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Ion Velocity in the Discharge Channel and Near-Field of the HERMeS Hall Thruster

NASA is continuing the development of a 12.5-kW Hall thruster system, which is baselined in a phased exploration concept to expand human presence to cis-lunar space and eventually to Mars. The development team is transitioning knowledge gained from the testing of the government-built Technology Development Unit (TDU) to the contractor-built Engineering Development Unit (EDU). A new laser-induced fluorescence diagnostic that is compatible with the testing of engineering hardware was developed to obtain data for thruster model validation in the lowest background pressure achievable. Prior to performing the test on the EDU, the team performed a functional checkout test of this new diagnostic using the TDU. In addition to providing a checkout of the diagnostic, this test provided data that can be correlated to electron mobility for comparison to the EDU at a later date. A number of technical challenges related to large test facilities and interfacing with engineering hardware were overcome while implementing the new laser diagnostic system. The initial data set was in good agreement with prior optical and non-optical diagnostics data collected on the TDU thrusters. This data set also revealed the spatial origin of high angle ions that have been of concern for spacecraft integration.

Huang, Wensheng↗
NASA NTRS2018

Mission Design and Implementation Considerations for Lunar Night Survival

Lunar night survival, while being a technical design challenge, also has an impact on mis-sion planning and execution during the flight system development phases (Phases A-D). Depending on mis-sion objectives, different locations on the lunar surface result in different challenges to technical formulation of a comprehensive mission design and implementa-tion. Equatorial regions have temperature extremes between day and night (<100K to >380K) but are somewhat cyclical and predictable. Polar regions can have milder thermal environments in terms of overall surface temperature swing and opportunities for ex-tended durations for solar power but pose unique chal-lenges in temporal and spatial availability of both sun-light and direct-to-Earth communications. Options for surviving the night will depend heavily on mission objectives, lunar location and program cost and schedule constraints.

Vaughan, R.↗