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NASA NTRS2022

Moon to Mars (M2M) Habitation Considerations: A Snap Shot As of January 2022

The following NASA Technical Memorandum (TM) is intended to provide a snapshot in time of NASA’s current considerations (ground rules and assumptions, functional allocations, logistics) for habitation systems for the lunar surface (non-roving) and Mars transits. As NASA continues to refine the reference designs to meet the needs of an evolving architecture, it is expected that this information will also be updated as a result. Where appropriate, relevant publicly released documents will be referenced to provide further detail. NASA’s human lunar exploration plan under the Artemis program calls for achieving the goal of sending the first woman and first person of color to the surface of the Moon in the mid- 2020s and working toward sustainable exploration by the end of the decade. Working with both commercial and international partners, NASA will establish a permanent human presence on the Moon to uncover new scientific discoveries and lay the foundation for private companies to build a lunar economy. Longer duration missions on the lunar surface and in lunar orbit will also serve as a test bed for technologies to support future Mars exploration campaigns. The agency will use what we learn on the Moon to prepare for humanity's next giant leap – sending astronauts to Mars. NASA intends to establish a sustained lunar presence with the development of the Artemis Base Camp to prove technologies and capabilities that will one day enable humans to live and work on Mars, beginning with core elements including the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), the Pressurized Rover (PR), the lunar Surface Habitat (SH), power systems, and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) systems. For in space operations and eventual transport of humans to Mars, NASA will utilize a Mars Transit Habitat (TH). Following deployment, the TH will complete a series of longer duration missions and shakedown testing while docked at Gateway, leveraging Gateway’s habitation redundancy for safety measures. Proposed Gateway-TH missions will far exceed the longest duration cislunar human missions to date. They will be the first operational readiness tests of our long-duration deep space systems, and of the split crew (two crew on the surface, two crew in space) operations that are vital to the approach for the first human Mars mission. Both the SH and TH are major architectural elements of NASA’s Moon to Mars (M2M) approach, each with very different concepts of operation. The SH is intended for use on the lunar surface as a home for astronauts, surface operations base, science facility, hub for communications, extravehicular activity (EVA) equipment repair site, waste processing facility, and supply hub. It serves as an enabler for a sustained surface presence and preparation for partial gravity operations during Mars missions. The SH will be designed to be self-sufficient for operations on the lunar surface. The SH will independently provide several functions, including its own power generation, energy storage capability, sleep quarters, hygiene areas, work areas, and dining areas. It will be capable of communicating with surface assets, orbital assets, and directly with Earth ground stations. It is planned to operate with two crew in the habitat for ~28- day stays with crew swap-outs in which the PR crew of two trades places with the habitat crew. During the swap-out, the habitat will nominally support four crew for a short period of time. For contingency scenarios, the habitat must also be capable of supporting four crew for up to 7 days. The TH will be designed to be capable of up to ~1,200-day Mars missions with the ability to carry all food and supplies needed to support a crew of four for this duration. An assumed Mars mission profile for the TH is to carry crew and supplies for ~850-day roundtrips between Earth and Mars orbit that allows 30-day stays on the Martian surface. To test the systems for this long journey, the TH will be used to extend the duration of missions at Gateway, enabling the orbiting outpost to be used as a Mars analog. These analog missions will be accomplished by attaching the TH to Gateway and conducting lunar surface operations from the TH. The TH may also need to perform free-flying shakedown missions to test out all systems prior to leaving for Mars. The habitat provides many critical functions including: a contingency airlock, crew quarters, galley, hygiene areas, safe haven capability, and science equipment. It can receive docked items from either axial end or on a radial port.

