Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “construction technology”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 775 records · Page 43
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2015

Opportunities and Strategies for Testing and Infusion of ISRU in the Evolvable Mars Campaign

HE Evolvable Mars Campaign (EMC) is developing the plans and systems needed for a robust, evolutionary strategy to explore cis-lunar space, the Mars sphere of influence (including the moons of Mars), and the surface of Mars. Recently, the emphasis of NASA's plans has changed to focus on the prolonged pioneering of space, rather than focusing on a single crewed mission as the ultimate goal. A sustainable, pioneering vision of space would include in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) in multiple forms and at multiple destinations: atmospheric capture of Mars CO2 and/or volatiles for consumables and propellants, regolith for bulk and refined materials, and in-situ manufacturing at the Moon, Mars, and other bodies. These resources would enable a reduction in the logistical needs from Earth for future missions, thus preparing the way for a sustained presence on Mars. Although the EMC initially relies only on propellant production for the Mars ascent vehicle via ISRU, one of its primary objectives is to prospect at every EMC destination to understand the potential for ISRU; this will permit true pioneering to be enabled after the first crew arrives at Mars. Recent and ongoing analysis has considered the possible prospecting measurements that can be performed at the asteroid returned to cis-lunar space by the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission (ARRM), at the lunar surface, at Phobos and Deimos, and on the surface of Mars to identify available resources for future use. These opportunities will be available on missions currently in the Evolvable Mars Campaign construct, and will also facilitate the testing and demonstration of resource acquisition, processing, storage, and useage technologies that can play a role in later missions. This analysis has also led to the identification of several objectives that should be targeted during the missions building up to and including the initial crewed missions. These objectives are mapped to strategies for incorporating ISRU to support resource cycle closure and reduce mass requirements from Earth. This analysis has yielded engineering constraints, based on ISRU, that impact the evaluation of landing sites for missions to the surface of Mars. The terrain of a particular site must be sufficiently flat to permit ISRU systems, as well as ancillary systems such as power and propellant storage tanks, to be landed, moved into position, set up, and operated. Water must be accessible in a form that can be acquired via ISRU, in quantities that align with demands. The chosen method of acquiring and processing water should align with the available resources at a particular site, and that site must have sufficient quantities to meet the requirements (based on crew consumables and propellant demands). Lower altitude landing sites are preferred, as the increase in density can facilitate carbon dioxide acquisition from the atmosphere. Another preference is for sites with a greater ability to move regolith for civil engineering purposes; for example, this would be conducive to both bulk regolith uses (such as the manufacture of berms), and processed regolith uses (such as microwave sintering).

Evolvable Mars Campaign↗
NASA NTRS2018

Analysis of the NGXO Telescope X-Ray Hartmann Data

Next Generation X-Ray Optics (NGXO) team at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has been developing a new silicon-based grazing incidence mirror technology for future high resolution x-ray astronomical missions. Recently, the GSFC team completed the construction of first few mirror modules that contain one pair of mirrors. One of the mirror pairs was tested in GSFC 600-m long beamline facility and Panter (Neuried, Germay) 120-m long x-ray beamline facility. Both full aperture x-ray tests, Hartmann tests, and focal plane sweeps were completed. In this paper we present the data analysis process and compare the results from our models to measured x-ray centroid data, x-ray performance data, and out of focus images of the mirror pair.

Spaceborne telescopes↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Assimilation of TROPICS Radiance Data in Nasa Geos System and Impact Assessments Through Observing System Experiments

Since the first full-scale weather satellite Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS)-1 was launched in 1960 to measure weather patterns from space, the number of satellites carrying various sensors to measure atmospheric properties has increased rapidly. Data from these meteorological satellites have been crucial to the advancement of the NWP forecasts. Especially, space-borne measurements of atmospheric temperature and moisture information provided by microwave sounders were reported to contribute most to positive impacts on global NWP forecasts. Developing and launching an operational weather satellite is a daunting and tremendously expensive mission that requires many years of planning, developments, and maintenance after the launch. Small satellites with low size, weight, and power requirements can reduce the cost associated with the construction and launch of large bus platforms and draw attention of several space agencies and weather technology companies that started investing their resources to develop small satellites and measure the potential benefits and weaknesses. The NASA Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission is a constellation of small satellites carrying state-of-art microwave temperature and humidity sounders with 12 channels between 91 GHz and 205 GHz frequency. Currently five TROPICS cubsats, including TROPICS-pathfinder, are in space and provide the temperature and humidity data from space to the meteorological community. This study seeks to assess the potential impact that the constellation of TROPICS satellites may bring to the global NWP analysis and forecasts by assimilating all-sky TROPICS data and implementing observing system experiments (OSE) using the NASA GEOS system. Various evaluations metrics including forecast skills, fit to other observations such as radiosondes and microwave and infrared sounder are used. Along with the NWP impact assessment, the quality of the TROPICS data is evaluated by looking at observation minus forecast statistics in comparisons with other conventional satellite temperature and humidity sounders.

