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Progress of the Dust Accumulation and Removal Technology Experiment (DART) for the Mars 2001 Lander

Dust deposition could be a significant problem for photovoltaic array operation for long duration missions on the surface of Mars. Measurements made by Pathfinder showed 0.3 percent loss of solar array performance per day due to dust obscuration. We have designed an experiment package, "DART", which is part of the Mars ISPP Precursor (MIP) package, to fly on the Mars-2001 Surveyor Lander. This mission, to launch in April 2001, will arrive on Mars in January 2002. The DART experiment is designed to quantify dust deposition from the Mars atmosphere, measure the properties of settled dust, measure the effect of dust deposition on array performance, and test several methods of clearing dust from solar cells.

Jenkins, Phillip↗

Component-Level Electronic-Assembly Repair (CLEAR) System Architecture

This document captures the system architecture for a Component-Level Electronic-Assembly Repair (CLEAR) capability needed for electronics maintenance and repair of the Constellation Program (CxP). CLEAR is intended to improve flight system supportability and reduce the mass of spares required to maintain the electronics of human rated spacecraft on long duration missions. By necessity it allows the crew to make repairs that would otherwise be performed by Earth based repair depots. Because of practical knowledge and skill limitations of small spaceflight crews they must be augmented by Earth based support crews and automated repair equipment. This system architecture covers the complete system from ground-user to flight hardware and flight crew and defines an Earth segment and a Space segment. The Earth Segment involves database management, operational planning, and remote equipment programming and validation processes. The Space Segment involves the automated diagnostic, test and repair equipment required for a complete repair process. This document defines three major subsystems including, tele-operations that links the flight hardware to ground support, highly reconfigurable diagnostics and test instruments, and a CLEAR Repair Apparatus that automates the physical repair process.

Oeftering, Richard C.↗

Microbial Monitoring from the Frontlines to Space: Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Research Technology Aboard the International Space Station

The RAZOR (trademark) EX, a quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) instrument, is a portable, ruggedized unit that was designed for the Department of Defense (DoD) with its reagent chemistries traceable to a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract beginning in 2002. The PCR instrument's primary function post 9/11 was to enable frontline soldiers and first responders to detect biological threat agents and bioterrorism activities in remote locations to include field environments. With its success for DoD, the instrument has also been employed by other governmental agencies including Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The RAZOR (Trademark) EX underwent stringent testing by the vendor, as well as through the DoD, and was certified in 2005. In addition, the RAZOR (trademark) EX passed DHS security sponsored Stakeholder Panel on Agent Detection Assays (SPADA) rigorous evaluation in 2011. The identification and quantitation of microbial pathogens is necessary both on the ground as well as during spaceflight to maintain the health of astronauts and to prevent biofouling of equipment. Currently, culture-based monitoring technology has been adequate for short-term spaceflight missions but may not be robust enough to meet the requirements for long-duration missions. During a NASA-sponsored workshop in 2011, it was determined that the more traditional culture-based method should be replaced or supplemented with more robust technologies. NASA scientists began investigating innovative molecular technologies for future space exploration and as a result, PCR was recommended. Shortly after, NASA sponsored market research in 2012 to identify and review current, commercial, cutting edge PCR technologies for potential applicability to spaceflight operations. Scientists identified and extensively evaluated three candidate technologies with the potential to function in microgravity. After a thorough voice-of-the-customer trade study and extensive functional and safety evaluations, the RAZOR (trademark) EX PCR instrument(Bio-Fire Defense, Salt Lake City, UT) was selected as the most promising current technology for spaceflight monitoring applications.

