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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 NTRS2004

The Swift GRB Mission

Swift is a MIDEX mission that is in development for launch in October 2004. It is a multiwavelength transient observatory for GRB astronomy. The goals of the mission are to determine the origin of GRBs and their afterglows and use bursts to probe the early Universe. A wide-field gamma-ray camera will detect mare than 100 GRBs per year to -3 times fainter than BATSE. Sensitive narrow-field X-ray and UV/optical telescopes will be pointed at the burst location in 20 to 75 sec by an autonomously controlled spacecraft. Far each burst, aresec positions will be determined and optical/UV/X-ray/gamma-say spectrophotometry performed. Measurements of redshift will be made for many burstes. The instrumentation is a combination of superb existing flight-spare hardware and design from XMM and Spectrum-X/JET-X contributed by collaborators in the UK and Italy and development of a coded-aperture camera with a large-area (approx. 0.5 square meter) CdZnTe detector array. Key components of the mission are vigorous follow-up and outreach programs to engage the astronomical community and public in Swift. The talk vi11 describe the mission statue and give a summary of plans for GRB operations. It is likely that Swift will have just been launched at the time of the conference.

Gehrels, Neil↗
NASA NTRS2008

NanoSail-D

The "NanoSail-D" mission is currently scheduled for launch onboard a Falcon-1 Launch Vehicle in the early June 2008 timeframe. The NanoSail-D spacecraft will consist of a solar sail subsystem stowed in a 2U volume and a 1U spacecraft bus, provided by Ames Research Center. The primary objectives of the NanoSail-D technology demonstration mission are to fabricate, stow and deploy on-orbit a solar sail and perform a de-orbit maneuver to demonstrate a potential orbital debris mitigation technology. The NanoSail-D mission is being developed through a collaborative effort between the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and the NASA Ames Research Center Small Spacecraft Office. Details of the NanoSail-D system will be presented, including: 1) design details of the solar sail reflective membrane quadrants, gossamer booms, deployment system and passive attitude control system, 2) design analysis results including structural, thermal, environmental, orbital debris and safety, and 3) test results including deployment, ascent venting, launch vibration and PPOD integration verification.

Montgomery, Edward E., IV↗
NASA NTRS2011

Investigation of the Impact of User Gaming in the Next Generation National Airspace System

Over the past three decades, growth in the demand for air transportation has exceeded the growth in the national airspace system (NAS) capacity. Systems operating near capacity inevitably have delays and NAS d elays have increased in recent years. The desire to minimize delay costs has placed attention on the NAS air traffic management (ATM) syste m.One initiative that has helped to provide user representation in the ATM solution is the collaborative decision making (CDM) process. CDM addresses this issue by bringing users (referred to here as airline operation centers [AOCs]) and ATM providers together for information e xchange and cooperative planning. Such cooperative planning has been instituted, for instance, for the purpose of planning airport slot control strategies and rerouting strategies. While the CDM initiatives ha ve met with much success, they have also introduced the potential for AOCs to manipulate the system in unforeseen, unintended, and perhaps undesirable ways, from a system-wide, synoptic perspective. This type of manipulation is sometimes referred to as "gaming" the system. This study uses a high-fidelity simulation tool to investigate several models of user decision making behavior which could be considered to be gaming behavior and the emergent system dynamics and interactions between AOCs and traffic management.

