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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Standardization of ground and flight data interfaces for spaceflight instrument support

Instrument Ground Support Equipment (IGSE) will be used for instrument support on both the ground and flight phases of the Gamma-Ray Observatory (GRO) program. These mission phases include instrument development, observatory integration and test, prelaunch processing at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) end-to-end testing, and in-orbit operations. The data interfaces between each of the IGSE's and the ground and flight systems have been evaluated to determine whether they should be standardized, and, if so, to what standard and why? Standardization, in this concept, provides for the capability to use the same IGSE without change as these systems are used throughout the various phases of the mission listed above. This evaluation has shown that there is a cost savings associated with standardization. In addition, several other intrinsic benefits have been identified. Based on this evaluation, the international standard protocol X.25 was selected to interface each of the IGSE's to the ground and flight systems.

Felice, R.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Landsat 9 TIRS-2 Performance Results Based on Subsystem-Level Testing

Landsat 9 is the next in the series of Landsat satellites and has a complement of two pushbroom imagers: Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) that samples the solar reflective spectrum with nine channels and Thermal Infrared Sensor-2 (TIRS-2) samples the thermal infrared spectrum with two channels. The first builds of these sensors, OLI and TIRS, were launched on Landsat 8 in 2013 and Landsat 9 is expected to launch in December 2020. TIRS-2 is designed and built to continue the Landsat data record and satisfy the needs of the remote sensing community. There are two sets of requirements considered for planning the component, subsystem and instrument level tests for TIRS-2: performance requirements and Special Calibration Test Requirements (SCTR). The performance requirements specify key spectral, spatial, radiometric, and operational parameters of TIRS-2 while the SCTRs specify parameters of how the instrument is tested. Several requirements can only be verified at the instrument level, but many performance metrics can be assessed earlier in prelaunch testing at the subsystem level. A test program called TIRS Imaging Performance and Cryoshell Evaluation (TIPCE) was developed to characterize TIRS-2 spectral, spatial, and scattered-light rejection performance at the telescope and detector subsystem level. There were three thermal vacuum campaigns in TIPCE that occurred from November 2017 to March 2018. This work shows results of TIPCE data analysis which provide confidence that key requirements will be met at instrument level with a few minor waivers. A full complement of performance testing will be done at the TIRS-2 instrument level for final verification in late 2018 through Spring 2019.

scatter↗
NASA NTRS1990

EMI testing adequacy and flight anomaly history

The effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and the space environment on the performance of long-duration spacecraft hardware are surveyed, and the implications for prelaunch test procedures are indicated. Topics addressed include the need for onboard environmental monitoring devices to aid in the identification of environmentally induced anomalies, environmental modeling methods, the existing spacecraft-anomaly data bases, electrostatic discharges, radiation effects, magnetic-field effects, and terrestrial sources of EMI. Statistical data on EMI-induced anomalies are presented in graphs and discussed in detail. It is recommended that testing beyond the current MIL-STD levels be performed on equipment for long-term missions such as the Space Station.

Kuberry, Richard W.↗
NASA NTRS1998

HALOE Science Investigation

This cooperative agreement has investigated a number of spectroscopic problems of interest to the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE). The types of studies performed are in two parts, namely, those that involve the testing and characterization of correlation spectrometers and those that provide basic molecular spectroscopic information. In addition, some solar studies were performed with the calibration data returned by HALOE from orbit. In order to accomplish this a software package was written as part of this cooperative agreement. The HALOE spectroscopic instrument package was used in various tests of the HALOE flight instrument. These included the spectral response test, the early stages of the gas response test and various spectral response tests of the detectors and optical elements of the instruments. Considerable effort was also expended upon the proper laboratory setup for many of the prelaunch tests of the HALOE flight instrument, including the spectral response test and the gas response test. These tests provided the calibration and the assurance that the calibration was performed correctly.

Benner, D. Chris↗
NASA NTRS2001

STS-105 Countdown Status Briefing

Joel Wells, NASA Public Affairs, introduces Pete Nickolenko, NASA Test Director, Glen Chin, STS-105 Mission Manager, and Ed Priselac, Shuttle Weather Officer. They give an overview of the countdown to the STS-105 Discovery Orbiter launch, including details on prelaunch tests (activate and check on-board avionics software, payload bay closeout, prepare and clear launch pad, etc.), payload bay status (Leonardo Multipurpose Logistics Module), and the weather forecast. The men then answer questions from the press.

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NASA NTRS2011

Requirements for an Advanced Ocean Radiometer

This document suggests requirements for an advanced ocean radiometer, such as e.g. the ACE (Aerosol/Cloud/Ecosystem) ocean radiometer. The ACE ocean biology mission objectives have been defined in the ACE Ocean Biology white paper. The general requirements presented therein were chosen as the basis for the requirements provided in this document, which have been transformed into specific, testable requirements. The overall accuracy goal for the advanced ocean radiometer is that the total radiometric uncertainties are 0.5% or smaller for all bands. Specific mission requirements of SeaWiFS, MODIS, and VIIRS were often used as a model for the requirements presented here, which are in most cases more demanding than the heritage requirements. Experience with on-orbit performance and calibration (from SeaWiFS and MODIS) and prelaunch testing (from SeaWiFS, MODIS, and VIIRS) were important considerations when formulating the requirements. This document describes requirements in terms of the science data products, with a focus on qualities that can be verified by prelaunch radiometric characterization. It is expected that a more comprehensive requirements document will be developed during mission formulation

Meister, Gerhard↗
NASA NTRS1992

Functional test and calibration plan for the Lightning Imaging Sensor

The Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) wide field-of-view solid-state camera can measure the global distribution of lightning from LEO, through the use of a narrowband interference filter to detect the neutral O band at 777.4 nm. Prelaunch testing and calibration of the LIS has required three separate laboratory systems; absolute radiometric calibration of the sensor will be furnished over the whole spectral range by a high resolution monochromator and motorized gimbals.