Cherie M Oubre↗

Pilot Development Progress to Demonstrate Electric Thermal Energy Storage (ETES) Using Low-Cost Particles

The rapid growth of future energy demand increases the need to economically store electrical energy over durations up to several days in long-duration energy storage (LDES) applications. LDES can reduce the grid stress for improving the resilience of the grid. The integration of renewable power and storage has several significant and positive impacts including expanding the renewable energy portion of electricity generation, meeting peak-load demand, and coordinating supply and demand. Several energy storage approaches including mechanical, chemical and electrochemical methods are currently deployed or under development. However, LDES requirements pose unique challenges for scalability, energy capacity, and cost. Thermal energy storage (TES) has the ability to store a large capacity of energy with improved site flexibility compared to incumbent LDES technologies (i.e., pumped hydro) and has attracted significant interest. Our development in TES technology using solid particles as the storage medium has shown feasibility and potential in serving LDES purposes. Particle TES has various advantages over commercialized molten nitrate salt TES and has emerged as a promising storage technology originating from Generation 3 concentrating solar power (CSP) development. Stable, inexpensive silica sand produced in the Midwestern U.S. was identified as a suitable storage medium and has been validated through lab heating and cycling tests. We have successfully developed particle TES for bidirectional electric energy storage to broaden the applications for TES beyond CSP technologies and into standalone electric-thermal energy storage (ETES) systems. Key component designs and performance were verified with prototype testing and model simulations. The ETES system uses high-temperature, low-cost particle thermal energy storage coupled with a unique pressurized fluidized bed heat exchanger that supports a high-efficiency, air-Brayton combined power cycle. At times of low energy demand or high renewable production, an electric particle heater heats large quantities of solid particles to high temperatures in excess of 1100 degrees C. The particles are stored in internally insulated silos. At times of high electricity demand, the hot particles are gravity-fed through the heat exchanger where stored thermal energy is transferred to the power cycle working fluid to drive the gas turbine power generation system, thereby converting the thermal energy back into electricity for the grid. The cold particles leaving the heat exchanger are returned to the storage silos by a well-insulated particle conveyor. This ETES technology using particle TES can be sited anywhere and is predicted to be economic and efficient. Moreover, this ETES technology could be co-located with a retired coal or gas plant to leverage existing power generation and grid infrastructure. Our work has focused on the development of each of the key components (e.g., the electric particle heater, particle storage silos, and the particle-to-gas pressurized fluidized bed heat exchanger) through conceptual designs, prototype testing, and computational modeling. These developments demonstrate technological feasibility and are an important step towards the next phase of development of this promising LDES technology. This presentation will show the progress in developing a pilot demonstration of the ETES system on a commercially relevant scale.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

A scalable real-time framework for Thomson scattering analysis: Application to NSTX-U

A detailed description of a prototype setup for real-time (RT) Thomson scattering (TS) analysis is presented and implemented in the multi-point Thomson scattering (MPTS) diagnostic system at the National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade (NSTX-U). The data acquisition hardware was upgraded with RT capable electronics (RT-analog digital converters and a RT server) that allow for fast digitization of the laser pulse signal of eight radial MPTS channels. In addition, a new TS spectrum analysis software for a rapid calculation of electron temperature ( T e ) and electron density ( n e ) was developed. Testing of the RT hardware and data analysis software was successfully completed and benchmarked against the standard, post-shot evaluation. Timing tests were performed showing that the end-to-end processing time was reproducibly below 17 ms for the duration of at least 5 s, meeting a 60 Hz deadline by the laser pulse repetition rate over the length of a NSTX-U discharge. The presented RT framework is designed to be scalable in system size, i.e., incorporation of additional radial channels by solely adding additional RT capable hardware. In conclusion, it is scalable in its operation duration and was continuously running for up to 30 min, making it an attractive solution for machines with long discharges such as advanced, non-inductive tokamaks or stellarators.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

LDEF materials data analysis: Representative examples

Part of the philosophy which guided the examination of hardware from the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) was that materials present at multiple locations should have fairly high priority for investigation. Properties of such materials were characterized as a function of exposure conditions to obtain as much data as possible for predicting performance lifetimes. Results from examination of several materials from interior locations of LDEF, selected measurements on silverized teflon blanket specimens, and detailed measurements on the copper grounding strap from tray D11 are summarized. Visual observations of interior locations of LDEF made during deintegration at KSC showed apparent changes in particular specimens. This inspection lead to testing of selected nylon clamps, fiberglass shims, and heat shrink tubing from wire harness clamps, and visually discolored silver coated hex nuts.

