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Mid-Air Helicopter Delivery at Mars Using a Jetpack

Mid-Air Helicopter Delivery (MAHD) is a new Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) architecture to enable in situ mobility for Mars science at lower cost than previous rover missions. It uses a jetpack to slow down a Mars Science Helicopter (MSH) after separation from the backshell, and reach aerodynamic conditions suitable for helicopter take-off in mid air. MAHD's lander-free approach leaves enough room in the aeroshell to accommodate larger rotors. This drastically improves flight performance compared to heritage EDL approaches, notably +60\% science payload mass. MAHD also brings cost savings, a simpler architecture, improved surface access and can reach higher elevations on Mars. This paper introduces a design for the MAHD system architecture and operations. We present a mechanical configuration which fits both MSH and the jetpack within the 2.65-m Mars heritage aeroshell, and a jetpack control architecture which fully leverages the available helicopter avionics. We discuss preliminary numerical models of the flow dynamics resulting from the interaction between the jets, the rotors and the side winds. We define a force-torque sensing architecture capable of handling the wind and trimming the rotors to prepare for safe take-off. Finally, we analyze the dynamic environment and closed-loop control simulation results to demonstrate the preliminary feasibility of MAHD.

Balaram, J.↗

NASA's Habitation Development Status: Current Concepts and ISRU Opportunities

Introduction: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is embarking on a bold journey to return humankind to the Moon and onward to Mars with innovative commercial, international, and academic partnerships. Under the Artemis series of missions, NASA seeks to establish sustained human exploration of deep space through an objectives-based approach. This approach drives the identification of needed system functionality and the current and future capabilities which will eventually allow humanity to sustainably live beyond Earth. Providing evolvable and scalable habitation is a cornerstone function that calls for the collection and integration of current, developmental, and future technologies that can meet near-term exploration needs while growing into long-term sustained presence. NASA is advancing in-space habitation through its Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) model while designing lunar, Mars transit, and Mars surface habitat government reference concepts for Artemis missions. These efforts have unveiled possible near-term opportunities for the in-space resource utilization community if human habitation is considered a future customer of space resources. NextSTEP Habitation Development: NASA is closely working with commercial partners under its NextSTEP Appendix A model to advance habitation systems in the arena of inflatable and composite habitation structures. Such efforts promise efficiencies in volumetric packaging and overall spacecraft mass respectively. Recent testing by commercial partners have helped to quantify possible failure mechanisms for inflatable structures while advancing their technology towards eventual flight certification. The advancement of such Class II habitation structures, in which the habitat is only fully deployed once in-space or on a planetary surface, is critical to providing increased habitable volume for long-duration missions with no additional mass penalties. The progression of such technology is infused into NASA’s government reference concepts for notional deep space habitation concepts. Current Government Reference Concepts: To best inform the formulation of future collaborative solicitations, NASA employs the practice of internally developing reference concepts for future exploration elements. These concepts aid in identifying the functions and capabilities needed to complete NASA missions as well as feasible solutions within the timeframe needed. Government reference concepts for a lunar Surface Habitat, Mars Transit Habitat, and Mars Sur-face Habitat are continuously being developed and updated to better guide the Agency’s overall exploration architecture. Lunar Surface Habitat. As NASA returns to the Moon, it is evaluating possible lunar surface habitation concepts. The Surface Habitat (SH) reference concept entails a hybrid metallic-inflatable structure capable of initially housing two crew for surface stays of up to 30 days in duration. While initial missions may span ~7 days in duration, consideration is being given to expanding SH’s capability to support a crew of four for up to 60 days over its 15-year design life. Functionally, the SH serves as a ‘hub’ for all Artemis crewed surface operations, providing internal volume for maintenance, medical, logistics, science utilization, and extravehicular activity (EVA) support in addition to core habitation functionality such as environmental control and life support (ECLS) and power generation and distribution among many others. Additionally, NASA has entered a study agreement with the Italian Space Agency (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana – ASI) to investigation a possible Multi-Purpose Habitat (MPH) as an additional or augmenting habit-able element for the lunar surface. Mars Transit Habitat. NASA’s current architectural concept for initial human missions to Mars entails the utilization of a transit habitat (TH) to transport a four-person crew to and from Mars orbit, departing from and returning to a lunar near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO), over the course of a ~1,200-day mission. While holding a similar 15-year design lifetime, TH will also support a series of analog mission activities in NRHO to gradually test the systems and interaction with lunar surface elements, some of which may be adapted for Mars surface exploration. Holding similar functional capabilities as SH, TH is sized to support much longer durations in space and greater logistical independence. Mars Surface Habitat. NASA is still exploring the concept of operations for initial crewed missions to Mars. As such, the Mars Surface Habitat (MSH) concept is still in its infancy as options for mobile, pressurized habitation and stationary habitats are being explored. It is expected MSH will leverage heavily from the lunar SH and possible lunar pressurized rover, however the very different Martian environment will likely necessitate modifications. ISRU Opportunities: Despite the advancements under NASA’s NextSTEP habitation work and continually optimized reference concepts, NASA is facing near-term mass and power challenges that may create opportunities to the ISRU community by providing yet another possible customer for space resources. While NASA desires to use regenerative ECLS systems (ECLSS) for all habitation concepts, their operation comes with initial mass penalties and maintenance overheads when compared to simpler open-loop architectures. Because of this, NASA is currently pro-posing an open-loop, consumables-based architecture for its surface habitats to achieve initial launch and delivery lander mass targets while scarring for the in-corporation of regenerative ECLSS to meet longer mission durations and sustained presence. With such an architecture, oxygen and potable water are needed consumables, which initial ISRU systems may be able to provide in a pilot capacity. Although the TH is expecting to utilize regenerative ECLSS, advancements in lunar surface-based ISRU and possible re-supply of spacecraft in lunar or Mars orbit could significantly reduce the logistical need for ECLSS related spares on TH and possibly allow a similar open-loop and consumables-based architecture. In addition to ECLSS mass concerns, the SH is facing challenges with energy storage to support operations over periods of darkness exceeding 100 hours. Both battery and fuel cell-based power architectures are being traded, opening options for external power generation and energy storage. One possibility is ISRU-produced H2 and O2 feeding external primary fuel cell systems which could supplement habitation power generation while reducing initial mass and volume until much more powerful fission power systems might be deployed. Conclusion: Significant advancements are being made in evolvable habitation concepts that span from near-term technologies, such as inflatable structures under NextSTEP, to potentially revolutionary capabilities like the lunar surface construction as funded through the Moon-to-Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technologies (MMPACT) project. As NASA investigates both heritage capabilities and rap-idly advancing, disruptive technologies, there are likely many near-term opportunities for initial ISRU capabilities to significantly aid human habitation and increase self-sufficiency beyond Earth.

