Engineering PapersSearch

Engineering topics

Gabris, E. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Gabris, E. A..

Concepts, technology, and operations for a quick response, highly maneuverable launch vehicle

Preliminary results from the NASA orbit-on-demand study are used to identify major technology issues for development of a quick response vehicle. Reasonable vehicles are found to require significant advances in propulsion, structures, materials, and flight mechanics technology. Vehicle concepts using normal growth technology predicted for the 1990s are compromised by expendable hardware or by unmanageable size and complexity. Operational analyses of the vertical-launch and horizontal-launch takeoff vehicles show that the latter have more inherent operational utility. The supply of liquid hydrogen propellant at alternate sites is a major issue; however, propane may be a viable option for at least one concept. Propellant for orbital maneuvering significantly increases gross weight for many of the concepts. This increase is greater for horizontal-takeoff systems becasue of their larger orbiters.

Gabris, E. A.

The Space Shuttle focused-technology program - Lessons learned

The results of a focused technology program (FTP), its management structure, the development of the Space Shuttle, and lessons applicable to future space programs such as a space station are discussed. A committee was formed by NASA in 1969 to define the technologies necessary for a reusable spacecraft. Basic and applied research assessments were featured at the beginning of the process. Working groups were established to cover all necessary areas, e.g., Operations, Structures and Materials, Aerothermodynamics, etc., and tasks were distributed to appropriate NASA centers. Funding was drawn from existing budgets. The FTP proceeded successfully because of an understanding of the respective roles of industry and government, the willingness of industry to invest early in a new technology, and the unclassified status of information generated by the program. The in-house design and technology transfer methods that brought the project to a technology demonstration phase are explored, noting the necessity for users to take part in the development within their field.

Fitzgerald, P. E., Jr.

NASA physics and chemistry experiments in-space program

The Physics and Chemistry Experiments Program (PACE) is part of the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST) research and technology effort in understanding the fundamental characteristics of physics and chemical phenomena. This program seeks to increase the basic knowledge in these areas by well-planned research efforts which include in-space experiments when the limitations of ground-based activities precludes or restricts the achievement of research goals. Overview study areas are concerned with molecular beam experiments for Space Shuttle, experiments on drops and bubbles in a manned earth-orbiting laboratory, the study of combustion experiments in space, combustion experiments in orbiting spacecraft, gravitation experiments in space, and fluid physics, thermodynamics, and heat-transfer experiments. Procedures for the study program have four phases. An overview study was conducted in the area of materials science.

Gabris, E. A.