Pippin, Gary↗

Qualifications of Bonding Process of Temperature Sensors to Deep-Space Missions

A process has been examined for bonding a platinum resistance thermometer (PRT) onto potential aerospace materials such as flat aluminum surfaces and a flexible copper tube to simulate coaxial cables for flight applications. Primarily, PRTs were inserted into a silver-plated copper braid to avoid stresses on the sensor while the sensor was attached with the braid to the base material for long-duration, deep-space missions. A1-1145/graphite composite (planar substrate) and copper tube have been used in this study to assess the reliability of PRT bonding materials. A flexible copper tube was chosen to simulate the coaxial cable to attach PRTs. The substrate materials were cleaned with acetone wipes to remove oils and contaminants. Later, the surface was also cleaned with ethyl alcohol and was air-dried. The materials were gently abraded and then were cleaned again the same way as previously mentioned. Initially, shielded (silver plated copper braid) PRT (type X) test articles were fabricated and cleaned. The base antenna material was pretreated and shielded, and CV-2566 NuSil silicone was used to attach the shielded PRT to the base material. The test articles were cured at room temperature and humidity for seven days. The resistance of the PRTs was continuously monitored during the thermal cycling, and the test articles were inspected prior to, at various intermediate steps during, and at the end of the thermal cycling as well. All of the PRTs survived three times the expected mission life for the JUNO project. No adhesion problems were observed in the PRT sensor area, or under the shielded PRT. Furthermore, the PRT resistance accurately tracked the thermal cycling of the chamber.

Ramesham, Rajeshuni↗

Development Status for a Combined Solid Oxide Co-Electrolyzer and Carbon Formation Reactor System for Oxygen Regeneration

A critical component in spacecraft life support loop closure is the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2, produced by the crew) from the cabin atmosphere and chemical reduction of this CO2 to recover the oxygen. In 2015, we initiated development of an oxygen recovery system for life support applications consisting of a solid oxide co-electrolyzer (SOCE) and a carbon formation reactor (CFR). The SOCE electrolyzes a combined stream of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) gas mixtures to produce synthesis gas (e.g., CO and H2 gas) and pure dry oxygen as separate products. This SOCE is being developed from a NASA GRC solid oxide fuel cell and stack design originally developed for aeronautics long-duration power applications. The CFR, being developed by pHMatter LLC, takes the CO and H2 output from the SOCE, and converts it primarily to solid carbon (C(s)) and H2O and CO2. Although the solid carbon accumulates in the CFR, the innovative design allows easy removal of the carbon product, requiring minimal crew member (CM) time and low resupply mass (1.0 kg/year/CM) for replacement of the solid carbon catalyst, a significant improvement over previous Bosch reactor approaches. In this work, we will provide a status of our Phase I efforts in the development and testing of both the SOCE and CFR prototype units, along with an initial assessment of the combined SOCE-CFR system, including a mass and power projections, along with an estimate of the oxygen recovery rate.

air revitalization↗

The View From Out Here: The Solar System Planets as Exoplanet Analogs

As we begin to characterize planets orbiting other stars, one of the most important tools available to us is the collection of disk-integrated solar system observations. To date, these have been limited in how they match up with expected exoplanet observations in terms of wavelength, time, viewing geometry, and separations. The Interstellar Probe mission could push the boundaries of planetary science by providing a much-needed and unique dataset for the solar system viewed as an extrasolar system in advance of the next generation of ground and space-based telescopes. Viewing the solar system at large separations over a long period serves several purposes. It acts as a practical test directly analogous to exoplanet observations under realistic conditions, including such effects as zodiacal dust (e.g., Roberge et al., 2012). Secondly, it allows for both the validation of forward models (that is, simulating a planet and generating spectra) and retrievals (where some of the planetary properties are not known) (e.g., Robinson et al., 2011; Agarwal and Wettlaufer, 2017). Third, the mission pro le would be able to collect data at both high- and low-phase angles, which are lacking for most of the solar system planets (e.g., Mallama and Hilton, 2018). Lastly, the long duration of the proposed mission would allow not only snapshots, but time resolved observations using the same instrument, highlighting the dynamic nature of the planets (e.g., seasonality, storms). The planets need not be resolved to make these observations, which eases instrumentation requirements. Here, we show simulations of what an Interstellar Probe imager would see, improving on work that was part of a white paper submitted to the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey. The opportunity for multiple full orbits for most of the solar system planets, including a full phase curve of Saturn, is unique and worth pursuing during the development of the Interstellar Probe mission.