Min-Jeong Kim↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Assimilation of TROPICS Radiance Data in NASA GEOS System and Impact Assessments Through Observing System Experiments

Since the first full-scale weather satellite Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS)-1 was launched in 1960 to measure weather patterns from space, the number of satellites carrying various sensors to measure atmospheric properties has increased rapidly. Data from these meteorological satellites have been crucial to the advancement of the NWP forecasts. Especially, space-borne measurements of atmospheric temperature and moisture information provided by microwave sounders were reported to contribute most to positive impacts on global NWP forecasts. Developing and launching an operational weather satellite is a daunting and tremendously expensive mission that requires many years of planning, developments, and maintenance after the launch. Small satellites with low size, weight, and power requirements can reduce the cost associated with the construction and launch of large bus platforms and draw attention of several space agencies and weather technology companies that started investing their resources to develop small satellites and measure the potential benefits and weaknesses. The NASA Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission is a constellation of small satellites carrying state-of-art microwave temperature and humidity sounders with 12 channels between 91 GHz and 205 GHz frequency. Currently five TROPICS cubsats, including TROPICS-pathfinder, are in space and provide the temperature and humidity data from space to the meteorological community. This study seeks to assess the potential impact that the constellation of TROPICS satellites may bring to the global NWP analysis and forecasts by assimilating all-sky TROPICS data and implementing observing system experiments (OSE) using the NASA GEOS system. Various evaluations metrics including forecast skills, fit to other observations such as radiosondes and microwave and infrared sounder are used. Along with the NWP impact assessment, the quality of the TROPICS data is evaluated by looking at observation minus forecast statistics in comparisons with other conventional satellite temperature and humidity sounders.

Min-Jeong Kim↗
NASA NTRS1993

Activities of the Center for Space Construction

The Center for Space Construction (CSC) at the University of Colorado at Boulder is one of eight University Space Engineering Research Centers established by NASA in 1988. The mission of the center is to conduct research into space technology and to directly contribute to space engineering education. The center reports to the Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences and resides in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. The college has a long and successful track record of cultivating multi-disciplinary research and education programs. The Center for Space Construction is prominent evidence of this record. At the inception of CSC, the center was primarily founded on the need for research on in-space construction of large space systems like space stations and interplanetary space vehicles. The scope of CSC's research has now evolved to include the design and construction of all spacecraft, large and small. Within this broadened scope, our research projects seek to impact the underlying technological basis for such spacecraft as remote sensing satellites, communication satellites, and other special purpose spacecraft, as well as the technological basis for large space platforms. The center's research focuses on three areas: spacecraft structures, spacecraft operations and control, and regolith and surface systems. In the area of spacecraft structures, our current emphasis is on concepts and modeling of deployable structures, analysis of inflatable structures, structural damage detection algorithms, and composite materials for lightweight structures. In the area of spacecraft operations and control, we are continuing our previous efforts in process control of in-orbit structural assembly. In addition, we have begun two new efforts in formal approach to spacecraft flight software systems design and adaptive attitude control systems. In the area of regolith and surface systems, we are continuing the work of characterizing the physical properties of lunar regolith, and we are at work on a project on path planning for planetary surface rovers.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2004

Pre-Hardware Optimization and Implementation Of Fast Optics Closed Control Loop Algorithms