Habitat↗

DOE OSTI2021

Small bore magnetic measurement system, method for measuring small bore magnets

The invention provides a system for measuring magnets, the system comprising a guide tube removably received by a beam chamber tunnel, wherein said guide tube has a first end terminating at a first end of the tunnel and a second end terminating at a second end of the tunnel; a flexible substrate removably and slidably received by the tube, wherein the flexible substrate has a first end and a second end; a first rotary stage removably attached to the first end of said flexible substrate and a second rotary stage removably attached to the second end of said flexible substrate wherein the first rotary stage and the second rotary stage effects movement of the substrate through the tube; and a Hall probe supported by the flexible substrate. Also provided is a method for measuring magnetic fields, the method comprising extending a measuring probe into a magnetic core while maintaining the probe at ambient temperature and pressure.

Kasa, Matthew T.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Materials under high pressure: a chemical perspective

At high pressure, the typical behavior of elements dictated by the periodic table, including oxidation numbers, stoichiometries in compounds, and reactivity, to name but a few, is altered dramatically. As pressure is applied, the energetic ordering of atomic orbitals shifts, allowing core orbitals to become chemically active, atypical electron congurations to occur, and in some cases,non-atom-centered orbitals to form in the interstices of solid structures. Strange stoichiometries, structures, and bonding motifs result. Crystal structure prediction tools, not burdened by preconceived notions about structural chemistry learned at atmospheric pressure, have been applied to great success to explore phase diagrams at high pressure, identifying novel structures in diverse chemical systems. Several of these phases have been subsequently synthesized. Experimentally, access to high-pressure regimes has been bolstered by advances in diamond anvil cell and dynamic com- pression techniques. Here, the joint efforts of experiment and theory have led to startling success stories in the realm of high-temperature superconductivity, identifying many novel phases (some of which have been synthesized) whose superconducting transition approaches room temperature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2022

Stability of Fe 2 S and Fe 12 S 7 to 125 GPa; implications for S-rich planetary cores

The Fe-FeS phase relations were explored in the 22–25 wt. % S compositional range using single crystal X-ray diffraction in a laser heated diamond anvil cell. At pressures up to 125 GPa and at high temperatures, Fe 2 S and Fe 12 S 7 were determined to co-crystallise. The novel Fe 12 S 7 compound adopts the Co 12 P 7 structure and Fe 2 S assumes the Fe 2 P-type structure. Applying these results to an Fe-FeS binary phase diagram exposes a complex series of FeS phase assemblages in the 16–25 wt. % S range, whereby minor changes in S content significantly affect the crystallisation sequence of Fe-S rich planetary cores. For core compositions S-rich of the Fe 2 S-Fe 12 S 7 eutectic, the small density difference between solid Fe 12 S 7 and Fe 2 S is likely to result in the formation of a core slush rather than a gravitationally stable inner core. Crystallisation of denser Fe 2 S at eutectic conditions could then result in gravitational settling of an Fe 2 S-rich inner core over time. As the Fe 2 P-type Fe 2 S has previously been identified forming at high temperatures to pressures as low as 22 GPa, the core crystallisation regimes determined here also elucidate that the Martian core sulfur composition must lie on the S-rich side of the Fe-Fe 3 S eutectic or even the S-rich side of the Fe 3 S-Fe 2 S eutectic to maintain a fully molten core.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NASA NTRS1983

Submillimeter observations of W3

A 35 arcsec resolution, 400 micron continuum map of the core of the W3 molecular cloud complex is presented. The map shows prominent peaks centered approximately at the positions of the infrared sources IRS 4 and IRS 5 with stronger-emission at the western (IRS 4) peak. The visual extinction (inferred from the submillimeter measurements) through the center of both peaks is large (A sub v = 200). A total mass for the core of 900 solar masses is estimated, consistent with dynamical estimates if the observed velocity gradient is a result of rotation. The peak H2 density is approximately 2.8 x 10 to the 5th/cu cm. The observations exclude the possibility that the shell H II regions, W3A-C, could be in pressure equilibrium with the surrounding cloud. The observations establish that the core of W3 contains several massive condensations surrounding the youngest stars in the region.

