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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 163 records · Page 9
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NASA NTRS1998

STS-87 Mission Highlights Resources Tape

The STS-87 mission the flight crew, Commander Kevin R. Kregel, Pilot Steven W. Lindsey, Mission Specialists Winston E. Scott, Kalpana Chawla, and Takao Doi, and Payload Specialist Leonid K. Kadenyuk present an overview of there mission. STS-87 will fly the United States Microgravity Payload (USMP-4), the Spartan-201, the Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (OARE), the EVA Demonstration Flight Test 5 (EDFT-05). The objective of the observations are to investigate the mechanisms causing the heating of the solar corona and the acceleration of the solar wind which originates in the corona. While flying separately in the cargo bay, the Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (OARE) is an integral part of USMP-04. It is a highly sensitive instrument designed to acquire and record data of low-level aerodynamic acceleration along the orbiter's principal axes in the free-molecular flow regime at orbital altitudes and in the transition regime during re-entry. OARE data will support advances in space materials processing by providing measurements of the low-level, low frequency disturbance environment affecting various microgravity experiments. OARE data will also support advances in orbital drag prediction technology by increasing the understanding of the fundamental flow phenomena in the upper atmosphere.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1987

The role of orbital dynamics and cloud-cloud collisions in the formation of giant molecular clouds in global spiral structures

The role of orbit crowding and cloud-cloud collisions in the formation of GMCs and their organization in global spiral structure is investigated. Both N-body simulations of the cloud system and a detailed analysis of individual particle orbits are used to develop a conceptual understanding of how individual clouds participate in the collective density response. Detailed comparisons are made between a representative cloud-particle simulation in which the cloud particles collide inelastically with one another and give birth to and subsequently interact with young star associations and stripped down simulations in which the cloud particles are allowed to follow ballistic orbits in the absence of cloud-cloud collisions or any star formation processes. Orbit crowding is then related to the behavior of individual particle trajectories in the galactic potential field. The conceptual picture of how GMCs are formed in the clumpy ISMs of spiral galaxies is formulated, and the results are compared in detail with those published by other authors.

Roberts, William W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Formation of giant molecular clouds in global spiral structures: The role of orbital dynamics and cloud-cloud collisions

The different roles played by orbital dynamics and dissipative cloud-cloud collisions in the formation of giant molecular clouds (GMCs) in a global spiral structure are investigated. The interstellar medium (ISM) is simulated by a system of particles, representing clouds, which orbit in a spiral-perturbed, galactic gravitational field. The overall magnitude and width of the global cloud density distribution in spiral arms is very similar in the collisional and collisionless simulations. The results suggest that the assumed number density and size distribution of clouds and the details of individual cloud-cloud collisions have relatively little effect on these features. Dissipative cloud-cloud collisions play an important steadying role for the cloud system's global spiral structure. Dissipative cloud-cloud collisions also damp the relative velocity dispersion of clouds in massive associations and thereby aid in the effective assembling of GMC-like complexes.

Roberts, W. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Space Shuttle preliminary. Contamination assessment from STS-1 and STS-2

A preliminary assessment of the space shuttle contamination environment was made using data from the first two orbital flight tests, STS-1 and STS-2. Data sources consisted of crew observations during flight, postflight vehicle inspection, and the induced environment contamination monitor which was used on STS-2 and consists of 10 instruments. These instruments are used to measure gas phase contaminants, particle population, humidity, and molecular deposition in the orbiter payload bay during ascent and descent and particle population, molecular deposition, and gas cloud during orbital flight. Results of the measurements described are presented in summary form and indicate low molecular deposition rates for both pressurized and orbital flight.

Leger, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Materials SIG quantification and characterization of surface contaminants

When LDEF entered orbit its cleanliness was approximately a MIL-STD-1246B Level 2000C. Its burden of contaminants included particles from every part of its history including a relatively small contribution from the shuttle bay itself. Although this satellite was far from what is normally considered clean in the aerospace industry, contaminating events in orbit and from processing after recovery were easily detected. The molecular contaminants carried into orbit were dwarfed by the heavy deposition of UV polymerized films from outgassing urethane paints and silicone based materials. Impacts by relatively small objects in orbit could create particulate contaminants that easily dominated the particle counts within a centimeter of the impact site. During the recovery activities LDEF was 'sprayed' with a liquid high in organics and water soluble salts. With reentry turbulence, vibration, and gravitational loading particulate contaminants were redistributed about LDEF and the shuttle bay.

