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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 145 records · Page 8

Estimated Probability of Traumatic Abdominal Injury During an International Space Station Mission

The Integrated Medical Model (IMM) is a decision support tool that is useful to spaceflight mission planners and medical system designers when assessing risks and optimizing medical systems. The IMM project maintains a database of medical conditions that could occur during a spaceflight. The IMM project is in the process of assigning an incidence rate, the associated functional impairment, and a best and a worst case end state for each condition. The purpose of this work was to develop the IMM Abdominal Injury Module (AIM). The AIM calculates an incidence rate of traumatic abdominal injury per person-year of spaceflight on the International Space Station (ISS). The AIM was built so that the probability of traumatic abdominal injury during one year on ISS could be predicted. This result will be incorporated into the IMM Abdominal Injury Clinical Finding Form and used within the parent IMM model.

Lewandowski, Beth E.↗

Laser absorption phenomena in flowing gas devices

A theoretical and experimental investigation is presented of inverse Bremsstrahlung absorption of CW CO2 laser radiation in flowing gases seeded with alkali metals. In order to motivate this development, some simple models are described of several space missions which could use laser powered rocket vehicles. Design considerations are given for a test call to be used with a welding laser, using a diamond window for admission of laser radiation at power levels in excess of 10 kW. A detailed analysis of absorption conditions in the test cell is included. The experimental apparatus and test setup are described and the results of experiments presented. Injection of alkali seedant and steady state absorption of the laser radiation were successfully demonstrated, but problems with the durability of the diamond windows at higher powers prevented operation of the test cell as an effective laser powered thruster.

Chapman, P. K.↗

Report on International Standards Organization Activities in Space Environments

During the last year the International Standards Organization has initialed meetings among representatives of the spacefaring nations to develop standardized models for space environments. This work is intended to facilitate the design of joint missions and the development of international markets for spacecraft components. NASA is heavily involved in this effort, and other government agencies are coming on board. This paper describes progress and plans for this activity.

International↗

Continued Exploration of the Electrified Aircraft Propulsion Design Space

A previous electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) design space exploration study was continued to investigate the impact of mission constraints, further explore the design space of different sized aircraft, and improve the modeling process. Three aircraft were investigated, 18- and 48-passenger turboprops, and a 78-passenger turbofan. Baseline aircraft models were inherited from the earlier study and were hybridized by applying EAP technologies. A parametric study varying motor power and battery specific energy was conducted. For the 78-passenger turbofan, design range was also introduced as a parametric parameter. Key metrics for the study included equivalent lifecycle CO2 emissions and direct operating cost plus interest. Both turboprop aircraft demonstrated significant potential savings in block fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, but at increased operating costs compared to their baseline models. As the 78-passenger turbofan had shown no improvements in any metrics under reasonable technology assumptions, design range was shortened in an attempt to obtain performance benefits. When designed for a shorter range, the 78-passenger EAP vehicle showed potential improvements in block fuel when compared to a baseline with a similarly shortened design range, but not in any other metrics. Operating cost reductions were not achieved for any aircraft, but several designs came close to breaking even with their baselines. Smaller, shorter range aircraft and turboprops demonstrated larger performance benefits and smaller operating cost penalties, but a simple trade of electric energy storage in batteries for fuel is generally insufficient to produce a viable aircraft concept.

Electrified Aircraft Propulsion↗

Model implementation for dynamic computation of system cost for advanced life support

Life support system designs for long-duration space missions have a multitude of requirements drivers, such as mission objectives, political considerations, cost, crew wellness, inherent mission attributes, as well as many other influences. Evaluation of requirements satisfaction can be difficult, particularly at an early stage of mission design. Because launch cost is a critical factor and relatively easy to quantify, it is a point of focus in early mission design. The method used to determine launch cost influences the accuracy of the estimate. This paper discusses the appropriateness of dynamic mission simulation in estimating the launch cost of a life support system. This paper also provides an abbreviated example of a dynamic simulation life support model and possible ways in which such a model might be utilized for design improvement. c2004 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

NASA Discipline Life Support Systems↗

Formulation of detailed consumables management models for the development (preoperational) period of advanced space transportation system: Executive summary

Formulation of models required for the mission planning and scheduling function and establishment of the relation of those models to prelaunch, onboard, ground support, and postmission functions for the development phase of space transportation systems (STS) was conducted. The preoperational space shuttle is used as the design baseline for the subject model formulations. Analytical models were developed which consist of a mission planning processor with appropriate consumables data base and a method of recognizing potential constraint violations in both the planning and flight operations functions. A flight data file for storage/retrieval of information over an extended period which interfaces with a flight operations processor for monitoring of the actual flights was examined.

