Space programs summary no. 37-62, volume 3 for the period 1 February - 31 March 1970. Supporting research and advanced development
Spacecraft communication, equipment, guidance, construction materials, propulsion, and related research
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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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Research and technology
Summaries are presented of the research in the development of the space shuttle. Propulsion, materials, spacecraft and thermal control, payloads, instrumentation, data systems, and mission planning are included.
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Future long-range transports - Prospects for improved fuel efficiency
A status report is provided on current thinking concerning potential improvements in fuel efficiency and possible alternate fuels. Topics reviewed are: historical trends in airplane efficiency; technological opportunities including supercritical aerodynamics, vortex diffusers, composite materials, propulsion systems, active controls, and terminal-area operations; unconventional design concepts, and hydrogen-fueled airplane.
Nagel, A. L.↗
General aviation components
An overview is presented of selected aviation vehicles. The capabilities and performance of these vehicles are first presented, followed by a discussion of the aerodynamics, structures and materials, propulsion systems, noise, and configurations of fixed-wing aircraft. Finally the discussion focuses on the history, status, and future of attempts to provide vehicles capable of short-field operations.
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Unmanned powered balloons
In the late 1960's several governmental agencies sponsored efforts to develop unmanned, powered balloon systems for scientific experimentation and military operations. Some of the programs resulted in hardware and limited flight tests; others, to date, have not progressed beyond the paper study stage. Balloon system designs, materials, propulsion units and capabilities are briefly described, and critical problem areas are pointed out which require further study in order to achieve operational powered balloon systems capable of long duration flight at high altitudes.
Korn, A. O.↗
NASA's Role in Aeronautics: A Workshop. Volume 1: Summary
The state of the U.S. aeronautic industry and progressive changes in national priorities as reflected in federal unified budget outlays are reviewed as well as the contribution of NACA and the character and substance of U.S. aeronautical research under NASA. Eight possible roles for the future defined by NASA are examined and the extent to which the agency should carry out these activities is considered. The roles include: (1) national facilities expertise; (2) flight sciences research; (3) generic technology evolution; (4) vehicle class evolution; (5) technology demonstration; (6) prototype development; (7) technology validation; and (8) operations feasibility; How NASA's roles varies in the areas of military aviation, general aviation, transport aircraft aeronautics, rotorcraft aeronautics, engineering education, information dissemination, and cooperation with other organizations and agencies is discussed with regard to research in aerodynamics; structures and materials; propulsion; electronics and avionics; vehicle operations; and human engineering.
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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.↗
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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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.↗
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.↗
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 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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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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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.↗
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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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↗
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.↗
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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