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All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS2015

Space Resource Utilization: Near-Term Missions and Long-Term Plans for Human Exploration

A primary goal of all major space faring nations is to explore space: from the Earth with telescopes, with robotic probes and space telescopes, and with humans. For the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this pursuit is captured in three important strategic goals: 1. Ascertain the content, origin, and evolution of the solar system and the potential for life elsewhere, 2. Extend and sustain human activities across the solar system (especially the surface of Mars), and 3. Create innovative new space technologies for exploration, science, and economic future. While specific missions and destinations are still being discussed as to what comes first, it is imperative for NASA that it foster the development and implementation of new technologies and approaches that make space exploration affordable and sustainable. Critical to achieving affordable and sustainable human exploration beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) is the development of technologies and systems to identify, extract, and use resources in space instead of bringing everything from Earth. To reduce the development and implementation costs for space resource utilization, often called In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), it is imperative to work with terrestrial mining companies to spin-in/spin-off technologies and capabilities, and space mining companies to expand our economy beyond Earth orbit. In the last two years, NASA has focused on developing and implementing a sustainable human space exploration program with the ultimate goal of exploring the surface of Mars with humans. The plan involves developing technology and capability building blocks critical for sustained exploration starting with the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion crew spacecraft and utilizing the International Space Station as a springboard into the solar system. The evolvable plan develops and expands human exploration in phases starting with missions that are reliant on Earth, to performing ever more challenging and longer duration missions in cis-lunar space and beyond, to eventually being independent from Earth. The goal is no longer just to reach a destination, but to enable people to work, learn, operate, and live safely beyond the Earth for extended periods of time, ultimately in ways that are more sustainable and even indefinite.

Sanders, Gerald B.↗

NASA NTRS2016

Water Electrolysis for In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)

Sending humans to Mars for any significant amount of time will require capabilities and technologies that enable Earth independence. To move towards this independence, the resources found on Mars must be utilized to produce the items needed to sustain humans away from Earth. To accomplish this task, NASA is studying In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) systems and techniques to make use of the atmospheric carbon dioxide and the water found on Mars. Among other things, these substances can be harvested and processed to make oxygen and methane. Oxygen is essential, not only for sustaining the lives of the crew on Mars, but also as the oxidizer for an oxygen-methane propulsion system that could be utilized on a Mars ascent vehicle. Given the presence of water on Mars, the electrolysis of water is a common technique to produce the desired oxygen. Towards this goal, NASA designed and developed a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) water electrolysis system, which was originally slated to produce oxygen for propulsion and fuel cell use in the Mars Atmosphere and Regolith COllector/PrOcessor for Lander Operations (MARCO POLO) project. As part of the Human Exploration Spacecraft Testbed for Integration and Advancement (HESTIA) project, this same electrolysis system, originally targeted at enabling in situ propulsion and power, operated in a life-support scenario. During HESTIA testing at Johnson Space Center, the electrolysis system supplied oxygen to a chamber simulating a habitat housing four crewmembers. Inside the chamber, oxygen was removed from the atmosphere to simulate consumption by the crew, and the electrolysis system's oxygen was added to replenish it. The electrolysis system operated nominally throughout the duration of the HESTIA test campaign, and the oxygen levels in the life support chamber were maintained at the desired levels.

Lee, Kristopher A.↗

NASA NTRS2016

Utilizing Commercial Hardware and Open Source Computer Vision Software to Perform Motion Capture for Reduced Gravity Flight

