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At least 775 records · Page 43
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

Food system galley for Space Shuttle

The Galley, a 42 man-day meal preparation facility (with flexibility to accomodate 210 man-days) is described. The facility is designed for minimum meal preparation and clean-up time in zero g and ease of servicing, maintenance, and removal in one gravity. The Galley provides a centralized location for performing all of the food-related functions (except dining) within the orbiter. Consideration is given to the oven-water heater, personal hygiene station, water dispensers, and water supply subsystem. The Galley is positioned in the orbiting mid deck, interfacing with rehydratable food packages and the waste collector subsystem.

Murray, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Control - Demands mushroom as station grows

The NASA space station, which is presently in the planning stage, is to be composed of both rigid and nonrigid modules, rotating elements, and flexible appendages subjected to environmental disturbances from the earth's atmospheric gravity gradient, and magnetic field, as well as solar radiation and self-generated disturbances. Control functions, which will originally include attitude control, docking and berthing control, and system monitoring and management, will with evolving mission objectives come to encompass such control functions as articulation control, autonomous navigation, space traffic control, and large space structure control. Attention is given to the advancements in modular, distributed, and adaptive control methods, as well as system identification and hardware fault tolerance techniques, which will be required.

Szirmay, S. Z.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Hydrodynamics of Packed Bed Reactor in Low Gravity

Packed bed reactors are well known for their vast and diverse applications in the chemical industry; from gas absorption, to stripping, to catalytic conversion. Use of this type of reactor in terrestrial applications has been rather extensive because of its simplicity and relative ease of operation. Developing similar reactors for use in microgravity is critical to many space-based advanced life support systems. However, the hydrodynamics of two-phase flow packed bed reactors in this new environment and the effects of one physiochemical process on another has not been adequately assessed. Surface tension or capillary forces play a much greater role which results in a shifting in flow regime transitions and pressure drop. Results from low gravity experiments related to flow regimes and two-phase pressure drop models are presented in this paper along with a description of plans for a flight experiment on the International Space Station (ISS). Understanding the packed bed hydrodynamics and its effects on mass transfer processes in microgravity is crucial for the design of packed bed chemical or biological reactors to be used for water reclamation and other life support processes involving water purification.

Motil, Brian J.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Spaceflight Autonomous Multigenerational Microbial Sequencer in Support of Plant-Growth Systems

The CubeSat platform has proven successful in obtaining meaningful life science information when biological payloads are incorporated. Examples include: 1) the first-ever CubeSat with a biological payload, GeneSat-1, which demonstrated decreased growth rates for flight samples of Escherichia coli in low Earth orbit (Parra et al. 2008); 2) PharmaSat, demonstrated that Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the microgravity environment exhibits a significant level of metabolic activity even at high doses of applied antifungal (Ricco et al. 2011); 3) O/OREOS, which used Bacillus subtilis(bacteria) to demonstrate for the first time that microorganisms can be loaded in a dried, dormant form and then rehydrated and grown in orbit months after launch (Nicholson et al. 2011; Ehrenfreund et al. 2014; 4) the SporeSat payload, which investigated Ceratopteris richardii(fern spores) using lab-on-a-chip devices (BioCDs) and minicentrifuges to produce artificial gravitational forces in ground studies (Park et al. 2017), with demonstration of the BioCD and minicentrifuge in space; 5) EcAMSat, the first CubeSat to be directly deployed from the ISS for an experiment assessing antibiotic resistance of E. coli in the microgravity environment (Padgen et al. 2020); 6) BioSentinel, exposed a culture of yeast to galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) and solar particle events while in heliocentric orbit to measure the rate of double-strand-break repair using DNA-repair-deficient mutants. This effort measures the metabolic parameters of yeast in a deep-space environment compared to Earth ambient conditions using a 3-color LED detection system (Ricco et al. 2020; Padgen et al. 2021). We aim to expand this list to include a Spaceflight Autonomous Multigenerational Microbial Sequencer (SAMMS). SAMMS will allow for the genome level understanding of changes in growth and metabolic activity for any organism. While microbes are suitable for early studies in our proposed platform because of their small size, small and relatively less-complicated genomes, fast generation times, and relevance to life support systems; multicellular organisms can similarly be evaluated for their genetic response to the spaceflight environment. The Spaceflight Autonomous Multigenerational Microbial Sequencer (SAMMS) will enable autonomous sequencing of biological samples in plant production units, cislunar orbit and on the lunar surface to examine spaceflight effects (ie. radiation, altered gravity, reduced pressures) on plant and microbial genomes.On this team a Kennedy Space Center (KSC) space crop production and water systems microbiologist/molecular biologist works with a Johnson Space Center (JSC) International Space Station (ISS) microbial sequencing expert and an Ames Research Center (ARC) CubeSat Engineering team to convert an automated Oxford Nanopore librarypreparation and sequencing method to a fluidic CubeSat payload system. The Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing platform has proven successful in the spaceflight environment onboard the ISS (Stahl-Rommel et al. 2021). Further long-duration spaceflight and exposure to high levels of radiation will cause genotypic effects in biological organisms that may affect their function. Monitoring the adaption of a population to the spaceflight environment and any subsequent beneficial mutations will allow for the harnessing of organisms best suited for use in life support systems. This will ensure that the selected life support-essential microorganisms maintain their intended specified function over generations of culturing in the relevant spaceflight environment without becoming hazardous to crew or spacecraft systems.

