SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “environment responsibility”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS2015

A Model for Effective Professional Development of Formal Science Educators

The Lunar Workshops for Educators (LWE) series was developed by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) education team in 2010 to provide professional development on lunar science and exploration concepts for grades 6-9 science teachers. Over 300 educators have been trained to date. The LWE model incorporates best practices from pedagogical research of science education, thoughtful integration of scientists and engineer subject matter experts for both content presentations and informal networking with educators, access to NASA-unique facilities, hands-on and data-rich activities aligned with education standards, exposure to the practice of science, tools for addressing common misconceptions, follow-up with participants, and extensive evaluation. Evaluation of the LWE model via pre- and post-assessments, daily workshop surveys, and follow-up surveys at 6-month and 1-year intervals indicate that the LWE are extremely effective in increasing educators' content knowledge, confidence in incorporating content into the classroom, understanding of the practice of science, and ability to address common student misconceptions. In order to address the efficacy of the LWE model for other science content areas, the Dynamic Response of Environments at Asteroids, the Moon, and moons of Mars (DREAM2) education team, funded by NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute, developed and ran a pilot workshop called Dream2Explore at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in June, 2015. Dream2Explore utilized the LWE model, but incorporated content related to the science and exploration of asteroids and the moons of Mars. Evaluation results indicate that the LWE model was effectively used for educator professional development on non-lunar content. We will present more detail on the LWE model, evaluation results from the Dream2Explore pilot workshop, and suggestions for the application of the model with other science content for robust educator professional development.

Orbiter↗

NASA NTRS2016

Spacecraft Charging and Auroral Boundary Predictions in Low Earth Orbit

Auroral charging of spacecraft is an important class of space weather impacts on technological systems in low Earth orbit. In order for space weather models to accurately specify auroral charging environments, they must provide the appropriate plasma environment characteristics responsible for charging. Improvements in operational space weather prediction capabilities relevant to charging must be tested against charging observations.

Minow, Joseph I.↗

NASA NTRS2020

STEReO Connecting Capabilities

The Scalable Traffic Management for Emergency Response Operations (STEReO) project requires prototyping software to extend existing Airspace Operations Laboratory (AOL) software capabilities to support research in integrating drone flight activities within an emergency response airspace environment. This presentation encompassing existing technology as well as possible research for a workshop in February 2020.

Lawton, George F.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Next Generation Durability and Damage Tolerance to Support Certification of Flight Hardware

Durability and Damage Tolerance (D&DT), as currently applied to flight hardware throughout the Agency, is based on continuum and similitude assumptions and does not consider local material properties, environments and responses. These limitations impact our ability to support certification of new component designs, material systems and manufacturing approaches. The primary concern in this Engineering R&A plan is related to the imminent proliferation of parts produced by additive manufacturing (AM). These parts are being advocated by NASA’s suppliers for use on a myriad of flight hardware because of their design flexibility and cost advantages. AM provides opportunities to reduce part counts through complex geometry and reduce manufacturing costs of low volume parts. However, AM materials have some notable metallurgical and microstructural differences compared to traditionally fabricated materials. One of the challenges for the acceptance of AM is the greater tendency for a deleterious defect state, most commonly in the form of porosity, to exist in AM parts. Though this defect state is typically reduced through a hot isostatic pressing (HIP) processing step, the structural performance risks associated with the remaining defects and HIP-healed features is not known. Potential fracture control issues that must be resolved stem from the real possibility that an unhealed defect or a closed defect with less than pristine strength remains at a fracture critical location after HIP. As a result, NASA and the entire aerospace community have been confronted with the need to develop a robust and relevant certification methodology to enable safe implementation of these components. The present work is an important step toward positioning NASA to credibly respond to vendors’ push to implement this new AM materials technology by improving our understanding of AM processing and performance and transitioning that research-based understanding to next-generation engineering capabilities.

Edward H Glaessgen↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Scalable Traffic Management for Emergency Response Operations (STEReO)Airspace Operations Laboratory (AOL) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)Traffic Management (UTM) (AOLUSS)Tabletop Overview

The Scalable Traffic Management for Emergency Response Operations (STEReO) project requires prototyping software to extend existing Airspace Operations Laboratory (AOL) software capabilities to support research in integrating drone flight activities within an emergency response airspace environment. A presentation encompassing project AOLUSS details, communications and network design will be presented at a Workshop.

