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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
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NASA NTRS2005

Robotic Technologies for Surveying Habitats and Seeking Evidence of Life: Results from the 2004 Field Experiments of the "Life in the Atacama" Project

The Chilean Atacama Desert is the most arid region on Earth and in several ways analogous to Mars. Evidence suggests that the interior of the Atacama is lifeless, yet where the desert meets the Pacific coastal range dessication-tolerant microorganisms are known to exist. The gradient of biodiversity and habitats in the Atacama's subregions remain unexplored and are the focus of the Life in the Atacama project. Our field investigation attempts to bring further scientific understanding of the Atacama as a habitat for life through the creation of robotic astrobiology. This involves capabilities for autonomously traversing hundreds of kilometers while deploying sensors to survey the varying geologic and biologic properties of the environment, Fig. 1. Our goal is to make genuine discoveries about the limits of life on Earth and to generate knowledge about life in extreme environments that can be applied to future planetary missions. Through these experiments we also hope to develop and practice the methods by which a rover might best be employed to survey desert terrain in search of the habitats in which life can survive, or may have in the past.

Wettergreen, D.↗
NASA NTRS2011

LISA: Opening New Horizons

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) is a space-borne observatory that will open the low frequency (approx.0.1-100 mHz) gravitational wave window on the universe. LISA will observe a rich variety of gravitational wave sources, including mergers of massive black holes, captures of stellar black holes by massive black holes in the centers of galaxies, and compact Galactic binaries. These sources are generally long-lived, providing unprecedented opportunities for multi-messenger astronomy in the transient sky. This talk will present an overview of these scientific arenas, highlighting how LISA will enable stunning discoveries in origins, understanding the cosmic order, and the frontiers of knowledge.

Centrella, Joan M.↗
NASA NTRS1999

The NASA Discovery 5, Genesis Mission

Genesis is the NASA Discovery 5 mission to solar wind return samples to the Earth for analyses in terrestrial laboratories. This will significantly increase our knowledge of the chemical and isotopic composition of the solar system.

sample return Genesis NASA Discovery 5 solar wind↗
NASA NTRS1975

Application of Skylab imagery to some geological and environmental problems in Italy

Four topics are considered: regional geology of Sicily, volcanic surveillance in southern Italy, hydrogeology (with special regard given to the discovery and mapping of paleoriverbeds), and crop investigation. The discovery of unknown lineaments and structures in Sicily contributes to the geological knowledge of this region and in particular to the mechanical phenomena involving the upper part of the crust. An attempt was made to relate the status of vegetation surrounding Etna volcano to the magmatic gas escapes filtering through the soil. False-color Skylab images were used to analyze the vigor of the Etnean forestal belt vegetation canopy in order to map possible gas-vent ways as well as the 'active' microfractures. In northern Italy, buried channels were mapped in the Venetian Plain, and a tentative cost-benefit evaluation was done in the field of vegetational studies, both disease detection and species inventory were performed in the Po River Delta and in northwestern Italy.

Cassinis, R.↗
NASA NTRS2013

The Federation of Earth Science Information Partners ESIP

A broad-based, distributed community of science, data and information technology practitioners. With over 150 member organizations, the ESIP Federation brings together public, academic, commercial, and nongovernmental organizations to share knowledge, expertise, technology and best practices to improve opportunities for increasing access, discovery, integration and usability of Earth science data.

