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NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Development of Additive Manufacturing Technologies for 3D Printing of Spacecraft Heat Shields

Introduction: Ablative heat shields are an enabling technology for entry into planetary atmospheres. From the PICA heatshields used for several Mars rovers to the carbon phenolic material used for Galileo’s Jupiter entry probe, the heat shield manages the heat load transferred to the payload, protecting the sensitive scientific instruments carried on entry probes. The Additive Manufacturing of Thermal Protection Systems (AMTPS) project, an Early Career Initiative (ECI) funded by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and led by NASA Johnson Space Center, seeks to develop materials and processes for 3D printing ablative heat shields for spacecraft. Current methods for producing ablative heat shields are extremely labor intensive and re-quire extensive hands-on processes and quality control characterization. Additive manufacturing (AM) offers the possibility of reduced production times, improved reliability, and enhanced performance via graded compositions. Costs will also be reduced by reducing the time and labor required for heat shield production. Direct integration of the heat shield onto the structure during processing simplifies integration and reduces risk. Material Development: A critical challenge for the project is development of a material system that can (1) be printed in a near-net shape process and (2) perform well as an ablator. Achieving printability requires the material to flow under applied pressure, but maintain its shape once extruded from the printer nozzle. Ablative performance is measured by a multitude of markers, including char yield, char strength, thermal conductivity, and recession rate. Furthermore, there are several mechanical and thermal property considerations for vehicle integration including coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and residual stress. AM technology will be leveraged to grade the material formulation and properties through the thickness of the heat shield, an architecture not possible with current manufacturing processes. To this end, “robust” material formulations have been pre-pared with higher density for use on the surface where most ablation will occur. “Insulative” material formulations, with lower density and lower thermal conductivity, are prepared for use in the depth of the heat shield. This graded architecture will re-duce the overall mass of the heat shield and reduce costs and/or increase scientific payload capacities. To achieve a material system with the required properties, multiple resins have been investigated in collaboration with NASA Ames Research Center. To tune printability and performance, resin additives were studied to improve flexibility of the cured material while maintaining acceptable ablative performance. Material coupons were printed and studied via a suite of mechanical and thermal characterization methods. Arc jet testing was conducted at NASA Ames Research Center to evaluate ablative performance and thermal protection under conditions expected in atmospheric entry. Manufacturing Scale-Up: A partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) aims to enable full-scale fabrication of a 3D printed heat shield. Leveraging expertise in manufacturing and 3D printing at ORNL, a mid-scale manufacturing demonstration unit will be built and tested, using a dual-layer ablative system printed directly onto the titanium structure. Work on robotic system integration is ongoing and efforts to scale up material mixing with a material compound will ensure accurate and homogenous composition. Flight Test: A hypersonic sub-orbital flight test will provide a rigorous test of material performance ranging from ablation, thermal management, and mechanical integrity. Design of the capsule has taken place in collaboration with the University of Kentucky. Data collected from the flight will inform future design efforts in material formulation, printing methodology, and heat shield-capsule integration.

additive manufacturing↗
NASA NTRS2011

The International Space Station Research Opportunities and Accomplishments

In 2010, the International Space Station (ISS) construction and assembly was completed to become a world-class scientific research laboratory. We are now in the era of utilization of this unique platform that facilitates ground-breaking research in the microgravity environment. There are opportunities for NASA-funded research; research funded under the auspice of the United States National Laboratory; and research funded by the International Partners - Japan, Europe, Russia and Canada. The ISS facilities offer an opportunity to conduct research in a multitude of disciplines such as biology and biotechnology, physical science, human research, technology demonstration and development; and earth and space science. The ISS is also a unique resource for educational activities that serve to motivate and inspire students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Even though we have just commenced full utilization of the ISS as a science laboratory, early investigations are yielding major results that are leading to such things as vaccine development, improved cancer drug delivery methods and treatment for debilitating diseases, such as Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy. This paper