habitation↗

The Ophiuchus cluster - A bright X-ray cluster of galaxies at low galactic latitude

The discovery of an extended X-ray source identified with a cluster of galaxies at low galactic latitude is reported. The source, designated the Ophiuchus cluster, was detected near 4U 1708-23 with the HEAO 1 Scanning Modulation Collimator, and identified with the cluster on the basis of extended X-ray size and positional coincidence on the ESO/SRC (J) plate of the region. An X-ray flux density in the region 2-10 keV of approximately 25 microJ was measured, along with an X-ray luminosity of 1.6 x 10 to the 45th ergs/sec and an X-ray core radius of approximately 4 arcmin (0.2 Mpc) for an assumed isothermal sphere surface brightness distribution. The X-ray spectrum in the range 2-10 keV obtained with the HEAO 1 A-2 instrument is well fit by a thermal bremsstrahlung model with kT = 8 keV and a 6.7-keV iron line of equivalent width 450 eV. The steep-spectrum radio source MSH 17-203 also appears to be associated with the cluster, which is the closest and brightest representative of the class of X-ray clusters with a dominant central galaxy.

Johnston, M. D.↗

The X-ray nebula around PSR 1509 - 58

With the use of measured spectra and a model, volumes and luminosities are derived for several components of the supernova remnant MSH 15 - 52. The hard, featureless spectrum and spatial symmetry of the X-ray nebula surrounding the central pulsar strongly indicate synchrotron radiation as the source of emission. Power requirements are easily supplied by the pulsar. The observed surface brightness is only 0.00002 that of the X-ray synchrotron emission around the Crab pulsar, and the X-ray luminosity is 0.01 that of the Crab. In spite of the great difference in luminosity and size, the two systems are probably similar in nature, with the high brightness and unique appearance of the Crab synchrotron nebula being due to the high energy output of the pulsar and the relatively small volume of the confining filaments.

