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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 289 records · Page 16

A description of results from the handbook on signal fade degradation for the land mobile satellite service

During the period 1983 to 1988 a series of experiments were undertaken by the Electrical Engineering Research Laboratory of the University of Texas and the Applied Physics Laboratory of the Johns Hopkins University in which propagation impairment effects were investigated for the Land Mobile Satellite Service (LMSS). The results of these efforts have appeared in a number of publications, technical reports, and conference proceedings. The rationale for the development of a 'handbook' was to locate the salient and useful results in one single document for use by communications engineers, designers of planned LMSS communications systems, and modelers of propagation effects. Where applicable, the authors have also drawn from the results of other related investigations. A description of sample results contained in this handbook which should be available in the latter part of 1990 is given.

Goldhirsh, Julius↗

A Psychoacoustic Test for Urban Air Mobility Vehicle Sound Quality

This paper describes a psychoacoustic test in the Exterior Effects Room (EER) at the NASA Langley Research Center. The test investigated the degree to which sound quality metrics (sharpness, tonality, etc.) are predictive of annoyance to notional sounds of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicles (i.e., air taxis). A suite of 136 unique (4.6 second duration) UAM rotor noise stimuli was generated. These stimuli were based on aeroacoustic predictions of a NASA reference UAM quadrotor aircraft under two flight conditions. The synthesizer changed rotor noise parameters such as the blade passage frequency, the relative level of broadband self-noise, and the relative level of tonal motor noise. With loudness constant, the synthesis parameters impacted sound quality in a way that created a spread of predictors both in synthesizer parameters and in sound quality metrics. Forty subjects listened to the suite of UAM noise stimuli in the EER and judged each sound individually on a standard scale of annoyance. Additionally, a subset of the UAM noise stimuli were compared to a reference sound that varied in loudness. From these responses, the relative effect of changes in loudness or changes in other sound quality metrics on annoyance was evaluated. This paper covers background and motivation for the test, details of how the sound stimuli were generated, and details of the test design and execution. Test results investigate how sound quality may affect perceived annoyance to UAM vehicle noise, indicating the importance of sharpness, tonality, impulsiveness, and roughness on annoyance to UAM noise.

UAM↗

Lunar surface structural concepts and construction studies

The topics are presented in viewgraph form and include the following: lunar surface structures construction research areas; lunar crane related disciplines; shortcomings of typical mobile crane in lunar base applications; candidate crane cable suspension systems; NIST six-cable suspension crane; numerical example of natural frequency; the incorporation of two new features for improved performance of the counter-balanced actively-controlled lunar crane; lunar crane pendulum mechanics; simulation results; 1/6 scale lunar crane testbed using GE robot for global manipulation; basic deployable truss approaches; bi-pantograph elevator platform; comparison of elevator platforms; perspective of bi-pantograph beam; bi-pantograph synchronously deployable tower/beam; lunar module off-loading concept; module off-loader concept packaged; starburst deployable precision reflector; 3-ring reflector deployment scheme; cross-section of packaged starburst reflector; and focal point and thickness packaging considerations.

Mikulas, Martin↗

Proceedings of the Twentieth NASA Propagation Experimenters Meeting (NAPEX XX) and the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) Propagation Studies Miniworkshop

The NASA Propagation Experimenters (NAPEX) Meeting and associated Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) Propagation Studies Miniworkshop convene yearly to discuss studies supported by the NASA Propagation Program. Representatives from the satellite communications (satcom)industry, academia, and government with an interest in space-ground radio wave propagation have peer discussion of work in progress, disseminate propagation results, and interact with the satcom industry. NAPEX XX, in Fairbanks, Alaska, June 4-5, 1996, had three sessions: (1) "ACTS Propagation Study: Background, Objectives, and Outcomes," covered results from thirteen station-years of Ka-band experiments; (2) "Propagation Studies for Mobile and Personal Satellite Applications," provided the latest developments in measurement, modeling, and dissemination of propagation phenomena of interest to the mobile, personal, and aeronautical satcom industry; and (3)"Propagation Research Topics," covered a range of topics including space/ground optical propagation experiments, propagation databases, the NASA Propagation Web Site, and revision plans for the NASA propagation effects handbooks. The ACTS Miniworkshop, June 6, 1996, covered ACTS status, engineering support for ACTS propagation terminals, and the ACTS Propagation Data Center. A plenary session made specific recommendations for the future direction of the program.

