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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

An Examination of the Indiana State University Aerospace Administration Program

Declining enrollments in the Indiana State University (ISU) aerospace administration program prompted this case study. which evaluates the program in comparison with parallel programs at other universities, industry standards, and an independent audit. Survey instruments were administered to graduates, faculty, and employers for their views on competencies of an excellent aerospace administration program Results show the deficiency of the ISU program. Graduates, faculty, and employers rated all competencies-from moderate to considerable importance-similarly for an excellent program. Recommendations for program improvement were made, and suggestions for further research include studies to evaluate the effectiveness of a revised aerospace administration program.

Schwab, Gregory L.↗

Programmed administration of parathyroid hormone increases bone formation and reduces bone loss in hindlimb-unloaded ovariectomized rats

Gonadal insufficiency and reduced mechanical usage are two important risk factors for osteoporosis. The beneficial effects of PTH therapy to reverse the estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss in the laboratory rat are well known, but the influence of mechanical usage in this response has not been established. In this study, the effects of programed administration of PTH on cancellous bone volume and turnover at the proximal tibial metaphysis were determined in hindlimb-unloaded, ovariectomized (OVX), 3-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats. PTH was administered to weight-bearing and hindlimb-unloaded OVX rats with osmotic pumps programed to deliver 20 microg human PTH (approximately 80 microg/kg x day) during a daily 1-h infusion for 7 days. Compared with sham-operated rats, OVX increased longitudinal and radial bone growth, increased indexes of cancellous bone turnover, and resulted in net resorption of cancellous bone. Hindlimb unloading of OVX rats decreased longitudinal and radial bone growth, decreased osteoblast number, increased osteoclast number, and resulted in a further decrease in cancellous bone volume compared with those in weight-bearing OVX rats. Programed administration of PTH had no effect on either radial or longitudinal bone growth in weight-bearing and hindlimb-unloaded OVX rats. PTH treatment had dramatic effects on selected cancellous bone measurements; PTH maintained cancellous bone volume in OVX weight-bearing rats and greatly reduced cancellous bone loss in OVX hindlimb-unloaded rats. In the latter animals, PTH treatment prevented the hindlimb unloading-induced reduction in trabecular thickness, but the hormone was ineffective in preventing either the increase in osteoclast number or the loss of trabecular plates. Importantly, PTH treatment increased the retention of a baseline flurochrome label, osteoblast number, and bone formation in the proximal tibial metaphysis regardless of the level of mechanical usage. These findings demonstrate that programed administration of PTH is effective in increasing osteoblast number and bone formation and has beneficial effects on bone volume in the absence of weight-bearing and gonadal hormones. We conclude that the actions of PTH on cancellous bone are independent of the level of mechanical usage.

NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal↗

The effects of programmed administration of human parathyroid hormone fragment (1-34) on bone histomorphometry and serum chemistry in rats

PTH treatment can result in dramatic increases in cancellous bone volume in normal and osteopenic rats. However, this potentially beneficial response is only observed after pulsatile treatment; continuous infusion of PTH leads to hypercalcemia and bone abnormalities. The purpose of these studies was to determine the optimal duration of the PTH pulses. A preliminary study revealed that human PTH-(1-34) (hPTH) is cleared from circulation within 6 h after sc administration of an anabolic dose of the hormone (80 microg/kg). To establish the effects of gradually extending the duration of exposure to hPTH without increasing the daily dose, we programmed implanted Alzet osmotic pumps to deliver the 80 microg/kg x day dose of the hormone during pulses of 1, 2, and 6 h/day, or 40 microg/kg x day continuously. Discontinuous infusion was accomplished by alternate spacing of external tubing with hPTH solution and sesame oil. After 6 days of treatment, we evaluated serum chemistry and bone histomorphometry. As negative and positive controls, groups of rats received pumps that delivered vehicle only and 80 microg/kg x day hPTH by daily sc injection, respectively. Dynamic and static bone histomorphometry revealed that the daily sc injection and 1 h/day infusion dramatically increased osteoblast number and bone formation in the proximal tibial metaphysis, whereas longer infusion resulted in systemic side-effects, including up to a 10% loss in body weight, hypercalcemia, and histological changes in the proximal tibia resembling abnormalities observed in patients with chronic primary hyperparathyroidism, including peritrabecular marrow fibrosis and focal bone resorption. Infusion for as little as 2 h/day resulted in minor weight loss and changes in bone histology that were intermediate between sc and continuous administration. The results demonstrate that the therapeutic interval for hPTH exposure is brief, but that programmed administration of implanted hormone is a feasible alternative to daily injection as a route for administration of the hormone.

