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At least 379 records · Page 21

Signal processing for ION mobility spectrometers

Signal processing techniques for systems based upon Ion Mobility Spectrometry will be discussed in the light of 10 years of experience in the design of real-time IMS. Among the topics to be covered are compensation techniques for variations in the number density of the gas - the use of an internal standard (a reference peak) or pressure and temperature sensors. Sources of noise and methods for noise reduction will be discussed together with resolution limitations and the ability of deconvolution techniques to improve resolving power. The use of neural networks (either by themselves or as a component part of a processing system) will be reviewed.

Taylor, S.↗

Using Wind Driven Tumbleweed Rovers to Explore Martian Gully Features

Gully features have been observed on the slopes of numerous Martian crater walls, valleys, pits, and graben. Several mechanisms for gully formation have been proposed, including: liquid water aquifers (shallow and deep), melting ground ice, snow melt, CO2 aquifers, and dry debris flow. Remote sensing observations indicate that the most likely erosional agent is liquid water. Debate concerns the source of this water. Observations favor a liquid water aquifer as the primary candidate. The current strategy in the search for life on Mars is to "follow the water." A new vehicle known as a Tumbleweed rover may be able to conduct in-situ investigations in the gullies, which are currently inaccessible by conventional rovers. Deriving mobility through use of the surface winds on Mars, Tumbleweed rovers would be lightweight and relatively inexpensive thus allowing multiple rovers to be deployed in a single mission to survey areas for future exploration. NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) is developing deployable structure Tumbleweed concepts. An extremely lightweight measurement acquisition system and sensors are proposed for the Tumbleweed rover that greatly increases the number of measurements performed while having negligible mass increase. The key to this method is the use of magnetic field response sensors designed as passive inductor-capacitor circuits that produce magnetic field responses whose attributes correspond to values of physical properties for which the sensors measure. The sensors do not need a physical connection to a power source or to data acquisition equipment resulting in additional weight reduction. Many of the sensors and interrogating antennae can be directly placed on the Tumbleweed using film deposition methods such as photolithography thus providing further weight reduction. Concepts are presented herein for methods to measure subsurface water, subsurface metals, planetary winds and environmental gases.

Antol, Jeffrey↗

Using Wind Driven Tumbleweed Rovers to Explore Martian Gully Features

Gully features have been observed on the slopes of numerous Martian crater walls, valleys, pits, and graben. Several mechanisms for gully formation have been proposed, including: liquid water aquifers (shallow and deep), melting ground ice, snow melt, CO2 aquifers, and dry debris flow. Remote sensing observations indicate that the most likely erosional agent is liquid water. Debate concerns the source of this water. Observations favor a liquid water aquifer as the primary candidate. The current strategy in the search for life on Mars is to "follow the water." A new vehicle known as a Tumbleweed rover may be able to conduct in-situ investigations in the gullies, which are currently inaccessible by conventional rovers. Deriving mobility through use of the surface winds on Mars, Tumbleweed rovers would be lightweight and relatively inexpensive thus allowing multiple rovers to be deployed in a single mission to survey areas for future exploration. NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) is developing deployable structure Tumbleweed concepts. An extremely lightweight measurement acquisition system and sensors are proposed for the Tumbleweed rover that greatly increases the number of measurements performed while having negligible mass increase. The key to this method is the use of magnetic field response sensors designed as passive inductor-capacitor circuits that produce magnetic field responses whose attributes correspond to values of physical properties for which the sensors measure. The sensors do not need a physical connection to a power source or to data acquisition equipment resulting in additional weight reduction. Many of the sensors and interrogating antennae can be directly placed on the Tumbleweed using film deposition methods such as photolithography thus providing further weight reduction. Concepts are presented herein for methods to measure subsurface water, subsurface metals, planetary winds and environmental gases.