Long duration space travel to Mars or to an asteroid will expose astronauts to extended periods of reduced gravity. Since gravity is not present to aid loading, astronauts will use resistive and aerobic exercise regimes for the duration of the space flight to minimize the loss of bone density, muscle mass and aerobic capacity that occurs during exposure to a reduced gravity environment. Unlike the International Space Station (ISS), the area available for an exercise device in the next generation of spacecraft is limited. Therefore, compact resistance exercise device prototypes are being developed. The NASA Digital Astronaut Project (DAP) is supporting the Advanced Exercise Concepts (AEC) Project, Exercise Physiology and Countermeasures (ExPC) project and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) funded researchers by developing computational models of exercising with these new advanced exercise device concepts. To perform validation of these models and to support the Advanced Exercise Concepts Project, several candidate devices have been flown onboard NASAs Reduced Gravity Aircraft. In terrestrial laboratories, researchers typically have available to them motion capture systems for the measurement of subject kinematics. Onboard the parabolic flight aircraft it is not practical to utilize the traditional motion capture systems due to the large working volume they require and their relatively high replacement cost if damaged. To support measuring kinematics on board parabolic aircraft, a motion capture system is being developed utilizing open source computer vision code with commercial off the shelf (COTS) video camera hardware. While the systems accuracy is lower than lab setups, it provides a means to produce quantitative comparison motion capture kinematic data. Additionally, data such as required exercise volume for small spaces such as the Orion capsule can be determined. METHODS: OpenCV is an open source computer vision library that provides the ability to perform multi-camera 3 dimensional reconstruction. Utilizing OpenCV, via the Python programming language, a set of tools has been developed to perform motion capture in confined spaces using commercial cameras. Four Sony Video Cameras were intrinsically calibrated prior to flight. Intrinsic calibration provides a set of camera specific parameters to remove geometric distortion of the lens and sensor (specific to each individual camera). A set of high contrast markers were placed on the exercising subject (safety also necessitated that they be soft in case they become detached during parabolic flight); small yarn balls were used. Extrinsic calibration, the determination of camera location and orientation parameters, is performed using fixed landmark markers shared by the camera scenes. Additionally a wand calibration, the sweeping of the camera scenes simultaneously, was also performed. Techniques have been developed to perform intrinsic calibration, extrinsic calibration, isolation of the markers in the scene, calculation of marker 2D centroids, and 3D reconstruction from multiple cameras. These methods have been tested in the laboratory side-by-side comparison to a traditional motion capture system and also on a parabolic flight.

Biodynamics↗

NASA NTRS2016

Analysis and Characterization of Damage and Failure Utilizing a Generalized Composite Material Model Suitable for Use in Impact Problems

A material model which incorporates several key capabilities which have been identified by the aerospace community as lacking in state-of-the art composite impact models is under development. In particular, a next generation composite impact material model, jointly developed by the FAA and NASA, is being implemented into the commercial transient dynamic finite element code LS-DYNA. The material model, which incorporates plasticity, damage, and failure, utilizes experimentally based tabulated input to define the evolution of plasticity and damage and the initiation of failure as opposed to specifying discrete input parameters (such as modulus and strength). The plasticity portion of the orthotropic, three-dimensional, macroscopic composite constitutive model is based on an extension of the Tsai-Wu composite failure model into a generalized yield function with a non-associative flow rule. For the damage model, a strain equivalent formulation is utilized to allow for the uncoupling of the deformation and damage analyses. In the damage model, a semi-coupled approach is employed where the overall damage in a particular coordinate direction is assumed to be a multiplicative combination of the damage in that direction resulting from the applied loads in the various coordinate directions. Due to the fact that the plasticity and damage models are uncoupled, test procedures and methods to both characterize the damage model and to covert the material stress-strain curves from the true (damaged) stress space to the effective (undamaged) stress space have been developed. A methodology has been developed to input the experimentally determined composite failure surface in a tabulated manner. An analytical approach is then utilized to track how close the current stress state is to the failure surface.

Finite Element Method↗

NASA NTRS2018

Advanced Utilization of the Payload Executive Processor (PEP) Ethernet Port to Support JSL Based Payloads