Jaffe, D. T.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Structure and stability of hydrous minerals at high pressure

The presence of even small amounts of hydrogen in the Earth's deep interior may have profound effects on mantle melting, rheology, and electrical conductivity. The recent discovery of a large class of high-pressure H-bearing silicates further underscores the potentially important role for hydrous minerals in the Earth's mantle. Hydrogen may also be a significant component of the Earth's core, as has been recently documented by studies of iron hydride at high pressure. In this study, we explore the role of H in crystal structures at high pressure through detailed Raman spectroscopic and x ray diffraction studies of hydrous minerals compressed in diamond anvil cells. Brucite, Mg(OH)2, has a simple structure and serves as an analogue for the more complex hydrous silicates. Over the past five years, this material has been studied at high pressure using shock-compression, powder x ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and neutron diffraction. In addition, we have recently carried out single-crystal synchrotron x-ray diffraction on Mg(OH)2 and Raman spectroscopy on Mg(OD)2 at elevated pressure. From all these studies, an interesting picture of the crystal chemical behavior of this material at high pressure is beginning to emerge. Some of the primary conclusions are as follows: First, hydrogen bonding is enhanced by the application of pressure. Second, layered minerals which are elastically anisotropic at low pressure may not be so at high pressure. Furthermore, the brucite data place constraints on the effect of hydrogen on seismic velocities and density at very high pressure. Third, the stability of hydrous minerals may be enhanced at high P by subtle structural rearrangements that are difficult to detect using traditional probes and require detailed spectroscopic analyses. Finally, brucite appears to be unique in that it undergoes pressure-induced disordering that is confined solely to the H-containing layers of the structure.

Duffy, T. S.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Modeling Flow in a Microreactor Core: From High-Fidelity CFD to Subchannel Analysis

The accurate prediction of pressure drop in tightly packed, low–Reynolds number (Re) bare rod bundles is essential for the thermal-hydraulic design of the Microreactor Applications Research Validation and EvaLuation (MARVEL) reactor and other microreactor concepts. However, existing friction factor correlations, particularly the upgraded Cheng-Todreas (UCTD) correlation, have limited validation for the small pitch-to-diameter ratios (P/Ds) and transitional flow conditions characteristic of these systems. In this work, we perform high-fidelity large-eddy simulations (LESs) of both an infinite bare rod bundle and a finite bare 37-pin scalloped rod bundle across the range 1000≤ 𝑅𝑒 ≤5500. The simulations reveal strong gap vortex–driven transitional behavior and indicate that the UCTD may underpredict the friction factor by up to 28% at 𝑃/𝐷 = 1.05. Using the LES-calculated pressure drops, we formulate a new friction factor correlation that follows the Cheng-Todreas functional form but is calibrated for low-Re and tightly packed geometries representative of a MARVEL-like reactor. The correlation is implemented in the MOOSE (Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment) subchannel module and compared against both the LES and UCTD predictions. Across all subchannel types, the proposed model reduces the streamwise velocity differences from as high as 44% (UCTD) to below 9%, and decreases the pressure gradient differences from 13% to 25% (UCTD) to 0.7% to 7% relative to the LES results. These results suggest that the new correlation has the potential to improve the pressure drop and flow field predictions for such geometries, highlighting the importance of high-fidelity simulations in supporting microreactor thermal-hydraulic model development and motivating future pressure drop experiments for compact rod bundles to further validate these findings.

