Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “planetary sciences”

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 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2022

The VIPER Mission, a Resource-Mapping Mission on Another Celestial Body

The Volatiles Investigation Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission is a lunar polar volatiles prospecting mission developed through NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Planetary Science Division with launch in late 2023. VIPER’s mission goals are to (1) characterize the distribution and physical state of lunar polar water and other volatiles in lunar cold traps and regolith and (2)provide the data necessary for NASA to evaluate potential return of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) from lunar polar regions. VIPER will be optimized for lunar regions that receive prolonged periods of sunlight (short lunar nights). The mission duration will be more than 90 Earth days and result in a traverse distance of up to 20 km. The mission includes a rover-borne payload that can locate surface and near-subsurface volatiles, excavate, and analyze samples of the volatile-bearing regolith, and demonstrate the form, extractability, and usefulness of the materials.

The Volatiles Investigation Polar Exploration Rove↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

VIPER Mission Traverse Planning – Design, Strategies, and Dynamics

The Volatiles Investigation Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) is a lunar polar volatiles prospecting mission developed through NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Planetary Science Di-vision[1].VIPER is scheduled to land on Mons Mouton near the lunar South Pole in late 2024. VIPER’s primary mission goal is to characterize the distribution of water and volatiles across a range of thermal environments. This characterization aims to assist in understanding the origin of lunar polar volatiles and also help evaluate the In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) potential of the lunar poles. The VIPER rover is a four-wheeled robotic vehicle weighing ~450 kg. It is solar-powered and teleoperated from Earth over a line-of-sight radio link. The rover can move at up to 20 cm/s on flat terrain. Accounting for commanding, localization, navigation, and obstacle-avoidance delays, however, the effective speed is closer to 1 cm/s. This effective speed is known as “Speed Made Good” (SMG), adopted from maritime culture, and kept as a key performance metric for VIPER oper-ations planning, execution, and evaluation. The mission duration is anticipated to be more than 90 Earth days and involves up to 20 km of driving. VIPER’s prospecting payload consists of spectrometers to detect volatiles and assess concentrations, context imagers, and a drill for sub-surface measurements down to one meter depth [2]. Mobility, combined with the prospecting and drill instrument suite, makes VIPER an analytically powerful resource mapper.

Volatiles Investigation Polar Exploration Rover (V↗
NASA NTRS1985

Horizons and Opportunities in Lunar Sample Science

The Moon is the cornerstone of planetary science. Lunar sample studies were fundamental in developing an understanding of the early evolution and continued development of planetary bodies, and have led to major revisions in understanding of processes for the accumulation of planetesimals and the formation of planets. Studies of lunar samples have increased an understanding of impact cratering, meteoroid and micrometeoroid fluxes, the interaction of planetary surfaces with radiations and particles, and even the history of the Sun. The lunar sample research program was especially productive, but by no means have all the important answers been determined; continued study of lunar samples will further illuminate the shadows of our knowledge about the solar system. Further, the treasures returned through the Apollo program provide information that is required for a return to the Moon, beginning with new exploration (Lunar Geoscience Observer (LGO)), followed by intensive study (new sample return missions), and eventually culminating in a lunar base and lunar resource utilization. The few years during and following Apollo were a hectic time for lunar science. Since then, considerable maturation of the science and distinct changes in the mode of operation have developed. Funding (and hence the number of investigators) has naturally declined. Studies have become far more problem-oriented than descriptive. Many sample investigators have shifted their sights away from planetary evolution, for which the Moon holds considerable information, toward processes and materials in the pre-planetary solar nebula, for which the Moon has no direct evidence. Nonetheless, unique scientific opportunities are still supplied by the samples returned from the Apollo and Luna missions and by lunar meteorites. These 382 kg of samples constitute a priceless resource that still has enormous scientific potential. Continued interaction between NASA and the scientific community, especially through the advice of groups such as the Lunar and Planetary Sample Team (LAPST), is essential in maintaining the current level of excellence of the program. LAPST has reviewed its role, the role of the sample research community, and the perceived role of future researchers over the next decade in ensuring the effective use of lunar sample studies in space exploration and exploitation. The review encompasses: (I) lunar sample science; (2) lunar materials applications; (3) lunar sample studies and their relation to future space missions; and (4) lunar sample curation. Plans in all four areas are summarized in this document.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2019

