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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Mission Design Considerations for a Low-Thrust Spacecraft

Developing an executable low-thrust trajectory for use in a spaceflight mission requires the design and optimization of a deterministic trajectory as well as the validation that the selected architecture is robust to some set of uncertainties, execution errors, and potential contingencies. Uncertainty in the ability of the spacecraft and its launch vehicle to execute a trajectory as well as potential deviations such as in-flight anomalies combine with design-to constraints and requirements to complicate the optimization problem. The approach by which robust mission design was accomplished for the initial capability of NASA’s Gateway is presented as well as associated results.

NRHO↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Mission Design Considerations for a Low-Thrust Spacecraft

Developing an executable low-thrust trajectory for use in a spaceflight mission requires the design and optimization of a deterministic trajectory as well as the validation that the selected architecture is robust to some set of uncertainties, execution errors, and potential contingencies. Uncertainty in the ability of the spacecraft and its launch vehicle to execute a trajectory as well as potential deviations such as in-flight anomalies combine with design-to constraints and requirements to complicate the optimization problem. The approach by which robust mission design was accomplished for the initial capability of NASA’s Gateway is presented as well as associated results.

mission design↗
NASA NTRS1986

Design considerations for flight test of a fault inferring nonlinear detection system algorithm for avionics sensors

This paper summarizes the modifications made to the design of a fault inferring nonlinear detection system (FINDS) algorithm to accommodate flight computer constraints and the resulting impact on the algorithm performance. An overview of the flight data-driven FINDS algorithm is presented. This is followed by a brief analysis of the effects of modifications to the algorithm on program size and execution speed. Significant improvements in estimation performance for the aircraft states and normal operating sensor biases, which have resulted from improved noise design parameters and a new steady-state wind model, are documented. The aircraft state and sensor bias estimation performances of the algorithm's extended Kalman filter are presented as a function of update frequency of the piecewise constant filter gains. The results of a new detection system strategy and failure detection performance, as a function of an update frequency, are also presented.

Caglayan, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Design considerations for future planetary space suits

Manned extravehicular activity (EVA) operations will be major mission elements of planned future U.S. space operations. Whether designed for orbital operations or planetary surface exploration, the EVA system must be safe and reliable, and must provide a high degree of performance capabilities. An extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) consisting of a space suit, EVA gloves, and a portable life support system (PLSS) is central to the EVA system. A rugged, highly reliable, mobile, reusable, and easily maintained EVA suit and compact PLSS must meet the specific requirements of the intended mission. Additional requirements imposed by exposure to surface and gravitational environments are the need for lightweight, high-strength materials for fabricating EMUs to prevent astronaut fatigue and the need for dust protection measures and removal techniques to prevent contamination. Also, operational pressure for habitats should be chosen so as to maintain zero-prebreathe conditions while allowing for lower EMU operating pressure.

Kosmo, Joseph J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Design considerations of advanced supercritical low drag suction airfoils

Supercritical low drag suction laminar flow airfoils were laid out for shock-free flow at design freestream Mach = 0.76, design lift coefficient = 0.58, and t/c = 0.13. The design goals were the minimization of suction laminarization problems and the assurance of shock-free flow at freestream Mach not greater than design freestream Mach (for design lift coefficient) as well as at lift coefficient not greater than design lift coefficient (for design freestream Mach); this involved limiting the height-to-length ratio of the supersonic zone at design to 0.35. High design freestream Mach numbers result with extensive supersonic flow (over 80% of the chord) on the upper surface, with a steep Stratford-type rear pressure rise with suction, as well as by carrying lift essentially in front- and rear-loaded regions of the airfoil with high static pressures on the carved out front and rear lower surface.

Pfenninger, W.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Design Considerations for Lightweight Space Radiators Based on Fabrication and Test Experience with a Carbon-Carbon Composite Prototype Heat Pipe

