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At least 109 records · Page 6

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NASA NTRS1977

Efficient estimation algorithms for a satellite-aided search and rescue mission

It has been suggested to establish a search and rescue orbiting satellite system as a means for locating distress signals from downed aircraft, small boats, and overland expeditions. Emissions from Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT), now available in most U.S. aircraft are to be utilized in the positioning procedure. A description is presented of a set of Doppler navigation algorithms for extracting ELT position coordinates from Doppler data. The algorithms have been programmed for a small computing machine and the resulting system has successfully processed both real and simulated Doppler data. A software system for solving the Doppler navigation problem must include an orbit propagator, a first guess algorithm, and an algorithm for estimating longitude and latitude from Doppler data. Each of these components is considered.

Argentiero, P.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Search and rescue by satellite

A system of satellites, ground stations and user equipments is proposed to provide an operational demonstration, using existing technology, for the timely detection and position location of general aviation aircraft and marine distress incidents so that rescue efforts can be started as soon as possible. The spaceborne equipment will consist of a transponder capable of receiving signals from existing and planned distress beacons at 121.5, 243.0 and 406.0 MHz, and transmitting at 1543 MHz. The program has generated international interest with Canada, France and the USSR presently planning to participate jointly with the U.S. in the development of the space and ground hardware.

Ehrlich, E.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Manned remote work station - Safety and rescue considerations

It is noted that due to restrictions of payload and volume limitations of current and projected launch systems, space construction of ultralarge space structures is essential. The present paper discusses the concepts of a key piece of construction equipment needed to support assembly of such large structures. Attention is given to the manned remote work station (MRWS), a universal crew cabin to be used as a construction cherry picker, space crane turret, work station on a construction base rail system, or a free flyer. Concepts and safety and rescue requirements for this spacecraft are delineated for early applications in support of Shuttle operations, as well as applications in support of a mid to late 1980's space construction base. Finally, applications in support of constructing and maintaining a solar power satellite system are covered.

Nathan, C. A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Error analysis for relay type satellite-aided search and rescue systems

An analysis is made of the errors in the determination of the position of an emergency transmitter in a satellite-aided search and rescue system. The satellite is assumed to be at a height of 820 km in a near-circular near polar orbit. Short data spans of four minutes or less are used. The error sources considered are measurement noise, transmitter frequency drift, ionospheric effects, and error in the assumed height of the transmitter. The errors are calculated for several different transmitter positions, data rates, and data spans. The only transmitter frequency used was 406 MHz, but the result can be scaled to different frequencies.

Marini, J. W.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Search and rescue satellite-aided tracking system

The objective of Sarsat is to demonstrate that satellites can greatly facilitate the monitoring, detection, and location of distress incidents alerted by Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) and Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) carried on commercial, military, and general aviation aircraft and some marine vessels. The detection and location will be accomplished by relaying, via satellite, ELT/EPIRB distress information to ground stations, which will complete the data processing and forward alert and position location data to rescue coordination services. This paper presents a Sarsat system description and a summary of Coast Guard and USAF objectives for the initial demonstration and evaluation tests of Sarsat.

Trudell, B.↗

NASA NTRS1984

In-flight rescue of stranded TDRS-1 spacecraft

On April 4, 1983, the first Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-1), one of six to be built for SPACECOM and NASA, was launched by the Space Shuttle Challenger. During the ascent to geosynchronous orbit, the Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) booster malfunctioned, leaving TDRS stranded in a low, elliptical orbit. This report describes the amazing satellite recovery from a wild tumble and the dramatic three-month rescue effort to move TDRS into synchronous orbit. It took a total burn time of 44 hours from a pair of tiny one-pound thrusters, about 800 pounds of propellant, an adaptable, robust attitude control system and much resourcefulness from ground operators to accomplish this feat. TDRS-1 reached its proper earth orbit on June 29, 1983 and then began its ten-year mission as a data relay satellite.