STEReO software↗

NASA NTRS2016

Analysis and Simulations of Space Radiation Induced Single Event Effects and Transients

Spacecraft electronic are affected by the space radiation environment. Among the different types of radiation effects that can affect spacecraft electronics is the single event transient (SET). The space environment is responsible for many of the single event transients which can upset the performance of the spacecraft avionics hardware. In this chapter we first explore the origins of single event transients, then explore the modeling of a single event transient in digital and analog circuit. The chapter also addresses the concept of crosstalk that could develop among digital circuits in the present of a SET event. The chapter also provides a discussion of SET hardening. We then provide a discussion concerning propagation of a single event transient event at the local, subsystem, and system level in a spacecraft using two different models, one of the models developed by the author, known as the state transition model. The final goal of the chapter is to provide a qualitatively methodology for assessing single event transients and its effects so that spacecraft avionics engineers can develop either hardware or software countermeasures in their designs. SET is not a form of electromagnetic interference (EMI) in its origin, but semantically SET is very similar to EMI because they are both caused a current source not previously accounted for. SET has the same effects as EMI and it can cause interference problems in electronic circuits via multiple coupling mechanisms similar to EMI, and therefore makes such circuits incompatible.

Perez, Reinaldo J.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Polymeric Materials Application and Testing for Space Missions

The EM41 Non-metallics polymers team performs polymeric materials screening, characterization, development, qualification, verification and validation testing for flight hardware and in-space applications. They perform insight, testing and application of polymeric materials for launch vehicles and space environments. Personnel have a deep understanding of the technologies associated with cryogenic insulation, high temperature thermal protection materials, paints, primers, coatings, and adhesive materials. Numerous TPS material characterization tests can also be performed by the Lab. The team has both internal and partner test capabilities to subject polymeric materials to Aerospace and Space environments Material properties, response and performance are tested within environments from the launch pad, through the launch environment and into space. A primary role of the team is to select materials and organize test regimen then analyze test results. Test regiment are established to confirm the materials meet the performance requirements levied by customers within the environments that are expected for the mission.

Thermal↗

NASA NTRS1972

Study of physiological and behavioral response to transitions between rotating and nonrotating environments

Future manned space missions may require transition between artificial gravity and weightlessness environments. The frequency and rate of such transition will influence the psychophysiological responses of man. Abrupt transfers are examined between such rotating and nonrotating environments to determine the physiological and behavioral responses of man. Five subjects were tested using rates of rotation up to 5 rpm.

Brady, J. F.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Passenger ride quality within a noise and vibration environment

The subjective response to noise and vibration stimuli was studied in a ride quality simulator to determine their importance in the prediction of passenger ride quality. Subjects used category scales to rate noise discomfort, vibration discomfort, both noise and vibration discomfort, and overall discomfort in an effort to evaluate parametric arrangements of noise and vibration. The noise stimuli were composed of octave frequency bands centered at 125, 250, 2,000 and 4,000 Hz, each presented at 70, 75, 80, and 85 dB(A). The vertical vibration stimuli were 5 Hz bandwidth random vibrations centered at 3, 5, 7, and 9 Hz, each presented at 0.03, 0.06, 0.09, and 0.12 grms. Analyses were directed at (1) a determination of the subject's ability to separate noise and vibration as contributors to discomfort, (2) an assessment of the physical characteristics of noise and vibration that are needed for prediction of ride quality in this type of multifactor environment, and (3) an evaluation of the relative contribution of noise and vibration to passenger ride quality.

Dempsey, T. K.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Effects of space vacuum and solar ultraviolet irradiation (254 nanometers) on the colony forming ability of Bacillus subtilis spores

Bacillus subtilis spores are highly resistant to harsh environments. Therefore, in the Apollo 16 Microbial Response to Space Environment Experiment (M191), these spores were exposed to space vacuum or solar ultraviolet irradiation, or both, to estimate the change of survival for terrestrial organisms in space. The survival of the spores was determined in terms of colony-forming ability. Comparison of the flight results with results of simulation experiments on earth applying high vacuum or ultraviolet irradiation, or both, revealed no remarkable difference. Simultaneous exposure to both these space factors resulted in a synergistic effect (that is, an ultraviolet supersensitivity). Therefore, the change of survival in space is assumed to depend on the degree of protection against solar ultraviolet irradiation.

