Engineering topics

Stone, Barbara A.

Publications and source records attributed to Stone, Barbara A..

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS1994

Space tourism: A flight of fantasy or the next major space product? Paper session 3: Products

In the euphoria of the early 1980's, a number of creative proposals for nontraditional uses of space were suggested. Taking tourists to space, possibly as early as the 1990's, was one such proposal. While it is now obvious that wherever explorers go, tourists (and hoteliers, restauranteurs, and tour guides) will someday follow. This paper discusses past and present efforts to promote space as a tourist destination.

Stone, Barbara A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

The impact of industry/university consortia programs on space education

The paper describes the industry/university consortia programs established by the United States and Australia and examines these programs from the viewpoint of their impact on space education in their respective countries. Particular attention is given to the aim and the nature of the three programs involved: the Centers for the Commercial Development of Space (CCDSs) (funded by NASA), which are currently involving about 250 companies and 88 universities as participants; the Space Industry Development Centers (SIDCs) (funded by the Australian Space Office): and the Cooperative Research Centers (CRCs) (funded by the Federal Government), which are not limited to the space area but are open to activities ranging from medical research to waste-water treatment. It is emphasized that, while the main aim of the CCDS, SIDC, and CRC programs is to develop space expertise, space education is a very significant byproduct of the activity of these agencies.

Page, John R.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Strategic factors in the development of the National Technology Transfer Network

Broad consensus among industry and government leaders has developed over the last decade on the importance of applying the U.S. leadership in research and development (R&D) to strengthen competitiveness in the global marketplace, and thus enhance national prosperity. This consensus has emerged against the backdrop of increasing economic competition, and the dramatic reduction of military threats to national security with the end of the Cold War. This paper reviews the key factors and considerations that shaped - and continue to influence - the development of the Regional Technoloty Transfer Centers (RTTC) and the National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC). Also, the future role of the national network in support of emerging technology policy initiatives will be explored.

Root, Jonathan F.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Launch system development in the Pacific Rim

Several Western Pacific Rim nations are beginning to challenge the domination of the United States, Europe, and the former Soviet Union in the international market for commercial launch sevices. This paper examines the current development of launch systems in China, Japan, and Australia. China began commercial launch services with their Long March-3 in April 1990, and is making enhancements to vehicles in this family. Japan is developing the H-2 rocket which will be marketed on a commercial basis. In Australia, British Aerospace Ltd. is leading a team conducting a project definition study for an Australian Launch Vehicle, aimed at launching the new generation of satellites into low Earth orbit.

Stone, Barbara A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Space education: Deriving benefits from industrial consortia

As the number of spacefaring nations of the world increases, so does the difficulty of competing in a global economy. The development of high technology products and services for space programs, and the economic exploitation of these technologies for national economic growth, requires professionals versed in both technical and commercial aspects of space. Meeting this requirement academically presents two challenges. On the technical side, enrollment in science and engineering is decreasing in some of the spacefaring nations. From the commerce perspective, very few colleges and universities offer specific courses in space business.

Stone, Barbara A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Space commerce in a global economy: Comparison of US and Australian approaches

The United States and Australia are among the 20 or more nations of the world having industries currently engaging in some form of space commerce. As a matter of national policy, the United States has encouraged private investment and involvement in space activities since 1984, when the Congress declared it in the best interest of the Nation that NASA '...seek and encourage to the maximum extent possible, the fullest commercial use of space.' Australia's space policy, announced in 1986, has the objective of encouraging greater involvement by industry in space research and development, and the development of commercial space activities. This paper discusses the underlying policies, current status, and prospects for the future of commercial space business activities in the two countries.

Stone, Barbara A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Space commerce in a global economy - Comparison of international approaches to commercial space

A historical perspective, current status, and comparison of national government/commercial space industry relationships in the United States and Europe are presented. It is noted that space technology has been developed and used primarily to meet the needs of civil and military government initiatives. Two future trends of space technology development include new space enterprises, and the national drive to achieve a more competitive global economic position.

Stone, Barbara A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Preparing future space leaders - International Space University

The International Space University (ISU) concept of developing a cadre of space professionals that will lead the universities and industries into space is discussed. ISU is an innovative, permanent worldwide organization for training and academic instruction in all aspects of space studies. ISU's major goal is to provide the young professional academic instruction in technical and nontechnical areas of modern space exploration and research, and a forum to exchange ideas and develop both personal and professional ties at an international level.

Stone, Barbara A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Increasing the usefulness of Shuttle with SPACEHAB

SPACEHAB is a pressurized laboratory, approximately 10 feet long and 13 feet in diameter, which fits in the forward position of the Shuttle payload bay and connects to the crew compartment through the Orbiter airlock. SPACEHAB modules may contain up to 61 standard middeck lockers, providing 1100 cubic feet of pressurized work space. SPACEHAB'S capacity offers crew-tended access to the microgravity environment for experimentation, technology development, and small-scale production. The modules are designed to facilitate the user's ability to quickly and inexpensively develop and integrate a microgravity payload. Payloads are typically integrated into the SPACEHAB module in standard SPACEHAB lockers or SPACEHAB racks. Lockers are designed to offer identical user interfaces as standard Space Shuttle middeck lockers. SPACEHAB racks are interchangeable with Space Station Freedom racks, allowing hardware to be qualified for early station use.