ESIP↗
NASA NTRS2009

The Art and Science of Systems Engineering

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was established in 1958, and its Marshall Space Flight Center was founded in 1960, as space-related work was transferred from the Army Ballistic Missile Agency at Redstone Arsenal, where Marshall is located. With this heritage, Marshall contributes almost 50 years of systems engineering experience with human-rated launch vehicles and scientific spacecraft to fulfill NASA's mission exploration and discovery. These complex, highly specialized systems have provided vital platforms for expanding the knowledge base about Earth, the solar system, and cosmos; developing new technologies that also benefit life on Earth; and opening new frontiers for America's strategic space goals. From Mercury and Gemini, to Apollo and the Space Shuttle, Marshall's systems engineering expertise is an unsurpassed foundational competency for NASA and the nation. Current assignments comprise managing Space Shuttle Propulsion systems; developing environmental control and life support systems and coordinating science operations on the International Space Station; and a number of exploration-related responsibilities. These include managing and performing science missions, such as the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter slated to launch for the Moon in April 2009, to developing the Ares I crew launch vehicle upper stage and integrating the vehicle stack in house, as well as designing the Ares V cargo launch vehicle and contributing to the development of the Altair Lunar Lander and an International Lunar Network with communications nodes and other infrastructure.

Singer, Christopher E.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Model-Specific Metadata for Enhancing Space Science Models

The Space Weather and Heliophysics modeling community, supported by the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC, https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov), provides a collaborative platform for space weather models and data. Flexible metadata is vital for advancing scientific research and fostering collaboration. Our work in expressing complex simulations of the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF), particularly Global Magnetosphere (GM) grid components, in terms of simple metadata records shows great promise in creating searchable and reusable units of knowledge. Such records can be readily utilized to support the process of scientific discovery, closely aligning with the goals outlined in the Open Science initiative. Our primary goal is to show the scalability and benefits of metadata-focused methodologies. This presentation highlights the potential for applying metadata methodologies to other complex models, improving usability, supplying efficient documentation and fostering interdisciplinary research.

space weather↗
NASA NTRS2011

Systems Engineering Using Heritage Spacecraft Technology: Lessons Learned from Discovery and New Frontiers Deep Space Missions

In the design and development of complex spacecraft missions, project teams frequently assume the use of advanced technology or heritage systems to enable a mission or reduce the overall mission risk and cost. As projects proceed through the development life cycle, increasingly detailed knowledge of the advanced or heritage systems and the system environment identifies unanticipated issues that result in cost overruns or schedule impacts. The Discovery & New Frontiers (D&NF) Program Office recently studied cost overruns and schedule delays resulting from advanced technology or heritage assumptions for 6 D&NF missions. The goal was to identify the underlying causes for the overruns and delays, and to develop practical mitigations to assist the D&NF projects in identifying potential risks and controlling the associated impacts to proposed mission costs and schedules. The study found that the cost and schedule growth did not result from technical hurdles requiring significant technology development. Instead, systems engineering processes did not identify critical issues early enough in the design cycle to ensure project schedules and estimated costs address the inherent risks. In general, the overruns were traceable to: inadequate understanding of the heritage system s behavior within the proposed spacecraft design and mission environment; an insufficient level of experience with the heritage system; or an inadequate scoping of the system-wide impacts necessary to implement the heritage or advanced technology. This presentation summarizes the study s findings and offers suggestions for improving the project s ability to identify and manage the risks inherent in the technology and heritage design solution.