One of the main heritage tools used in scientific and engineering data spectrum analysis is the Fourier Integral Transform and its high performance digital equivalent - the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The FFT is particularly useful in two-dimensional (2-D) image processing (FFT2) within optical systems control. However, timing constraints of a fast optics closed control loop would require a supercomputer to run the software implementation of the FFT2 and its inverse, as well as other image processing representative algorithm, such as numerical image folding and fringe feature extraction. A laboratory supercomputer is not always available even for ground operations and is not feasible for a night project. However, the computationally intensive algorithms still warrant alternative implementation using reconfigurable computing technologies (RC) such as Digital Signal Processors (DSP) and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), which provide low cost compact super-computing capabilities. We present a new RC hardware implementation and utilization architecture that significantly reduces the computational complexity of a few basic image-processing algorithm, such as FFT2, image folding and phase diversity for the NASA Solar Viewing Interferometer Prototype (SVIP) using a cluster of DSPs and FPGAs. The DSP cluster utilization architecture also assures avoidance of a single point of failure, while using commercially available hardware. This, combined with the control algorithms pre-hardware optimization, or the first time allows construction of image-based 800 Hertz (Hz) optics closed control loops on-board a spacecraft, based on the SVIP ground instrument. That spacecraft is the proposed Earth Atmosphere Solar Occultation Imager (EASI) to study greenhouse gases CO2, C2H, H2O, O3, O2, N2O from Lagrange-2 point in space. This paper provides an advanced insight into a new type of science capabilities for future space exploration missions based on on-board image processing for control and for robotics missions using vision sensors. It presents a top-level description of technologies required for the design and construction of SVIP and EASI and to advance the spatial-spectral imaging and large-scale space interferometry science and engineering.

Kizhner, Semion↗
NASA NTRS1981

1981 LTA technology assessment - Past and present

A four-part presentation is made of (1) lessons learned from the design and operation of the 'classic' airships of the 1920s and 30s, with respect to such issues as construction, propulsion, control, instrumentation, ground handling, habitability, aerodynamics, and structure and construction; (2) lessons learned from the development of such specialized lighter-than-air (LTA) concepts as metal-clad airships, semi-buoyant lifting bodies, experimental, sport and commercial free balloons, high-altitude platforms, and tethered aerostats; (3) the current status of LTA technology in various countries, with emphasis on significant developments in configuration, dynamics, control, structures, materials, and propulsion; and (4) a projection of future trends. It is concluded that socio-economic factors will strongly influence and encourage LTA development in the 1990s.

Ashford, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Lunar Polar In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) as a Stepping Stone for Human Exploration

A major emphasis of NASA is to extend and expand human exploration across the solar system. While specific destinations are still being discussed as to what comes first, it is imperative that NASA create new technologies and approaches that make space exploration affordable and sustainable. Critical to achieving affordable and sustainable exploration beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) are the development of technologies and approaches for advanced robotics, power, propulsion, habitats, life support, and especially, space resource utilization systems. Space resources and how to use them, often called In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), can have a tremendous beneficial impact on robotic and human exploration of the Moon, Mars, Phobos, and Near Earth Objects (NEOs), while at the same time helping to solve terrestrial challenges and enabling commercial space activities. The search for lunar resources, demonstration of extraterrestrial mining, and the utilization of resource-derived products, especially from polar volatiles, can be a stepping stone for subsequent human exploration missions to other destinations of interest due to the proximity of the Moon, complimentary environments and resources, and the demonstration of critical technologies, processes, and operations. ISRU and the Moon: There are four main areas of development interest with respect to finding, obtaining, extracting, and using space resources: Prospecting for resources, Production of mission critical consumables like propellants and life support gases, Civil engineering and construction, and Energy production, storage, and transfer. The search for potential resources and the production of mission critical consumables are the primary focus of current NASA technology and system development activities since they provide the greatest initial reduction in mission mass, cost, and risk. Because of the proximity of the Moon, understanding lunar resources and developing, demonstrating, and implementing lunar ISRU provides a near and early opportunity to perform the following that are applicable to other human exploration mission destinations: Identify and characterize resources, how they are distributed, and the material, location and environment in which they are found; Demonstrate concepts, technologies, and hardware that can reduce the cost and risk of human exploration beyond Earth orbit; Use the Moon for operation experience and mission validation for much longer missions that are farther from Earth Develop and evolve ISRU to support sustained, economical human presence beyond Earth's orbit, including promoting space commercialization As Table 1 depicts, the Moon provides environments and resources applicable to Mars and NEOs. Two lunar ISRU resource and product pathways that have notable synergism with NEO, Phobos/Demos, and Mars ISRU are oxygen/metal extraction from regolith, and water/volatile extraction from lunar polar materials. To minimize the risk of developing and incorporating ISRU into human missions, a phased implementation plan is recommended that starts with prospecting and demonstrating critical technologies on robotic and human missions, then performing pilot scale operations (in non-mission critical roles) to enhance exploration mission capabilities, leading to full utilization of space resources in mission critical roles. Which lunar ISRU pathway is followed will depend on the results of early resource prospecting/proof-ofconcept mission(s), and long-term human exploration plans.

