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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 73 records · Page 4

MONTE for Orbit Determination

Monte is the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s (JPL) signature astrodynamic computing platform. Its main interface is a collection of Python-language libraries that can be used either for one-o analyses or to build high-quality software applications. Perhaps nowhere is Monte’s versatility and excellence better demonstrated than in its use for operational orbit determination (OD). Over the period from 2007 to 2016, Monte was the prime OD solution for fourteen JPL flight projects, and secondary for seven non-JPL projects. These missions span the range of Solar System destinations and operational protocols, yet each were successfully serviced by Monte’s flexible OD library. This paper reviews the missions on which Monte has been used for OD, with an eye toward pointing out the di erent ways it has been deployed to solve unique problems. It also gives an outline of the main elements of the orbit determination library and how they work together to navigate flight missions.

Martin-Mur, Tomas↗

The JPL parabolic dish project

The parabolic dish solar collector is a highly versatile concentrating collector system that can produce heat for many thermal processes and electricity by coupling the collector to a suitable heat engine. This paper discusses a project for the development of these collector systems and summarizes contracts with industry for developing the dish subsystems which include concentrator, receiver, and heat engine. An early market for dishes is the dispersed small community market which depends heavily on oil to operate diesel or steam turbine plants in order to generate electricity. The present contracts with industry for conducting engineering experiments using the developed dish hardware to demonstrate the technology in these early opportunity markets is also discussed.

Truscello, V. C.↗

JPL Year 2000 Project. A Project Manager's Observations: Y2k

This paper presents observations from a project manager on the Y2K problem. The topics include: 1) Agenda: 2) Scope; 3) Project Organization; 4) The Fixes; 5) The Toughest Part; 6) Validation versus Time; and 7) Information Sources. This paper is in viewgraph form.

Mathison, Richard P.↗

Continuous Czochralski Growth. Silicon Sheet Growth Development of the Large Area Silicon Sheet Task of the Low Cost Silicon Solar Array Project

The JPL Continuous Czochralski Growth Facility is now essentially complete and is functional. In this reporting period, a silicon lump recharging device was designed, and a prototype was built which performed well in simulated recharge tests. The large chamber (designed to accommodate a 14-inch hot zone) was put into operation initially with the standard hot zone in order to compare performance with previous experience. Some modifications were made to the hot zones in the larger chamber due to considerably larger radiative heat losses. Several short (one-ingot) runs were performed and four continuous runs were attempted. The largest continuous run lasted 64 hours and produced 57 kilograms of ingot.

Merz, F.↗

U.S. data processing for the IRAS project

The JPL's Scientific Data Analysis System (SDAS), which will process IRAS data and produce a catalogue of perhaps a million infrared sources in the sky, as well as other information for astronomical records, is described. The purposes of SDAS are discussed, and the major SDAS processors are shown in block diagram. The catalogue processing is addressed, mentioning the basic processing steps which will be applied to raw detector data. Signal reconstruction and conversion to astrophysical units, source detection, source confirmation, data management, and survey data products are considered in detail.

Duxbury, J. H.↗

Revisiting Training and Verification Process Implementation for Risk Reduction on New Missions at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

In 2003 we proposed an effort to develop a core program of standardized training and verification practices and standards against which the implementation of these practices could be measured. The purpose was to provide another means of risk reduction for deep space missions to preclude the likelihood of a repeat of the tragedies of the 1998 Mars missions. We identified six areas where the application of standards and standardization would benefit the overall readiness process for flight projects at JPL. These are Individual Training, Team Training, Interface and Procedure Development, Personnel Certification, Interface and procedure Verification, and Operations Readiness Testing. In this paper we will discuss the progress that has been made in the tasks of developing the proposed infrastructure in each of these areas. Specifically we will address the Position Training and Certification Standards that are now available for each operational position found on our Flight Operations Teams (FOT). We will also discuss the MGSS Baseline Flight Operations Team Training Plan which can be tailored for each new flight project at JPL. As these tasks have been progressing, the climate and emphasis for Training and for V and V at JPL has changed, and we have learned about the expansion, growth, and limitations in the roles of traditional positions at JPL such as the Project's Training Engineer, V and V Engineer, and Operations Engineer. The need to keep a tight rein on budgets has led to a merging and/or reduction in these positions which pose challenges to individual capacities and capabilities. We examine the evolution of these processes and the roles involved while taking a look at the impact or potential impact of our proposed training related infrastructure tasks. As we conclude our examination of the changes taking place for new flight projects, we see that the importance of proceeding with our proposed tasks and adapting them to the changing climate remains an important element in reducing the risk in the challenging business of space exploration.