Barley, Bryan↗
NASA NTRS1994

Exobiology opportunities from Discovery-class missions

Discovery-class missions that are now planned, and those in the concept stage, have the potential to expand our knowledge of the origins and evolution of biogenic compounds, and ultimately, of the origins of life in the solar system. This class of missions, recently developed within NASA's Solar System Exploration Program, is designed to meet important scientific objectives within stringent guidelines--$150 million cap on development cost and a 3-year cap on the development schedule. The Discovery Program will effectively enable "faster, cheaper" missions to explore the inner solar system. The first two missions are Mars Environmental Survey (MESUR) Pathfinder and Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR). MESUR Pathfinder will be the first Discovery mission, with launch planned for November/December 1996. It will be primarily a technical demonstration and validation of the MESUR Program--a network of automated landers to study the internal structure, meteorology, and surface properties of Mars. Besides providing engineering data, Pathfinder will carry atmospheric instrumentation and imaging capabilities, and may deploy a microrover equipped with an alpha proton X-ray spectrometer to determine elemental composition, particularly the lighter elements of exobiological interest. NEAR is expected to be launched in 1998 and to rendezvous with a near-Earth asteroid for up to 1 year. During this time, the spacecraft will assess the asteroid's mass, size, density, map its surface topography and composition, determine its internal properties, and study its interaction with the interplanetary environment. A gamma ray or X-ray spectrometer will be used to determine elemental composition. An imaging spectrograph, with 0.35 to 2.5 micron spectral range, will be used to determine the asteroid's compositional disbribution. Of the 11 Discovery mission concepts that have been designated as warranting further study, several are promising in terms of determining the composition and chemical evolution of organic matter on small planetary bodies. The following mission concepts are of particular interest to the Exobiology Program: Cometary coma chemical composition, comet nucleus tour, near earth asteroid returned sample, small missions to asteroids and comets, and solar wind sample return. The following three Discovery mission concepts that have been targeted for further consideration are relevant to the study of the evolution of biogenic compounds: Comet nucleus penetrator, mainbelt asteroid rendezvous explorer, and the Mars polar Pathfinder.

Meyer, Michael A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The anomalous nuclear component in the three-dimensional heliosphere

The anomalous nuclear component is neither of solar nor galactic cosmic ray origin. Its presence in the heliosphere is an independent probe for both interplanetary electrodynamical investigations--especially solar modulation--and probably the most direct means for determining the elemental and isotopic composition of those neutral atoms in the local interstellar medium that have high first ionization potentials (e.g., He, N, O, Ne, Ar, etc.). This report is a brief account of the evolution of our knowledge of this component for readers not specializing in the subject. Included are the initial discoveries of the component, its composition, spectra, heliospheric radial and latitudinal intensity gradients, modulation over the approximately 22 year solar magnetic cycle, trapping in the magnetosphere and its use for estimating the location of a heliospheric termination shock. Recent measurements from the ULYSSES spacecraft have provided conclusive evidence that incoming neutral atoms, after photoionization by solar uv, are picked up by the solar wind, thus lending support for the concept that after their acceleration--probably at a termination shock--they return to the inner heliosphere as pseudo-cosmic rays. ULYSSES spacecraft investigations extending to approximately 56 deg south latitude reveal, for both the anomalous nuclear component and the galactic cosmic rays, that there is a surprisingly small latitudinal intensity gradient. Thus, for the current phase of the solar cycle, modulation is much more spherically symmetric in the inner solar system than had generally been believed. A further surprise is the continual presence of approximately 26 day recurrent modulation at hight latitudes, without corresponding magnetic field compressions. These results are changing our ideas and requiring modification of our models for solar modulation in three dimensions.

Simpson, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS2011

A Radiation Hard Multi-Channel Digitizer ASIC for Operation in the Harsh Jovian Environment

