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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.

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At least 577 records · Page 32
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Ballistic limit of 6061 T6 aluminum and threat to surface coatings for use with orbiting space station space suit materials

In recent years orbiting satellites, spent components, collisions and explosions have populated the near earth orbit with debris potentially more hazardous than the average meteoroid debris. This new debris has an average density of aluminum (2.78 g/cc) and an average encounter velocity of 10 km/sec. The space station will require many hours of work in this environment and there is concern over hazard to the assembly personnel. A proposed hard suit design utilizes 6061-T6 Aluminum for most of its exposed area. The aluminum surface will be treated for thermal and radiation control. The basic thickness of this suit will be on the order of 1.78 mm (0.070 inches). The selection of 6061-T6 Aluminum for space suits for use on the space station would appear to be worthwhile. The relatively ductile behavior of 6061-T6 aluminum is better than a choice of a more brittle material.

Fish, D.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Preliminary design and cost of a 1-megawatt solar-pumped iodide laser space-to-space transmission station

A preliminary conceptual design of a space-based solar pumped iodide laser emitting 1 megawatt of laser power for space-to-space power transmission is described. A near parabolic solar collector focuses sunlight onto the t-C4F9I (perfluoro-t butyl iodide) lasant within a transverse flow optical cavity. Using waste heat, a thermal system was designed to supply compressor and auxiliary power. System components were designed with weight and cost estimates assigned. Although cost is very approximate, the cost comparison of individual system components leads to valuable insights for future research. In particular, it was found that laser efficiency was not a dominant cost or weight factor, the dominant factor being the laser cavity and laser transmission optics. The manufacturing cost was approx. two thirds of the total cost with transportation to orbit the remainder. The flowing nonrenewable lasant comprised 20% of the total life cycle cost of the system and thus was not a major cost factor. The station mass was 92,000 kg without lasant, requiring approx. four shuttle flights to low Earth orbit where an orbital transfer vehicle will transport it to the final altitude of 6378 km.

Deyoung, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Alkaline RFC Space Station prototype - 'Next step Space Station'

The regenerative fuel cell, a candidate technology for the Space Station's energy storage system, is described. An advanced development program was initiated to design, manufacture, and integrate a regenerative fuel cell Space Station prototype (RFC SSP). The RFC SSP incorporates long-life fuel cell technology, increased cell area for the fuel cells, and high voltage cell stacks for both units. The RFC SSP's potential for integration with the Space Station's life support and propulsion systems is discussed.

Hackler, I. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Cardiovascular research in space - Considerations for the design of the human research facility of the United States Space Station

The design of the Space Station's Human Research Facility for the collection of information on the long-time physiological adjustments of humans to space is described. The Space Life Sciences-1 mission will carry a rack-mounted echocardiograph for cardiac imaging, a mass spectrometer for cardiac output and respiratory function assessments at rest and during exercise, and a device to stimulate the carotid sinus baroreceptors and measure the resulting changes in heart rate.

Charles, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Space Station initiates permanent space facility development

The proposed development of the Space Station is examined. The functions and advantages of the Space Station are described. The use of a solar array system for power generation on the Station is studied; the capabilities of various other generation systems are also evaluated. The Space Station's development schedule is discussed.

Loftus, Joseph P., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Science in space with the Space Station

The potential of the Space Station as a versatile scientific laboratory is discussed, reviewing plans under consideration by the NASA Task Force on Scientific Uses of the Space Station. The special advantages offered by the Station for expanding the scope of 'space science' beyond astrophysics, geophysics, and terrestrial remote sensing are stressed. Topics examined include the advantages of a manned presence, the scientific value and cost effectiveness of smaller, more quickly performable experiments, improved communications for ground control of Station experiments, the international nature of the Station, the need for more scientist astronauts for the Station crew, Station on-orbit maintenance and repair services for coorbiting platforms, and the need for Shuttle testing of proposed Station laboratory equipment and procedures.

Banks, Peter M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Space Station - Implications for space manufacturing

Space-based materials processing R&D is examined. It is proposed that the Space Station's Microgravity and Materials Processing Facility will be utilized by academic, government, and commercial customers. Users requirements for materials processing in space are discussed. Consideration is given to the time allocation of the facility, charges to users, and the property rights of the users.

Tingey, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Fourteenth Space Simulation Conference: Testing for a Permanent Presence in Space

The Institute of Environmental Sciences Fourteenth Space Simulation Conference, Testing for a Permanent Presence in Space, provided participants a forum to acquire and exchange information on the state-of-the-art in space simulation, test technology, thermal simulation, and protection, contamination, and techniques of test measurements.

Stecher, Joseph L., III↗
NASA NTRS1988

The NORSTAR Program: Space shuttle to space station

The development of G-325, the first high school student-run space flight project, is updated. An overview is presented of a new international program, which involves students from space station countries who will be utilizing Get Away Special technology to cooperatively develop a prototype experiment for controlling a space station research module environment.