Buecker, H.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Electromagnetic sensors for general lightning application

Electromagnetic sensors for general lightning applications in measuring environment are discussed as well as system response to the environment. This includes electric and magnetic fields, surface current and charge densities, and currents on conductors. Many EMP sensors are directly applicable to lightning measurements, but there are some special cases of lightning measurements involving direct strikes which require special design considerations for the sensors. The sensors and instrumentation used by NMIMT in collecting data on lightning at South Baldy peak in central New Mexico during the 1978 and 1979 lightning seasons are also discussed. The Langmuir Laboratory facilities and details of the underground shielded instrumentation room and recording equipment are presented.

Baum, C. E.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrumentation (MEDLI): Complete Flight Data Set

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) entry vehicle (EV) successfully entered the Mars atmosphere and landed the Curiosity rover safely on the surface of the planet in Gale crater on August 6, 2012. MSL carried the MSL Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) Instrumentation (MEDLI). MEDLI delivered the first in-depth understanding of the Mars entry environments and the response of the entry vehicle to those environments. MEDLI was comprised of three major subsystems: the Mars Entry Atmospheric Data System (MEADS), the MEDLI Integrated Sensor Plugs (MISP), and the Sensor Support Electronics (SSE). Ultimately, the entire MEDLI sensor suite consisting of both MEADS and MISP provided measurements that were used for trajectory reconstruction and engineering validation of aerodynamic, atmospheric, and thermal protection system (TPS) models in addition to Earth-based systems testing procedures. This report contains in-depth hardware descriptions, performance evaluation, and data information of the three MEDLI subsystems.

Cheatwood, F. McNeil↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Understanding Plant Nitrogen Form Preference Responses to Elevated CO2 Earth and Spaceflight Cabin Environments

Future long-duration missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and beyond will require a sustainable supply of food to support human crews. The spaceflight cabin environment often contains very high concentrations of CO2, and it is therefore crucial to understand plant responses to elevated CO2 (eCO2) environments. Much focus has been given to plant photosynthetic and performance parameters in response to eCO2, but studies on the effects of eCO2 on nitrogen uptake are poorly understood. Our previous work at The University of Sheffield, UK using novel stable isotope approaches has shown enhanced ammonium uptake and preference compared to nitrate at eCO2 in varieties of spring barley, hypothesised to be an indirect consequence of changes in photosynthesis and photorespiration. However, several varieties did not display altered preference under eCO2 and the universality of this response remains to be understood. In this NASA NPP project, several candidate crop species such as lettuce, radish and tomato will be screened using stable isotopes to assess whether N preference changes in favor of ammonium in response to eCO2 and whether this remains true at super-elevated CO2 (seCO2), which is often experienced on the ISS. Photosynthetic and related measurements will help to disentangle the relationship between these responses and photosynthesis. This work will enable the development of optimized nutrient regimes for candidate crops in space and in future Lunar and Martian habitats and will pave the way for selection of crop varieties adapted to an eCO2 and/or seCO2 environment. Moreover, this research will further our understanding of plant responses to the eCO2 environment brought about by climate change, allowing the development of future-proof crops that will help to maintain food security. This NPP Fellowship is funded by NASA Space Biology.

Luke Fountain↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Understanding Plant Nitrogen Form Preference Responses to Elevated CO2 Earth and Spaceflight Cabin Environments.

space plant biology↗

NASA NTRS1992

Performance Evaluation and Modeling Techniques for Parallel Processors

In practice, the performance evaluation of supercomputers is still substantially driven by singlepoint estimates of metrics (e.g., MFLOPS) obtained by running characteristic benchmarks or workloads. With the rapid increase in the use of time-shared multiprogramming in these systems, such measurements are clearly inadequate. This is because multiprogramming and system overhead, as well as other degradations in performance due to time varying characteristics of workloads, are not taken into account. In multiprogrammed environments, multiple jobs and users can dramatically increase the amount of system overhead and degrade the performance of the machine. Performance techniques, such as benchmarking, which characterize performance on a dedicated machine ignore this major component of true computer performance. Due to the complexity of analysis, there has been little work done in analyzing, modeling, and predicting the performance of applications in multiprogrammed environments. This is especially true for parallel processors, where the costs and benefits of multi-user workloads are exacerbated. While some may claim that the issue of multiprogramming is not a viable one in the supercomputer market, experience shows otherwise. Even in recent massively parallel machines, multiprogramming is a key component. It has even been claimed that a partial cause of the demise of the CM2 was the fact that it did not efficiently support time-sharing. In the same paper, Gordon Bell postulates that, multicomputers will evolve to multiprocessors in order to support efficient multiprogramming. Therefore, it is clear that parallel processors of the future will be required to offer the user a time-shared environment with reasonable response times for the applications. In this type of environment, the most important performance metric is the completion of response time of a given application. However, there are a few evaluation efforts addressing this issue.