Torian, J. G.↗

Modeling Evolvable Water Recovery Systems for Short and Long-Duration Missions in Partial Gravity

Water recovery technologies on the International Space Station (ISS) are designed and optimized for microgravity environments, thus creating a need for innovative systems optimized for mission operations in the presence of gravity. Alternative water recovery technologies under research by the Life Support Systems division were compiled into a series of Partial Gravity Water Recovery System (PGWRS) architectures. Individual unit processes were modeled via fundamental physical-chemical process equations to simulate their method of treatment, including chemical or biological oxidation, flash evaporation, filtration, or a combination of adsorption and ion exchange processes. Dimension and sizing data were then utilized to scale each architecture. Modeling was completed on an assortment of architectures assuming three scenarios in which treatment methods could take advantage of partial gravity: a short-duration mission with a temporary surface habitat, a longer duration mission with a more permanent habitat, and a long duration mission without resupply. Total system mass was estimated to quantitatively compare architectures within scenarios, but qualitative observations were also made regarding system robustness, flexibility, and capacity to meet more stringent demands. Technologies that traded most favorably between the scenarios were those that included a pre-oxidation stage to minimize mass loading to downstream absorption and ion exchange beds, exploited gravity in liquid-vapor separation processes, and reconstituted wastewater components into recyclable material streams.

Avery Carlson↗

Modeling Evolvable Water Recovery Systems for Short and Long-Duration Missions in Partial Gravity

Water recovery technologies on the International Space Station (ISS) are designed and optimized for microgravity environments, thus creating a need for innovative systems optimized for mission operations in the presence of gravity. Alternative water recovery technologies under research by the Life Support Systems division were compiled into a series of Partial Gravity Water Recovery System (PGWRS) architectures. Individual unit processes were modeled via fundamental physical-chemical process equations to simulate their method of treatment, including chemical or biological oxidation, flash evaporation, filtration, or a combination of adsorption and ion exchange processes. Dimension and sizing data were then utilized to scale each architecture. Modeling was completed on an assortment of architectures assuming three scenarios in which treatment methods could take advantage of partial gravity: a short-duration mission with a temporary surface habitat, a longer duration mission with a more permanent habitat, and a long duration mission without resupply. Total system mass was estimated to quantitatively compare architectures within scenarios, but qualitative observations were also made regarding system robustness, flexibility, and capacity to meet more stringent demands. Technologies that traded most favorably between the scenarios were those that included a pre-oxidation stage to minimize mass loading to downstream absorption and ion exchange beds, exploited gravity in liquid-vapor separation processes, and reconstituted wastewater components into recyclable material streams.

Avery L. Carlson↗

Modeling Evolvable Water Recovery Systems for Short and Long-Duration Missions in Partial Gravity

Water recovery technologies on the International Space Station (ISS) are designed and optimized for microgravity environments, thus creating a need for innovative systems optimized for mission operations in the presence of gravity. Alternative water recovery technologies under research by the Life Support Systems division were compiled into a series of Partial Gravity Water Recovery System (PGWRS) architectures. Individual unit processes were modeled via fundamental physical-chemical process equations to simulate their method of treatment, including chemical or biological oxidation, flash evaporation, filtration, or adsorption and ion exchange. Dimension and sizing data were then utilized to scale each architecture. Modeling was completed on an assortment of architectures assuming three scenarios in which treatment methods could take advantage of partial gravity: a short-duration mission with a temporary surface habitat, a longer duration mission with a more permanent habitat, and a long duration mission with minimal resupply. Total system mass was estimated to quantitatively compare architectures within scenarios, but qualitative observations were also made regarding system robustness, flexibility, and capacity to meet more stringent demands. Technologies that traded most favorably between the scenarios were those that included a pre-oxidation stage to minimize mass loading to downstream absorption and ion exchange beds, exploited gravity in liquid-vapor separation processes, and reconstituted wastewater components into recyclable material streams.

