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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1998

The Process of Science Communications at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center

The communication of new scientific knowledge and understanding is an integral component of science research, essential for its continued survival. Like any learning- based activity, science cannot continue without communication between and among peers so that skeptical inquiry and learning can take place. This communication provides necessary organic support to maintain the development of new knowledge and technology. However, communication beyond the peer-community is becoming equally critical for science to survive as an enterprise into the 21st century. Therefore, scientists not only have a 'noble responsibility' to advance and communicate scientific knowledge and understanding to audiences within and beyond the peer-community, but their fulfillment of this responsibility is necessary to maintain the survival of the science enterprise. Despite the critical importance of communication to the viability of science, the skills required to perform effective science communications historically have not been taught as a part of the training of scientist, and the culture of science is often averse to significant communication beyond the peer community. Thus scientists can find themselves ill equipped and uncomfortable with the requirements of their job in the new millennium. At NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, we have developed and implemented an integrated science communications process, providing an institutional capability to help scientist accurately convey the content and meaning of new scientific knowledge to a wide variety of audiences, adding intrinsic value to the research itself through communication, while still maintaining the integrity of the peer-review process. The process utilizes initial communication through the world-wide web at the site http://science.nasa.gov to strategically leverage other communications vehicles and to reach a wide-variety of audiences. Here we present and discuss the basic design of the science communications process, now in operation for nearly two years. Serving scientists in Earth Science, Microgravity Science, and Space Science. Critical features of the design are illustrated, and essential skills required to operate the process are defined. Measures of success will also be presented.

Horack, John M.↗
NASA NTRS2006

NASA Crew Launch Vehicle Approach Builds on Lessons from Past and Present Missions

The United States Vision for Space Exploration, announced in January 2004, outlines the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) strategic goals and objectives, including retiring the Space Shuttle and replacing it with a new human-rated system suitable for missions to the Moon and Mars. The Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) that the new Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) lofts into space early next decade will initially ferry astronauts to the International Space Station and be capable of carrying crews back to lunar orbit and of supporting missions to Mars orbit. NASA is using its extensive experience gained from past and ongoing launch vehicle programs to maximize the CLV system design approach, with the objective of reducing total lifecycle costs through operational efficiencies. To provide in-depth data for selecting this follow-on launch vehicle, the Exploration Systems Architecture Study was conducted during the summer of 2005, following the confirmation of the new NASA Administrator. A team of aerospace subject matter experts used technical, budget, and schedule objectives to analyze a number of potential launch systems, with a focus on human rating for exploration missions. The results showed that a variant of the Space Shuttle, utilizing the reusable Solid Rocket Booster as the first stage, along with a new upper stage that uses a derivative of the RS-25 Space Shuttle Main Engine to deliver 25 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, was the best choice to reduce the risks associated with fielding a new system in a timely manner. The CLV Project, managed by the Exploration Launch Office located at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, is leading the design, development, testing, and operation of this new human-rated system. The CLV Project works closely with the Space Shuttle Program to transition hardware, infrastructure, and workforce assets to the new launch system . leveraging a wealth of lessons learned from Shuttle operations. The CL V is being designed to reduce costs through a number of methods, ranging from validating requirements to conducting trades studies against the concept design. Innovations such as automated processing will build on lessons learned from the Shuttle, other launch systems, Department of Defense operations experience, and subscale flight tests such as the Delta Clipper-Experimental Advanced (DCXA) vehicle operations that utilized minimal touch labor, automated cryogen ic propellant loading , and an 8-hour turnaround for a cryogenic propulsion system. For the CLV, the results of hazard analyses are contributing to an integrated vehicle health monitoring system that will troubleshoot anomalies and determine which ones can be solved without human intervention. Such advances will help streamline the mission operations process for pilots and ground controllers alike. In fiscal year 2005, NASA invested approximately $4.5 billion of its $16 bill ion budget on the Space Shuttle. The ultimate goal of the CLV Project is to deliver a safe, reliable system designed to minimize lifecycle costs so that NASA's budget can be invested in missions of scientific discovery. Lessons learned from developing the CLV will be applied to the growth path for future systems, including a heavy lift launch vehicle.

