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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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Can advanced technology improve future commuter aircraft

The short-haul service abandoned by the trunk and local airlines is being picked up by the commuter airlines using small turboprop-powered aircraft. Most of the existing small transport aircraft currently available represent a relatively old technology level. However, several manufacturers have initiated the development of new or improved commuter transport aircraft. These aircraft are relatively conservative in terms of technology. An examination is conducted of advanced technology to identify those technologies that, if developed, would provide the largest improvements for future generations of these aircraft. Attention is given to commuter aircraft operating cost, aerodynamics, structures and materials, propulsion, aircraft systems, and technology integration. It is found that advanced technology can improve future commuter aircraft and that the largest of these improvements will come from the synergistic combination of technological advances in all of the aircraft disciplines. The most important goals are related to improved fuel efficiency and increased aircraft productivity.

Williams, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board: Aeronautics Assessment Committee

High temperature engine materials, fatigue and fracture life prediction, composite materials, propulsion noise pollution, propulsion components, full-scale engine research, V/STOL propulsion, advanced engine concepts, and advanced general aviation propulsion research were discussed.

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NASA NTRS1984

Characteristics of a microwave plasma disk ion source

This letter describes an ion source using a cylindrical microwave cavity operating in a hybrid mode associated with the TE(211) empty cavity mode. The design principles and associated electrical systems are also discussed. Extracted beam current versus accelerating voltage, and specific energy versus extracted beam current are displayed over the range of flow rates 20-80 sccm and absorbed powers 80-150 W. The results show the feasibility of this concept. The ion source has many potential uses such as space propulsion, material processing, and neutral beam ion sources.

Asmussen, J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Foreign civil aviation competition: 1976 summary and implications

A summary assessment is made of foreign civil aviation as it relates to the posture of the United States civil aviation industry. Major findings include: (1) Main competitors - European Economic Community (EEC) and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). (2) Largest commercial market - Transport aircraft. (3) Current market status and projections - U.S. currently dominates the civil aviation market but foreign markets show greater growth trends. (4) Competitive comparisons - Status comparisons are made in technology (aerodynamics, structures and materials, propulsion, avionics, systems, design coordination, and manufacturing); production runs; marketing; and postsales support. The U.S. generally leads except in aerodynamics and propulsion. (5) Multinational ventures - Joint U.S. industry/foreign government development of advanced technology engines is well developed; airframe industry discussions are now underway. (6) Implications - Although the U.S., is currently preeminent in most areas, this may be only a temporary condition. Past U.S. success in aviation has provided many benefits to the nation. These benefits may be lost.

Alford, W. J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Experimental performance of a microwave cavity plasma disk ion source

The detailed description and performance characteristics of a microwave ion source are presented. This ion source utilizes an internally tuned, single-mode (or selective multimode) cylindrical cavity applicator to focus and match microwave energy into a disk-shaped discharge zone. The combination of mode focus control and variable, internal cavity matching allows the efficient operation and beam extraction over a wide range of pressures, powers and gaseous inputs. Experimental measurements of ion beam current versus accelerating voltage and input microwave power in xenon and oxygen gas are presented. Ion source specific energy and mass utilization versus experimental variables are also determined. The experimental performance demonstrates the ability of this ion source to extract an ion beam with a well matched, stable, and continuous operation over a wide range of input gases, low pressures, and over input gas flow rates in excess of 100 to a few sccm. Double Langmuir probe measurements in xenon gas indicate high degrees of ionization, and electron and ion concentrations in excess of 100 critical densities in the microwave discharge zone. This ion source has many potential uses such as spacecraft electric propulsion, material ion beam processing, and neutral beam ion sources.

Root, J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

NASA aeronautics research and technology

The technical accomplishments and research highlights of 1986 are featured, along with information on possible areas of future research. These include hypersonic, supersonic, high performance, subsonic, and rotorcraft vehicle technology. Fundamental disciplinary research areas discussed include aerodynamics, propulsion, materials and structures, information sciences and human factors, and flight systems/safety. A description of the NASA organization and facilities is given.

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NASA NTRS1989

Research and technology 1989

The Marshall Space Flight Center annual report summarizes their advanced studies, research programs, and technological developments. Areas covered include: transportation systems; space systems such as Gravity Probe-B and Gamma Ray Imaging Telescope; data systems; microgravity science; astronomy and astrophysics; solar, magnetospheric, and atomic physics; aeronomy; propulsion; materials and processes; structures and dynamics; automated systems; space systems; and avionics.

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NASA NTRS1992

Aeronautical research in the United States: Challenges for the 1990's

New opportunities for greater performance civil air transportation aircraft derive from the continuing advancements in the aeronautical disciplines: advancements in aerodynamics, structures and materials, propulsion, and flight control technologies. These opportunities impact future subsonic transports, high speed civil transports, and hypersonic vehicles. There are, however, new constraints within which progress will be made, including stringent environmental constraints on engine emissions and noise, old and new safety constraints on operations (especially in severe weather), aging airframes, and changing transportation marketplace demands affecting all of these vehicle classes. Some of the NASA aeronautical research programs will be discussed in four areas: (1) advanced subsonic airplanes; (2) next generation high speed civil transport aircraft (SST's); (3) high performance military aircraft; and (4) next century hypersonic vehicles. This presentation overviews the exciting progress which is possible in aeronautics during the 1990's.

