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Self-contained clothing system protects personnel against hazardous environments. The clothing has an environmental control system and a complete protection envelope consisting of an outer garment, inner garment, underwear, boots, gloves, and helmet.
Onboard self contained navigation system on Applications Technology Satellite-3
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This paper reviews the evolution and emerging direction of superconducting electric machines that employ onboard cryocoolers integrated directly into the rotor, eliminating the need for cryogenic fluid coupling and, in some cases, rotary seals. Traditional low-temperature superconducting (LTS) machines relied on external cryogenic systems and liquid helium transfer couplers, which introduced excessive complexity, poor reliability, and significant parasitic energy losses. The advent of high-temperature superconductors (HTS) has enabled compact, closed-cycle cryocoolers that support self-contained, fluid-free refrigeration architectures suitable for rotating applications. This paper examines the key technological challenges associated with on-board cryocooler integration and reviews three representative efforts by KAIST, NASA, and Hinetics, each illustrating distinct strategies and milestones toward practical implementation. KAIST demonstrated early proof-of-concept for rotating machines with on-board cryocoolers, NASA developed a shaft-integrated Stirling-type pulse tube cryocooler for a 1.4 MW hybrid-electric motor, and Hinetics achieved full-scale validation of a self-contained HTS rotor incorporating a commercial Stirling cryocooler and spoke-suspension torque tube. Collectively, these achievements confirm the technical feasibility of on-board cryogenic refrigeration and highlight steady progress toward compact and efficient superconducting rotating systems across various applications. Embedding cryocoolers directly within the rotor enables practical, efficient, and commercially viable superconducting propulsion technologies.
In a typical self-contained space navigation system, celestial observation data are gathered and processed to produce estimated velocity corrections. The results of this paper provide a basis for determining the best celestial measurements and the proper time s to implement velocity corrections. Fundamental to the navigation system is a procedure for processing celestial measurement data which permits incorporation of each individual measurement as it is made in order to provide an improved estimate of position and velocity. In order to "optimize" the navigation, a statistical evaluation of a number of alternative courses of action is made. The various alternatives, which form the basis of a decision process, concern the following: 1) which star and planet combination provides the "best" available observation; 2) whether the best observation gives a sufficient reduction in the predicted target error to warrant making the measurement; and 3) whether the uncertainty in the indicated velocity correction is a small enough percentage of the correction itself to justify an engine re-start and propellant expenditure. Numerical results are presented which illustrate the effectiveness of this approach to the space navigation problem.
Selection of optical sightings for position determination by self-contained navigation system for interplanetary spacecraft
Emergency lifevest is inflated with carbon dioxide from a self-contained cartridge in 10 seconds. When deflated, it fits into a package occupying less than 20 cubic inches and weighing less than one pound.
This report describes some of the development tests conducted at Marshall Space Flight Center on sound suppressor models. These devices are designed to reduce the sound radiated into the atmosphere from the exhaust jets of large rocket engines. From theoretical considerations, the overall sound reduction capability of the tested models was expected to amount to 40 decibels. However, residual sound, radiated from the rocket engine and its installation, limited the attainable overall suppression to 24 decibels. Suppression of very low sound frequencies remains a special area of endeavor in future investigations. The models were designed to be self-contained. They proved to possess very good operational characteristics.
Nonorthogonal sensor configuration using six single-degree-of-freedom inertial reference gyroscopes and a complete data processing and self-contained failure detection-and-isolation mechanism provides redundant capabilities to guidance and navigation systems. This system has been formulated in a strap-down configuration to attain maximum redundancy.
Self-contained low temperature battery system consisting of a magnesium anode, potassium thiocyanate-ammonia electrolyte and a cathode composed of a mixture of sulfur, carbon, and mercuric sulfate operates for at least seventy-two hours within a discharge temperature range of plus 20 degrees C to minus 90 degrees C.
Self-contained laboratory power source providing output of 150 to 800 MHz
Self-contained and vehicle integrated on-board checkout systems, considering controller-evaluator and sensors
Improved cartridge-actuated impact hand tool includes a common power head and four attachments to punch holes, drive forced entry fasteners, hammer, and shear. The attachments are self-contained and easily fitted to the power head assembly.
Electrolytic water sterilizer controls microbial contamination in manned spacecraft. Individual sterilizer cells are self-contained and require no external power or control. The sterilizer generates silver ions which do not impart an unpleasant taste to water.
Soldering fixture, designed for printed circuit cards, is a basic bench-mounted, self-contained integral unit combining all soldering needs into a compact, readily available work station. All tools, materials, and accessories are available to provide an ideal station to perform critical soldering.
Two designs for a lightweight, low profile, mobile rescue apparatus providing a 15-minute air supply and self-contained two-way communications assembly are described. Units are designed for astronaut use in hazardous environments.
Latching mechanism with pivoting catch and self-contained spring ejector
Previously published methods for stress and strength analysis of plane and curved shear webs working in diagonal tension are presented as a unified method. The treatment is sufficiently comprehensive and detailed to make the paper self-contained. Part 1 discusses the theory and methods for calculating the stresses and shear deflections of web systems as well as the strengths of the web, the stiffeners, and the riveting. Part 2, published separately, presents the experimental evidence. (author)