Avery L. Carlson↗

Modeling Evolvable Water Recovery Systems for Short and Long-Duration Missions in Partial Gravity

Water recovery technologies on the International Space Station (ISS) are designed and optimized for microgravity environments, thus creating a need for innovative systems optimized for mission operations in the presence of gravity. Alternative water recovery technologies under research by the Life Support Systems division were compiled into a series of Partial Gravity Water Recovery System (PGWRS) architectures. Individual unit processes were modeled via fundamental physical-chemical process equations to simulate their method of treatment, including chemical or biological oxidation, flash evaporation, filtration, or adsorption and ion exchange. Dimension and sizing data were then utilized to scale each architecture. Modeling was completed on an assortment of architectures assuming three scenarios in which treatment methods could take advantage of partial gravity: a short-duration mission with a temporary surface habitat, a longer duration mission with a more permanent habitat, and a long duration mission with minimal resupply. Total system mass was estimated to quantitatively compare architectures within scenarios, but qualitative observations were also made regarding system robustness, flexibility, and capacity to meet more stringent demands. Technologies that traded most favorably between the scenarios were those that included a pre-oxidation stage to minimize mass loading to downstream absorption and ion exchange beds, exploited gravity in liquid-vapor separation processes, and reconstituted wastewater components into recyclable material streams.

Avery Carlson↗

Uncertainty Analysis in Space Radiation Protection

Space radiation is comprised of high energy and charge (HZE) nuclei, protons, and secondary radiation including neutrons. The uncertainties in estimating the health risks from galactic cosmic rays (GCR) are a major limitation to the length of space missions, the evaluation of potential risk mitigation approaches, and application of the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle. For long duration space missio ns, risks may approach radiation exposure limits, therefore the uncertainties in risk projections become a major safety concern and methodologies used for ground-based works are not deemed to be sufficient. NASA limits astronaut exposures to a 3% risk of exposure induced death (REID) and protects against uncertainties in risks projections using an assessment of 95% confidence intervals in the projection model. We discuss NASA s approach to space radiation uncertainty assessments and applications for the International Space Station (ISS) program and design studies of future missions to Mars and other destinations. Several features of NASA s approach will be discussed. Radiation quality descriptions are based on the properties of radiation tracks rather than LET with probability distribution functions (PDF) for uncertainties derived from radiobiology experiments at particle accelerators. The application of age and gender specific models for individual astronauts is described. Because more than 90% of astronauts are never-smokers, an alternative risk calculation for never-smokers is used and will be compared to estimates for an average U.S. population. Because of the high energies of the GCR limits the benefits of shielding and the limited role expected for pharmaceutical countermeasures, uncertainty reduction continues to be the optimal approach to improve radiation safety for space missions.

Cucinotta, Francis A.↗

Molecular Sieve Bench Testing and Computer Modeling

The design of an efficient four-bed molecular sieve (4BMS) CO2 removal system for the International Space Station depends on many mission parameters, such as duration, crew size, cost of power, volume, fluid interface properties, etc. A need for space vehicle CO2 removal system models capable of accurately performing extrapolated hardware predictions is inevitable due to the change of the parameters which influences the CO2 removal system capacity. The purpose is to investigate the mathematical techniques required for a model capable of accurate extrapolated performance predictions and to obtain test data required to estimate mass transfer coefficients and verify the computer model. Models have been developed to demonstrate that the finite difference technique can be successfully applied to sorbents and conditions used in spacecraft CO2 removal systems. The nonisothermal, axially dispersed, plug flow model with linear driving force for 5X sorbent and pore diffusion for silica gel are then applied to test data. A more complex model, a non-darcian model (two dimensional), has also been developed for simulation of the test data. This model takes into account the channeling effect on column breakthrough. Four FORTRAN computer programs are presented: a two-dimensional model of flow adsorption/desorption in a packed bed; a one-dimensional model of flow adsorption/desorption in a packed bed; a model of thermal vacuum desorption; and a model of a tri-sectional packed bed with two different sorbent materials. The programs are capable of simulating up to four gas constituents for each process, which can be increased with a few minor changes.

Mohamadinejad, Habib↗

Space mission scenario development and performance analysis tool

This paper discusses a new and innovative approach for a rapid spacecraft multi-disciplinary performance analysis using a tool called the Mission Scenario Development Workbench (MSDW). To meet the needs of new classes of space missions, analysis tools with proven models were developed and integrated into a framework to enable rapid trades and analyses between spacecraft designs and operational scenarios during the formulation phase of a mission. Generally speaking, spacecraft resources are highly constrained on deep space missions and this approach makes it possible to maximize the use of existing resources to attain the best possible science return. This approach also has the potential benefit of reducing the risk of costly design changes made later in the design cycle necessary to meet the mission requirements by understanding system design sensitivities early and adding appropriate margins. This paper will describe the approach used by the Mars Science Laboratory Project to accomplish this result.

performance analysis↗

Developing Architectures and Technologies for an Evolvable NASA Space Communication Infrastructure