Holmes, Bruce J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Large space structures and systems in the space station era: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 03)

Bibliographies and abstracts are listed for 1221 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1991 and June 30, 1991. Topics covered include large space structures and systems, space stations, extravehicular activity, thermal environments and control, tethering, spacecraft power supplies, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, propulsion, policies and international cooperation, vibration and dynamic controls, robotics and remote operations, data and communication systems, electric power generation, space commercialization, orbital transfer, and human factors engineering.

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NASA NTRS1990

The NASP Program - An update

The NASP Program has made substantial technical progress and undergone significant change since the last report to the Society in 1987. This paper will focus on the technical progress that has been made in the areas of propulsion, materials, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) validation, and overall design of the X-30. The impact that the flight test community has had on the approach to the development and test of the X-30 will also be included. A short discussion of the transition to a new management and program execution process through use of a National Contractor Team will also be presented along with the new revised schedule for the overall program.

Wierzbanowski, Ted↗
NASA NTRS1992

A low cost/low complexity concept for the Mars Sample Return mission

Earlier concepts for the Mars Sample Return mission were complex and costly, and had little chance of being funded. This paper summarizes the evolution of a concept that permitted cost to be reduced by a factor of six, and the number of spacecraft elements to be halved. The primary feature of this low cost/low complexity concept is the application of advanced lightweight propulsion, materials, power, and avionics technology to the Mars Ascent Vehicle to make a direct return from Mars feasible. Mission parameters, launch mass breakdowns, spacecraft configuration drawings, technology requirements, and cost estimates are presented.

Gamber, R. T.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Aeronautical technologies for the twenty-first century

This study gives an overview of the future technologies in aeronautics. This collaborative effort relies upon the input of numerous experts from around the country. Specific issues covered include subsonic transport aircraft, high-speed civil transport aircraft short-haul aircraft, environmental issues, operational issues, aerodynamics, propulsion, materials and structures, avionics and control, and cognitive engineering. The appendices include bibliography, abbreviations and acronyms, and NASA fiscal year 1992 aeronautics funding (table) and participants. The forward states that over the last decade, foreign aircraft manufacturers have made significant inroads into the global aircraft market, to the detriment of U.S. interests. Recommendations are made to counter that trend.

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NASA NTRS1991

Delta Advanced Reusable Transport (DART): An alternative manned spacecraft

Although the current U.S. Space Transportation System (STS) has proven successful in many applications, the truth remains that the space shuttle is not as reliable or economical as was once hoped. In fact, the Augustine Commission on the future of the U.S. Space Program has recommended that the space shuttle only be used on missions directly requiring human capabilities on-orbit and that the shuttle program should eventually be phased out. This poses a great dilemma since the shuttle provides the only current or planned U.S. means for human access to space at the same time that NASA is building toward a permanent manned presence. As a possible solution to this dilemma, it is proposed that the U.S. begin development of an Alternative Manned Spacecraft (AMS). This spacecraft would not only provide follow-on capability for maintaining human space flight, but would also provide redundancy and enhanced capability in the near future. Design requirements for the AMS studied include: (1) capability of launching on one of the current or planned U.S. expendable launch vehicles (baseline McDonnell Douglas Delta II model 7920 expendable booster); (2) application to a wide variety of missions including autonomous operations, space station support, and access to orbits and inclinations beyond those of the space shuttle; (3) low enough costing to fly regularly in augmentation of space shuttle capabilities; (4) production surge capabilities to replace the shuttle if events require it; (5) intact abort capability in all flight regimes since the planned launch vehicles are not man-rated; (6) technology cut-off date of 1990; and (7) initial operational capability in 1995. In addition, the design of the AMS would take advantage of scientific advances made in the 20 years since the space shuttle was first conceived. These advances are in such technologies as composite materials, propulsion systems, avionics, and hypersonics.

Lewerenz, T.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Aerothermodynamic testing requirements for future space transportation systems

Aerothermodynamics, encompassing aerodynamics, aeroheating, and fluid dynamic and physical processes, is the genesis for the design and development of advanced space transportation vehicles. It provides crucial information to other disciplines involved in the development process such as structures, materials, propulsion, and avionics. Sources of aerothermodynamic information include ground-based facilities, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) and engineering computer codes, and flight experiments. Utilization of this triad is required to provide the optimum requirements while reducing undue design conservatism, risk, and cost. This paper discusses the role of ground-based facilities in the design of future space transportation system concepts. Testing methodology is addressed, including the iterative approach often required for the assessment and optimization of configurations from an aerothermodynamic perspective. The influence of vehicle shape and the transition from parametric studies for optimization to benchmark studies for final design and establishment of the flight data book is discussed. Future aerothermodynamic testing requirements including the need for new facilities are also presented.