21 - SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLAN↗

DOE OSTI2024

Natural fibers as promising core materials of vacuum insulation panels

To reduce energy consumption in buildings, this paper investigates the feasibility of using natural fibers as cost-effective, environmentally sustainable core materials for vacuum insulation panels (VIPs). First, a comprehensive experimental study was conducted for 10 potential natural fiber candidates. The thermal conductivities of the 10 natural fiber mats at various vacuum pressures were measured; their compression and morphology properties were quantified. In addition, an analytical model was used to explore the major factors that influence the thermal conductivity of natural fibers as a function of internal air pressure. Results show that recycled cotton, kapok, and bamboo fibers are ideal candidates for VIP core materials; at <0.05 Pa, their thermal conductivities varied between 2 and 4 mW/(m∙K). Furthermore, for some fibers, thermal conductivity was inversely proportional to fiber density. For the selection of fiber materials for VIP cores, the ideal fiber candidate has a small fiber diameter and a low fiber mat density. Based on thermal measurements, even though the internal air pressure of 5 Pa was enough to attain the minimum thermal conductivity, obtaining internal air pressure below 5 Pa is recommended for prolonged service life, considering small leaks of VIP package barrier films and potential off-gassing from fibers. The simulation results predicting the effective thermal conductivities matched the experimental results well. These findings indicate that natural fiber–based VIPs have the potential to be a sustainable, inexpensive alternative to the current technologies in building insulation materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Characterizing the seismic response of a molten salt nuclear reactor

Abstract One Generation IV nuclear reactor, which uses a fluoride salt as a coolant, graphite reflector blocks as a moderator, and circulating buoyant TRISO pebbles as fuel is at an advanced stage of development. To characterize the seismic behavior of components of this reactor, validate numerical models for analysis, and develop recommendations for design, a set of earthquake‐simulator experiments on a scaled model of the reactor vessel and its internals was executed on a six‐degree‐of‐freedom earthquake simulator. The model was seismically isolated at its base using two types of spherical sliding bearings. The scaled model involved representations of the prototype reactor vessel, core barrel, reflector blocks, coolant, and spherical fuel pebbles. The material and geometric properties of different test components were selected based on a dynamic similitude scaling analysis and an approximate length scale of 0.4. Four sets of three‐component earthquake motions were used as inputs for testing. Instrumentation on the test specimen recorded the dynamic responses of the outer vessel, core barrel, and reflector‐block assembly, the hydrodynamic responses (sloshing and hydrodynamic pressure) of the liquid coolant, pebble consolidation under earthquake shaking, and the behavior of the isolation systems. This paper describes the design of the experiments and presents key results from the tests. The dynamic responses of the outer vessel, core barrel, and the reflector blocks revealed that the components responded as a unit for the intense shaking used in the experiments. The sloshing response of the fluid in a thin annulus near the perimeter of the vessel was heavily damped. The change in the packing fraction of the pebble bed under repeated, intense 3D earthquake shaking was less than 3%. Seismically isolating the vessel substantially reduced demands on its internal components.