Golshan, Nassar↗

Hand-Held Devices Detect Explosives and Chemical Agents

Ion Applications Inc., of West Palm Beach, Florida, partnered with Ames Research Center through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) agreements to develop a miniature version ion mobility spectrometer (IMS). While NASA was interested in the instrument for detecting chemicals during exploration of distant planets, moons, and comets, the company has incorporated the technology into a commercial hand-held IMS device for use by the military and other public safety organizations. Capable of detecting and identifying molecules with part-per-billion sensitivity, the technology now provides soldiers with portable explosives and chemical warfare agent detection. The device is also being adapted for detecting drugs and is employed in industrial processes such as semiconductor manufacturing.

Source record↗

Changes in Exercise Data Management

The suite of exercise hardware aboard the International Space Station (ISS) generates an immense amount of data. The data collected from the treadmill, cycle ergometer, and resistance strength training hardware are basic exercise parameters (time, heart rate, speed, load, etc.). The raw data are post processed in the laboratory and more detailed parameters are calculated from each exercise data file. Updates have recently been made to how this valuable data are stored, adding an additional level of data security, increasing data accessibility, and resulting in overall increased efficiency of medical report delivery. Questions regarding exercise performance or how exercise may influence other variables of crew health frequently arise within the crew health care community. Inquiries over the health of the exercise hardware often need quick analysis and response to ensure the exercise system is operable on a continuous basis. Consolidating all of the exercise system data in a single repository enables a quick response to both the medical and engineering communities. A SQL server database is currently in use, and provides a secure location for all of the exercise data starting at ISS Expedition 1 - current day. The database has been structured to update derived metrics automatically, making analysis and reporting available within minutes of dropping the inflight data it into the database. Commercial tools were evaluated to help aggregate and visualize data from the SQL database. The Tableau software provides manageable interface, which has improved the laboratory's output time of crew reports by 67%. Expansion of the SQL database to be inclusive of additional medical requirement metrics, addition of 'app-like' tools for mobile visualization, and collaborative use (e.g. operational support teams, research groups, and International Partners) of the data system is currently being explored.

Buxton, R. E.↗

Changes in Exercise Data Management

The suite of exercise hardware aboard the International Space Station (ISS) generates an immense amount of data. The data collected, treadmill, cycle ergometer, and resistance strength training hardware, are basic exercise parameters (time, heart rate, speed, load, etc.). The raw data are processed in the laboratory and more detailed parameters are calculated from each exercise data file. Updates recently have been made to how these valuable data are stored, adding an additional level of security, increasing accessibility, and resulting in overall increased efficiency of medical report delivery. Questions regarding exercise performance or how exercise may influence other variables of crew health frequently arise within the crew health care community. Inquiries regarding the health of the exercise hardware often need quick analysis and response to ensure the exercise system is operable on a continuous basis. Consolidating all of the exercise system data in a single repository enables a quick response to both the medical and engineering communities. A SQL server database is currently in use, and provides a secure location for all of the exercise data starting at ISS Expedition 1 to current date. The database has been structured to update derived metrics automatically, making analysis and reporting available within minutes of dropping the in-flight data into the database. Commercial tools were evaluated to help aggregate and visualize data from the SQL database. The Tableau software provides manageable interface, which has improved the laboratory’s output time of crew reports by 67%. Expansion of the SQL database, to be inclusive of additional medical requirement metrics, addition of ‘app-like’ tools for mobile visualization, and collaborative use (e.g., operational support teams, research groups, and International Partners) of the data system, is currently being explored.