Increased interest by Payload Developers in utilization of the Joint Station LAN (Local Area Network) (JSL) for command and data transactions has driven the investigation of providing bi-directional Ethernet communication with PEP (Payload Executive Processor). Ethernet-only payload developers are interested in taking advantage of the services provided by PEP. Enabling Ethernet communications within PEP requires more than just turning on the hardware. PEP contains no Operating System (OS) or Ethernet stack so it does not inherit any built in functionality for Ethernet support. Both hardware drivers and application software must be developed from scratch. In the absence of an OS (Operating System) the design must address security issues in terms of access and data transferred, i.e. blocking unauthorized users and preventing denial of service. Developing a design to process Ethernet data within the existing real-time constraints of PEP requires a few compromises: data rates, supported protocols, custom packet format and limited client connections to name a few. Integration of the light weight internet protocol (LwIP). Ethernet stack provides a customizable solution for the embedded real-time environment. As utilization of the JSL increases, the successful implementation of an Ethernet interface enhances the utilization of PEP, and provides a new path for future Ethernet-only payloads to gain access to around the clock command and data services.

Guyette, Greg↗

NASA NTRS2020

Small Lunar Base Camp and in Situ Resource Utilization Oxygen Production Facility Power System Comparison

This report examines the power requirements for operating an in situ resource utilization (ISRU) oxygen production system on the lunar surface and a small six-person base camp. The baseline ISRU system produced 1.63 kg/h for a total day and night production rate of 1,154 kg. It was estimated that this plant would require 25.83 kW of power to operate. The base camp power includes auxiliary equipment as well as a communications system. The required power estimate for the base camp was 28.05 kW. This estimation was used to size a power system and determine its mass for meeting these requirements. Three types of power systems were considered: a solar photovoltaic (PV) array system using batteries for energy storage, a PV array system using a regenerative fuel cell (RFC) for energy storage, and a modular 10-kW electrical output power Kilopower reactor system. Three separate cases were examined: a stand-alone ISRU oxygen production system, a base camp, and a combined ISRU oxygen production system and base camp. For the PV array-based system, the RFC energy storage method had a mass advantage over a battery- based energy storage system. For higher power nighttime power operation for all three cases, the RFC system’s specific energy was just over 830 Wh/kg. For the lower power nighttime “keep-alive” level used as part of the Case 1 analysis, the specific energy for the RFC was 456 Wh/kg. Both of these levels are significantly above the specific energy of 200 Wh/kg for the battery. Because of this higher specific energy, the RFC-based system provided significant mass advantages over the battery-based energy storage system. The baseline reactor system utilized shielding and separation distance to meet the desired maximum radiation dose level of 5 rem/yr for personnel operating within the vicinity of the power loads, base camp, and oxygen production facility. There are methods that could potentially be utilized to reduce the shielding requirements and separation distance. Implementing these would reduce the overall system mass for the reactor. Also, optimizing the reactor output to a specific mission would provide benefits in mass at the expense of modularity. The results of the power system comparison between a solar PV array-based system and a Kilopower reactor-based system has shown that for missions required to operate throughout the lunar night at power levels comparable to those used during the day, the reactor-based system provides a significant mass advantage. However, for applications that can meet their mission requirements while only having to operate during the daytime with minimal power required to survive the nighttime, the PV array-based system provides a mass advantage.

Colozza, Anthony J.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Capacity Building Engagement for Estimating Forest Stand Height Utilizing the SAR Handbook

Utilizing Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) which provides information such as vegetation structure and moisture content, independently of weather conditions is a powerful tool that can be employed to more effectively monitor deforestation and estimate biomass which is of paramount concern, especially in South and Southeast Asia which contain nearly 15% of all tropical forests. SERVIR, a NASA-USAID initiative, works in partnership with regional hubs around the world building capacity through promoting the use of Earth observations and geospatial technologies. The SERVIR Global network and the Silva Carbon program collaboratively developed the SAR Handbook: Comprehensive Methodologies for Forest Monitoring and Biomass Estimation which set out to reduce the barriers associated with leveraging SAR and increase the capacity of researchers and practitioners globally to use SAR for monitoring. In particular, utilizing SAR to estimate Forest Stand Height (FSH) is crucial for greenhouse gas emissions reporting and estimating carbon storage. Programs such as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) rely on parameters such as these for their monitoring efforts. This talk will showcase the collaborative efforts, emergent geospatial technology leveraged, and capacity building approaches utilized by our team to conduct a South and Southeast Asia focused in-person training event located at SERVIR-Mekong, a SERVIR hub lead by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) in Bangkok.