Non-NASA Center↗

The Chemistry of Early Self-replicating Systems

The NASA Specialized Center of Research and Training in Exobiology (NSCORT/Exobiology) is a program within the University of California, San Diego, California Space Institute (Dr. Wolfgang Berger, Director). It has been funded by two 5-year Federal Demonstration Project Grants from NASA; and currently (February 1, 2003-December 31,2004) received supplemental funding to support our research completion of the NAG5-4546 Final Report for past 5 years, seminars, public lectures, and support for program administrative office. The program's specific aims have been: 1. The support and training of Postdoctoral, Graduate, and Undergraduate Fellows in Exobiology. 2. The support of research by the Principal Investigators and Fellows in the field of Exobiology. 3. Outreach programs emphasizing the dissemination and exchange of information concerning Exobiology within the scientific community, primary, secondary and college students, and the general public. 4. Public Lectures, Discussion S e m h q Seminars and Fellows Journals Club. 5. Host of the 2003 Public Lectures "Celebrating 50 Years of Prebiotic Chemistry" held at the University of California, San Diego in La Jolla, California on June 10,2003. 6. Host of the 1999 meeting of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life (ISSOL) held at the University of California, San Diego in La Jolla, California, from Sunday, July 11 through Friday, July 16,1999.

Bada, Jeffrey L.↗

Federal Aviation Administration weather program to improve aviation safety

The implementation of the National Airspace System (NAS) will improve safety services to aviation. These services include collision avoidance, improved landing systems and better weather data acquisition and dissemination. The program to improve the quality of weather information includes the following: Radar Remote Weather Display System; Flight Service Automation System; Automatic Weather Observation System; Center Weather Processor, and Next Generation Weather Radar Development.

Robert W. Wedan↗

Final Summary of Research Report to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Cosmochemistry Program

The discovery of presolar grains in meteorites is one of the most exciting recent developments in meteoritics. Six types of presolar grain have been discovered: diamond, Sic, graphite, Si3N4, Al2O3 and MgAl2O4. These grains have been identified as presolar because their isotopic compositions are very different from those of Solar System materials. Comparison of their isotopic compositions with astronomical observations and theoretical models indicates most of the grains formed in the envelopes of highly evolved stars. They are, therefore, a new source of information with which to test astrophysical models of the evolution of these stars. In fact, because several elements can often be measured in the same grain, including elements that are not measurable spectroscopically in stars, the grain data provide some very stringent constraints for these models. Our primary goal is to create large, unbiased, multi-isotope databases of single presolar Sic, Si,N,, oxide and graphite grains in meteorites, as well as any new presolar grain types that are identified in the future. These will be used to: (i) test stellar and nucleosynthetic models, (ii) constrain the galactic chemical evolution (GCE) paths of the isotopes of Si, Ti, 0 and Mg, (iii) establish how many stellar sources contributed to the Solar System, (iv) constrain relative dust production rates of various stellar types and (v) assess how representative of galactic dust production the record in meteorites is. The primary tool for this project is a highly automated grain analysis system we have developed for the Carnegie 6f ion probe.