Dumbacher, Daniel L.↗
NASA NTRS2022

First 210 solar days of Mars 2020 Perseverance Robotic Operations – Mobility, Robotic Arm, Sampling, and Helicopter

This paper includes the summary, lessonslearned, and upcoming plans for the first 210 Mars solar days(sols) of the mission. The focus of the paper is on roboticoperations which has the primary responsibility for strategicplanning, uplink commanding and downlink analysis forrover mobility and navigation, robotic arm operation, thesampling and caching capability including coring, theadaptive caching assembly and the 2nd sample handlingrobotic arm, and interface to the Mars helicopter Ingenuity.As of Sol 210 the rover has driven 2663.65 meters, executed20764 robotic arm and sampling commands, and hassuccessfully completed 13 helicopter flights covering 2382meters horizontal distance. It includes the OperationsReadiness Tests in preparation for landing, landing and initialcheckouts, strategic route planning to the science destinationand waypoints, surface checkout of all of the roboticscapability of the rover. It also discusses the strategic planningand tactical agility needed for interleaving scienceinvestigation and technology demonstration of the Marshelicopter flights where a minimum distance had to bemaintained between the rover and helicopter during flights. Itdiscusses the challenges with planning robotic operations andaddressing anomalies with the larger uncertainty presentduring early mission operations. It also discusses the impacton robotic operations from lessons incorporated fromprevious missions.

Ono, Hiro↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

UASs Optimization - An evaluation of multiple mode vehicles in monitoring and communication

This presentation will describe the author's experience as Co-I in the NASA/USFS Project: "Strategic Tac Radio and Tac Overwatch (STRATO): Last Mile Communications and Realtime Observation Stratospheric Platforms for wildland fire". This project utilizes an uncrewed Stratospheric (> 70Kft) lighter than air Uninhabited Aerial System (UAS), carries 50 Kg of sensor and communications equipment, and remains on station over a wildfire for up to 30 days. The air vehicle is capable of in excess of 180 days on station, but while the full duration capabilities were not utilized in this project, they could, and would, be used in monitoring a feature like a volcano. In addition to duration, the ability of these Stratospheric Platforms to persistently monitor an area, while carrying "smart" sensors - generating information products, rather than just data - is game changing. Utilizing technologies such as LoRa, the platform can now be the nexus of an ad-hoc sensor web, receiving LoRa based data from low power in-situ sensors in the area being monitored, combining it with high fidelity information gained from on-board sensors, and sending the information product to a remote research facility, using Satellite communication, in real time. The author will relate the evolution of information collection, derivation and delivery mechanisms in the entire range of NASA's UAS fleet, to today's world, where information products conventionally derived in desk top computational environments, and made available to the Science Community in weeks or months, are now being generated and delivered in near real time.

UASs↗
NASA NTRS2012

Development of a Portfolio Management Approach with Case Study of the NASA Airspace Systems Program

A portfolio management approach was developed for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration s (NASA s) Airspace Systems Program (ASP). The purpose was to help inform ASP leadership regarding future investment decisions related to its existing portfolio of advanced technology concepts and capabilities (C/Cs) currently under development and to potentially identify new opportunities. The portfolio management approach is general in form and is extensible to other advanced technology development programs. It focuses on individual C/Cs and consists of three parts: 1) concept of operations (con-ops) development, 2) safety impact assessment, and 3) benefit-cost-risk (B-C-R) assessment. The first two parts are recommendations to ASP leaders and will be discussed only briefly, while the B-C-R part relates to the development of an assessment capability and will be discussed in greater detail. The B-C-R assessment capability enables estimation of the relative value of each C/C as compared with all other C/Cs in the ASP portfolio. Value is expressed in terms of a composite weighted utility function (WUF) rating, based on estimated benefits, costs, and risks. Benefit utility is estimated relative to achieving key NAS performance objectives, which are outlined in the ASP Strategic Plan.1 Risk utility focuses on C/C development and implementation risk, while cost utility focuses on the development and implementation portions of overall C/C life-cycle costs. Initial composite ratings of the ASP C/Cs were successfully generated; however, the limited availability of B-C-R information, which is used as inputs to the WUF model, reduced the meaningfulness of these initial investment ratings. Development of this approach, however, defined specific information-generation requirements for ASP C/C developers that will increase the meaningfulness of future B-C-R ratings.