Aubrie E Orourke↗
NASA NTRS2003

Orbit Determination Support for the Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP)

NASA's Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) was launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Complex 17 aboard a Delta II 7425-10 expendable launch vehicle on June 30, 2001. The spacecraft received a nominal direct insertion by the Delta expendable launch vehicle into a 185-km circular orbit with a 28.7deg inclination. MAP was then maneuvered into a sequence of phasing loops designed to set up a lunar swingby (gravity-assisted acceleration) of the spacecraft onto a transfer trajectory to a lissajous orbit about the Earth-Sun L2 Lagrange point, about 1.5 million km from Earth. Because of its complex orbital characteristics, the mission provided a unique challenge for orbit determination (OD) support in many orbital regimes. This paper summarizes the premission trajectory covariance error analysis, as well as actual OD results. The use and impact of the various tracking stations, systems, and measurements will be also discussed. Important lessons learned from the MAP OD support team will be presented. There will be a discussion of the challenges presented to OD support including the effects of delta-Vs at apogee as well as perigee, and the impact of the spacecraft attitude mode on the OD accuracy and covariance analysis.

Bauer, Frank↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Experimental, Computational, Theoretical and Analytical Investigation of Flow Boiling in Reduced Gravity

Two-phase thermal management systems are far superior to their single-phase counterparts because of their ability to capitalize on the coolant’s both sensible and latent heats, thereby yielding orders of magnitude higher heat transfer coefficients and smaller system footprints. A vital knowledge necessary for their implementation in future space systems is performance in microgravity. Long-duration microgravity experiments are necessary to obtain reliable databases, which would then be used to build reliable predictive tools. To achieve this goal, investigators at the Purdue University Boiling and Two-Phase Flow Laboratory (PU-BTPFL) and the NASA Glenn Research Center (NASA-GRC) have been collaborating towards the development of the Flow Boiling and Condensation Experiment (FBCE) and eventual execution onboard the International Space Station (ISS). FBCE has now matured to a point where it is ready for transport to the ISS, where first tests will be conducted using the Flow Boiling Module (FBM). In preparation for the ISS tests, a series of pre-launch Mission Sequence Tests (MSTs) was performed at GRC in Earth gravity with FBM mounted in a vertical upflow orientation using n-perfluorohexane as working fluid. The pre-launch tests included variations of flow rate, surface heat flux, inlet conditions, and both single-sided and double-sided wall heating. This presentation will summarize experimental results from these tests as well as both analytic and theoretical tools for prediction of two-phase heat transfer coefficient and critical heat flux (CHF). Also discussed will be an assessment of predictive accuracy of these tools against the experimental data.

Mission Sequence tests↗
NASA NTRS1986

Hemispheric asymmetries of the thermospheric semiannual oscillation

An analysis of the data on the asymmetries of the terrestrial thermospheric semiannual oscillation (SAO), recorded by satellites, radar stations, and rocket soundings (Hedin, 1983), is presented. The possible sources for the thermospheric SAO are discussed. An interpretation is presented of the hemispheric asymmetries of the thermospheric SAO in terms of gravity-wave activities, in which the proposed mechanism is associated with the hemispheric asymmetries in the atmospheric circulation due to the orographic differences between the two hemispheres. Consideration is given to the energy requirements for the observed hemispheric difference in the thermospheric SAO. The overall evidence supporting the proposed interpretation is discussed.