Antol, Jeffrey↗

Advances in High Energy Solid-State Pulsed 2-Micron Lidar Development for Ground and Airborne Wind, Water Vapor and CO2 Measurements

NASA Langley Research Center has a long history of developing 2-micron lasers. From fundamental spectroscopy research, theoretical prediction of new materials, laser demonstration and engineering of lidar systems, it has been a very successful program spanning around two decades. Successful development of 2-micron lasers has led to development of a state-of-the-art compact lidar transceiver for a pulsed coherent Doppler lidar system for wind measurement with an unprecedented laser pulse energy of 250 millijoules in a rugged package. This high pulse energy is produced by a Ho:Tm:LuLiF laser with an optical amplifier. While the lidar is meant for use as an airborne instrument, ground-based tests were carried out to characterize performance of the lidar. Atmospheric measurements will be presented, showing the lidar's capability for wind measurement in the atmospheric boundary layer and free troposphere. Lidar wind measurements are compared to a balloon sonde, showing good agreement between the two sensors. Similar architecture has been used to develop a high energy, Ho:Tm:YLF double-pulsed 2-micron Integrated Differential Absorption Lidar (IPDA) instrument based on direct detection technique that provides atmospheric column CO2 measurements. This instrument has been successfully used to measure atmospheric CO2 column density initially from a ground mobile lidar trailer, and then it was integrated on B-200 plane and 20 hours of flight measurement were made from an altitude ranging 1500 meters to 8000 meters. These measurements were compared to in-situ measurements and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) airborne flask measurement to derive the dry mixing ratio of the column CO2 by reflecting the signal by various reflecting surfaces such as land, vegetation, ocean surface, snow and sand. The lidar measurements when compared showed a very agreement with in-situ and airborne flask measurement. NASA Langley Research Center is currently developing a triple-pulsed 2-micron Integrated Differential Absorption Lidar (IPDA) instrument for simultaneous measurement of water vapor and carbon-dioxide column density measurement from an air-borne platform. This presentation will give an overview of the 2 decades of 2-micron coherent and direction detection of laser/lidar development at NASA Langley Research Center and will present the ground and airborne wind and column CO2 measurement intercomparison with in-situ, balloon and flask measurements.

Singh, Upendra N.↗

Federal USS Synthesis Effort: 2023 Flight Test Report. A NASA and Department of Defense Joint Evaluation of Multi-Domain Airspace Integration

In recent years, advancements in technology have greatly improved the utility and applicability of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and have highlighted the need for and importance of UAS Traffic Management (UTM). Onboard sense and avoid systems, ground-based sensors, and long- range command and control (C2) systems have significantly expanded the possibilities for UAS beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. Initially, research on UTM flights focused on their interactions with other UTM operations, but that has since been expanded to include interactions with the flight profiles of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and upper Class E Traffic Management (ETM) operations. Recognizing the potential of these systems and the increase in UAS autonomy, the Department of Defense (DoD) is working towards integrating these missions and systems into a unified DoD Federal ecosystem. The Federal USS Synthesis Effort (FUSE) aims to develop a live system that can efficiently combine this wide range of UTM, AAM, and ETM systems, thus enabling expanded operations within a single common operating environment. The goal of the Federal USS Synthesis Effort (FUSE) is for NASA and the DoD to develop a live system that can efficiently combine UTM, AAM, and ETM systems. The most recent endeavor in this effort was a live flight test conducted near Grand Forks Air Force Base in June, 2023, where the FUSE ecosystem successfully demonstrated integrating UTM, AAM, and ETM operations while providing a single, shared COP to users. Additional investigations were made during the test, including assessing the usefulness of the system and its capability to support UAS weighing over 55 lbs.; testing user messaging capabilities and a DoD adaptation of a Federal USS; and assessing user workload, automated vs manual control, and the usability of NASA’s XTMClient.

