Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “TRACKING 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 451 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1970

Buoyant Venus station requirements

Buoyant Venus station using superpressure balloon, discussing requirements for structural design and station position tracking capability

Frank, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Determination of normal points for the relativity test of the celestial mechanics experiment

The relativity test is based on Mariner 9 tracking data acquired by the Deep Space Network. These data consist of two types of measurements: (1) two-way frequency difference (Doppler) measurements that are proportional to the tracking station-spacecraft range rate, and (2) signal round trip time-delay measurements that are proportional to the station-spacecraft range. A data compression scheme has been employed to alleviate accuracy and cost difficulties by (1) using the Doppler data to solve for the spacecraft orbit and to relate spacecraft position to the center of mass of Mars; and (2) combining this result with the station-spacecraft range measurements to obtain measurements of the Earth-Mars distance, called normal points, that contain all of the information pertinent to a detailed knowledge of the Earth-Mars motion.

Jordan, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Information management system: A summary discussion

An information management system is proposed for use in the space shuttle sortie, the modular space station, the tracking data relay satellite and associated ground support systems. Several different information management functions, including data acquisition, transfer, storage, processing, control and display are integrated in the system.

Sayers, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The 1985 long-range program plan

That continual evolution of NASA's research and development, is reflected in the missions, goals, and objectives planned for FY1985 and later years, in accordance with the responsibilities by the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended. New starts for the next ten years and space program activities to year 2000 are highlighted including space science and applications, space flight, space station, space tracking and data systems, and space research and technology. Space programs for the early 21st century and aeronautics programs up to and beyond the year 2000 are also covered.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1986

NASA space plans and scenarios to 2000 and beyond

NASA's research and development plans, as reflected in its missions, goals, and objectives to the year 2000 and beyond, are presented. New starts for the next decade and space program activities are highlighted, including space science and applications, space flight, space stations, space tracking and data systems, and space research and technology. Space programs for the 21st century are also covered.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1988

Networks Of Executive Controllers For Automation

Paper discusses principal issues to be resolved in development of autonomous executive-controller shell for Space Station. Shell represents major increase in complexity of automated systems. More-complex control tasks require system that deals with different goals requiring sequences of tasks that change state of system world in complex ways. Requires integration of all functions. Applications include space station communications, tracking, life support, data processing support, navigation, and control of thermal and structural subsystems.

Erickson, William K.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Radar and the DSN

This paper describes how a station, designed, built, and operated for spacecraft communications has been used for scientific planetary radar studies. The thrust of the paper is the mutual advantage that the NASA/JPL Deep Space Network (DSN) and the Goldstone Solar System Radar have derived from sharing some equipment. It is concluded that, by allocating a small fraction of a DSN station's tracking time to planetary radar studies, a superb scientific instrument has been developed.

Reid, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Optical rate sensor algorithms

Optical sensors, in particular Charge Coupled Device (CCD) arrays, will be used on Space Station to track stars in order to provide inertial attitude reference. Algorithms are presented to derive attitude rate from the optical sensors. The first algorithm is a recursive differentiator. A variance reduction factor (VRF) of 0.0228 was achieved with a rise time of 10 samples. A VRF of 0.2522 gives a rise time of 4 samples. The second algorithm is based on the direct manipulation of the pixel intensity outputs of the sensor. In 1-dimensional simulations, the derived rate was with 0.07 percent of the actual rate in the presence of additive Gaussian noise with a signal to noise ratio of 60 dB.

Uhde-Lacovara, Jo A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

CCSDS Link Budget Weather Related Losses

The following paper describes the method used in computation of weather-related losses, namely the atmospheric attenuation and the system noise temperature increase due to weather.

NASA/JPL/DSN tracking stations CCSDS link budget p↗
NASA NTRS2008

Future Plans for NASA's Deep Space Network

This slide presentation reviews the importance of NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) to space exploration, and future planned improvements to the communication capabilities that the network allows, in terms of precision, and communication power.

Deep Space Network (DSN)↗
NASA NTRS2011

ISS Solar Array Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) Bearing Failure and Recovery: Technical and Project Management Lessons Learned

The photovoltaic solar panels on the International Space Station (ISS) track the Sun through continuous rotating motion enabled by large bearings on the main truss called solar array alpha rotary joints (SARJs). In late 2007, shortly after installation, the starboard SARJ had become hard to turn and had to be shut down after exceeding drive current safety limits. The port SARJ, of the same design, had been working well for over 2 years. An exhaustive failure investigation ensued that included multiple extravehicular activities to collect information and samples for engineering forensics, detailed structural and thermal analyses, and a careful review of the build records. The ultimate root cause was determined to be kinematic design vulnerability coupled with inadequate lubrication, and manufacturing flaws; this was corroborated through ground tests, metallurgical studies, and modeling. A highly successful recovery plan was developed and implemented that included replacing worn and damaged components in orbit and applying space-compatible grease to improve lubrication. Beyond the technical aspects, however, lie several key programmatic lessons learned. These lessons, such as running ground tests to intentional failure to experimentally verify failure modes, are reviewed and discussed so they can be applied to future projects to avoid such problems.

DellaCorte, Christopher↗
DOE OSTI2014

2013 R&D 100 Award: DNATrax could revolutionize air quality detection and tracking

A team of LLNL scientists and engineers has developed a safe and versatile material, known as DNA Tagged Reagents for Aerosol Experiments (DNATrax), that can be used to reliably and rapidly diagnose airflow patterns and problems in both indoor and outdoor venues. Until DNATrax particles were developed, no rapid or safe way existed to validate air transport models with realistic particles in the range of 1-10 microns. Successful DNATrax testing was conducted at the Pentagon in November 2012 in conjunction with the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. This study enhanced the team's understanding of indoor ventilation environments created by heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. DNATrax are particles comprised of sugar and synthetic DNA that serve as a bar code for the particle. The potential for creating unique bar-coded particles is virtually unlimited, thus allowing for simultaneous and repeated releases, which dramatically reduces the costs associated with conducting tests for contaminants. Among the applications for the new material are indoor air quality detection, for homes, offices, ships and airplanes; urban particulate tracking, for subway stations, train stations, and convention centers; environmental release tracking; and oil and gas uses, including fracking, to better track fluid flow.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1987

Knowledge-based vision for space station object motion detection, recognition, and tracking

Computer vision, especially color image analysis and understanding, has much to offer in the area of the automation of Space Station tasks such as construction, satellite servicing, rendezvous and proximity operations, inspection, experiment monitoring, data management and training. Knowledge-based techniques improve the performance of vision algorithms for unstructured environments because of their ability to deal with imprecise a priori information or inaccurately estimated feature data and still produce useful results. Conventional techniques using statistical and purely model-based approaches lack flexibility in dealing with the variabilities anticipated in the unstructured viewing environment of space. Algorithms developed under NASA sponsorship for Space Station applications to demonstrate the value of a hypothesized architecture for a Video Image Processor (VIP) are presented. Approaches to the enhancement of the performance of these algorithms with knowledge-based techniques and the potential for deployment of highly-parallel multi-processor systems for these algorithms are discussed.

Symosek, P.↗