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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 595 records · Page 33
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

An overview of computer-based natural language processing

Computer based Natural Language Processing (NLP) is the key to enabling humans and their computer based creations to interact with machines in natural language (like English, Japanese, German, etc., in contrast to formal computer languages). The doors that such an achievement can open have made this a major research area in Artificial Intelligence and Computational Linguistics. Commercial natural language interfaces to computers have recently entered the market and future looks bright for other applications as well. This report reviews the basic approaches to such systems, the techniques utilized, applications, the state of the art of the technology, issues and research requirements, the major participants and finally, future trends and expectations. It is anticipated that this report will prove useful to engineering and research managers, potential users, and others who will be affected by this field as it unfolds.

Gevarter, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1983

An overview of artificial intelligence and robotics. Volume 1: Artificial intelligence. Part A: The core ingredients

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging technology that has recently attracted considerable attention. Many applications are now under development. The goal of Artificial Intelligence is focused on developing computational approaches to intelligent behavior. This goal is so broad - covering virtually all aspects of human cognitive activity - that substantial confusion has arisen as to the actual nature of AI, its current status and its future capability. This volume, the first in a series of NBS/NASA reports on the subject, attempts to address these concerns. Thus, this report endeavors to clarify what AI is, the foundations on which it rests, the techniques utilized, applications, the participants and, finally, AI's state-of-the-art and future trends. It is anticipated that this report will prove useful to government and private engineering and research managers, potential users, and others who will be affected by this field as it unfolds.

Gevarter, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Structural considerations for a software life cycle dynamic simulation model

This paper presents the results of a preliminary study into the prospects for simulating the software implementation and maintenance life cycle process, with the aim of producing a computerized tool for use by management and software engineering personnel in project planning, tradeoff studies involving product, environmental, situational, and technological factors, and training. The approach taken is the modular application of a 'flow of resource' concept to the systems dynamics simulation modeling technique. The software life cycle process is represented as a number of stochastic, time-varying, interacting work tasks that each achieves one of the project milestones. Each task is characterized by the item produced, the personnel applied, and the budgetary profile.

Tausworthe, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Space station - The world connection

NASA has expressed an interest in acquiring foreign partners for its upcoming permanent, manned space station program who will participate as builders, operators and users, and will invest a significant portion of the financial and developmental research resources entailed by this ambitious undertaking. Cooperation, then, will not come to an end upon delivery of the hardware developed by a foreign partner, but will continue on the basis of ownership of the hardware and responsibility for its engineering and operational management. Attention is presently given to the prospective contributions of Canada, the European Space Agency, and Japan.

Freitag, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

IAC user manual

The User Manual for the Integrated Analysis Capability (IAC) Level 1 system is presented. The IAC system currently supports the thermal, structures, controls and system dynamics technologies, and its development is influenced by the requirements for design/analysis of large space systems. The system has many features which make it applicable to general problems in engineering, and to management of data and software. Information includes basic IAC operation, executive commands, modules, solution paths, data organization and storage, IAC utilities, and module implementation.

Vos, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Space crew productivity: A driving factor in space station design

The criteria of performance, cost, and mission success probability (program confidence) are the principal factors that program or project managers and system engineers use in selecting the optimum design approach for meeting mission objectives. A frame of reference is discussed in which the interrelationships of these pertinent parameters can be made visible, and from which rational or informed decisions can be derived regarding the potential impact of adjustments in crew productivity on total Space Station System effectiveness.

Wolbers, H. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Report of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident, Volume 1

The findings of the Commission regarding the circumstances surrounding the Challenger accident are reported and recommendations for corrective action are outlined. All available mission data, subsequent tests, and wreckage analyses were reviewed and specific failure scenarios were developed. The Commission concluded that the cause of the Mission 51-L accident was the failure of the pressure seal in the aft field joint of the right solid rocket motor. The failure was due to a faulty design unacceptably sensitive to a number of factors. These factors were the effects of temperature, physical dimensions, the character of materials, the effects of reuse, processing, and the reaction of the joint to dynamic loading. In addition to analyzing the material causes of the accident, the Commission examined the chain of decisions that culminated in approval of the launch. It concluded that the decision making process was flawed in several ways including (1) failure in communication resulting in a launch decision based on incomplete and misleading information, (2) a conflict between engineering data and management judgements, and (3) a NASA management structure that permitted flight safety problems to bypass key Shuttle managers.

Rogers, W. P.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The evolution of the Mission Control Center

A discussion of the function and history of the Space Shuttle Mission Control Center describes the communications and data processing facilities, with an emphasis on display system changes. The current display system will be replaced by new technology as part of a project called the Mission Control Center Upgrade. That upgrade will implement a set of high-performance Local Area Networks (LANs) which transmit real-time and historical data to engineering workstations for processing and display. The benefits from such an architecture include a more flexible software development environment and a more modular system which will promote future upgrades. The proposed upgrade architecture is explored, and the engineering and project management challenges of that effort are described, emphasizing the local area networks task.