Schmeichel, H.↗

NASA NTRS1984

A spacecraft in trouble - The rescue of the tracking and data relay satellite

A detailed mission history is presented for the rescue of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) in 1983, in the wake of a faulty rocket stage burn after reaching apogee. The 2.5-ton spacecraft began to spin out of control at 180 deg/s, still attached to its booster stage. An anomaly analysis was conducted, together with an attitude control subsystem simulation, as a result of which maneuvers were conducted that succeeded in boosting TDRS to geosynchronous orbit, using despin from the sun mode, three-axis stabilization during booster burn, and finally return to the sun mode.

Staich, S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The use of active microwave sensors in search and rescue operations

The possibility of utilizing low-orbit active microwave sensors in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations to detect and positionally locate scenes of distress is studied. The use of a scanning type system, i.e., rotating a highly directional antenna as opposed to more complex synthetic aperture type system is addressed. Targets for this system will be passive reflectors, not active transmitters like EPIRBs; reflectors which could be easily stowed, require little to no maintenance, could be quickly erected and can be more affordable than battery powered alternatives. Presented are parametric analyses to determine the required antenna gains and reflector areas for various frequencies and orbit altitudes. Also, major issues are raised as well as indicating areas requiring further study.

Tillotson, Tom↗

NASA NTRS1987

Power sources for search and rescue 406 MHz beacons

The results of a study directed at the selection of a commercially available, safe, low cost, light weight and long storage life battery for search and rescue (Sarsat) 406 MHz emergency beacons are presented. In the course of this work, five electrochemical systems (lithium-manganese dioxide, lithium-carbon monofluoride, lithium-silver vanadium oxide, alkaline cells, and cadmium-mercuric oxide) were selected for limited experimental studies to determine their suitability for this application. Two safe, commercially available batteries (lithium-manganese dioxide and lithium-carbon monofluoride) which meet the near term requirements and several alternatives for the long term were identified.

Attia, Alan I.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Lifting-body option for a Space Station rescue vehicle

With the proposed development of the Space Station Freedom, the need for an assured crew return capability (ACRC) has been identified. During the past 2 years within NASA, there has been an ongoing activity to establish the design requirements for such a vehicle and to identify candidate vehicle concepts that can satisfy these requirements. From this activity, three primary design reference missions and four candidate vehicle concepts have been identified. In support of this activity, the emphasis at Langley has been to assess the potential application of a lifting-body concept derived from work on the HL-10 and X-24 programs in the late sixties. A vehicle systems analysis has been completed including wind-tunnel tests, aerodynamic heating predictions, six-degree-of-freedom entry simulations, and a global landing opportunities assessment. This report summarizes the results of work at Langley over the past 2 years to define the candidate lifting-body ACRC vehicle and provides insight into potential benefits of the higher cross range of this concept in accomplishing the Space Station rescue mission.

Hook, W. Ray↗

NASA NTRS1990

EVA crewperson overboard - Simplified rescue aid (SIRA)

This paper discusses potential roles for extravehicular activity (EVA) in space logistics and the possibilities for a crewperson to become inadvertently detached from the work site. Factors which could cause the detachment will be presented and a rescue technique described. Finally, implications to the design and implementation of space logistics will be portrayed relative to minimizing or eliminating the adrift EVA crewperson possibility.

Fisher, H. T.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Lightweight Boom For Rescue Helicopter

Telescoping boom and associated mechanisms attached to helicopter aid rescue operations by extending lifeline beyond sweep of main rotor. Pilot observes rescuee and control position of helicopter more effectively than if rescuee directly below and hidden from pilot's view. Rescuee outside downdraft of rotor, which is often powerful enough to blow away or submerge someone in water. Used for marine or land operations. Boom thin and lightweight because it need not support weight of rescuee. Lifeline pulls away from boom after secured around rescuee, who is lifted directly into cabin by winch. Potential application for in situ erection of telescopic space structures.

