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At least 199 records · Page 11

DSN research and technology support

Continuing remote controlled pulsar observations are noted, along with routine observations of 22 pulsars. Preliminary installation of equipment for planned unattended operation of the Venus Station is reported, along with extensive measurements and performance evaluation of the 26-m antenna. Support of the X-band radar at the Mars Station (DSS 14), and stability and reliability testing of the DSS 13 receiving system is reported. Klystron testing and other DSN support activities of the DSN High-Power Transmitter Maintenance Facility are noted, along with energy conservation modifications to two buildings at DSS 13. Radio Science experiment support included Planetary Radio Astronomy, Pulsar Rotation Constancy, Interstellar Microwave Spectroscopy, and Very Long Baseline Interferometry observations. An increased schedule of clock synchronization transmissions, planned on five-day centers, is noted, as 39 transmissions were made to Australia, DSS 43, and Spain, DSS 63.

Jackson, E. B.↗

Advanced Technology Composite Fuselage-Structural Performance

Boeing is studying the technologies associated with the application of composite materials to commercial transport fuselage structure under the NASA-sponsored contracts for Advanced Technology Composite Aircraft Structures (ATCAS) and Materials Development Omnibus Contract (MDOC). This report addresses the program activities related to structural performance of the selected concepts, including both the design development and subsequent detailed evaluation. Design criteria were developed to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and typical company objectives. Accurate analysis methods were selected and/or developed where practical, and conservative approaches were used where significant approximations were necessary. Design sizing activities supported subsequent development by providing representative design configurations for structural evaluation and by identifying the critical performance issues. Significant program efforts were directed towards assessing structural performance predictive capability. The structural database collected to perform this assessment was intimately linked to the manufacturing scale-up activities to ensure inclusion of manufacturing-induced performance traits. Mechanical tests were conducted to support the development and critical evaluation of analysis methods addressing internal loads, stability, ultimate strength, attachment and splice strength, and damage tolerance. Unresolved aspects of these performance issues were identified as part of the assessments, providing direction for future development.

Walker, T. H.↗

Survey of emerging nuclear data needs for nonproliferation applications with advanced reactors

Nuclear science plays a key role in non-proliferation activities supporting advanced reactor technologies. Nuclear data underpin predictions and interpretations of nuclear material behavior and signatures in reactor fuel production, use, transport, and storage. Advanced reactors provide new challenges compared to the current fleet of thermal fission reactors. This report consolidates reported nuclear data needs from representative workshops, conferences, and publications, identifying six themes for recommended future investments supporting non-proliferation and safeguards applications. While also identified as data needs, major fission product evaluations and (α,n) reactions were omitted as there are ongoing activities producing new data under NA22/Objective O. Each theme is summarized below with example data and association with the nonproliferation mission for advanced fuels and reactors.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

[Progress of the ATM Crew]

Activities for each of the following programs are discussed in separate sections for the bimonthly reporting period: Airborne Oceanographic Lidar (AOL); Airborne Topographic Mapper (ATM); Other Mission Support Activities, including modeling activities, EAARL activities, and the Scanning Radar Altimeter (SAR); Tropical Rain Measuring Mission (TRMM). The tasks undertaken for each program are discussed in the pertinent section of the report.

Source record↗

Lessons learned from Shuttle/Mir: psychosocial countermeasures

BACKGROUND: During future long-duration space missions, countermeasures need to be developed to deal with psychosocial issues that might impact negatively on crewmember performance and well-being. METHODS: In our recently completed NASA-funded study of 5 U.S. astronauts, 8 Russian cosmonauts, and 42 U.S. and 16 Russian mission control personnel who participated in the Shuttle/Mir program, we evaluated a number of important psychosocial issues such as group tension, cohesion, leadership role, and the displacement of negative emotions from crewmembers to people in mission control and from mission control personnel to management. RESULTS: Based on our findings, which are reviewed, a number of psychosocial countermeasures are suggested to help ameliorate the negative impact of potential psychosocial problems during future manned space missions. CONCLUSIONS: Crewmembers should be selected not only to rule out psychopathology but also to select-in for group compatibility and facility in a common language. Training should include briefings and team building related to a number of psychosocial issues and should involve both crewmembers and mission control personnel. During the mission, both experts on the ground and the crewmembers themselves should be alert to potential interpersonal problems, including the displacement of negative emotions from the crew to the ground. Supportive activities should consist of both individual and interpersonal strategies, including an awareness of changing leisure time needs. Finally, attention should be given to postmission readjustment and to supporting the families on Earth.

