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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Linking Strategic Astrophysics Missions, Technology Gaps, and Technology Maturation Investments

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Astrophysics Division (APD) funds the development of cutting-edge technologies through multiple programs to enable its strategic missions to achieve ambitious and groundbreaking science goals. These technology development efforts are managed by the Cosmic Origins (COR), Exoplanet Exploration (ExE), and Physics of the Cosmos (PhysCOS) programs. The 2020 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey, “Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s,” (Astro2020) recommended a pan-chromatic set of missions, including three Great Observatories (GO) and three Probe-class missions that could collect unprecedented data over the coming decades. We show the correlation between these strategic missions and the current Astrophysics technology gaps, as well as recent and current technology maturation projects funded to help close these technology gaps. We also cover how these investments advanced their Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) [1] and where they have been infused into missions and projects.

SAT↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

VTOL Analysis for Emergency Response Applications (VAERA) - Identifying Technology Gaps for Wildfire Relief Rotorcraft Missions

The mission of VAERA (VTOL Analysis for Emergency Response Applications) is to enable the design, development, and analysis of emergency response rotorcraft for different disaster scenarios. The project’s current focus is on improving crewed and uncrewed rotorcraft for wildfire relief efforts. This paper presents background information on the current state of the art for wildfire-fighting crewed and uncrewed rotorcraft, current wildfire operations, handling and flying qualities considerations of similar vehicles, and the limitations of uncrewed sub-1000 lb commercial off the shelf (COTS) rotorcraft that could be (and sometimes are) used for different wildfire missions. Technology gaps that are currently limiting rotorcraft firefighting capabilities are identified using the background information, and a plan of how to address each of the identified technology gaps is presented. In this paper, the key technology gaps identified for rotorcraft in the wildfire environment include: poor performance and handling/flying qualities, inadequate or nonexistent categorization of handling qualities, unvalidated flight dynamics turbulence modeling approaches, and inadequate subsystems for wildfire missions. While numerous concerns for rotorcraft operating in the wildfire environment exist, this paper focuses on those issues that are either not being addressed by others, or that require more attention. The goals of this paper are to both educate the public on critical technology gaps for wildfire-fighting rotorcraft that have not gained significant traction in the public domain, and to explain the work required to address those technology gaps.

VTOL↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Technology Gaps for Rapid Response Missions to Near-Earth Objects, Interstellar Objects, and Long-Period Comets

The last several years has seen the discovery of the first two interstellar objects, the first ever planetary defense mission, recommendation for a rapid reconnaissance planetary defense demonstration, and the continued emergence of a robust commercial small satellite industry. The present and near future also consist of emerging next-generation observatories including Vera Rubin and NEO Surveyor. These seemingly disparate events converge in the context of rapid response: a cross-cutting capability that would enable NASA and the international community to quickly discover and respond to an emerging target such as a near-Earth object (NEO), interstellar object (ISO), or long-period comet (LPC) either for rapid characterization of a potential threat, or revolutionary science that would inform early solar system formation and evolution. In late October 2022, subject matter experts gathered at the California Institute of Technology in a week-long workshop sponsored by the Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) to address enabling mission concepts for rapid response and key technology gaps (final report in progress). These experts concurred that the ability to respond on the order of a few months is necessary for rapid in-situ characterization of a NEO, ISO, or LPC, and that while there are several technology gaps, this capability could be realized in the near future.

Technology gaps↗
NASA NTRS2016

International Space Exploration Coordination Group Assessment of Technology Gaps for LOx/Methane Propulsion Systems for the Global Exploration Roadmap

As part of the Global Exploration Roadmap (GER), the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) formed two technology gap assessment teams to evaluate topic discipline areas that had not been worked at an international level to date. The participating agencies were ASI, CNES, DLR, ESA, JAXA, and NASA. Accordingly, the ISECG Technology Working Group (TWG) recommended two discipline areas based on Critical Technology Needs reflected within the GER Technology Development Map (GTDM): Dust Mitigation and LOX/Methane Propulsion. LOx/Methane propulsion systems are enabling for future human missions Mars by significantly reducing the landed mass of the Mars ascent stage through the use of in-situ propellant production, for improving common fluids for life support, power and propulion thus allowing for diverse redundancy, for eliminating the corrosive and toxic propellants thereby improving surface operations and resusabilty, and for inceasing the performance of propulsion systems. The goals and objectives of the international team are to determine the gaps in technology that must be closed for LOx/Methane to be used in human exploration missions in cis-lunar, lunar, and Mars mission applications. An emphasis is placed on near term lunar lander applications with extensibility to Mars. Each agency provided a status of the substantial amount of Lox/Methane propulsion system development to date and their inputs on the gaps in the technology that are remaining. The gaps, which are now opportunities for collaboration, are then discussed.

