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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,801 records · Page 100

Liquid hydrogen production and commercial demand in the United States

Kennedy Space Center, the single largest purchaser of liquid hydrogen (LH2) in the United States, evaluated current and anticipated hydrogen production and consumption in the government and commercial sectors. Specific objectives of the study are as follows: (1) identify LH2 producers in the United States and Canada during 1980-1989 period; (2) compile information in expected changes in LH2 production capabilities over the 1990-2000 period; (3) describe how hydrogen is used in each consuming industry and estimate U.S. LH2 consumption for the chemicals, metals, electronics, fats and oil, and glass industries, and report data on a regional basis; (4) estimate historical and future consumption; and (5) assess the influence of international demands on U.S. plants.

Heydorn, Barbara↗

Advanced thermal control technology for commercial applications

A number of the technologies previously developed for the thermal control of spacecraft have found their way into commercial application. Specialized coatings and heat pipes are but two examples. The thermal control of current and future spacecraft is becoming increasingly more demanding, and a variety of new technologies are being developed to meet these needs. Closed two-phase loops are perceived to be the answer to many of the new requirements. All of these technologies are discussed, and their spacecraft and current terrestrial applications are summarized.

Swanson, Theodore D.↗

Potential commercial uses of EOS remote sensing products

The instrument complement of the Earth Observing System (EOS) satellite system will generate data sets with potential interest to a variety of users who are now just beginning to develop geographic information systems tailored to their special applications and/or jurisdictions. Other users may be looking for a unique product that enhances competitive position. The generally distributed products from EOS will require additional value added processing to derive the unique products desired by specific users. Entrepreneurs have an opportunity to create these proprietary level 4 products from the EOS data sets. Specific instruments or collections of instruments could provide information for crop futures trading, mineral exploration, television and printed medium news products, regional and local government land management and planning, digital map directories, products for third world users, ocean fishing fleet probability of harvest forecasts, and other areas not even imagined at this time. The projected level 3 product are examined that will be available at launch from EOS instruments and commercial uses of the data after value added processing is estimated.

Thompson, Leslie L.↗

Payload spin assembly for the commercial Titan launch vehicle

A contract was completed to design, build, and test a Payload Spin Assembly (PSA) for installation onto the Martin Marietta Titan 3 Commercial launch vehicle. This assembly provides launch support for satellite payloads up to 5783 kilograms (6.37 tons) and controls release, spin-up, and final separation of the satellite from the second stage. Once separated, the satellite's Perigee Kick Motor (PKM) boosts the satellite into its transfer orbit. The first successful flight occurred December 31, 1989. Requirements, design, test, and problems associated with this mechanical assembly are discussed.

Robinson, Wilf↗

Space Station Freedom Workshop Opportunities for Commercial Users and Providers: Issues and Recommendations

The responses to issues and questions raised at the Space Station Freedom Workshops are compiled. The findings are presented under broad divisions of general, materials processing in space, commercial earth and ocean observations, life sciences, infrastructure services, and infrastructure policy. The responses represent the best answers available at this time and future modifications may be expected. Contact names, telephone numbers, and organizations are included.

Source record↗

Microgravity polymer and crystal growth at the Advanced Materials Center for the Commercial Development of Space

The microgravity research programs currently conducted by the Advanced Materials Center for the Commercial Development of Space (CCDS) are briefly reviewed. Polymer processing in space, which constitutes the most active microgravity program at the Advanced Materials CCDS, is conducted in three areas: membrane processing, multiphase composite behavior, and plasma polymerization. Current work in microgravity crystal growth is discussed with particular reference to the development of the Zeolite Crystal Growth facility.

Mccauley, Lisa A.↗

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.↗

Current developments in optical engineering and commercial optics; Proceedings of the Meeting, San Diego, CA, Aug. 7-11, 1989

Various papers on current developments in optical engineering and commercial optics are presented. Individual topics addressed include: large optics fabrication technology drivers and new manufacturing techniques, new technology for beryllium mirror production, design examples of hybrid refractive-diffractive lenses, optical sensor designs for detecting cracks in optical materials, retroreflector field-of-view properties for open and solid cube corners, correction of misalignment-dependent aberrations of the HST via phase retrieval, basic radiometry review for seeker test set, radiation effects on visible optical elements, and nonlinear simulation of efficiency for large-orbit nonwiggler FELs.

Fischer, Robert E.↗

Structures and characteristics of commercially available 1.5 micron InGaAsP distributed feedback laser diodes

The characteristics of commercially available 1.5-micron distributed feedback (DFB) laser diodes obtained from seven manufacturers were investigated, and the results are correlated with the lasers' structural parameters. It was found that buried heterostructures with first-order gratings showed consistently good results (as opposed to buried heterostructures with second-order gratings). A ridge waveguide laser was near the bottom of most performance charts.

Cook, A. L.↗

Space Station Freedom attached payloads and commercialization

NASA's Space Station Freedom (SSF) attaches external payloads to its main truss structure via Attached Payload Accommodation Equipment (APAE); this equipment also provides access to such SSF resources as electrical power, command/control, and data handling. In orbit, APAE payloads are installed and maintained by a teleoperated robot or by an astronaut in EVA. Commercialization of EPAE will be accomplished by private companies concerned with the development of materials processing, earth resources and ocean resources monitoring, telecommunications, and industrial services. Attention is given to APAE user-integration activity.

