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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Remotely-Controlled Docking System

Spring-loaded drogue cones tolerate and correct misalinement. Attachment Mechanism equipped with spring-loaded latches, shock-absorbing springs, and self-alining conical mating surfaces. Docking system includes three attachment mechanisms plus television camera that views set of crosshairs for alinement of vehicle and payload. Originally developed for Space Shuttle, mechanism adapted for robot manipulator arms, trailer hitches, and docking devices for in-flight refueling of airplanes.

Chandler, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Propellant transfer: Tethered depot

Spacebasing of orbital transfer vehicles at a space station requires a depot that safely and efficiently stores and transfers the resupply propellants. In order to transfer propellants, a method effectively acquire only liquid and vent only gas must exist. A method that produces a low gravity to settle propellants would bypass these weaknesses, while allowing ground-like operations. This low gravity can be passively produced using gravity gradient techniques. A satellite with a large length to diameter ratio, such as a depot attached to a space station with a tether, stabilizes along on Earth radial because of an outward acceleration proportional to the distance from the satellite's center of gravity. Analysis indicates that liquid can be setteled with relatively short tether lengths. The feasibility, design requirements, and operational limitations of a tethered refueling depot were investigated with special emphasis on slosh control.

Kroll, K.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Development of medical electronic devices in the APL space department

Several electronic devices for automatically correcting specific defects in a body's physiologic regulation and allowing approximately normal functioning are described. A self-injurious behavior inhibiting system (SIBIS) is fastened to the arm of a person with chronic self-injurious behavior patterns. An electric shock is delivered into the arm whenever the device senses above-threshold acceleration of the head such as occur with head-bangers. Sounding a buzzer tone with the shock eventually allows transference of the aversive stimulus to the buzzer so shocks are no longer necessary. A programmable implantable medication system features a solenoid pump placed beneath the skin and refueled by hypodermic needle. The pump functions are programmable and can deliver insulin, chemotherapy mixes and/or pain killers according to a preset schedule or on patient demand. Finally, an automatic implantible defibrillator has four electrodes attached directly to the heart for sensing electrical impulses or emitting them in response to cardiac fibrillation.

Newman, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) missions applications and systems requirements

The routine delivery of large payloads to low earth orbit has become a reality with the Space Transportation System (STS). However, once earth orbit has been achieved, orbit transfer operations represent an inefficient use of the Space Shuttle. The Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) will add a new and needed dimension to STS capabilities. Utilized in a reusable manner, the OMV is needed to deliver and retrieve satellites to and from orbital altitudes or inclinations beyond the practical limits of the Space Shuttle and to support basic Space Station activities. The initial OMV must also be designed to permit the addition of future mission kits to support the servicing, module changeout, or refueling of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), and the retrieval and deorbit of space debris. This paper addresses the mission needs along with the resulting performance implications, design requirements and operational capabilities imposed on the OMV planned for use in the late 1980s.

Huber, W. G.↗
NASA NTRS1986

US gravity utilization of tethers activity

The feasibility, requirements, and limitations of fluid transfer on a tethered system is evaluated. The study is conducted to simplify fluid transfer and to improve safety. The effects of gravity on these factors is also noted. Tether orbital refueling is used to settle fluid and to overcome the surface tension forces that are in space with the gravity level. It also allows a separation, when on the space station, from contamination and also from explosion hazards. Once the cryogenic propellant is settled the most important thing is the fluid slosh. Future plans of a gravity laboratory and a demonstration of gravity utilization using a TSS type of deployer are considered.

Kroll, K.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A flight test method for pilot/aircraft analysis

In high precision flight maneuvres a pilot is a part of a closed loop pilot/aircraft system. The assessment of the flying qualities is highly dependent on the closed loop characteristics related to precision maneuvres like approach, landing, air-to-air tracking, air-to-ground tracking, close formation flying and air-to air refueling of the receiver. The object of a research program at DFVLR is the final flight phase of an air to ground mission. In this flight phase the pilot has to align the aircraft with the target, correct small deviations from the target direction and keep the target in his sights for a specific time period. To investigate the dynamic behavior of the pilot-aircraft system a special ground attack flight test technique with a prolonged tracking maneuvres was developed. By changing the targets during the attack the pilot is forced to react continously on aiming errors in his sights. Thus the closed loop pilot/aircraft system is excited over a wide frequency range of interest, the pilot gets more information about mission oriented aircraft dynamics and suitable flight test data for a pilot/aircraft analysis can be generated.

