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At least 685 records · Page 38

Exploration Platform in the Earth-Moon Libration System Based on ISS

International Space Station (ISS) industry partners have been working for the past two years on concepts using ISS development methods and residual assets to support a broad range of exploration missions. These concepts have matured along with planning details for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) and Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) to allow serious consideration for a platform located in the Earth-Moon Libration (EML) system. This platform would provide a flexible basis for future exploration missions and would significantly reduce costs because it will enable re-use of expensive spacecraft and reduce the total number of launches needed to accomplish these missions. ISS provides a robust set of methods which can be used to test systems and capabilities needed for missions to the Moon, Mars, asteroids and other potential destinations. We will show how ISS can be used to reduce risk and improve operational flexibility for missions beyond low earth orbit through the development of a new Exploration Platform based in the EML system. The benefits of using the EML system as a gateway will be presented along with additional details of a lunar exploration mission concept. International cooperation is a critical enabler and ISS has already demonstrated successful management of a large multi-national technical endeavor. We will show how technology developed for ISS can be evolved and adapted to the new exploration challenge. New technology, such as electric propulsion and advanced life support systems can be tested and proven at ISS as part of an incremental development program. Finally, we will describe how the EML Platform could be built and deployed and how International access for crew and cargo could be provided.

Raftery, Michael↗

Assessment of Altimetry Using Ground-Based GPS Data from the 88S Traverse, Antarctica, in Support of ICESat-2

We conducted a 750 km kinematic GPS survey, referred to as the 88S Traverse, based out of South Pole Station, Antarctica, between December 2017 and January 2018. This ground-based survey was designed to validate space-borne altimetry and airborne altimetry developed at NASA. The 88S Traverse intersects 20% of the ICESat-2 satellite orbits on a route that has been flown by two different Operation IceBridge airborne laser altimeters: the Airborne Topographic Mapper (ATM; 26 October 2014) and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Lidar (30 November and 3 December 2017). Here we present an overview of the ground-based GPS data quality and a quantitative assessment of the airborne laser altimetry over a flat section of the ice sheet interior. Results indicate that the GPS data are internally consistent (1:1+- 4:1 cm). Relative to the ground-based 88S Traverse data, the elevation biases for ATM and the UAF lidar range from -9:5 to 3.6 cm, while surface measurement precisions are equal to or better than 14.1 cm. These results suggest that the ground-based GPS data and airborne altimetry data are appropriate for the validation of ICESat-2 surface elevation data.

Brunt, Kelly M.↗

Exercise/recreation facility for a Lunar or Mars analog

Discussed here is a project to design an exercise/recreation station for an earth based simulator of a lunar or Martian habitat. Specifically, researchers designed a stationary bicycle that will help people keep fit and prevent muscular atrophy while stationed in space. To help with motivation and provide an element of recreation during the workout, the bicycle is enhanced by a virtual reality system. The system will simulate various riding situations and the choice of mountain bike or road bike. The bike employs a magnetic brake that provides continuously changing tension to simulate actual riding conditions. This braking system will be interfaced directly with the virtual reality system. Also integrated into the virtual reality system will be a monitoring system that regulates heart rate, work rate, and other functions during the course of the session.

Source record↗

Deep Space Station (DSS-13) automation demonstration

The data base collected during a six month demonstration of an automated Deep Space Station (DSS 13) run unattended and remotely controlled is summarized. During this period, DSS 13 received spacecraft telemetry data from Voyager, Pioneers 10 and 11, and Helios projects. Corrective and preventive maintenance are reported by subsystem including the traditional subsystems and those subsystems added for the automation demonstration. Operations and maintenance data for a comparable manned Deep Space Station (DSS 11) are also presented for comparison. The data suggests that unattended operations may reduce maintenance manhours in addition to reducing operator manhours. Corrective maintenance for the unmanned station was about one third of the manned station, and preventive maintenance was about one half.

Remer, D. S.↗

The Evolution of Payload Data Capabilities on the Commercial Visiting Vehicles that Service the International Space Station

The visiting vehicles designed by U.S.-based commercial companies to deliver cargo and crew to the International Space Station (ISS) can transfer science payloads to the ISS in an active, powered state. To provide payload developers with situational awareness during transit, NASA is working with current and future visiting vehicles to offer a variety of payload monitoring and control capabilities. This presentation will offer discussion of the following topics: How NASA requirements for the data services available to ISS payloads on the visiting vehicles have expanded over time; The challenges that have been faced in establishing these services.

