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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

Implementation of a system to provide mobile satellite services in North America

This paper describes the implementation of the ground network to support Mobile Satellite Services (MSS). The system is designed to take advantage of a powerful new satellite series and provides significant improvements in capacity and throughput over systems in service today. The system is described in terms of the services provided and the system architecture being implemented to deliver those services. The system operation is described including examples of a circuit switched and packet switched call placement. The physical architecture is presented showing the major hardware components and software functionality placement within the hardware.

Johanson, Gary A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

NSSDC provides network access to key data via NDADS

The National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) is making a growing fraction of its most customer-desirable data electronically accessible via both the local and wide area networks. NSSDC is witnessing a great increase in its data dissemination owing to this network accessibility. To provide its customers the best data accessibility, the NSSDC makes data available from a nearline, mass storage system, the NSSDC Data Archive and Dissemination Service (NDADS). The NDADS, the initial version was made available in January 1992, is a customized system of hardware and software that provides users access to the nearline data via ANONYMOUS FTP, an e-mail interface (ARMS), and a C-based software library. In January 1992, the NDADS registered 416 requests for 1,957 files. By December of 1994, NDADS had been populated with 800 gigabytes of electronically accessible data and had registered 1458 requests for 20,887 files. In this report we describe the NDADS system, both hardware and software. Later in the report, we discuss some of the lessons that were learned as a result of operating NDADS, particularly in the area of ingest and dissemination.

Behnke, Jeanne↗
NASA NTRS1995

SPACEWAY: Providing affordable and versatile communication solutions

By the end of this decade, Hughes' SPACEWAY network will provide the first interactive 'bandwidth on demand' communication services for a variety of applications. High quality digital voice, interactive video, global access to multimedia databases, and transborder workgroup computing will make SPACEWAY an essential component of the computer-based workplace of the 21st century. With relatively few satellites to construct, insure, and launch -- plus extensive use of cost-effective, tightly focused spot beams on the world's most populated areas -- the high capacity SPACEWAY system can pass its significant cost savings onto its customers. The SPACEWAY network is different from other proposed global networks in that its geostationary orbit location makes it a truly market driven system: each satellite will make available extensive telecom services to hundreds of millions of people within the continuous view of that satellite, providing immediate capacity within a specific region of the world.

Fitzpatrick, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS1996

SPACEWAY(TM) Providing Afordable and Versatile Telecommunication Solutions

This paper presents a summary description of SPACEWAY(TM), a network of Ka band geostationary satellites being developed by Hughes Communications, Inc. to provide worldwide interactive telecommunications services to small, low cost user terminals. By the end of this decade SPACEWAY(TM), using relatively few satellites and tightly focused spot beams, will provide affordable interactive 'bandwidth on demand' communication services on a global basis to consumer and commercial end users. This paper describes the system concept, details the space and ground segment characteristics, and discusses communication links.

Fitzpatrick, Edward James↗
NASA NTRS1997

Providing Total Quality Fundamentals: 1995 Workshops for the NASA Lewis Research Center's Technical Services Directorate

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) agency-wide movement to cultivate a quality workplace is the basis for Lewis Research Center to implement Total Quality Fundamentals (TQF) initiatives. The Lewis Technical Services Directorate (TSD) introduced the Total Quality Fundamentals (TQF) workshops to its work force as an opportunity to introduce the concepts and principles of TQF. These workshops also provided the participants with the opportunity to dialogue with fellow TSD employees and managers. This report describes, through the perspective of the Lewis TSD TQF Coaches, how the TQF work- shop process was accomplished in TSD. It describes the structure for addressing the need, implementation process, input the TSD Coaches provided, common themes and concerns raised, conclusions, and recommendations. The Coaches concluded that these types of workshops could be the key to open the communication channels that are necessary to help everyone at Lewis understand where they fit in the organization. TQF workshops can strengthen the participant's connection with the Mission, Vision of the Center, and Vision of the Agency. Reconunendations are given based on these conclusions that can help the TSD Quality Board develop attainable measures towards a quality workplace.