Seward, F. D.↗

X-ray observations of Crab-like supernova remnants

Distinguishing radio and morphological characteristics of Crab Nebula-like supernova remnants (SNR) are described. Radio features comprise a flat spectrum, a filled center brightness distribution, and a centrally located pulsar. The radio signals are linearly polarized and suggest a synchrotron emission mechanism. Known objects with those characteristics include the Crab Nebula, Vela X, 3C58, G21.5 - 0.9 and G74.9 + 1.2. Only the Crab Nebula exhibits pulsations, while all have unresolved X-ray sources and nonthermal X-ray spectra. Although the Crab-like SNR are distinctly different from shell-like SNR, the SNR CTB80, G326.3 - 1.8, W28 and G29.7 0.3 display characteristics of both, particularly shell-like structures and flat spectra. X-ray spectra from compact sources have also been detected from 3C58, CTB80, W28 and MSH 15 - 52 and exhibit nonthermal power law features. The X-ray spectra could be used as a measure of the evolutionary stage of the source.

Becker, R. H.↗

L1 libration point manned space habitat

Second generation stations or Manned Space Habitats (MSHs) are discussed for an Earth-Moon libration point and in lunar orbit. The conceptual design of such a station is outlined. Systems and subsystems described reflect anticipation of moderate technology growth. The evolution of the L1 environments is discussed, several selected subsystems are outlined, and how the L1 MSH will complete some of its activities is described.

Luttges, Marvin↗

The Crab-like supernova remnants

Recent observational and theoretical investigations of Galactic and extragalactic SNRs suspected of having neutron central stars are reviewed, with an emphasis on Einstein X-ray observations. Sections are devoted to the Crab Nebula and its twin SNR 0540-69.3, SNR with observationally well determined and indistinct central X-ray nebulae, SNR with weak and strong unresolved internal X-ray sources, binary systems, and the relationship between X-ray and radio luminosity and pulsar energy loss. Consideration is given to radio pulsars, SNR with filled-center X-ray emission attributed to thermal processes, radio plerions and composite SNRs, MSH 15-56, and SNRs in the LMC. Extensive contour maps, sample optical images, and tables of numerical data are included.

Seward, Frederick D.↗

Emissions of sulfur gases from marine and freshwater wetlands of the Florida Everglades - Rates and extrapolation using remote sensing

Rates of emissions of the biogenic sulfur (S) gases carbonyl sulfide (COS), methyl mercaptan (MSH), dimethyl sulfide (DMS), and carbon disulfide (CS2) were measured in a variety of marine and freshwater wetland habitats in the Florida Everglades during a short duration period in October using dynamic chambers, cryotrapping techniques, and gas chromatography. The most rapid emissions of over 500 nmol/sq m/h occurred in red mangrove-dominated sites that were adjacent to open seawater and contained numerous crab burrows. Poorly drained red mangrove sites exhibited lower fluxes of about 60 nmol/sq m/h, which were similar to fluxes from the black mangrove areas which dominated the marine-influenced wetland sites in the Everglades. DMS was the dominant organo-S gas emitted especially in the freshwater areas. Spectral data from a scene from the Landsat TM were used to map habitats in the Everglades. Six vegetation categories were delineated using geographical information system software and S gas emissions were extrapolated for the entire Everglades National Park. The black mangrove-dominated areas accounted for the largest portion of S gas emissions to the area. The large area extent of the saw grass communities accounted for about 24 percent of the total S emissions.

Hines, Mark E.↗

Emissions of sulfur gases from marine and freshwater wetlands of the Florida Everglades: Rates and extrapolation using remote sensing

Rates of emissions of the biogenic sulfur (S) gases carbonyl sulfide (COS), methyl mercaptan (MSH), dimethyl sulfide (DMS), and carbon disulfide (CS2) were measured in a variety of marine and freshwater wetland habitats in the Florida Everglades during a short duration period in October using dynamic chambers, cryotrapping techniques, and gas chromatography. The most rapid emissions of greater than 500 nmol/m(sup -2)h(sup -1) occurred in red mangrove-dominated sites that were adjacent to open seawater and contained numerous crab burrows. Poorly drained red mangrove sites exhibited lower fluxes of approximately 60 nmol/m(sup -2)h(sup -1) which were similar to fluxes from the black mangrove areas which dominated the marine-influenced wetland sites in the Everglades. DMS was the dominant organo-S gas emitted especially in the freshwater areas. Spectral data from a scene from the Landsat thematic mapper were used to map habitats in the Everglades. Six vegetation categories were delineated using geographical information system software and S gas emission were extrapolated for the entire Everglades National Park. The black mangrove-dominated areas accounted for the largest portion of S gas emissions to the area. The large area extent of the saw grass communities (42 percent) accounted for approximately 24 percent of the total S emissions.