This report discusses the design implications for spacecraft radiators made possible by the successful fabrication and Proof-of-concept testing of a graphite-fiber-carbon-matrix composite (i.e., carbon-carbon (C-C)) heat pipe. The proto-type heat pipe, or space radiator element, consists of a C-C composite shell with integrally woven fins. It has a thin-walled furnace-brazed metallic (Nb-1%Zr) liner with end caps for containment of the potassium working fluid. A short extension of this liner, at increased wall thickness beyond the C-C shell, forms the heat pipe evaporator section which is in thermal contact with the radiator fluid that needs to be cooled. From geometric and thermal transport properties of the C-C composite heat pipe tested, a specific radiator mass of 1.45 kg/m2 can be derived. This is less than one-fourth the specific mass of present day satellite radiators. The report also discusses the advantage of segmented space radiator designs utilizing heat pipe elements, or segments, in their survivability to micro-meteoroid damage. This survivability is further raised by the use of condenser sections with attached fins, which also improve the radiation heat transfer rate. Since the problem of heat radiation from a fin does not lend itself to a closed analytical solution, a derivation of the governing differential equation and boundary conditions is given in appendix A, along with solutions for rectangular and parabolic fin profile geometries obtained by use of a finite difference computer code written by the author.

Juhasz, Albert J.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Design Considerations for Lightweight Space Radiators Based on Fabrication and Test Experience With a Carbon-Carbon Composite Prototype Heat Pipe

This report discusses the design implications for spacecraft radiators made possible by the successful fabrication and proof-of-concept testing of a graphite-fiber-carbon-matrix composite (i.e., carbon-carbon (C-C)) heat pipe. The prototype heat pipe, or space radiator element, consists of a C-C composite shell with integrally woven fins. It has a thin-walled furnace-brazed metallic (Nb-1%Zr) liner with end caps for containment of the potassium working fluid. A short extension of this liner, at increased wall thickness beyond the C-C shell, forms the heat pipe evaporator section which is in thermal contact with the radiator fluid that needs to be cooled. From geometric and thermal transport properties of the C-C composite heat pipe tested, a specific radiator mass of 1.45 kg/sq m can be derived. This is less than one-fourth the specific mass of present day satellite radiators. The report also discusses the advantage of segmented space radiator designs utilizing heat pipe elements, or segments, in their survivability to micrometeoroid damage. This survivability is further raised by the use of condenser sections with attached fins, which also improve the radiation heat transfer rate. Since the problem of heat radiation from a fin does not lend itself to a closed analytical solution, a derivation of the governing differential equation and boundary conditions is given in appendix A, along with solutions for rectangular and parabolic fin profile geometries obtained by use of a finite difference computer code written by the author.

Juhasz, Albert J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Design considerations for beamwaveguide in the NASA Deep Space Network

A generalized solution is found for retrofitting a large dual-shaped reflector antenna for a beamwaveguide. The design is termed as a bypass beamwaveguide. Both highpass design feed imaging and bandpass design feed imaging are considered. Each design was studied using geometrical optics, Gaussian wave analysis, and both low-frequency and high-frequency diffraction analysis. An important extension of the Mizusawa-Kitsuregawa criteria was discovered (Zusama and Kitsuregawa, 1973). The principle revealed shows how a two-reflector cell, although in itself distorting, may be combined with a second cell which compensates for the first and delivers an output beam which is a good image of the input beam.

Veruttipong, Thavath↗
NASA NTRS1984

Natural laminar flow airfoil design considerations for winglets on low-speed airplanes

Winglet airfoil section characteristics which significantly influence cruise performance and handling qualities of an airplane are discussed. A good winglet design requires an airfoil section with a low cruise drag coefficient, a high maximum lift coefficient, and a gradual and steady movement of the boundary layer transition location with angle of attack. The first design requirement provides a low crossover lift coefficient of airplane drag polars with winglets off and on. The other requirements prevent nonlinear changes in airplane lateral/directional stability and control characteristics. These requirements are considered in the design of a natural laminar flow airfoil section for winglet applications and chord Reynolds number of 1 to 4 million.

Vandam, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Design considerations for space radiators based on the liquid sheet (LSR) concept

This study is directed at performing a comparative examination of LSR characteristics as they affect the basic design of low earth orbit solar dynamic conversion systems. The power systems considered were based on the closed Brayton (CBC) and the free piston Stirling (FPS) cycles, each with a power output of 2 kWe and using previously tested silicone oil (Dow-Corning Me2) as the radiator working fluid. Conclusions indicate that, due to its ability for direct cold end cooling, an LSR based heat rejection subsystem is far more compatible with a Stirling space power system than with a CBC, which requires LSR coupling by means of an intermediate gas/liquid heat exchanger and adjustment of cycle operating conditions.

