Results for “opportunities” — Page 4

NASA NTRS2017

Constraining the Origin of Basaltic Volcanic Rocks Observed by Opportunity Along the Rim of Endeavour Crater

The Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Opportunity continues its exploration along the rim of Endeavour Crater. While the primary focus for investigation has been to seek evidence of aqueous alteration, Opportunity has observed a variety of rock types, including some that are hard and relatively unaltered. These rocks tend to occur most commonly as "float rocks" or "erratics" where the geologic setting does not clearly reveal their origin. Along the rim of Endeavour crater (Fig. 1), such rocks, commonly noted in Panoramic Camera (Pancam) left eye composites as "blue rocks", are abundant components of some of the Endeavour crater rim deposits, scree slopes, and colluvium deposits. In this abstract, we examine the similarity of several of these rocks analyzed using Opportunity's Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS), images and color from the Pancam, and textures observed with the Microscopic Imager (MI. At issue is the blue rocks origin; are they impact melt or volcanic, what is their age relative to Endeavour crater, and how they are related to each other?

Bouchard, M. C.↗

NASA NTRS2018

Nasa's Space Launch System: Exceptional Opportunities for Secondary Payloads to Deep Space

When NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) launches for the first time from Kennedy Space Center, it will send the Orion crew vehicle farther into space than a human-rated spacecraft has ever traveled. The primary objectives of this first uncrewed mission, Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1), focus on verifying and validating the new technologies and integrated systems developed for SLS, Orion and Exploration Ground Systems (EGS), which together comprise NASA’s new deep space exploration system. EM-1 also provides the opportunity for 13 6U CubeSat secondary payloads to be deployed in deep space. As progress is being made toward that first launch, planning is also taking place for secondary payload opportunities on future missions. This paper will provide an overview of the status of the SLS Block 1 launch vehicle and an overview of the 6U payloads selected for EM-1. In addition, an overview of the EM-1 mission trajectories and the “bus stops” along the trajectory where the payloads will be deployed will be noted. Challenges and new workflows required in identifying and certifying potential payloads will be discussed. The paper will also discuss opportunities that will be presented by future evolutions of SLS.

Robinson, Kimberly F.↗

NASA NTRS2018

NASA's Space Launch System and Deep Space Opportunities for Smallsats

Designed to provide the significant capability required for human deep-space exploration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Space Launch System (SLS) also provides an exceptional opportunity for lower-cost deep-space science in the form of small-satellite (smallsat) secondary payloads. This opportunity will be leveraged beginning with the rocket's first flight; a launch of the SLS's Block 1 configuration, capable of delivering greater than 26 metric tons (t) to Trans-Lunar Injection (TLI), which will see the Orion crew vehicle travel around the Moon and return to Earth. On that flight, SLS will also deploy 13 6U-class CubeSat secondary payloads to multiple destinations including deep space. Preparations are already under way for future vehicle configurations, with the more capable Block 1B, able to deliver 40 metric tons to TLI. That configuration will have the capability to carry large payloads co-manifested with the Orion spacecraft, or to utilize an 8.4-meter (m) fairing to carry payloads several times larger than are currently possible. SLS will evolve to its full Block 2 configuration, with a TLI capability of greater than 45 metric tons. This paper will provide a status of the SLS development and outline the progress being made toward flying smallsats on SLS, and discuss future opportunities for smallsats.

Bookout, Paul S.↗

NASA NTRS2019

Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity End of Mission Report

The Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Opportunity landed on Meridiani Planum on 25 January 2004 for a prime mission designed to last three months (90 sols). After more than fourteen years operating on the surface of Mars, the last communication from Opportunity occurred on sol 5111 (10 June, 2018) when a major dust storm reduced power on the solar panels to the point where further communications were not possible. Following the cessation of the dust storm several weeks later, the MER project radiated over 1000 commands to Mars in an attempt to elicit a response from the rover. Attempts were made utilizing the Deep Space Network X-Band and UHF relay via both Mars Odyssey and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Search and recovery efforts concluded on 12 February, 2019. It is the MER project’s assessment that the environmental window in which it would be most probable to recover Opportunity had passed by that time and that the rover would succumb to the extreme environmental conditions experienced during a winter on Mars. This report summarizes the major science accomplishments throughout the fourteen years of this mission, with a detailed focused on recent science accomplishments during the last extended mission (EM-11). This report also describes the mission engineering accomplishments and specific actions taken during the attempt to recover the vehicle after communications were lost during the major dust storm.