Antczak, Paul↗
NASA NTRS2001

Mississippi Company Using NASA Software Program to Provide Unique Imaging Service: DATASTAR Success Story

DATASTAR, Inc., of Picayune, Miss., has taken NASA's award-winning Earth Resources Laboratory Applications (ELAS) software program and evolved it to the point that the company is now providing a unique, spatial imagery service over the Internet. ELAS was developed in the early 80's to process satellite and airborne sensor imagery data of the Earth's surface into readable and useable information. While there are several software packages on the market that allow the manipulation of spatial data into useable products, this is usually a laborious task. The new program, called the DATASTAR Image Processing Exploitation, or DIPX, Delivery Service, is a subscription service available over the Internet that takes the work out of the equation and provides normalized geo-spatial data in the form of decision products.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2004

EPS (Electric Particulate Suspension) Microgravity Technology Provides NASA with New Tools

The Electric Particulate Suspension is a fire safety ignition test system being developed at Iowa State University with NASA support for evaluating combustion properties of powders, powder-gas mixtures, and pure gases in microgravity and gravitational atmospheres (quenching distance, ignition energy, flammability limits). A separate application is the use of EPS technology to control heat transfer in vacuum and space environment enclosures. In combustion testing, ignitable powders (aluminum, magnesium) are introduced in the EPS test cell and ignited by spark, while the addition of inert particles act as quenching media. As a combustion research tool, the EPS method has potential as a benchmark design for quenching powder flames that would provide NASA with a new fire safety standard for powder ignition testing. The EPS method also supports combustion modeling by providing accurate measurement of flame-quenching distance as an important parameter in laminar flame theory since it is closely related to characteristic flame thickness and flame structure. In heat transfer applications, inert powder suspensions (copper, steel) driven by electric fields regulate heat flow between adjacent surfaces enclosures both in vacuum (or gas) and microgravity. This simple E-field control can be particularly useful in space environments where physical separation is a requirement between heat exchange surfaces.

Colver, Gerald M.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Space-Based Sensor Web for Earth Science Applications: An Integrated Architecture for Providing Societal Benefits

There is a significant interest in the Earth Science research and user remote sensing community to substantially increase the number of useful observations relative to the current frequency of collection. The obvious reason for such a push is to improve the temporal, spectral, and spatial coverage of the area(s) under investigation. However, there is little analysis available in terms of the benefits, costs and the optimal set of sensors needed to make the necessary observations. Classic observing system solutions may no longer be applicable because of their point design philosophy. Instead, a new intelligent data collection system paradigm employing both reactive and proactive measurement strategies with adaptability to the dynamics of the phenomena should be developed. This is a complex problem that should be carefully studied and balanced across various boundaries including: science, modeling, applications, and technology. Modeling plays a crucial role in making useful predictions about naturally occurring or human-induced phenomena In particular, modeling can serve to mitigate the potentially deleterious impacts a phenomenon may have on human life, property, and the economy. This is especially significant when one is interested in learning about the dynamics of, for example, the spread of forest fires, regional to large-scale air quality issues, the spread of the harmful invasive species, or the atmospheric transport of volcanic plumes and ash. This paper identifies and examines these challenging issues and presents architectural alternatives for an integrated sensor web to provide observing scenarios driving the requisite dynamic spatial, spectral, and temporal characteristics to address these key application areas. A special emphasis is placed on the observing systems and its operational aspects in serving the multiple users and stakeholders in providing societal benefits. We also address how such systems will take advantage of technological advancement in small spacecraft and emerging information technologies, and how sensor web options may be realized and made affordable. Specialized detector subsystems and precision flying techniques may still require substantial innovation, development time and cost: we have presented the considerations for these issues. Finally, data and information gathering and compression techniques are also briefly described.

Habib, Shahid↗
NASA NTRS2001

Assessment of Stirling Technology Has Provided Critical Data Leading Toward Flight Readiness of the Stirling Converter