Hurlbert, Eric A.↗
NASA NTRS2024

ECI Final Report: Closing of Critical Technology Gaps for Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines

NASA has successfully fired several configurations of a dual regenerative 10K lbf class Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines using cryogenic liquid methane, liquid hydrogen, and RP-1 as fuel and liquid or gaseous oxygen as the oxidizer. In addition, 3 hot fire test phases were conducted to evaluate parametrically varying combustor geometries using a subscale 500-1K lbf class thruster RDRE. Several studies were successfully completed to evaluate the impacts of contraction ratio, annulus L’, heat transfer through calorimetry, and varying injector designs. Laser powder bed fusion GRCop-42, GRX-810, and C-103 alloys were used for the outer bodies, inner bodies, nozzles, and injector variations. The development of RDRE technology is only now possible with additive manufacturing techniques and these specialized alloys. Critical design parameters, design rules of thumb, and operability limitations have been identified. Major lessons learned in the development of critical components have also been documented. All critical technology gaps have been demonstrated at one scale or another and closed. A major finding of this work is that the combustion efficiency of the RDRE is far superior to that of the traditional liquid rocket engine requiring an order of magnitude lower chamber volume and residence time to react. Because of this, the design trade space opens up significantly. More compact chamber geometries are now possible with potential mass savings and significant length savings possible to flight geometries. In addition, the ceiling for the technology, in terms of Isp, has not yet been reached. It is likely that an additional ~10% better Isp over equivalent state-of-the-art combustion devices may be achieved over the next decade should the technology continue to be developed. This technology has been shown to be viable for near term infusion (2-5 years) into space missions and enable cost effective space access for US industry. This final report documents all major findings from this early career initiative (ECI) project and lays out what is needed post ECI.

Thomas Teasley↗
NASA NTRS2017

EVA Systems Technology Gaps and Priorities 2017

Performance of Extra-Vehicular Activities (EVA) has been and will continue to be a critical capability for human space flight. Human exploration missions beyond LEO will require EVA capability for either contingency or nominal activities to support mission objectives and reduce mission risk. EVA systems encompass a wide array of products across pressure suits, life support systems, EVA tools and unique spacecraft interface hardware (i.e. EVA Translation Paths and EVA Worksites). In a fiscally limited environment with evolving transportation and habitation options, it is paramount that the EVA community's strategic planning and architecture integration products be reviewed and vetted for traceability between the mission needs far into the future to the known technology and knowledge gaps to the current investments across EVA systems. To ascertain EVA technology and knowledge gaps many things need to be brought together, assessed and analyzed. This includes an understanding of the destination environments, various mission concept of operations, current state of the art of EVA systems, EVA operational lessons learned, and reference advanced capabilities. A combined assessment of these inputs should result in well-defined list of gaps. This list can then be prioritized depending on the mission need dates and time scale of the technology or knowledge gap closure plan. This paper will summarize the current state of EVA related technology and knowledge gaps derived from NASA's Exploration EVA Reference Architecture and Operations Concept products. By linking these products and articulating NASA's approach to strategic development for EVA across all credible destinations an EVA could be done in, the identification of these gaps is then used to illustrate the tactical and strategic planning for the EVA technology development portfolio. Finally, this paper illustrates the various "touch points" with other human exploration risk identification areas including human health and performance.

Johnson, Brian J.↗
NASA NTRS2016

International Space Exploration Coordination Group Assessment of Technology Gaps for Dust Mitigation for the Global Exploration Roadmap

