Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “station”

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 397 records · Page 22
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

The US space station: Potential base for a spaceborne microwave facility

Concepts for a U.S. space station were studied to achieve the full potential of the Space Shuttle and to provide a more permanent presence in space. The space station study is summarized in the following questions: Given a space station in orbit in the 1990's, how should it best be used to achieve science and applications objectives important at that time? To achieve those objectives, of what elements should the station be comprised and how should the elements be configured and equipped. These questions are addressed.

Mcconnell, D.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Space station needs, attributes and architectural options study. Volume 4: Architectural options, subsystems, technology and programmatics

Space station architectural options, habitability considerations and subsystem analyses, technology, and programmatics are reviewed. The methodology employed for conceiving and defining space station concepts is presented. As a result of this approach, architectures were conceived and along with their supporting rationale are described within this portion of the report. Habitability consideration and subsystem analyses describe the human factors associated with space station operations and includes subsections covering (1) data management, (2) communications and tracking, (3) environmental control and life support, (4) manipulator systems, (5) resupply, (6) pointing, (7) thermal management and (8) interface standardization. A consolidated matrix of subsystems technology issues as related to meeting the mission needs for a 1990's era space station is presented. Within the programmatics portion, a brief description of costing and program strategies is outlined.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1983

Space Station needs, attributes and architectural options. Volume 2, book 2, part 2, Task 2: Information management system

Missions to be performed, station operations and functions to be carried out, and technologies anticipated during the time frame of the space station were examined in order to determine the scope of the overall information management system for the space station. This system comprises: (1) the data management system which includes onboard computer related hardware and software required to assume and exercise control of all activities performed on the station; (2) the communication system for both internal and external communications; and (3) the ground segment. Techniques used to examine the information system from a functional and performance point of view are described as well as the analyses performed to derive the architecture of both the onboard data management system and the system for internal and external communications. These architectures are then used to generate a conceptual design of the onboard elements in order to determine the physical parameters (size/weight/power) of the hardware and software. The ground segment elements are summarized.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1983

Alternative strategies for space station financing

The attributes of the proposed space station program are oriented toward research activities and technologies which generate long term benefits for mankind. Unless such technologies are deemed of national interest and thus are government funded, they must stand on their own in the market place. Therefore, the objectives of a United States space station should be based on commercial criteria; otherwise, such a project attracts no long term funding. There is encouraging evidence that some potential space station activities should generate revenues from shuttle related projects within the decade. Materials processing concepts as well as remote sensing indicate substantial potential. Futhermore, the economics and thus the commercial feasibility of such projects will be improved by the operating efficiencies available with an ongoing space station program.

Walklet, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Dynamic characteristics of a space-station solar wing array

A solar-wing-array concept is described which meets space-station requirements for minimum fundamental frequency (0.4 Hz), component modularity, and growth potential. The basic wing-array design parameters are varied, and the resulting effects on the array vibration frequencies and mode shapes are assessed. The transient response of a free-free space station (incorporating a solar-wing-array point design) to a load applied at the space-station center is studied. The use of the transient response studies in identifying critically loaded structural members is briefly discussed. The final 150-kW space-station configuration has a fundamental elastic frequency of 0.403 Hz.

Dorsey, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Space station needs, attributes, and architectural options: Mission requirements

Space station missions and their requirements are discussed. Analyses of the following four mission categories are summarized: (1) commercial, (2) technology, (3) operation, and (4) science and applications. The requirements determined by the study dictate a very strong need for a manned space station to satisfy the majority of the missions. The station is best located at a 28.5-deg inclination and initially (1992 era) requires a crew of four (three for mission payloads) and a mission power of 25 kW. A space platform in a polar orbit is needed to augment the station capability; it initially would be a 15-kW system, located in a sun-synchronous orbit.

