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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Energy Equity Opportunities in Distributed Wind Hybrid Systems for Rural Loads

Distributed wind (DW) hybrid systems, or combinations of distributed energy resources with wind technologies, have the potential to provide energy equity benefits for rural loads. However, project developers and end-users do not understand these benefits well. This report outlines energy equity opportunities that result directly from DW-hybrid projects and proposes a framework that demonstrates how to consider equity in the DW-hybrid system, which can enhance existing resilience and valuation tools by incorporating a way to include equity considerations. Energy equity opportunities achievable with DW-hybrid systems for rural loads are defined by the core principles of energy justice for use in a proposed equity framework. As well, a catalog of equity resources, metrics, technology-agnostic frameworks, and best practices are linked in an attached Excel file. Electric cooperatives, technical assistance providers (including national laboratory and DOE staff), DW project developers, and technology providers can use this work to understand, evaluate, and define equitable outcomes for potential DW-hybrid projects.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Igiugig Site Visit Report

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) team conducted a site visit during January 23-25, 2019 with the Igiugig Village Council (IVC) and other stakeholders to assist the community of Igiugig in refining their long-term energy strategy. The agenda included a tour of the village, data collection, presentations, long-term visioning exercises, identification of energy scenarios, and a school presentation. Participants in the site visit activities spanned a range of local, regional, government, and industry participation. There were 24 attendees at the all-day community workshop on Thursday, January 24th, with participants from the IVC, NREL, Bristol Bay Native Association (BBNA), Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC), Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska Energy Authority, Intergrid, ORPC, Deer Stone Consulting, the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference, and University of Alaska Fairbanks - Alaska Center for Energy and Power. Igiugig is a well-organized rural Alaskan community, with a leadership team that appears to have broad community support. The use of consensus-based decision making is one tangible example of how the leadership team actively invokes and promotes community-focused thinking. The NREL team observed anecdotal evidence of how this approach seems to be strengthening the community: active participation in the visioning exercise, a student hosted fund-raiser dinner at the school, a clean and organized landfill, and well-maintained roads and buildings. Igiugig has wind, solar, and river hydrokinetic resources readily available within the community. Wind has shown to be a promising resource in the region, and has been integrated into microgrids around the state, but the community has had mixed success with wind technologies: some devices failed quickly and others continue to operate. The economics of solar energy are improving in Alaska, and economical solar projects are being installed around the state. Considering that economic activity in Igiugig peaks during the summer sport fishing season, solar could prove to be a valuable supplement to the electrical system. Igiugig has been a test site for two different river hydrokinetic devices, and they have began a third project to operate ORPC's RivGen device, which is delivering valuable device performance data, operations and maintenance experience, and design refinement information. Already, this device has made over 7-million revolutions, and delivered over 8 MWh of power to the community. Igiugig's river resource is fairly unique because it is available year-round and has the potential to provide reliable base-load power for months at a time. A preliminary investigation of this diverse resource mix suggests that Igiugig could achieve very high levels (70% or more) of annual renewable generation contributions. A critical step in pursuing this path is identifying the mix of energy assets (generation and storage) that best meets the community's budget, needs, and goals. The assets that a community installs early in their grid-modernization initiative can constrain the options that are economical at later stages, which may lead to sub-optimal solutions. This is where technical and economic analysis of potential scenarios (i.e., distinct mixes of energy assets) can be useful in identifying the most promising pathways so that a community can make informed and strategic decisions about the assets they install. These analyses are most accurate and informative when they are based on actual technology performance and cost data. As the RivGen project continues to operate and generate this data, we will be better prepared to evaluate the technology's long-term viability and to identify research areas that would improve it. Igiugig's energy projects are at the cutting edge of two intersecting technology areas: 1) deploying an operational river hydrokinetic turbine, and 2) integrating renewable energy sources to achieve very high percent renewables. If these projects are successful, the lessons learned and technologies developed could be valuable for other microgrids around the world. Igiugig's unique resource mix make it an ideal location for this work, and the community's organizational strength make it an ideal partner in this ground-breaking work. Ongoing support for technical assistance to manage and address technical challenges along the way will maximize the probability of project success.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Non-Technical Barriers to Geothermal Development in California and Nevada