Wiggins, Lindsay↗

Load Profiles Data for the EVI-RoadTrip Web Tool

The dataset contains EVI-RoadTrip outputs, minute-by-minute load profiles in kW for each station in the simulation based on assumed utilization and network density. The load profiles are aggregated to lower spatial resolution (e.g., state-level, corridor-level) by summation of all station loads associated with the respective geography. This results in a load profile for each scenario that summarizes the corridor's, state's, or county's load profile in minute-level resolution.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

MAGIK Animation of Robotic Operations for Flight SpaceX-31 to ISS

The MAGIK Robotics analysis team provides kinematic feasibility assessments for the ISS and has produced an animation to showcase Extravehicular Robotics (EVR) activities for Flight SpaceX (SpX)-31. Shown EVR activities were developed by Flight Operations Directorate (FOD) Robotics (ROBO). The animation also displays the current ISS configuration at the time of the flight in Increment 72. Flight SpX-31 includes a SpaceX Cargo Dragon vehicle docked to Node 2 Forward (N2F) and consists of the delivery of the Coronal Observation Experiment (CODEX) payload. Robotic operations shown include utilization the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) based on the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), survey of the cargo trunk, extraction of CODEX from the trunk, stow of SPDM, SSRMS walkoff to the Mobile Remote Servicer (MRS) Base System (MBS), SSRMS grapple of SPDM, translate of the Mobile Transporter (MT), and install of CODEX to Express Logistics Carrier 3 (ELC-3) Site 3. There is no disposal payload for this flight.

ISS↗

Phase change water processing for Space Station

The use of a vapor compression distillation subsystem (VCDS) for water recovery on the Space Station is analyzed. The self-contained automated system can process waste water at a rate of 32.6 kg/day and requires only 115 W of electric power. The improvements in the mechanical components of VCDS are studied. The operation of VCDS in the normal mode is examined. The VCDS preprototype is evaluated based on water quality, water production rate, and specific energy. The relation between water production rate and fluids pump speed is investigated; it is concluded that a variable speed fluids pump will optimize water production. Components development and testing currently being conducted are described. The properties and operation of the proposed phase change water processing system for the Space Station, based on vapor compression distillation, are examined.

Zdankiewicz, E. M.↗

Alternative approaches to space-based power generation

Satellite Power Stations (SPS) would generate electrical power in space for terrestrial use. Their geosynchronous orbit location permits continuous microwave power transmission to ground receiving antenna farms. Eight approaches to the generation of the electrical power to be transmitted were investigated. Configurations implementing these approaches were developed through an optimization process intended to yield the lowest cost for each. A complete program was baselined for each approach, identifying required production rates, quantities of launches, required facilities, etc. Each program was costed, including the associated launches, orbital assembly, and maintenance operations. The required electric power charges to amortize these costs were calculated. They range from 26 to 82 mills/kWh (ground busbar).

Gregory, D. L.↗

In-space technology experiments - Prerequisite for missions of the future

Experience with the Shuttle and free-flying satellites as technology test beds has shown the feasibility and desirability of using space assets as facilities for technology development. Thus, with the arrival of the Space Station Freedom era, technologists will be ready for an accessible engineering facility in space, particularly to support technology development for manned space exploration. As the 21st century is approached, virtually every flight to the Space Station Freedom will carry one or more research, technology and engineering experiments. The experiments planned will utilize both the pressurized volume and the external attachment facilities. A unique class of experiments will use the Space Station itself as an experimental test bed. Based upon recent examination of possible Space Station assembly sequences, technology payloads may utilize upwards of 20 percent of available resources.

Harris, Leonard A.↗

Automatic Weather Station (AWS) Lidar

A ground based, autonomous, low power atmospheric lidar instrument is being developed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. We report on the design and anticipated performance of the proposed instrument and show data from two prototype lidar instruments previously deployed to Antarctica.

Rall, Jonathan A. R.↗

Expanding the Capabilities of the JPL Electronic Nose for an International Space Station Technology Demonstration

An array-based sensing system based on polymer/carbon composite conductometric sensors is under development at JPL for use as an environmental monitor in the International Space Station. Sulfur dioxide has been added to the analyte set for this phase of development. Using molecular modeling techniques, the interaction energy between SO2 and polymer functional groups has been calculated, and polymers selected as potential SO2 sensors. Experiment has validated the model and two selected polymers have been shown to be promising materials for SO2 detection.