Juhasz, Albert J.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Structural Design Considerations for an 8-m Space Telescope

NASA's upcoming ARES V launch vehicle, with its' immerse payload capacities (both volume and mass) has opened the possibilities for a whole new paradigm of space observatories. It becomes practical to consider a monolith mirror of sufficient size to permit significant scientific advantages, both in collection area and smoothness or figure at a reasonable price. The technologies and engineering to manufacture and test 8 meter class monoliths is mature, with nearly a dozen of such mirrors already in operation around the world. This paper will discuss the design requirements to adapt an 8m meniscus mirror into a Space Telescope System, both launch and operational considerations are included. With objects this massive and structurally sensitive, the mirror design must include all stages of the process. Based upon the experiences of the Hubble Space Telescope, testing and verification at both component and integrated system levels are considered vital to mission success. To this end, two different component level test methods for gravity sag (the so call zero- gravity simulation or test mount) are proposed, with one of these methods suitable for the full up system level testing as well.

Arnold, William R. Sr.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Optomechanical design considerations in the development of the DDLT laser diode collimator

A laser diode collimator objective was developed in support of the Direct Detection Transceiver program. Close attention to optomechanical design issues including athermalization, alignment, selection of materials, mounting of elements, and hermetic sealing of the assembly was necessary to insure that the desired optical performance was maintained in space deployment.

Kampe, Thomas U.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Conceptual design considerations for the Astrometric Telescope Facility

The system of an astrometric telescope on the Space Station and its support by the Station are described and its feasibility demonstrated. The conceptual design shows that such a facility provides a basis for the study of design alternatives and a point of departure for a detailed design. Basic requirements for this preliminary design are outlined.

Dyer, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Design considerations for the airframe-integrated scramjet

Research programs at the NASA Langley Research Center on the development of airframe-integrated scramjet concepts (supersonic combustion ramjet) are reviewed briefly. The design and performance of a specific scramjet configuration are examined analytically by use of recently developed and substantiated techniques on boundary-layer development, heat transfer, fuel-air mixing, heat-release rates, and engine-cycle analysis. These studies indicate that the fixed-geometry scramjet module will provide practical levels of thrust performance with low cooling requirements. Areas which need particular emphasis in further development work are the combustor design for low speeds and the integrated nozzle design.

Henry, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Design consideration in constructing high performance embedded Knowledge-Based Systems (KBS)

As the hardware trends for artificial intelligence (AI) involve more and more complexity, the process of optimizing the computer system design for a particular problem will also increase in complexity. Space applications of knowledge based systems (KBS) will often require an ability to perform both numerically intensive vector computations and real time symbolic computations. Although parallel machines can theoretically achieve the speeds necessary for most of these problems, if the application itself is not highly parallel, the machine's power cannot be utilized. A scheme is presented which will provide the computer systems engineer with a tool for analyzing machines with various configurations of array, symbolic, scaler, and multiprocessors. High speed networks and interconnections make customized, distributed, intelligent systems feasible for the application of AI in space. The method presented can be used to optimize such AI system configurations and to make comparisons between existing computer systems. It is an open question whether or not, for a given mission requirement, a suitable computer system design can be constructed for any amount of money.

Dalton, Shelly D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The LACIE data bases: Design considerations

The implementation of direct access storage devices for LACIE is discussed with emphasis on the storage and retrieval of image data. Topics covered include the definition of the problem, the solution methodology (design decisions), the initial operational structure, and the modifications which were incorporated. Some conclusions and projections of future problems to be solved are also presented.

Westberry, L. E.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Cryogenic propellant thermal control system design considerations, analyses, and concepts applied to a Mars human exploration mission

This paper analyzes, defines, and sizes cryogenic storage thermal control systems that meet the requirements of future NASA Mars human exploration missions. The design issues of this system include the projection of the existing Multilayer Insulation data base for cryogenic storage to much thicker (10 cm or more) insulation systems, the unknown heat leak from mechanical interfaces, and the thermal and structural performance effects of the large tank sizes required for a Mars mission. Acknowledging these unknown effects, heat loss projections are made based on extrapolation of the existing data base. The results indicate that hydrogen, methane, and oxygen are feasible propellants, and that the best suited thermal control sytems are 'thick' MLI, thermodynamic vent sytems, cryocoolers, and vacuum jackets.

Plachta, David W.↗