Hunter, George C.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Modernizing Accelerator Responsiveness and Controls in Operations

Accelerators increasingly use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) software and workflows for a variety of tasks, from optimization to fault detection and recovery. Efficient and sustainable application of these technologies necessitates specialized and facility-specific infrastructure commitments. Accelerator facilities also introduce unique radiation and security hazards, placing additional demands on operational infrastructure. These needs further escalate the prioritization of effective collaboration models and associated funding mechanisms and legal frameworks.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

An Integrated Framework for Risk Assessment of Safety-related Digital Instrumentation and Control Systems in Nuclear Power Plants: Methodology Advancement and Application

This report documents activities performed by Idaho National Laboratory (INL) during fiscal year (FY) 2024 for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program, Risk Informed Systems Analysis (RISA) Pathway, Digital Instrumentation and Control (DI&C) Risk Assessment project. The goal of the RISA Pathway is to optimize safety margins and minimize uncertainties to achieve economic efficiencies while maintaining high levels of safety. This is accomplished by providing scientific basis to better represent safety margins and factors that contribute to cost and safety, and by developing new technologies that reduce operating costs. The research efforts for FY 2024 encompass methodology refinement and exploration. The efforts include: (1) The implementation of a natural language processing tool to expedite key aspects of the reliability analysis methods developed by INL; (2) advances to support intersystem CCF analysis by providing guidance for and identification of coupling mechanisms that may contribute to CCF; (3) the investigation of how generative artificial intelligence tools can aid in hazard analysis and diversity and defense in depth (i.e., D3) assessments; (4) Industry collaboration, allowing the demonstration of and INL's risk assessment tools to support risk assessment of DI&C systems at early and late stages of development; (4) a roadmap for the development of a software for each of INL's risk assessment tools; (5) The development of a theory and methodology manual for a risk quantification methodology; (6) the development of a reliability analysis for machine learning (ML)-integrated control systems.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

The muon g-2 experiment at Fermilab

The E989 collaboration has recently published the most precise measurement of the muon anomalous magnetic moment $a_\mu$ with an uncertainty of $0.46\,\mathrm{ppm}$. The new experimental world average of $a_\mu$ deviates by 4.2 standard deviations from the Standard Model prediction provided by the Muon g-2 Theory Initiative. Emerging results from ab-initio lattice QCD calculations for hadron-physics contributions allow to scrutinize this tantalizing hint for physics beyond the Standard Model for the first time in a three way comparison. To extract the value of $a_\mu$ a frequency comparison experiment is performed with spin-polarized muons confined in a superbly controlled electric and magnetic field environment. A measurement of the difference between the Larmor and the cyclotron frequency, the so-called anomalous spin precession frequency, is combined with a high-precision measurement of the magnetic field environment which is performed using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. I discussed the most recent result of the Fermilab Muon g-2 experiment's first physics data run performed in 2018. I reported on the experimental improvements implemented for the subsequent science runs that will allow the collaboration to achieve the ultimate goal of $0.14\,\mathrm{ppm}$ uncertainty on $a_\mu$.

Fertl, Martin↗
DOE OSTI2020

Performance of prototype GE1/1 chambers for the CMS muon spectrometer upgrade

The high-luminosity phase of the Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) will result in ten times higher particle background than measured during the first phase of LHC operation. In order to fully exploit the highly-demanding operating conditions during HL-LHC, the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) Collaboration will use Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detector technology. The technology will be integrated into the innermost region of the forward muon spectrometer of CMS as an additional muon station called GE1/1. The primary purpose of this auxiliary station is to help in muon reconstruction and to control level-1 muon trigger rates in the pseudo-rapidity region 1.6 ≤ |η| ≤ 2.2. The new station will contain trapezoidal-shaped GEM detectors called GE1/1 chambers. The design of these chambers is finalized, and the installation is in progress during the Long Shutdown phase two (LS-2) that started in 2019. Several full-size prototypes were built and operated successfully in various test beams at CERN. Here, we describe performance measurements such as gain, efficiency, and time resolution of these prototype chambers, developed after years of R&D, and summarize their behavior in different gas compositions as a function of the applied voltage.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Linear simulation of magnetohydrodynamic plasma response to three-dimensional magnetic perturbations in high-β P plasmas