Dimpsey, Robert Tod↗

NASA NTRS1998

Charging of Single Micron Sized Dust Grains by Secondary Electron Emission: A Laboratory Study

We present the details of a new laboratory study whose objective is to experimentally study the interaction of micron sized particles with plasmas and electromagnetic radiation. Specifically, to investigate under what conditions and to what extent do particles of various compositions and sizes become charged, or discharged, while exposed to an electron beam and ultraviolet radiation environment The emphasis is the study of the two charging mechanisms, secondary emission of electrons and photoelectric effect. The experiment uses a technique known as electrodynamic suspension of particles. With this technique, a single charged particle is electrodynamically levitated and then exposed to a controlled environment. Its charge to mass ratio is directly measured. Viscous drag measurements and the light scattering measurements characterize its size and optical characteristics. The environment to which the particle is expose may consist of room temperature and pressure or a rarefied atmosphere where only one major gaseous constituent is present, or, as in this case, a vacuum environment under electron bombardment or UV radiation . In addition, the environment can be cycled as part of the experiment. Therefore, using this technique, a single particle can be repeatedly exposed to a controlled environment and its response measured, or a single particle can be exposed to similar environments with minor differences and its response measured as a function of only the changed environmental conditions.

Spann, James F., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Replica grating study

Methods are outlined which were used to test the response of replica diffraction gratings to a space environment, specifically the response of the replica gratings to thermal-vacuum and electron irradiation stress. It is concluded that there probably is some degradation to thermal stress, but that there is probably no significant degradation due to a vacuum environment. It is further concluded that the degradation of performance of replica gratings because of electron irradiation is due to the interaction of the electrons and the replica grating substrate and not to the replication material itself. Replica and original gratings on the same substrate material should thus respond to particle irradiation in the same manner. A study is presented on the variation of refraction index of a space-related material, Nd:CaF2, with wavelength, percent neodymium doping, and temperature.

Gunter, R. C., Jr.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Overview and Performance of the LOFTID Instrumentation Suite

NASA’s Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) is an enabling technology that facilitates atmospheric entry of heavy payloads to planets such as Earth and Mars using a deployable aeroshell. The deployable nature of the HIAD technology allows it to overcome the size constraints imposed on current rigid aeroshell entry systems. This enables use of larger aeroshells resulting in increased entry system performance (e.g. higher payload mass and/or volume, higher landing altitude at Mars). On November 10th, 2022 the Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) was launched out of Vandenberg Air Force Base as a secondary payload on an Atlas V rocket. After the primary payload was delivered to its orbit, the LOFTID reentry vehicle was inflated, positioned, and then separated to reenter Earth’s atmosphere at a velocity of 8.1km/s, ultimately splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean. The flight successfully demonstrated a 6m diameter, 70-deg sphere-cone HIAD on a high-energy orbital reentry. This demonstration has provided invaluable fight data essential to characterize the vehicle performance and support the ongoing effort to further scale the HIAD technology to vehicles of 10m in diameter or greater. Aeroshells of this scale are applicable to near-term commercial applications and future NASA robotic and human exploration missions. LOFTID incorporated an extensive instrumentation suite totaling over 150 science measurements. This included thermocouples, total heat flux sensors, and a radiometer to characterize the aeroheating environment and aeroshell thermal response. An Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), Global Positioning System (GPS), and flush air data system was included to allow post-flight reconstruction of the vehicle trajectory including a decoupling of the aerodynamics from the atmospheric density. Loadcells were used to measure HIAD structural response during entry, and cameras (both visual-spectrum and infrared) were mounted on the aft segment looking at the aeroshell to monitor structural deflection and surface temperature distribution. Finally, a single up-look camera was included which has provided a surprising amount of science potential from the spectacular footage. In addition to the primary instrumentation suite, a new Fiber Optic Sensing System (FOSS) was used to provide global temperature distributions as a technology demonstration. The system provided over 200 thermal measurements creating a thermal map for the backside of the nose Flexible Thermal Protection System. Another pair of FOSS cables were run along the rigid center structure and measured the temperature response to the vehicle wake environment. The LOFTID instrumentation suite leveraged Agency-wide expertise, with hardware development occurring at Ames Research Center, Langley Research Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Armstrong Flight Research Center. This presentation will discuss the instrumentation selected for LOFTID to capture the HIAD performance during the high-energy orbital reentry flight test, provide examples of data products, and snippets of the spectacular reentry video.

G T Swanson↗