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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 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1969

The reverse Goddard problem.

Fuel-time optimal retrothrust control for vertical and gravity turn ballistic trajectories of soft landing nonlifting bodies based on Pontryagin principle

Bejczy, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1967

Surveyor 3 Preliminary Science Results

Surveyor III soft-landed on the Moon at 00:04 GMT on April 20, 1967. Data obtained have significantly increased our knowledge of the Moon. The Surveyor III spacecraft was similar to Surveyor I; the only major change in scientific instrumentation was the addition of a soil mechanics surface sampler. Surveyor III results at this preliminary evaluation of data give valuable information about the relation between the surface skin of under-dense material responsible for the photometric properties and the deeper layers of material whose properties resemble those of ordinary terrestrial soils. In addition, they provide new insight into the relation between the general lunar surface as seen by Surveyor I and the interior of a large subdued crater. The new results have also contributed to our understanding of the mechanism of downhill transport. Many critical questions cannot, however, be answered until final reduction of experimental data.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1972

Program for the exploitation of unused NASA patents

The program to exploit unused NASA patents through the use of a multidisciplinary approach involving faculty students, and research staff is reported. NASA patents were screened for their applicability outside the space program, specific applications were identified, and the technical and commercial feasibility of these applications was established. Also application of this technology by governmental agencies outside the space program was sought. The program was specifically interested in energy absorbing devices such as those developed for lunar soft landings. These energy absorbing devices absorb large amounts of mechanical energy but are, in general, not reusable. Some of these devices can also operate as structural elements until their structural load capacity is exceeded and they become activated as energy absorbers. The capability of these devices to operate as structural elements and as energy absorbing devices makes them candidates for many applications in the fields of transportation and materials handling safety where accidents take a large toll in human injury and property damage.

Fay, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Multispectral discrimination of possible Martian surface constituents.

In the 1970s attempts will be made to soft-land scientific instruments on the surface of Mars. The question of the employment of several spectral bands to improve discrimination is investigated. The studies conducted are concerned with the development of a technique for selecting color bands for a lander imaging system. Other study objects include the investigation of certain solid state detectors and the determination of the feasibility of minimizing the total number of telemetry bits from the lander by various means.

Klemas, V.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Balloon launched decelerator test program: Post-test test report

Balloon Launched Decelerator Test (BLDT) flights were conducted during the summer of 1972 over the White Sands Missile Range. The purpose of these tests was to qualify the Viking disk-gap band parachute system behind a full-scale simulator of the Viking Entry Vehicle over the maximum range of entry conditions anticipated in the Viking '75 soft landing on Mars. Test concerns centered on the ability of a minimum weight parachute system to operate without structural damage in the turbulent wake of the blunt-body entry vehicle (140 deg, 11.5 diameter cone). This is the first known instance of parachute operation at supersonic speeds in the wake of such a large blunt body. The flight tests utilized the largest successful balloon-payload weight combination known to get to high altitude (120kft) where rocket engines were employed to boost the test vehicle to supersonic speeds and dynamic pressures simulating the range of conditions on Mars.

Dickinson, D.↗
NASA NTRS1971

The Viking mission to Mars.

In 1975 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will launch two unmanned scientific payloads to make soft landings on Mars in 1976. They will be placed in orbit around the planet to perform a reconnaissance before landing. The spacecraft will be separated into an orbiter, which is sent to the surface. During the entry into the Martian atmosphere, Viking will make measurements of the composition and atmospheric structure. After landing, two cameras will be used to visually characterize the site. A device will be deployed to obtain a sample of the Mars surface, which will be returned to the lander for biological tests and for chemical analysis. The atmosphere at the surface will be chemically analyzed as well as the wind velocity, the humidity, and changes in temperature and pressure.

Soffen, G. A.↗