Engineering↗

DOE OSTI2025

Modeling and Simulation of Fuel Dispersal During the Loss-of-Coolant Accident

This document is the compilation of the milestone portion to a larger end of project NEUP report. The executive summary of the modeling portion is provided below: In the event of cladding rupture during a postulated LOCA in a pressurized water reactor, fuel particles, along with fission gases, can be expelled into the reactor core from the fractured fuel rod, a phenomenon referred to as fuel dispersal. The initial stage of fuel dispersal is strongly influenced by the high-pressure ejection of fuel fragments, the size and geometry of the ruptured cladding, and the depressurization history of the fuel rod during the postulated LOCA transient. Depending on the location of the burst orifice relative to the quench front, the dispersal event represents an intricate three-phase flow and heat transfer phenomenon, where high-temperature fuel particles carried by the fission gases interact with the coolant within the narrow subchannels of the fuel assemblies, inducing localized phase change. Given the unique multiphysics nature of this phenomena, the current study develops a dedicated computational framework to predict the mass distribution and cooling of dispersing fuel particles, facilitating post-accident assessment and management of the fuel assemblies. Considering the scale of nuclear reactor applications, a continuum three-fluid model is proposed for simulating the transport of solids within the reactor core. With high-temperature fuel fragments within the liquid media, nucleation sites inducing phase changes are dispersed within the flow domain. Coupled with the fact that the transient dispersal event occurs on different time scales than other three-phase flow applications, this study derives a time-averaged three-fluid flow model without losing generality. The assumptions regarding the continuum treatment of the solid phase and the modeling of fuel dispersal behavior are incorporated to simplify the governing equations and derive applicable closure relations. The computational validation of the model was conducted using adiabatic experimental results obtained from ongoing research at Oregon State University, focusing on characterizing fuel dispersal behavior during simulated LOCA conditions. Settlement characteristics of the solids, quantified by the probability distribution of equivalent particles, closely matched the probability density functions reported in experimental studies. The transport of fuel particles within a scaled 5 × 5 lattice of a pressurized-water reactor rod bundle geometry was modeled through a two-fluid Eulerian framework. The required boundary conditions were evaluated from the fuel performance code BISON in a postulated large-break LOCA scenario. The modeling framework considered solid fuel particles as granular matter, interacting with the gaseous dry steam phase and fission gases through the governing interfacial momentum exchange between the participating fluids. The simulation results provided the volume fraction of the solids obtained at the bottom surface of the enclosing tank geometry. Postulated LOCA leading to fuel dispersal phenomena involves the strong coupling between fuel thermomechanics, cladding deformation, thermal-hydraulics, and fuel particle transport. Incorporation of such a strong coupling in numerical simulation is performed by coupling the multiphysics solvers. In the case of fuel dispersal, a strong coupled simulation can be performed by coupling the BISON code for fuel performance, the TRACE code for system-level thermal hydraulics, and fuel particle transport in Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE). For such intricate infrastructure, the MOOSE Framework eases the data transfer between codes. The recent version of MOOSE has incorporated the Navier-Stokes module for the fluid flow. An exploratory exercise was done to gain familiarity with finite volume capabilities in the MOOSE framework to incorporate the Spalart-Allmaras (SA) turbulence model. New finite-volume and auxiliary kernels were introduced to assemble the SA transport equation, compute turbulent viscosity, and evaluate wall distance and diagnostic turbulence terms, fully integrated with existing Navier-Stokes modules. A turbulent lid-driven cavity at a Reynolds number of approximately 10,000 is used for verification. MOOSE shows the robust solver convergence and produces the turbulent features. But it underpredicts the velocity profile and turbulent quantities, emphasizing the need to develop improved SA near-wall treatments (e.g., low-Re corrections or wall functions) as a key direction for future work.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

NASA NTRS1991

Heat transfer analysis of fuel assemblies in a heterogeneous gas core nuclear rocket

Heat transfer problems of a heterogeneous gaseous core nuclear rocket were studied. The reactor core consists of 1.5-m long hexagonal fuel assemblies filled with pressurized uranium tetrafluoride (UF4) gas. The fuel gas temperature ranges from 3500 to 7000 K at a nominal operating condition of 40 atm. Each fuel assembly has seven coolant tubes, through which hydrogen propellant flows. The propellant temperature is not constrained by the fuel temperature but by the maximum temperature of the graphite coolant tube. For a core achieving a fission power density of 1000 MW/cu m, the propellant core exit temperature can be as high as 3200 K. The physical size of a 1250 MW gaseous core nuclear rocket is comparable with that of a NERVA-type solid core nuclear rocket. The engine can deliver a specific impulse of 1020 seconds and a thrust of 330 kN.

Watanabe, Yoichi↗

NASA NTRS1998

Element Partitioning Constraints on Formation and Composition of the Earth's Core

Element partitioning study provides a number of constraints on the formation and composition of the core. First, partitioning of siderophile elements between the core and mantle should explain the "excess" siderophile elements in the mantle. Second, partitioning of light element(s) between the core and mantle should supply the core with the right amount of light element(s) to account for the density deficit in the core. Third, partitioning of light element(s) between the inner and outer core should be consistent with the observed difference in density deficits (relative to pure Fe) between these two reservoirs. In this study, high-pressure and high-temperature experiments have been conducted to investigate the pressure, temperature, and composition effects on partitioning of siderophile elements Ni and Co between core-forming Fe alloy and mantle silicate melt and minerals, partitioning of light elements S, O, and Si between core-forming Fe alloy and mantle silicate melt and minerals, and partitioning of light elements S and C between solid and liquid Fe. The implications of these results for mechanism of core formation and the composition of the core are discussed.

