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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 919 records · Page 51
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Update to Developing a Multi-bioreactor Test Stand for the Evaluation of Biofilm Mitigation Technologies

Biofilm formation in spacecraft wastewater systems is a complex and impactful problem. Biomass flowing in these wastewater systems can cause clogging, higher differential pressures, and flow restrictions impacting equipment reliability and function. To explore this issue, the Marshall Space Flight Center’s biofilm test stand was created and has been utilized to examine multiple biofilm mitigation techniques over a long duration test time. This paper is an update to a previous paper, ICES-2021-122, and will serve to discuss the modifications and enhancements to the biofilm test stand. While the previous configuration tested heat treatments and coatings, this phase of testing will examine differing materials, competing bacteria provided by an external bioreactor, a prototype phytoremediation unit, and additional testing with a nutrient filter. Configuration changes include the addition of float switches, adjustment of the drain assembly architecture and additional support hardware for the competing bacteria bioreactor and phytoremediation units.

ECLSS↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Updated Analysis of the Trash Compaction and Processing System: Water Collected from Trash, Evaluation of the Source Contaminant Control System, and Zotek® F30 Foam Processing

The Trash Compaction and Processing System (TCPS) aims to reduce volume, biologically safen, physically stabilize, manage effluents, and recover resources from astronaut trash in the International Space Station (ISS). At NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), there are two test systems: the Heat Melt Compactor (HMC), which compacts the trash into a tile with temperature and pressure, and the Source Contaminant Control System (SCCS), which is the gas management subsystem aimed to reduce contaminants by converting them into carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and water (H 2 O) vapor. Both the HMC and SCCS serve as test systems that support TCPS development by conducting risk reduction activities associated with an ISS technology demonstration. In this paper, the risk reduction activities discussed are the testing of different trash models for operational scenarios in the HMC, investigating the water extracted from those trash models, and managing the gaseous effluents from the trash via contaminant conversion through the SCCS. The HMC has undergone several tests of different trash models and cases in which a containment bag is used or not. For the first topic, this paper will analyze the water collected and recovered from these tests and analyze the effect of specific trash containment bags. For the second topic, this paper will individually evaluate the carbon bed and catalytic oxidizer (CatOx) to understand what components the carbon bed removes and what contaminants are converted in the CatOx. For the third and final topic, this paper will discuss Zotek® F30 foam processing in the HMC unit and testing verification in correlation to defined TCPS requirements. A foam model was added to reduce the volume of foam that take up space in the ISS. Overall, this paper is a compilation and an updated analysis of tests conducted in the lab-scale TCPS at ARC within the past year.

TCPS↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Silver Electrolysis for Disinfection of Spacecraft Potable Water: 2024 Update

Anodic dissolution of silver electrodes, or “silver electrolysis,” is being investigated as a means of introducing biocidal silver into potable water on exploration spacecraft. This paper provides an update on the effort to implement this technology into a spacecraft potable water system. Previous papers reported on the feasibility of the technology for this application, strategies to prevent a potential fault condition termed “electrode bridging,” results from a preliminary investigation into the cathode reaction, and preliminary multiphysics modeling of the reactor. Since then, work has begun on the design of a next-generation silver electrolysis reactor prototype that will incorporate improvements identified in previous testing and package the reactor in a more flight-like configuration. This development effort has included additional testing to optimize the reactor design for prevention of electrode bridging, further investigation into the cathode reaction (including the use of a dissolved hydrogen sensor), and an assessment of the feasibility of using the reactor in other applications, such as for microbial shock and preparation for system dormancy.

silver biocide↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Update to Developing a Multi-bioreactor Test Stand for the Evaluation of Biofilm Mitigation Technologies

Biofilm formation in spacecraft wastewater systems is a complex and impactful problem. Biomass flowing in these wastewater systems can cause clogging, higher differential pressures, and flow restrictions impacting equipment reliability and function. To explore this issue, the Marshall Space Flight Center’s biofilm test stand was created and has been utilized to examine multiple biofilm mitigation techniques over a long duration test time. This paper is an update to a previous paper, ICES-2021-122, and will serve to discuss the modifications and enhancements to the biofilm test stand. While the previous configuration tested heat treatments and coatings, this phase of testing will examine differing materials, competing bacteria provided by an external bioreactor, a prototype phytoremediation unit, and additional testing with a nutrient filter. Configuration changes include the addition of float switches, adjustment of the drain assembly architecture and additional support hardware for the competing bacteria bioreactor and phytoremediation units.