In this work, we report the numerical analyses of linear magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) plasma response to applied three-dimensional magnetic perturbations (MPs) in a joint DIII-D/EAST collaboration on high-β P (poloidal beta) plasmas, utilizing the extended-MHD code M3D-C1, with the purpose of realizing a better understanding of the existing experiment in which the n=3 MPs were applied to such high-β P plasmas attempting to control large amplitude type-I ELMs. Such high-β P plasmas obtained at the DIII-D tokamak feature an upper-biased double null configuration, a high edge safety factor q 95 ~6.4, and a stable internal transport barrier (ITB) leading to relatively high core pressures. Single-fluid simulations show that the plasma response to n=3 MPs, including both non-resonant/kinking and resonant components, is significantly weaker than that to n=1 or 2 MPs. To survey the impact of q 95 on plasma response to applied MPs, the SEGWAY (Self-consistent Equilibrium Generating Workflow for AnalYsis) module, developed in the OMFIT integrated modelling framework, is employed to generate a series of equilibria with a wide range of q 95 while other key parameters including the normalized beta, electron density at pedestal top, and plasma shape are kept fixed. Compared to the vacuum response, single-fluid M3D-C1 simulations predict a much more significant decrease of resonant plasma response to the applied n=3 MPs at the maximum penetration radii as q 95 increases. In contrast to single-fluid simulation results showing resonant penetration occurs only near the pedestal top where the E×B toroidal rotation frequency is zero, two-fluid simulations show two comparable resonant penetrations locating near the pedestal top and the ITB foot, where the perpendicular electron rotation frequency is zero. Such resonant field penetration near the ITB foot may be responsible for the observed formation of a staircase structure in both electron density and temperature profiles and thereby a considerable deterioration of global plasma performance when MPs are applied in high-β P plasmas. Motivated by this numerical work, we provide some ideas for the future research, with the purpose of realizing effective ELM control in such high-β P plasmas on the DIII-D and EAST devices.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Performance Specifications for Grid-Forming Technologies

Standards and specifications for inverter-based resources (IBRs) focus primarily on grid-following (GFL) technologies at present. Therefore, these may generally not be appropriate for application in power systems to ensure acceptable operation with grid-forming (GFM) technologies. In some cases, the direct application of prevailing standards and specifications may not be appropriate for - or may even inadvertently limit the potential of - GFM resources. The Universal Interoperability for Grid- Forming Inverters (UNIFI) Consortium is a U.S. Department of Energy funded effort to advance GFM technology. The UNIFI team brings together academic, industrial, and national-lab researchers as well as industry stakeholders (utilities, system operators, vendors) to collaboratively pursue advances in a broad range of GFM technologies. This paper introduces a set of system- and unit-level specifications driven by consensus across the UNIFI project team. These are intended to seamlessly integrate GFM technologies at any scale into power-systems operation and control in a vendor-agnostic manner. A suite of illustrative simulation results that demonstrate the application of and adherence to the proposed specifications are included.

grid-forming inverter↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Tai Chi Training in Cardiorespiratory Fitness of Elderly People