Riel, F. D.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Space station needs, attributes and architectural options. Volume 4, task 2 and 3: Mission implementation and cost

An overview of the basic space station infrastructure is presented. A strong case is made for the evolution of the station using the basic Space Transportation System (STS) to achieve a smooth transition and cost effective implementation. The integrated logistics support (ILS) element of the overall station infrastructure is investigated. The need for an orbital transport system capability that is the key to servicing and spacecraft positioning scenarios and associated mission needs is examined. Communication is also an extremely important element and the basic issue of station autonomy versus ground support effects the system and subsystem architecture.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1984

Space station

The need for a space station, its cost, its use, and completion are examined. The Space Station Task Force was established by NASA Administrators to answer questions and to provide focus and direction for Space Station planning activities. The task force provides Congress and the Administration with sufficient information to make decisions on whether the United States should proceed with a Space Station as the next major national initiative in space. Current thinking on selected issues, planning guidelines, unique considerations and organization are presented.

Forestieri, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Practical Applications of a Space Station

The potential uses of a special station for civil and commercial applications is examined. Five panels of experts representing user-oriented communities, and a sixth panel which dealth with system design considerations, based their studies on the assumption that the station would be a large platform, capable of housing a wide array of diverse instruments, and could be either manned or unmanned. The Earth's Resources Panel dealt with applications of remote sensing for resource assessment. The Earth's Environment Panel dealt with the Earth's atmosphere and its impact on society. The Ocean Operations Panel looked at both science and applications. The Satellite Communications Panel assessed the potential role of a space station in the evolution of commercial telecommunication services up to the year 2000. The Materials Science and Engineering panel focused on the utility of a space station environment for materials processing.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1983

Data system architecture considerations for a space station

The functions that a space station could serve are outlined and details of the data systems requirements are discussed. The data system design will be guided by an overall space systems plan, and will feature distributed, layered architecture, user friendliness, hierarchical control, technology transparency, standard interfaces, and automated engineering tools. The station would begin with a limited core capability and evolve to serve functions defined thereafter. The automation of the engineering tools will be necessary to permit an optimized, minimized crew to control all functions of the space station, while at the same time freeing the crew from being actively involved in maintaining the nominal life support functions of the equipment. One major criterion is that the software must be error free, while another is adaptibility to changing space station configurations and demands.

Connell, E. B.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Overview of NASA space station activities

The architecture, functions, and human activities on-board a space station are discussed. A manned presence is regarded as essential for innovative actions and successful exploitation of weightless conditions. The station itself could be a cluster of modules for habitation, power, operations, docking, experimentation, and storage. Additionally, the station could provide an interface for free-flying platforms and teleoperated satellite services, as well as a base for establishing space-based manufacturing facilities. NASA has projected timelines that include initial development funding in 1987, full capabilities before the year 2000, and initial costs for minimum capabilities of $7.5-9 billion. Architecture, mission requirements, trade-offs, and concepts are currently being defined as a prelude to systems development. Attention is being given to participation by both the DoD and other governments, and to defining the capabilities of the station, including habitability, closed-loop life-support system, the scope of science application and data transfer, and the power requirements.

Tilton, E. L., III↗
NASA NTRS1982

Space station communications and tracking equipment management/control system

Design details of a communications and tracking (C and T) local area network and the distribution system requirements for the prospective space station are described. The hardware will be constructed of LRUs, including those for baseband, RF, and antenna subsystems. It is noted that the C and T equipment must be routed throughout the station to accommodate growth of the station. Configurations of the C and T modules will therefore be dependent on the function of the space station module where they are located. A block diagram is provided of a sample C and T hardware distribution configuration. A topology and protocol will be needed to accommodate new terminals, wide bandwidths, bidirectional message transmission, and distributed functioning. Consideration will be given to collisions occurring in the data transmission channels.

Kapell, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Space station technology

In an evaluation of the current technological basis for a space station, the Space Station Technology Steering Committee (SSTSC) came to the conclusion that a space station could certainly be made with existing technology. It was, however, found that state-of-the-art technology would not provide for the evolutionary growth aspects of a long life system. In the process of its reviews, the SSTSC identified 10 specific disciplines to categorize the technology which was found to be relevant or potentially applicable to a future space station design. Attention is given to the objectives for the advanced development program, systems and operations, data management, crew and life support, power, thermal management, human capability, auxiliary propulsion, fluid management systems, attitude control and stabilization, structures and mechanisms, and communications.