Stone, Barbara A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Space - It's not just for governments anymore

Space initiatives have traditionally been in the exclusive domain of national government. Over the last decades, this has begun to change dramatically as commercial development of space has attracted increasing international attention. Businesses in at least 20 countries worldwide now engage in some form of space commerce. These businesses, which range from strictly entrepreneurial to government corporations, are seeking to do business in every commercial space sector. This paper details the current status and prospects for the future of space commerce in the United States and Europe, focusing on the programs of France, Germany, and Italy. Included are analyses of representative successes and failures of these activities.

Stone, Barbara A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

SPACEHAB - Augmenting the Shuttle's middeck capacity

SPACEHAB, Inc. is developing a pressurized laboratory which fits in the forward portion of the Space Shuttle payload bay and connects to the crew compartment through an airlock. SPACEHAB's standard middeck-type lockers offer crew-tended access to the microgravity environment for experimentation, technology development, and small-scale production. NASA's Office of Commercial Programs has contracted with SPACEHAB to lease two-thirds of the SPACEHAB's module capacity over the first six missions for commercial research initiatives. Use of SPACELAB modules also offers an economical intermediate step prior to making a full commitment for commercial use of Space Station Freedom.

Stone, Barbara A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Building an intellectual infrastructure for space commerce

Competition in commerce requires an 'intellectual infrastructure', that is, a work force with extensive scientific and technical knowledge and a thorough understanding of the business world. This paper focuses on the development of such intellectual infrastructure for space commerce. Special consideration is given to the contributions to this development by the 17 Centers for the Commercial Development of Space Program conducting commercially oriented research in eight specialized areas: automation and robotics, remote sensing, life sciences, materials processing in space, space power, space propulsion, space structures and materials, and advanced satellite communications. Attention is also given to the Space Business Development Center concept aimed at addressing a variety of barriers common to the development of space commerce.

Stone, Barbara A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Space commerce - Preparing for the next century

The role of NASA in space commerce is discussed in terms of providing direct assistance to the private sector and in terms of the most suitable industrial areas for such support. The primary mechanism for such support is the program of Centers for the Commercial Development of Space (CCDS) which selects industrial high-technology projects to help make them viable. The research spans such fields as remote sensing, crop forecasting, and microgravity materials processing. The collaboration of NASA and private industry is discussed in terms of sounding-rocket projects, the Commercial Experiment Transporter, and academic/industrial programs designed to generate enthusiasm for commercial space research. The future of such research is expected to focus on CCDSs for microgravity-developed products, commercial infrastructure, SEI, and commercial use of the Space Station Freedom.

Stone, Barbara A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Commercial space infrastructure - Giving industry a lift

Private sector initiatives directed toward establishing a commercial space sector in the fields of commercial space transportation, payload processing, upper stages, launch facilities, and other facilities and equipment are presented. Consideration is given to a payload processing facility that is capable of providing all prelaunch services required by communications satellites targeted for launch on U.S. launch systems. Attention is given to NASA's efforts to promote commercial infrastructure development for the creation of new products and services, leading to new markets and businesses.

Stone, Barbara A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

NASA's commercial space program - Initiatives for the future

NASA's commercial development of the space program aimed at the stimulation and assistance of expanded private sector involvement and investment in civil space activities is discussed, focusing on major new program initiatives and their implementation. NASA's Centers for the Commercial Development of Space (CCDS) program, composed of competitively selected consortia of universities, industries, and government involved in early research and testing phases of potentially commercially viable technologies is described. The 16 centers concentrate on seven different technical areas such as automation and robotics; remote sensing; life sciences; and space power, propulsion, and structures. Private sector participation, CCDS technology development, government and commercially supplied access to space in support of CCDS programs, CCDS hardware development, and CCDS spinoffs are discussed together with various cooperative and reimbursable agreements between NASA and the private sector.

Rose, James T.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Economic consequences of commercial space operations

The potential economic benefits generated from increased industry involvement and investment in space activities and the subsequent cost implications are discussed. A historical overview of commercial industry involvement in space is given and sources of new economic growth in space are discussed. These include communications satellites, small satellites, positioning and navigation services, space transportation and infrastructure, remote sensing, and materials processing in space such as the manufacturing of protein crystals and zeolites. Macroeconomic trends and principles such as limits on technology trade, eased restrictions on international joint ventures, foreign investments in U.S. firms, and increased foreign competition are discussed. Earth observations and mapping are considered. Opportunities for private sector involvement in building space infrastructure and space transportation are highlighted.

Stone, Barbara A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Commercial space initiatives - Signs of hope

The paper discusses the evolution and status of commercial space development along with the U.S. Government's role in commercial development. Special attention is given to several activities in the NASA program in this area. These activities include the development of space technology to meet the needs of promising commercial applications (such as new satellite communications and remote sensing technology), serving as a customer to commercial space ventures, and providing direct assistance to private sector commercial space initiatives.

Stone, Barbara A.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Commercial development of space - A national commitment

The United States is currently in a unique position. It has all the assets required to lead the world in commercial space development. It has the transportation: the Shuttle and a family of expendable launch vehicles. Space Station Freedom is forthcoming. It has the extrepreneurial spirit, coupled with a strong university system and lending institutions with financial capacity necessary for entrepreneurial activities. But, there are a number of actions that the government should take to improve the climate and prospects for greater commercial development of space. This paper outlines some of the steps that NASA is taking to incentivize the private sector to apply its resources and talents to commercial space endeavors.

Rose, James T.↗