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of Tai Chi on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in elderly people using meta-analysis. Methods. This study used seven electronic databases and data retrieved from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the role of Tai Chi on CRF in the elderly. All these 24 RCTs were screened and selected from 7 literature databases. The Stata 11.2 software (StataCorp, USA) was used for the meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, and bias test, while the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool was used for the assessment of the risk of bias (RoB). 4 researchers independently participated in sample selection, data extraction, and RoB assessment. Results. Following the inclusion criteria, 24 eligible studies were included in our analysis. The meta-analysis indicated that Tai Chi practice significantly increased the maximum rate of oxygen consumption (VO2 max) (weighted mean difference (WMD) = 3.76, 95% CI: 1.25 to 6.26, P < 0.1 ), leading to an overall reduction in the heart rate (HR) (WMD = −1.84, 95% CI: −2.04 to −1.63, P ≤ 0.001 ) and an increase in the O2 pulse (WMD = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.60 to 1.28, P ≤ 0.001 ) in individuals who practiced Tai Chi regularly compared with those who did not. The subgroup analysis suggested that overall in those who practiced Tai Chi, males (WMD = 1.48, 95% CI: 0.85 to 2.12, P ≤ 0.001 ) had higher O2 pulse than females (WMD = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.33 to 1.12, P ≤ 0.001 ). The subgroup analysis also showed an increase in the vital capacity (VC) (WMD = 316.05, 95% CI: 239.74 to 392.35, P ≤ 0.001 ) in individuals practicing Tai Chi. When the samples were further stratified by Tai Chi practicing time, the subgroup analysis suggested that individuals practicing Tai Chi over a period of 24 weeks showed no significant difference in VC (WMD = 82.95, 95% CI: -98.34 to 264.23, P = 0.370 ), while those practicing Tai Chi over a period of 48 weeks showed a significant increase (WMD = 416.62, 95% CI: 280.68 to 552.56, P ≤ 0.001 ). Furthermore, the subgroup analysis demonstrated that the increase in VC is significantly correlated with the Tai Chi practicing time (WMD = 344.97, 95% CI: 227.88 to 442.06, P ≤ 0.001 ). Conclusion. Regular Tai Chi practice could improve the CRF in the elderly, as indicated by significant improvement in indicators including VO2max, O2pulse, VC, and HR. However, gender and practice time might influence the overall beneficial outcomes.

Tan, Tianyang↗
DOE OSTI2019

Accuracy of real-time multi-model ensemble forecasts for seasonal influenza in the U.S.

Seasonal influenza results in substantial annual morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide. Accurate forecasts of key features of influenza epidemics, such as the timing and severity of the peak incidence in a given season, can inform public health response to outbreaks. As part of ongoing efforts to incorporate data and advanced analytical methods into public health decision-making, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has organized seasonal influenza forecasting challenges since the 2013/2014 season. In the 2017/2018 season, 22 teams participated. A subset of four teams created a research consortium called the FluSight Network in early 2017. During the 2017/2018 season they worked together to produce a collaborative multi-model ensemble that combined 21 separate component models into a single model using a machine learning technique called stacking. This approach creates a weighted average of predictive densities where the weight for each component is determined by maximizing overall ensemble accuracy over past seasons. In the 2017/2018 influenza season, one of the largest seasonal outbreaks in the last 15 years, this multi-model ensemble performed better on average than all individual component models and placed second overall in the CDC challenge. It also outperformed the baseline multi-model ensemble created by the CDC that took a simple average of all models submitted to the forecasting challenge. This project shows that collaborative efforts between research teams to develop ensemble forecasting approaches can bring measurable improvements in forecast accuracy and important reductions in the variability of performance from year to year. Efforts such as this, that emphasize real-time testing and evaluation of forecasting models and facilitate the close collaboration between public health officials and modeling researchers, are essential to improving our understanding of how best to use forecasts to improve public health response to seasonal and emerging epidemic threats.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