The NASA Glenn Research Center is supporting the development of a Stirling converter with the Department of Energy (DOE, Germantown, Maryland) for an advanced Stirling Radioisotope Power System (SRPS) to provide spacecraft onboard electric power for NASA space science missions. A key technology assessment completed by Glenn and DOE has led to the SRPS being identified as a high-efficiency power source for such deep space missions as the Europa Orbiter and the Solar Probe. In addition, the Stirling system is now being considered for unmanned Mars rovers, especially where mission profiles may exclude the use of photovoltaic power systems, such as exploration at high Martian latitudes or for missions of long duration. The SRPS efficiency of over 20 percent will reduce the required amount of radioisotope by more than a factor of 3 in comparison to current radioisotope thermoelectric generators. This significantly reduces radioisotope cost, radiological inventory, and system cost, and it provides efficient use of scarce radioisotope resources. In support of this technology assessment, Glenn conducted a series of independent evaluations and tests to determine the technology readiness of a 55-We Stirling converter developed by Stirling Technology Company (Kennewick, Washington) and DOE. Key areas evaluated by Glenn included: 1) Radiation tolerance of materials; 2) Random vibration testing of the Stirling converter in Glenn's Structural Dynamics Lab to simulate operation in the launch environment; 3) Electromagnetic interference and compatibility (EMI/EMC) of the converter operating in Glenn's EMI lab; Independent failure modes, effects, and criticality analysis, and life and reliability 4. Independent failure modes, effects, and criticality analysis, and life and reliability assessment; and 5) SRPS cost estimate. The data from these evaluations were presented to NASA Headquarters and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory mission office by a joint industry/Government team consisting of DOE, Glenn, and Lockheed Martin Astronautics. This team concluded that there are no technical reasons that would rule out using the Stirling converter for deep space missions. As a direct result of the successful testing at Glenn, the DOE/Stirling Technology Company 55-We Stirling converter has been baselined for the SRPS. Glenn is now continuing an in-house project to assist in developing the Stirling converter for readiness for space qualification and mission implementation. As part of this effort, the Stirling converter will be further characterized under launch environment random vibration testing, methods to reduce converter EMI will be developed, and an independent performance verification will be completed. Converter life assessment and permanent magnet aging characterization tasks are also underway. Substitute organic materials for the linear alternator and piston bearing coatings for use in a high-radiation environment have been identified and have now been incorporated in Stirling converters built by Stirling Technology Company for Glenn. Electromagnetic and thermal finite element analyses for the alternator are also being conducted.

Thieme, Lanny G.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Stirling Research Laboratory Providing Independent Performance Verification of Convertors for a Stirling Radioisotope Generator

The Department of Energy (DOE), Germantown, Maryland, Stirling Technology Company (STC), Kennewick, Washington, and NASA Glenn Research Center are developing a free-piston Stirling convertor for a high-efficiency Stirling Radioisotope Generator for NASA Space Science missions. This generator is being developed for multimission use, including providing electric power for unmanned Mars rovers and for deep space missions. STC is developing the 55-W Technology Demonstration Convertor (TDC) under contract to DOE. Glenn is conducting an in-house technology project to assist in developing the convertor for readiness for space qualification and mission implementation. As part of this effort, a Stirling Research Laboratory was established to test the TDC's and related technologies. A key task is providing an independent verification and validation of the TDC performance. Four TDC's are now being tested at Glenn. Acceptance testing has been completed for all convertors, and in general, performance agreed well with that achieved by STC prior to the delivery of the convertors. Performance mapping has also been completed on two of the convertors over a range of hot-end temperatures (450 to 650 C), cold-end temperatures (80 to 120 C), and piston amplitudes (5.2 to 6.2 mm). These test data are available online at http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/tmsb/. The TDC's can be tested in either a horizontal orientation with dual-opposed convertors or in a vertical orientation with a single convertor. Synchronized dual-opposed pairs are used for dynamically balanced operation that results in very low levels of vibration. The Stirling Research Laboratory also supports launch environment testing of the TDC's in Glenn's Structural Dynamics Laboratory and electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic compatibility characterization and reduction efforts. In addition, the TDC's will be used for long-term endurance testing, and preparations are underway for unattended operation.

Thieme, Lanny G.↗
NASA NTRS2005

LWS Proposal to Provide Scientific Guidance and Modeling Support for the Ionospheric Mapping Mission

A data assimilation system for specifying the thermospheric density has been developed over the last several years. This system ingests GRACE/CHAMP-type in situ as well as SSULI/SSUSI remote sensing observations while making use of a physical model, the Coupled Thermosphere-Ionosphere Model (CTIM) (Fuller-Rowel1 et al., 1996). The Kalman filter was implemented as the backbone to the data assimilation system, which provides a statistically 'best' estimate as well as an estimate of the error in its state. The system was tested using a simulated thermosphere and observations. CHAMP data were then used to provide the system with a real data source. The results of this study are herein.