ECLSS↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Trash Compaction Processing System (TCPS) Technology Demonstration and Risk Reduction Updates FY23-FY24 Presentation

The Next STEP Phase BTrash Compaction Processing System (TCPS) is being developed for a technology demonstration on the International Space Station(ISS) to process common spacecraft consumables trash such as food packaging and clothing to reduce trash storage volume, recover water, safen(e.g. reduce biological activity), and shape the trash for storage, jettison, reuse (e.g.,radiation shielding) and/or recycling. Sierra Space is developing the flight demonstration hardware and National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) continues to conduct risk reduction activities to exploreoperational scenarios, setting the stage for successful on-orbit tests. After the flight demonstration on ISS, the TCPS becomes available to be infused into NASA short-and long-term missions.This paper will discuss the rationale for the updated requirement definitions outlined in the 2023 International Conference on Environmental System TCPS paper and the ongoing risk reduction activities. In addition, drawing from lessons learned in the development of the TCPS, a discussion of other compression technologies will be introduced for various mission types.

Trash Compaction Processing System↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Crustal Dynamics Data Information System (CDDIS) – SLR Updates

The Crustal Dynamics Data Information System (CDDIS), established in 1982, is NASA’s archive for space geodesy and geodynamics. Over decades, the CDDIS has grown and evolved alongside space geodesy communities, such as the DORIS, GNSS, SLR, and VLBI user communities. With this growth, different needs have becoming apparent for various sub-groups. Generally, the CDDIS ensures new updates and releases of data and products are made known to the general user community. In addition to this, inquiries on the frequency of data and product uses have become more common from various agencies. This poster provides an overview of these items.

Justine Woo↗
NASA NTRS2024

Analysis of Ryugu Fluid Inclusions: An Update

The most direct and convincing evidence for the presence of water and organic molecules on protoplanetary bodies is provided by fluid inclusions trapped in secondary minerals. Our previous work has demonstrated that early solar system fluids have survived as fluid inclusions in a Ryugu pyrrhotite crystal [2]. We hypothesize that the bulk molecular and isotopic composition of individual Ryugu fluid inclusions can be measured to provide ground truth for exploring and thermochemical modeling of the compositional and isotopic evolution of fluids in protoplanetary bodies including asteroids, comets and icy moons. This presentation is an update on our efforts to make measurements of elemental, molecular and, in particular, isotopic compositions of individual aqueous fluid inclusions in Ryugu samples. The measurements we plan will permit us to (1) understand elemental composition of the aqueous fluids present on Ryugu’s progenitor body, (2) track changes in the chemical and stable isotopic composition of altering fluids in small bodies over time, (3) verify the presence of organics in Ryugu fluids, (4) verify the reported significant CO 2 in Ryugu fluids, (5) measure O and H isotopes in preserved Ryugu fluids, (6) provide constraints on temperature range calculations for the mineralizing reactions being performed by other groups using mineral pairs, (7) measure sulfur/chloride and chloride/phosphorus ratios of Ryugu fluids. We note here that recent results from Enceladus reveal the importance of phosphorus in small body aqueous brines, indicating that our proposed research will benefit studies of all current ocean worlds.

Andrei Dolocan↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Update on Planetary, Lunar, & Asteroid Natural Environment Testbed (PLANET)

At ISMSE15, the Planetary, Lunar, & Asteroid Natural Environment Testbed (PLANET) was introduced as an upcoming high-fidelity, combined-effects planetary surface environment laboratory. This year, we will present an update on the facility status, describing the procurement, installation, commissioning of the chamber in Huntsville, Alabama (USA). With NASA’s push to return to the Moon through the Artemis program, there is a clear need for more high-fidelity test chambers that can replicate multiple aspects of the lunar surface, especially the fine, dusty lunar soil known as regolith. The PLANET chamber is designed to fill this gap, enabling research & development, qualification, and verification testing in a combined lunar surface environment, at an affordable price, for government, commercial/industry, and academic partners. Features include a large regolith simulant bed, low energy electron and ion sources to replicate the solar wind, full-spectrum UV and Solar simulation, and a liquid nitrogen cryogenic shroud, all in a high-vacuum environment (as low as 10^-7 mbar). PLANET’s initial focus will be on the lunar environment, but other surface environments (Martian, asteroid, etc.) are also possible to simulate. Besides the environmental instrumentation, PLANET will be equipped with specialized test systems that the Space Environmental Effects Team has developed over the past two years, including an in-situ tribometer and uniform dust distribution system. The chamber is currently being manufactured, with plans to install in May 2024. This will be followed by outfitting and commissioning. The challenges and accomplishments seen during this process will be detailed, and data from the first tests performed in PLANET will be shared with the community.