Li, J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Numerical prediction of vortex cores of the leading and trailing edges of delta wings

The purpose of the present paper is to predict the roll-up of the vortex sheets emanating from the leading- and trailing-edges of delta wings with emphasis on the interaction of vortex cores beyond the trailing edge. The motivation behind the present work is the recent experimental data published by Hummel. The Nonlinear Discrete-Vortex method (NDV-method) is modified and extended to predict the leading- and trailing-vortex cores beyond the trailing edge. The present model alleviates the problems previously encountered in predicting satisfactory pressure distributions. This is accomplished by lumping the free-vortex lines during the iteration procedure. The leading- and trailing-edge cores and their feeding sheets are obtained as parts of the solution. The numerical results show that the NDV-method is successful in confirming the formation of a trailing-edge core with opposite circulation and opposite roll-up to those of the leading-edge core. This work is a breakthrough in the high angle of attack aerodynamics and moreover, it is the first numerical prediction done on this problem

Kandil, O. A.↗

NASA NTRS1987

High heat transfer oxidizer heat exchanger design and analysis

The RL10-2B engine, a derivative of the RL10, is capable of multimode thrust operation. This engine operates at two low thrust levels: tank head idle (THI), which is approximately 1 to 2% of full thrust, and pumped idle (PI), which is 10% of full thrust. Operation at THI provides vehicle propellant settling thrust and efficient engine thermal conditioning; PI operation provides vehicle tank pre-pressurization and maneuver thrust for low-g deployment. Stable combustion of the RL10-2B engine during the low thrust operating modes can be accomplished by using a heat exchanger to supply gaseous oxygen to the propellant injector. The oxidizer heat exchanger (OHE) vaporizes the liquid oxygen using hydrogen as the energy source. The design, concept verification testing and analysis for such a heat exchanger is discussed. The design presented uses a high efficiency compact core to vaporize the oxygen, and in the self-contained unit, attenuates any pressure and flow oscillations which result from unstable boiling in the core. This approach is referred to as the high heat transfer design. An alternative approach which prevents unstable boiling of the oxygen by limiting the heat transfer is referred to as the low heat transfer design and is reported in Pratt & Whitney report FR-19135-2.

Kmiec, Thomas D.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Analysis of stratified and closely spaced jets exhausting into a crossflow

Procedures have been developed for determining the flow field about jets with velocity stratification exhausting into a crossflow. Jets with three different types of exit velocity stratification have been considered: (1) jets with a relatively high velocity core; (2) jets with a relatively low velocity core; and (3) jets originating from a vaned nozzle. The procedure developed for a jet originating from a high velocity core nozzle is to construct an equivalent nozzle having the same mass flow and thrust but having a uniform exit velocity profile. Calculations of the jet centerline and induced surface static pressures have been shown to be in good agreement with test data for a high velocity core nozzle. The equivalent ideal nozzle has also been shown to be a good representation for jets with a relatively low velocity core and for jets originating from a vaned nozzle in evaluating jet-induced flow fields. For the singular case of a low velocity core nozzle, namely a nozzle with a dead air core, and for the vaned nozzle, an alternative procedure has been developed. The internal mixing which takes place in the jet core has been properly accounted for in the equations of motion governing the jet development. Calculations of jet centerlines and induced surface static pressures show good agreement with test data these nozzles.

Ziegler, H.↗

NASA NTRS1973

The end of the iron-core age.

