Engineering topics

Wells, J.

Publications and source records attributed to Wells, J..

5 records

NASA NTRS2018

Operational Transition from the First-Generation Heidelberg Spectralis Optical Coherence Tomography [OCT("OCT1")] to the Second-Generation Heidelberg Spectralis OCT("OCT2")

The Heidelberg Spectralis "OCT2", which recently became commercially available, is going to be implemented at the Johnson Space Center Flight Medicine Clinic and on board the International Space Station. Due to the increased scan rate of the "OCT2", this upgrade will allow for significant reduction in valuable crew testing time and also allow for additional capabilities, like OCT Angiography and Multi-Color Fundus Imaging. Due to the custom scans used to monitor Space Flight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) in our crewmembers, an evaluation to assess the impacts of transitioning from "OCT1" to "OCT2" was performed. An engineering assessment (N=1) was performed to identify any potential impacts of maintaining an "OCT1" on board ISS while implementing an "OCT2" in the JSC Clinic. "OCT2" implementation will lag JSC FMC clinical implementation due to the flight certification/manifestation process. The clinical assessment was performed (n=12) to identify any impacts due to the replacement of the "OCT1" with the "OCT2" to the longitudinal OCT data across a crewmember's mission/lifetime. The qualitative results from the engineering and clinical evaluation will be reported, as well as the quantitative assessment of the clinical variables

Mason, S.↗

NASA NTRS2016

Evaluation of Mid-Size Male Hybrid III Models for use in Spaceflight Occupant Protection Analysis

Introduction: In an effort to improve occupant safety during dynamic phases of spaceflight, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has worked to develop occupant protection standards for future crewed spacecraft. One key aspect of these standards is the identification of injury mechanisms through anthropometric test devices (ATDs). Within this analysis, both physical and computational ATD evaluations are required to reasonably encompass the vast range of loading conditions any spaceflight crew may encounter. In this study the accuracy of publically available mid-size male HIII ATD finite element (FE) models are evaluated within applicable loading conditions against extensive sled testing performed on their physical counterparts. Methods: A series of sled tests were performed at the Wright Patterson Air force Base (WPAFB) employing variations of magnitude, duration, and impact direction to encompass the dynamic loading range for expected spaceflight. FE simulations were developed to the specifications of the test setup and driven using measured acceleration profiles. Both fast and detailed FE models of the mid-size male HIII were ran to quantify differences in their accuracy and thus assess the applicability of each within this field. Results: Preliminary results identify the dependence of model accuracy on loading direction, magnitude, and rate. Additionally the accuracy of individual response metrics are shown to vary across each model within evaluated test conditions. Causes for model inaccuracy are identified based on the observed relationships. Discussion: Computational modeling provides an essential component to ATD injury metric evaluation used to ensure the safety of future spaceflight occupants. The assessment of current ATD models lays the groundwork for how these models can be used appropriately in the future. Identification of limitations and possible paths for improvement aid in the development of these effective analysis tools.

Putnam, J.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Assessing the Risk of Disc Heniation Related to Landing Impact Following Long-duration Spacecraft

Previous research has shown that crewmembers returning on the Space Shuttle have an increased incidence of herniated nucleus pulposus after spaceflight. This increased risk is thought to be related to disc volume expansion due to unloading and prolonged exposure to microgravity. Although there is an increased risk of disc herniation in Space Shuttle astronauts, it is unknown if dynamic landing loads further contribute to the risk of herniation. To determine if dynamic loads increase the risk of incidence, data from crewmembers (excluding cosmonauts) returning on the Soyuz spacecraft will be compared to Space Shuttle astronauts. These data will be obtained from the Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health (LSAH) Project at NASA. Severity and incidence after spaceflight will be mined from the data, and statistical analyses will be used to determine if Soyuz crewmembers have a higher incidence of disc herniation than Space Shuttle crewmembers. The results are expected to show no difference between Space Shuttle and Soyuz crewmembers, indicating that higher dynamic loads on landing and long-duration spaceflight do not significantly increase the risk of disc herniation. If no difference is shown between the two crewmember populations, then disc volume expansion due to microgravity does not significantly increase the risk of injury due to dynamic loads for deconditioned crewmembers. Any risk associated with deconditioning would be primarily due to bone structure changes and resulting bone strength changes. This study is an important first step in determining whether the spinal disc plays a role in injury due to dynamic loads.

Somers, J. T.↗

NASA NTRS1979

FTS maintenance and calibration at DSS 42/43

An FTS maintenance and calibration task was conducted at DSS 42/43 during August 1978. The objectives of this effort were (1) the routine maintenance and calibration of hydrogen masers, (2) installation and calibration of cesium standards, (3) installation of test equipment for frequency measurement, (4) CRG testing, (5) cabling inspection and repair, (6) check thermal and magnetic environment of H-maser/cesium room, and (7) calibration of frequency and timing subsystem.

Dachel, P. R.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Remote-sensing applications for Texas

The earth resources remote sensing activity of Texas and its applications are reported. A combination of digital, photographic, and traditional methods is being used to manage the water impoundments inventory, a land use survey, a wildlife habitat survey, and a coastal zone survey.

Wells, J.↗