Chester Harman↗

BioSentinel: An Adaptable Platform for Studying the Biological Effects of Deep Space Radiation

NASA's BioSentinel mission is a 6U nanosatellite with autonomous life support that will utilize the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to study the DNA damage response to the deep space radiation environment. BioSentinel is planned to launch in 2019 as a secondary payload on the Space Launch System's first Exploration Mission (EM-1), and will undergo a lunar fly-by and enter heliocentric orbit after deployment. As the first biological mission beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in nearly half a century, this mission will help fill critical gaps in knowledge about the effects of uniquely composed, chronic, low-flux deep space radiation on biological systems. Yeast is well-suited for this mission due to its desiccation tolerance and space-flight heritage. As a eukaryotic model organism, it also serves as a robust analog for human cells. Data gathered on this mission will thus inform us of the hazards involved in long-duration human exploration in deep space, and the protections necessary to mitigate them. Due to its low-cost, flexible and advanced technology, the 4U BioSensor payload contained within the nanosatellite is adaptable to other model microorganisms, exploration platforms and environments relevant to human exploration, such as the ISS, the Lunar Orbital Platform - Gateway and future lunar landers. In order to query the DNA damage response to deep space radiation, BioSentinel contains a wild type yeast strain as a positive control, and a radiation sensitive rad51 mutant strain that is defective for DNA repair. Yeast cells are desiccated in microfluidic cards, and rehydrated with growth medium and metabolic indicator dye at the desired time points during the mission. A thermal control system supports these stasis and growth states, and an optical system continuously measures cell growth and metabolism. An onboard radiation spectrometer and dosimeter allows us to correlate the dose, energy and particle-type of deep space radiation to the biological response. Data received from the deep space biosensor will be compared to control payloads on Earth and the ISS. Ongoing science testing for the BioSentinel project includes optimization for cell viability, desiccation tolerance, and long-term biocompatibility, as well as radiation experiments to understand the sensitivity and responsiveness of cells to varying radiation doses and particle types.

BioSentinel↗

NIRS-Derived Tissue Oxygen Saturation and Hydrogen Ion Concentration Following Bed Rest

Long-term bed rest (BR), a model of spaceflight, results in a decrease in aerobic capacity and altered submaximal exercise responses. The strongest BR-induced effects on exercise appear to be centrally-mediated, but longer BR durations may result in peripheral adaptations (e.g., decreased mitochondrial and capillary density) which are likely to influence exercise responses. PURPOSE: To measure tissue oxygen saturation (SO2) and hydrogen ion concentration ([H+]) in the vastus lateralis (VL) using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during cycle ergometry before and after . 30 d of BR. METHODS: Eight subjects performed a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer to volitional fatigue 7 d before (pre-BR) and at the end or 1 day after BR (post-BR). NIRS spectra were collected from a sensor adhered to the skin overlying the VL. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured by open circuit spirometry. Blood volume (BV) was measured before and after BR using the carbon monoxide rebreathing technique. Changes in pre- and post-BR SO2 and [H+] data were compared using mixed model analyses. BV and peak exercise data were compared using paired t-tests. RESULTS: BV (pre-BR: 4.3+/-0.3, post-BR: 3.7+/-0.2 L, mean+/-SE, p=.01) and peak VO2 (pre-BR: 1.98+/-0.24, post-BR: 1.48 +/-0.21 L/min, p<.01) were reduced after BR. As expected, SO2 decreased with exercise before and after BR. However, SO2 was lower post compared with pre-BR throughout exercise, including at peak exercise (pre-BR: 50+/-3, post-BR: 43+/-4%, p=.01). After BR, [H+] was higher at the start of exercise and did not increase at the same rate as pre-BR. Peak [H+] was not different from pre to post-BR (pre-BR: 36+/-2; post-BR: 38+/-2 nmol/L). CONCLUSIONS: Lower SO2 during exercise suggests that oxygen extraction in the VL is higher after BR, perhaps due to lower circulating blood volume. The higher [H+] after BR suggests a greater reliance upon glycolysis during submaximal exercise, although [H+] at peak exercise was unchanged. Taken together, these data suggest that longer duration BR induces a number of changes that result in peripheral adaptations which contribute to cardiovascular and muscular deconditioning as measured by NIRS-derived SO2 and [H+] in the VL and may contribute to lower post-BR exercise tolerance. Supported by the National Space Biomedical Research Institute through NASA NCC 9-58

