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Remote Science Operation Center research

Progress in the following areas is discussed: the design, planning and operation of a remote science payload operations control center; design and planning of a data link via satellite; and the design and prototyping of an advanced workstation environment for multi-media (3-D computer aided design/computer aided engineering, voice, video, text) communications and operations.

Banks, P. M.

Vulcan Test Platform: Demonstrating the Data Center as a Flexible Grid Asset

Explosive data center demand is outpacing grid infrastructure development. AI workloads and hyperscale cloud growth are creating unprecedented power requirements, while traditional grid expansion faces multi-year development timelines, regulatory hurdles, and decarbonization challenges. Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners recognized this impending crisis years ago and founded Verrus to develop an innovative solution: data centers that function as grid assets rather than passive loads. The Verrus approach integrates proprietary grid-aware controls with battery energy storage systems (BESS) in a medium-voltage architecture that delivers three critical capabilities: Fast-responding demand flexibility that can service requests from the utility within 10 seconds, Uninterrupted transition to islanded operation during grid disturbances, Continuous uptime assurance while maintaining all customer service level commitments Through Verrus' strategic partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), we validated these capabilities on Vulcan, a 70 MW utility-scale test platform powered by NREL's ARIES Virtual Emulation Environment. This deployment-ready technology has successfully demonstrated that Verrus data centers can deliver meaningful grid services while maintaining mission-critical reliability. This technical report outlines the design, methodology, and results of this emulated deployment, demonstrating that data centers can play a pivotal role in enhancing grid flexibility and reliability, without sacrificing service level guarantees.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration: Laser Driven Reaction in a Thermal-Vacuum Environment and Project Status

Introduction: Lunar regolith is approximately 45% oxygen by mass. The majority of the oxygen is bound in silicate minerals. The carbothermal reduction process has been proven to be effective at removing oxygen from lunar regolith simulants [1]. The Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration (CaRD) project aims to increase the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of a combined solar concentrator and carbothermal reduction systemin order to demonstrate this technology on the lunar surface. The CaRD project is divided into two design cycles, a brass board and prototype. The status of both design cycles will be discussed, as well as concepts for how this technology can be applied to the Artemis program in the future. Brassboard Vacuum Test: For the brassboard demonstration, a 2 kW Nd-YAG laser was used to heat lunar regolith simulant within a carbothermal reactor developed by Sierra Space. The reactor was placed inside of a 15 ft thermal vacuum chamber at the Johnson Space Center. The resulting reaction products were analyzed using both a gas chromotograph and mass spectrometer provided by Kennedy Space Center. Thermal data was also collected. Prototype Design: For the prototype, the CaRD team will perform another thermal vacuum test at JSC using the same interfaces and assets developed for the brassboard but will test a new carbothermal reactor design that Sierra Space is developing through the Carbothermal Oxygen Production Reactor (COPR) Tipping Point project that will include a means to autonomously move regolith in and out of the reactor. In addition, a deployable solar concentrator is being developed by Glenn Research Center using mirrors produced by Carbon Mirror Applications. The solar concentrator will be used to deliver solar energy into a carbothermal reactor to melt regolith and extract oxygen. Avionics and software for the concentrator are being developed by Kennedy Space Center. Future Concepts: An ongoing task within the CaRD project is to update models that can be used to determine the mass, power, and size of In-Situ Resource Utilization concepts at various scales. These models can now be used to analyze alternatives for future applications based on the latest available data.

A J Paz

Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration (CaRD)

Introduction: Lunar regolith is approximately 45% oxygen by mass. The majority of the oxygen is bound in silicate minerals. The carbothermal reduction process has been proven to be effective at removing oxygen from lunar regolith simulants. The Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration (CaRD) project aims to increase the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of a combined solar concentrator and carbothermal reduction systemin order to demonstrate this technology on the lunar surface. The CaRD project is divided into two design cycles, a brass board and prototype. The status of both design cycles will be discussed, as well as concepts for how this technology can be applied to the Artemis program in the future. Brassboard Vacuum Test: For the brassboard demonstration, a 2 kW Nd-YAG laser was used to heat lunar regolith simulant within a carbothermal reactor developed by Sierra Space. The reactor was placed inside of a 15 ft thermal vacuum chamber at the Johnson Space Center. The resulting reaction products were analyzed using both a gas chromotograph and mass spectrometer provided by Kennedy Space Center. Thermal data was also collected. Prototype Design: For the prototype, the CaRD team will perform another thermal vacuum test at JSC using the same interfaces and assets developed for the brassboard but will test a new carbothermal reactor design that Sierra Space is developing through the Carbothermal Oxygen Production Reactor (COPR) Tipping Point project that will include a means to autonomously move regolith in and out of the reactor. In addition, a deployable solar concentrator is being developed by Glenn Research Center using mirrors produced by Carbon Mirror Applications. The solar concentrator will be used to deliver solar energy into a carbothermal reactor to melt regolith and extract oxygen. Avionics and software for the concentrator are being developed by Kennedy Space Center. Future Concepts: An ongoing task within the CaRD project is to update models that can be used to determine the mass, power, and size of In-Situ Resource Utilization concepts at various scales. These models can now be used to analyze alternatives for future applications based on the latest available data.