Neitzke, Kurt W.↗
NASA NTRS2017

NASA's Advanced Exploration Systems Mars Transit Habitat Refinement Point of Departure Design

This paper describes the recently developed point of departure design for a long duration, reusable Mars Transit Habitat, which was established during a 2016 NASA habitat design refinement activity supporting the definition of NASA's Evolvable Mars Campaign. As part of its development of sustainable human Mars mission concepts achievable in the 2030s, the Evolvable Mars Campaign has identified desired durations and mass/dimensional limits for long duration Mars habitat designs to enable the currently assumed solar electric and chemical transportation architectures. The Advanced Exploration Systems Mars Transit Habitat Refinement Activity brought together habitat subsystem design expertise from across NASA to develop an increased fidelity, consensus design for a transit habitat within these constraints. The resulting design and data (including a mass equipment list) contained in this paper are intended to help teams across the agency and potential commercial, academic, or international partners understand: 1) the current architecture/habitat guidelines and assumptions, 2) performance targets of such a habitat (particularly in mass, volume, and power), 3) the driving technology/capability developments and architectural solutions which are necessary for achieving these targets, and 4) mass reduction opportunities and research/design needs to inform the development of future research and proposals. Data presented includes: an overview of the habitat refinement activity including motivation and process when informative; full documentation of the baseline design guidelines and assumptions; detailed mass and volume breakdowns; a moderately detailed concept of operations; a preliminary interior layout design with rationale; a list of the required capabilities necessary to enable the desired mass; and identification of any worthwhile trades/analyses which could inform future habitat design efforts. As a whole, the data in the paper show that a transit habitat meeting the 43 metric tons launch mass/trans-Mars injection burn limits specified by the Evolvable Mars Campaign is achievable near the desired timeframe with moderate strategic investments including maintainable life support systems, repurposable structures and packaging, and lightweight exercise modalities. It also identifies operational and technological options to reduce this mass to less than 41 metric tons including staging of launch structure/packaging and alternate structural materials.

Simon, Matthew↗
NASA NTRS2019

The Case for Probe-Class NASA Astrophysics Missions

Astrophysics spans an enormous range of questions on scales from individual planets to the entire cosmos. To address the richness of 21st century astrophysics requires a corresponding richness of telescopes spanning all bands and all messengers. Much scientific benefit comes from having the multi-wavelength capability available at the same time. Most of these bands, or measurement sensitivities, require space-based missions. Historically, NASA has addressed this need for breadth with a small number of flagship-class missions and a larger number of Explorer missions. While the Explorer program continues to flourish, there is a large gap between Explorers and strategic missions.

Elvis, Martin↗
NASA NTRS2021

What to Take? When to Make? How to Break Even? Avoid Mistakes in Microbial Biomanufacturing in Support of Human Near-to-Deep-Space Exploration

In this whitepaper, we call for the concept of biomanufacturing to be expanded and widely adopted as a support function of human Space-travel. To demonstrate the impact and value of this strategy, we identify the specific offworld scenarios where the concept is most applicable, as well as the vital inventories that can be made available thereby. This will serve to increase capabilities of human operations beyond Earth-orbit and allow for extended mission design through greater autonomy while minimizing risks through redundancy. To this end, we sketch the potential routes and systems to arrive at these goals, in the form of specialized microbial cell factories that can most meaningfully leverage the resources available along the journey. The strategic vision presented here relies heavily on Synthetic Biology as it integrates with major plans for In Situ Resource Utilization and highlights applications that engineered biology is uniquely suited to address. We finish by advocating for the research and development investments that need to be made in order to significantly increase readiness of these technologies over the coming decade. This dovetails with current efforts to return humans to the Moon with Mars on the horizon. Besides ensuring the feasibility and sustainability of crewed Space exploration and habitation, the advancement of these technologies may spawn a new scalable microgravity-based biotechnology industry that contributes to the creation of a circular economy on Earth.