Alleyne, Camille W.↗
NASA NTRS2008

ESMD Space Grant Faculty Report

The strength of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate ESMD Faculty Project lies in its ability to meet National Aeronautics Space Administration NASA's Strategic Educational Outcome 1 by developing a sustainable and long-term integration of student involvement at academic institutions with all NASA Centers. This outcome is achieved by a three-fold approach: 1) by collecting Senior Design projects pertaining to Constellation work performed at each of the ten NASA Centers, 2) by engaging students at Minority Serving Institutions in the art of systems engineering and systems design of technologies required for space exploration, and 3) by identifying potential internships at each Center relative to exploration that provide students who are supported by their institutional Space Grant to engage in on-going mission-level and explorative systems designs. The objectives of the ESMD Faculty Project are to: 1. Aid the Centers (both Education Offices and associated technical organizations) in providing relevant opportunities for the ESMD Space Grant Program to support student and faculty in Senior Design projects 2. Enable better matches between the ESMD work required and what the Space Grant Consortia can do to effectively contribute to NASA programs 3. Provide the Space Grant Consortia an opportunity to strengthen relations with the NASA Centers 4. Develop better collective understanding of the U.S. Space Exploration Policy by the Center, Space Grant, faculty, Education Office, and students 5. Enable Space Grant institution faculty to better prepare their students to meet current and future NASA needs 6. Enable the Center Education Offices to strengthen their ties to their technical organizations and Space Grant Consortia 7. Aid KSC in gaining a greater and more detailed understanding of each of the Center activities Senior Design projects are intended to stimulate undergraduate students on current NASA activities related to lunar, Mars, and other planetary missions and to bring out innovative and novel ideas that can be used to complement those currently under development at respective NASA Centers. Additionally, such academic involvement would better the prospects for graduating seniors to pursue graduate studies and to seek careers in the space industry with a strong sense for systems engineering and understanding of design concepts. Internships, on the other hand, are intended to provide hands-on experience to students by engaging them in diverse state-of-the-art technology development, prototype bread-boarding, computer modeling and simulations, hardware and software testing, and other activities that provide students a strong perspective of NASA's vision and mission in enhancing the knowledge of Earth and space planetary sciences. Ten faculty members, each from a Space Grant Consortium-affiliated university, worked at ten NASA Centers for five weeks between June 2 and July 3, 2008. The project objectives listed above were achieved. In addition to collecting data on Senior Design ideas and identifying possible internships that would benefit NASA/ESMD, the faculty fellows promoted and collected data when required for other ESMD-funded programs and helped the Center's Education Office, as,needed. 4

Guo, Jiang↗
NASA NTRS1983

NASA-Ames Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program (SHARP)

The function of SHARP is to recognize high school juniors who have demonstrated unusually high promise for sucess in mathemtics and science. Twenty academically talented students who will be seniors in high school in September were chosen to participate in SHARP 83. Mentors were selected to provide students with first-hand experiences in a research and development environment in order that each student might try out his or her tentative professional career choice. Some special features of SHARP included field trips to private industries doing similar and related research, special lectures on topics of research here at ARC, individual and group counseling sessions, written research papers and oral reports, and primarily the opportunity to be exposed to the present frontiers in space exploration and research. The long-range goal of SHARP is to contribute to the future recruitment of needed scientists and engineers. This final report is summary of all the phases of the planning and implemenation of the 1983 Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program (SHARP).

Powell, P.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Extended mission technology demonstrations using the ASTERIA spacecraft

ASTERIA (Arcsecond Space Telescope Enabling Research In Astrophysics) is a CubeSat space telescope currently operating in low-Earth orbit. It is expected to remain in orbit at least through October 2019. Developed as a technology demonstration mission under the JPL Phaeton Program for training early-career engineers, ASTERIA has achieved sub-arcsecond pointing stability and milliKelvin thermal stability over 20-minute observations.

Knapp, Mary↗
NASA NTRS1996

Aiming at Targets: The Autobiography of Robert C. Seamans, Jr.

Bob Seamans originally was inspired to write this book for his family and friends. That is a large audience. By his own count his immediate family numbers twenty-four, not counting brothers and cousins and their families. His friends are uncounted but surely run to hundreds. As one of them and as a colleague at NASA, I am pleased and honored that he asked me to write this foreword. While written in Bob's unique and informal style, this autobiography has significance for many readers beyond his large circles of family and friends. Leaders and students of large, complex technological endeavors should be able to learn much from reading how Bob faced the daunting technical and management challenges in his career. As the title of this book implies, Bob has always set high goals for himself and then kept his eyes focused on both the necessary details and the broader picture. His ability to shift smoothly among jobs that required seemingly disparate abilities and skills speaks volumes about his insight, dedication, and enthusiasm for achievement. The book spans a truly remarkable life story. Bob first takes us through his growing up, education, and early professional and family life. Next he focuses on the crucial years when he was the general manager of NASA. Then he moves on to his career in the top jobs at the Air Force, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Energy Research and Development Administration. Finally, he touches on his later leadership activities in the academic and business worlds. Aiming at Targets is a series of fascinating topical vignettes covering his professional life. Taken together, like broad brushstrokes in an impressionist painting, they give a better picture of Bob Seamans and his work than a detailed recitation of facts and dates could hope to do. This is a cheerful account of an interesting and successful career. The book is full of good stories, with many memorable characters. Like the proverbial sundial, it counts the sunny hours. It is a good read. But it has its serious side. Bob's career wasn't all fun. The Apollo 204 fire, which killed three astronauts, was a terrible climax to his time at NASA. As one who lived through those days with him, I can recall the trauma and special sense of responsibility he felt. His account of this period and of the sad deterioration of his relationship with his boss, Jim Webb, is both fair and generous. Those were not happy times, but they should not be allowed to overshadow the fact that in his seven years at NASA, Bob Seamans led the agency to its first successes and laid the groundwork for the great successes that came later.