Federal USS↗

Generating traffic-based building occupancy schedules in Chattanooga, Tennessee from a grid of traffic sensors

Building occupancy significantly impacts energy use, timing for demand impacts, and is a significant source of uncertainty in building energy models. There are relatively few sources that define building occupancy schedules and number of occupants per building or space type. More importantly, these sources define traditional schedules that are likely not to reflect the true occupancy of a given building. We construct traffic-based occupancy schedules which are more responsive to changes in mobility patterns, and which can realistically estimate occupant arrivals, departures, and counts in individual buildings.

Berres, Andy↗

Multi-sensor, high speed autonomous stair climbing

In this paper we present the design and implementation of a new set of estimation and control algorithms that increase the speed and effectiveness of stair climbing.

mobile robotics estimation control machine vision↗

Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) Helmet and Extravehicular Visor Assembly (EVVA) Chamber B Thermal Vacuum Testing Results

NASA’s Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) is the government reference next-generation spacesuit design and is engineered to protect astronauts from extreme lunar environmental temperatures. To evaluate the xEMU hardware thermal requirements, the xEMU Testing Team invented, designed, and executed a dual-suit, uncrewed thermal vacuum (TVAC) test at Johnson Space Center’s (JSC) Chamber B. This paper details the test methodology, hardware setup, and results from the xEMU helmet and extravehicular visor assembly (EVVA). Two helmets/EVVAs were tested simultaneously in Chamber B, with different thermal environments and EVVA configurations. For the helmet/EVVA on the Short xEMU (SxEMU) test article, five thermal profiles were tested during five simulated EVAs, with four different visor and shade configurations. For the helmet/EVVA on the second xEMU, eleven unique thermal profiles were tested including both cold and hot environmental cases over the course of five continuous days of testing, with a single visor and shade configuration. The radiative thermal environment was controlled through exposure to liquid-nitrogen shrouds on the chamber walls and through two separate heater cages surrounding each respective test article. The thermal effects of the Exploration Informatics (xINFO) lights and camera on the helmet/EVVA was also tested. Twenty-two temperature sensors were used to collect data in critical locations in the xEMU helmet/EVVA assembly. This paper will document the testing results and compare the test data against the xEMU helmet/EVVA and system-level thermal models for model validation.

xEMU↗

Surface Energy Balance System (SEBS) Instrument Handbook

A surface energy balance system (SEBS) has been installed collocated with each deployed eddy correlation flux measurement system (ECOR) after 2010 at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility Southern Great Plains (SGP) observatory, North Slope of Alaska (NSA) observatory, Eastern North Atlantic (ENA) observatory, and the first, second, and third ARM Mobile Facilities (AMF1, AMF2, AMF3). A SEBS was also deployed at the Tropical Western Pacific (TWP) site, before it was decommissioned. Data from these sites, including the retired TWP, are available in the ARM Data Center. The SEBS consists of upwelling and downwelling solar and infrared radiometers within one net radiometer, a wetness sensor, and soil temperature, soil moisture, and soil heat flow measurements. The SEBS measurements allow the comparison of ECOR sensible and latent heat fluxes with the energy balance determined from the SEBS and provide information on wetting of the sensors for data quality purposes.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Mars Tumbleweed: FY2003 Conceptual Design Assessment

NASA LaRC is studying concepts for a new type of Mars exploration vehicle that would be propelled by the wind. Known as the Mars Tumbleweed, it would derive mobility through use of the Martian surface winds. Tumbleweeds could conceivably travel greater distances, cover larger areas of the surface, and provide access to areas inaccessible by conventional vehicles. They would be lightweight and relatively inexpensive, allowing a multiple vehicle network to be deployed on a single mission. Tumbleweeds would be equipped with sensors for conducting science and serve as scouts searching broad areas to identify specific locations for follow-on investigation by other explorers. An extensive assessment of LaRC Tumbleweed concepts was conducted in FY03, including refinement of science mission scenarios, definition of supporting subsystems (structures, power, communications), testing in wind tunnels, and development of a dynamic simulation capability.