High Energy Micron Scale Pixel Hybrid Detector

The objective of this technology development project has been to fabricate and characterize a new X-ray area image sensor innovation designed for high efficiency detection and imaging of hard X-rays (>20 KeV) with micron scale pixel resolution. A key technology component consists of a monolithic hybrid X-ray detector built by layering an amorphous Selenium X-ray photoconductor film directly deposited on a small pitch (7.8μm) CMOS active pixel readout array. A specific goal of this work is to provide a new detector tool to researchers working with synchrotron light sources, to extend the depth of exploration into nanoscale structures, and do so cost effectively. Early generation X-ray imaging detector tools fail to provide adequate resolving power and efficiency at high energies and our innovation provides a solution. A majority of proposed phase I tasks were completed. Those tasks included, in collaboration with KA Imaging, successful fabrication of specified a-Se layers on a 1Mpixel CMOS readout array to create the direct hybrid X-ray imaging array, packaging of the imaging array, assembly of electronics into a shielded detector box, loading user interface software for camera control and image capture, and performing initial (no X-ray) detector evaluation at Farrier Microengineering facilities. After initial tests, extensive testing using the X-ray beam line 1-BM source at Argonne National Laboratory Advanced Photon Source(ANL-APS) was performed. Imaging performance studies were conducted at multiple X-ray beam energies. Studies included X-ray response vs. X-ray energy, vs. applied detector field strength (HV), response linearity vs. integration time, MTF vs. beam energy, image lag measurements, and micron scale resolution pattern target imaging. This high energy micron scale X-ray detection technology is a first of a kind to be evaluated at the ANL-APS and is supported by Dr. Antonino Miceli, head of the detector physics group. Accomplishments include the first successful demonstration of a 1Mpix amorphous Selenium on CMOS readout direct hybrid X-ray imaging detector at a DOE sponsored National Laboratory. Modeled performance predictions were confirmed, proving micron scale resolution as well as an order of magnitude increase in conversion efficiency over conventional scintillator detector performance. A discovery of evidence of propagation-based phase contrast edge enhancement was unplanned and will be exploited in future experiments. This phase 1 technology demonstration verifies the efficacy of proposed high energy micron scale pixel X-ray hybrid a-Se imaging array products. The new detector products will cost effectively replace early generation detector technologies that currently fail to address increasing demand for tools to study nano structures and physical processes at high X-ray energies above 20keV. For example, current systems for transmission X-ray microscopy have low efficiency and available large pixel (~55µm) direct detectors do not offer sufficient resolution for Bragg fringe imaging at high energies. This detector innovation will solve these inadequacies. The new detector technology will compete in a $50M scientific X-ray detector market, growing at 6%, and will benefit Microtomography(µCT), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Coherent Diffraction Imaging (CDI) applications. One application specified by Dr. Miceli at ANL is the 3D reconstruction of compact crystals at high energies requires small pixel high efficiency X-ray detectors. Farrier Microengineering, working with colleagues at KA Imaging and the University of Waterloo, successfully achieved the critical objectives of the Phase I proposal. We have proven the technical feasibility of this innovation by building and successfully testing a 1Mpixel a-Se/CMOS hybrid direct X-ray imaging array. Our commercialization roadmap of detector products will be implemented during a phase II project. We will demonstrate a migration of the technology to larger detector array sizes, improved temporal performance with detector layer engineering, and improved environmental and operational stability. Manufacturability and cost effectiveness are key objectives and product designs will leverage current state of the art CMOS wafer fabrication quality and volume manufacturing economics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Numerical Modeling & Optimization of the iProTech Pitching Inertial Pump (PIP) Wave Energy Converter (WEC) (CRADA Final Report)

This project represents a continuation of the collaboration between iProTech and NLR to simulate, optimize and design the iProTech Pitching Inertial Pump (PIP) device. The objectives of this TEAMER project are twofold: 1. Refining the physical characteristics of the existing iProTech PIP WEC-Sim model to enhance the model’s fidelity and include controllable components. Key model enhancements target the inclusion of Coulomb friction, the introduction of a controllable bypass valve, and the replacement of traditional check valves with advanced motorized ones. 2. Exploring traditional and advanced control algorithms. From traditional methods like latching control to cutting-edge reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms, the goal is to ensure the PIP device's adaptability and optimal performance across a range of ocean conditions. NLR is tasked with augmenting the WEC-Sim model and implementing the control algorithms, culminating in performance comparison analyses. iProTech will update their existing 3D models, advise on model improvements, and determine crucial system metrics. WEC-Sim, developed in MATLAB/SIMULINK with Simscape Multibody, is the main piece of software that will be used in this project. Coupled with the MATLAB RL Toolbox, it offers a robust platform for in-depth simulation and optimization of the iProTech PIP device. Building on previous work to explore the PIP design space and optimize its geometry, mass distribution, center of gravity and other key parameters, this project aims to refine iProTech’s existing numerical models and develop effective control algorithms that can seamlessly integrate into their future hardware testing campaigns.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
NASA NTRS1994