environmental testing↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Updates to PATO’s Thermo-Mechanical Model

The solid mechanics module within the Porous material Analysis Toolbox (PATO) material response code was updated to model the stress contribution from both internal pressure and pyrolysis shrinkage as function of material’s decomposition. Incorporating these physical phenomena, alongside the previously included temperature dependent mechanical properties, thermal expansion, and aerodynamic loads, allows for a more accurate thermo-mechanical behavior modeling of Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials, which is critical to assess spallation risks during atmospheric entry. This poster outlines the workflow for obtaining the necessary PATO inputs, derived from dilatometry experiments, which are used to model the stress field in TPS materials due to thermal expansion and pyrolysis shrinkage. Furthermore, to analyze the relevance of the stress contribution from the internal pressure, a study was conducted using TACOT with different permeability values.

TPS↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA SPoRT’s Streamflow-AI: Updates and Advancements

The NASA Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center (SPoRT) has been running a near-real-time deep learning model, Streamflow-AI, that predicts stream heights at over 250 locations across the Eastern United States out to 7 days for several years. This project was born out of a research-to-operations/operation-to-research (R2O/O2R) paradigm within SPoRT through extensive collaboration with National Weather Service (NWS) and River Forecast Center (RFC) forecasters. The original intention of Streamflow-AI was to provide accurate medium range (>2 days) forecasts of river flooding events that are particularly challenging for NWS forecasters, because routine streamflow forecasts may not incorporate quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) data beyond one or two days. Therefore, Streamflow-AI was designed to help fill the operational gap, producing routine 7 day river level forecasts using a suite of QPFs. Throughout the evolution of the project, research efforts have been tailored to meet the needs of the end users. This presentation will provide a brief overview of NASA SPoRT’s Streamflow-AI product, highlighting O2R/R2O concepts with a focus on recent developments including a 1-hr rapid update model and 15-min burn scar flooding modeling efforts.

Flooding↗
NASA NTRS2026

Updated global and regional trends of stratospheric ozone profiles

We present updated evaluation of stratospheric ozone profile trends in the 60° S–60°N latitude range using long-term ground-based and satellite climate data records, as well as simulations by chemistry-climate models. The trends are evaluated using the LOTUS (Long-term Ozone Trends and Uncertainties in the Stratosphere) regression model. Analyses of satellite data confirm the statistically significant positive ozone trends in the period 2000–2024 in the upper stratosphere of ~1–3% per decade, with larger trends at mid-latitudes compared to the tropics. The trends are slightly positive or close to zero in the middle stratosphere, and mostly negative, -1 to -2% per decade, in the lower stratosphere, but they are not statistically significant. The morphology and magnitude of ozone trends are similar to previous analyses (2000–2020 trends). Ozone trends in 2000–2024 predicted by chemistry-climate model simulations are in good agreement with combined satellite trends. In the upper stratosphere, models predict a slightly stronger ozone recovery than observations. In the lower stratosphere, both models and satellite observations report negative trends in the tropics, while modelled ozone trends are slightly positive at mid-latitudes. Ozone profile trends over several stations estimated from ground-based records capture the same overall vertical pattern of ozone trends as merged gridded satellite datasets. Analyses of regional ozone profile trends in 2003–2024 using merged satellite datasets confirmed the previous observations of a longitudinal structure in ozone trends in the NH mid-latitude stratosphere, with positive trends over Scandinavia and negative trends over Siberia. However, the magnitude of this dipole-like structure is reduced compared to previous analyses.

trends↗
NASA NTRS2026

Uranus Orbiter and Probe: Mission Challenges and Concept Updates Since the Origins, Worlds, and Life Decadal Survey