Geothermal project development in the United States may be subject to numerous permits, authorizations, and other regulatory requirements at the federal, state, and local level, which are necessary to address potential environmental and resource impacts at geothermal project sites. This report presents the findings of our study, including an analysis of federal, state, and local geothermal regulatory and permitting processes, case studies analyzing site-specific attributes that may impact project development at four selected geothermal project sites, an analysis of cost and timeline implications for geothermal project development, and the results of a qualitative study focused on inter-agency coordination and collaboration efforts between federal, state, and/or local agencies for geothermal projects located in California and Nevada. Our analysis found that development timelines may be impacted by multiple federal and state environmental review processes and duplicative permitting requirements as well as coordination efforts between numerous federal, state, and local agencies involved in issuing authorizations and permits necessary for project development. In addition, projects in California and Nevada may face site-specific environmental challenges due to the presence of sensitive resources (e.g., biological species and species habitat, cultural resources) that may result in project construction delays. Our study results also indicate that protracted geothermal development timelines caused by delays in acquiring necessary permits and environmental reviews may result in loss of generated electricity revenue and additional financing costs, which may increase economic uncertainty associated with project development. Through our qualitative analysis, we found that utilization of best practices, including tiering to existing environmental review documents and developing memoranda of understanding, which clearly delineate agency roles and responsibilities may reduce overall project timelines, costs, and uncertainties associated with geothermal project development in California and Nevada.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Evaluating Emissions Reductions from DERs in REopt Lite

Creating a clear business justification for an energy & water project is essential for developing projects by transforming data and analysis into a compelling story to secure management buy-in. This presentation provides an overview of how distributed energy resources (DERs) can provide cost savings, resilience benefits, and emissions reduction. Many technical and economic factors affect which distributed energy technologies can best meet site goals, and should be considered concurrently. With increasingly integrated and complex systems, back-of-the envelope calculations are no longer sufficient to determine distributed energy project potential. REopt Lite can be used to model emissions and evaluate the impact of DERs on reducing emissions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2014

Satellite Data of Atmospheric Pollution for U.S. Air Quality Applications: Examples of Applications, Summary of Data End-user Resources, Answers to Faqs, and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Satellite data of atmospheric pollutants are becoming more widely used in the decision-making and environmental management activities of public, private sector and non-profit organizations. They are employed for estimating emissions, tracking pollutant plumes, supporting air quality forecasting activities, providing evidence for "exceptional event" declarations, monitoring regional long-term trends, and evaluating air quality model output. However, many air quality managers are not taking full advantage of the data for these applications nor has the full potential of satellite data for air quality applications been realized. A key barrier is the inherent difficulties associated with accessing, processing, and properly interpreting observational data. A degree of technical skill is required on the part of the data end-user, which is often problematic for air quality agencies with limited resources. Therefore, we 1) review the primary uses of satellite data for air quality applications, 2) provide some background information on satellite capabilities for measuring pollutants, 3) discuss the many resources available to the end-user for accessing, processing, and visualizing the data, and 4) provide answers to common questions in plain language.

remote sensing↗
NASA NTRS2014

Satellite Data of Atmospheric Pollution for U.S. Air Quality Applications: Examples of Applications, Summary of Data End-User Resources, Answers to FAQs, and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Satellite data of atmospheric pollutants are becoming more widely used in the decision-making and environmental management activities of public, private sector and non-profit organizations. They are employed for estimating emissions, tracking pollutant plumes, supporting air quality forecasting activities, providing evidence for "exceptional event" declarations, monitoring regional long-term trends, and evaluating air quality model output. However, many air quality managers are not taking full advantage of the data for these applications nor has the full potential of satellite data for air quality applications been realized. A key barrier is the inherent difficulties associated with accessing, processing, and properly interpreting observational data. A degree of technical skill is required on the part of the data end-user, which is often problematic for air quality agencies with limited resources. Therefore, we 1) review the primary uses of satellite data for air quality applications, 2) provide some background information on satellite capabilities for measuring pollutants, 3) discuss the many resources available to the end-user for accessing, processing, and visualizing the data, and 4) provide answers to common questions in plain language.