Haslim, Leonard A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Extravehicular activity self-rescue using a hand-held thruster

A study was performed in the virtual interactive environment workstation. Simulations were conducted to assess the feasibility and quantify the fuel and time requirements for a stranded crewperson to return to a space station after an accidental separation. A hand-held thruster, similar to the hand-held maneuvering unit from the Gemini program, was used for propulsion. Thirty different separation scenarios were composed of three separation rates, five initial spin rates, and an opportunity to use an attitude hold device in a repeated measures design. Statistically significant results were produced by separation velocity. Fuel, time maximum range, time to maximum range, maximum axial range, and final axial velocity increased with separation rate. A hand-held thruster is a viable alternative for accomplishing a self-rescue. Although one cannot prove a null effect, the fact that an attitude hold capability did not decrease solution time or fuel consumption is important for system designers. This fact, coupled with the success of a hand-held thruster in simulations, suggests that the added expense of more sophisticated solutions requiring a multitude of thrusters - and higher computation and power capabilities - may be unwarranted.

Brody, Adam R.↗

NASA NTRS1988

[STS-26 EVA Rescue Training]

This video shows astronauts Covey, Hilmers, and Hauck training in SES. It involves a simulated EVA rescue using the RMS. Training demonstrates the movement of a free-floating astronaut for grapple with the arm.

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NASA NTRS1995

Inflatable rescue device

This invention discloses, in one aspect, a personal rescue device for use in outer space which has an inflatable flexible tube with a shaper apparatus herein. Gas under pressure flows through the shaper apparatus and into the flexible tube. The flexible tube is mounted to the shaper so that as it inflates it expands and deploys lengthwise away from the shaper. In one embodiment a housing contains the shaper and the flexible tube and the housing is designed to facilitate movement of the expanding tube from the housing so the expanding tube does not bunch up in the housing.

Swan, Scott A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Further analysis of EVA self-rescue data

A means for rescuing a stranded extravehicular activity (EVA) astronaut is necessary to ensure safe space station operations. One promising device is a hand-held thruster similar to the Hand-Held Maneuvering Unit (HHMU) from the Gemini and Skylab programs. A study was performed in the Virtual Interactive Environment Workstation (VIEW) at NASA Ames Research Center. Three Initial (Separation) Velocities (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 m/s) were crossed with five Initial spin velocities (0, +/- 0.1, +/- 0.3) to yield 15 different trials. An Attitude Hold system was also modeled, which, when combined with the 15 combinations of separation and spin velocity, provided 30 distinct trails. Recent examinations of the data reveal that Initial (Separation) Velocity and Initial Spin Velocity each produced main effects and combined to produce an interaction effect on Solution Time. Solution Time increased with Initial Velocity and absolute Initial Spin Velocity. Final Roll Angle also increased Initial Spin Velocity. Attitude Hole Fuel increased with absolute Initial Spin Velocity. Interaction effects revealed that main effects were less pronounced at the lowest Initial Velocity level.

Brody, Adam R.↗

NASA NTRS1998

A Future of Satellite-Aided Search and Rescue

Satellite technology has been an integral part of maritime search and rescue since the Cospas-Sarsat system began operation in 1984. This system, credited with more than eighty-six hundred lives saved, has recently been augmented to provide immediate response through geostationary satellites. The other satellite-based distress alerting system, INMARSAT, launched its emergency Standard C service in 1991 and Standard E in 1997. Current plans call for a continuation of service from both of these vital systems at least through the first decade of the next century. We are currently witnessing the construction of a number of new satellite systems that will have the potential for revolutionizing mobile communications. These systems will be capable of emergency communication, and must be given due consideration in any look at the future, This paper reviews existing systems using satellites for distress alerting, describes the plans in place for them, and discusses likely developments.

Wallace, Ronald↗

NASA NTRS1995

Rescue Equipment

The Lifeshear cutter, a rescue tool for freeing accident victims from wreckage, was developed under the Clinton Administration's Technology Reinvestment Program. Prior cutting equipment was cumbersome and expensive; the new cutter is 50 percent lighter and 70 percent cheaper. The cutter is pyrotechnically-actuated, using a miniature version of the power cartridges used for separation devices on the Space Shuttle and other NASA spacecraft. Hi-Shear Technology Corporation developed the cutter with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and input from the City of Torrance (California) Fire Department.

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