Hines, Mark E.↗

The pulsed hard X-ray spectrum of PSR B1509-58

Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) observed the 150 ms X-ray pulsar PSR B1509-58 m the supernova remnant MSH 15-52 for 4 weeks in 1992. The pulsed spectrum from 50 keV to 5 MeV is well represented by a single-power-law photon spectrum of the form (3.14 +/- 0.16) x 10(exp -6) x (E/118.5 keV)(exp -1.68 +/- -0.09) photons cm(exp -2)s(exp -1)keV(exp -1). This is significantly harder than the Crab pulsar spectrum in this energy range. The Ginga soft X-ray spectrum (2-60 keV) reported by Kawai et al. is significantly harder than the observed OSSE spectrum and predicts a flux 2 times higher than we observe in the approximately 55-170 keV energy band. This requires a break to a steeper spectrum somewhere in the intermediate energy range (approximately 20-80 keV). The spectrum must soften again at higher energies or the pulsar would have easily been detected by EGRET, COS B, and SAS 2.

Matz, S.↗

High energy survey of supernova remnants with BATSE

The burst and transient source experiment (BATSE) survey of the high energy emission from supernova remnants is reported on. The ability of BATSE to continuously monitor the entire sky in the 20 keV to 2 MeV energy range enables a large group of remnants to by studied at high energies. Preliminary analysis indicates the likely detection of several supernova remnants other than the Crab nebula. Among these are MSH 15-52, Vela, Cas A and possibly HB 9. The techniques employed are discussed together with the status of the survey and its limitations.

McCollough, M. L.↗

Observations of PSR B1509-58 Using INTEGRAL Core Program Data

We present spectral and imaging results from the analysis of the first year of INTEGRAL Core Program Data for the pulsar PSR B1509-58 and its associated supernova remnant MSH 15-52. PSR B1509-58 is a gamma-ray emitting, rotation-powered pulsar with a period of approx. = 150 ms and a characteristic age of roughly 1600 years. This pulsar is unusual among the gamma-ray pulsars in that its gamma-ray spectrum is cut-off at the lowest energy (approx. 10 - 30 MeV) and it has the highest surface magnetic field strength (1.54 x 10(exp 13) G). We find that IBIS/ISGRI and SPI detect PSR B1509-58/MSH 15-52 up to approx. 200 keV. The spectral shape and flux level are in agreement with previous results. Key words: pu1sars:individual:PSR B1509-58 - Gamma rays:observations.

Sturner, S. J.↗

Multiple melanocortin receptors are expressed in bone cells

Melanocortin receptors belong to the seven transmembrane domain, G-protein coupled family of receptors. There are five members of this receptor family labeled MC1R-MC5R. These receptors are activated by fragments derived from a larger molecule, proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and include ACTH, alpha beta and gamma-MSH and beta-endorphin. Because of in vitro and in vivo data suggesting direct effects of these POMC molecules on bone and bone turnover, we examined bone and bone derived cells for the presence of the various members of the melanocortin receptor family. We report that the five known melanocortin receptors are expressed to varying degrees in osteoblast-like and osteoclastic cells. POMC fragments increased proliferation and expression of a variety of genes in osteoblastic cells. Furthermore, POMC mRNA was detected in osteoclastic cells. These data demonstrate that POMC-derived peptide hormones acting through high affinity melanocortin receptors have specific effects on bone cells. Thus, in addition to the indirect effects of POMC-derived hormones on bone turnover through their modulation of steroid hormone secretion, POMC fragments may have direct and specific effects on bone cell subpopulations.

NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal↗

Discovery of a Young, Energetic Pulsar Near the Supernova Remnant G290.1-0.8 and the Gamma-Ray Source 2EG J1103-6106

We report on the discovery and follow-up timing observations of a 63-ms radio pulsar, PSR J1105-6107. We show that the pulsar is young, having a characteristic age of only 63kyr. We consider its possible association with the nearby remnant G290.1-0.8 (MSH 11-61A) but uncertainties in the distances and ages preclude a firm conclusion.

stars neutron stars pulsars supernova remnants gam↗

Recent Results on SNRs and PWNe from the Fermi Large Area Telescope

Topics include: Fermi LAT Collaboration groups; galactic results from LAT; a GeV, wide-field instrument; the 1FGL catalog, the Fermi LAT 1FGL source catalog, unidentified gamma-ray sources; variability in 1FGL sources; curvature in 1FGL sources; spectral-variability classification; gamma-ray pulsars and MSPs; GeV PWN - where to look; Crab pulsar and nebula; Vela X nebular of Vela pulsar; MSH 15-52; GeV PWNe spectra; GeV nebula limits; Nebula search of LAT pulsars; supernova remnants; SNR: GeV morphology; SNR: molecular connection; SNR: GeV breaks; SNR: young vs. old. The summary includes slides about the Large Area Telescope (LAT) and LAT sensitivity with time.

Hays, Elizabeth A.↗

Recent Results on SNRs and PWNe from the Fermi Large Area Telescope

Topics include: Fermi LAT Collaboration groups; galactic results from LAT; a GeV, wide-field instrument; the 1FGL catalog, the Fermi LAT 1FGL source catalog, unidentified gamma-ray sources; variability in 1FGL sources; curvature in 1FGL sources; spectral-variability classification; pulsars and their wind nebulae; gamma-ray pulsars and MSPs; GeV PWN search; Crab pulsar and nebula; Vela X nebular of Vela pulsar; MSH 15-52; supernova remnants, resolved GeV sources, galactic transients, LAT unassociated transient detections; gamma rays from a nova; V407 Cyngi - a symbiotic nova; V407 Cygni: a variable star; and March 11 - a nova. Summary slides include pulsars everywhere, blazars, LAT as an electron detector, cosmic ray spectrum, the Large Area Telescope, the Fermi Observatory, LAT sensitivity with time, candidate gamma-ray events, on-orbit energy calibration and rate, a 1 year sky map, LAT automated science processing, reported GeV flares, early activity and spectacular flare, gamma-ray transients near the galactic plane , two early unassociated transients, counter part search - Fermi J0910-5404; counterpart search 3EG J0903-3531, and a new LAT transient - J1057-6027.

Hays, Elizabeth↗

Mars Aeolian Wind Tunnel Test Stand Group #20

The exploration of Mars has long been a theme in science fiction entertainment. However, with successful NASA Mars rover missions such as Curiosity and Opportunity, this fiction has become a reality. As NASA prepares additional rovers to explore the Red Planet, the agency is looking for ways to make exploration more efficient. One solution is to use a small, lightweight, co-axial rotor helicopter to scout geographical conditions on the Martian surface. This type of flight is unprecedented, as no vehicle has flown in the Martian atmosphere. With that said, extensive experimentation is needed to develop such a vehicle. Initial testing has been completed on what has been dubbed the Mars Scout Helicopter (MSH), and the next phase of testing will include wind tunnel testing of the rotor in forward flight in a reduced pressure environment, simulating the atmosphere of Mars.

Mars Aeolian↗

Airfoil Selection for Mars Rotor Applications

This short white paper is aimed at providing an overview of design considerations for airfoil choices for rotor applications in the Martian atmosphere, at very low chord-based Reynolds number flows, around Rec = O (103 -104). The low Reynolds number typical of rotorcraft operation in the Martian atmosphere reduces the rotor lifting force and efficiency, which is only partially compensated for by a lower gravity on Mars. Additionally, the low temperature and largely CO2 based atmosphere of Mars compound the overall aerodynamic problem by resulting in a lower speed of sound, further constraining rotor operation in the Martian atmosphere by limiting the maximum rotor tip speed possible so as not to exceed an acceptable tip Mach number. In light of the expected reduced rotor efficiency, evaluating airfoils for compressible, low-Reynolds number Mars rotor applications is key. Prior research on airfoil optimization and performance evaluation at low Reynolds numbers, especially in the compressible regime, is scarce and deserves further understanding. Specifically, the proposed goal stemming from this overview is to develop airfoils tailored to the unique demands of the second generation of Mars rotorcraft, i.e. the Mars Science Helicopter (MSH). This research focuses on the airfoil performance at low Reynolds numbers and hopes to add to the work performed by, amongst others, Kroo et al., Kunz and Kroo, Oyama and Fujii, Anyoji et al.

Koning, Witold J. F.↗