In 1995, the Galileo spacecraft arrived at Jupiter to conduct follow-up experiments on pathfinder Pioneer and key Voyager discoveries especially at Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. These new observations helped expand our scientific knowledge of the prominent Galilean satellites; studies revealed diversity with respect to their geology, internal structure, evolution and degree of past and present activity. Jupiter's diverse Galilean satellites, of which three are believed to harbor internal oceans, are central to understanding the habitability of icy worlds. Galileo provided for the first time compelling evidence of a near-surface global ocean on Europa. Furthermore, by understanding the Jupiter system and unraveling the history of its evolution from initial formation to the emergence of possible habitats and life, gives insight into how giant planets and their satellite systems form and evolve. Most important, new light is shed on the potential for the emergence and existence of life in icy satellite oceans. In 2009, NASA released a detailed Jupiter Europa Mission Study (EJSM) that proposed an ambitious Flagship Mission to understand more fully the satellites Europa and Ganymede within the context of the Jovian system. Key to EJSM is the NASA led Jupiter Europa Orbiter (JEO) and the ESA led Jupiter Ganymede Orbiter (JGO). JEO and JGO would execute a choreographed exploration of the Jovian system before settling into orbit around Europa and Ganymede, respectively. The National Academies Planetary Decadal Survey, 2011 has listed the NASA-led JEO as the second highest priority mission for the decade 2013-2022, and if chosen it would be launched in 2020 with arrival at Jupiter in 2025. If the JEO mission is not chosen it is anticipated that there will be opportunities in future decadal cycles. Jupiter Orbit Insertion (JOI) begins a 30-month Jovian system tour followed by nine months of science mapping after Europa Orbit Insertion (EOI) in July 2028. The orbiter will ultimately impact the surface of Europa after the mission is completed. The current JEO mission concept includes a range of instruments on the payload, to monitor dynamic phenomena (such as Io's volcanoes and Jupiters atmosphere), map the Jovian magnetosphere and its interactions with the Galilean satellites, and characterize water oceans beneath the ice shells of Europa and Ganymede. The payload includes a low mass (3.7 Kg) and low power (< 5 W) Thermal Instrument (TI) concept for measuring possible warm thermal anomalies on Europa s cold surface caused by recent (< 10,000 years) eruptive activity. Regions of anomalously high heat flow will be identified by thermal mapping using a nadir pointing, push-broom filter radiometer that provides far-IR imagery in two broad band spectral wavelength regions, 8-20 m and 20-100 m, for surface temperature measurements with better than a 2 K accuracy and a spatial resolution of 250 m/pixel obtained from a 100 Km orbit. The temperature accuracy permits a search for elevated temperatures when combined with albedo information. The spatial resolution is sufficient to resolve Europa's larger cracks and ridge axial valleys. In order to accomplish the thermal mapping, the TI uses sensitive thermopile arrays that are readout by a custom designed low-noise Multi-Channel Digitizer (MCD) ASIC that resides very close to the thermopile linear array outputs. Both the thermopile array and the MCD ASIC will need to show full functionality within the harsh Jovian radiation environment, operating at cryogenic temperatures, typically 150 K to 170 K. In the following, a radiation mitigation strategy together with a low risk Radiation-Hardened-By-Design (RHBD) methodology using commercial foundry processes is given for the design and manufacture of a MCD ASIC that will meet this challenge.

Aslam, Shahid↗
NASA NTRS1979

Earth's magnetosphere - Global problems in magnetospheric plasma physics

Magnetospheric physics is presently in a transition from the exploratory stage to one in which satellite missions and ground-based observations are planned with the specific object of achieving a global understanding and self-consistent quantitative description of the cause-and-effect relationship among the principal dynamic processes involved. Measurements turn to lower and lower energies and to higher ion mass species, in order to encompass the entire particle population, and to a broader range of the frequency spectrum of magnetic and electric field variations. In the present paper, the current status of our knowledge on magnetospheric plasma physics is reviewed, with particular reference of such fundamental advances as the discovery of layers of streaming plasma in the magnetosphere beneath its boundary surface, the identification of the terrestrial magnetosphere as a celestial source of kilometric radiation and relativistic particles, the identification of parallel electric field regions within the magnetosphere and their role in auroral particle acceleration, and the discovery of large fluxes of energetic heavy ions trapped in the magnetosphere.

Roederer, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Orbital resonances among Saturn's satellites

When orbital properties constituted most of our knowledge of Saturn's satellites, resonances provided important clues to physical properties and history. With the discoveries of the 1980s, including close-up direct observations of physical and geological properties, resonances are more important than ever. This chapter reviews the kinetics of the various classes of resonances represented among the classical and newly discovered satellites and describes how resonances have played a fundamental role in shaping the Saturn system as it is seen today.

Greenberg, R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Expert systems and their use in augmenting design optimization

The challenging requirements that are evolving for future aircraft demand that each design be optimally integrated, for the penalties imposed by nonoptimal performance are significant. Classic numerical optimization algorithms have been and will continue to be important tools for aircraft designers. These methods are, however, limited to certain categories of aircraft design variables, leaving the remainder to be determined by the user. A method that makes use of knowledge-based expert systems offers the potential for aiding the conceptual design process in a way that is similar to that of numerical optimization, except that it would address discrete, discontinuous, abstract, or any other unoptimized aspect of vehicle design and integration. Other unique capabilities such as automatic discovery and learning in design may also be achievable in the near term. This paper discusses current practice in conceptual aircraft design and knowledge-based systems, and how knowledge-based systems can be used in conceptual design.