Seamans, Robert C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Growing Beyond Earth; Students Exploring Plant Varieties for Future Space Exploration

Future space exploration and long duration space flight will pose an array of challenges to the health and wellbeing of astronauts. Since 2015, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (FTBG), in partnership with NASA's Veggie team, has been testing edible crops for space flight potential through a series of citizen science experiments. FTBG's interest in classroom-based science projects, along with NASA's successful operation of the Veggie system aboard the International Space Station (ISS), led to a NASA-FTBG partnership that gave rise to the Growing Beyond Earth STEM Initiative (GBE). Established in 2015, GBE now involves 131 middle and high school classrooms in South Florida, all conducting simultaneous plant science experiments. The results of those experiments (both numeric and visual) are directly shared with the space food production researchers at KSC. Through this session, we will explore the successful classroom implementation and integration into the curriculum, how the data is being used and the impact of the project on participating researchers, teachers, and students. Participating schools were supplied with specialized LED-lit growth chambers, mimicking the Veggie system on ISS, for growing edible plants under similar physical and environmental constraints. Research protocols were provided by KSC scientists, while edible plant varieties were selected mainly by the botanists at FTBG. In a jointly-led professional development workshop, participating teachers were trained to conduct GBE experiments in their classrooms. Teachers were instructed to not only teach basic botany concepts, but to also demonstrate practical applications of math, physics and chemistry. As experiments were underway, students shared data on plant germination, growth, and health in an online spreadsheet. Results from the students research show a promising selection of new plant candidates for possible further testing. Over a two year period, more than 5000 South Florida students, ages 11 to 18, participated in GBE. Evaluation of the program shows an increased knowledge of and interest in science and science careers among students. The program has also boosted the demand for summer high school internships at FTBG, further developing expertise in plant research and science related to space exploration. Supported by a grant from NASA (NNX16AM32G) to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

Veggie↗
NASA NTRS1975

Current and future opportunities in aeronautical engineering

Current demand for aeronautical engineers is approximately balanced with supply, with some shortfall in certain specialties. In the near term (5 years), demand will exceed supply of new graduates. A number of factors have brought on the state of imbalance: (1) the cyclic nature of the demand of our defense requirements; (2) drastic changes in DOD aircraft procurement; (3) the emergence of the space age; (4) evolution of social attitudes toward technology with resultant decline in enrollments; and (5) the universities themselves through their influences in the direction of careers selected by engineers. These factors have been counteracted somewhat by increased DOD emphasis on aircraft development programs but more importantly by the favorable growth in civil aircraft requirements.

Brizendine, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Improving science literacy and education through space life sciences

The National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) encourages open involvement by scientists and the public at large in the Institute's activities. Through its Education and Public Outreach Program, the Institute is supporting national efforts to improve Kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) and undergraduate education and to communicate knowledge generated by space life science research to lay audiences. Three academic institution Baylor College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine and Texas A&M University are designing, producing, field-testing, and disseminating a comprehensive array of programs and products to achieve this goal. The objectives of the NSBRI Education and Public Outreach program are to: promote systemic change in elementary and secondary science education; attract undergraduate students--especially those from underrepresented groups--to careers in space life sciences, engineering and technology-based fields; increase scientific literacy; and to develop public and private sector partnerships that enhance and expand NSBRI efforts to reach students and families. c 2001. Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

NASA Discipline General Space Life Sciences↗
NASA NTRS2013

Estimating the Effects of Astronaut Career Ionizing Radiation Dose Limits on Manned Interplanetary Flight Programs

Space radiation effects mitigation has been identified as one of the highest priority technology development areas for human space flight in the NASA Strategic Space Technology Investment Plan (Dec. 2012). In this paper we review the special features of space radiation that lead to severe constraints on long-term (more than 180 days) human flight operations outside Earth's magnetosphere. We then quantify the impacts of human space radiation dose limits on spacecraft engineering design and development, flight program architecture, as well as flight program schedule and cost. A new Deep Space Habitat (DSH) concept, the hybrid inflatable habitat, is presented and shown to enable a flexible, affordable approach to long term manned interplanetary flight today.

