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Drake, G. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Drake, G. L..

Conceptual design of an orbital propellant transfer experiment. Volume 2: Study results

The OTV configurations, operations and requirements planned for the period from the 1980's to the 1990's were reviewed and a propellant transfer experiment was designed that would support the needs of these advanced OTV operational concepts. An overall integrated propellant management technology plan for all NASA centers was developed. The preliminary cost estimate (for planning purposes only) is $56.7 M, of which approximately $31.8 M is for shuttle user costs.

Drake, G. L.↗

Organism support for life sciences spacelab experiments

This paper presents an overview of the U.S. life sciences laboratory concepts envisioned for the Shuttle/Spacelab era. The basic development approach is to provide a general laboratory facility supplemented by specific experiment hardware as required. The laboratory concepts range from small carry-on laboratories to fully dedicated laboratories in the Spacelab pressurized module. The laboratories will encompass a broad spectrum of research in biology and biomedicine requiring a variety of research organisms. The environmental control and life support of these organisms is a very important aspect of the success of the space research missions. Engineering prototype organism habitats have been designed and fabricated to be compatible with the Spacelab environment and the experiment requirements. These first-generation habitat designs and their subsystems have supported plants, cells/tissues, invertebrates, and small vertebrates in limited evaluation tests. Special handling and transport equipment required for the ground movement of the experiment organisms at the launch/landing site have been built and tested using these initial habitat prototypes.

Drake, G. L.↗

Life sciences manned payloads for Shuttle/Spacelab

This paper summarizes the highlights of the NASA/MSFC Life Sciences Payload Definition and Integration studies. Four closely related studies describing research requirements, engineering analysis, and design concepts for a family of life sciences laboratories are reviewed. The study approach was based upon a broad laboratory capability to do research in medicine, biology, life support and protective systems, and man-systems integration. This laboratory design concept provides the flexibility desired for the changing requirements of a long-term space program. Designs of the resulting conceptual laboratories that satisfy the research goals are presented. The on-going NASA program activity to support future life sciences involvement in the Spacelab is outlined.

Heppner, D. B.↗