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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 397 records · Page 22
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2018

Distributed Attitude Control and Maneuvering for Deep Space SmallSats

The aim of the Distributed Attitude Control and Maneuvering for Deep Space SmallSats project is to advance a multi-purpose, deep space mission-enabling technology for low-power attitude and thermal control of small satellites to a flight demonstration technology readiness level (TRL). The film-evaporation microelectromechanical systems tunable array (FEMTA) small satellite technology combines innovative microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microfabrication and microscale effects in fluid surface tension to produce a thermally actuated capillary valve. Using water as the propellant, the FEMTA thruster can generate finely controllable thrust at a thrust to power ratio of about 200 microNewton per Watt (W).

thermal control↗
NASA NTRS2016

Deep Space NanoSats - Positioned for Exponential Growth

We are poised at the beginning of a new era in solar system exploration, in which cubesats and nanosats can potentially play a big role. In 2012 a small group of like-minded enthusiasts at JPL predicted exponential growth in deep space cubesats with at least 10 exploring our solar system by 2020, and a 100 by 2030. Since then, JPL has built and flight-qualified the two INSPIRE spacecraft as pathfinders for future deep space cubesat missions, and the two MARCO spacecraft were assembled and tested in time to make the initial Insight launch opportunity in 2016 – now under consideration for the next available window. We have ongoing studies for lunar exploration and asteroid rendezvous missions, a Venus atmosphere sampler, and other concepts have been proposed to NASA. The Europa mission has 10 academic institutes under contract to study cubesats that would ride along with the main spacecraft to enable it to get closer to the surface of Jupiter’s most intriguing moon. Last year, ESA announced that its AIM asteroid probe will carry a small number of cubesats, when it launches in 2020. In the commercial world, Deep Space Industries are planning to host multiple cubesats in a mission to a Near Earth Asteroid. The prospects for near-term growth look reasonably healthy. This paper will provide an overview of deep space and LEO cubesat developments at JPL, and discuss the foundation they will provide for the growing community of interplanetary cubesat pioneers over the coming decade and a half.

Freeman, Anthony↗
NASA NTRS2012

Experimental Evaluation of the "Polished Panel Optical Receiver" Concept on the Deep Space Network's 34 Meter Antenna

The potential development of large aperture ground-based "photon bucket" optical receivers for deep space communications has received considerable attention recently. One approach currently under investigation proposes to polish the aluminum reflector panels of 34-meter microwave antennas to high reflectance, and accept the relatively large spotsize generated by even state-of-the-art polished aluminum panels. Here we describe the experimental effort currently underway at the Deep Space Network (DSN) Goldstone Communications Complex in California, to test and verify these concepts in a realistic operational environment. A custom designed aluminum panel has been mounted on the 34 meter research antenna at Deep-Space Station 13 (DSS-13), and a remotely controlled CCD camera with a large CCD sensor in a weather-proof container has been installed next to the subreflector, pointed directly at the custom polished panel. Using the planet Jupiter as the optical point-source, the point-spread function (PSF) generated by the polished panel has been characterized, the array data processed to determine the center of the intensity distribution, and expected communications performance of the proposed polished panel optical receiver has been evaluated.

photon counting detection↗
NASA NTRS2016

Human Exploration System Test-Bed for Integration and Advancement (HESTIA) Support of Future NASA Deep-Space Missions

The Engineering Directorate at the NASA - Johnson Space Center is outfitting a 20-Foot diameter hypobaric chamber in Building 7 to support future deep-space Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS) research as part of the Human Exploration System Test-bed for Integration and Advancement (HESTIA) Project. This human-rated chamber is the only NASA facility that has the unique experience, chamber geometry, infrastructure, and support systems capable of conducting this research. The chamber was used to support Gemini, Apollo, and SkyLab Missions. More recently, it was used to conduct 30-, 60-, and 90-day human ECLSS closed-loop testing in the 1990s to support the International Space Station and life support technology development. NASA studies show that both planetary surface and deep-space transit crew habitats will be 3-4 story cylindrical structures driven by human occupancy volumetric needs and launch vehicle constraints. The HESTIA facility offers a 3-story, 20-foot diameter habitat consistent with the studies' recommendations. HESTIA operations follow stringent processes by a certified test team that including human testing. Project management, analysis, design, acquisition, fabrication, assembly and certification of facility build-ups are available to support this research. HESTIA offers close proximity to key stakeholders including astronauts, Human Research Program (who direct space human research for the agency), Mission Operations, Safety & Mission Assurance, and Engineering Directorate. The HESTIA chamber can operate at reduced pressure and elevated oxygen environments including those proposed for deep-space exploration. Data acquisition, power, fluids and other facility resources are available to support a wide range of research. Recently completed HESTIA research consisted of unmanned testing of ECLSS technologies. Eventually, the HESTIA research will include humans for extended durations at reduced pressure and elevated oxygen to demonstrate very high reliability of critical ECLSS and other technologies.