Application of the Modular Automated Reconfigurable Assembly System (MARAS) concept to adaptable vision gauging and parts feeding

This paper presents the first phase results of a collaborative effort between university researchers and a flexible assembly systems integrator to implement a comprehensive modular approach to flexible assembly automation. This approach, named MARAS (Modular Automated Reconfigurable Assembly System), has been structured to support multiple levels of modularity in terms of both physical components and system control functions. The initial focus of the MARAS development has been on parts gauging and feeding operations for cylinder lock assembly. This phase is nearing completion and has resulted in the development of a highly configurable system for vision gauging functions on a wide range of small components (2 mm to 100 mm in size). The reconfigurable concepts implemented in this adaptive Vision Gauging Module (VGM) are now being extended to applicable aspects of the singulating, selecting, and orienting functions required for the flexible feeding of similar mechanical components and assemblies.

By, Andre Bernard↗
NASA NTRS2003

Regional Chemistry from Global CTMs with EC-Modeled Met-fields for the TRACE-P Mission

The UC Irvine project for Trace-P (PI: Prather) is a collaboration with Frontier-Japan (Wild and Akimoto) and U. Oslo (Sundet and Isaksen) to make high-resolution global T63 CTM simulations of trace gases and the oxidant budgets for the Trace-P period. Research at FRS and Oslo is not funded by GTE/TRACE-P. Completed control runs for the Trace-P period at T63L40 resolution using the standard emissions with the two related, but independent CTMs at Frontier-UCI and at U. Oslo. Preliminary diagnosis of the impact of Asian emissions on ozone and oxidant budgets is completed. A series of sensitivity runs is beginning to analyze where uncertainty in emissions is related to better simulation of the Trace-P observations.

Prather, Michael J.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Shuttle Orbiter Contingency Abort Aerodynamics: Real-Gas Effects and High Angles of Attack

An important element of the Space Shuttle Orbiter safety improvement plan is the improved understanding of its aerodynamic performance so as to minimize the "black zones" in the contingency abort trajectories [1]. These zones are regions in the launch trajectory where it is predicted that, due to vehicle limitations, the Orbiter will be unable to return to the launch site in a two or three engine-out scenario. Reduction of these zones requires accurate knowledge of the aerodynamic forces and moments to better assess the structural capability of the vehicle. An interesting aspect of the contingency abort trajectories is that the Orbiter would need to achieve angles of attack as high as 60deg. Such steep attitudes are much higher than those for a nominal flight trajectory. The Orbiter is currently flight certified only up to an angle of attack of 44deg at high Mach numbers and has never flown at angles of attack larger than this limit. Contingency abort trajectories are generated using the data in the Space Shuttle Operational Aerodynamic Data Book (OADB) [2]. The OADB, a detailed document of the aerodynamic environment of the current Orbiter, is primarily based on wind-tunnel measurements (over a wide Mach number and angle-of-attack range) extrapolated to flight conditions using available theories and correlations, and updated with flight data where available. For nominal flight conditions, i.e., angles of attack of less than 45deg, the fidelity of the OADB is excellent due to the availability of flight data. However, at the off-nominal conditions, such as would be encountered on contingency abort trajectories, the fidelity of the OADB is less certain. The primary aims of a recent collaborative effort (completed in the year 2001) between NASA and Boeing were to determine: 1) accurate distributions of pressure and shear loads on the Orbiter at select points in the contingency abort trajectory space; and 2) integrated aerodynamic forces and moments for the entire vehicle and the control surfaces (body flap, speed brake, and elevons). The latter served the useful purpose of verification of the aerodynamic characteristics that went into the generation of the abort trajectories.

