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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 NTRS1993

The future of manned spaceflight

This paper examines the future of manned spaceflight in context of past accomplishments and possible future benefits of space exploration. Three technological advances mentioned are a device called the rotating wall vessel, also known as the 'bioreactor,' which allows the study of the growth of cells in three dimensions; the use of microgravity to produce high-quality electronic, magnetic, and superconducting thin films; and mining of helium-3 from the lunar surface for use in future fusion reactions with deuterium. The author then makes recommendations on how NASA should meet the challenges of manned spaceflight.

Cohen, Aaron↗
NASA NTRS1989

Space station architecture, module, berthing hub, shell assembly, berthing mechanism and utility connection channel

A Space Station includes a plurality of modules, and berthing hubs, joined by interconnections which are sideways connectable. The modules and hubs are fastened together in a trianglar configuration in three dimensions. The interconnections include a pair of opposed, axially aligned, flanged ports, and a clamp latch formed from a plurality of sections hinged along their length and extending circumferentially around the flanged ports. A utilities connection channel extends between ports. The channel has a shell with utilities connectors movable between an extended position to mating connectors in the modules and a withdrawn position. Assembly sequence and common module shell structure is detailed.

Marc M Cohen↗
NASA NTRS2000

Dependence of the Element Patterns of HYDROSTAR on Mutual Coupling

HYDROSTAR is a hybrid synthesis radiometer, intended for spaceborne applications, which employs a real aperture (waveguide stick antenna) for resolution along track and employs aperture synthesis to obtain resolution across track. This L-band system is an extension of the successful aircraft prototype, the Electronically Steered Thinned Array Radiometer (ESTAR). A proof-of-concept, full size system was constructed (45 wavelength in the synthesis direction) and subjected to extensive antenna pattern and associated microwave component measurements in an outdoor antenna test facility. HYDROSTAR employs a thinned array of 16 elements each 5.8 inches long in the along track dimension and spanning 9.5 inches across track. Each element is a narrow-wall shunt slot array with 36 slots. The polarization is linear (along-track). In the across track dimension, the antennas are deployed in a minimum redundancy array which has 90 independent baselines spaced in integer multiples of half a wavelength. The closest spacings used are for the first three elements at each end, which are spaced by only one-half wavelength. This study was intended to assess how closely each of 16 stick element patterns compare with their nominal values (as an individual, isolated radiator), when installed in their intended composite thinned array configuration. Extensive pattern measurements of the 16 elements that constitute the HYDROSTAR antenna subsystem were conducted to observe their relative features along the synthesis plane. Data was also collected for the mutual coupling between pairs of selected antennas. All antenna patterns had features different from that of an isolated element indicating some level of interaction among neighboring radiators. Those elements which had nearest neighbors at least five wavelengths away were located near the middle of the array. Their radiation patterns displayed sonic small, symmetric ripple across their full azimuth range. The patterns of elements that lie within 2.5 wavelengths of their neighbors showed stronger and asymmetric features. These are believed to be caused by mutual coupling among these structures. Evidence for this was seen when an antenna position was displaced by 0.05 wavelengths, Its pattern and those of its near neighbors were seen to change. Displacement within the plane of the array were observed to have different effects than displacements out-of-plane. A program of data analysis and theoretical development is in progress to provide a physical interpretation of the properties of these antenna patterns and to develop methods which can optimize the performance of this synthetic aperture imaging system. This includes compensation for pattern asymmetries and element position perturbation.

Weissman, David E.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Imaging System For Measuring Macromolecule Crystal Growth Rates in Microgravity

In order to determine how macromolecule crystal quality improvement in microgravity is related to crystal growth characteristics, a team of scientists and engineers at NASA's Marshal Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed flight hardware capable of measuring the crystal growth rates of a population of crystals growing under the same conditions. As crystal growth rate is defined as the change or delta in a defined dimension or length (L) of crystal over time, the hardware was named Delta-L. Delta-L consists of three sub assemblies: a fluid unit including a temperature-controlled growth cell, an imaging unit, and a control unit (consisting of a Data Acquisition and Control Unit (DACU), and a thermal control unit). Delta-L will be used in connection with the Glovebox Integrated Microgravity Isolation Technology (g-LIMIT) inside the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG), onboard the International Space Station. This paper will describe the Delta-L imaging system. The Delta-L imaging system was designed to locate, resolve, and capture images of up to 10 individual crystals ranging in size from 10 to 500 microns with a point-to-point accuracy of +/- 2.0 microns within a quartz growth cell observation area of 20 mm x 10 mm x 1 mm. The optical imaging system is comprised of a video microscope camera mounted on computer controlled translation stages. The 3-axis translation stages and control units provide crewmembers the ability to search throughout the growth cell observation area for crystals forming in size of approximately 10 microns. Once the crewmember has selected ten crystals of interest, the growth of these crystals is tracked until the size reaches approximately 500 microns. In order to resolve these crystals an optical system with a magnification of 10X was designed. A black and white NTSC camera was utilized with a 20X microscope objective and a 0.5X custom designed relay lens with an inline light to meet the magnification requirement. The design allows a 500 pm crystal to be viewed in the vertical dimension on a standard NTSC monitor (4:3 aspect ratio). Images of the 10 crystals are collected periodically and stored in sets by the DACU.