Furio, N.↗

An overview of NASA research related to the aging commercial transport fleet

This paper describes the research activities of the NASA Airframe Structural Integrity Program for the aging commercial transport fleet. Advanced analysis methods are under development to predict the fatigue crack growth in complex built-up shell structures. Innovative nondestructive examination technologies are under development to provide large area inspection capability to detect corrosion, disbonds, and fatigue cracks. The ultimate goal of this interdisciplinary program is to develop and transfer advanced technology to the airline operators and airframe manufacturers. The program is being conducted cooperatively with the FAA and the U.S. industry.

Harris, Charles E.↗

Commercialization of dish-Stirling solar terrestrial systems

The requirements for dish-Stirling commercialization are described. The requirements for practical terrestrial power systems, both technical and economic, are described. Solar energy availability, with seasonal and regional variations, is discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of hybrid operation are listed. The two systems described use either a 25-kW free-piston Stirling hydraulic engine or a 5-kW kinematic Stirling engine. Both engines feature long-life characteristics that result from the use of welded metal bellows as hermetic seals between the working gas and the crankcase fluid. The advantages of the systems, the state of the technology, and the challenges that remain are discussed. Technology transfer between solar terrestrial Stirling applications and other Stirling applications is predicted to be important and synergistic.

Ross, Brad↗

Fabrication of structural components from commercial aluminum alloys using superplastic forming

SPF technology was used to fabricate structural components from the 7475 Al and 8090 Al-Li commercial alloys. Gas-pressurization cycles were established for SPF three-hat stiffener configurations on the basis of uniaxial data and component-geometry considerations. It is established that higher forming rates than the optimum strain rates selected from the uniaxial data for each alloy could be used in the later stages of forming without reducing SPF components' dimensional conformity. Cavitation was precluded through the use of back pressure during forming.

Hales, S. J.↗

The commercial use of satellite data to monitor the potato crop in the Columbia Basin

The imaging of potato crops with satellites is described and evaluated in terms of the commercial application of the remotely sensed data. The identification and analysis of the crops is accomplished with multiple images acquired from the Landsat MSS and TM systems. The data are processed on a PC with image-procesing software which produces images of the seven 1024 x 1024 pixel windows which are subdivided into 21 512 x 512 pixel windows. Maximization of imaged data throughout the year aids in the identification of crop types by IR reflectance. The classification techniques involve the use of six or seven spectral classes for particular image dates. Comparisons with ground-truth data show good agreement; for example, potato fields are identified correctly 90 percent of the time. Acreage estimates and crop-condition assessments can be made from satellite data and used for corrective agricultural action.

Waddington, George R., Jr.↗

Recent fracture mechanics results from NASA research related to the aging commercial transport fleet

NASA is conducting the Airframe Structural Integrity Program in support of the aging commercial transport fleet. This interdisciplinary program is being worked in cooperation with the U.S. airframe manufacturers, airline operators, and the FAA. Advanced analysis methods are under development to predict the fatigue crack growth in complex built-up shell structures. Innovative nondestructive examination technologies are also under development to provide large area inspection capability to detect corrosion, disbonds, and fatigue cracks. Recent fracture mechanics results applicable to predicting the growth of cracks initiating at the rivets of fuselage splice joints are reviewed.

Harris, Charles E.↗

An exploration of function analysis and function allocation in the commercial flight domain

The applicability is explored of functional analysis methods to support cockpit design. Specifically, alternative techniques are studied for ensuring an effective division of responsibility between the flight crew and automation. A functional decomposition is performed of the commercial flight domain to provide the information necessary to support allocation decisions and demonstrate methodology for allocating functions to flight crew or to automation. The function analysis employed 'bottom up' and 'top down' analyses and demonstrated the comparability of identified functions, using the 'lift off' segment of the 'take off' phase as a test case. The normal flight mission and selected contingencies were addressed. Two alternative methods for using the functional description in the allocation of functions between man and machine were investigated. The two methods were compared in order to ascertain their relative strengths and weaknesses. Finally, conclusions were drawn regarding the practical utility of function analysis methods.

Mcguire, James C.↗

Final design proposal: Theta Group-The Hotbox. A proposal in response to a commercial air transportation study

The Hotbox is a 40 passenger commercial aircraft designed to have a minimum range of 5500 ft and cruise at a velocity of 30 ft/sec. The aircraft is designed to serve the longer range overseas market in Aeroworld. In order to serve all the airports in the overseas market, the Hotbox was required to be able to use a five foot gate. A weight requirement was set a 4.5 lbs in order to maximize aircraft efficiency. Finally, a single engine system was chosen because it minimized system weight, complexity and cost. The Hotbox is estimated to cost $152,000 Aeroworld dollars and will sell for $200.000. The propulsion system for the Hotbox consists of a nose mounted Astro 15 electric powered motor and a Top Flight 12-6 propeller. A Spica airfoil was selected for the Hotbox based on the ease of construction of its flat bottom and its positive lift and drag characteristics. A fuselage of rectangular cross section will internally contain the propulsion system, control system, and a passenger bay with 2x20 seating. A combination of directional and longitudinal control will enable the Hotbox to maneuver. The final design of the Hotbox provides for takeoff distance in 26.5 ft and normal cruise range of 17,000 ft.

Source record↗

Final design proposal: Beta Systems-El Toro. A proposal in response to a commercial air transportation study

El Toro is a remotely piloted airplane designed to operate as a commercial aircraft in a fictional 'Aeroworld' where the passengers are ping-pong balls and the distances between cities are on the order of thousands of feet. The present design for El Toro will profitably meet the requirements for operation in Aeroworld with a ticket price comparable the ticket prices of current transportation. The extended range of El Toro allows for numerous flights to be flown before the battery pack needs to be changed. This drastically reduces the operating costs to the airlines, allowing them to charge less for a ticket or else to realize a higher profit margin.

Muenzberg, Steve↗

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