Lee, S. M. C.↗

Assessment of Spatial Navigation and Docking Performance During Simulated Rover Tasks

INTRODUCTION: Following long-duration exploration transits, pressurized rovers will enhance surface mobility to explore multiple sites across Mars and other planetary bodies. Multiple rovers with docking capabilities are envisioned to expand the range of exploration. However, adaptive changes in sensorimotor and cognitive function may impair the crew s ability to safely navigate and perform docking tasks shortly after transition to the new gravitoinertial environment. The primary goal of this investigation is to quantify post-flight decrements in spatial navigation and docking performance during a rover simulation. METHODS: Eight crewmembers returning from the International Space Station will be tested on a motion simulator during four pre-flight and three post-flight sessions over the first 8 days following landing. The rover simulation consists of a serial presentation of discrete tasks to be completed within a scheduled 10 min block. The tasks are based on navigating around a Martian outpost spread over a 970 sq m terrain. Each task is subdivided into three components to be performed as quickly and accurately as possible: (1) Perspective taking: Subjects use a joystick to indicate direction of target after presentation of a map detailing current orientation and location of the rover with the task to be performed. (2) Navigation: Subjects drive the rover to the desired location while avoiding obstacles. (3) Docking: Fine positioning of the rover is required to dock with another object or align a camera view. Overall operator proficiency will be based on how many tasks the crewmember can complete during the 10 min time block. EXPECTED RESULTS: Functionally relevant testing early post-flight will develop evidence regarding the limitations to early surface operations and what countermeasures are needed. This approach can be easily adapted to a wide variety of simulated vehicle designs to provide sensorimotor assessments for other operational and civilian populations.

Wood, S. J.↗

NASA Advanced Explorations Systems: 2018 Advancements in Life Support Systems

The NASA Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Life Support Systems (LSS) project strives to develop reliable, energy-efficient, and low-mass spacecraft systems to provide envi-ronmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) critical to enabling long duration human missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). Highly reliable, closed-loop life support systems are among the capabilities required for the longer duration human space exploration missions planned in the mid-2020s and beyond. The LSS Project is focused on three life support areas: air revitalization, wastewater processing/water management and environmental monitoring. Building upon the International Space Station (ISS) LSS systems (where applicable), the three-fold mission of the LSS Project is to address discrete LSS technology gaps, to improve the reliability of LSS systems, and to advance LSS systems toward integrated testing aboard the ISS. This paper is a follow on to the AES LSS development status reported in 2017 and provides additional details on the progress made since that publication with specific attention to the status of the Aerosol Sampler ISS Flight Experiment, the Spacecraft Atmosphere Monitor (SAM) Flight Experiment, the Brine Processor Assembly (BPA) Flight Experiment as well as the progress of the terrestrial development in air, water and environmental monitoring technologies.

trace contaminant control↗

3D Printing in Zero G Technology Demonstration Mission: Summary of On-Orbit Operations, Material Testing, and Future Work