Corder, Eric L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Triaxial Fabrics

Gentax Corporation's triaxal fabrics are woven from three separate yarn sets whose intersections form equilateral triangles. This type of weave, derived from space shuttle pressure suits, assures practically equal strength in every direction; has essentially no bias, or weak dimension offering greater resistance to tear and shear along with significant weight reduction. Applications of the Triax line include inflatable equipment, life vests, aircraft evacuation slides, helicopter flotation devices, tension structures, safety clothing and sailcloth for boats. Ability to accept compound curvatures with no distortion of the weave configuration makes it useful in manufacturing molded composites.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2023

Effects of Layer Spacing for a Multilayered Facesheet Acoustic Liner

A single degree-of-freedom acoustic liner, a perforate facesheet over honeycomb core, is modified to have a facesheet comprised of three layers. The top and bottom perforate layers have the same dimensions with aligned perforations while the middle layer perforate can be longitudinally shifted up to 0.075 inches to change the effective porosity of the facesheet. These configurations range in porosity from 100% open down to 10% open in addition to two closed configurations (0% porosity). Gaps are introduced between the facesheet layers ranging from no gap to 0.016 inches. These configurations are tested in the NASA Langley Grazing Flow Impedance Tube to determine their acoustic impedance spectra. Introduction of a gap affects the acoustic impedance of the liner where the resonant frequency of the liners decreases with increased gap thickness for liners with an open area ratio above 25% but increases with gap thickness for liners with an open area ratio below 25%. Additionally, it is observed that increasing the gap height results in a reduction of the effect of porosity on acoustic impedance. The results show that the presence of such gaps can have a significant effect on liner impedance especially as porosity decreases.

acoustic liners↗
NASA NTRS1977

Computer solutions for studying correlations between solar magnetic fields and Skylab X-ray observations

A method is described which correlates the NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Image Data Processing System (IDAPS) and MSFC magnetograph data to X-ray and H-alpha observations from the Skylab mission. Solutions of Laplace's equation in three dimensions, based on the magnetograph data, are convolved with observed X-ray and H-alpha regions. Matched filtering (template matching) provides a best fit of the observed X-ray regions to the computed total magnetic vector magnitude between 10,000 and 15,000 km above the photosphere.

Teuber, D.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Structural and functional analyses of human cerebral cortex using a surface-based atlas

We have analyzed the geometry, geography, and functional organization of human cerebral cortex using surface reconstructions and cortical flat maps of the left and right hemispheres generated from a digital atlas (the Visible Man). The total surface area of the reconstructed Visible Man neocortex is 1570 cm2 (both hemispheres), approximately 70% of which is buried in sulci. By linking the Visible Man cerebrum to the Talairach stereotaxic coordinate space, the locations of activation foci reported in neuroimaging studies can be readily visualized in relation to the cortical surface. The associated spatial uncertainty was empirically shown to have a radius in three dimensions of approximately 10 mm. Application of this approach to studies of visual cortex reveals the overall patterns of activation associated with different aspects of visual function and the relationship of these patterns to topographically organized visual areas. Our analysis supports a distinction between an anterior region in ventral occipito-temporal cortex that is selectively involved in form processing and a more posterior region (in or near areas VP and V4v) involved in both form and color processing. Foci associated with motion processing are mainly concentrated in a region along the occipito-temporal junction, the ventral portion of which overlaps with foci also implicated in form processing. Comparisons between flat maps of human and macaque monkey cerebral cortex indicate significant differences as well as many similarities in the relative sizes and positions of cortical regions known or suspected to be homologous in the two species.

NASA Discipline Neuroscience↗
NASA NTRS1992

Validation of astronaut psychological select-in criteria

An optional astronaut selection strategy would select-in individuals on the basis of personality attributes associated with superior performance. Method: A test battery, the Astronaut Personal Characteristics Inventory (ASTROPCI) was developed which assesses positive and negative components of achievement, motivation, and interpersonal orientations and skills. The battery was administered to one hundred three astronaut candidates and sixty-six current U.S. Shuttle astronauts. To determine performance, a series of conceptual areas related to space flight performance were defined. Astronauts rated their peers on each of these dimensions. Ratings were obtained on all eighty-four current astronauts (excluding those selected in 1990). In addition to peer ratings, supervisor assessments of the same dimensions were obtained for each astronaut. Results: Cluster and factor analysis techniques were employed to isolate subgroups of astronauts. Those astronauts with both high achievement needs and interpersonal skills were most often rated among the top five by their peers and least often rated among the lowest five. A number of scales discriminated between astronauts rated high and low on one or more performance dimensions. Conclusions: The results parallel findings from the personality assessment of individuals in other demanding professions, including aircraft pilots and research scientists, suggesting that personality factors are significant determinants to performance in the space environment.