Antol, Jeffrey↗

Microscale Particulate Classifiers (MiPAC) Being Developed

The NASA Glenn Research Center is developing microscale sensors to characterize atmospheric-borne particulates. The devices are fabricated using MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) technologies. These technologies are derived from those originally developed in support of the semiconductor processing industry. The resulting microsensors can characterize a wide range of particles and are, therefore, suitable to a broad range of applications. This project is supported under a collaborative program called the Glennan Microsystems Initiative. The initiative comprises members of NASA Glenn Research Center, various university affiliates from the State of Ohio, and a number of participating industrial partners. Funding is jointly provided by NASA, the State of Ohio, and industrial members. The work described here is a collaborative arrangement between researchers at Glenn, the University of Minnesota, The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Cleveland State University. Actual device fabrication is conducted at Glenn and at the laboratories of Case Western Reserve University. Case Western is also located in Cleveland, Ohio, and is a participating member of the initiative. The principal investigator for this project is Paul S. Greenberg of Glenn. Two basic types of devices are being developed, and target different ranges of particle sizes. The first class of devices, which is used to measure nanoparticles (i.e., particles in the range of 0.002 to 1 mm), is based on the technique of Electrical Mobility Classification. This technique also affords the valuable ability of measuring the electrical charge state of the particles. Such information is important in the understanding of agglomeration mechanisms and is useful in the development of methods for particle repulsion. The second type of device being developed, which utilizes optical scattering, is suitable for particles larger than 1 mm. This technique also provides information on particle shape and composition. Applications for these sensors include fundamental planetary climatology, monitoring and filtration in spacecraft, human habitation modules and related systems, characterization of particulate emissions from propulsion and power systems, and as early warning sensors for both space-based and ter-restrial fire detection. These devices are also suitable for characterizing biological compounds such as allergens, infectious agents, and biotoxic agents.

Greenberg, Paul S.↗

Radar remote sensing for crop classification and canopy condition assessment: Ground-data documentation

A vegetation and soil-moisture experiment was conducted in order to examine the microwave emission and backscattering from vegetation canopies and soils. The data-acquisition methodology used in conjunction with the mobile radar scatterometer (MRS) systems is described and associated ground-truth data are documented. Test fields were located in the Kansas River floodplain north of Lawrence, Kansas. Ten fields each of wheat, corn, and soybeans were monitored over the greater part of their growing seasons. The tabulated data summarize measurements made by the sensor systems and represent target characteristics. Target parameters describing the vegetation and soil characteristics include plant moisture, density, height, and growth stage, as well as soil moisture and soil-bulk density. Complete listings of pertinent crop-canopy and soil measurements are given.

Ulaby, F. T.↗

Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) Chamber B Thermal Vacuum “Suit 2” Pressure Garment System Hardware and Test Design

NASA’s Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) is the government reference next-generation space suit design and is engineered to protect astronauts from extreme lunar environmental temperatures. To evaluate the xEMU hardware thermal requirements, the xEMU Testing Team invented, designed, and executed a dual-suit, uncrewed thermal vacuum (TVAC) test at Johnson Space Center’s (JSC) Chamber B. This paper details the test hardware design and test methodology for the “Suit 2” Pressure Garment System (PGS) test article. The uncrewed “Suit 2” PGS test article consisted of a full PGS assembly with simulated Portable Life Support System (PLSS) functionality provided by test equipment, including a ventilation loop and two distinct thermal control loops. This paper will discuss in depth the test hardware design, including internal suit thermal boundary simulation, sensor quantity and placement, test support equipment rigs for gas flow, water flow, and power. Custom hardware designed to add additional penetrations to the suit or provide additional interfaces for sensors will also be discussed. This paper will also address the assembly and integration sequence for the test article. In addition to test hardware design, this paper will provide insights into the test methodology for this test article, including a discussion of thermal steady-state testing, simultaneous dual suit thermal vacuum testing, and hazard mitigation and controls.