Crutcher, E. Russ↗
NASA NTRS1982

Shuttle optical environment; Proceedings of the Meeting, Washington, DC, April 23, 24, 1981

The numerical modeling, instrumentation, identification, and procedures to characterize and/or control contamination hazards to equipment used on the Shuttle are discussed. On-orbit pollutants include molecular offgassing and outgassing, particulate material, and substances from thrusters, vents, and leaks. Clean-rooms are being implemented in ground assembly and integration facilities. Attention is given to an upgraded SPACE program for numerically modeling contamination pathways and appropriate procedures to protect instrumentation from film and particulate deposition. Finally, attention is given to military cryogenic IR detectors being employed to quantify the Shuttle thermal and solid pollutant environment on-orbit as a prelude to future operational IR sensors.

Miller, E. R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Laser supported detonation wave source of atomic oxygen for aerospace material testing

A pulsed high-flux source of nearly monoenergetic atomic oxygen was developed to perform accelerated erosion testing of spacecraft materials in a simulated low-earth orbit (LEO) environment. Molecular oxygen is introduced into an evacuated conical expansion nozzle at several atmospheres pressure through a pulsed molecular beam valve. A laser-induced breakdown is generated in the nozzle throat by a pulsed CO2 TEA laser. The resulting plasma is heated by the ensuing laser-supported detonation wave, and then it rapidly expands and cools. An atomic oxygen beam is generated with fluxes above 10 to the 18th atoms per pulse at 8 + or - 1.6 km/s with an ion content below 1 percent for LEO testing. Materials testing yielded the same surface oxygen enrichment in polyethylene samples as observed on the STS mission, and scanning electron micrographs of the irradiated polymer surfaces showed an erosion morphology similar to that obtained on low earth orbit.

Krech, Robert H.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Payload/orbiter contamination control requirement study

A study was conducted to determine and quantify the expected particulate and molecular on-orbit contaminant environment for selected space shuttle payloads as a result of major shuttle orbiter contamination sources. Individual payload susceptibilities to contamination are reviewed. The risk of payload degradation is identified and preliminary recommendations are provided concerning the limiting factors which may depend on operational activities associated with the payload/orbiter interface or upon independent payload functional activities. A basic computer model of the space shuttle orbiter which includes a representative payload configuration is developed. The major orbiter contamination sources, locations, and flux characteristics based upon available data have been defined and modeled.

Bareiss, L. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

An Induced Environment Contamination Monitor for the Space Shuttle

The Induced Environment Contamination Monitor (IECM), a set of ten instruments integrated into a self-contained unit and scheduled to fly on shuttle Orbital Flight Tests 1 through 6 and on Spacelabs 1 and 2, is described. The IECM is designed to measure the actual environment to determine whether the strict controls placed on the shuttle system have solved the contamination problem. Measurements are taken during prelaunch, ascent, on-orbit, descent, and postlanding. The on-orbit measurements are molecular return flux, background spectral intensity, molecular deposition, and optical surface effects. During the other mission phases dew point, humidity, aerosol content, and trace gas are measured as well as optical surface effects and molecular deposition. The IECM systems and thermal design are discussed. Preflight and ground operations are presented together with associated ground support equipment. Flight operations and data reduction plans are given.

Miller, E. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

An analysis of return flux from the Space Shuttle Orbiter RCS engines

The return flux from the Space Shuttle Orbiter reaction control system (RCS) engines to sensors in the open payload bay has been analyzed on the basis of Shuttle/Payload Contamination Evaluation (SPACE II) model predictions and orbital flight measurements. Model data are presented showing the variations of molecular return flux values with Orbiter orientation and instrument direction. The effects of multiple molecular collisions within RCS engine plumes and in their vicinity are discussed. These collisions significantly influence the amount of plume molecules returning to payload instruments and, therefore, the amount of contaminants received.

Ehlers, H. K. F.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment

The hardware and software of NASA's proposed Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (OARE) are described. The OARE is to provide aerodynamic acceleration measurements along the Orbiter's principal axis in the free-molecular flow-flight regime at orbital attitude and in the transition regime during reentry. Models considering the effects of electromagnetic effects, solar radiation pressure, orbiter mass attraction, gravity gradient, orbital centripetal acceleration, out-of-orbital-plane effects, orbiter angular velocity, structural noise, mass expulsion signal sources, crew motion, and bias on acceleration are examined. The experiment contains an electrostatically balanced cylindrical proofmass accelerometer sensor with three orthogonal sensing axis outputs. The components and functions of the experimental calibration system and signal processor and control subsystem are analyzed. The development of the OARE software is discussed. The experimental equipment will be enclosed in a cover assembly that will be mounted in the Orbiter close to the center of gravity.