Prabhu, Dinesh K.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Airspace Technology Demonstration 2 (ATD-2) Technology Description Document (TDD)

This Technology Description Document (TDD) provides an overview of the technology for the Phase 1 Baseline Integrated Arrival, Departure, and Surface (IADS) prototype system of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Airspace Technology Demonstration 2 (ATD-2) project, to be demonstrated beginning in 2017 at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). Development, integration, and field demonstration of relevant technologies of the IADS system directly address recommendations made by the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) Integration Working Group (NIWG) on Surface and Data Sharing and the Surface Collaborative Decision Making (Surface CDM) concept of operations developed jointly by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aviation industry partners. NASA is developing the IADS traffic management system under the ATD-2 project in coordination with the FAA, flight operators, CLT airport, and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). The primary goal of ATD-2 is to improve the predictability and operational efficiency of the air traffic system in metroplex environments, through the enhancement, development, and integration of the nation's most advanced and sophisticated arrival, departure, and surface prediction, scheduling, and management systems. The ATD-2 project is a 5-year research activity beginning in 2015 and extending through 2020. The Phase 1 Baseline IADS capability resulting from the ATD-2 research will be demonstrated at the CLT airport beginning in 2017. Phase 1 will provide the initial demonstration of the integrated system with strategic and tactical scheduling, tactical departure scheduling to an en route meter point, and an early implementation prototype of a Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) Electronic Flight Data (EFD) system. The strategic surface scheduling element of the capability is consistent with the Surface CDM Concept of Operations published in 2014 by the FAA Surface Operations Directorate.

integrated arrival↗
NASA NTRS2024

Digital Lunar Exploration Sites (DLES) Terrain Crafting

Humans will soon be returning to the surface of the Moon with NASA’s Artemis program. The Artemis program is an international collaboration that will consist of a complex series of space systems and missions to explore the lunar surface and pave the way for the future exploration of Mars. NASA and its partners rely heavily on simulation for lighting and navigation studies as well as training astronauts, flight controllers, and mission support staff. The NASA Exploration Systems Simulations (NExSyS) team in the Simulation and Graphics Branch (ER7) in the Engineering Directorate at NASA’s Johnson Space Center has built up many simulation products to support this effort, one of which is the Digital Lunar Exploration Sites (DLES). DLES is a collection of products used to simulate and render the lunar surface in a digital environment. We discussed and presented an overview of the DLES products at the 2022 IEEE Aerospace Conference in Big Sky, MT with a paper titled "Digital Lunar Exploration Sites". This “DLES Terrain Crafting” paper will expand on the information previously provided in “DLES” paper and dive deeper into the details of the terrain crafting process and the toolsets used to support this task. The best digital data currently available of the lunar surface is provided by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). Its Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) achieves an impressive resolution of 5m per pixel at the Lunar South Pole (LSP) and can generate datasets covering a large continuous region near the LSP. There are a few additional methods, such as Shape from Shading which can infer higher resolution data (up to 1m per pixel) from the LRO Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) images. However, surface-based simulations require higher-resolution data, and this paper will discuss the process of enhancing the terrain to meet that need. The process begins with capturing statistical data of craters in the regions of interest using images provided by the LRO NAC. This data is then used to scatter artificial features which are not captured in the truth data, resulting in an enhanced DEM with a much higher resolution of 20cm per pixel. Many tools were built up to assist in the creation of these artificial Digital Elevation Models (DEM), which this paper will discuss in detail. DEMs themselves are a very powerful representation of a planetary surface, and many operations and tools can utilize the data they contain. This paper includes a description of the rendering of the lunar surface in a graphics engine, generation of contact patches to simulate tire to ground interaction, and ray tracing utilities to model Line of Sight (LOS) interactions with the terrain. This paper will also explore some new tool sets currently under development which aim to utilize Machine Learning (ML) to assist in the identification of craters from LRO NAC imagery. While this is not a novel idea, the NExSyS team is developing a unique approach which may result in more robust identification of crater characteristics.

Artemis↗