Biomanufacturing↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Reverse Logistics Tool For Ev Battery Recycling And Repurposing,

The demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States is projected to rise significantly, with sales expected to reach approximately 4.1 million units by 2030. However, the U.S. remains heavily reliant on imports for the batteries and critical raw materials—such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel—that power these vehicles. As of 2024, around 70% of these imports originate from China. This dependency has become even more precarious following China’s imposition of export restrictions in April 2025, a retaliatory move against U.S. tariffs. These developments highlight the strategic vulnerabilities posed by China’s dominant position in the critical materials market. Compounding the issue, decades of intensive extraction have severely depleted global reserves of critical materials, widening the gap between supply and growing demand. This situation underscores the urgent need for the U.S. and other nations to diversify their sources of critical materials and enhance domestic capabilities to secure these resources—an essential step toward ensuring long-term energy security. At the end of their lifecycle—whether due to the battery’s degradation or the retirement of the vehicle—EV batteries are often improperly disposed of or sent to landfills. However, many of these batteries still retain usable capacity and can follow one of three alternative pathways: (a) Re-used: deployed in another vehicle with a shorter driving range, (b) Re-purposed: utilized act as a backup storage/power for data centers, solar panels, and e-scotters or (c) Recycled: broken down to recover the critical materials. To that end, the proposed tool (REBORN) is designed to optimize the reverse logistics network for battery repurposing and recycling. Its goal is to minimize associated costs while identifying optimal locations for battery collection and processing. Ultimately, REBORN ensures that each battery is used to its fullest potential.

Srinivas, SrikarV. [Idaho National Laboratory (INL↗
NASA NTRS2012

Wind-Tunnel Balance Characterization for Hypersonic Research Applications

Wind-tunnel research was recently conducted at the NASA Langley Research Center s 31-Inch Mach 10 Hypersonic Facility in support of the Mars Science Laboratory s aerodynamic program. Researchers were interested in understanding the interaction between the freestream flow and the reaction control system onboard the entry vehicle. A five-component balance, designed for hypersonic testing with pressurized flow-through capability, was used. In addition to the aerodynamic forces, the balance was exposed to both thermal gradients and varying internal cavity pressures. Historically, the effect of these environmental conditions on the response of the balance have not been fully characterized due to the limitations in the calibration facilities. Through statistical design of experiments, thermal and pressure effects were strategically and efficiently integrated into the calibration of the balance. As a result of this new approach, researchers were able to use the balance continuously throughout the wide range of temperatures and pressures and obtain real-time results. Although this work focused on a specific application, the methodology shown can be applied more generally to any force measurement system calibration.

Lynn, Keith C.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Embedded Sensors in Additively Manufactured Silicon Carbide

Silicon carbide (SiC) components are being considered for a wide range of nuclear applications due to their high-temperature strength retention, low neutron absorption, chemical inertness, and dimensional stability under neutron irradiation. However, machining and joining of SiC components have traditionally limited its application to relatively simple geometries. Recent work has demonstrated additive manufacturing of complex, high-purity, crystalline SiC components using a combination of binder jet printing and densification via chemical vapor infiltration (CVI). The process lends itself to embedding of fuel, absorbers, moderators, and sensors at strategic locations within a component. The latter could allow for enhanced in situ performance monitoring of limiting fuel temperatures, self-shielded neutron flux, and potentially spatially distributed strain within complex SiC components if sensors can be successfully embedded during CVI. This work describes (1) methods for embedding sensors; (2) thermodynamic analyses and material compatibility testing for identifying sensors capable of surviving high temperatures and exposure to hydrogen and hydrogen chloride during CVI; and (3) nuclear applications for embedded sensors, including potential failure modes during fabrication and during reactor operation. Molybdenum-sheathed thermocouples were successfully embedded in a complex SiC component, whereas niobium-sheathed high-temperature irradiation-resistant thermocouples started to drift as soon as the reactant gases were introduced and ultimately failed during CVI due to severe constrained expansion, potentially resulting from niobium hydride formation in the low-temperature region of the CVI system. Optical fibers were successfully embedded in SiC, but further work is needed to protect the fragile fiber leads after their protective coatings are removed during CVI.

thermocouples↗
NASA NTRS1976

Advanced space system concepts and their orbital support needs (1980 - 2000). Volume 2: Final report

The results are presented of a study which identifies over 100 new and highly capable space systems for the 1980-2000 time period: civilian systems which could bring benefits to large numbers of average citizens in everyday life, much enhance the kinds and levels of public services, increase the economic motivation for industrial investment in space, expand scientific horizons; and, in the military area, systems which could materially alter current concepts of tactical and strategic engagements. The requirements for space transportation, orbital support, and technology for these systems are derived, and those requirements likely to be shared between NASA and the DoD in the time period identified. The high leverage technologies for the time period are identified as very large microwave antennas and optics, high energy power subsystems, high precision and high power lasers, microelectronic circuit complexes and data processors, mosaic solid state sensing devices, and long-life cryogenic refrigerators.