Richmond, Arthur D.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Considerations Taken in Developing the Frequency Assignment Guidelines for Communications in the Mars Region Provided in SFCG Recommendation 22-1, (SFCG Action Item No. 23/10)

In the 23'd Annual SFCG meeting in San Diego, CA, the SFCG created SFCG Action Item No. 23/10 to provide a readable summary of the work done by the Mars Interim Working Group (MIWG). The SFCG created the MIWG to develop a frequency plan for future Mars missions. The working group has produced a number of documents resulting in a recommendation, SFCG Rec 22-1 [1], titled Frequency Assignment Guidelines for Communications in Mars Region, including a frequency plan for the Mars Region. This document is prepared in response to the SFCG Action Item to provide an overview of the considerations taken when selecting the frequencies and to point out where detailed information of the considerations can be found.

adjancent band emissions↗
NASA NTRS1982

Motion systems providing three or four degrees of freedom

A motion system is provided by a platform generally parallel to a base and connected thereto by a column and powered and controlled extensible members, at least three of which are connected between distributed points around the column. In a three degree of freedom device, the column is conical, rigidly supported at its base with a universal joint at its top. The points of attachment define triangles in the base and in the platform surrounding the column with one extensible member connected between each. In the four degree of freedom version, the column is modified by making it effectively a column which is pivoted or guided at the base or contains an extensible member, preferably retains its triangular shape and its universal joint connection to the platform at its apex. For stability four powered and controlled extensible members are provided between points in the base and platform distributed around the column, a preferred pattern of arrangement being a square with the column at the center.

Chou, Richard C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Antenna system providing a spherical radiation pattern

An antenna system provides a substantially spherical radiation pattern about a structure located above ground level, by locating the individual radiation pattern of each of a plurality of individual antennae, each positioned to have a radiation pattern covering only a portion of the desired sphere, and then applying all antenna signals, during either transmission or reception time intervals, through space-diversity and/or time-diversity apparatus, to cause the patterns of all of the antennae to combine into the desired substantially-spherical pattern. The antennae may have substantially hemispherical patterns, with each antenna of a pair thereof being directed in a direction generally opposite to the other antenna of that pair. Time domain multiple access (TDMA) operation of a master system station, with transmission in different time slots for different portions of the coverage sphere, and selection of the strongest received signal from among all of the plurality N of signals simultaneously received by the plurality N of antennae, can provide the desired spherical radiation pattern in both the transmission and reception modes of operation.

Sickles, II, Louis↗
NASA NTRS1992

Method of providing a lunar habitat from an external tank

A lunar habitat is provided by placing an external tank of an orbiter in a low Earth orbit where the hydrogen tank is separated from the intertank and oxygen tank which form a base structure. The base structure is then outfitted with an air lock, living quarters, a thermal control system, an environmental control and life support system, and a propulsion system. After the mounting of an outer sheath about the base structure to act as a micrometeoroid shield, the base structure is propelled to a soft landing on the moon. The sheath is mounted at a distance from the base structure to provide a space therebetween which is filled with regolith after landing. Conveniently, a space station is used to outfit the base structure. Various elements of the oxygen tank and intertank are used in outfitting.

King, Charles B.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Damage Detection/Locating System Providing Thermal Protection

A damage locating system also provides thermal protection. An array of sensors substantially tiles an area of interest. Each sensor is a reflective-surface conductor having operatively coupled inductance and capacitance. A magnetic field response recorder is provided to interrogate each sensor before and after a damage condition. Changes in response are indicative of damage and a corresponding location thereof.

Woodard, Stanley E.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Automata learning algorithms and processes for providing more complete systems requirements specification by scenario generation, CSP-based syntax-oriented model construction, and R2D2C system requirements transformation

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments, automata learning algorithms and techniques are implemented to generate a more complete set of scenarios for requirements based programming. More specifically, a CSP-based, syntax-oriented model construction, which requires the support of a theorem prover, is complemented by model extrapolation, via automata learning. This may support the systematic completion of the requirements, the nature of the requirement being partial, which provides focus on the most prominent scenarios. This may generalize requirement skeletons by extrapolation and may indicate by way of automatically generated traces where the requirement specification is too loose and additional information is required.

Hinchey, Michael G.↗