Koontz, Steven L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

NASA/OAI Research Associates program

The intent of this activity was the development of a cooperative program between the Ohio Aerospace Institute and the NASA Lewis Research Center with the objective of better preparing recent university graduates for careers in government aerospace research laboratories. The selected individuals were given the title of research associate. To accomplish the aims of this effort: (1) the research associates were introduced to the NASA Lewis Research Center and its mission/programs, (2) the research associates directly participated in NASA research and development programs, and (3) the research associates were given continuing educational opportunities in specialized areas. A number of individuals participated in this project during the discourse of this cooperative agreement. Attached are the research summaries of eight of the research associates. These reports give a very good picture of the research activities that were conducted by the associates.

Keith, Theo G., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Sharing the NASA Experience

Dr. Obadiah Kegege will share his career experience with the University of Missouri _ Kansas City Students. This experience spans from academia, research and development, working on flight and ground systems for space exploration, to current work in engineering project management. Most of his NASA experience concentrates on supporting the Space Communication and Navigation Program (SCaN) program. SCaN implements, manages, and maintains communications and navigation services to existing and planned space missions. Dr. Kegege's talk will touch on topics like "how do we communicate to space," as well giving an overview of NASA's Near-Earth Network (NEN), Space Network (SN), and the Deep Space Network (DSN). Also, Dr. Kegege will answer a few questions from students, i.e applying for NASA internships, applying for jobs at NASA, etc.

Kegege, Obadiah O.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Entry Systems and Vehicle Development Branch (Code TSS)

- TSS was established in 2009 to work with discipline-oriented branches (TSA, TSM, TSF) and provide a leadership approach for sub-system design and hardware components that comprise entry systems. - Currently, branch comprises 11 civil servants and 11 contractors. - 19 NASA Honor Awards in Exceptional Service (2), Achievement (2), Engineering Achievement (5), Early Career Achievement (5), and Outstanding Leadership (5). - In the last decade, TSS has built up core competencies that enable the branch to deliver end-to-end entry systems and vehicle development capabilities.

Antonella Alunni↗
NASA NTRS2019

Development of Low-Cost Micromanipulation Systems for Small Extraterrestrial Samples

The analysis of microscale to mm-scale astromaterials often involves the transfer of samples from storage or collection substrates to analytical substrates. These transfers are accomplished by hand (via tweezers or fine-tipped needles) or by utilizing micromanipulation instruments. Freehand manipulation of small particles is extremely challenging due to involuntary hand tremors on the order of 100μm and due to the triboelectric charging induced by frequent contact between the manipulation tool and the support substrate. Months or years of practice may be required before an investigator develops the necessary experience to confidently transfer a 10-20μm particle in this manner. Handling even mm-sized particles with fine-tipped tweezers can be challenging, due to the inability to precisely control the force with which grains are being held. Mechanical, hydraulic, and motorized/electrical micromanipulators enable the precise handling of microscale samples and are often utilized in laboratories where frequent small sample preparation is required. However, the price of such instruments (~ $10,000 to $100,000) makes them cost-prohibitive for some institutions. Graduate students or early-career scientists interested in conducting research on interplanetary dust particles, Itokawa particles returned by Hayabusa, or future samples returned by OSIRIS-REx or Hayabusa2 may experience difficulty in justifying the expense of a micromanipulator to their advisors or principle investigators. Johnson Space Center’s Astromaterials Acquisition and Curation Office and the Lunar and Planetary Institute conduct annual training for early career scientists and for investigators that require experience with handling of small extraterrestrial samples. In support of this training, we have been developing low-cost mechanical alternatives to expensive micromanipulators that training participants can implement in their respective facilities.