Buxton, R. E.↗

Low Power Microrobotics Utilizing Biologically Inspired Energy Generation

The Low Power Microrobotics (LPM) project is a NASA NIAC-funded multi-disciplinary research effort involving the research and advancement of low power electronics, low power mobility and their integration with state of the art microbial fuel cell for power generation. The goal of this project was to advance the capabilities of each of these systems with a 10-year future target of a near one kilogram space exploration vehicle that contains each of these systems. In order to accomplish this task, each system was investigated independently in order to establish the power requirements/limitations while considering how each system affects the other systems. This was performed through numerous trade studies and experimental work, primarily focused around the power capacity of the microbial fuel cell base-lined for this project and how its strengths and limitations affected the design of the remaining onboard systems. Finally an end-to-end system test utilized a microbial fuel cell to charge a super capacitor through an energy harvesting circuit, which was discharged to activate a robotic locomotion system.

Microrobotics↗

Open e2e Testing Initiative with Open MCT

Open MCT (Open Mission Control Technologies) is a next-generation mission control framework for visualization of data on desktop and mobile devices. It is developed at NASA’s Ames Research Center, and is being used by NASA for data analysis of spacecraft missions, as well as planning and operation of experimental rover systems. This advanced application needs an advanced battery of tests… and you! In this talk, we’ll outline how the Open MCT project is leveraging the testing community to write mission critical e2e tests. We’ll start with the unique (and not so unique) requirements of Open MCT test automation and how they’re addressed with Playwright. Next, we’ll detail the approach to open sourcing the tests and associated challenges. We’ll end with some lessons learned and detail how you can get started testing NASA Open MCT — no previous experience with javascript or web testing required!

John Hill↗

Irrigation in the Earth System

Irrigation accounts for ~70% of global freshwater withdrawals and ~90% of consumptive water use, driving myriad Earth system impacts. In this Review, we summarize how irrigation currently impacts key components of the Earth system. Estimates suggest that more than 3.6 million km 2 of currently irrigated land, with hot spots in the intensively cultivated US High Plains, California Central Valley, Indo-Gangetic Basin and northern China. Process-based models estimate that ~2,700 ± 540 km 3 irrigation water is withdrawn globally each year, broadly consistent with country-reported values despite these estimates embedding substantial uncertainties. Expansive irrigation has modified surface energy balance and biogeochemical cycling. A shift from sensible to latent heat fluxes, and resulting land–atmosphere feedbacks, generally reduce regional growing season surface temperatures by ~1–3 °C. Irrigation can ameliorate temperature extremes in some regions, but conversely exacerbates moist heat stress. Modelled precipitation responses are more varied, with some intensive cropping regions exhibiting suppressed local precipitation but enhanced precipitation downstream owing to atmospheric circulation interactions. Additionally, irrigation could enhance cropland carbon uptake; however, it can also contribute to elevated methane fluxes in rice systems and mobilize nitrogen loading to groundwater. Cross-disciplinary, integrative research efforts can help advance understanding of these irrigation–Earth system interactions, and identify and reduce uncertainties, biases and limitations.

Climate sciences↗

Cooperative and Non-Cooperative UAS Detection

This paper describes a system that enhances airspace situational awareness by detecting and identifying Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). This multi-domain solution tracks both cooperative scientific flights as well as non-cooperative intrusions from "bad actors." The system supports a critical push towards safety within NASA’s advanced air mobility mission. After surveying the existing technologies at Langley Research Center, the radar and visual systems were chosen for the primary and secondary detection mechanisms, respectively. These systems were tuned an upgraded to become more sensitive to UAS activity. Additionally, a Remote Identification receiver was procured and integrated into the flight surveillance system.

Lucas Barduson↗

Data & Reasoning Fabric: Minimum Viable Product

A Data & Reasoning Fabric (DRF) is envisioned to enable the full potential of advanced air mobility by providing all data and reasoning where they are needed. The DRF provides a marketplace based on an open foundational ecosystem of data and reasoning exchange between the many systems that must seamlessly interplay to manage the complex and dense airspace operations required to achieve advanced air mobility goals. DRF activities will identify, test and - as needed - research and develop critical core technologies. In order to deliver reference designs and development environments that catalyze broad private and public sector buy-in and self-sustaining development of DRF and associated standards, DRF activities will collaboratively test these technologies, open standards and architectures, and an integrated framework with end users.