Human space exploration to date has been limited to low Earth orbit and the moon. The International Space Station (ISS), an orbiting laboratory 200 miles above the earth, provides a unique and incredible opportunity for researchers to prove out the technologies that will enable humans to safely live and work in space for longer periods of time and venture farther into the solar system. The ability to manufacture parts in-space rather than launch them from earth represents a fundamental shift in the current risk and logistics paradigm for human spaceflight. In particularly, additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) techniques can potentially be deployed in the space environment to enhance crew safety (by providing an on-demand part replacement capability) and decrease launch mass by reducing the number of spare components that must be launched for missions where cargo resupply is not a near-term option. In September 2014, NASA launched the 3D Printing in Zero G technology demonstration mission to the ISS to explore the potential of additive manufacturing for in-space applications and demonstrate the capability to manufacture parts and tools on-orbit. The printer for this mission was designed and operated by the company Made In Space under a NASA SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) phase III contract. The overarching objectives of the 3D print mission were to use ISS as a testbed to further maturation of enhancing technologies needed for long duration human exploration missions, introduce new materials and methods to fabricate structure in space, enable cost-effective manufacturing for structures and mechanisms made in low-unit production, and enable physical components to be manufactured in space on long duration missions if necessary. The 3D print unit for fused deposition modeling (FDM) of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) was integrated into the ISS Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) in November 2014 and phase I printing operations took place from November through December of that year. Phase I flight operations yielded 14 unique parts (21 total specimens) that could be directly compared against ground-based prints of identical geometry manufactured using the printer prior to its launch to ISS. The 3DP unit functioned safely and produced specimens necessary to advance the understanding of the critical design and operational parameters for the FDM process as affected by the microgravity environment. From the standpoint of operations, 3DP demonstrated the ability to remove parts from the build-tray on-orbit, teleoperate the printer from the ground, perform critical maintenance functions within defined human factors limits, produce a functional tool that could be evaluated for form/fit/function, and uplink a new part file from the ground and produce it on the printer. The flight parts arrived at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama in April 2015, where they underwent months of testing in the materials and processes laboratory. Ground and flight prints completed the following phases of testing: photographic/visual inspection, mass and density evaluation, structured light scanning, XRay and CT, mechanical testing, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and chemical analysis. This presentation will discuss the results of this testing as well as phase II operations for the printer, which took place in June and July of 2016. Lessons learned from the tech demo and their impacts on the design and development of the second generation 3D printer for ISS, the Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF) by Made In Space will also be presented. In addition, progress in other elements of NASA's In Space Manufacturing (ISM) initiative such as the on-demand ISM utilization catalog, in-space Recycler ISS Technology Demonstration development, launch packaging recycling, in-space printable electronics, development of higher strength polymeric materials for 3D printing and Additive Construction by Mobile Emplacement (ACME) will also be addressed.

Prater, Tracie↗

Monte Carlo Computational Modeling of the Energy Dependence of Atomic Oxygen Undercutting of Protected Polymers

A Monte Carlo computational model has been developed which simulates atomic oxygen attack of protected polymers at defect sites in the protective coatings. The parameters defining how atomic oxygen interacts with polymers and protective coatings as well as the scattering processes which occur have been optimized to replicate experimental results observed from protected polyimide Kapton on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) mission. Computational prediction of atomic oxygen undercutting at defect sites in protective coatings for various arrival energies was investigated. The atomic oxygen undercutting energy dependence predictions enable one to predict mass loss that would occur in low Earth orbit, based on lower energy ground laboratory atomic oxygen beam systems. Results of computational model prediction of undercut cavity size as a function of energy and defect size will be presented to provide insight into expected in-space mass loss of protected polymers with protective coating defects based on lower energy ground laboratory testing.