verifications↗

JPL's Approach for Helping Flight Project Managers Meet Today's Management Challenges

All across NASA project managers are facing tough new challenges. NASA has imposed increased oversight and the number of projects at Centers such as JPL has exploded from a handful of large projects to a much greater number of smaller ones. Experienced personnel are retiring at increasing rates and younger, less experienced managers are being rapidly promoted up the ladder. Budgets are capped, competition among NASA Centers and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) has increased significantly and there is no longer any tolerance to cost overruns. On top of all this, implementation schedules have been reduced by 25 to 50% to reduce run-out costs, making it even more difficult to define requirements, validate heritage assumptions and make accurate cost estimates during the early phases of the life-cycle.JPL's executive management, under the leadership of the Associate Director for Flight Projects and Mission Success, have attempted to meet these challenges by improving operations in five areas: (1) increased standardization, where it is judged to have significant benefit; (2) better balance and more effective partnering between projects and the line management; (3) increased infrastructure support; (4) improved management training; and (5) more effective review and oversight.

oversights↗

Multi-mission ground data systems - breakthroughs and challenges

Given the cost-constrained nature of JPL Flight Projects, especially Discovery Class missions, there is more and more pressure to reduce the costs associated with mission operations, particularly the costs for the Ground Data System. This paper explores the successes (and failures) of using the Mission Management Office (MMO) GDS team to provide a common set of services, tools, procedures, and products to JPL Flight Projects.

GDS↗

Voyager Briefing: Expectations of the Neptune Encounter

This NASA KSC video release presents a news briefing held Aug. 4, 1989 at NASA Headquarters three weeks after Voyager 2's official "encounter" with Neptune began. The video is comprised of two slide presentations followed by a short question and answer period. The press conference is moderated by Charles Redmond, (NASA Public Affairs), includes an introduction by Dr. Geoffrey A Briggs (Dir., Solar System Exploration Div.), and features Norman R. Haynes (Voyager Project Manager, JPL) and Dr. Edward C. Stone (Voyager Project Scientist, Cal Tech). Mr. Haynes' presentation centers on Voyager's history, engineering changes, and spacecraft trajectories while Dr. Stone presents the scientific aspects of Voyager, including the 11 scientific investigations planned for the mission, instruments used, and imaging techniques.

Source record↗

Project planning: getting it right the first time

This paper describes JPL's Project Formulation Support Team (PFST), which plays a central role in providing the institutional support tools and services for projects during their early formulation phases and ensure they get off to the right start. Finally, potential future trends in project formulation are discussed, including the increasing application of information networks to meet flight projects needs, the effects of competition in the selection process for new flight projects, and the increasing use of multi-national flight project teams.

Webster, Jeffery↗

WFIRST Project Science Activities

The WFIRST Project is a joint effort between GSFC and JPL. The project scientists and engineers are working with the community Science Definition Team to define the requirements and initial design of the mission. The objective is to design an observatory that meets the WFIRST science goals of the Astr02010 Decadal Survey for minimum cost. This talk will be a report of recent project activities including requirements flowdown, detector array development, science simulations, mission costing and science outreach. Details of the interim mission design relevant to scientific capabilities will be presented.

Gehrels, Neil↗

NBC detection in air and water

Participating in a Navy STTR project to develop a system capable of the 'real-time' detection and quanitification of nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) warfare agents, and of related industrial chemicals including NBC agent synthesis by-products in water and in air immediately above the water's surface. This project uses JPL's Soft Ionization Membrane (SIM) technology which totally ionizes molecules without fragmentation (a process that can markedly improve the sensitivity and specificity of molecule compostition identification), and JPL's Rotating Field Mass Spectrometer (RFMS) technology which has large enough dynamic mass range to enable detection of nuclear materials as well as biological and chemical agents. This Navy project integrates these JPL Environmental Monitoring UnitS (REMUS) an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). It is anticipated that the REMUS AUV will be capable of 'real-time' detection and quantification of NBC warefare agents.

molecules↗