Duncan, Bryan↗
NASA NTRS2015

OSIRIS-REx, Returning the Asteroid Sample

This paper addresses the technical aspects of the sample return system for the upcoming Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) asteroid sample return mission. The overall mission design and current implementation are presented as an overview to establish a context for the technical description of the reentry and landing segment of the mission.The prime objective of the OSIRIS-REx mission is to sample a primitive, carbonaceous asteroid and to return that sample to Earth in pristine condition for detailed laboratory analysis. Targeting the near-Earth asteroid Bennu, the mission launches in September 2016 with an Earth reentry date of September 24, 2023.OSIRIS-REx will thoroughly characterize asteroid Bennu providing knowledge of the nature of near-Earth asteroids that is fundamental to understanding planet formation and the origin of life. The return to Earth of pristine samples with known geologic context will enable precise analyses that cannot be duplicated by spacecraft-based instruments, revolutionizing our understanding of the early Solar System. Bennu is both the most accessible carbonaceous asteroid and one of the most potentially Earth-hazardous asteroids known. Study of Bennu addresses multiple NASA objectives to understand the origin of the Solar System and the origin of life and will provide a greater understanding of both the hazards and resources in near-Earth space, serving as a precursor to future human missions to asteroids.This paper focuses on the technical aspects of the Sample Return Capsule (SRC) design and concept of operations, including trajectory design and reentry retrieval. Highlights of the mission are included below.The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft provides the essential functions for an asteroid characterization and sample return mission: attitude control propulsion power thermal control telecommunications command and data handling structural support to ensure successful rendezvous with Bennu characterization of Bennus properties delivery of the sampler to the surface, and return of the spacecraft to the vicinity of the Earth sample collection, performed by the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM), to acquire a regolith sample from the surface Earth re-entry and SRC recovery. Following sample collection, OSIRIS-REx drifts away from Bennu until the Asteroid Departure Maneuver is commanded on March 4, 2021, sending OSIRIS-REx on a ballistic return cruise to Earth. No additional large deterministic maneuvers are required to return the SRC to Earth. During the cruise, tracking and trajectory correction maneuvers (TCMs) are performed as necessary to precisely target the entry corridor. As OSIRIS-REx approaches Earth, the reentry plans are reviewed starting about a year before arrival, and preparations begin. The spacecraft is targeted away from the Earth until 7 days before entry. The final two trajectory correction maneuvers bring the spacecraft on target toward the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR), with sufficient time for contingency resolution. The SRC releases 4 hours prior to atmospheric entry interface and, using the Stardust capsule heritage design, employs a traditional drogue and main parachute descent system for a soft touchdown.

reentry↗
DOE OSTI2025

Large-scale offshore wind farm effects on weather and climate in Puerto Rico (Final Technical Report)

Puerto Rico’s current electricity generation heavily relies on imported fossil fuels. This results in an average cost of electricity higher than the U.S. mainland average in all sectors (residential, commercial, and industrial), despite abundant local offshore wind resources, which have the potential to provide secure, low-cost energy generation and consequent economic prosperity. However, effects on atmospheric and oceanic circulation resulting from large-scale deployments of offshore wind farms have not been previously studied at tropical latitude. This project addressed this knowledge gap through a computational modeling effort designed to capture the coupled dynamics of the atmosphere and the ocean in presence of offshore wind farms. Results indicate that wind farm wakes can alter wind stress, generate Ekman-driven vertical transport, and potentially affect nutrient distribution. While full model coupling remains challenging, progress in parameterization and large-eddy simulations provides a foundation for future research. The project contributes to DOE’s Earth System modeling efforts and supports STEM workforce development.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS2020