Marmolejo, Jose↗
NASA NTRS2018

Smallsat Navigation via the Deep Space Network: Inner Solar Systems Missions

The space industry has seen an explosion in the number of operational SmallSats in Earth orbit, with a natural interest in extending SmallSat capabilities outside of low Earth orbit. As with larger missions, near-term deep-space SmallSats will rely on the Deep Space Network or similar facilities. Given the predicted growth in the number of deep space missions, effective use of DSN resources will be more critical than ever. Our investigation provides an initial survey of expected inner Solar System navigation performance for DSN radiometric data types, from two-way Doppler and ranging to one-way equivalents, including delta differential one-way range and alternative tracking strategies.

Wood, Lincoln J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

The Deep Space Network as an instrument for radio science research

Radio science experiments use radio links between spacecraft and sensor instrumentation that is implemented in the Deep Space Network. The deep space communication complexes along with the telecommunications subsystem on board the spacecraft constitute the major elements of the radio science instrumentation. Investigators examine small changes in the phase and/or amplitude of the radio signal propagating from a spacecraft to study the atmospheric and ionospheric structure of planets and satellites, planetary gravitational fields, shapes, masses, planetary rings, ephemerides of planets, solar corona, magnetic fields, cometary comae, and such aspects of the theory of general relativity as gravitational waves and gravitational redshift.

Asmar, S. W.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Deep Space Radiation Affects Neurovascular Functions in Human Organ-on-a-Chip Models

A major health risk for human deep space exploration is central nervous system (CNS) damage by galactic cosmic ray radiation. Simulated galactic cosmic rays or their components, especially the high- linear energy transfer (LET) particles such as 56 Fe ions, cause CNS damage, neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction in rodent models, but their effects on human CNS remain to be investigated. CNS damage from any insult, including ionizing radiation, is partially mediated by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which regulates the interactions between CNS and the rest of the body. The main cellular regulators of BBB permeability are astrocytes, which also modulate neuronal health and neuroinflammation. However, there have been few studies on BBB and astrocyte functions in regulating CNS responses, especially in human tissue/organ analogs. Therefore, we utilized a high-throughput human 3D organ-on-a-chip system, seeded with induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells, astrocytes and neurons, to study human neurovascular responses to simulated deep space radiation. We investigated BBB permeability, oxidative stress, cellular and tissue damage, and secreted factors over the time period of 24 hours-1 week after irradiation with 0.25-0.5 Gy 5-ion simplified simulated galactic cosmic rays and 0.3-0.8 Gy high-LET 600MeV/n 56 Fe particles, and compared the outcomes to low-LET irradiation with 0.1-1 Gy doses of X-rays and gamma rays. Both high and low-LET radiation increased neurovascular permeability, caused oxidative stress, damaged endothelial cells and tight junctions, and altered expression of inflammatory cytokines. Ionizing radiation- induced neurovascular permeability and oxidative stress peaked at 3 days after irradiation and were further exacerbated by the presence of astrocytes. Furthermore, in response to particle irradiation, astrocytes stimulated interleukin-1 signaling by inhibiting the expression of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Thus, we also evaluated interleukin-1 receptor antagonist as a potential countermeasure against particle radiation. Ultimately, our results may help develop countermeasures to mitigate human CNS damage in deep space exploration.

Sonali D Verma↗
NASA NTRS2000

The Deep Space 1 Extended Mission

The primary mission of Deep Space 1 (DS1), the first flight of the New Millennium program, completed successfully in September 1999, having exceeded its objectives of testing new, high-risk technologies important for future space and Earth science missions.