UAM↗

Certainty grids for mobile robots

A numerical representation of uncertain and incomplete sensor knowledge called Certainty Grids has been used successfully in several mobile robot control programs, and has proven itself to be a powerful and efficient unifying solution for sensor fusion, motion planning, landmark identification, and many other central problems. Researchers propose to build a software framework running on processors onboard the new Uranus mobile robot that will maintain a probabilistic, geometric map of the robot's surroundings as it moves. The certainty grid representation will allow this map to be incrementally updated in a uniform way from various sources including sonar, stereo vision, proximity and contact sensors. The approach can correctly model the fuzziness of each reading, while at the same time combining multiple measurements to produce sharper map features, and it can deal correctly with uncertainties in the robot's motion. The map will be used by planning programs to choose clear paths, identify locations (by correlating maps), identify well-known and insufficiently sensed terrain, and perhaps identify objects by shape. The certainty grid representation can be extended in the same dimension and used to detect and track moving objects.

Moravec, H. P.↗

FTP-Server for exchange, interpretation, and database-search of ion mobility spectra, literature, preprints and software

To assist current discussion in the field of ion mobility spectrometry, at the Institut fur Spectrochemie und angewandte Spektroskopie, Dortmund, start with 4th of December, 1994 work of an FTP-Server, available for all research groups at univerisities, institutes and research worker in industry. We support the exchange, interpretation, and database-search of ion mobility spectra through data format JCAMP-DS (Joint Committee on Atomic and Molecular Physical Data) as well as literature retrieval, pre-print, notice, and discussion board. We describe in general lines the entrance conditions, local addresses, and main code words. For further details, a monthly news report will be prepared for all common users. Internet email address for subscribing is included in document.

Baumbach, J. I.↗

eVTOL Passenger Experience Final Report

The eVTOL Passenger Experience study was conducted to give an overview of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Passenger Considerations and Design Consideration. The objectives were to survey the existing body of knowledge regarding aviation passenger experience, understand current issues pertaining to eVTOL passenger operations, correlate passenger issues to dosing and operational parameters, identify mitigations and gaps in understanding, and to develop recommendations for NASA research.

eVTOL Passenger Experience Urban Air Mobility (UAM↗

Preliminary Evaluation of National Campaign Scenarios for Urban Air Mobility

Urban Air Mobility and Advanced Air Mobility concepts offer a novel method for transportation of passengers and cargo. Whereas the concept may reduce congestion of roads and highways, it also introduces new complexity to the National Airspace in terms of management of such operations. NASA, in partnership with FAA and industry, approaches these complexities with research and development activities such as flight tests and simulations, in order to better understand the impacts and necessary mechanisms by which these operations could be integrated. One example of such research and development activity that NASA is conducting is the Advanced Air Mobility National Campaign effort. Flight-test scenarios were proposed as part of the National Campaign and tested in simulation for evaluation with industry partners prior to the Flight test. This simulation, exercised as an engineering evaluation, provided a data collection opportunity to better understand what iterations and modifications would be needed to successfully demonstrate the flight-test scenarios in order to mature the concept of Urban Air Mobility and Advanced Air Mobility.

urban air mobility↗

Preliminary Evaluation of National Campaign Scenarios for Urban Air Mobility

Urban Air Mobility and Advanced Air Mobility concepts offer a novel method for transportation of passengers and cargo. Whereas the concept may reduce congestion of roads and highways, it also introduces new complexity to the National Airspace in terms of management of such operations. NASA, in partnership with FAA and industry, approaches these complexities with research and development activities such as flight tests and simulations, in order to better understand the impacts and necessary mechanisms by which these operations could be integrated. One example of such research and development activity that NASA is conducting is the Advanced Air Mobility National Campaign effort. Flight-test scenarios were proposed as part of the National Campaign and tested in simulation for evaluation with industry partners prior to the Flight test. This simulation, exercised as an engineering evaluation, provided a data collection opportunity to better understand what iterations and modifications would be needed to successfully demonstrate the flight-test scenarios in order to mature the concept of Urban Air Mobility and Advanced Air Mobility.

Urban Air Mobility↗

Polymer research

Estimating solubility parameters from refractive index data, cationic crosslinking agents, and activated carrier mobility in organic solids

Source record↗