Maeda, K.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A test-bed for space interferometry: Space Platform Interferometer (SPI)

The Space Platform Interferometer (SPI), a 20-m two-mirror Michelson interferometer, which can reach magnitude 14 at UV and visible wavelengths, is described. The SPI is attached to a platform serviced from the space station. In addition to its ability to produce unique science in the UV, SPI is intended to demonstrate the feasibility of larger projects in the field. Dynamical behavior of the structure in the gravity gradient environment and fringe stabilization at low photon rate are studied by picking up an adjacent bin (in the near IR) on the same object and using it to track the white light fringe in a separate differential interferometer. The same subsystem also corrects for tilt. Active control of critical parameters ensures optical rigidity. Performances are evaluated in low orbit.

Faucherre, M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A generic multi-flex-body dynamics, controls simulation tool for space station

An order (n) multiflex body Space Station simulation tool is introduced. The flex multibody modeling is generic enough to model all phases of Space Station from build up through to Assembly Complete configuration and beyond. Multibody subsystems such as the Mobile Servicing System (MSS) undergoing a prescribed translation and rotation are also allowed. The software includes aerodynamic, gravity gradient, and magnetic field models. User defined controllers can be discrete or continuous. Extensive preprocessing of 'body by body' NASTRAN flex data is built in. A significant aspect, too, is the integrated controls design capability which includes model reduction and analytic linearization.

London, Ken W.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Evaluation of prototype air/fluid separator for Space Station Freedom Health Maintenance Facility

A prototype air/fluid separator suction apparatus proposed as a possible design for use with the Health Maintenance Facility aboard Space Station Freedom (SSF) was evaluated. A KC-135 parabolic flight test was performed for this purpose. The flights followed the standard 40 parabola profile with 20 to 25 seconds of near-zero gravity in each parabola. A protocol was prepared to evaluate the prototype device in several regulator modes (or suction force), using three fluids of varying viscosity, and using either continuous or intermittent suction. It was felt that a matrixed approach would best approximate the range of utilization anticipated for medical suction on SSF. The protocols were performed in one-gravity in a lab setting to familiarize the team with procedures and techniques. Identical steps were performed aboard the KC-135 during parabolic flight.

Billica, Roger↗
NASA NTRS1999

Materials Science Experiments on the International Space Station

The Performance Goal for NASA's Microgravity Materials Science Program reads "Use microgravity to establish and improve quantitative and predictive relationships between the structure, processing and properties of materials." The advent of the International Space Station will open up a new era in Materials Science Research including the ability to perform long term and frequent experiments in microgravity. As indicated the objective is to gain a greater understanding of issues of materials science in an environment in which the force of gravity can be effectively switched off. Thus gravity related issues of convection, buoyancy and hydrostatic forces can be reduced and the science behind the structure/processing/properties relationship can more easily be understood. The specific areas of research covered within the program are (1) the study of Nucleation and Metastable States, (2) Prediction and Control of Microstructure (including pattern formation and morphological stability), (3) Phase Separation and Interfacial Stability, (4) Transport Phenomena (including process modeling and thermophysical properties measurement), and (5) Crystal Growth, and Defect Generation and Control. All classes of materials, including metals and alloys, glasses and ceramics, polymers, electronic materials (including organic and inorganic single crystals), aerogels and nanostructures, are included in these areas. The principal experimental equipment available to the materials scientist on the International Space Station (ISS) will be the Materials Science Research Facility (MSRF). Each of these systems will be accommodated in a single ISS rack, which can operate autonomously, will accommodate telescience operations, and will provide real time data to the ground. Eventual plans call for three MSRF racks, the first of which will be shared with the European Space Agency (ESA). Under international agreements, ESA and other partners will provide some of the equipment, while NASA covers launch and integration costs. The MSRF facilities will include modular components, which can be exchanged to provide inserts specifically matched to the engineering requirements of the particular Principal Investigator. To defray costs and avoid duplication of engineering effort NASA is also pursuing the possibility of using facilities provided by international partners. By this means it is anticipated that all of the types of research outlined in the previous paragraph can be done on the ISS.