electronic noses↗

STS-108 Post Flight Presentation

The crewmembers of STS-108, Commander Dominic Gorie, Pilot Mark Kelly, and Mission Specialists Linda Godwin and Daniel Tani, narrate this video as footage from the mission is shown. The crew is seen flying into Kennedy Space Center, suiting up, boarding the Endeavour Orbiter, and during launch. Various mission highlights are seen, including the rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS) and docking of Endeavour, the unloading of the Multipurpose Logistics Module (MPLM), and the spacewalk to install thermal blankets over the Beta Gimbal Assemblies (BGAs) at the bases of the Space Station's solar panels. A glimpse is given into the difficulties of working in a microgravity environment as the crewmembers attempt to eat food before it floats away from them and drink water from a bag. The exchange of the Expedition 4 (Yuri I. Onufrienko, Carl E. Walz, and Daniel W. Bursch) for the Expedition 3 crew (Frank L. Culbertson, Mikhail Turin, and Vladimir N. Dezhurov) is also seen. The Endeavour undocks from the ISS, which is seen over the Caribbean Sea. Endeavour passes over Cuba, and footage of the Swiss Alps is shown. The video ends with the landing of the spacecraft.

Source record↗

Vertical Structure in Phytoplankton Growth and Productivity Inferred From Biogeochemical-Argo Floats and the Carbon-Based Productivity Model

Estimates of marine net primary production (NPP) commonly rely on limited in situ 14C incubations or satellite-based algorithms mainly constrained to the surface ocean. Here we combine data from biogeochemical Argo floats with a carbon-based productivity model (CbPM) to compute vertically-resolved estimates of NPP. Inferred NPP profiles derived by informing the CbPM with float-based, depth-resolved, bio-optical data are able to qualitatively reproduce the vertical structure in NPP inferred from in situ 14C incubations at various ocean regions. At station ALOHA, float-based estimates agree within uncertainty with productivity observations at depth, but underestimate surface NPP. We test the ability of the CbPM to infer the depth-resolved structure in NPP from bio-optical properties in the mixed layer, in similar fashion as how remote sensing algorithms of ocean productivity operate. In Southern Ocean waters, the depth-reconstructing implementation of the CbPM overestimates phytoplankton division rates and Chl:C below the mixed layer, resulting in artificially high subsurface NPP when compared with the fully float-informed implementation of the model. The CbPM subsurface extrapolation of phytoplankton Chl, Chl:C division rates, and NPP improves by accounting for deep nutrient (iron) stress impacts on photoacclimation in the Southern Ocean. This improvement is also observed in vertically- integrated NPP, where the mean bias between model implementations in depth-integrated productivity south of 30◦S is reduced by 62 % when account for deep iron limitation. Our results demonstrate that profiling data from biogeochemical Argo floats can serve to inform regional adjustments that lead to the improvement of marine productivity algorithms.

NPP↗

Spatial Distribution and Pattern Persistence of Surface Soil Moisture and Temperature Over Prairie from Remote Sensing

Images remotely sensed aboard aircraft during FIFE, namely, PBMR (microwave) soil moisture and NS001 thermal infrared surface temperature, were mapped on the same coordinate system covering the 20 km x 20 km experimental site. For both kinds of image data, the frequency distributions were close to symmetric, and the area average compared reasonably well with the ground based measurements. For any image on any given day, the correlation between the remotely sensed values and collocated ground based measurements over the area was usually high in the case of NS001 surface temperature but low in the case of PBMR soil moisture. On the other hand, at any given flux station the correlation between the PBMR and gravimetric soil moisture over all available days was usually high. The correlation pixel by pixel between images of PBMR on different days was generally high. The preservation of the spatial patterns of soil moisture was also evaluated by considering the correlation station by station between ground-based soil moisture measurements on different days; no persistence of spatial pattern was apparent during wet periods, but a definite pattern gradually established itself toward the end of each drying episode. The spatial patterns of surface temperature revealed by NS001 were not preserved even within a single day. The cross-correlations among the two kinds of images and the vegetation index NDVI were normally poor. This suggests that different processes of vegetation growth, and of the near-surface soil water and energy budgets.

Chen, Daoyi↗

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.↗

United States data collection activities and requirements, volume 1

The potential market for a data collection system was investigated to determine whether the user needs would be sufficient to support a satellite relay data collection system design. The activities of 107,407 data collections stations were studied to determine user needs in agriculture, climatology, environmental monitoring, forestry, geology, hydrology, meteorology, and oceanography. Descriptions of 50 distinct data collections networks are described and used to form the user data base. The computer program used to analyze the station data base is discussed, and results of the analysis are presented in maps and graphs. Information format and coding is described in the appendix.

Hrin, S.↗