AGU↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

In-Situ Reaction Monitoring for Lunar Applications Utilizing a Single Quadrupole Residual Gas Analyzer

With a revived focus to create a permanent presence on the moon and in preparation for future Mars exploration, it is imperative that all resources are utilized to their fullest potential.[1] In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) will be critical for future mission success as it would enable independent operation of missions while minimally relying on the complex supply chain created between the Earth, moon and Mars. One of the most critical resources that have been identified for ISRU is the creation of liquid oxygen(LO2) for not only breathable air, but also for rocket propellant. On the moon and potentially Mars, one of the most O2 rich resources is in the presence of regolith.[2],[3] Although there are numerous minerals within regolith and various processes to extract O2,this is not the scope of this paper. Since the O2 extraction method can vary, a critical standardized analytical method is needed to verify O2(or oxygenated precursor compounds) for extraction efficiency and purity. Our group utilizes a modified consumer off-the-shelf (COTS), Residual Gas Analyzer (RGA) Single Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (QMS). Due to the current field mission requirements, the gas analysis module will need to rely only on mass-to-charge ratios (m/z) and peak intensities to differentiate and quantitate targeted gas-phase reactants or products, i.e. carbon monoxide(CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2). However, due to solar wind implanted volatiles and various other compounds present in lunar regolith, such as nitrogen (N2), helium (He), and deuterium (D2), deconvolution and quantification of isobaric compounds becomes quite difficult. Specifically, the presence of N2 makes quantification of CO, an oxygenated precursor, difficult due to both compounds having a peak at m/z 28.

Mass Spectrometry↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Utilizing Electrical Power Extraction for Stability Bleed Reduction within Gas Turbine Engines

This paper studies the role of power extraction in gas turbine stability and how an engine may be designed to utilize this extraction to replace engine stability bleed requirements with electrical system requirements. The considered engine architecture contains two engine spools and a power turbine spool. In the baseline, low-pressure compressor stall margin is maintained by bleed air from the back of the low-pressure compressor, which is then dumped to the bypass. Power extraction from the high-pressure and low-pressure shafts are then utilized as a replacement for this bleed. This study considers component performance, sizing, efficiency, and operability, but does not consider weight or cost. Analysis within this paper is general and the concepts could be applied to other dual spool engine types, including a turbofan. Results show it is possible to completely remove the stability bleed between the low pressure and high-pressure compressor by utilizing a 35% power extraction from the high-pressure shaft or a 1.5% power extraction from the low-pressure turbine.

Gas Turbine↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Utilizing Electrical Power Extraction for Stability Bleed Reduction within Gas Turbine Engines

Gas Turbine↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

In-Situ Electrochemical Generation and Utilization of Hydrogen Peroxide for Disinfection

Disinfection needs to meet personal hygiene requirements at the International Space Station (ISS) is currently accomplished through the use of pre-packaged, disposable, wetted wipes, which represent an appreciable carry-along mass and disposal burden. However, as human missions travel further into the solar system the availability of resources to resupply will be diminished. Therefore, next-generation system should use onboard utilities to create on demand disinfectants, thereby reducing the dependence on earth-based supplies and further eliminating storage and disposal problems. Accordingly, we are developing an in-situ approach to electrochemically generate hydrogen peroxide disinfecting solution utilizing onboard life support supplies (Air/Water) to neutralize surface microorganisms present in closed living systems. As discussed within our 2019 and 2021 ICES papers (ICES-2019-38 and ICES-2021-273), we have continued to improve our TRL by scaling the electrochemical generation production process and validating the system in a zero-gravity parabolic loop flight test. In this paper we will demonstrate a system that can achieve over 1 L of >2 w/w% peroxide per day with DI water and air feeds. The hydrogen peroxide solutions generated were sent to NASA for microbial control property characterization. Overall, the electrochemical peroxide generation system offers a more economical and practical alternative, with the disinfectant being generated on demand and in-situ (using available life support materials of Air/Water); and applied to reusable cloths. The specific application of interest to this program is crew contact surfaces in space vehicles, but this technology could be utilized for waste water disinfection, heat exchanger biofouling remediation, and laundry applications. The peroxide generation system will also be able to address Earth-based needs in various settings such as field hospitals, restaurants, military, warehouses, movie theatres, among many others.