Koehler, R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Orbital flight test of the manned maneuvering unit

Based on the experience provided by the first astronaut maneuvering unit used in the early extravehicular activities missions, a manned maneuvering unit (MMU) was developed that culminated in emergence of the M509 unit. The M509 unit, flown on the STS41-B, is a self-contained propulsive backpack. A flight support station (FSS) provides cargo bay stowage for the MMU, serves as a donning/doffing station, and provides an interface with the Orbiter gaseous nitrogen system for propellant refueling, electrical power for heaters, and temperature instrumentation. The MMU propulsion system, its control system, the electrical system and the flight displays are described. The orbital flight test has demonstrated superior handling and flying qualities of the MMU.

Stewart, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Research on antimisting fuel for suppression of postcrash aircraft fires

Recent experimental results in the field of post-crash aircraft fire suppression are reviewed, with emphasis given to antimisting kerosene fuel (AMK). Findings in three major areas of study are presented, including: rheological studies (skin friction, and heat transfer); fuel breakup processes and nozzle spray combustion; and the development of inline blenders for production of AMK at the refueling point. An interpretation of the results of the FAA/NASA Controlled Impact Demonstration of AMK fuel is also presented. It is concluded that AMK is a sound concept and offers several advantages over conventional fuels in any crash scenario involving post-crash fires.

Sarohia, V.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The US re-usable launch system - The Space Shuttle

The NASA Space Shuttle furnishes a range of readily available, and either already planned or yet-to-be-defined services, which already encompass satellite on-orbit servicing, refueling and repair, and satellite retrieval services. A gradual expansion will be made of services that capitalize on the presence of a large crew during commercial and scientific operations, while pursuing the development of automated, standardized procedures for the handling of experiments in order to reduce research costs.

Lee, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Space telerobotics - A few more hurdles

In the early 1990's, a telerobotic work system which can be used with the Mobile Remote Manipulator System (MRMS) on the Space Station is to become available. However, a number of difficulties have to be overcome before these plans can be realized. The word 'telerobotics' is used in connection with a system which can function as teleoperator, and which, in addition, has also autonomous functions. Thus, as a robot, the system would automatically perform selected operations using multisensory internal feedback for control. A role for telerobotics is defined, taking into account EVA servicing and repair work, remote satellite refueling, and operations during the Space Station development period. Attention is also given to the definition of a telerobotic system, the definition of the telerobotics technology set, and approaches related to the development of a telerobotic system.

Pennington, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Orbital transfer vehicle concept definition and system analysis study. Volume 1A: Executive summary. Phase 2

The objectives of the Phase 2 study were to improve the orbit transfer vehicle (OTV) concept definition by focusing on the following issues: the impact of mission requirements on OTV system design; OTV basing concepts on the Space Shuttle, separate platforms, and/or remote locations; cost reduction of an OTV program to improve its economic benefits and support its acquisition. The OTV mission scenario includes a wide range of missions the main drivers of which are manned GEO servicing, mid-inclination/polar DOD, and lunar/planetary projects. A mission model is presented which includes the type and number of missions per year and the estimated propellant requirements. To accomplish the missions, many OTV concepts were defined including ground-based OTVs launched either in the STS orbiter, the aft cargo carrier, or a heavy lift launch vehicle, and a space-based OTV. System and program trade studies were conducted using performance, cost, safety/risk, and operations/growth criteria. The study shows that mission requirements and substantial economic benefits justify a reusable, cryogenic (H2/O2) space-based OTV. Such a system would not be subjected to Earth-to-orbit launch loads and would not be constained in size or weight. Safety is enhanced by the fact that the system components are launched unfueled. Its inherent reusability and ability to be refueled in space make the space-based OTV very economical to operate.