Sanders, Gerald B.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Sputtering and ion plating for aerospace applications

Sputtering and ion plating technologies are reviewed in terms of their potential and present uses in the aerospace industry. Sputtering offers great universality and flexibility in depositing any material or in the synthesis of new ones. The sputter deposition process has two areas of interest: thin film and fabrication technology. Thin film sputtering technology is primarily used for aerospace mechanical components to reduce friction, wear, erosion, corrosion, high temperature oxidation, diffusion and fatigue, and also to sputter-construct temperature and strain sensors for aircraft engines. Sputter fabrication is used in intricate aircraft component manufacturing. Ion plating applications are discussed in terms of the high energy evaporant flux and the high throwing power. Excellent adherence and 3 dimensional coverage are the primary attributes of this technology.

Spalvins, T.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Sputtering and ion plating for aerospace applications

Sputtering and ion plating technologies are reviewed in terms of their potential and present uses in the aerospace industry. Sputtering offers great universality and flexibility in depositing any material or in the synthesis of new ones. The sputter deposition process has two areas of interest: thin film and fabrication technology. Thin film sputtering technology is primarily used for aerospace mechanical components to reduce friction, wear, erosion, corrosion, high temperature oxidation, diffusion and fatigue, and also to sputter-construct temperature and strain sensors for aircraft engines. Sputter fabrication is used in intricate aircraft component manufacturing. Ion plating applications are discussed in terms of the high energy evaporant flux and the high throwing power. Excellent adherence and 3-dimensional coverage are the primary attributes of this technology.

Spalvins, T.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Pittsburgh Public School District / Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Team Participation in the US First Competition

FIRST, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, is an international program designed to encourage junior and senior high school students to participate in science and technology related activities. FIRST attempts to increase enthusiasm for technology by providing a competitive environment in which to demonstrate robotics technology designed for a particular set of tasks. Carnegie Mellon University provided student members of the project the opportunity to complete the design, construction, testing, and operation of a robot. Electrical, mechanical, and programming skills were stressed, with both adult and senior students acting as mentors for more junior members. Teamwork and integration was also stressed in order to provide students with a realistic feel for project-based work. Finally, an emphasis was placed on recruiting students with greater difficulty in entering technological fields: girls and ethnic minorities and students leaning toward humanities (especially art). Carnegie Mellon built a relationship with Taylor Allderdice High School that lasted four years. For four years, the success of the project increased each year. Each term, the students successfully designed and built a working robot that could fully participate in the competition. The enthusiasm of the students has been the cornerstone of the recruit of new students, keeping the project growing and vital. Carnegie Mellon's participation with Allderdice has been an overall great success.

Stroupe, Ashley↗
NASA NTRS2019

Human Factors Ground Test Assessment and Protocol Development for Space Radiation Protection Concepts

Human factors evaluations and procedures were developed in a series of ground tests in order to assess novel radiation protection concepts developed by industry leaders in aerospace. In addition, NASA’s current prototype space radiation protection vest and storm shelter concept were tested using the newly drafted human factors assessment materials. Evaluation procedures and wearable garment technology were tested at Johnson Space Center (JSC) using a small sample of current NASA crewmembers for garment testing. Results for the garment analysis indicated that the current radiation vest ultimately did not hinder task performance or impede mobility. Results from the storm shelter analysis indicated that crew were able to construct the shelter within the time allotment without difficulty and limited reference to instruction materials. These data will be used to further develop wearable garment technology and storm shelter designs. Newly developed procedures will be used in future ground tests to further assess novel radiation protection concepts.