Tumulty, W. T.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The Space Station era

The users, configuration, and uses of the manned Space Station planned by the U.S. are outlined. The station is to be operational by 1994 and will serve scientific and commercial purposes. It is noted that the exploration of space, like the exploration of any other newly discovered, remote territory, requires the establishment of a base camp. Invitations have been extended to friendly nations to share in the construction and research capabilities of the station. The Space Station will be used for experiments, earth and stellar observations, vehicle maintenance, spacecraft and instrument assembly, storage, and relay and manufacturing.

Beggs, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Space station - The next logical step

NASA has been charged with the development, over the next decade, of a permanently manned space station in low earth orbit. The space station system will comprise a manned base and associated unmanned platforms; while one of the platforms will be in polar orbit, another (or several) platforms will, like the manned base, have an orbital inclination of 28.5 deg. Because it is permanent, the space station will have to be semiautonomous from its mission control center. NASA will take a number of steps to foster the commercial utilization of the space station, and one of the design goals of the project is the definition of astronaut facilities that are very 'customer friendly'. Reliance on a single, program-wide contractor has been deemed undesirable; several major aerospace manufacturers will instead distribute responsibility among themselves for the various modules constituting the craft.

Beggs, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Definition of technology development missions for early Space Station satellite servicing. Volume 1: Executive summary

The Executive Summary volume 1, includes an overview of both phases of the Definition of Technology Development Missions for Early Space Station Satellite Servicing. The primary purpose of Phase 1 of the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Satellite Servicing Phase 1 study was to establish requirements for demonstrating the capability of performing satellite servicing activities on a permanently manned Space Station in the early 1990s. The scope of Phase 1 included TDM definition, outlining of servicing objectives, derivation of initial Space Station servicing support requirements, and generation of the associated programmatic schedules and cost. The purpose of phase 2 of the satellite servicing study was to expand and refine the overall understanding of how best to use the manned space station as a test bed for demonstration of satellite servicing capabilities.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1984

Impact of lunar and planetary missions on the space station: Preliminary STS logistics report

Space station requirements for lunar and planetary missions are discussed. Specific reference is made to projected Ceres and Kopff missions; Titan probes; Saturn and Mercury orbiters; and a Mars sample return mission. Such requirements as base design; station function; program definition; mission scenarios; uncertainties impact; launch manifest and mission schedule; and shuttle loads are considered. It is concluded that: (1) the impact of the planetary missions on the space station is not large when compared to the lunar base; (2) a quarantine module may be desirable for sample returns; (3) the Ceres and Kopff missions require the ability to stack and checkout two-stage OTVs; and (4) two to seven manweeks of on-orbit work are required of the station crew to launch a mission and, with the exception of the quarantine module, dedicated crew will not be required.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1985

Tethered nuclear power for the Space Station

A nuclear space power system the SP-100 is being developed for future missions where large amounts of electrical power will be required. Although it is primarily intended for unmanned spacecraft, it can be adapted to a manned space platform by tethering it above the station through an electrical transmission line which isolates the reactor far away from the inhabited platform and conveys its power back to where it is needed. The transmission line, used in conjunction with an instrument rate shield, attenuates reactor radiation in the vicinity of the space station to less than one-one hundredth of the natural background which is already there. This combination of shielding and distance attenuation is less than one-tenth the mass of boom-mounted or onboard man-rated shields that are required when the reactor is mounted nearby. This paper describes how connection is made to the platform (configuration, operational requirements) and introduces a new element the coaxial transmission tube which enables efficient transmission of electrical power through long tethers in space. Design methodology for transmission tubes and tube arrays is discussed. An example conceptual design is presented that shows SP-100 at three power levels 100 kWe, 300 kWe, and 1000 kWe connected to space station via a 2 km HVDC transmission line/tether. Power system performance, mass, and radiation hazard are estimated with impacts on space station architecture and operation.

Bents, D. J.↗