Rose, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Optimal Low Thrust Trajectories Using Differential Inclusion Concepts

A direct optimization method based on differential inclusion concepts has been developed and used to compute low thrust trajectories. This new formulation removes explicit control dependence from the problem statement thereby reducing the dimension of the parameter space of the resulting nonlinear programming problem. A simple example of a two-dimensional gravity-free trajectory involving a maximum velocity transfer to a rectilinear path is discussed. Three interplanetary trajectory examples, an Earth-Mars constant specific impulse transfer, and Earth-Jupiter constant specific impulse transfer, and an Earth-Venus-Mars variable specific impulse gravity assist, are also included. An analysis of the technique's performance is provided.

low↗
NASA NTRS1974

Effect of prolonged space flight on cardiac function and dimensions

Echocardiographic studies were performed preflight 5 days before launch and on recovery day and 1, 2, 4, 11, 31 and 68 days postflight. From these echocardiograms measurements were made. From these primary measurements, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, stroke volume, and mass were derived using the accepted assumptions. Findings in the Scientist Pilot and Pilot resemble those seen in trained distance runners. Wall thickness measurements were normal in all three crewmembers preflight. Postflight basal studies were unchanged in the Commander on recovery day through 68 days postflight in both the Scientist Pilot and Pilot, however, the left ventricular end-diastolic volume, stroke volume, and mass were decreased slightly. Left ventricular function curves were constructed for the Commander and Pilot by plotting stroke volume versus end-diastolic volume. In both astronauts, preflight and postflight data fell on the same straight line demonstrating that no deterioration in cardiac function had occurred. These data indicate that the cardiovascular system adapts well to prolonged weightlessness and suggest that alterations in cardiac dimensions and function are unlikely to limit man's future in space.

Henry, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A novel approach in formulation of special transition elements: Mesh interface elements

The objective of this research program is in the development of more accurate and efficient methods for solution of singular problems encountered in various branches of mechanics. The research program can be categorized under three levels. The first two levels involve the formulation of a new class of elements called 'mesh interface elements' (MIE) to connect meshes of traditional elements either in three dimensions or in three and two dimensions. The finite element formulations are based on boolean sum and blending operators. MEI are being formulated and tested in this research to account for the steep gradients encountered in aircraft and space structure applications. At present, the heat transfer and structural analysis problems are being formulated from uncoupled theory point of view. The status report: (1) summarizes formulation for heat transfer and structural analysis; (2) explains formulation of MEI; (3) examines computational efficiency; and (4) shows verification examples.

Sarigul, Nesrin↗
NASA NTRS1996

Analysis of the Hessian for Aerodynamic Optimization: Inviscid Flow

In this paper we analyze inviscid aerodynamic shape optimization problems governed by the full potential and the Euler equations in two and three dimensions. The analysis indicates that minimization of pressure dependent cost functions results in Hessians whose eigenvalue distributions are identical for the full potential and the Euler equations. However the optimization problems in two and three dimensions are inherently different. While the two dimensional optimization problems are well-posed the three dimensional ones are ill-posed. Oscillations in the shape up to the smallest scale allowed by the design space can develop in the direction perpendicular to the flow, implying that a regularization is required. A natural choice of such a regularization is derived. The analysis also gives an estimate of the Hessian's condition number which implies that the problems at hand are ill-conditioned. Infinite dimensional approximations for the Hessians are constructed and preconditioners for gradient based methods are derived from these approximate Hessians.

Arian, Eyal↗
NASA NTRS1984

Space station architecture, module, berthing hub, shell assembly, berthing mechanism and utility connection channel

The geometric form of a space station is presented that includes a description of a plurality of modules and berthing hubs, joined by interconnections which are sideways connectable. The modules and hubs are fastened together in a triangular configuration in three dimensions. The interconnections include a pair of opposed, axially aligned, flanged ports and a clamp latch formed from a plurality of sections hinged along their length and extending circumferentially around the flanged ports. A hermetic seal is formed between the ports. A utilities connection channel extends between the ports. The channel has a shell with utilities connectors movable between an extended position to mating connectors in the modules and a withdrawn position. Assembly sequence and common module shell structure is detailed.