The International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) formed two Gap Assessment teams to evaluate topic discipline areas that had not been worked at an international level to date. Accordingly, the ISECG Technology Working Group (TWG) recommended two discipline areas based on Global Exploration Roadmap (GER) Critical Technology Needs reflected within the GER Technology Development Map (GTDM): Dust Mitigation and LOX/Methane Propulsion, with this paper addressing the former. The ISECG approved the recommended Gap Assessment teams, and tasked the TWG to formulate the new teams with subject matter experts (SMEs) from the participating agencies. The participating agencies for the Dust Mitigation Gap Assessment Team were ASI, CSA, ESA, JAXA, and NASA. The team was asked to identify and make a presentation on technology gaps related to the GER2 mission scenario (including cislunar and lunar mission themes and long-lead items for human exploration of Mars) at the international level. In addition the team was tasked to produce a gap assessment in the form of a summary report and presentation identifying those GER Critical Technology Needs, including opportunities for international coordination and cooperation in closing the identified gaps. Dust is still a principal limiting factor in returning to the lunar surface for missions of any extended duration. However, viable technology solutions have been identified, but need maturation to be available to support both lunar and Mars missions.

dust↗
NASA NTRS2016

International Space Exploration Coordination Group Assessment of Technology Gaps for Dust Mitigation for the Global Exploration Roadmap

The International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) formed two Gap Assessment teams to evaluate topic discipline areas that had not been worked at an international level to date. Accordingly, the ISECG Technology Working Group (TWG) recommended two discipline areas based on Global Exploration Roadmap (GER) Critical Technology Needs reflected within the GER Technology Development Map (GTDM): Dust Mitigation and LOX/Methane Propulsion, with this paper addressing the former. The ISECG approved the recommended Gap Assessment teams, and tasked the TWG to formulate the new teams with subject matter experts (SMEs) from the participating agencies. The participating agencies for the Dust Mitigation Gap Assessment Team were ASI, CSA, ESA, JAXA, and NASA. The team was asked to identify and make a presentation on technology gaps related to the GER2 mission scenario (including cislunar and lunar mission themes and long-lead items for human exploration of Mars) at the international level. In addition the team was tasked to produce a gap assessment in the form of a summary report and presentation identifying those GER Critical Technology Needs, including opportunities for international coordination and cooperation in closing the identified gaps. Dust is still a principal limiting factor in returning to the lunar surface for missions of any extended duration. However, viable technology solutions have been identified, but need maturation to be available to support both lunar and Mars missions.

dust↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Astrophysics Strategic Technology Gaps Following the 2020 Decadal Survey

The Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020, "Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s," recommended a suite of compelling missions, including a 6m-class IR/Optical/UV observatory for exoplanet characterization and general astrophysics studies, a far-IR flagship, an X-ray flagship, and three Probe missions. The proposed launch dates for these are: Early 2030s for the first Probe (X-ray or far-IR) Early 2040s for the next Probe (CMB or the one not launched before) Mid-2040s for the IR/O/UV Great Observatory The following decade(s) for the far-IR and X-ray Great Observatories. Such missions require technologies that far exceed today's state of the art. To begin developing and maturing technologies that enable and enhance such missions, NASA established the Strategic Astrophysics Technology (SAT) program. Where needed, direct-funded projects may supplement the SAT program.

PCOS COR ExEP Astro2020 technology gaps↗
NASA NTRS2017

Centennial Challenges Program Overview: How NASA Successfully Involves the General Public in the Solving of Current Technology Gaps

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Centennial Challenges Program, part of the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), addresses key technology needs of NASA and the nation, while facilitating new sources of innovation outside the traditional community. This is done by the direct engagement of the public at large, through the offering of Congressional authorized prize purses and associated challenges developed by NASA and the aerospace community and set up as a competition awarding the prize money for achieving the specified technology goal.

Roman, Monsi C.↗
NASA NTRS2019

NASA Astrophysics Technology Gaps, Prioritization, and Development

Physics of the Cosmos (PCOS) X-ray astrophysics: grazing-angle mirrors, optical blocking filters, fast event ID, gratings, micro-calorimeters, radiation-tolerant detectorsGravitational-wave astrophysics: phase measurement system, micro-Newton thrusters, non-contact charge-management system, stable laser system, low-stray-light telescope Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB): superconducting FPAs and optical elements (cryo filters and coatings)Cosmic Origins (COR)UV/Optical/IR: Next-gen detectors, ultra-stable high-precision telescope systems (including mirrors, thermal control, structures, metrology, etc.), and advanced UV coatingsFar-IR: Heterodyne detectors, advanced cooling systems, ultra-sensitive detectors and large arraysLarge Space Optics: As discussed earlier by Mario Perez, the Program Office supports HQ in monitoring/tracking the Segmented Mirror Technology Program (SMTP) and other technology development projects targeting large space telescopes

Ganel, Opher↗