Future Planetary Instrument Capabilities Made Possible by Micro- and Nanotechnology

A number of new instrument capabilities are currently in maturation for future in situ use on planetary science missions. Moving beyond the impressive in situ instrumentation already operating in planetary environments beyond Earth will enable the next step in scientific discovery. The approach for developing beyond current instrumentation requires a careful assessment of science-driven capability advancement. To this end, two examples of instrument technology development efforts that are leading to new and important analytical capabilities for in situ planetary science will be discussed: (1) an instrument prototype enabling the interface between liquid separation techniques and laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and (2) an addressable excitation source enabling miniaturized electron probe microanalysis for elemental mapping of light and heavy elements.

Getty, Stephanie A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Space Station Freedom - Its role as an international research laboratory and observatory

The international partnership agreed to just a year ago among the United States, Canada, Japan and nations participating in the European Space Agency bring us one giant leap closer to unprecedented opportunities in space science and observation. While the driving force of Space Station Freedom has been and continues to be an expansion of human presence in space, the goals of the program go far beyond support of exploration. Integral to the international program is research, conducted on four spacecraft, centering on laboratory and observatory experiments. Research onboard the station's manned base, two polar orbiting observation platforms and the Columbus Free Flying Laboratory will offer research opportunities never available before in life sciences, materials sciences, earth observation, astrophysics and planetary sciences for a wide variety of users over a period of three decades. As such, Space Station Freedom, the world's largest and most useful facility in space, is expected to stimulate advanced technologies, promote the commercial use of space, and increase international cooperation in the peaceful utilization of outer space.

Griner, Carolyn↗
NASA NTRS2007

Application of Solar-Electric Propulsion to Robotic Missions in Near-Earth Space

Interest in applications of solar electric propulsion (SEP) is increasing. Application of SEP technology is favored when: (1) the mission is compatible with low-thrust propulsion, (2) the mission needs high total delta V such that chemical propulsion is disadvantaged; and (3) performance enhancement is needed. If all such opportunities for future missions are considered, many uses of SEP are likely. Representative missions are surveyed and several SEP applications selected for analysis, including orbit raising, lunar science and robotic exploration, and planetary science. These missions span SEP power range from 10 kWe to about 100 kWe. A SEP design compatible with small inexpensive launch vehicles, and capable of lunar science missions, is presented. Modes of use and benefits are described, and potential SEP evolution is discussed.

Woodcock, Gordon R.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Science Questions and Broad Outline of Technology Needs of the Decade 2013-2022

We present an overview of the top priority science questions outlined in the Planetary Exploration Decadal Survey, "Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022." The recommended mission portfolio, along with expected infrastructure challenges, should drive investments over the decade. The instrument and technology needs for the next decade will be presented, with a summary of progress since the Decadal.

SlIllon-Miller, A. A.↗
NASA NTRS2012

A Lunar L2-Farside Exploration and Science Mission Concept with the ORion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and a Teleoperated Lander/Rover

A novel concept is presented in this paper for a human mission to the lunar L2 (Lagrange) point that would be a proving ground for future exploration missions to deep space while also overseeing scientifically important investigations. In an L2 halo orbit above the lunar farside, the astronauts would travel 15% farther from Earth than did the Apollo astronauts and spend almost three times longer in deep space. Such missions would validate the Orion MPCV's life support systems, would demonstrate the high-speed re-entry capability needed for return from deep space, and would measure astronauts' radiation dose from cosmic rays and solar flares to verify that Orion would provide sufficient protection, as it is designed to do. On this proposed mission, the astronauts would teleoperate landers and rovers on the unexplored lunar farside, which would obtain samples from the geologically interesting farside and deploy a low radio frequency telescope. Sampling the South Pole-Aitkin basin (one of the oldest impact basins in the solar system) is a key science objective of the 2011 Planetary Science Decadal Survey. Observations of the Universe's first stars/galaxies at low radio frequencies are a priority of the 2010 Astronomy & Astrophysics Decadal Survey. Such telerobotic oversight would also demonstrate capability for human and robotic cooperation on future, more complex deep space missions.

Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV)↗
NASA NTRS2012

A Notional Example of Understanding Human Exploration Traverses on the Lunar Surface

Mr. Gruener received an M.S. in physical science, with an emphasis in planetary geology, from the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 1994. He then began working with NASA JSC.s Solar System Exploration Division on the development of prototype planetary science instruments, the development of a mineral-based substrate for nutrient delivery to plant growth systems in bio-regenerative life support systems, and in support of the Mars Exploration Rover missions in rock and mineral identification. In 2004, Mr. Gruener again participated in a renewed effort to plan and design missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. He participated in many exploration planning activities, including NASA.s Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS), Global Exploration Strategy Workshop, Lunar Architecture Team 1 and 2, Constellation Lunar Architecture Team, the Global Point of Departure Lunar Exploration Team, and the NASA Advisory Council (NAC) Workshop on Science Associated with the Lunar Exploration Architecture. Mr. Gruener has also been an active member of the science team supporting NASA.s Desert Research and Technology Studies (RATS).

Gruener, John↗
NASA NTRS2021

SMD Technology Highlights

Seven technology highlights from the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Astrophysics, Planetary Science, Heliophysics, and Biological and Physical Sciences, and Earth Science divisions are featured: 1. Technology using precisely controlled ultraviolet light source that to suppress electrostatic noise in gravitational wave observatories 2. New micro-shutter technology that will enable space telescopes to perform spectroscopy on a large number of objects simultaneously 3. An optical seismometer that is micro-fabricated, easy to manufacture, immune to radiation damage, and operates with low power consumption to characterize ice sheets and mantle on icy worlds 4. Rediscovering the lost art of fluxgate magnetometer cores 5. Innovative technology to measure muscle strength of worms in space to prepare astronauts for future missions 6. A new state-of-the-art sensor and satellite platform to enable continued monitoring of Earth’s radiant energy system 7. Novel Algorithms to merge ground- and space-based data to forecast air pollution events

ultraviolet↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return Program

NASA's Perseverance mission arrived at Jezero Crater on Mars in February 2021 and began scientific studies and acquisition of Martian samples for return to Earth by future missions, consistent with the recommendations of the U.S. science community in the previous Planetary Science Decadal Survey. NASA and ESA have established a joint Mars Sample Return (MSR) program to safely deliver these samples back to Earth, allowing researchers to use advanced scientific instrumentation that cannot be transported on robotic spacecraft and enable future studies of carefully curated samples using capabilities that have not yet been developed. The MSR architecture consists of two flight elements to follow Perseverance, the NASA-led Sample Retrieval Lander (SRL) and the ESA-led Earth Return Orbiter (ERO). The ERO is designed to orbit Mars and provide relay services for the SRL, including its ESA Sample Fetch Rover (SFR) and the NASA Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). The SRL deploys the SFR to retrieve Martian samples cached by the Perseverance rover and then returns the samples to the Orbiting Sample container (OS) on board the MAV using the ESA Sample Transfer Arm (STA). Independently, Perseverance could also deliver samples retained onboard to the OS. The MAV would launch and release the OS into low Mars orbit for rendezvous with the ERO. Upon successful capture of the OS in the ERO’s primary payload, the NASA Capture/Containment Return System (CCRS), the OS would be safely contained and loaded into the Earth Entry System (EES). The ERO will leave Mars orbit and release the EES on Earth approach on a ballistic reentry trajectory through the Earth's atmosphere for landing in the United States. Following return of the samples to Earth, the samples would be protected, preserved, assessed, curated, and made available to the international science community for scientific research and analysis. The NASA SRL and ESA ERO missions are expected to launch as early as 2026, with the return of Martian samples to Earth as early as 2031. MSR’s primary objective is the return of scientifically selected Mars samples for detailed investigation in terrestrial laboratories. The mission would also further inform the design of future human missions. The Mars Sample Return campaign is underway with the successful collection of several scientifically selected samples in Jezero Crater. The MSR Program is working towards a confirmation review in 2023 for the remaining flight elements.