Origins, Worlds, and Life: Planetary Science and Astrobiology in the Next Decade identified a Uranus Orbiter and Probe as the highest-priority strategic mission for the decade 2023–2032, as it enables broad cross-disciplinary science in the largely unexplored Uranian system. The mission architecture evaluated by the Decadal Survey was a singular proof of concept demonstrating that a moderately instrumented mission could deliver Decadal-priority science with a reduced cost and risk posture by leveraging existing technologies to the maximum extent possible. With revised assumptions since the Decadal, we have explored a large trade space including launch vehicles, propulsion options, cruise trajectories, available power sources, viable concept of operations, and science data return for later launch dates without a Jupiter gravity assist. The most repeatable trajectory solutions employ either a commercially derived solar electric propulsion (SEP) transfer stage or the availability of a more capable launch vehicle under development, such as the SpaceX Starship. Orbit insertion has been moved farther from Uranus to acknowledge the remaining uncertainty in Uranian ring structure. A streamlined, SEP-adaptable, orbiter design was developed using two Next Gen Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators, and the probe design was matured, reducing the entry gravitational acceleration, and assuming the largest Decadal-recommended payload to provide margin for future instrument selections. With this updated design, we also constructed a detailed concept of operations for three representative science cases, returning 13–15 Gbit of science data and spacecraft telemetry per ∼34 day orbit.

Amy A Simon↗
NASA NTRS2026

Updates and Modernization of NASA’s Chemical Equilibrium with Applications (CEA) Code

NASA’s Chemical Equilibrium with Applications (CEA) code is a foundational tool for propulsion system analysis. It provides equilibrium chemistry, rocket performance, shock, and detonation calculations used across NASA and the broader aerospace community. NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Activity TI-22-01730 modernized the legacy CEA2 Fortran code into CEA v3, a Fortran 2008, object-oriented software package with expanded interface support, updated thermochemical data, improved maintainability, and substantially improved workflow integration. The modernized code preserves backward compatibility with legacy CEA input workflows while enabling direct use from modern analysis environments, including Python, C, MATLAB, and automated design studies.

Mark K Leader↗
NASA NTRS2026

Updates and Modernization of the Chemical Equilibrium with Applications (CEA) Code

NASA’s Chemical Equilibrium with Applications (CEA) code is a foundational tool for propulsion system analysis. It provides equilibrium chemistry, rocket performance, shock, and detonation calculations used across NASA and the broader aerospace community. NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Activity TI-22-01730 modernized the legacy CEA2 Fortran code into CEA v3, a Fortran 2008, object-oriented software package with expanded interface support, updated thermochemical data, improved maintainability, and substantially improved workflow integration. The modernized code preserves backward compatibility with legacy CEA input workflows while enabling direct use from modern analysis environments, including Python, C, MATLAB, and automated design studies.

Combustion↗
DOE OSTI2020

The updated DESGW processing pipeline for the third LIGO/VIRGO observing run

The DESGW group seeks to identify electromagnetic counterpartsof gravitational wave events seen by the LIGO-VIRGO network, such as thoseexpected from binary neutron star mergers or neutron star- black hole mergers.DESGW was active throughout the first two LIGO observing seasons, followingup several binary black hole mergers and the first binary neutron star merger,GW170817. We describe the modifications to the observing strategy generationand image processing pipeline between the second (ending in August 2017)and third (beginning in April 2019) LIGO observing seasons. The modifica-tions include a more robust observing strategy generator, further parallelizationof the image reduction software and dierence imaging processing pipeline,data transfer streamlining, and a web page listing identified counterpart candi-dates that updates in real time. Taken together, the additional parallelizationsteps enable us to identify potential electromagnetic counterparts within fullycalibrated search images in less than one hour, compared to the 3-5 hours itwould typically take during the first two seasons. These performance improve-ments are critical to the entire EM followup community, as rapid identification(or rejection) of candidates enables detailed spectroscopic followup by multipleinstruments as soon as possible, leading to more information about the environ-ment immediately following such gravitational wave events.

Herner, Kenneth R.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Annual Technology Baseline: The 2020 Electricity Update

Consistent cost and performance data for various electricity generation technologies can be difficult to find and may change frequently for certain technologies. With the Annual Technology Baseline (ATB), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory annually provides an organized and centralized set of such cost and performance data. The ATB uses the best information from the Department of Energy national laboratories' renewable energy analysts. The ATB has been reviewed by experts and it includes the following electricity generation technologies: land-based wind, offshore wind, utility-scale solar photovoltaics (PV), commercial-scale solar PV, residential-scale solar PV, concentrating solar power, geothermal power, hydropower, utility-scale battery storage. EIA data for coal, natural gas, nuclear, and conventional biopower are included for reference. This webinar presentation introduces the 2020 update to the ATB Electricity data and documentation.

capacity factor↗