O'D.Alexander, Conel↗

Final Summary of Research Report to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Cosmochemistry Program

The discovery of presolar grains in meteorites is one of the most exciting recent developments in meteoritics. Six types of presolar grain have been discovered: diamond, Sic, graphite, Si3N4, Al2O3 and MgAl2O4. These grains have been identified as presolar because their isotopic compositions are very different from those of Solar System materials. Comparison of their isotopic compositions with astronomical observations and theoretical models indicates most of the grains formed in the envelopes of highly evolved stars. They are, therefore, a new source of information with which to test astrophysical models of the evolution of these stars. In fact, because several elements can often be measured in the same grain, including elements that are not measurable spectroscopically in stars, the grain data provide some very stringent constraints for these models. Our primary goal is to create large, unbiased, multi-isotope databases of single presolar Sic, Si,N,, oxide and graphite grains in meteorites, as well as any new presolar grain types that are identified in the future. These will be used to: (i) test stellar and nucleosynthetic models, (ii) constrain the galactic chemical evolution (GCE) paths of the isotopes of Si, Ti, O and Mg, (iii) establish how many stellar sources contributed to the Solar System, (iv) constrain relative dust production rates of various stellar types and (v) assess how representative of galactic dust production the record in meteorites is. The primary tool for this project is a highly automated grain analysis system on the Carnegie 6f ion probe.

O'D. Alexander, Conel↗

Research Report to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Cosmochemistry Program

The discovery of presolar grains in meteorites is one of the most exciting recent developments in meteoritics. Six types of presolar grain have been discovered: diamond, Sic, graphite, Si3N4, Al2O3 and MgAl2O4 (NIITLER, 2003). These grains have been identified as presolar because their isotopic compositions are very different from those of Solar System materials. Comparison of their isotopic compositions with astronomical observations and theoretical models indicates that most of the grains formed in the envelopes of highly evolved stars. They are, therefore, a new source of information with which to test astrophysical models of the evolution of these stars. In fact, because several elements can often be measured in the same grain, including elements that are not measurable spectroscopically in stars, the grain data provide some very stringent constraints for these models. Our primary goal is to create large, unbiased, multi-isotope databases of single presolar Sic, Si3N4, oxide and graphite grains in meteorites, as well as any new presolar grain types that are identified in the future. These will be used to: (i) test stellar and nucleosynthetic models, (ii) constrain the galactic chemical evolution (GCE) paths of the isotopes of Si, Ti, O and Mg, (iii) establish how many stellar sources contributed to the Solar System, (iv) constrain relative dust production rates of various stellar types and (v) assess how representative of galactic dust production the record in meteorites is. The primary tool for this project is a highly automated grain analysis system on the Carnegie 6f ion probe. This proposal was part of a long-standing research effort that is still ongoing.

Alexander, Conel O'D.↗

ASK Talks with Bill Townsend

Recently retiring from his position as Deputy Director of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, Bill Townsend is now the Vice President and General Manager of Civil Space Systems of Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation. Prior to his assignment to Goddard in 1998, Mr.Townsend had served as the Deputy Associate Administrator (Programs) for the Office of Earth Science since 1993. For a 20 month period beginning June 1996, he was also the acting Associate Administrator for the Enterprise.

Townsend, Bill↗

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Nondestructive Evaluation Program for Safe and Reliable Operations

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Program is presented. As a result of the loss of seven astronauts and the Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003, NASA has undergone many changes in its organization. NDE is one of the key areas that are recognized by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) that needed to be strengthened by warranting NDE as a discipline with Independent Technical Authority (iTA). The current NASA NDE system and activities are presented including the latest developments in inspection technologies being applied to the Space Transportation System (STS). The unfolding trends and directions in NDE for the future are discussed as they apply to assuring safe and reliable operations.