Aaron Paz

Newly Released TRMM Version 7 Products, Other Precipitation Datasets and Data Services at NASA GES DISC

The NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) is home of global precipitation product archives, in particular, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) products. TRMM is a joint U.S.-Japan satellite mission to monitor tropical and subtropical (40 S - 40 N) precipitation and to estimate its associated latent heating. The TRMM satellite provides the first detailed and comprehensive dataset on the four dimensional distribution of rainfall and latent heating over vastly undersampled tropical and subtropical oceans and continents. The TRMM satellite was launched on November 27, 1997. TRMM data products are archived at and distributed by GES DISC. The newly released TRMM Version 7 consists of several changes including new parameters, new products, meta data, data structures, etc. For example, hydrometeor profiles in 2A12 now have 28 layers (14 in V6). New parameters have been added to several popular Level-3 products, such as, 3B42, 3B43. Version 2.2 of the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) dataset has been added to the TRMM Online Visualization and Analysis System (TOVAS; URL: http://disc2.nascom.nasa.gov/Giovanni/tovas/), allowing online analysis and visualization without downloading data and software. The GPCP dataset extends back to 1979. Version 3 of the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) monitoring product has been updated in TOVAS as well. The product provides global gauge-based monthly rainfall along with number of gauges per grid. The dataset begins in January 1986. To facilitate data and information access and support precipitation research and applications, we have developed a Precipitation Data and Information Services Center (PDISC; URL: http://disc.gsfc.nasa.gov/precipitation). In addition to TRMM, PDISC provides current and past observational precipitation data. Users can access precipitation data archives consisting of both remote sensing and in-situ observations. Users can use these data products to conduct a wide variety of activities, including case studies, model evaluation, uncertainty investigation, etc. To support Earth science applications, PDISC provides users near-real-time precipitation products over the Internet. At PDISC, users can access tools and software. Documentation, FAQ and assistance are also available. Other capabilities include: 1) Mirador (http://mirador.gsfc.nasa.gov/), a simplified interface for searching, browsing, and ordering Earth science data at NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC). Mirador is designed to be fast and easy to learn; 2)TOVAS; 3) NetCDF data download for the GIS community; 4) Data via OPeNDAP (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/services/opendap/). The OPeNDAP provides remote access to individual variables within datasets in a form usable by many tools, such as IDV, McIDAS-V, Panoply, Ferret and GrADS; 5) The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Web Map Service (WMS) (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/services/wxs_ogc.shtml). The WMS is an interface that allows the use of data and enables clients to build customized maps with data coming from a different network.

Liu, Zhong

Dataset of Generative AI Workload Power Profiles

This dataset provides a collection of high-resolution (5/10 Hz or every 0.2/0.1 seconds) power consumption profiles for generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) workloads executed on NLR's High Performance Computing (HPC) platform Kestrel. The dataset also includes examples of representative whole-facility power profiles generated using a bottom-up, event-driven, data center energy model . This dataset is designed to support research in energy modeling, infrastructure planning, energy system integration, and sustainability analysis for AI-driven computing systems. The dataset captures time-resolved electrical power measurements across a diverse set of configurations, including variations in job type (inference vs. training), workload (LLM vs. image generation), datasets, and number of compute nodes. Power traces are provided in a standardized format and include both raw/instantaneous and aggregated files. Each profile is accompanied by metadata describing workload parameters, enabling reproducibility and cross-study comparison. The dataset is intended for use in applications such as data center infrastructure planning, energy modeling, demand response and grid impact studies, and development and validation of system-level simulation tools. By making these workload-specific power profiles publicly available, this dataset aims to address the current lack of open, empirical energy data for generative AI systems and to facilitate transparent, reproducible research on the energy and environmental impacts of large-scale AI deployment. If you use this dataset, please cite the associated publication: Vercellino et al., “Measurement of Generative AI Workload Power Profiles for Whole-Facility Data Center Infrastructure Planning,” arXiv:2604.07345 (2026).