The Mitigating Effects of Artificial gravity on Microgravity

The effects of microgravity on the human body can be debilitating however, the use of artificial gravity has the potential to completely mitigate these effects. Developing an artificial gravity habitation spacecraft concept could have positive effects on the astronauts spending long durations in space. Researching the past and upcoming artificial gravity concepts was accomplished using resources provided by my mentors, i.e. NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), human research roadmap, and the Aerospace Research Central (ARC) in coordination with other academic sources and research papers. This research has been accomplished over a several week period that looks at past artificial gravity concepts and the implications of instituting them or new designs in the future. Also, the research examines how to improve future artificial gravity concepts by applying what we know about past designs and what we are creating today. The expected outcomes of artificial gravity are that the health risks imposed on astronauts due to not being in Earth’s gravity environment for long duration space missions will decrease. No other microgravity mitigation technique addresses neurological problems such as fluid shift and VIIP syndrome as they only address physical conditions with exercise and supplements Another outcome is that using artificial gravity should reduce the long-term health effects that happen after the astronauts return to Earth because they will not be exposed to microgravity for as long. The real outcomes should be similar, if not the same, as the expected outcomes mentioned above. This process of creating artificial gravity aboard spacecrafts has potential to create a plethora of positive outcomes. The research completed will contribute to NASA’s missions and goals because the information gathered directly relates to the goal of sending humans to Mars and beyond and the research looks at how to solve one of the major problems associated with achieving that goal soon: microgravity. This research will contribute to NASA’s mission of sending astronauts to Mars, with a lower risk assessment, because artificial gravity will potentially mitigate the health risks (VIIP syndrome) associated with long duration in space flight.

Elizabeth Anne Westfall↗
DOE OSTI2020

Environmental Concerns and Mitigation Associated with Geothermal Resource Confirmation Drilling Activities

In 2017-2018, the Bureau of Land Management's National Renewable Energy Coordination Office, through its Geothermal Program, funded the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to analyze technical and environmental considerations related to geothermal resource confirmation drilling. NREL solicited input from a group of technical and environmental experts in the geothermal industry, along with analyzing National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) documentation for previously approved projects. The collected data and analysis will be used by the Bureau of Land Management to examine the possibility of developing a new classification of wells and/or expediting the NEPA compliance process, which could potentially reduce permitting and regulatory compliance timelines when compared to the current process for obtaining a geothermal drilling permit for resource confirmation drilling activities.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Valuing Residential Energy Efficiency: Analysis for a Prototypical Southeastern Utility [Slides]

The increasing amount of variable renewable energy resources and shifts towards more end-use and vehicle electrification suggests profound changes to power system planning and operation. Specifically, renewable energy is expected to shift net peak demand from late afternoon to early evening and end-use electrification may significantly increase winter peak demand. Residential energy efficiency is likely to align well with these shifts as it tends to produce savings in the early evening (e.g., from lighting measures) and coincident with heating loads (e.g., from envelope and space conditioning measures). Despite the opportunity to decrease system costs and emissions, residential energy efficiency is often limited by static valuation methods and its economic potential is considerably less than its technical potential. Using hourly residential energy efficiency characterizations, utility program cost data, and a capacity expansion model, we estimate the benefits of residential energy efficiency for a prototypical, summer-peaking utility in the Southeastern region. We first establish the cost-effective residential energy efficiency portfolio through “competition” with supply-side resources in a forward-looking capacity expansion model. Importantly, we then evaluate several scenarios intended to drive an increasing amount of cost-effective residential energy efficiency through measure cost reductions, increased customer adoption, policy goals (e.g., carbon price), and delivery of an integrated package of measures. The results quantify total system cost and emissions reductions, fossil-fuel plant retirements, and peak demand reductions. Results suggest the design and prioritization of policies and programs to access the untapped amount of cost-effective residential energy efficiency.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2026

Envelope-driven comfort risk in residential demand response

Residential demand response (DR) is a valuable resource for grid reliability, but remains challenging because the highly heterogeneous residential building stock leads to widely varying and hard-to-predict load and comfort responses during DR events. Although prior research has estimated the technical potential of DR-capable technologies for achieving energy demand savings, little is known about how they affect thermal comfort. In particular, it remains unclear how indoor thermal conditions due to DR depend on the thermal envelope characteristics of the housing stock. To address this gap, this study provides a systematic, location-specific assessment of indoor thermal performance during DR-events across the US housing stock using both typical DR weather data and detailed building metadata. We evaluate how envelope characteristics influence indoor temperatures during realistic simulated summer and winter DR events across 37 US locations, applying both temperature threshold and rate of temperature change criteria to estimate region-level probabilities of discomfort. Additionally, we show the impact of distinct weather patterns that intensify or abate thermal stress on comfort outcomes. Results show a near-universal overheating risk in summer DR events, where comfort outcomes are strongly influenced by rapid risk of comfort violations. In contrast, overall winter DR discomfort risk is lower, risk escalation is more gradual and shows greater sensitivity to event duration. These findings offer a data-driven quantification of comfort risk across diverse climates and building envelopes, demonstrating the need for region-specific DR scheduling and discomfort mitigation strategies tailored to local weather patterns and the performance of existing residential buildings.