Gillies, Donald C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Conceptual design for the Space Station Freedom fluid physics/dynamics facility

A study team at NASA's Lewis Research Center has been working on a definition study and conceptual design for a fluid physics and dynamics science facility that will be located in the Space Station Freedom's baseline U.S. Laboratory module. This modular, user-friendly facility, called the Fluid Physics/Dynamics Facility, will be available for use by industry, academic, and government research communities in the late 1990's. The Facility will support research experiments dealing with the study of fluid physics and dynamics phenomena. Because of the lack of gravity-induced convection, research into the mechanisms of fluids in the absence of gravity will help to provide a better understanding of the fundamentals of fluid processes. This document has been prepared as a final version of the handout for reviewers at the Fluid Physics/Dynamics Facility Assessment Workshop held at Lewis on January 24 and 25, 1990. It covers the background, current status, and future activities of the Lewis Project Study Team effort. It is a revised and updated version of a document entitled 'Status Report on the Conceptual Design for the Space Station Fluid Physics/Dynamics Facility', dated January 1990.

Thompson, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A comparison of satellite Doppler and gravimetric geoid undulations considering terrain-corrected gravity data

Geoid undulations derived from Doppler satellite positioning are compared with corresponding values derived from terrestrial and satellite information using three different procedures. Doppler undulations are compared with uncorrected gravimetric undulations, and systematic differences of 1.6 m and 0.4 m are found for western and eastern U.S. stations, respectively. The systematic difference of 1.6 m was reduced to 0.1 m when terrain-related corrections were applied. Undulations computed from a spherical harmonic expansion to degree 180 yielded standard deviations only slightly poorer than the combined data. A more systematic difference in the western than in the eastern stations remained.

Rapp, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

A Geopause satellite system concept.

The Geopause satellite system concept offers promising approaches in connection with four different problem areas. A typical Geopause satellite orbit has a 14-hour period, a mean height of about 4.6 earth radii, and is nearly circular, polar, and normal to the ecliptic. At this height only a relatively few gravity terms have uncertainties corresponding to orbital perturbations above the decimeter level. The Geopause satellite system also provides the tracking geometery and coverage needed for determining the orbit, the tracking system biases, and the station locations. Studies indicate that the Geopause satellite, tracked with a 2-cm ranging system from nine NASA affiliated sites, can yield decimeter station location accuracies. Five or more fundamental stations well distributed in longitude can view Geopause over the North Pole. This means not only that redundant data are available for determining tracking system biases, but also that both components of the polar motion can be observed frequently. When tracking Geopause, the NASA sites become a two-hemisphere configuration which is ideal for a number of earth physics applications such as the observation of the polar motion with a time resolution of a fraction of a day.

Siry, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Skylab contributions to the future

Skylab showed that a multidisciplinary manned space station is practical and can be highly productive. Quality data was produced concerning earth resources (mineral resources, agriculture, climatology, etc.), solar astronomy (solar activity, magnetic fields, and solar winds), materials sciences (e.g., zero-gravity crystal growth), and astronomy and astrophysics (including observations of comet Kohoutek). Two types of astronaut maneuvering unit were tested. Medical data are applicable to adaptational environmental physiology.

Schneider, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Animals in biomedical space research

Rat and squirrel monkeys experiments have been planned in concert with human experiments to help answer fundamental questions concerning the effect of weightlessness on mammalism function. For the most part, these experiments focus on identified changes noted in humans during space flight. Utilizing space laboratory facilities, manipulative experiments can be completed while animals are still in orbit. Other experiments are designed to study changes in gravity receptor structure and function and the effect of weightlessness on early vertibrate development. Following these preliminary animal experiments on Spacelab Shuttle flights, longer term programs of animal investigation will be conducted on Space Station.

Phillips, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Fluid handling 2: Surgical applications

The methods proposed for managing fluids and particulate debris during minor surgery on Space Station Freedom (SSF) were investigated and demonstrated. A KC-135 parabolic flight test was performed, in which the flight followed the standard 40 parabola profile with 20 to 25 seconds in near-zero gravity in each parabola. The equipment (suction and laminar flow device) was evaluated. While this equipment performed satisfactorily previously in the dental simulation, the purpose of the current flight was to reconfigure the equipment in support of a minor surgical situation in order to evaluate its efficacy and establish clear requirements for the actual flight hardware. To accomplish the study the Health Maintenance Facility medical restraint system was deployed as for surgical use and mannequin suture arm was restrained to its surface. The surgical area was established as for performing minor surgery with standard tray and suture instruments employed.

Billica, Roger↗