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Brown, N. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Brown, N. E..

Survey of Spaceflight Safety Systems /Survey period: July 1981 June 1982/

Information from the Survey of Spaceflight Safety Systems considered most applicable to present and future spaceflight activities is summarized. Mission reports for the first three Shuttle Orbiter flights discuss all anomalies which occurred and their resolution, such as the solid rocket booster ignition overpressure spike, and thermal tile damage. Two emergency rescue systems for orbiting space stations are proposed: a dish type rescue capsule and a reusable orbit vehicle. Prebreathing and stage decompression are considered as means of protecting astronauts against decompression effects. The Spacelab Space Sled experiments are described, as is a test program on the assembly of large space structures completed in mid-1981. Finally, collision hazards for space missions are estimated, and operational procedures for minimizing these hazards are discussed.

Brown, N. E.

Annual survey of spaceflight safety systems: 11th supplement. Survey period - July 1980-June 1981

Reports in the field of space flight safety applicable to current and future operational space activities which appeared between July 1980 and June 1981 are surveyed. Subjects in the area of flight rescue and safety during launch, on-orbit, reentry and landing phases include the major activities and findings of the first Shuttle test flight, a slidewire system for emergency egress from the Space Shuttle on the launch pad, and the testing of the Spacelab engineering model. In the area of human capabilities and crew roles, attention is given to reports of repairs to the Salyut 6 space station made by a Soyuz crew, and an assessment of weightlessness effects on space worker health and safety. Safety requirements for STS payloads including pressure vessels, and the Orbiter window system and for spacecraft testing are also presented, along with those for a television system to aid in monitoring astronaut extravehicular activities. For the operation of large space structures, reports include EVA equipment for satellite servicing and the safety aspects of connectors used in construction. Finally, attention is given to safety-related criteria in a study of Shuttle interactions with the proposed Space Operations Center.

Brown, N. E.

Annual survey of spaceflight safety systems - 10th supplement /Survey period: July 1979-June 1980/

The survey summarizes 15 papers whose topics represent significant safety developments reported between July 1979 and June 1980 in connection with spaceflight. The majority of the papers address the Space Shuttle mission (control-system software modification; abort procedures; Vandenberg AFB launch operations; assembly and repair of the Orbiter's Thermal Protection System; flight hardware). One paper describes a procedure aiding Space Transportation System (STS) payload organizations in complying with safety requirements established by NASA. Spacecraft cabin environments, collision avoidance in near-earth space, and intercept and rendezvous charts are other topics of discussion. The survey also includes two papers outlining the European and Chinese approaches to astronaut selection and training.

Brown, N. E.

Life science payloads planning study integration facility survey results

The integration facility survey effort described is structured to examine the facility resources needed to conduct life science payload (LSP) integration checkout activities at NASA-JSC. The LSP integration facility operations and functions are defined along with the LSP requirements for facility design. A description of available JSC life science facilities is presented and a comparison of accommodations versus requirements is reported.

Wells, G. W.

Life Science Payloads Planning Study Integration Facility Survey: Executive Summary

Analyses of proposed life science shuttle era payload operations are discussed. A summary of results from a survey conducted to: (1) examine facility and equipment resources needed for life science payload integration, checkout, test and mission support activities; (2) identify presently available resources; and (3) determine methods by which operational era status may be implemented based on currently available resources, is presented.

Wells, G. W.

EVA crew workstation provisions for Skylab and Space Shuttle missions

A synopsis of scheduled extravehicular activities (EVA) for a nominal Skylab mission is presented with an overview of EV workstation equipment developed for the program. Also included are the unprogrammed extravehicular activities and supporting equipment that was quickly developed and retrofitted in a series of successful operations to salvage the crippled Skylab Cluster during the Skylab 1 Mission. Because EVA appears to be a requirement for the Space Shuttle Program, candidate EV workstations are discussed in terms of effective and economical Shuttle payload servicing and maintenance. Several such concepts, which could provide a versatile, portable EV support system, are presented.

Brown, N. E.

Application of EVA guidelines and design criteria. Volume 1: EVA selection/systems design considerations

Parameters that require consideration by the planners and designers when planning for man to perform functions outside the vehicle are presented in terms of the impact the extravehicular crewmen and major EV equipment items have on the mission, vehicle, and payload. Summary data on man's performance capabilities in the weightless space environment are also provided. The performance data are based on orbital and transearth EVA from previous space flight programs and earthbound simulations, such as water immersion and zero-g aircraft.

Brown, N. E.

Application of EVA guidelines and design criteria. Volume 2: EVA workstation conceptual designs

Several EV workstation concepts were developed and are documented. The workstation concepts were developed following a comprehensive analysis of potential EV missions, functions, and tasks as interpreted from NASA and contractor space shuttle and space station studies, mission models, and related reports. The design of a versatile, portable EVA workstation is aimed at reducing the design and development costs for each mission and aiding in the development of on-orbit serviceable payloads.

Brown, N. E.

Applications of EVA guidelines and design criteria. Volume 3: EVA systems cost model formating

The development of a model for estimating the impact of manned EVA costs on future payloads is discussed. Basic information on the EV crewman requirements, equipment, physical and operational characteristics, and vehicle interfaces is provided. The cost model is being designed to allow system designers to quantify the impact of EVA on vehicle and payload systems.

Brown, N. E.

Extravehicular activities guidelines and design criteria

A listing of astronaut EVA support systems and equipment, and the physical, operational, and performance characteristics of each major system are presented. An overview of the major ground based support operations necessary in the development and verification of orbital EVA systems is included. The performance and biomedical characteristics of man in the orbital EV environment are discussed. Major factors affecting astronaut EV work performance are identified and delineated as they relate to EV support systems design. Data concerning the medical and physiological aspects of spaceflight on man are included. The document concludes with an extensive bibliography, and a series of appendices which expand on some of the information presented in the main body.

Brown, N. E.

Space tools and support equipment - Current technology and future requirements.

Space tools and supporting equipment developed for past and current missions are summarized, along with projected tool and powered maneuvering aid requirements for future earth orbital missions. These tools, designed for functions such as general maintenance, replacement and repair, are reviewed and classified according to their intended application. A synopsis of the Skylab on-orbit maintenance requirements is presented, and the tools necessary for accomplishing the maintenance functions are listed. The proposed missions for future Earth Orbital Systems are summarized, and the potential functions (e.g., Remove/Replace, Cargo Transfer, etc.) are outlined. The current tool and support technology status is compared with future requirements for crew equipment to determine if these future requirements can be adequately satisfied. Of particular interest is a discussion of the augmentation of the astronaut with teleoperators (remote manipulator systems).

Brown, N. E.