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At least 505 records · Page 28

Pilot's Desk Flight Station

Aircraft flight station designs have generally evolved through the incorporation of improved or modernized controls and displays. In connection with a continuing increase in the amount of information displayed, this process has produced a complex and cluttered conglomeration of knobs, switches, and electromechanical displays. The result was often high crew workload, missed signals, and misinterpreted information. Advances in electronic technology have now, however, led to new concepts in flight station design. An American aerospace company in cooperation with NASA has utilized these concepts to develop a candidate conceptual design for a 1995 flight station. The obtained Pilot's Desk Flight Station is a unique design which resembles more an operator's console than today's cockpit. Attention is given to configuration, primary flight controllers, front panel displays, flight/navigation display, approach charts and weather display, head-up display, and voice command and response systems.

Sexton, G. A.↗

Application of adaptive control to space stations

The space station will be deployed and assembled in low earth orbit with multiple Shuttle trips. Several construction phases will be required involving both ground and in-orbit operations. In this paper, the construction process of a four-panel space station and its control problems are discussed. The applicability of a direct model reference adaptive control technique with plant augmentation is investigated. Control during several key assembly operation periods has been simulated. These include Shuttle docking with initial-phase station, habitat module mating, and Shuttle docking with operational station. High rate of convergence and robust performance have been observed for all the simulated cases even with 40 percent model parameter errors and model truncations and more than 100 percent instant mass property variations. Controller with severe gain saturations is also discussed and results show only slight performance deterioration.

Ih, C.-H. C.↗

Report on the findings of the Japanese Investigative Team on US Space Station Design (Keidanren)

The objectives, itinerary and results of the Japanese Investigative Team on U.S. Space Station Design (Keidanren), consisting of members of the Space Development Promotion Council and representatives of Japanese industries involved in Japan's space station development effort are presented. This team visited NASA facilities in February, 1985. The objectives of the study team are to gather information on preliminary design efforts toward space station planning in Japan and the promotion of Japanese space related industries, as well as the evaluation of the present status of space environment exploitation in the U.S. This report is intended to be a basic reference for government agencies and industry in addressing the course of action to be taken in the future development of Japan's space station participation.

Source record↗

Control of space stations

A study is made to develop controllers for the NASA-JSC Triangular Space Station and evaluate their performances to make recommendations for structural design and/or control alternatives. The control system design assumes the rigid body of the Space Station and developes the lumped parameter control system by using the Inverse Optimal Control Theory. In order to evaluate the performance of the control system, a Parameter Estimation algorithm is being developed which will be used in modeling an equivalent but simpler Space Station model. Finally, a scaled version of the Space Station is being built for the purpose of physical experiments to evaluate the control system performance.

Lee, K. Y.↗

Government-to-government cooperation in space station development

A memoranda of understanding was recently signed between the United States (NASA) and three international Space Station partners - Canada, European Space Agency (ESA), and Japan. The international partners are performing parallel Phase B preliminary design studies, concurrent with the U.S., on their proposed elements/systems for possible integration and operation with the U.S. Space Station System complex. During the 21-month Space Station Phase B study, a large amount of technical interface data will have to be transferred between the U.S. and the international partners. Scheduled bilateral technical coordination meetings will also be held. The coordination and large number of interfaces required to integrate the international requirements into the Space Station require a clean interface management organizational structure and operation procedures to accomplish the integration task. The international coordination management organizational structure, management tools, and communications network are discussed including the proposed international elements/systems being studied by the international partners.

Nassiff, S. H.↗

Telescoping space station modules

A design concept is described wherein telescoping space station modules would be utilized to nearly double the useful volume onboard a station. Methods for utilizing the concept to obtain enchanced protection from space debris and radiation are described. The amenability of the concept to variation in station configuration, assembly, and disassembly is discussed. A modification of the concept which could provide flexibility in the manner in which the Shuttle Orbiter is docked with the station and enhance collision avoidance during such maneuvers is described.

Witcofski, R. D.↗

Space Station Software Recommendations

Four panels of invited experts and NASA representatives focused on the following topics: software management, software development environment, languages, and software standards. Each panel deliberated in private, held two open sessions with audience participation, and developed recommendations for the NASA Space Station Program. The major thrusts of the recommendations were as follows: (1) The software management plan should establish policies, responsibilities, and decision points for software acquisition; (2) NASA should furnish a uniform modular software support environment and require its use for all space station software acquired (or developed); (3) The language Ada should be selected for space station software, and NASA should begin to address issues related to the effective use of Ada; and (4) The space station software standards should be selected (based upon existing standards where possible), and an organization should be identified to promulgate and enforce them. These and related recommendations are described in detail in the conference proceedings.

Voigt, S.↗

Dynamic characteristics of power-tower space stations with 15-foot truss bays

A power tower space station concept which generates power with photovoltaic arrays and where the truss structure has a bay size of 15 ft is described. Rigid body and flexible body dynamic characteristics are presented for a 75-kW Initial Operating Capability (IOC) and 150-kW and 300-kW growth stations. The transient response of the IOC and 300-kW growth stations to shuttle dock, orbit reboost, and mobile remote manipulator system translation loads are studied. Displacements, accelerations, and bending moments at various locations on the IOC and 300-kW growth stations are presented.

Dorsey, J. T.↗

Space station

The Space Station is being defined as a multi-purpose facility with emphasis in the following areas: scientific and technology research laboratory; permanent observatory; spacecraft servicing facility; construction and assembly facility; manufacturing facility; transportation node; and staging base for future space endeavors. The Station complex, in its initial operating capability configuration, includes a continuously habitable manned element, a polar orbiting unmanned platform, and a second unmanned platform co-orbiting with the manned element. All elements are dependent on the Space Transportation System (STS) for initial placement on-orbit and for subsequent logistical services. The manned element will be designed for long duration operations with systems maintainable on-orbit and operationally autonomous from ground control. A major feature of the Station will be its adaptability to evolutionary technology upgrades; and the Space Station, as a system, is to be designed for maximum ease of use by its users.