Generazio, Ed↗

Heat pipe heat transport system for the Stirling Space Power Converter (SSPC)

Life issues relating to a sodium heat pipe heat transport system are described. The heat pipe system provides heat, at a temperature of 1050 K, to a 50 kWe Stirling engine/linear alternator power converter called the Stirling Space Power Converter (SSPC). The converter is being developed under a National Aeronautics and Space Administration program. Since corrosion of heat pipe materials in contact with sodium can impact the life of the heat pipe, a literature review of sodium corrosion processes was performed. It was found that the impurity reactions, primarily oxygen, and dissolution of alloy elements were the two corrosion process likely to be operative in the heat pipe. Approaches that are being taken to minimize these corrosion processes are discussed.

Alger, Donald L.↗

1997 Graduate Student Researchers Program

In 1980, NASA initiated the Graduate Student Research Program (GSRP) to cultivate additional research ties to the academic community and to support a culturally diverse group of students pursuing advanced degrees in science and engineering. Eligibility requirements for this program are described, and program administrators are listed. Research areas are detailed for NASA Headquarters and all Research and Flight Centers.

Source record↗

Visit from JAXA to NASA MSFC: The Engines Element & Ideas for Collaboration

System Design, Development, and Fabrication: Design, develop, and fabricate or procure MB-60 component hardware compliant with the imposed technical requirements and in sufficient quantities to fulfill the overall MB-60 development effort. System Development, Assembly, and Test: Manage the scope of the development, assembly, and test-related activities for MB-60 development. This scope includes engine-level development planning, engine assembly and disassembly, test planning, engine testing, inspection, anomaly resolution, and development of necessary ground support equipment and special test equipment. System Integration: Provide coordinated integration in the realms of engineering, safety, quality, and manufacturing disciplines across the scope of the MB-60 design and associated products development Safety and Mission Assurance, structural design, fracture control, materials and processes, thermal analysis. Systems Engineering and Analysis: Manage and perform Systems Engineering and Analysis to provide rigor and structure to the overall design and development effort for the MB-60. Milestone reviews, requirements management, system analysis, program management support Program Management: Manage, plan, and coordinate the activities across all portions of the MB-60 work scope by providing direction for program administration, business management, and supplier management.

Greene, William D.↗

The Pine Ridge-Mayo National Aeronautics and Space Administration Telemedicine Project: Program Activities and Participant Reactions

OBJECTIVE: To determine the response of participants to the Pine Ridge-Mayo National Aeronautics and Space Administration telemedicine project. DESIGN: We describe a 3-month demonstration project of medical education and clinical consultations conducted by means of satellite transmission. Postparticipation questionnaires and a postproject survey were used to assess the success of the activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients and employees at the Pine Ridge Indian Health Service Hospital in southwestern South Dakota and employees at Mayo Clinic Rochester participated in a telemedicine project, after which they completed exit surveys and a postproject questionnaire to ascertain the acceptability of this mode of health care. RESULTS: Almost all Pine Ridge and Mayo Clinic participants viewed the project as beneficial. The educational sessions received favorable evaluations, and almost two-thirds of the patients who completed evaluations thought the consultation had contributed to their medical care. More than 90% of the respondents from Pine Ridge and more than 85% of the respondents from Mayo Clinic Rochester said that they would recommend participation in this project to others. More than 90% of respondents from Pine Ridge and 80% of Mayo respondents agreed with the statement that the project should continue. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that a program of clinical consultation services, professional education, and patient education available by telemedicine might be viewed as beneficial.

United States Indian Health Service↗

A full-scale fire program to evaluate new furnishings and textile materials developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

A program of experimental fires was carried out to establish the advantages offered by new materials for improved fire safety. Four full-scale bedrooms, differing only in the materials used to furnish them, were built and burned to provide comparative data on the fire hazards produced. Cost and availability differences were not considered. The visual evidence provided by TV and photographic coverage of the four experimental room fires showed clearly that the rooms responded very differently to a common ignition condition. Resistance to the ignition and spread of fire was substantially improved in the rooms furnished completely or partially with the new materials.

Hillenbrand, L. J.↗