Cohen, M. M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Space station architecture, module, berthing hub, shell assembly, berthing mechanism and utility connection channel

A space station (20) includes a plurality of modules (24) and berthing hubs (22), joined by interconnections (26) which are sideways connectable. The modules (24) and hubs (22) are fastened together in a triangular configuration in three dimensions. The interconnections (26) include a pair of opposed, axially aligned, flanged ports (50) and a clamp latch (52) formed from a plurality of sections (54, 56 and 58) hinged along their length and extending circumferentially around the flanged ports (50). A hermetic seal (63) is formed between the ports (50). A utilities connection channel (68) extends between the ports (50). The channel (68) has a shell (70) with utilities connectors (74) movable between an extended position to mating connectors in the modules (24) and a withdrawn position. Assembly sequence and common module shell structure is detailed.

Cohen, Marc M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

RoboLab and virtual environments

A useful adjunct to the manned space station would be a self-contained free-flying laboratory (RoboLab). This laboratory would have a robot operated under telepresence from the space station or ground. Long duration experiments aboard RoboLab could be performed by astronauts or scientists using telepresence to operate equipment and perform experiments. Operating the lab by telepresence would eliminate the need for life support such as food, water and air. The robot would be capable of motion in three dimensions, have binocular vision TV cameras, and two arms with manipulators to simulate hands. The robot would move along a two-dimensional grid and have a rotating, telescoping periscope section for extension in the third dimension. The remote operator would wear a virtual reality type headset to allow the superposition of computer displays over the real-time video of the lab. The operators would wear exoskeleton type arms to facilitate the movement of objects and equipment operation. The combination of video displays, motion, and the exoskeleton arms would provide a high degree of telepresence, especially for novice users such as scientists doing short-term experiments. The RoboLab could be resupplied and samples removed on other space shuttle flights. A self-contained RoboLab module would be designed to fit within the cargo bay of the space shuttle. Different modules could be designed for specific applications, i.e., crystal-growing, medicine, life sciences, chemistry, etc. This paper describes a RoboLab simulation using virtual reality (VR). VR provides an ideal simulation of telepresence before the actual robot and laboratory modules are constructed. The easy simulation of different telepresence designs will produce a highly optimum design before construction rather than the more expensive and time consuming hardware changes afterwards.

Giarratano, Joseph C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Simulation of atmospheric turbulent gusts and gust gradients

An improved three-dimensional, nonrecursive model for atmospheric turbulence has been developed which provides for simulation of both instantaneous gusts and gust gradients along the flight path of the Space Shuttle. The one-dimensional gust and gust gradient spectral models, which form the basis for the simulation scheme, are developed from three-dimensional, von Karman spectra, integrated over finite limits based on the characteristic dimensions (length, width, and thickness) of the flight vehicle. By means of the simulation process nondimensional time series for both gusts and gust gradients have been generated and stored on a series of magnetic tapes for four altitude bands ranging from 0 to 10,000 meters. These Shuttle Simulated Turbulence Tapes (SSTT) have been validated by means of spectral and statistical analyses with satisfactory results. The dimensionless form of the time series coupled with the use of a von Karman spectral model (as opposed to a Dryden model) distinguish the SSTT from earlier turbulence simulation concepts.

Tatom, F. B.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Beyond Einstein: From the Big Bang to Black Holes

How did the Universe begin? Does time have a beginning and an end? Does space have edges? The questions are clear and simple. They are as old as human curiosity. But the answers have always seemed beyond the reach of science. Until now. In their attempts to understand how space, time, and matter are connected, Einstein and his successors made three predictions. First, space is expanding from a Big Bang; second, space and time can tie themselves into contorted knots called black holes where time actually comes to a halt; third, space itself contains some kind of energy that is pull- ing the Universe apart. Each of these three predictions seemed so fantastic when it was made that everyone, including Einstein himself, regarded them as unlikely. Incredibly, all three have turned out to be true. Yet Einstein's legacy is one of deep mystery, because his theories are silent on three questions raised by his fantastic predictions: (1) What powered the Big Bang? (2) What happens to space, time, and matter at the edge of a black hole? (3) What is the mysterious dark energy pulling the Universe apart? The answers to these questions-which lie at the crux of where our current theories fail us-will lead to a profound, new understanding of the nature of time and space. To find answers, however, we must venture beyond Einstein. The answers require new theories, such as the inflationary Universe and new insights in high-energy particle theory. Like Einstein s theories, these make fantastic predictions that seem hard to believe: unseen dimensions and entire universes beyond our own. We must find facts to confront and guide these new theories. Powerful new technologies now make this possible. And NASA and its partners are developing an armada of space-based observatories to chart the path to discovery. Here is where the Beyond Einstein story begins. By exploring the three questions that are Einstein s legacy, we begin the next revolution in understanding our Universe. We plot our way forward using clues from observations and from new ideas connecting the worlds of the very small and the very large, from the atom out through the deepest reaches of the cosmos.

Source record↗