Bekey, I.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Development of Advanced In-Cylinder Components and Tribological Systems for Low Heat Rejection Diesel Engines

In-cylinder components and tribological system concepts were designed, fabricated and tested at conditions anticipated for a 55% thermal efficiency heavy duty diesel engine for the year 2000 and beyond. A Cummins L10 single cylinder research engine was used to evaluate a spherical joint piston and connecting rod with 19.3 MPa (2800 psi) peak cylinder pressure capability, a thermal fatigue resistant insulated cylinder head, radial combustion seal cylinder liners, a highly compliant steel top compression ring, a variable geometry turbocharger, and a microwave heated particulate trap. Components successfully demonstrated in the final test included spherical joint connecting rod with a fiber reinforced piston, high conformability steel top rings with wear resistant coatings, ceramic exhaust ports with strategic oil cooling and radial combustion seal cylinder liner with cooling jacket transfer fins. A Cummins 6B diesel was used to develop the analytical methods, materials, manufacturing technology and engine components for lighter weight diesel engines without sacrificing performance or durability. A 6B diesel engine was built and tested to calibrate analytical models for the aluminum cylinder head and aluminum block.

Yonushonis, T. M.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Computational Support for Technology- Investment Decisions

Strategic Assessment of Risk and Technology (START) is a user-friendly computer program that assists human managers in making decisions regarding research-and-development investment portfolios in the presence of uncertainties and of non-technological constraints that include budgetary and time limits, restrictions related to infrastructure, and programmatic and institutional priorities. START facilitates quantitative analysis of technologies, capabilities, missions, scenarios and programs, and thereby enables the selection and scheduling of value-optimal development efforts. START incorporates features that, variously, perform or support a unique combination of functions, most of which are not systematically performed or supported by prior decision- support software. These functions include the following: Optimal portfolio selection using an expected-utility-based assessment of capabilities and technologies; Temporal investment recommendations; Distinctions between enhancing and enabling capabilities; Analysis of partial funding for enhancing capabilities; and Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis. START can run on almost any computing hardware, within Linux and related operating systems that include Mac OS X versions 10.3 and later, and can run in Windows under the Cygwin environment. START can be distributed in binary code form. START calls, as external libraries, several open-source software packages. Output is in Excel (.xls) file format.

Adumitroaie, Virgil↗
NASA NTRS2011

ISECG Mission Scenarios and Their Role in Informing Next Steps for Human Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit

The International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) was established in response to The Global Exploration Strategy (GES): The Framework for Coordination developed by fourteen space agencies* and released in May 2007. This GES Framework Document recognizes that preparing for human space exploration is a stepwise process, starting with basic knowledge and culminating in a sustained human presence in deep space. ISECG has developed several optional global exploration mission scenarios enabling the phased transition from human operations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and utilization of the International Space Station (ISS) to human missions beyond LEO leading ultimately to human missions to cis-lunar space, the Moon, Near Earth Asteroids, Mars and its environs. Mission scenarios provide the opportunity for judging various exploration approaches in a manner consistent with agreed international goals and strategies. Each ISECG notional mission scenario reflects a series of coordinated human and robotic exploration missions over a 25-year horizon. Mission scenarios are intended to provide insights into next steps for agency investments, following on the success of the ISS. They also provide a framework for advancing the definition of Design Reference Missions (DRMs) and the concepts for capabilities contained within. Each of the human missions contained in the scenarios has been characterized by a DRM which is a top level definition of mission sequence and the capabilities needed to execute that mission. While DRMs are generally destination focused, they will comprise capabilities which are reused or evolved from capabilities used at other destinations. In this way, an evolutionary approach to developing a robust set of capabilities to sustainably explore our solar system is defined. Agencies also recognize that jointly planning for our next steps, building on the accomplishments of ISS, is important to ensuring the robustness and sustainability of any human exploration plan. Developing a shared long-term vision is important, but agencies recognize this is an evolutionary process and requires consideration of many strategic factors. Strategic factors such as the implications of an emerging commercial space industry in LEO, the opportunity provided by extending ISS lifetime to at least 2020, and the importance of defining a plan which is sustainable in light of inevitable domestic policy shifts are timely for agency consideration.