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING

SatCORPS Hybridized Cloud Product Data Storage: The Design of a Hybrid Data Repository That Leverages the Strengths of the Cloud and the Data Center

There is a strong demand for the near real time NASA Langley Satellite ClOud and Radiation Property retrieval System (SatCORPS) products. As important as real-time information, archived copies of the products form the basis for targeted research focusing on specific events or conditions. To make these SatCORPS products available for downloading, the SatCORPS group has developed a number of tools and technologies to create a hybrid data storage system that leverages the strengths of both cloud and on-premises resources. In this work, we describe the technologies the group uses to marshal disparate data repositories and materialize them into a single searchable overview and give a broad description of the organization of the dataset. As with any implementation, the strengths, weaknesses and constraints surrounding the components establish priorities and provide insight where trade-offs are necessary. We further describe the design and architecture underpinning our hybrid data repository and delivery system.

AWS

Visualization of International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Program (ISTP) data

The International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Program (ISTP) is a multispacecraft, multinational program whose objective is to promote further understanding of the Earth's complex plasma environment. Extensive data sharing and data analysis will be needed to ensure the success of the overall ISTP program. For this reason, there has been a special emphasis on data standards throughout ISTP. One of the key tools will be the common data format (CDF), developed, maintained, and evolved at the National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC), with the set of ISTP implementation guidelines specially designed for space physics data sets by the Space Physics Data Facility (associated with the NSSDC). The ISTP guidelines were developed to facilitate searching, plotting, merging, and subsetting of data sets. We focus here on the plotting application. A prototype software package was developed to plot key parameter (KP) data from the ISTP program at the Science Planning and Operations Facility (SPOF). The ISTP Key Parameter Visualization Tool is based on the Interactive Data Language (IDL) and is keyed to the ISTP guidelines, reading data stored in CDF. With the combination of CDF, the ISTP guidelines, and the visualization software, we can look forward to easier and more effective data sharing and use among ISTP scientists.

Kessel, Ramona L.

Analysis of Shuttle Orbiter Reliability and Maintainability Data for Conceptual Studies

In order to provide a basis for estimating the expected support required of new systems during their conceptual design phase, Langley Research Center has recently collected Shuttle Orbiter reliability and maintainability data from the various data base sources at Kennedy Space Center. This information was analyzed to provide benchmarks, trends, and distributions to aid in the analysis of new designs. This paper presents a summation of those results and an initial interpretation of the findings.

Morris, W. D.

New H erwig7 underlying event tune: From RHIC to LHC energies

We present parameter sets corresponding to new underlying event tunes for the H erwig7.3 Monte Carlo event generator. The existing H erwig tunes are in good agreement with LHC data, however, they are not typically designed for center-of-mass energies below $\sqrt{𝑠}$ = 300 GeV. The tunes presented in this study can describe midrapidity data collected at the nominal RHIC energy of $\sqrt{𝑠}$ = 200 GeV as well as higher center-of-mass energies utilized by experiments at the LHC and Tevatron. The base “New Haven” tune is developed by fitting minimum-bias simulations of proton-proton ($𝑝⁢𝑝$) collisions to midrapidity identified hadron and jet data from the STAR experiment. The “Nashville” tune includes a separate set of parameters developed by tuning to Tevatron proton-antiproton ($𝑝\bar{⁢𝑝}$) data at $\sqrt{𝑠}$ = 300, 900 and 1960 GeV from CDF, and LHC $𝑝⁢𝑝$ measurements from CMS at $\sqrt{𝑠}$ =7 TeV, in addition to the STAR measurements. Both new tunes demonstrate significant improvements over the recommended default tune currently included in the latest version of H erwig for minimum bias production. As such, we advocate using these tunes for future simulation studies at midrapidity by experimental collaborations at RHIC (STAR and sPHENIX) and the LHC (ALICE, ATLAS, and CMS).