Banks, Bruce A.↗

Passively Cooled Superconductors Final Report

A highly reflective spray-on coating and tile material has been under development at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) that scatters away most of the Sun’s energy, thereby allowing coated objects to remain cool in space. The best performing tile material has achieved 1% solar absorptivity while the best performing spray-on coating has achieved around 4%. Both versions passively maintain cryogenic temperatures below 120 K at 1 astronomical unit (AU) from the Sun, but the tile material consistently sustains temperatures below 90 K, which is low enough to preserve oxygen and methane in a liquid state. Besides keeping propellants cold, this “solar white” material has the potential to passively maintain high-temperature superconductors (HTS) in a superconducting state without the support of liquid nitrogen cooling. If superconductors can be operated without the added infrastructure of liquid nitrogen cooling, it may enable them to be used in space for applications like magnetic radiation shielding and efficient energy management. Long duration exposure to both galactic cosmic radiation and coronal mass ejections can pose health risks for the astronauts and increase the potential for damage to electronics. This makes shielding essential to accomplish long duration missions, particularly when astronauts are onboard. The objective of this project was to determine the extent we could keep a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) material passively chilled to maintain its superconducting state. Both the tile and spray-on versions of solar white were investigated. We focused on finding a version that could support passive cooling at 1 AU from the Sun and determined the closest operating distances for samples that were unable to perform at 1 AU. Early in the project, we selected bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide (BSCCO) as the HTS to test based on its reputable usage in superconducting wires. The version we selected was Bi-2223, which has a critical temperature of about 108 K. Sample bars with contacts for a four-point probe were obtained from Quantum Levitation: https://quantumlevitation.com/product/superconductor-bar-for-4-point-tc-experiment/.

superconductors↗

Flying Through the Ages: Rodent Research for Human Health

As humans, we evolved, developed, grew, and now function in a continuous 1-gravity environment. Habitation in space poses unique challenges to human cells and organ systems. Biomedical research with rodents (primarily mice and rats) can help to both unravel molecular, cellular and physiologic mechanisms relevant to humans and test candidate interventions that mitigate adverse effects of space on humans, such as muscle atrophy, bone loss and cardiovascular deconditioning. One favored hypothesis that may explain the detrimental effects of spaceflight on humans is that reduced mechanical loading in microgravity accelerates aging. Rodents provide a relevant model system to study this problem as they age 40 times faster than humans. Now scientists from both public and commercial sectors conduct rodent experiments on the ISS using a new capability developed primarily at ARC. Results from the maiden voyage of the Rodent Research Project on the ISS reveal that long duration effects of spaceflight appear far different than short duration effects. Thus, Rodent Research missions on the ISS usher in a new era for exploration and biological discovery in space.

Globus, Ruth↗

NASA’s In-Space Manufacturing Project: Update on Manufacturing Technologies and Materials to Enable More Sustainable and Safer Exploration

NASA’s In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) project seeks to develop the materials, processes, and manufacturing technologies needed to provide an on-demand manufacturing capability for deep space exploration missions. The ability to manufacture and recycle some parts on demand rather than launch them from earth has the potential to reduce logistics requirements on long duration missions and enhance crew safety. With the launch of the first 3D printer (built and operated by Made in Space through a Small Business Innovative Research – SBIR -- contract) to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2014, the ISM project demonstrated the feasibility of operating an on-demand manufacturing system in a microgravity environment. This paper will provide an update on recent advancements in ISM under three key technology areas: manufacturing, recycling, and development of a design database. ISM continues to pursue development of manufacturing technologies for space applications and use the ISS as a critical test bed to prove out these technologies before deploying them on next generation exploration systems. Activities under this focus area include: characterization of materials manufactured using the Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF), the second generation commercial 3D-printer on ISS, also owned and operated by Made in Space; development of prototype payloads for metal manufacturing through phase II SBIR contracts with Tethers Unlimited, Made in Space, and Ultra Tech Machinery; development of a multi-material fabrication laboratory capable of processing metals and providing inspection of manufactured parts through a Broad Agency Announcement (Techshot, Interlog, and Tethers Unlimited); an in-line sensing system for ISM platforms; and development of higher strength feedstocks for 3D polymer printers. In the area of recycling, the Tethers Unlimited Refabricator payload (an integrated 3D printer and recycler for ULTEM 9085) launched to ISS in November 2018 and began operating in early 2019. This payload represents the first demonstration of on-orbit recycling; down massed specimens will assess material degradation in the polymer over multiple recycling cycles to define limits on material re-use. Other work in the recycling area includes development of common use materials intended to be reused and recycled on space missions (Tethers Unlimited and Cornerstone Research Group) and a sterilization capability for multiple-use materials (ERASMUS from Tethers Unlimited). Concurrent with manufacturing technology and materials development work is creation of a design database, a curated list of parts that can be manufactured using the suite of In-Space Manufacturing capabilities.

Tracie Prater↗