Snead, Christopher J.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Enhancement of the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Group's Website and Related Projects

The major problem addressed throughout the term was the need to update the group's current website, as it was outdated and required streamlining and modernization. The old Gateway to Astronaut Photography of the Earth website had multiple components, many of which involved searches through expansive databases. The amount of work required to update the website was large and due to a desired release date, assistance was needed to help build new pages and to transfer old information. Additionally, one of the tools listed on the website called Image Detective had been underutilized in the past. It was important to address why the public was not using the tool and how it could potentially become more of a resource for the team. In order to help with updating the website, it was necessary to first learn HTML. After assisting with small edits, I began creating new pages. I utilized the "view page source" and "developer" tools in the internet browser to observe how other websites created their features and to test changes without editing the code. I then edited the code to create an interactive feature on the new page. For the Image Detective Page I began an evaluation of the current page. I also asked my fellow interns and friends at my University to offer their input. I took all of the opinions into account and wrote up a document regarding my recommendations. The recommendations will be considered as I help to improve the Image Detective page for the updated website. In addition to the website, other projects included the need for additional, and updated image collections, along with various project requests. The image collections have been used by educators in the classroom and the impact crater collection was highly requested. The glaciers collection focused mostly on South American glaciers and needed to include more of the earth's many glaciers. The collections had not been updated or created due to the fact that related imagery had not been catalogued. The process of cataloging involves identifying the center point location of the image and feature identification. Other project needs included collecting night images of India in for publishing. Again, many of the images were not catalogued and the database was lacking in night time imagery for that region. The last project was to calculate the size of mega fans in South Africa. Calculating the fan sizes involved several steps. To expedite the study, calculations needed to be made after the base maps had been created. Using data files that included an outline of the mega fans on a topographic map, I opened the file in Photoshop, determined the number of pixels within the outlined area, created a one degree squared box, determined the pixels within the box, converted the pixels within the box to kilometers, and then calculated the fan size using this information. Overall, the internship has been a learning experience for me. I have learned how to use new programs and I developed new skills. These These skills can help me as I enter into the next phase of my career. Learning Photoshop and HTML in addition to coding in Dreamweaver are highly sought after skills that are used in a variety of fields. Additionally, the exposure to different aspects of the team and working with different people helped me to gain a broader set of skills and allowed me to work with people with different experiences. The various projects I have worked on this summer have directly benefitted the team whether it was completing projects they did not have the time to do, or by helping the team reach deadlines sooner. The new website will be the best place to see all of my work as it will include the newly designed pages and will feature my updates to collections.

Coffin, Ashley↗
NASA NTRS2012

Overcoming the Critical Shortage of STEM - Prepared Secondary Students Through Modeling and Simulation

In developing understanding of technological systems - modeling and simulation tools aid significantly in the learning and visualization processes. In design courses we sketch , extrude, shape, refine and animate with virtual tools in 3D. Final designs are built using a 3D printer. Aspiring architects create spaces with realistic materials and lighting schemes rendered on model surfaces to create breathtaking walk-throughs of virtual spaces. Digital Electronics students design systems that address real-world needs. Designs are simulated in virtual circuits to provide proof of concept before physical construction. This vastly increases students' ability to design and build complex systems. We find students using modeling and simulation in the learning process, assimilate information at a much faster pace and engage more deeply in learning. As Pre-Engineering educators within the Career and Technical Education program at our school division's Technology Academy our task is to help learners in their quest to develop deep understanding of complex technological systems in a variety of engineering disciplines. Today's young learners have vast opportunities to learn with tools that many of us only dreamed about a decade or so ago when we were engaged in engineering and other technical studies. Today's learner paints with a virtual brush - scenes that can aid significantly in the learning and visualization processes. Modeling and simulation systems have become the new standard tool set in the technical classroom [1-5]. Modeling and simulation systems are now applied as feedback loops in the learning environment. Much of the study of behavior change through the use of feedback loops can be attributed to Stanford Psychologist Alfred Bandura. "Drawing on several education experiments involving children, Bandura observed that giving individuals a clear goal and a means to evaluate their progress toward that goal greatly increased the likelihood that they would achieve it."

Spencer, Thomas↗
NASA NTRS2008

FAA Airport Design Competition for Universities

Raise awareness of the importance of airports to the National Airspace System infrastructure. Increase the involvement of the academic community in addressing airport operations and infrastructure issues and needs. Engage U.S. students in the conceptualization of applications, systems and equipment capable of addressing related challenges in a robust, reliable and comprehensive manner. Encourage U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to contribute innovative ideas and solutions to airport and runway safety issues. Provide the framework and incentives for quality educational experiences for university students. d Develop an awareness of and an interest in airports as a vital and interesting area for engineering and technology careers.

Sandy, Mary↗