Mars↗
NASA NTRS1996

Market-Based Approaches to Managing Science Return from Planetary Missions

The return of science is the fundamental objective of any planetary mission. However, which constellation of science observations constitute the best return of science is hard to evaluate. Past approaches toward planning science observations have been based on co-location of payload scientists who debate the merits of which investigation had the stronger science. This advocacy approach is time-consuming and does not provide appropriate incentives for science teams to reveal their trade-offs. An alternative approach, currently under evaluation by the Cassini Mission to Saturn, is one based on providing better incentives to the science teams. Incentives can produce better tradeoffs because the individuals who can make the best decisions about which science observations to propose, what resources are required to implement the observations, and which observations are most important are the science team's Principle Investigators (PI) themselves.

mission↗
NASA NTRS2017

Unveiling the Mysteries of Mars with a Miniaturized Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope (MVP-SEM)

Development of a miniaturized scanning electron microscope that will utilize the martian atmosphere to dissipate charge during analysis continues. This instrument is expected to be used on a future rover or lander to answer fundamental Mars science questions. To identify the most important questions, a survey was taken at the 47th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC). From the gathered information initial topics were identified for a SEM on the martian surface. These priorities are identified and discussed below. Additionally, a concept of operations is provided with the goal of maximizing the science obtained with the minimum amount of communication with the instrument.

Lunar & Planetary Science & Exploration↗
NASA NTRS2017

Unveiling the Mysteries of Mars with a Miniaturized Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope (MVP-SEM)

Development of a miniaturized scanning electron microscope that will utilize the martian atmosphere to dissipate charge during analysis continues. This instrument is expected to be used on a future rover or lander to answer fundamental Mars science questions. To identify the most important questions, a survey was taken at the 47th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC). From the gathered information initial topics were identified for a SEM on the martian surface. These priorities are identified and discussed below. Additionally, a concept of operations is provided with the goal of maximizing the science obtained with the minimum amount of communication with the instrument.

Mars↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

How Can We Efficiently Build A Spacecraft That Has Longevity? Experiences From the GSFC Perspective to Inform Lunar Exploration and Science Orbiter’s Architecture

Recent successes in NASA planetary science missions has shown that long-lived missions can yield significant science return. These missions, despite their longevity, were not planned to operate beyond their deign life. For example, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has a design life of 2-3 years, and yet we are entering its 14th year on orbit. Spacecraft longevity in practice has been related to: 1) mission class; 2) did we test it long enough and resolve all the anomalies to be beyond the early failure curve; 3) consumables budgets, and 4) how components are de-signed and tested. Mission class has been perceived as one of the primary ways to drive longevity. But higher mission class is a significant cost and mission driver. Parts selection only from the limited military standard parts and extensive parts qualification adds to development time and cost. Largely redundant (often erroneously interpreted as fully redundant) adds to launch mass and increases testing complexity (which may reduce the amount of testing in the nominal con-figuration). Lower Risk Posture (reflected in a higher mission class) drives significant additional processes and quality assurance analyses. Higher mission class also drives significantly greater sparing and life testing costs. This discussion focuses on whether this is indeed the best way to achieve longevity efficiently or whether there are more efficient ways to achieve longevity. Empirical evidence shows that lower mission classes that implement effective risk reduction and selective redundancy generally results in long life at a lower Spacecraft bus cost. By evaluating redundancy careful-ly, spacecraft cost can be lowered which can enable a more capable payload. Risk of the mission is highly dependent on the complexity of the mission and is only loosely dependent on Class of Mission. High complexity missions can have many single point failures and require the development of new technology, while lower class mission can have lower risk by baselining or incorporating: (selective) redundancy, fault-tolerant design, design for minimum risk, ability to reset, and/or design for graceful degradation. The team met with Goddard Space Flight Center Space Systems Mission Operations leaders to discuss which avionics have proven in flight to be the most reliable and which have had lifetime issues. The paper proposes a list of components to focus on for redundancy for a long-lived lunar mission. Reliability numbers are presented for both single string and dual string missions. The history of life-time performance versus planned mission life according to mission class is presented. A mission with well thought out selective redundancy and effective on the ground test program, can be expected to last well beyond its mission lifetime and provided enhanced return for the community. This approach minimizes project expenditures that do not retire significant risk and allows the project to focus risk mitigation efforts on those risks that will have a significant likelihood of threatening mission success. This is aided by keeping the amount of technology maturation and mission complexity low, while focusing effort on ensuring all component stress-ing parameters well within the bounds of their capabilities.

Lessons Learned↗