Space communications architecture concepts play a key role in the development and deployment of NASA's future exploration and science missions. Once a mission is deployed, the communication link to the user needs to provide maximum information delivery and flexibility to handle the expected large and complex data sets and to enable direct interaction with the spacecraft and experiments. In human and robotic missions, communication systems need to offer maximum reliability with robust two-way links for software uploads and virtual interactions. Identifying the capabilities to cost effectively meet the demanding space communication needs of 21st century missions, proper formulation of the requirements for these missions, and identifying the early technology developments that will be needed can only be resolved with architecture design. This paper will describe the development of evolvable space communication architecture models and the technologies needed to support Earth sensor web and collaborative observation formation missions; robotic scientific missions for detailed investigation of planets, moons, and small bodies in the solar system; human missions for exploration of the Moon, Mars, Ganymede, Callisto, and asteroids; human settlements in space, on the Moon, and on Mars; and great in-space observatories for observing other star systems and the universe. The resulting architectures will enable the reliable, multipoint, high data rate capabilities needed on demand to provide continuous, maximum coverage of areas of concentrated activities, such as in the vicinity of outposts in-space, on the Moon or on Mars.

Bhasin, Kul↗

Developing Mission Segment-Specific Clinical Data for Impact

Space exploration missions represent a significant future objective for NASA’s human spaceflight operations for the near and long term. By operating missions during longer periods and over further distances, NASA’s mission planning models, hardware systems, and medical capabilities will be stretched beyond their original design constraints. The necessity of medical training and medical supply manifesting for such missions is likely to become incredibly intricate as trade-space analysis is performed over varying mission profiles. For this purpose, IMPACT was created to extend and improve the Integrated Medical Model (IMM) which is used for International Space Station (ISS) medical predications and consists of a probabilistic risk assessment tool that simulates missions to calculate risks given the constraints on crew complement, mission duration and activity (such as Extravehicular Activities), power, communication, mass, volume, and evacuation consideration as well as to predict mission outcomes. Currently, the medical evidence used to support IMPACT remains static, addressing risks of a medical condition and the impacts of the condition during spaceflight only, but is only calculated for a small number of mission parameters. Extended missions will consist of new and varied living environments, changing gravitational loads, and dynamic working requirements. Medical risks are not typically constant but will change depending upon the physical and physiological environment of the body during all phases of a mission. Risks are likely to shift during different mission segments, and understanding how components of a mission profile change risks will assist mission planners to increase chances for mission success.

Christopher Zahner↗

The Living with a Star Program Mission Plan

LWS (Living With a Star) is research science focused to facilitate enabling science for spacecraft design (specifically environment specification models) and spacecraft operations (specifically Space Weather research). The following topics are discussed: LWS goals and program, program architecture, the solar dynamic observer, the geospace plan, the space environment testbed concept, and the heliosphere missions.

Barth, Janet↗

Modeling Charge Collection in Detector Arrays

A detector array charge collection model has been developed for use as an engineering tool to aid in the design of optical sensor missions for operation in the space radiation environment. This model is an enhancement of the prototype array charge collection model that was developed for the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) program. The primary enhancements were accounting for drift-assisted diffusion by Monte Carlo modeling techniques and implementing the modeling approaches in a windows-based code. The modeling is concerned with integrated charge collection within discrete pixels in the focal plane array (FPA), with high fidelity spatial resolution. It is applicable to all detector geometries including monolithc charge coupled devices (CCDs), Active Pixel Sensors (APS) and hybrid FPA geometries based on a detector array bump-bonded to a readout integrated circuit (ROIC).

Hardage, Donna↗

A Survey of Radiation Measurements Made Aboard Russian Spacecraft in Low-Earth Orbit

The accurate prediction of ionizing radiation exposure in low-Earth orbit is necessary in order to minimize risks to astronauts, spacecraft and instrumentation. To this end, models of the radiation environment, the AP-8 trapped proton model and the AE-8 trapped electron model, have been developed for use by spacecraft designers and mission planners. It has been widely acknowledged for some time now by the space radiation community that these models possess some major shortcomings. Both models cover only a limited trapped particle energy region and predictions at low altitudes are extrapolated from higher altitude data. With the launch of the first components of the International Space Station with numerous constellations of low-Earth orbit communications satellites now being planned and deployed, the inadequacies of these trapped particle models need to be addressed. Efforts are now underway both in the U.S. and in Europe to refine the AP-8 and AE-8 trapped particle models. This report is an attempt to collect a significant fraction of data for use in validation of trapped radiation models at low altitudes.

Benton, E. R.↗