Non-NASA Center↗

ANDRA's Underground Research Laboratory in Bure: Major Role in the Cigeo Development - 20005

The Industrial Center for Geological Disposal, also called Cigeo, is the deep geological disposal facility project developed by Andra since 1991. It is intended for the final disposal of High-Level Waste (HLW) and Intermediate Level Waste-Long Lived (ILW-LL) generated in France by the nuclear industry. Cigeo is located in the east of France (Meuse/Haute-Marne site). The disposal will be implemented in a 140 to 160 m thick clay layer at about 500 m depth. The license application file will be submitted in 2020. If the license is granted, the construction of the pilot phase of Cigeo (ramp, shafts, drifts, initial disposal vaults) could start in 2025 at the earliest. Since 2000, the development of the safety case of Cigeo for post closure has been supported by a three-stage construction, design, and scientific and technological experiment program performed in the French Underground Research Laboratory (URL) in Bure. These stages of the URL activities supported the iterative interactions between the knowledge acquired by scientific and technological R and D program, the design process and the safety assessment. The stages focused on assessing the suitability of the disposal concept, providing the basis for safety options and construction design, and preparing for licensing using large scale demonstrations. Recently, Andra launched the fourth development stage of the URL to implement a new set of technological experiments aiming at consolidating the design options of disposal cells and galleries for the pilot phase of Cigeo and at assessing monitoring technologies. Recently, Andra launched the fourth development stage of the URL to implement a new set of technological experiments aiming at consolidating the design of the pilot phase of Cigeo and at assessing design options and monitoring technologies. Removal of a segment ring, construction of an X drift crossing, improved construction techniques for HLW vaults, and construction of an ILW-LL prototype disposal vault are example activities during the fourth phase. In the future, the URL in Bure will remain a unique location to carry out research on promising technical solutions, to reduce Cigeo's construction and operation risks and strengthen the long-term safety assessment. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Corongraphic Observations and Analyses of The Ultraviolet Solar Corona

The activities supported under NASA Grant NAG5-613 included the following: 1) reduction and scientific analysis of data from three sounding rocket flights of the Rocket Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer, 2) development of ultraviolet spectroscopic diagnostic techniques to provide a detailed empirical description of the extended solar corona, 3) extensive upgrade of the rocket instrument to become the Ultraviolet Coronal Spectrometer (UVCS) for Spartan 201,4) instrument scientific calibration and characterization, 5) observation planning and mission support for a series of five Spartan 201 missions (fully successful except for STS 87 where the Spartan spacecraft was not successfully deployed and the instruments were not activated), and 6) reduction and scientific analysis of the UVCS/Spartan 201 observational data. The Ultraviolet Coronal Spectrometer for Spartan 201 was one unit of a joint payload and the other unit was a White Light Coronagraph (WLC) provided by the High Altitude Observatory and the Goddard Space Flight Center. The two instruments were used in concert to determine plasma parameters describing structures in the extended solar corona. They provided data that could be used individually or jointly in scientific analyses. The WLC provided electron column densities in high spatial resolution and high time resolution. UVCS/Spartan provided hydrogen velocity distributions, and line of sight hydrogen velocities. The hydrogen intensities from UVCS together with the electron densities from WLC were used to determine hydrogen outflow velocities. The UVCS also provided O VI intensities which were used to develop diagnostics for velocity distributions and outflow velocities of minor ions.

Kohl, John L.↗

The NREL Sensor Laboratory: Status and Future Directions for Hydrogen Detection

The NREL Hydrogen Sensor Laboratory was commissioned in 2010 as a resource for the national and international hydrogen community to ensure the availability and proper use of hydrogen sensors. Since then, the Sensor Laboratory has provided unbiased verification of hydrogen sensor performance for sensor developers, end-users, and regulatory agencies and has also provided active support for numerous code and standards development organizations. Although sensor performance assessment remains a core capability, the mission of the NREL Sensor Laboratory has expanded toward a more holistic approach regarding the role of hydrogen detection and its implementation strategy for both assurance of facility safety as well as for process control applications. Active monitoring for detection of unintended releases has been identified by the NFPA 2 Storage Task Group as a viable approach for improving facility safety and lowering setbacks. The current research program for the Sensor Laboratory addresses both conventional and advanced developing detection strategies in response to the emerging large-scale markets, such as those envisioned by H2@Scale. These emerging hydrogen applications may require alternative detection strategies that supplement and may ultimately supplant the use of traditional sensors for monitoring hydrogen releases. Research focus areas for the NREL Sensor Laboratory now encompasses the characterization of released hydrogen behavior to optimize detection strategies for both indoor and outdoor applications, advanced methods of hydrogen leak detection such as hydrogen wide area monitoring approaches for large scale and distributed applications, the incorporation of active monitoring as a risk reduction strategy to improve safety at hydrogen facilities, and continuing support of hydrogen safety codes and standards. In addition to assurance of safety, detection will be critical for process control applications, such as hydrogen fuel quality verification for fuel cell vehicle applications and for monitoring and controlling of hydrogen-natural gas blend composition.