Fortunato, Ronald C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Assessment of the effects of space debris and meteoroids environment on the space station solar array assembly

The methodology used to assess the probability of no impact of space debris and meteoroids on a spacecraft structure is applied to the Space Station solar array assembly. Starting with the space debris and meteoroids flux models, the projected surface area of the solar cell string circuit of the solar array panel and the mast longeron, and the design lifetime, the possibility of no impact on the solar array mast and solar cell string circuits was determined as a function of particle size. The probability of no impact on the cell string circuits was used to derive the probability of no open circuit panel. The probability of meeting a certain power requirement at the end of the design lifetime was then calculated as a function of impacting particle size. Coupled with a penetration and damage models/correlations which relate the particle size to the penetration depth and damage, the results of this analysis can be used to determine the probability of meeting the lower power requirement given a degree of redundancy, and the probability of no impact on the solar array mast.

Nahra, Henry K.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A lidar technology experiment from Space Shuttle - Lidar In-Space Technology Experiment (LITE)

Plans to conduct a technology experiment with a Shuttle-based lidar instrument are described. The design of the Lidar In-Space Technology Experiment (LITE) is presented, including performance goals for the laser transmitter, telescope, optical receiver, and associated electronics. Experimental results from space flight of the LITE instrument are used to define performance criteria and designs for future atmospheric sounding experiments planned for the Space Station, Earth Observing System platform, and for more complex scientific lidar experiments.

Poole, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Space Station Program implications from the viewpoint of the Space Station Operations Task Force

An operational concept for the Space Station which has been developed by the Space Station Operations Task Force is described. The operations functions are described, and the relationships of these functions to the overall framework for operations are defined. Product flows for the recommended framework are discussed, and the roles and responsibilities for the proposed operations organization during both the development and the mature operations phases of the Space Station Program are examined.

Paules, Granville E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Space Station - A focus for the development of structural dynamics scale model technology for large flexible space structures

The paper discusses the scale model technology being developed at the NASA Langley Research Center in support of the development of structural dynamic prediction methods for large flexible space structures. Space Station is used as a focus. The Dynamic Scale Model Technology (DSMT) Program is described; results of the effect of scaling Space Station components are presented; and supporting scale model technology development activities are described and results presented. The conceptual design of a hybrid-scale Pathfinder model for developing test techniques and suspension methods is also discussed, and a summary of the broad application of the scale model technology being developed is presented.

Letchworth, Robert↗
NASA NTRS1987

The Space Station and recommendations of the National Commission on Space

The planned NASA Space Station, and its associated orbit transfer vehicle, are only the first of a series of Space Stations and transfer vehicles that the United States will need to pioneer the space frontier in the 21st century. The initial station and transfer vehicle will develop some of the technology and systems needed for follow-on stations, vehicles, and bases on the moon and Mars.

Tilton, E. Lee↗
NASA NTRS1988

Fifteenth Space Simulation Conference: Support the Highway to Space Through Testing

The Institute of Environmental Sciences Fifteenth Space Simulation Conference, Support the Highway to Space Through Testing, provided participants a forum to acquire and exchange information on the state-of-the-art in space simulation, test technology, thermal simulation and protection, contamination, and techniques of test measurements.

Stecher, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS1989

Effect of micrometeorid and space debris impacts on the Space Station Freedom solar array surfaces

Both solar and antisolar surfaces of the Space Station Freedom solar arrays are vulnerable to micrometeoroid and space debris impacts. Impacts on the solar surface result in damage to the active area of the solar cell and a corresponding reduction in generated power. Impacts on the antisolar surface could result in damage to the circuit which interconnects the cells which in turn may produce open circuit strings or panels. An evaluation is presented of the power degradation resulting from the impacts of micrometeoroid and space debris on the solar surface of the array blanket. Moreover, given a particle diameter that could damage the circuit interconnecting the cells, the probability of an open circuit panel is computed, along with the probability that the solar array blanket will meet the power requirement over the design lifetime.

Nahra, Henry K.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Sensory substitution for space gloves and for space robots

Sensory substitution systems for space applications are described. Physical sensors replace missing human receptors and feed information to the interpretive centers of a different sense. The brain is plastic enough so that, with training, the subject localizes the input as if it were received through the missing receptors. Astronauts have difficulty feeling objects through space suit gloves because of their thickness and because of the 4.3 psi pressure difference. Miniature force sensors on the glove palm drive an electrotactile belt around the waist, thus augmenting the missing tactile sensation. A proposed teleoperator system with telepresence for a space robot would incorporate teleproprioception and a force sensor/electrotactile belt sensory substitution system for teletouch.

Bach-Y-rita, P.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Space Station-based deep-space optical communication experiments

A series of three experiments proposed for advanced optical deep-space communications is described. These proposed experiments would be carried out aboard the Space Station to test and evaluate the capability of optical instruments to conduct data communication and spacecraft navigation for deep-space missions. Techniques for effective data communication, precision spacecraft ranging, and accurate angular measurements will be developed and evaluated in a spaceborne environment.

Chen, Chien-Chung↗