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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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We will present open source solutions used to develop solid applications. Three applications will be discussed where open source software was used and delivered to the customer.
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This paper will discuss the development, adaptation, and operation of the MGDS in providing low-cost mission-unique information systems for testing and operating JPL deep space missions.
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This paper discusses our experiences using this XML intensive system and the improvements and tradeoffs of this emerging technology.
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The authors describe in this paper the progress achieved to-date with the reengineering of the Earth Observing System (EOS) Data and Operations System (EDOS), the experience gained in the process and the ensuing reduction of ground systems operations costs. The reengineering effort included a major methodology change, applying to an existing schedule driven system, a data-driven system approach.
A CSEA is similar to a Failure Modes Effects Analysis (FMEA). A CSEA tracks risk, deterrence, and occurrence of sources of contamination and their mitigation plans. Documentation is provided spanning mechanical and electrical assembly, precision cleaning, thermal vacuum bake-out, and thermal vacuum testing. These facilities all may play a role in contamination budgeting and reduction ultimately affecting test and flight. With a CSEA, visibility can be given to availability of these facilities, test sequencing and trade-offs. A cross-functional team including specialty engineering, contamination control, electrostatic dissipation, manufacturing, testing, and material engineering participate in an exercise that identifies contaminants and minimizes the complexity of scheduling these facilities considering their volatile schedules. Care can be taken in an efficient manner to insure correct cleaning processes are employed. The result is reduction in cycle time ("schedule hits"), reduced cost due to rework, reduced risk and improved communication and quality while achieving adherence to the Contamination Control Plan.
Thanks in part to a SBIR award with Langley Research Center, Phoenix Integration Inc., based in Wayne, Pennsylvania, modified and advanced software for process integration and design automation. For NASA, the tool has resulted in lower project costs and reductions in design time; clients of Phoenix Integration are experiencing the same rewards.
Marshall Space Flight Center collaborated with Quality Monitoring and Control (QMC) of Humble, Texas, through a Space Act Agreement to design a balanced flow meter for the Space Shuttle Program. QMC founded APlus-QMC LLC to commercialize the technology, which has contributed to 100 new jobs, approximately $250,000 in yearly sales, and saved customers an estimated $10 million.
The Cassini Project is NASA's next mission the outer planets. Managed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and with the joint participation of the European Space Agency (ESA) and Agenzia Spatiale Italiana (ASI), Cassini will accomplish a comprehensive survey of the planet Saturn, Titan and the icy satellites of the Saturnian system, the rings, and the Saturnian magnetosphere. Early in 1992, the Project experienced significant change as the realities of the national economy and budget pressures forced a NASA-wide review of its programs. The Comet Rendezvous/Asteroid Flyby (CRAF) mission was deleted from the CRAF/Cassini Project and the remaining Cassini project was further rescoped to reduce cost. Many of the cost-savings measures involved reducing the capabilities of the spacecraft system. This paper examines the features of the redesigned spacecraft at the time of the rescope in Spring 1992 and compares it to today's design 18 months later.
The Space Operations Management Office Organizations will be described along with the responsibilities assigne to this office. The roles for the government and for the contractor will be discussed. This paper will describe the changes, approaches and anticipated benefits of this new approach to operations.
The key to the success of the NASA Space Transportation Main Engine (STME) is its enhanced reliability and reduced costs, rather than enhanced performance and reduced weight. Reliability and cost improvements derive from the design of an engine with fewer components, wider operating margins, conventional materials, and innovative manufacturing techniques; this is exemplified by the STME's combustion chamber, in which the structural jacket and all minifolds are cast as a single piece. 'Platelet' technology is under active consideration as a basis for the nozzle design. The use of hydrostatic bearings in both the turbine and pump ends of the STME turbopump will eliminate bearing-life limitations.
The MultiMission Control Team (MMCT) consists of mission controllers which provides Real-Time operations support for the Mars Observer project. The Real-Time Operations task is to insure the integrity of the ground data system, to insure that the configuration is correct to support the mission, and to monitor the spacecraft for the Spacecraft Team. Operations systems are typically developed by adapting operations systems from previous projects. Problems tend to be solved empirically when they are either anticipated or observed in testing. This development method has worked in the past when time was available for extensive Ops testing. In the present NASA budget environment, a more cost conscious design approach has become necessary. Cost is a concern because operations is an ongoing, continuous activity. Reducing costs entails reducing staff. Reducing staffing levels potentially increases the risk of mission failure. Therefore, keeping track of the risk level is necessary.
This is a report on the status of the polygeneration feasibility study conducted by the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Polygeneration is an innovative approach to reducing cost per flight for the Shuttle by reducing propellant and other costs. Cost of LH2 is expected to be adversely affected by sharp increases in natural gas pricing as well as other costs such as electricity and transportation. The polygeneration concept is to produce liquid hydrogen (LH2) for the Shuttle and gaseous nitrogen (GN2), electricity and thermal energy to meet KSC requirements by means of an integrated coal gasification plant. Conclusions of the initial feasibility study will be presented as well as the status of on-going activities.