Hanson, Julie A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Airesearch QCGAT program

A model TFE731-1 engine was used as a baseline for the NASA quiet clean general aviation turbofan engine and engine/nacelle program designed to demonstrate the applicability of large turbofan engine technology to small general aviation turbofan engines, and to obtain significant reductions in noise and pollutant emissions while reducing or maintaining fuel consumption levels. All new technology design for rotating parts and all items in the engine and nacelle that contributed to the acoustic and pollution characteristics of the engine system were of flight design, weight, and construction. The major noise, emissions, and performance goals were met. Noise levels estimated for the three FAR Part 36 conditions, are 10 t0 15 ENPdB below FAA requirements; emission values are considerably reduced below that of current technology engines; and the engine performance represents a TSFC improvement of approximately 9 percent over other turbofan engines.

Heldenbrand, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Materials technology programs in support of a mercury Rankine space power system

A large portion of the materials technology is summarized that was generated in support of the development of a mercury-rankine space power system (SNAP-8). The primary areas of investigation are: (1) the compatibility of various construction materials with the liquid metals mercury and NaK, (2) the mechanical properties of unalloyed tantalum, and (3) the development of refractory metal/austenitic stainless steel tubing and transition joints. The primary results, conclusions, and state of technology at the completion of this effort for each of these areas are summarized. Results of possible significance to other applications are highlighted.

Stone, P. L.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Spacesuit Portable Life Support System Breadboard (PLSS 1.0) Development and Test Results

A multi-year effort has been carried out at NASA-JSC to develop an advanced Extravehicular Activity (EVA) PLSS design intended to further the current state of the art by increasing operational flexibility, reducing consumables, and increasing robustness. Previous efforts have focused on modeling and analyzing the advanced PLSS architecture, as well as developing key enabling technologies. Like the current International Space Station (ISS) Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) PLSS, the advanced PLSS comprises of three subsystems required to sustain the crew during EVA including the Thermal, Ventilation, and Oxygen Subsystems. This multi-year effort has culminated in the construction and operation of PLSS 1.0, a test rig that simulates full functionality of the advanced PLSS design. PLSS 1.0 integrates commercial off the shelf hardware with prototype technology development components, including the primary and secondary oxygen regulators, ventilation loop fan, Rapid Cycle Amine (RCA) swingbed, and Spacesuit Water Membrane Evaporator (SWME). Testing accumulated 239 hours over 45 days, while executing 172 test points. Specific PLSS 1.0 test objectives assessed during this testing include: confirming key individual components perform in a system level test as they have performed during component level testing; identifying unexpected system-level interactions; operating PLSS 1.0 in nominal steady-state EVA modes to baseline subsystem performance with respect to metabolic rate, ventilation loop pressure and flow rate, and environmental conditions; simulating nominal transient EVA operational scenarios; simulating contingency EVA operational scenarios; and further evaluating individual technology development components. Successful testing of the PLSS 1.0 provided a large database of test results that characterize system level and component performance. With the exception of several minor anomalies, the PLSS 1.0 test rig performed as expected; furthermore, many system responses trended in accordance with pre-test predictions.

Vogel, Matt R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Space Construction System Analysis. Special Emphasis Studies

Generic concepts were analyzed to determine: (1) the maximum size of a deployable solar array which might be packaged into a single orbit payload bay; (2) the optimal overall shape of a large erectable structure for large satellite projects; (3) the optimization of electronic communication with emphasis on the number of antennas and their diameters; and (4) the number of beams, traffic growth, and projections and frequencies were found feasible to package a deployable solar array which could generate over 250 kilowatts of electrical power. Also, it was found that the linear-shaped erectable structure is better for ease of construction and installation of systems, and compares favorably on several other counts. The study of electronic communication technology indicated that proliferation of individual satellites will crowd the spectrum by the early 1990's, so that there will be a strong tendency toward a small number of communications platforms over the continental U.S.A. with many antennas and multiple spot beams.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1978

NASA technical advances in aircraft occupant safety

NASA's aviation safety technology program examines specific safety problems associated with atmospheric hazards, crash-fire survival, control of aircraft on runways, human factors, terminal area operations hazards, and accident factors simulation. While aircraft occupants are ultimately affected by any of these hazards, their well-being is immediately impacted by three specific events: unexpected turbulence encounters, fire and its effects, and crash impact. NASA research in the application of laser technology to the problem of clear air turbulence detection, the development of fire resistant materials for aircraft construction, and to the improvement of seats and restraint systems to reduce crash injuries are reviewed.

Enders, J. H.↗