Bergstrom, James W.↗
NASA NTRS2022

JPSS-2 VIIRS Day-Night Band Pre-launch Radiometric Calibration and Performance

The first two flight models of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument continue to operate onboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) and NOAA-20 spacecrafts. The third flight model is set to be launched as one of a complement of instruments onboard the Joint Polar–orbiting Satellite System-2 (JPSS-2) satellite. In addition to its 14 reflective solar bands and 7 thermal emissive bands, VIIRS has a unique Day-Night Band (DNB). The DNB is a panchromatic imager based on CCD detectors, covering a spectral range of about 500 – 900 nm. The DNB is made up of three gain stages, allowing the sensor to operate over a large dynamic range (3×10(−9) - 0.02 W⁄cm(2)/sr). As part of VIIRS pre-launch ground testing, the DNB has been characterized to determine its functionality and performance under a space-like environment. The results are compared against the design specification and to previous VIIRS flight models when applicable. This paper presents a comprehensive summary of the VIIRS DNB prelaunch testing and the results of radiometric and spectral assessments. The expected impact to on-orbit operations and calibrated data products are also discussed.

Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS)↗
NASA NTRS2019

First Results from Laser-Based Spectral Characterization of Landsat 9 Operational Land Imager-2

Landsat 9 will continue the Landsat data record into its fifth decade with launch scheduled for December 2020. The two instruments on Landsat 9 are Thermal Infrared Sensor-2 (TIRS-2) and Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2). OLI-2 is a nine-channel pushbroom imager with a 15-degree field of view that will have a 16-day measurement cadence from its nominal 705-km orbit altitude. A key aspect of the data that will be produced by OLI-2 is its spectral fidelity which enables countless science applications. The prelaunch test campaign for spectral characterization of OLI-2 was substantially improved relative to the methodology used for OLI: the full spectral response of every detector was characterized with greater accuracy, sampling, and precision. This paper will describe how this was accomplished with a tunable laser-based light source called Goddard Laser for Absolute Measurement of Radiance (GLAMR).

tunable laser↗
NASA NTRS1972

Television Data Display System (TDDS)

A television data display system at KSC is described which displays computer processed data derived from space vehicle launch and prelaunch tests. The general system capabilities and technical features are discussed in separate sections under the headings of: (1) operational use, (2) system description, (3) computer programs, (4) computer hardware, and (5) adaptability.

Sendler, K.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Observations on degradation of UV systems on Nimbus spacecraft

Broad band photometer experiments in the 1200 to 3000 A have been operating on Nimbus 3 and 4 since April 1969 for the purpose of determining the nature of variations in the UV solar irradiance. An Ebert-Fastie double monochromator has been measuring the solar irradiance and earth radiance from 2500 to 3400 A for the determination of global atmospheric ozone distributions since April 1970. From prelaunch testing and an evaluation of the flight data it is concluded that the principal source of degradation is probably the spacecraft. The degradation produces a characteristic signal loss and change in angular response of the system which might be explained by micron sized droplets becoming a permanent residue under the influence of solar UV radiation.

Heath, D. F.↗
NASA NTRS1973

A user's guide to the Mariner 9 television reduced data record

The Mariner 9 television experiment used two cameras to photograph Mars from an orbiting spacecraft. For quantitative analysis of the image data transmitted to earth, the pictures were processed by digital computer to remove camera-induced distortions. The removal process was performed by the JPL Image Processing Laboratory (IPL) using calibration data measured during prelaunch testing of the cameras. The Reduced Data Record (RDR) is the set of data which results from the distortion-removal, or decalibration, process. The principal elements of the RDR are numerical data on magnetic tape and photographic data. Numerical data are the result of correcting for geometric and photometric distortions and residual-image effects. Photographic data are reproduced on negative and positive transparency films, strip contact and enlargement prints, and microfiche positive transparency film. The photographic data consist of two versions of each TV frame created by applying two special enhancement processes to the numerical data.

Seidman, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Getaway specials

The NASA Small Self-Contained Payload or 'Getaway Special' program, allowing small experimental payloads to be flown on the Space Shuttle at low cost, is presented. The program allows any responsible person, organization or educational institution able to enter into a contract with NASA to fly a self-contained research and development payload compatible with spacecraft requirements and of weight less than 200 lb and volume less than 5 cu ft on the Space Shuttle, subject to space availability. Charges, based on package volume, range from $3000 to $10,000 in 1975 dollars, with a $500 deposit required as earnest money. NASA, in turn, will supply the shuttle flight and return, planning and technical information, the cylindrical container in which the payload is carried, control signals from the crew station, electrical power to the payload if available, elementary crew support, prelaunch testing or servicing and postflight information. Procedures for program participation are outlined.

Lee, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Wet countdown demonstration and flight readiness firing

The prelaunch tests for the Space Transportation System 1 flight are briefly described. Testing is divided into two major sections: the wet countdown demonstration test/flight readiness firing, which includes a 20 second test firing of the orbiter's three main engines, and a mission verification test, which is centered on flight and landing operations. The functions of the countdown sequence are listed and end of mission and mission abort exercises are described.

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