Thompson, D. R.↗

Space station molecular sieve development

An essential function of a space environmental control system is the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere to control the partial pressure of this gas at levels lower than 3 mm Hg. The use of regenerable solid adsorbents for this purpose was demonstrated effectively during the Skylab mission. Earlier sorbent systems used zeolite molecular sieves. The carbon molecular sieve is a hydrophobic adsorbent with excellent potential for space station application. Although carbon molecular sieves were synthesized and investigated, these sieves were designed to simulate the sieving properties of 5A zeolite and for O2/N2 separation. This program was designed to develop hydrophobic carbon molecular sieves for CO2 removal from a space station crew environment. It is a first phase effort involved in sorbent material development and in demonstrating the utility of such a material for CO2 removal on space stations. The sieve must incorporate the following requirements: it must be hydrophobic; it must have high dynamic capacity for carbon dioxide at the low partial pressure of the space station atmosphere; and it must be chemiclly stable and will not generate contaminants.

Chang, C.↗

Space station propulsion technology

The progress on the Space Station Propulsion Technology Program is described. The objectives are to provide a demonstration of hydrogen/oxygen propulsion technology readiness for the Initial Operating Capability (IOC) space station application, specifically gaseous hydrogen/oxygen and warm hydrogen thruster concepts, and to establish a means for evolving from the IOC space station propulsion to that required to support and interface with advanced station functions. The evaluation of concepts was completed. The accumulator module of the test bed was completed and, with the microprocessor controller, delivered to NASA-MSFC. An oxygen/hydrogen thruster was modified for use with the test bed and successfully tested at mixture ratios from 4:1 to 8:1.

Briley, G. L.↗

The space station power system

The manned space station is the next major NASA program. It presents many challenges to the power system designers. The power system in turn is a major driver on the overall configuration. In this paper, the major requirements and guidelines that affect the station configuration and the power system are explained. The evolution of the space station power system from the NASA program development-feasibility phase through the current preliminary design phase is described. Several early station concepts, both fanciful and feasible, are described and linked to the present concept. The recently completed Phase B trade study selections of photovoltaic system technologies are described in detail. A summary of the present solar dynamic and power management and distribution systems is also given for completeness.

Baraona, C. R.↗

An analysis of low-thrust, resistojet reboost for the Space Station

This paper presents results of an analysis of low-thrust orbit maintenance of the Space Station. Propellant requirements and transfer times are given for reboost of the station through various altitude increments. The reboost can readily be accomplished with thrust levels that subject the station to an acceleration of less than the desired upper limit of 10 to the -5th g's. The variation in time and the probabilistic aspect of the predicted upper-atmospheric density as well as the variation in time of sun-pointing drag areas were taken into account. Estimates of the propellant requirements at different times during an 11-year solar cycle are given. It is shown that the amount of CO2 available from the station life-support system is sufficient, over most of the solar cycle, to provide the propellant for a resistojet orbit-maintenance system.

Penko, P. F.↗

Space Station operations

An evaluation of the success of the Space Station will be based on the service provided to the customers by the Station crew, the productivity of the crew, and the costs of operation. Attention is given to details regarding Space Station operations, a summary of operational philosophies and requirements, logistics and resupply operations, prelaunch processing and launch operations, on-orbit operations, aspects of maintainability and maintenance, habitability, and questions of medical care. A logistics module concept is considered along with a logistics module processing timeline, a habitability module concept, and a Space Station rescue mission.

Gray, R. H.↗

Planning for Space Station utilization

User requirements for the planned Space Station, and utilization planning to meet those needs, are discussed. The continual involvement of the customer in all aspects of the Space Station Program is to be achieved by identifying customers and by defining, refining, and integrating their requirements so as to stimulate the best possible design, development, and operations. Planning guidelines to be used in the Space Station definition process are shown and discussed, as is the Space Station Planning Schedule.

Raney, W.↗

Function, form, and technology - The evolution of Space Station in NASA

The history of major Space Station designs over the last twenty-five years is reviewed. The evolution of design concepts is analyzed with respect to the changing functions of Space Stations; and available or anticipated technology capabilities. Emphasis is given to the current NASA Space Station reference configuration, the 'power tower'. Detailed schematic drawings of the different Space Station designs are provided.

Fries, S. D.↗

Space stations and space platforms - Concepts, design, infrastructure, and uses

Topics discussed include space infrastructures and early Space Station and platform planning. Consideration is given to the supportive role of the Space Station and platform in future astronomy, earth observation, planetary, and communication space missions. Papers are presented on the history of the Space Station and space platform concepts, potential designs of space stations and space platforms, and long-range plans for space research.

Bekey, I.↗

Design drivers of the Space Station Propulsion System

The objective of this paper is to describe some of the factors that are being considered by NASA in the selection of the Space Station Propulsion System. The paper describes briefly several design alternatives under consideration. The emphasis of this paper is on understanding the criteria being used by NASA, rather than a quantitative evaluation of the design alternatives. Four system evaluation criteria are suggested: cost, safety, technical readiness, and opportunities for station evolution. Within the cost criteria, the impact of the design alternatives on maintenance and resupply costs is discussed. Safety is suggested to be determined more by the nature of the propellants than the possible loss of the propulsion function. Technical readiness is primarily an evaluation of the risk of schedule delay, more than a concern over a showstopper in the development of any of the systems. Finally, the opportunity for station evolution is described in terms of the development of an oxygen/hydrogen economy for the Space Station.

Graetch, J.↗