codes and standards↗

Publications of the exobiology program for 1986: A special bibliography

A list of 1986 publications resulting from research pursued under the auspices of NASA's Exobiology Program is contained. Research supported by the program is explored in the areas of cosmic evolution of biogenic compounds, prebiotic evolution, early evolution of life, and evolution of advanced life. Premission and preproject activities supporting these areas are supported in the areas of solar system exploration and search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

Source record↗

Elimination of Class-9 Hazards in Lithium-ion Recycling (Final Report)

The objective of this project was based upon the FOA request to demonstrate replication of results of the innovation to different locations. The project demonstrated battery deactivation innovations on different battery formats, chemistries, and within various industrial settings. The successful deactivation process was demonstrated on mainstream applications as well as safety-outliers, such as batteries that may have a residual charge. Success of deactivation was shown through repeated observations that various treated batteries do not exhibit thermal runaway with exposure to excessive heating or nail penetration. Deactivation processing was successfully demonstrated on batteries from private industry, public transit authorities, and military formats accessed with support of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). Third party analysis of deactivated batteries is ongoing through use of voucher programs available through OnTo’s Made in America Phase II Battery Recycling Prize, and OnTo’s CalTestBed award; these activities support the future special permit or declassification of deactivation treated material that has a firm foundation in results from this project. The project demonstrated the potential for a service business to perform the activities of electrolyte removal and reactivity elimination from large electric vehicle batteries in a relevant environment such as a battery testing and repackaging, or public-transit electric bus service shop. This successful project provided the first description, demonstration, and basis to teach quality control and assurance of successful battery deactivation.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Data Systems Dynamic Simulation - A total system for data system design assessments and trade studies

Data Systems Dynamic Simulation is a simulation system designed to reduce cost and time and increase the confidence and comprehensiveness of Data Systems Simulation. It is designed to simulate large data processing and communications systems from end-to-end or by subsystem. Those features relevant to system timing, control, sizing, personnel support activities, cost and external influences are modeled. Emphasis is placed on ease of use, comprehensive system performance measures, and extensive post simulation analysis capability. The system has been used to support trade studies of the NASA data system needs in the 1985 to 1990 time frame.

Hooper, J. W.↗

The astrophysics program at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Three broad themes characterize the goals of the Astrophysics Division at NASA. These are obtaining an understanding of the origin and evolution of the universe, the fundamental laws of physics, and the birth and evolutionary cycle of galaxies, stars, planets and life. These goals are pursued through contemporaneous observations across the electromagnetic spectrum with high sensitivity and resolution. The strategy to accomplish these goals is fourfold: the establishment of long term space based observatories implemented through the Great Observatories program; attainment of crucial bridging and supporting measurements visa missions of intermediate and small scope conducted within the Explorer, Spacelab, and Space Station Attached Payload Programs; enhancement of scientific access to results of space based research activities through an integrated data system; and development and maintenance of the scientific/technical base for space astrophysics programs through the research and analysis and suborbital programs. The near term activities supporting the first two objectives are discussed.

Pellerin, C. J.↗

Participating in commercial space ventures: Introduction to NASA Centers for the Commercial Development of Space and the Cooperative Agreements Programs

In response to a Presidential directive, NASA has implemented a space policy which actively supports and encourages U.S. industry investment and participation in commercial space ventures. NASA's Office of Commercial Programs (OCP) has played a significant role in stimulating the growth of commercial space activity. Through a variety of programs, OCP encourages commercial interest and involvement in space endeavors by providing access to NASA resources and opportunities for the emerging space industry to reduce the technical, financial, and business risks associated with space-related activities. This manual describes NASA's Commercial Uses of Space Program and introduces participants to four major OCP Commercial programs: Technology Utilization (TU), Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Centers for the Commercial Development of Space Flight Agreement (CCDSFA), and Cooperative Agreements Programs. The objective of this manual is to assist U.S. industry identify and pursue the appropriate agreement for participation in a commercial space venture.