Paulson, John W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Center for Advanced Space Propulsion

The Center for Advanced Space Propulsion (CASP) is part of the University of Tennessee-Calspan Center for Aerospace Research (CAR). It was formed in 1985 to take advantage of the extensive research faculty and staff of the University of Tennessee and Calspan Corporation. It is also one of sixteen NASA sponsored Centers established to facilitate the Commercial Development of Space. Based on investigators' qualifications in propulsion system development, and matching industries' strong intent, the Center focused its efforts in the following technical areas: advanced chemical propulsion, electric propulsion, AI/Expert systems, fluids management in microgravity, and propulsion materials processing. This annual report focuses its discussion in these technical areas.

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NASA NTRS1997

An Assessment of Smallsat Technology to Future Exploration Missions

This reports the results of a general study for NASA Lewis in relation to the use of small satellites for a Mars Relay Satellite (MRS) that supports communications between Mars and Earth: commands to, and telemetry from, Mars Landers and Rover. The scope of the study encompasses a survey of small satellites, those that are lower than 800 kg in mass, by NASA, DoD, and commercial companies. Additionally, surveys in advanced technologies in the area of composite materials, propulsion subsystems, battery subsystems, communications components and subsystems, and ground operations are also provided, A summary of NASA Mars Programs and their status as relevant to MRS is also included. Attempts to draw detailed cost conclusion is generally not possible due to its proprietary nature. In any event, cost is driven by market demands rather than new technologies. A preliminary comparison with the cost estimate of the S-Tel/OSC report did suggest the possibility of cost savings for the MRS by the use of production busses. On the other hand, cost savings in normalized terms from the use of automated ground systems were obtained with some degree of details.

Chan, Steve↗
NASA NTRS2000

Preliminary Analysis and Design of a Rocket Based Combined Cycle for Efficient Access to Space

Access to space is presently limited by cost. The cost of delivering a payload to low earth orbit (LEO) is on average $10,000 per pound of payload, in the United States. Much of this cost is incurred from the operation of vehicles developed with 30-40 year old technology. The old technology and design practices have resulted in expensive hardware and intensive maintenance requirements for current launch vehicles. In order to alleviate the cost factor, the technological advances throughout the next millennium must bring affordable development and a new invigorating desire to space exploration. National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Defense (DOD), and private industry are addressing this issue by focusing on incremental improvements in the Earth- to Orbit (ETO) costs. These improvements have investigated two different approaches: 1) make space vehicles as inexpensive as possible (i.e. Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) and Delta IV) 2) make space vehicles as reusable as airplanes so that the initial cost of investment can be recaptured (i.e. Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), X-33, X-34, and X-37) These programs have made notable progress in new material, propulsion, structures, and avionics technologies, during the last 3-5 years. So far, these programs are targeted to reduce present costs by, as much as, five times the current cost. The year 2025 goal for continued space advancement is to have ETO costs reduced by a factor of ten (i.e., tenfold), as low as $100 - $200/lb payload. For the RLV, this goal translates into very low maintenance costs and higher expected reliability per flight must be obtained. Therefore, making higher launch rates possible. For the expendable vehicle, the cost of maintenance cost is minimal, but a greater reliability must exist to insure the payload; since, there would be no way to recover the payload if the mission was to an abort or failure. Overall the cost of vehicle, payload and operations of an expendable may be too high compared to those of the RLV.

Harris, Lawanna↗
NASA NTRS2001

NASA's Spaceliner Investment Area Technology Activities

NASA's has established long term goals for access-to-space. The third generation launch systems are to be fully reusable and operational around 2025. The goals for the third generation launch system are to significantly reduce cost and improve safety over current conditions. The Advanced Space Transportation Program Office (ASTP) at the NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL has the agency lead to develop space transportation technologies. Within ASTP, under the Spaceliner Investment Area, third generation technologies are being pursued in the areas of propulsion, airframes, integrated vehicle health management (IVHM), avionics, power, operations, and range. The ASTP program will mature these technologies through both ground and flight system testing. The Spaceliner Investment Area plans to mature vehicle technologies to reduce the implementation risks for future commercially developed reusable launch vehicles (RLV). The plan is to substantially increase the design and operating margins of the third generation RLV (the Space Shuttle is the first generation) by incorporating advanced technologies in propulsion, materials, structures, thermal protection systems, avionics, and power. Advancements in design tools and better characterization of the operational environment will allow improvements in design margins. Improvements in operational efficiencies will be provided through use of advanced integrated health management, operations, and range technologies. The increase in margins will allow components to operate well below their design points resulting in improved component operating life, reliability, and safety which in turn reduces both maintenance and refurbishment costs. These technologies have the potential of enabling horizontal takeoff by reducing the takeoff weight and achieving the goal of airline-like operation. These factors in conjunction with increased flight rates from an expanding market will result in significant improvements in safety and reductions in operational costs of future vehicles. The paper describes current status, future plans and technologies that are being matured by the Spaceliner Investment Area under the Advanced Space Transportation Program Office.

Hueter, Uwe↗