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS

EnDEVR: An Environment for Data Engineering in VR

Organizations within the public and private sectors are looking to improve their data science operations for research, development, and operational purposes. As this interest in data science grows, so too does interest in tools and programs that facilitating such operations. This paper presents EnDEVR, the Environment for Data Engineering in Virtual Reality, a user-extensible system that allows for the execution of custom data science functions. We describe the user-centered design process for the EnDEVR system, based on the needs of subject matter experts within the aerospace and aviation industries. Fundamental to this design is a method for users to integrate their existing analysis code (that may leverage third-party vendors) as usable objects in the virtual environment; this allows organizations to operate without the price tag and lifetime obligations associated with commercial data science toolkits, a concept known as “vendor lock-in”. We then present our system design with iterative implementations, and conclude with lessons learned. The presented work may provide insight into future user-centered design processes for VR applications, particularly for digital transformation stakeholders to circumvent vendor lock-in.

Human-centered computing

Exploring DAOS as a Burst Buffer for a 100 Gbps DAQ Real-Time Streaming System

We present an experimental evaluation of a burst buffer for a real-time DAQ streaming system designed to transmit instrument data to remote data centers. The system is based on EJ-FAT, a load balancing system capable of Nx 100Gbps streams, distributing data from event sources to processing nodes. We explore applying the DAOS system as a burst buffer to serve a number of purposes: improve resiliency, elasticity and add new functions into the processing pipeline. In the evaluation a sender transmits events over a 100Gbps network to a receiver integrated with DAOS to store the reassembled events using DAOS APIs. We evaluate the system for possible bottlenecks and provide end-to-end evaluation with a burst buffer using DAOS storage abstractions. We show that a receiver node can support 38.1 Gbps. This proves the viability of our approach and allows us to extend this work to investigate scale-out properties and new streaming optimizations.

Mei, Xinxin

Bar-Chart-Monitor System For Wind Tunnels

Real-time monitor system provides bar-chart displays of significant operating parameters developed for National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex at Ames Research Center. Designed to gather and process sensory data on operating conditions of wind tunnels and models, and displays data for test engineers and technicians concerned with safety and validation of operating conditions. Bar-chart video monitor displays data in as many as 50 channels at maximum update rate of 2 Hz in format facilitating quick interpretation.

Jung, Oscar

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Product Generation System

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Product Generation System (GPGS) is introduced and described. GPGS is a set of computer programs developed and maintained at the Global Hydrology and Climate Center and is designed to generate meteorological data products using visible and infrared measurements from the GOES-East Imager and Sounder instruments. The products that are produced by GPGS are skin temperature, total precipitable water, cloud top pressure, cloud albedo, surface albedo, and surface insolation. A robust cloud mask is also generated. The retrieval methodology for each product is described to include algorithm descriptions and required inputs and outputs for the programs. Validation is supplied where applicable.

Haines, S. L.

Progress Status of Skutterudite-Based Segmented Thermoelectric Technology Development

Young's modulus, bulk density, fracture strength, and fracture toughness of alpha silicon carbide manufactured by extrusion and by isopressing were measured at room and elevated temperature in order to determine material feasibility as augers for the Tile Overlay Repair attachment. The measured properties of extruded and isopressed materials differ significantly, with the extruded material exhibiting marked strength anisotropy and lower density. The measurements were made between July and September 2006 at Glenn Research Center (GRC), in order to obtain design data for use in structural and thermal mathematical models.

Seqmented Thermoelectric Technoloqy (STE)

CIM's bridge from CADD to CAM: Data management requirements for manufacturing engineering

Manufacturing engineering represents the crossroads of technical data management in a Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) environment. Process planning, numerical control programming and tool design are the key functions which translate information from as engineered to as assembled. In order to transition data from engineering to manufacturing, it is necessary to introduce a series of product interpretations which contain an interim introduction of technical parameters. The current automation of the product definition and the production process places manufacturing engineering in the center of CAD/CAM with the responsibility of communicating design data to the factory floor via a manufacturing model of the data. A close look at data management requirements for manufacturing engineering is necessary in order to establish the overall specifications for CADD output, CAM input, and CIM integration. The functions and issues associated with the orderly evolution of computer aided engineering and manufacturing are examined.

Ford, S. J.

CTAS data analysis program

The analysis program (AN) is specifically designed to produce graphic and tabular information to aid in the design and checkout of the Center TRACON Automation System (CTAS). To best reveal CTAS operation and possible problems, data are plotted in many different ways both in detail and summary form. AN has been designed to analyze both radar surveillance data and output data from CTAS. AN has been extensively used to debug and refine CTAS. It is also being used in the field to monitor and assess CTAS performance. AN is continuously refined to keep up with changing needs. The present version of AN grew out of analysis of Denver Center data. However, the AN software has been written to be adaptable to any other facility Center or TRACON. Presently, one can select Denver Stapleton, Denver International, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and Dallas Love Field.

Neuman, Frank