Source record↗

Apollo 14 flight support and system performance

The Apollo 13 incident and subsequent oxygen tank redesign for Apollo 14 placed unique requirements on the flight support activity. A major part of this activity was the integration of the various analytical efforts into a single team function. Additionally, the first flight of the redesigned system without an orbital test required an extensive analytical base. The support team philosophy, objectives, and organization are presented. Various analytical tools that were used during the flight are discussed. Investigations made during the postflight period are considered and their impact upon subsequent flights shown.

Rice, R. R.↗

Publications of the Exobiology Program for 1988: A special bibliography

The 1988 publications resulting from research pursued under the auspices of NASA's Exobiology Program are listed. The Exobiology Program is an integrated program designed to investigate those processes that may have been responsible for or related to the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe. Research supported by this program is in the areas of cosmic evolution of biogenic compounds, prebiotic evolution, early evolution of life, and evolution of advanced life. Pre-mission and pre-project activities supporting these areas are included in the areas of solar system exploration and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. A planetary protection subject area is also included because of its direct relevance to the Exobiology program.

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Advanced satellite workstation: An integrated workstation environment for operational support of satellite system planning and analysis

A prototype integrated environment, the Advanced Satellite Workstation (ASW), is described that has been developed and delivered for evaluation and operator feedback in an operational satellite control center. The current ASW hardware consists of a Sun Workstation and Macintosh II Workstation connected via an ethernet Network Hardware and Software, Laser Disk System, Optical Storage System, and Telemetry Data File Interface. The central mission of ASW is to provide an intelligent decision support and training environment for operator/analysts of complex systems such as satellites. There have been many workstation implementations recently which incorporate graphical telemetry displays and expert systems. ASW is a considerably broader look at intelligent, integrated environments for decision support, based upon the premise that the central features of such an environment are intelligent data access and integrated toolsets. A variety of tools have been constructed in support of this prototype environment including: an automated pass planner for scheduling vehicle support activities, architectural modeler for hierarchical simulation and analysis of satellite vehicle subsystems, multimedia-based information systems that provide an intuitive and easily accessible interface to Orbit Operations Handbook and other relevant support documentation, and a data analysis architecture that integrates user modifiable telemetry display systems, expert systems for background data analysis, and interfaces to the multimedia system via inter-process communication.

Sutton, Stewart A.↗

Durability Characterization of Low Ice Adhesion and Impact Resistance Coatings

Glaze, rime and mixed icing conditions can cause significant variation in aerodynamic performance, fuel efficiency, and flight safety. For commercial aircraft, active icing mitigation strategies are utilized to enable safe flight within icing conditions according to the FAR Part 25/29 Appendix C icing envelope. For general aviation and unmanned aerial vehicles that cannot support active anti-icing technologies, avoidance is the only recourse. Passive approaches have been investigated to reduce weight and energy consumption for active systems and to expand the operational envelope for smaller aircraft. Coatings are one passive method to reduce or mitigate ice accretion on frontal surfaces of commercial aircraft with the greatest region of interest being wing leading edges. Aircraft wing leading edges represent an extreme environment. Durability must be considered for any material to be applied as a coating in this area. Currently, there are no specifications regarding coating durability of a low ice adhesion material applied on the wing leading edge. Therefore, a reasonable starting point is to use the durability specifications put forth for an aircraft external coating. Besides the tests called out in these specifications, others were included such as Taber abrasion to simulate wear and erosion. Beyond durability, performance metrics with regards to adhesion strength of accreted in-flight (i.e., impact) icing are central to determine coating usefulness. Determination of this property though is particularly challenging and only a few facilities have the capability to quantify this. An instrument at NASA Langley Research Center [Adverse Environment Rotary Test Stand Jr., (AERTS Jr.)], based on the AERTS system at The Pennsylvania State University, allows for screening numerous coatings subjected to the icing environment. To establish a benchmark for comparison with research coatings, a state-of-the-art (SOA) commercial aircraft coating was subjected to an array of salient durability and performance experiments. The same tests were conducted using a baseline epoxy (BE) resin formulation that demonstrated some initial promising results for comparison. Results from this initial screening will be discussed herein.

Miranda L Beaudry↗

Metrication report to the Congress

The principal NASA metrication activities for FY 1989 were a revision of NASA metric policy and evaluation of the impact of using the metric system of measurement for the design and construction of the Space Station Freedom. Additional studies provided a basis for focusing follow-on activity. In FY 1990, emphasis will shift to implementation of metric policy and development of a long-range metrication plan. The report which follows addresses Policy Development, Planning and Program Evaluation, and Supporting Activities for the past and coming year.

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