Callas, John L.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Early Artemis Surface Navigation: Challenges, Approaches, and Opportunities

The early Artemis missions represent the return of humanity to the surface of the Moon and provide opportunities for meeting early science and exploration goals. Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) capabilities are a fundamental element and inform operational design, flight rules, and the ability to meet these. This paper provides an overview of the needs, potential implementations, challenges, and concepts of operations in the initial human surface missions, Artemis III and IV. These early excursions are a crucial learning opportunity to gain more experience in the actual operational environment for Artemis V and beyond where exploration objectives and complexity increases. As part of the study, the team defined a threshold performance navigation requirement (including position and orientation) to meet crew safe return and assessed a breadth of navigation approaches that could be deployed to augment the crew’s baseline navigation capability. Data was collected in terms of size, mass, power, operational constraints, environment constraints, interface, and performance to define the technical metrics. Given these, the trade team conducted polling among the various Artemis Campaign elements to capture preference, integration challenges, and operational impacts. These were used to develop weightings and inform a ranked order of solutions across each of the early missions. The results of the study recommended augmenting the initial orientation capability with additional navigation sensors to provide coarse position and heading information to the crew to enable a safe contingency walk-back when out of video range. The team identified opportunities for embedding this hardware in future scenarios to provide an integrated solution. With the deployment of the LunaNet’s Lunar Augmented Navigation System, the crew will be able to maintain accurate real-time navigation knowledge with minimal physical impacts. Discussion of future testing and continued analysis is included in this paper. These forward plans and long-term architecture systems will enable a powerful navigation approach for orbiting and surface users, enabling a high level of scientific return and crew safety.

Evan Anzalone↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Early Artemis Surface Navigation: Challenges, Approaches, and Opportunities

The early Artemis missions represent the return of humanity to the surface of the Moon and provide opportunities for meeting early science and exploration goals. Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) capabilities are a fundamental element and inform operational design, flight rules, and the ability to meet these. This paper provides an overview of the needs, potential implementations, challenges, and concepts of operations in the initial human surface missions, Artemis III and IV. These early excursions are a crucial learning opportunity to gain more experience in the actual operational environment for Artemis V and beyond where exploration objectives and complexity increases. As part of the study, the team defined a threshold performance navigation requirement (including position and orientation) to meet crew safe return and assessed a breadth of navigation approaches that could be deployed to augment the crew’s baseline navigation capability. Data was collected in terms of size, mass, power, operational constraints, environment constraints, interface, and performance to define the technical metrics. Given these, the trade team conducted polling among the various Artemis Campaign elements to capture preference, integration challenges, and operational impacts. These were used to develop weightings and inform a ranked order of solutions across each of the early missions. The results of the study recommended augmenting the initial orientation capability with additional navigation sensors to provide coarse position and heading information to the crew to enable a safe contingency walk-back when out of video range. The team identified opportunities for embedding this hardware in future scenarios to provide an integrated solution. With the deployment of the LunaNet’s Lunar Augmented Navigation System, the crew will be able to maintain accurate real-time navigation knowledge with minimal physical impacts. Discussion of future testing and continued analysis is included in this paper. These forward plans and long-term architecture systems will enable a powerful navigation approach for orbiting and surface users, enabling a high level of scientific return and crew safety.

Evan Anzalone↗

NASA NTRS2003

Science opportunity analyzer - a multi-mission approach to science planning

In the past Science Planning for space missions has been comprised of using ad-hoc software toolscollected or reconstructed from previous missions, tools used by other groups who often speak a different 'technical' language or even 'the backs of envelopes'. In addition to the tools being rough, the work done with these tools often has had to be redone or at least re-entered when it came time to determine actual observations. Science Opportunity Analyzer (SOA), a Java-based application, has been built for scientists to enable them to identify/analyze observation opportunities and then, to create corresponding observation designs.

Science opportunity analyzer science planning SOA ↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Key Opportunities in Aeronautics Enterprise

Opportunities for college students studying aerospace. Presentation covers trends in aircraft manufacturing, supply chain, and airspace operations as well as research and development opportunities at NASA.

Aeronautics↗

NASA NTRS2022

DIP Announcement of Collaborative Opportunity (ACO) for Flight Operators

The DIP Announcement for Collaborative Opportunity provides an opportunity for NASA to directly collaborate with the aviation industry. This information session seeks to clarify questions and provide insight into the DIP sub-project collaboration efforts with industry.

Digital Information Platform↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

DIP Announcement of Collaborative Opportunity (ACO) for Service Providers

The Digital Information Sub-project will hold a virtual information session regarding the Announcement for Collaborative Opportunity being released to solicit feedback and potential partnership opportunities. The objectives of this information session are to inform the service provider (SP) community of the DIP sub-project and provide insight into sub-project formulation and information about the sub-project they would not get without personal engagement.