Culbert, Christopher J.↗
NASA NTRS2019

NASA's Human Lunar Landing Strategy

In response to the 2018 White House Space Policy Directive-1 to lead an innovative and sustainable lunar exploration, and to the Vice President’s March 2019 direction to do so by 2024, NASA is working to establish humanity's presence on and around the Moon by: 1) sending payloads to its surface, 2) assembling the Gateway outpost in orbit, and 3) conducting the first human lunar landings since 1972. NASA’s Artemis program is implementing a multi-faceted and coordinated agency-wide approach with a focus on the lunar South Pole. The Artemis missions will demonstrate new technologies, capabilities and business approaches needed for future exploration, including Mars. Assessing options to accelerate development of systems, NASA is utilizing public-private engagements to develop and demonstrate capabilities that meet the agency’s human space exploration objectives while stimulating the commercial space industry. Utilizing efforts across mission directorates, the Artemis effort will benefit from programs such as the Science Mission Directorate’s Commercial Lunar Payloads Services program and the Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Tipping Point partnerships for Moon and Mars technologies. This paper will discuss the strategic landscape for NASA's exploration campaign, the agency's approach to accessing the lunar surface with an affordable human-rated landing system, current status and role of U.S. industry, and future plans.

Human landing system↗
NASA NTRS1993

Workshop on advanced technologies for planetary instruments

NASA's robotic solar system exploration program requires a new generation of science instruments. Design concepts are now judged against stringent mass, power, and size constraints--yet future instruments must be highly capable, reliable, and, in some applications, they must operate for many years. The most important single constraint, however, is cost: new instruments must be developed in a tightly controlled design-to-cost environment. Technical innovation is the key to success and will enable the sophisticated measurements needed for future scientific exploration. As a fundamental benefit, the incorporation of breakthrough technologies in planetary flight hardware will contribute to U.S. industrial competitiveness and will strengthen the U.S. technology base. The Workshop on Advanced Technologies for Planetary Instruments was conceived to address these challenges, to provide an open forum in which the NASA and DoD space communities could become better acquainted at the working level, and to assess future collaborative efforts. Over 300 space scientists and engineers participated in the two-and-a-half-day meeting held April 28-30, 1993, in Fairfax, Virginia. It was jointly sponsored by NASA's Solar System Exploration Division (SSED), within the Office of Space Science (OSS); NASA's Office of Advanced Concepts and Technology (OACT); DoD's Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO), now called the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO); and the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI). The meeting included invited oral and contributed poster presentations, working group sessions in four sub-disciplines, and a wrap-up panel discussion. On the first day, the planetary science community described instrumentation needed for missions that may go into development during the next 5 to 10 years. Most of the second day was set aside for the DoD community to inform their counterparts in planetary science about their interests and capabilities, and to describe the BMDO technology base, flight programs, and future directions. The working group sessions and the panel discussion synthesized technical and programmatic issues from all the presentations, with a specific goal of assessing the applicability of BMDO technologies to science instrumentation for planetary exploration.

Appleby, J.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Advanced Ultra-Supercritical Component Test (ComTest) Project for 760*C Steam Conditions

ComTest is a $27M Department of Energy-funded project. Phase I, which began in November 2015, served to identify the technology gaps, as well as the scope and cost of required testing. Phase II, which was awarded in December 2018, includes an advanced manufacturing effort to complete U.S. based supply chain development for full commercial scale (800-850 MWe) AUSC components made of nickel-based alloys, components operating at up to 760°C. Completion of Phase II scheduled for September 30, 2021. Strategic Objectives of U.S. AUSC Project include: Power Plant Efficiency Improvements –Develop cost-effective, reliable technologies to improve the efficiency of new and existing high-temperature advanced generation power plants. Close gaps to achieve readiness for commercial scale demonstration of Advanced Ultra-Supercritical (AUSC) technology. Fabricate full-scale versions of key nickel-based alloy components. Validate capabilities of US supply chain for cost certainty. Support cross-cutting high-temperature generation technologies. Obtain ASME Code approval for new materials, components and processes. Increase power plant steam temperatures for higher cycle efficiency (Note: Average efficiency of US coal-fired fleet = 33% HHV; A-USC plant efficiency over 47% HHV at 1,400°F (760°C) steam temperature).

fireside corrosion↗