Kidwell, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Study and Estimation of Planet-crossing Asteroid Populations: Discoveries and Analysis

The populations of the various classes of planet-crossing asteroids, based on the results of the systematic Planet-Crossing Asteroid Survey (PCAS) search program are evaluated. Knowledge of the populations is crucial to the stimation of lunar and terrestrial planet cratering rates from asteroidal and cometary sources needed to establish the chronology of other surface features on those bodies. A secondary objective is to identify the sources of these crater-forming objects and their relative importance in producing the observed planet-crossing asteroid population. Some key PCAS asteroid discoveries relevant to the population problem and the progress in using the available search data to update and refine earlier estimates of the planet-crossing asteroid population are described.

Helin, E. F.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Advanced Astrophysics Discovery Technology in the Era of Data Driven Astronomy

Astrophysics is at the threshold of a new epoch in which increasinglycomplex, heterogeneous datasets will challenge our existing information infrastructure and traditional approaches to analysis. The rapid advancement of graphics processing units, compact field programmable gate arrays and dedicated artificial intelligence accelerator chips is now permitting the use of scientific methods, processes and algorithms to extract knowledge and insights from structured and unstructured data in ways never before seen. Miniaturization of spacecraft architectures and supporting infrastructure is opening new observing strategies and new discovery spaces for science. The community is just beginning to awaken to these imminent challenges as evidenced by their relative lack of emphasis in the New Worlds, New Horizons ASTRO2010 decadal survey, in the ExoPAG Science Analysis Group 11 report andin the formulation of the WFIRST Data Challenge. We suggest that the Astrophysics Science Division (ASD), which has clearly recognized this new epoch of rapidly evolving information technology, could be more affirmative in its approach. We offer a modest structural solution.

Barry, Richard K.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Genesis Discovery Mission: Science Canister Processing at JSC

Genesis addresses questions about materials and processes involved in the origins of the solar system by providing precise knowledge of solar isotopic and elemental compositions. Solar wind ions are collected and returned to Earth for analyses. The spacecraft has two primary instruments to collect solar wind: a set of collector arrays each of which can deploy to sample different solar wind regimes, and a concentrator that is an electrostatic mirror to concentrate and focus low mass ions onto a 6 cm target. One of the key challenges to obtaining a good sample of solar wind, uncontaminated by terrestrial atoms, is to have clean collection surfaces in a clean sample canister and clean facilities to handle the samples for allocation and future reference. The Johnson Space Center (JSC) is responsible for contamination control for the mission, for ensuring the cleanliness of collection surfaces, and for providing a clean environment for handling of the samples. The level of cleanliness required is high; at the time of analysis (after sample return), the surface contamination by C, N, O must each be <10(exp 15) atoms/sq cm and for other elements the number of atoms/sq cm of each surface contaminant shall not exceed the estimated solar wind fluence of the species (varies by element between U at approx. 10(exp 4) atoms/sq cm to Fe, Si, Mg, and Ne at approx. 10(exp 12) atoms/sq cm).

Stansbery, E. K.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Mariner 9 - An instrument of dynamical science

We review and evaluate the contributions of Mariner 9 in improving our knowledge of the dynamical characteristics of Mars and its two satellites, Phobos and Deimos. Primary results include the discovery of the large gravitational and topographical bulge in the Tharsis region, the development of a detailed gravity model representable as coefficients in a spherical harmonic expansion, the development of a topographic model exhibiting a three kilometer displacement of the center of figure from the center of mass, and the determination of the size, shape and motion of Phobos and Deimos.

Jordan, J. F.↗