hydrogen peroxide↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Next Frontier for Remote Sensing of Freshwater HABS: Utilizing Imaging Spectroscopy Data to Identify Cyanobacteria Bloom Types

Cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and their associated toxicity are a concern for inland waters. Due to the extensive spatial coverage and frequent data availability of satellite-based sensors, multi-spectral remote sensing tools have demonstrated utility for monitoring, understanding, and managing these blooms. The next frontier is utilizing high spectral resolution imaging spectroscopy data, such as from NASA’s upcoming PACE, GLIMR, and SBG missions planned for this decade, which allow for the development of more sophisticated cyanobacteria detection algorithms. We evaluate the performance of cyanobacteria genera differentiation algorithms using precursor datasets in support of these upcoming hyperspectral missions. In situ measurements of lake optical, biological, chemical, and physical properties are used to characterize cyanobacteria blooms in hypereutrophic Clear Lake, CA, USA, which supports large, diverse algal and cyanobacteria populations. Data collection occurred during 12 field events in 2021-2022 across all seasons. Three field events were conducted concurrently with hyperspectral data acquisitions from the DESIS sensor on the International Space Station. The results of this study will support the development of future tools utilizing satellite-based imaging spectroscopy data to identify the cyanobacteria genera present in a bloom, and thus the potential for cyanotoxin production. This outcome – the ability to quickly characterize a cyanobacteria bloom at a low cost – will have enormous benefits for public health.

remote sensing↗

NASA NTRS2023

Kamodo: Simplifying Model Data Access and Utilization

To address the lack of user-friendly software needed to simplify the utilization of model data across Heliophysics, the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center has developed a model-agnostic method via Kamodo for users to easily access and utilize model data in their workflows. By abstracting away the broad range of file formats and the intricacies of interpolation on specialized grids, this approach significantly lowers the barrier to model data access and utilization for the community while adding exciting new capabilities to their tool boxes. This paper describes the direct interfaces to the model data, called model readers, and a basic introduction on how to use them. Additionally, we detail the planned approach for including custom interpolation codes, and include current progress on specialized visualization developments. The CCMC is maintaining Kamodo as an official NASA open-sourced software to enable and encourage community collaboration.

Heliophysics↗

DOE OSTI2020

Meter-Based Assessment of the Time and Locational Benefits of a Large Utility’s DSM Portfolio

As decarbonization goals drive increasing levels of renewable generation, there is a need to understand the time- and location-based savings benefits of demand-side management (DSM) programs. The challenges of the 'duck curve' are driving the utility industry to consider how programs can be optimized to match demand profiles with low carbon generation resources. From an infrastructure standpoint, time- and location-targeted DSM could serve as a ‘non-wires alternative’ (NWA) to defer equipment upgrades. Additional DSM value streams are motivating innovation in savings evaluation, providing more resolved insights beyond the total annual program impact. Methods grounded in the principles of billing analysis, leveraging hourly metering at the distribution grid, can provide new visibility into the spatial and temporal savings achieved through DSM. A large body of work has investigated related topics including interval meter-based savings analysis, the time- varying nature of efficiency measures, and NWA. A less studied topic concerns the impact of DSM on the grid, based on metered consumption. This paper presents an analysis of interval data across more than 25,000 customers and twelve substations, from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. The results show for different locations on the grid: achieved savings and the impact on grid consumption; hourly savings shapes for DSM program participants and non-participants, and how those shapes vary with season; and the impact of the programs on peak demand. These findings show the current impact of DSM, with implications for future, more intentional targeting as the utility continues to pursue aggressive electrification, efficiency, load flexibility, and reliable NWA.

