Testing of spacecraft systems in a simulated ionospheric plasma
Laboratory simulation of interactions between ionospheric plasma and diverse spacecraft systems
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Laboratory simulation of interactions between ionospheric plasma and diverse spacecraft systems
Laboratory simulation of interactions between ionospheric plasma and diverse spacecraft systems
Operational support equipment design for Voyager spacecraft - system test and launch complex equipment
This presentation summarizes the current activities and products managed by NASA's Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI) and includes a brief overview of the on-orbit and upcoming missions managed by NASA's Small Spacecraft Technology Program. S3VI's activities and products focus on information sharing across the small spacecraft community at large and include webinar series, the annual Small Spacecraft Technology State of the Art Report, multiple databases, and a webportal.
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NASA, the aerospace community, and other high reliability (hi-rel) users of advanced microelectronic products face many challenges as technology continues to scale into the deep sub-micron region. Decreasing the feature size of CMOS devices not only allows more components to be placed on a single chip, but it increases performance by allowing faster switching (or clock) speeds with reduced power compared to larger scaled devices. Higher performance, and lower operating and stand-by power characteristics of Ultra-Low Power (ULP) microelectronics are not only desirable, but also necessary to meet low power consumption design goals of critical spacecraft systems. The integration of these components in such systems, however, must be balanced with the overall risk tolerance of the project.
Summary of Voyager spacecraft systems analysis and engineering tasks
Standard trajectories and parameters for design of Voyager spacecraft, and performance prediction, interfaces, and reliability of spacecraft subsystems
Resistojet propulsion systems have characteristics that are ideally suited for the on-orbit and primary propulsion requirements of large spacecraft systems. These characteristics which offer advantages over other forms of propulsion are reviewed and presented. The feasibility of resistojets were demonstrated in space whereas only a limited number of ground life tests were performed. The major technology issues associated with these ground tests are evaluated. The past performance of resistojets is summarized and, looks into the present day technology status is reviewed. The material criteria, along with possible concepts, needed to attain high performance resistojets are presented.
Spacecraft control system and flexible structures interactions, discussing transient phenomena, limit-cycle oscillations and instabilities
The Galileo spacecraft has been subjected to the charged particle environment around Jupiter since 1995. There have been numerous system failures attributable to radiation effects. We summarize those failures, their causes and any associated fixes.
Design of a manned spacecraft in 1958 and 1959 required that many decisions be made with no background of direct experience with similar vehicles and very little background of experience on vehicles of any type which had been exposed to the rigors of space. Under such circumstances, it was necessary to establish certain fundamental design principles which were believed to represent the proper balance between the conservatism required by the unknowns, the desired development schedule, and the extreme necessity to conserve weight. One of the foremost of the program objectives was, of course, safety. Broadly speaking, the design principles chosen to achieve the level of safety desired in such an unknown venture were very similar to those used for manned aircraft design.
Microbiological decontamination of lunar spacecraft during mechanical integration and assembly
Organic contamination on critical spacecraft surfaces can cause electronic problems, serious attenuation of various optical signals, thermal control changes, and adhesion problems. Such contaminants can be detected early by the controlled use of witness mirrors, witness plates, wipe sampling, or direct solvent extraction. Each method requires careful control of variables of technique and materials to attain the ultimate sensitivities inherent to that procedure. Subsequent chemical analysis of the contaminant sample by infrared and mass spectrometry identifies the components, gives semiquantitative estimates of contaminant thickness, indicates possible sources of the nonvolatile residue (NVR), and provides guidance for effective cleanup procedures.
The program 'Spacecraft 2000' has the objective to identify critical, high-payoff, potential spacecraft technologies, taking into account the formulation, advocation, and the management of the requisite technology development programs. This program represents a joint NASA-industry program. The technology areas addressed by 'Spacecraft 2000' are related to spacecraft power/energy storage, thermal control/thermal management, power management and distribution, autonomous operation-control, on-board system integration, spacecraft environmental interactions, secondary propulsion, communications technologies, a total system response approach, and system-subsystem technology verification. The expected benefits of a development of advanced technologies include decreased spacecraft bus system weights, decreased mission costs, increased reliability/lifetimes, and increased operational flexibility.
Voyager spacecraft subsystem level requirements in guidance and control, power, propulsion, and engineering mechanics including structures and packaging
Voyager project organization, management, scheduling and implementation of spacecraft design, and support scheduling
Performance analysis of electric power, data link, signal processing, and flight control systems of Surveyor 1 spacecraft