Ketchum, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Servicing of user payload equipment in the Space Station pressurized environment

NASA Space Station servicing support facilities will include both pressurized and unpressurized work areas. While the latter will allow astronauts operating in EVAs or aided by robots to accomplish Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU) and instrument changes, tests, assembly, refueling, and repairs, the former will furnish astronauts engaged in work requiring intravehicular activities (IVAs) the ability to enter through an airlock into a module in which they can more carefully service ORUs. Baseline IVA accommodations encompass (1) a staging/assembly area for ORUs brought in from satellites, orbital platforms or attached payloads, (2) a work station for monitoring and control of the external Servicing Bay facility, and (3) a large, laminar flow workbench which would provide highly controlled conditions, as well as (4) a 'glovebox' for delicate servicing and (5) an assortment of hand tools and test equipment.

Levy, Joel↗
NASA NTRS1986

Advanced orbital servicing capabilities development

The potential servicing requirements of the Space Station and associated free-flying platforms are identified and analyzed; the selected servicing tasks encompass orbital maneuver vehicle refueling, reaction-control subsystem thruster module replacement, and body-mounted radiator changeout. Attention is presently given to the commonality of all servicing activities, the definition of servicing interfaces, and the roles played by automation and robotics. The servicing concepts for each representative servicing task were selected on the basis of a weighed combination of seven factors: safety, productivity, relative cost, mission effectiveness, design flexibility and simplicity, and development status.

Olsen, Roy E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The flight demonstration program and selection process

The Orbital Refueling System (ORS); force torque sensor; Plasma Motor/Generator (PMG) proof of function; voice controlled system; infrared intercommunications; superfluid helium on orbit transfer; laser docking sensor; and the Small Expendable Deployment System (SEDS) are summarized.

Levin, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Orbital Spacecraft Consumables Resupply System (OSCRS). Volume 4: Extended study results Part 1: Executive Summary

The objectives consisted of three major tasks. The first was to establish the definition of Space Station and Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) user requirements and interfaces and to evaluate system requirements of a water tanker to be used at the station. The second task is to conduct trade studies of system requirements, hardware/software, and operations to evaluate the effect of automatic operation at the station or remote from the station in consonance with the OMV. The last task is to evaluate automatic refueling concepts and to evaluate the impact to Orbital Spacecraft Consumable Resupply System (OSCRS) concept/design to use expendable launch vehicles (ELV) to place the tank into orbit. Progress in each area is discussed.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1988

Application of Hybrid Laminar Flow Control to Global Range Military Transport Aircraft

A study was conducted to evaluate the application of hybrid laminar flow control (HLFC) to global range military transport aircraft. The global mission included the capability to transport 132,500 pounds of payload 6500 nautical miles, land and deliver the payload and without refueling return 6500 nautical miles to a friendly airbase. The preliminary design studies show significant performance benefits obtained for the HLFC aircraft as compared to counterpart turbulent flow aircraft. The study results at M=0.77 show that the largest benefits of HLFC are obtained with a high wing with engines on the wing configuration. As compared with the turbulent flow baseline aircraft, the high wing HLFC aircraft shows 17 percent reduction in fuel burned, 19.2 percent increase in lift-to-drag ratio, an insignificant increase in operating weight, and a 7.4 percent reduction in gross weight.

Lange, Roy H.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Centaur operations at the space station

A study was conducted on the feasibility of using a Centaur vehicle as a testbed to demonstrate critical OTV technologies at the Space Station. Two Technology Demonstration Missions (TDMs) were identified: (1) Accommodations, and (2) Operations. The Accommodations TDM contained: (1) berthing, (2) checkout, maintenance and safing, and (3) payload integration missions. The Operations TDM contained: (1) a cryogenic propellant resupply mission, and (2) Centaur deployment activities. A modified Space Station Co-Orbiting Platform (COP) was selected as the optimum refueling and launch node due to safety and operational considerations. After completion of the TDMs, the fueled Centaur would carry out a mission to actually test deployment and help offset TDM costs. From the Station, the Centaur could carry a single payload in excess of 20,000 pounds to geosynchronous orbit or multiple payloads.

Porter, J.↗