Demand response↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Novel Platform for Algal Biomass Production Using Cellulosic Mixotrophy (CeMix) (Final Technical Report)

This novel project, branded CeMIX for cellulosic mixotrophy, targets solutions for several technological barriers limiting the deployment of algae cultivation in sunny, arid regions (specifically the southwest United States). Opening up the region for algae cultivation could increase DOE’s resource assessments and biofuel potential for the U.S. Mixotrophic metabolism in support of liquid fuel production is completely dependent on the availability of waste organic carbon in order to avoid diversion of food resources for fuel production. The use of cellulosic sugar hydrolysate (CSH) produced via the NREL process provided a standardized carbon source for study of the underlying biochemistry and metabolic adjustments to mixotrophy. Mixotrophic metabolism uses both photosynthetic CO 2 fixation and sugar oxidation to improve biomass productivity and harvest yield. The project was high-risk, high-reward in the sense that adding organic carbon to algal cultivation is an invitation for rapid-growth, heterotrophic contaminants to overtake the culture and consume mineral nutrients needed for algal growth. To help evade this outcome the project focused on acidophilic red algae that require low pH conditions with 40-48°C optimal temperature profiles that define them as low-range thermophiles. This is the only project in the BETO portfolio to utilize extreme conditions of low pH and high operating temperatures to control pathogens and competitors in mass culture. The project yielded five major outcomes. 1) Harvest densities of 5-10 g ash-free dry weight are easily achieved, providing a 10-fold reduction in water required and dewatering demand. 2) Catabolic repression of photosynthesis in G. sulphuraria is conditionally repressed by low oxygen. 3) Mixotrophic growth on cellulosic hydrolysate consumes all C6 and C5 sugars concomitant with increases in floridean starch with little change in lipid content. Protein content can be manipulated between 35 and 54 wt% by varying the C:N molar ratio from 10:1 to 20:1, respectively. 4) Mixotrophic cultures with up to 50 mM total sugar are remarkably stable at pH 2.5 and daily average reactor temperatures of 40°C. 5) Capital costs for glass tubular photobioreactors are prohibitive for liquid fuel production using a hydrothermal liquefaction processing pathway. The economic outlook for covered raceway ponds is better with a project minimum fuel selling price at $3.32 dm 3 GE -1 .

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Final Reports of the 2021 Los Alamos National Laboratory Computational Physics Student Summer Workshop

Since 2011, the Los Alamos National Laboratory Computational Physics Student Summer Workshop has been bringing together a highly talented and diverse group of students every summer. Students work in teams of two, alongside typically two mentors, on research projects reflecting a broad range of topics within computational physics. In addition, students attend a series of lectures on topics within computational physics, facility tours, and networking events. The program lasts ten weeks, with this year’s workshop running from June 7 to August 13. At the end of the summer, students give a final presentation, along with a written report. Those reports are what make up the remaining sections of this document. Admission to the workshop is by a competitive process, with the mentors forming the selection committee. One of the important accomplishments of the workshop has been to create a student pipeline from diverse schools that sometimes are not normally tapped by LANL recruiting. Many workshop students maintain a continuing relationship with LANL, returning as student interns, post-doctoral researchers, and staff members. Additionally, workshop alumni act as ambassadors for LANL. The result is a wider awareness both of LANL as a potential employer, and of the technical work that happens at LANL. This year, the workshop was once again in an off-site, virtual format. Students worked on LANL virtual desktop systems remotely, also accessing LANL HPC resources. In order to facilitate communication, student were given accounts on both Webex, a video teleconferencing platform, and Mattermost, an online team collaboration and chat platform, similar to Slack. Daily communication between students and mentors was primarily on Mattermost, with Webex conferencing as needed. The lectures were all done on Webex. Given the difficulty of the virtual format, and a concern that students might have video teleconferencing burn-out, all lectures were optional this year. In spite of this, the attendance was generally high. Lecturers were asked to try to move to a more high-level, ”What is it?,” format. Once again, the students did a tremendous job. Over the course of ten weeks, they did important research across a staggering array of disciplines. The following pages contain the final report for each team’s research efforts. Enjoy!