Granderson, Jessica↗

DOE OSTI2021

Opportunities and Challenges of Lignin Utilization

Lignin is the most abundant non-carbohydrate component of plant cell walls and the largest aromatic source on earth. It is gaining more attention due to its potentials for many industrial applications. Compared to the applications of carbohydrate components like cellulose and hemicellulose, the utilization of lignin is challenging due to its natural rigidity, heterogeneity, and complexity. On the other hand, the successful utilization of lignin can broaden the spectrum of renewable resources in producing chemicals, fuels, and materials. In addition, value-added lignin products can enhance the economic competitivity of many biofuels and biochemicals mainly produced from cellulose and hemicellulose. In the last few decades, there have been notable improvements in fundamental understandings of the plant cell wall, lignin chemistry, catalysis, and other engineering principles, as well as the development of diverse conversion and characterization technologies. Prior to the detailed discussions of recent lignin utilization strategies through decomposition approaches such as thermochemical, biological, photoelectrochemical and electrochemical depolymerization and material approaches including carbon materials, adsorbents, thermosets, thermoplastics, hydrogels and nanoparticles, this chapter briefly discusses the types of lignin and its potentials and limitations based on its characteristics and applied processes.

Geun yoo, Chang↗

DOE OSTI2020

A CIM Based Data Integration Framework for Distribution Utilities

With the proliferation of distributed energy resources and advanced metering, modern electric power distribution systems are data rich and include advanced capabilities for distribution automation. Distribution utilities need applications for planning and operations that can integrate all the available data from the enterprise applications and may incorporate distributed approaches to operate and control. This paper describes a framework for standardizing and integrating the data available at different vendor specific applications in a utility utilizing the Common Information Model (CIM). Theframework incorporates the conversion of these the standardized CIM models into models compatible with GridLAB-D, an open source distribution system simulator, for developing advanced planning and operation strategies.

data integration platform, object-oriented data mo↗

DOE OSTI2021

Analysis of Residential Time-of-Use Utility Rate Structures and Economic Implications for Thermal Energy Storage

Thermal energy storage (TES) is an increasingly popular tool to level out the daily electrical demand and add stability to the electrical grid as more intermittent renewable energy sources are installed. TES systems can locally decouple high thermal loads from the operation of a heat pump or reduce the electrical energy demand of the heat pump by providing a more favorable temperature gradient. In addition, many policy makers and utility providers have introduced time-of-use (TOU) rate schedules for residential customers to better reflect the price of electricity generation and demand for specific times. TOU rate schedules price grid-provided electricity differently throughout the day depending on the region’s climate, time of year, and electrical production. Large differences between on-peak and off-peak electrical prices may create an economic advantage for a residential customer to install a TES system. In this work, the economic and energy savings are calculated for a modeled 2,400 square foot residential building with water/ice-based TES using a TOU rate structure. The weather data is from Fresno County, CA, ASHRAE climate zone 3B, and a representative residential TOU utility rate structure from Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) was used. The results showed that total energy consumption could be reduced by 14.5% with an 87.5% reduction in on-peak energy usage when the TES is installed. The cost of operating this system for space cooling was reduced by nearly 20% using the sample utility rate plan.

Sultan, Sara↗

DOE OSTI2023

Distributed Energy Resource-Cognizant Upgrade Paths to the Traditional Restoration Strategy of Utilities for Improved Load Restoration: Preprint

Climate change has resulted in increasingly impactful and more frequent occurrences of extreme weather events. This trend poses a significant challenge for distribution utilities and system operators to ensure that there is uninterrupted power supply to critical loads in their networks under fault scenarios; however, currently, utilities deploying the automated fault location, isolation and restoration (FLISR) function in their advanced distribution management system (ADMS) do not take into account the available generation and load-modification capabilities of distributed energy resources present in the disconnected network due to an upstream isolated fault. This results in the network reconfiguration and restoration to result in sub-optimal load restoration. Therefore, this paper presents two approaches that can upgrade the existing FLISR capabilities of distribution utilities to significantly increase the restoration of critical loads. The performance of the proposed approaches is evaluated on a numerical model of a real distribution feeder in Georgia, USA.

DER↗