Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “space computing”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1988

Space-borne computing for the year 2000 and beyond

The influence and utilization of computers in space science investigations greatly enhances the ability to address difficult and complicated questions about the Universe. Space Science is wholly dependent on computers because the data acquired from instruments on the spacecraft are not only complicated in form but also voluminous. Athough a great deal of attention has been paid to develop efficient and powerful computing systems on-ground, research in the area of spaceborne computing is far from satisfactory. On-board processing of data will be important in future planetary missions where telemetry rates constrain the total amount of data which can be returned and decisions may have to be made in real time. Little thought has been given to a dynamic man-machine interface with regard to scientific real-time interactive control of flight experiments. Careful thinking is therefore essential to define appropriate spaceborne computing requirements for the future. It is imperative that powerful multiprocessing systems for on-board processing be experimentally impleneted and evaluated in selected application missions. The presentation addresses key issues and attempts to define the requirements for such processing with some of NASA's future missions in perspective. The resulting architectural and performance issues and possible developments are also addressed.

Iyer, Ravi K.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Computing in space: Issues and answers

Future plans for space exploration call for scientific instruments whose data is increasingly voluminous, far exceeding constraints set by telemetry rates, and therefore, an increased role for spaceborne computing. Three issues that greatly influence the realization of spaceborne computing systems are addressed. The first involves the identification of those research problems which are unique to space computing. Resources must be expended on these problems if efforts are to add value to, and have impact on, the technology of computing in space. The second addresses the transfer of new technology from the research laboratory to use in space. What can be done to expedite this process and shrink the technology gap that separates Earth and space based systems must be assessed. The third issue involves the user's point of view of what is required of new space computing systems. That is, what are the driving forces that most influence customers' decisions to use or not use new technology? Issues of design environment for spaceborne computers, tools for modeling and evaluation of flight systems, and validation of space flight hardware and software are also discussed.

Davidson, John M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Spacelab data analysis using the space plasma computer analysis network (SCAN) system

The Space-plasma Computer Analysis Network (SCAN) currently connects a large number of U.S. Spacelab investigators into a common computer network. Used primarily by plasma physics researchers at present, SCAN provides access to Spacelab investigators in other areas of space science, to Spacelab and non-Spacelab correlative data bases, and to large Class VI computational facilities for modeling. SCAN links computers together at remote institutions used by space researchers, utilizing commercially available software for computer-to-computer communications. Started by the NASA's Office of Space Science in mid 1980, SCAN presently contains ten system nodes located at major universities and space research laboratories, with fourteen new nodes projected for the near future. The Stanford University computer gateways allow SCAN users to connect onto the ARPANET and TELENET overseas networks.

Green, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

MAX: A space station computer option

Information on Max, a space station computer option, is given in viewgraph form. The computer option is characterized by embedded, real-time applications; synchronous, cyclic operation and asynchronous, event driven operation; computationally intensive and data intensive processing; a wide range of throughput and memory requirements; a range of fault tolerant requirements from none to full; and maintainability, including capability for on-line substitution in critical systems.

Smith, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Extending the Computer Revolution into Space

The computer revolution is far from over on Earth. It is just beginning in space. We can look forward to an era of enhanced scientific exploration of the solar system and even other start systems. We can look forward to the benefits of this space revolution to commercial uses on and around Earth.

Deutsch, Leslie J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Some mesh generation requirements and methods

Discretized solution algorithms, which find solutions of field equations in a two or three dimensional field, generally use meshes which are fitted to the field boundary to allow convenient formulation of boundary conditions there. A mesh is defined to be the image of a rectangular grid in computational space under a mesh mapping which maps computational space into physical space. It is not necessary that all of computational space be mapped onto the region of interest in physical space. Parts of it can be excised to give a better fit to the boundary. Many different excisions can be made to fit a single boundary; the choice depends on the mesh arrangement desired in the field.

Dickson, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1970

Separation of two bodies in space

Computer program analyzes the motion of two rigid bodies in space, separating as a result of any one, or a combination of, the following mechanisms - springs with ball ends, springs with one end guided, pyrotechnics, rockets, cold-gas jets, air pistons, and Coulomb drag.

Chamberlain, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1994

CRI planning and scheduling for space

Computer Resources International (CRI) has many years of experience in developing space planning and scheduling systems for the European Space Agency. Activities range from AIT/AIV planning over mission planning to research in on-board autonomy using advanced planning and scheduling technologies in conjunction with model based diagnostics. This article presents four projects carried out for ESA by CRI with various subcontractors: (1) DI, Distributed Intelligence for Ground/Space Systems is an on-going research project; (2) GMPT, Generic Mission Planning Toolset, a feasibility study concluded in 1993; (3) OPTIMUM-AIV, Open Planning Tool for AIV, development of a knowledge based AIV planning and scheduling tool ended in 1992; and (4) PlanERS-1, development of an AI and knowledge-based mission planning prototype for the ERS-1 earth observation spacecraft ended in 1991.

Aarup, Mads↗
NASA NTRS1990

The expanded role of computers in Space Station Freedom real-time operations

The challenges that NASA and its international partners face in their real-time operation of the Space Station Freedom necessitate an increased role on the part of computers. In building the operational concepts concerning the role of the computer, the Space Station program is using lessons learned experience from past programs, knowledge of the needs of future space programs, and technical advances in the computer industry. The computer is expected to contribute most significantly in real-time operations by forming a versatile operating architecture, a responsive operations tool set, and an environment that promotes effective and efficient utilization of Space Station Freedom resources.

Crawford, R. Paul↗
NASA NTRS1984

Numerical computation of space shuttle orbiter flow field

The complete inviscid viscous real gas flow around the Space Shuttle Orbiter was computed. Real gas effects are important in predicting the reentry environment around the Orbiter because the high temperatures within the shock layer cause the air to dissociate and ionize, thus invalidating the perfect gas assumption. It is shown that real gas effects has a significant influence on the Orbiter aerodynamics. The approach utilizes a time dependent Navier-Stokes code to compute the subsonic nose portion of the flow field. This nose solution provides the initial conditions for the parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) code.

Tannehill, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Towards a theory of automated elliptic mesh generation

The theory of elliptic mesh generation is reviewed and the fundamental problem of constructing computational space is discussed. It is argued that the construction of computational space is an NP-Complete problem and therefore requires a nonstandard approach for its solution. This leads to the development of graph-theoretic, combinatorial optimization and integer programming algorithms. Methods for the construction of two dimensional computational space are presented.

Cordova, J. Q.↗