Digital Information Platform↗

NASA NTRS1973

Computation and analysis of satellite opportunities for the Mariner Jupiter/Saturn 1977 mission

The MJS77 mission provides the United States with the first opportunity to study the large satellites of Jupiter and Saturn at close range. Techniques are presented which allow the mission analyst to generate single and multiple satellite encounters at Jupiter and Saturn, and to incorporate satellite gravity assist into the targeting problem. These methods are applied to the MJS77 mission to generate, parametrically, the single and multiple satellite opportunities and characteristics at both flyby planets. An interesting consequence of this study is that a close encounter with a Galilean satellite increases the flexibility of a trajectory design which would otherwise require sizable post-Jupiter trajectory correction maneuvers to achieve the desired Saturn arrival date timing. In addition the Saturn studies revealed that as many as four satellites can be encountered on a single trajectory.

Beerer, J. G.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Achieving equal opportunity in NASA: An assessment of needs and recommendations for action

Measures designed by NASA to improve its equal opportunity program are reported. Attempts made to increase the ratios and level of placement of women and minority men in the work force were emphasized, upward mobility for those employees already in the work force was also studied. Ways for improving the track record for NASA's equal opportunity profile are recommended.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1981

Community rotorcraft air transportation benefits and opportunities

Information about rotorcraft that will assist community planners in assessing and planning for the use of rotorcraft transportation in their communities is provided. Information useful to helicopter researchers, manufacturers, and operators concerning helicopter opportunities and benefits is also given. Three primary topics are discussed: the current status and future projections of rotorcraft technology, and the comparison of that technology with other transportation vehicles; the community benefits of promising rotorcraft transportation opportunities; and the integration and interfacing considerations between rotorcraft and other transportation vehicles. Helicopter applications in a number of business and public service fields are examined in various geographical settings.

Gilbert, G. A.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Future Propulsion Opportunities for Commuter Airplanes

Commuter airplane propulsion opportunities are summarized. Consideration is given to advanced technology conventional turboprop engines, advanced propellers, and several unconventional alternatives: regenerative turboprops, rotaries, and diesels. Advanced versions of conventional turboprops (including propellers) offer 15-20 percent savings in fuel and 10-15 percent in DOC compared to the new crop of 1500-2000 SHP engines currently in development. Unconventional engines could boost the fuel savings to 30-40 percent. The conclusion is that several important opportunities exist and, therefore, powerplant technology need not plateau.

Strack, W. C.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Scientific opportunities using satellite surface wind stress measurements over the ocean

Scientific opportunities that would be possible with the ability to collect wind data from space are highlighted. Minimum requirements for the space platform and ground data reduction system are assessed. The operational uses that may develop in government and commercial applications of these data are reviewed. The opportunity to predict the large-scale ocean anomaly called El Nino is highlighted.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1983

Opportunities for research in aerothermodynamics

"Aerothermodynamics' involves the disciplines of chemistry, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer which have collaborative importance in propulsion systems. There are growing opportunities for the further application of these disciplines to improve the methodology for the design of advanced gas turbines; particularly, the combustor and turbine. Design procedures follow empirical or cut and try guidelines. The tremendous advances in computational analysis and in instrumentation techniques hold promise for research answers to complex physical processes that are currently not well understood. The transfer of basic research understanding to engineering design should result in shorter, less expensive development commitments for engines. The status and anticipated opportunities in research topics relevant to combustors and turbines is reviewed.

Graham, R. W.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The Galileo orbital tour for the 1986 launch opportunity

The trajectory characteristics of the selected Galileo orbital tour for the May 1986 launch opportunity are presented, and the interplay between tour design and science requirements is discussed. The orbital tour design concepts are summarized, and the research objectives in the areas of magnetospheric science, satellite imaging, observations of the Jupiter atmosphere, and radio science are discussed. Each of the encounter with the moons of Jupiter that would have occurred if the launch opportunity had been utilized are described, giving the dates of the planned encounters. Trajectory pole views and earth views of occultations during encounters are diagrammed.

Longuski, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Trajectory design for the Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby 1995-1996 opportunities

Recent reprogramming of NASA's Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby (CRAF) mission has motivated an examination of the comet rendezvous opportunities available with launch dates in 1995 and 1996. Various interplanetary transfer modes have been investigated including direct, Delta V-earth-gravity- assist and Venus/earth gravity assist trajectories. Optimal trajectories have been generated and their performance assessed for a spacecraft using a chemical propulsion system and the upgraded Titan/Centaur launch vehicle. Of the viable options available, a new CRAF baseline mission has been selected. One important result of the present study is that while there are comet rendezvous trajectories with launch dates throughout the next decade, 1997 marks the beginning of a hiatus of opportunities with short flight times to the comet targets which promise the greatest potential science return.

Myers, Mark R.↗