xEMU↗

Development of an Inertial Sensor-based Methodology for Spacesuited Geology Task Assessments during Simulated Lunar Extravehicular Activities

Lunar surface exploration during Artemis missions will require the specific skill set of geology sampling. Apollo astronauts had extensive training and used specialized tools to collect lunar rocks, core samples, pebbles, sand, and dust. The inflexibility of the pressurized Apollo spacesuits forced sampling to be taken at a standstill posture. However, new exploration spacesuits are expected to incorporate advanced materials and joint bearings, allowing for greater mobility and a wider range of functional postures. Thus, science and exploration during Artemis missions will likely involve a variety of standing, squatting, and kneeling postures. In preparation for future lunar exploration missions, NASA provides geologic training to astronauts and other mission personnel. This professional training with a spacesuit in simulated lunar environments will enhance performance and reduce risk of injury to astronauts on the lunar surface. However, anecdotally, untrained or newly trained people wearing prototype planetary spacesuits have been observed to performing motions differently than a trained geologist would when conducting the same geology sampling tasks. Therefore, a tool for evaluating geology postures at extravehicular activity (EVA) training facilities becomes required. In this paper, we introduce a novel inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based method of geology task assessments in spacesuited conditions during simulated lunar EVAs. As a case study, two subjects (one geologist and one non-geologist) participated and donned the Mark III prototype planetary spacesuit during offloading with the spreader bar gimbal in NASA’s Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS). For automated geology task assessments, the spacesuit was instrumented with three wireless IMUs (APDM Opal, OR, USA): one on the chest and one each on the left and right ankle bearings. Then subjects performed geology tasks using various tools (rake, trench, hammer chisel, scoop, and drive tube) for 45 minutes each. The chest IMU measured the torso tilt angle in the sagittal plane. We used an ensemble learning method with the ankle IMUs to discriminate between standing and kneeling activities. IMU data were processed using custom MATLAB (Mathworks, MA, USA) software. In our case study, the developed method was able to discriminate differences in standing and kneeling activity levels between subjects who were all highly experienced with spacesuited testing. Our preliminary data showed one subject maintained the constant and lower range of the upper body tilt angle while both standing and kneeling, while the other subject showed more variation of the upper body tilt angle and preferred bending the upper body rather than changing from standing to kneeling posture and vice versa. While geology experience may be a factor, these results need further investigation as suit sizing and ARGOS offloading configurations have been proven to have a significant influence on suited ARGOS tasks. Also, more subjects will be needed to complete these tasks for validation. IMU-based geology task assessments can provide useful information for geology training programs. Additionally, our IMU-based posture analysis can provide new insights into how to evaluate spacesuited geology task characteristics of astronauts during simulated lunar EVAs.

Kyoung Jae Kim↗

Mechanical Design of the Urban Air Mobility Side-by-Side Test Stand

The Urban Air Mobility Side-by-Side Test Stand (SBS) is a new capability for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to test the conceptual side-by-side rotorcraft configuration. This test stand enhances the experimental capabilities of the Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) Project and is primarily designed to be tested in the U.S. Army’s 7-by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center. One of the goals for the SBS is to identify the optimal degree of rotor overlap that will yield the best aerodynamic performance. The SBS has two counter-rotating, intermeshing rotors that can vary in lateral separation. The test stand can pitch nose up and nose down, with each rotor having the capability to be trimmed independently through cyclic and collective controls. Six-axis load cells and rotary torque sensors are placed underneath each rotor to measure the thrust, torque, and side force from each rotor system. This paper describes the mechanical design of the SBS and outlines the structural analyses conducted to ensure a safety factor of 4 for ultimate strength and 3 for yield strength during all experimental testing.