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2026

Lahaina Energy Partnership: Technical Assistance Task Updates and Discussion Part 2

The Lahaina Energy Partnership (LEP) is an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) to support energy planning and rebuilding efforts in Hawaii's historic town of Lahaina on Maui as the community recovers from a devastating fire on August 8, 2023, with technical assistance provided by the National Laboratory of the Rockies. NLR has partnered with Hawaii-based community organizations to engage with Lahaina the community on energy priorities and inform the technical assistance scope. This virtual workshop presentation is the second in a two-part series to provide progress updates and request community input to guide next steps. Workshop 1 on November 18 focused on hydropower resource potential, building energy modeling, and workforce development. Workshop 2 on December 11 (this presentation) will focus on microgrids, electric grid hardening, policy and regulation.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Digital Twin Applications in the Water Sector: A Review

As cities develop and resource demands rise, the water sector faces crucial challenges to deliver reliable, sustainable, and efficient services. Digital Twins (DTs), virtual replicas of physical systems, offer a promising tool to transform how we manage water infrastructure. Originally developed in the aerospace industry, DTs are now gaining traction in the water sector, enabling real-time monitoring, simulation, and predictive control of water and wastewater treatment, collection and distribution networks, and water reclamation and reuse systems. While still emerging in the water sector, DTs have shown potential to enhance operational efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and support smarter, more resilient water management. This review study provides a comprehensive overview of current DT applications in the water sector, highlighting successful case studies, technical challenges, and knowledge gaps. It also explores how DTs can help bridge the water–energy nexus by optimizing resources utilized across interconnected systems. By synthesizing recent advances and identifying future research directions, this paper illustrates how DTs can play a central role in building sustainable, adaptive, and digitally-enabled water infrastructure.

digital twin↗
NASA NTRS1975

Earth Resources: A continuing bibliography with indexes, issue 2

Reports, articles, and other documents announced between April and June 1974 in Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports (STAR), and International Aerospace Abstracts (IAA) are cited. Documents related to the identification and evaluation by means of sensors in spacecraft and aircraft of vegetation, minerals, and other natural resources, and the techniques and potentialities of surveying and keeping up-to-date inventories of such riches are included along with studies of such natural phenomena as earthquakes, volcanoes, ocean currents, and magnetic fields; and such cultural phenomena as cities, transportation networks, and irrigation systems. The components and use of remote sensing and geophysical instrumentation, their subsystems, observational procedures, signature and analyses and interpretive techniques for gathering data are, described. All reports generated under NASA's Earth Resources Survey Program for the time period covered are included.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1993

Space Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Test Facilities Subpanel

On 20 Jul. 1989, in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, President George Bush proclaimed his vision for manned space exploration. He stated, 'First for the coming decade, for the 1990's, Space Station Freedom, the next critical step in our space endeavors. And next, for the new century, back to the Moon. Back to the future. And this time, back to stay. And then, a journey into tomorrow, a journey to another planet, a manned mission to Mars.' On 2 Nov. 1989, the President approved a national space policy reaffirming the long range goal of the civil space program: to 'expand human presence and activity beyond Earth orbit into the solar system.' And on 11 May 1990, he specified the goal of landing Astronauts on Mars by 2019, the 50th anniversary of man's first steps on the Moon. To safely and ever permanently venture beyond near Earth environment as charged by the President, mankind must bring to bear extensive new technologies. These include heavy lift launch capability from Earth to low-Earth orbit, automated space rendezvous and docking of large masses, zero gravity countermeasures, and closed loop life support systems. One technology enhancing, and perhaps enabling, the piloted Mars missions is nuclear propulsion, with great benefits over chemical propulsion. Asserting the potential benefits of nuclear propulsion, NASA has sponsored workshops in Nuclear Electric Propulsion and Nuclear Thermal Propulsion and has initiated a tri-agency planning process to ensure that appropriate resources are engaged to meet this exciting technical challenge. At the core of this planning process, NASA, DOE, and DOD established six Nuclear Propulsion Technical Panels in 1991 to provide groundwork for a possible tri-agency Nuclear Propulsion Program and to address the President's vision by advocating an aggressive program in nuclear propulsion. To this end the Nuclear Electric Propulsion Technology Panel has focused it energies; this final report summarizes its endeavor and conclusions.

Allen, George C.↗