Kearney, Michael W., III↗
NASA NTRS1991

Technology needs for lunar and Mars space transfer systems

The determination of appropriate space transportation technologies and operating modes is discussed with respect to both lunar and Mars missions. Three levels of activity are set forth to examine the sensitivity of transportation preferences including 'minimum,' 'full science,' and 'industrialization and settlement' categories. High-thrust-profile missions for lunar and Mars transportation are considered in terms of their relative advantages, and transportation options are defined in terms of propulsion and braking technologies. Costs and life-cycle cost estimates are prepared for the transportation preferences by using a parametric cost model, and a return-on-investment summary is given. Major technological needs for the programs are listed and include storable propulsion systems; cryogenic engines and fluids management; aerobraking; and nuclear thermal, nuclear electric, electric, and solar electric propulsion technologies.

Woodcock, Gordon R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

First level release of 2GCHAS for comprehensive helicopter analysis

Consideration is given to the Second Generation Comprehensive Helicopter Analysis System (2GCHAS) under development by the Aeroflightdynamics Directorate of the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command to provide a significant advance in rotorcraft analysis capability. The recent progress that led to the completion of the first-level release in December 1990 is described. The project management approach, 2GCHAS engineering capabilities and features, documentation, and the user interface are also examined. The spanwise bound circulation distribution of the fixed wing calculated with the vortex wake system, and ground resonance frequency and damping results are illustrated in graphic form.

Ormiston, Robert A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Impact of computer advances on future finite elements computations

Research performed over the past 10 years in engineering data base management and parallel computing is discussed, and certain opportunities for research toward the next generation of structural analysis capability are proposed. Particular attention is given to data base management associated with the IPAD project and parallel processing associated with the Finite Element Machine project, both sponsored by NASA, and a near term strategy for a distributed structural analysis capability based on relational data base management software and parallel computers for a future structural analysis system.

Fulton, Robert E.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Applications Of Modern Systems Analysis

cour papers discuss applications of interdisciplinary methodologies incorporating elaborate mathematical models and computer programs as paradigms of modern systems analysis. Unifying concept underlying presentations is need for more sophisticated methods of systems analysis to manage increasingly complex engineering and socioeconomic systems.

Wagner, Robert C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

User observations on information sharing (corporate knowledge and lessons learned)

The sharing of 'corporate knowledge' and lessons learned in the NASA aerospace community has been identified by Johnson Space Center survey participants as a desirable tool. The concept of the program is based on creating a user friendly information system that will allow engineers, scientists, and managers at all working levels to share their information and experiences with other users irrespective of location or organization. The survey addresses potential end uses for such a system and offers some guidance on the development of subsequent processes to ensure the integrity of the information shared. This system concept will promote sharing of information between NASA centers, between NASA and its contractors, between NASA and other government agencies, and perhaps between NASA and institutions of higher learning.

Montague, Ronald A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Guidelines for Creating and Using Abbreviations and Acronyms

The unchecked use of acronyms and initialisms in technical writing presents a huge obstacle to clarity and readability. Although technical communicators are certainly more aware of this problem than are the engineers, scientists, and managers with whom they work, they need concrete guidelines and at least a small degree of self-righteousness on this subject to help them cope with the onslaught. That acronyms frustrate communication is well founded in linguistic theory, not to mention common sense. Suggestions for mitigating their destructiveness include issues of audience, term selectivity, frequency and occasion of use, and aesthetics.

Miller, Diane F.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Guide for Oxygen Hazards Analyses on Components and Systems

Because most materials, including metals, will burn in an oxygen-enriched environment, hazards are always present when using oxygen. Most materials will ignite at lower temperatures in an oxygen-enriched environment than in air, and once ignited, combustion rates are greater in the oxygen-enriched environment. Many metals burn violently in an oxygen-enriched environment when ignited. Lubricants, tapes, gaskets, fuels, and solvents can increase the possibility of ignition in oxygen systems. However, these hazards do not preclude the use of oxygen. Oxygen may be safely used if all the materials in a system are not flammable in the end-use environment or if ignition sources are identified and controlled. These ignition and combustion hazards necessitate a proper oxygen hazards analysis before introducing a material or component into oxygen service. The objective of this test plan is to describe the White Sands Test Facility oxygen hazards analysis to be performed on components and systems before oxygen is introduced and is recommended before implementing the oxygen component qualification procedure. The plan describes the NASA Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility method consistent with the ASTM documents for analyzing the hazards of components and systems exposed to an oxygen-enriched environment. The oxygen hazards analysis is a useful tool for oxygen-system designers, system engineers, and facility managers. Problem areas can be pinpointed before oxygen is introduced into the system, preventing damage to hardware and possible injury or loss of life.

Stoltzfus, Joel M.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Third Aerospace Environmental Technology Conference

The elimination of CFC's, Halons, TCA, other ozone depleting chemicals, and specific hazardous materials is well underway. The phaseout of these chemicals has mandated changes and new developments in aerospace materials and processes. We are beyond discovery and initiation of these new developments and are now in the implementation phase. This conference provided a forum for materials and processes engineers, scientists, and managers to describe, review, and critically assess the evolving replacement and clean propulsion technologies from the standpoint of their significance, application, impact on aerospace systems, and utilization by the research and development community. The use of these new technologies, their selection and qualification, their implementation, and the needs and plans for further developments are presented.

Whitaker, A. F.↗