Mechanical Design↗

Laboratory Scale Testing of Ignition Overpressure for Space Vehicle Launch Pad Environments

A scale model of a NASA representative space vehicle is used to develop a refined estimate of the transient pressure loads that are expected to form at the base of the vehicle in the event of a vapor cloud explosion. Flammable vapor clouds are known to form prior to engine startup due to the significant amount of unburned hydrogen that is ejected from the combustion chamber. In the event of a vapor cloud explosion, the vehicle and payload must be able to withstand the resulting overpressure waves. The study comprises an array of pressure sensors located along the base heat shield of the scale model space vehicle as well as the interior wall and throat plug plane of the solid rocket booster. A spark source generator is used to simulate the overpressure wave produced by a vapor cloud explosion while measurements are acquired with and without the effect of a mobile launcher. Time- resolved schlieren images of the simulated vapor cloud explosion reveal the path and impact of both the initial wave and several reflected waves on the various components at the base of the space vehicle. In some instances, the reflected waves superpose to create waves that are higher in amplitude than the initial overpressure wave. A time frequency analysis of the pressure waveforms measured inside the solid rocket booster reveal a ring down tone corresponding to a standing wave that is four times the length of the nozzle.

Tinney, Charles E.↗

Ground-based SMART-COMMIT Measurements for Studying Aerosol and Cloud Properties

From radiometric principles, it is expected that the retrieved properties of extensive aerosols and clouds from reflected/emitted measurements by satellite (and/or aircraft) should be consistent with those retrieved from transmitted/emitted radiance observed at the surface. Although space-borne remote sensing observations cover large spatial domain, they are often plagued by contamination of surface signatures. Thus, ground-based in-situ and remote-sensing measurements, where signals come directly from atmospheric constituents, the sun, and/or the Earth-atmosphere interactions, provide additional information content for comparisons that confirm quantitatively the usefulness of the integrated surface, aircraft, and satellite data sets. The development and deployment of SMARTCOMMIT (Surface-sensing Measurements for Atmospheric Radiative Transfer - Chemical, Optical & Microphysical Measurements of In-situ Troposphere) mobile facilities are aimed for the optimal utilization of collocated ground-based observations as constraints to yield higher fidelity satellite retrievals and to determine any sampling bias due to target conditions. To quantify the energetics of the surface-atmosphere system and the atmospheric processes, SMART-COMMIT instruments fall into three categories: flux radiometer, radiance sensor and in-situ probe. In this paper, we will demonstrate the capability of SMART-COMMIT in recent field campaigns (e.g., CRYSTAL-FACE, UAE 2, BASEASIA, NAMMA) that were designed and executed to study the compelling variability in temporal scale of both anthropogenic and natural aerosols (e.g., biomass-burning smoke, airborne dust) and cirrus clouds. We envision robust approaches in which well-collocated ground-based measurements and space-borne observations will greatly advance our knowledge of extensive aerosols and clouds.

Tsay, Si-Chee↗

Demonstration of Prognostics-Enabled Decision Making Algorithms on a Hardware Mobile Robot Test Platform

Prognostics-enabled Decision Making (PDM) is an emerging research area that aims to integrate prognostic health information and knowledge about the future operating conditions into the process of selecting subsequent actions for the system. Previous work developing and testing PDM algorithms has been done in simulation; this paper describes the effort leading to a successful demonstration of PDM algorithms on a hardware mobile robot platform. The hardware platform, based on the K11 planetary rover prototype, was modified to allow injection of selected fault modes related to the rover’s electrical power subsystem. The PDM algorithms were adapted to the hardware platform, including development of a software module framework, a new route planner, and modifications to increase the algorithms’ robustness to sensor noise and system timing issues. A set of test scenarios was chosen to demonstrate the algorithms’ capabilities. The modifications to run with a hardware platform, the test scenarios, and the test results are described in detail. The results show a successful use of PDM algorithms on a hardware test platform to optimize mission planning in the presence of electrical system faults.

Prognosis↗