Deep↗
NASA NTRS2003

The Space Environment from LEO to Deep Space

This viewgraph presentation reviews several space environments, and the hazards they pose to spacecraft operations. The presentation covers solar activity effects, galactic cosmic rays, near Earth environments including the magnetosphere, thermosphere, ionsophere, and plasmasphere, single event upsets, micrometeoroids, space debris, and an overview of conditions on other planets, especially Jupiter.

Barth, Janet L.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Habitat Concepts for Deep Space Exploration

Future missions under consideration requiring human habitation beyond the International Space Station (ISS) include deep space habitats in the lunar vicinity to support asteroid retrieval missions, human and robotic lunar missions, satellite servicing, and Mars vehicle servicing missions. Habitat designs are also under consideration for missions beyond the Earth-Moon system, including transfers to near-Earth asteroids and Mars orbital destinations. A variety of habitat layouts have been considered, including those derived from the existing ISS designs and those that could be fabricated from the Space Launch System (SLS) propellant tanks. This paper presents a comparison showing several options for asteroid, lunar, and Mars mission habitats using ISS derived and SLS derived modules and identifies some of the advantages and disadvantages inherent in each. Key findings indicate that the larger SLS diameter modules offer built-in compatibility with the launch vehicle, single launch capability without on-orbit assembly, improved radiation protection, lighter structures per unit volume, and sufficient volume to accommodate consumables for long duration missions without resupply. The information provided with the findings includes mass and volume comparison data that should be helpful to future exploration mission planning efforts.

Smitherman, David↗
NASA NTRS2018

NASA's Space Launch System: Testing for Deep Space Human Exploration

NASA’S Exploration Plans: National Space Policy Directive 1: NASA to “… Beginning with missions beyond low-Earth orbit, the United States will lead the return of humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization, followed by human missions to Mars and other destinations.” - Today: Work in Low Earth Orbit with ISS: Commercial Partners supporting logistics and soon taking humans to ISS (International Space Station) - Next Step: Gateway human-tended station, robotic landers and rovers, eventually people, at the Moon - Ultimately: Continued robotic exploration of Mars to inform future crewed missions.

Blevins, John↗
NASA NTRS2018

A Performance-Based Comparison of Deep-Space Navigation using Optical-Communication and Conventional Navigation Techniques: Small Body Missions

Optical communications may be used in future NASA deep-space missions, resulting in much higher data transfer rates. Those optical communication links could also be used for navigation purposes. The performance of deep-space navigation for an asteroid flyby mission using ground-based optical tracking and conventional navigation techniques was investigated in this work. We present the results of variety of asteroid flyby scenarios including low phase and high phase approach angle flybys, one slow flyby in a Trojan tour mission, and also one slow flyby in a Psyche mission. In this task, four different types of observables were simulated, namely ground-based radiometric, spacecraft on-board optical, ground-based optical tracking of spacecraft (astrometry and 2-way range magnitude), and ground-based asteroid astrometry. Different combinations of these four types of observables were compared with currently in-practice ground-based radiometric/on-board optical measurements. The results showed that the ground-based optical tracking is promising and could be a potential candidate for future deep-space navigation. Precise astrometry is not possible for active comets.

McCandless, Sara Elizabeth↗
NASA NTRS2018

A Performance-Based Comparison of Deep-Space Navigation using Optical-Communication and Conventional Navigation Techniques: Small Body Missions

Optical communications may be used in future NASA deep-space missions, resulting in much higher data transfer rates. Those optical communication links could also be used for navigation purposes. The performance of deep-space navigation for an asteroid flyby mission using ground-based optical tracking and conventional navigation techniques was investigated in this work. We present the results of variety of asteroid flyby scenarios including low phase and high phase approach angle flybys, one slow flyby in a Trojan tour mission, and also one slow flyby in a Psyche mission. In this task, four different types of observables were simulated, namely ground-based radiometric, spacecraft on-board optical, ground-based optical tracking of spacecraft (astrometry and 2-way range magnitude), and ground-based asteroid astrometry. Different combinations of these four types of observables were compared with currently in-practice ground-based radiometric/on-board optical measurements. The results showed that the ground-based optical tracking is promising and could be a potential candidate for future deep-space navigation. Precise astrometry is not possible for active comets.

McCandless, Sarah Elizabeth↗