Blanchard, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Results of induced atmosphere measurements from the Apollo program

Experiments on Apollo missions 15, 16, and 17 were utilized in an attempt to learn about the induced environment in the vicinity of manned spacecraft. Photographic sequences were examined to obtain scattered light data from the spacecraft-generated particulates during quiescence periods and after liquid dumps. The results allowed estimates of the obscuration factor and the clearing times after dumps. It was found that the clearing times were substantially longer than anticipated. The mass spectrometer detected a high molecular flux in lunar orbit which was induced by the spacecraft. It is shown that this is most likely caused by small ice crystals being continually produced in lunar orbit. Other data from the ultraviolet spectrometer and the stellar camera are also analyzed, and estimated values or upper limits are placed on the total scattering background, the size and number of particles generated, the velocity range, and the column density.

Naumann, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Payload/orbiter contamination control requirement study, volume 1, exhibit A

This study is to identify and quantify the expected molecular and particulate on orbit contaminant environment for selected shuttle payloads as a result of major spacelab and shuttle orbiter contaminant sources. This investigation reviews individual payload susceptibilities to contamination, identifies the combined induced environment, identifies the risk of spacelab/payload critical surface(s) degradation, and provides preliminary contamination recommendations. It also establishes limiting factors which may depend upon operational activities associated with the payloads, spacelab, and the shuttle orbiter interface or upon independent payload functional activities.

Bareiss, L. E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Molecular beam mass spectrometer development

An analytical model, based on the kinetics theory of a drifting Maxwellian gas is used to determine the nonequilibrium molecular density distribution within a hemispherical shell open aft with its axis parallel to its velocity. The concept of a molecular shield in terrestrial orbit above 200 km is also analyzed using the kinetic theory of a drifting Maxwellian gas. Data are presented for the components of the gas density within the shield due to the free stream atmosphere, outgassing from the shield and enclosed experiments, and atmospheric gas scattered off a shield orbiter system. A description is given of a FORTRAN program for computating the three dimensional transition flow regime past the space shuttle orbiter that employs the Monte Carlo simulation method to model real flow by some thousands of simulated molecules.

Brock, F. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

EnviroNET

EnviroNET is a service/facility that provides users with on-line, dial-up technical information concerning environmental conditions likely to be encountered by instruments and experimental arrangements carried aboard spacecraft. EnviroNET incorporates at present a combination of expository text and numerical tables amounting to about two million characters (bytes), plus FORTRAN programs that model the space environment. The topics covered are presented in viewgraph form and include the following: advantages of EnviroNET; thermal and humidity; vibration and acoustics; electromagnetic interference; loads and low frequency dynamics; microbial and toxic contaminants; molecular contamination; natural environment; orbiter motion; particulate environment; surface interactions; spacecraft anomalies; and interactive graphics facility.

Vansant, Tim↗
NASA NTRS2014

Characterization of Plastic Degrading Bacteria from Environmental Samples by Genetic and Biochemical Analysis

Plastic is the major waste-product during NASA space missions, recycling this waste-stream to produce other beneficial materials would decrease upmass. Bacterial called plastisomes have been demonstrated to metabolize non-biodegradable plastics such as polyethylene and polystyrene. Characterization and engineering of these bacteria, and their eventual incorporation as life support systems would enable space flight beyond lower earth orbit. We will utilize molecular techniques to identify and isolate the most productive plastisome. Environmental samples obtained from locations known to be rich in plastic will be cultured in a laboratory defined-media supplemented with plastic as the sole carbon source. Cultures will be monitored for growth over time. Ribosomal DNA will be amplified from cultures that exhibit growth using PCR. These amplified fragments will be sequenced to determine the identity of the consortia in the cultures. We will then perform bioinformatics analysis on the data to identify the plastisomes and generate phylogenetic trees. Morphological and physiological profile of the plastisomes will also be conducted by microscopy and biochemical tests. Our results would reveal a bacterial strain that can break down plastics efficiently. The implication for this project would not only benefit space exploration but also make a major impact towards sustainability development on Earth.

plastic conversion↗