The terrestrial planets aggregated essentially from small particles, to begin as solid cool bodies with the same general compositions, and there is no possibility of an iron-core developing within any of them at any stage. Their differing internal and surface properties receive ready explanation from their different masses which determine whether the pressures within are sufficient to bring about phase-changes. The claim that the terrestrial core can be identified by means of shock-wave data as nickel-iron is based on theoretical misconception, whereas the actual seismic data establish an uncompressed-density value much lower than any such mixture could have. The onset of the Ramsey phase-change in the earth takes the form of a rapid initial collapse to produce a large core in metallic state which thereafter continues to grow secularly as a result of radioactive heating and leads to reduction of surface-area at long last adequate to account for folded and thrusted mountain-building.

Lyttleton, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS2008

Constellation Architecture Team-Lunar: Lunar Habitat Concepts

This paper will describe lunar habitat concepts that were defined as part of the Constellation Architecture Team-Lunar (CxAT-Lunar) in support of the Vision for Space Exploration. There are many challenges to designing lunar habitats such as mission objectives, launch packaging, lander capability, and risks. Surface habitats are required in support of sustaining human life to meet the mission objectives of lunar exploration, operations, and sustainability. Lunar surface operations consist of crew operations, mission operations, EVA operations, science operations, and logistics operations. Habitats are crewed pressurized vessels that include surface mission operations, science laboratories, living support capabilities, EVA support, logistics, and maintenance facilities. The challenge is to deliver, unload, and deploy self-contained habitats and laboratories to the lunar surface. The CxAT-Lunar surface campaign analysis focused on three primary trade sets of analysis. Trade set one (TS1) investigated sustaining a crew of four for six months with full outpost capability and the ability to perform long surface mission excursions using large mobility systems. Two basic habitat concepts of a hard metallic horizontal cylinder and a larger inflatable torus concept were investigated as options in response to the surface exploration architecture campaign analysis. Figure 1 and 2 depicts the notional outpost configurations for this trade set. Trade set two (TS2) investigated a mobile architecture approach with the campaign focused on early exploration using two small pressurized rovers and a mobile logistics support capability. This exploration concept will not be described in this paper. Trade set three (TS3) investigated delivery of a "core' habitation capability in support of an early outpost that would mature into the TS1 full outpost capability. Three core habitat concepts were defined for this campaign analysis. One with a four port core habitat, another with a 2 port core habitat, and the third investigated leveraging commonality of the lander ascent module and airlock pressure vessel hard shell. The paper will describe an overview of the various habitat concepts and their functionality. The Crew Operations area includes basic crew accommodations such as sleeping, eating, hygiene and stowage. The EVA Operations area includes additional EVA capability beyond the suit-port airlock function such as redundant airlock(s), suit maintenance, spares stowage, and suit stowage. The Logistics Operations area includes the enhanced accommodations for 180 days such as closed loop life support systems hardware, consumable stowage, spares stowage, interconnection to the other Hab units, and a common interface mechanism for future growth and mating to a pressurized rover. The Mission & Science Operations area includes enhanced outpost autonomy such as an IVA glove box, life support, and medical operations.

Toups, Larry↗

NASA NTRS1999

Turbofan engine with a low pressure turbine driven supercharger in a bypass duct operated by a fuel rich combustor and an afterburner

A multiple bypass turbofan engine includes a core Brayton Cycle gas generator with a fuel rich burning combustor and is provided with a variable supercharged bypass duct around the gas generator with a supercharging means in the supercharged bypass duct powered by a turbine not mechanically connected to the gas generator. The engine further includes a low pressure turbine driven forward fan upstream and forward of an aft fan and drivingly connected to a low pressure turbine by a low pressure shaft, the low pressure turbine being aft of and in serial flow communication with the core gas generator. A fan bypass duct is disposed radially outward of the core engine assembly and has first and second inlets disposed between the forward and aft fans. An inlet duct having an annular duct wall is disposed radially inward of the bypass duct and connects the second inlet to the bypass duct. A supercharger means for compressing air is drivingly connected to the low pressure turbine and is disposed in the inlet duct. A secondary combustor or augmentor is disposed in an exhaust duct downstream of and in fluid flow communication with the bypass duct and the gas generator.

Bartos, James W.↗