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At least 775 records · Page 43

Shuttle payload minimum cost vibroacoustic tests

This paper is directed toward the development of the methodology needed to evaluate cost effective vibroacoustic test plans for Shuttle Spacelab payloads. Statistical decision theory is used to quantitatively evaluate seven alternate test plans by deriving optimum test levels and the expected cost for each multiple mission payload considered. The results indicate that minimum costs can vary by as much as $6 million for the various test plans. The lowest cost approach eliminates component testing and maintains flight vibration reliability by performing subassembly tests at a relatively high acoustic level. Test plans using system testing or combinations of component and assembly level testing are attractive alternatives. Component testing alone is shown not to be cost effective.

Stahle, C. V.↗

Electrical Characterization of Hughes HCMP 1852D and RCA CDP1852D 8-bit, CMOS, I/O Ports

Twenty-five Hughes HCMP 1852D and 25 RCA CDP1852D 8-bit, CMOS, I/O port microcircuits underwent electrical characterization tests. All electrical measurements were performed on a Tektronix S-3260 Test System. Before electrical testing, the devices were subjected to a 168-hour burn-in at 125 C with the inputs biased at 10V. Four of the Hughes parts became inoperable during testing. They exhibited functional failures and out-of-range parametric measurements after a few runs of the test program.

Stokes, R. L.↗

Automotive Stirling engine development program

Activities performed on Mod I engine testing and test results, progress in manufacturing, assembling and testing of a Mod I engine in the United States, P40 Stirling engine dynamometer and multifuels testing, analog/digital controls system testing, Stirling reference engine manufacturing and reduced size studies, components and subsystems, and computer code development are summarized.

Ernst, W.↗

The design of a small linear-resonant, split Stirling cryogenic refrigerator compressor

The development of a small linear-resonant compressor for use in a 1/4-watt, 78K, split Stirling cryogenic refrigerator is discussed. The compressor contains the following special features: (1) a permanent-magnet linear motor; (2) resonant dynamics; (3) dynamic balancing; and (4) a close-clearance seal between the compressor piston and cylinder. This paper describes the design of the compressor, and presents component test data and system test data for the compressor driving a 1/4-watt expander.

Ackermann, R. A.↗

Liquid rocket engine flight certification

The following subject areas are covered: current rocket engine certification process; certification issues; engine characteristics; engine design and mission requirements; structural design criteria; structural design factors of safety; component/subsystem testing; system level development tests; certification/qualification tests; observations; and proposed actions/programs.

Richards, Steve↗

Drive System Research

An overview of the NASA Glenn Research Center Drive Systems Research will be presented. The primary purpose of this research is to improve performance, reliability, and integrity of aerospace drive systems and space mechanisms. The research is conducted through a combination of in-house, academia, and through contractors. Research is conducted through computer code development and validated through component and system testing. The drive system activity currently has four major thrust areas including: thermal behavior of high speed gearing, health and usage monitoring, advanced components, and space mechanisms.

Handschuh, Robert F.↗

Cyanate Ester and Phthalonitrile Impregnated Carbon Ablative TPS

Phenolic resin has extensive heritage as a TPS (Thermal Protection Systems) material, however, alternative resin systems such as Cyanate Ester and Phthalonitrile may offer improved performance compared to state-of-the-art phenolic resin. These alternative resin systems may have higher char yield, higher char strength, lower thermal conductivity and improved mechanical properties. In current work at NASA Ames alternative resin systems were uniformly infused into fibrous substrates and preliminary properties characterized. The density of the cyanate ester infused in fibrous substrate ranged from 0.25-0.3 grams per cubic centimeter compared to PICA (Phenolic resin impregnated carbon ablative) having a density of approximately 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter. The density of Phthalonitrile varies from 0.22-0.25 grams per cubic centimeter. Initial formulations of these new resin systems were recently tested at the LARC HyMETs (Hypersonic Materials Environmental Test System) facility to evaluate their performance and data such as back face temperature, char yield, and recession are compared to PICA. Cyanate Ester and Phthalonitrile impregnated carbon ablative samples showed comparable performance to phenolic resin impregnated carbon ablative samples.

Polymer↗

Overview of the Development of the Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS)

NASA is committed to the demonstration and application of high-power solar electric propulsion to meet its future mission needs. It is continuing to develop the 14 kW Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) under a project that recently completed an Early Integrated System Test (EIST) and System Preliminary Design Review (PDR). In addition, NASA is pursuing external partnerships in order to demonstrate Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) technology and the advantages of high-power electric propulsion-based spacecraft. The recent announcement of a Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) as the first major piece of an evolvable human architecture to Mars has replaced the Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission (ARRM) as the most likely first application of the AEPS Hall thruster system. This high-power SEP capability, or an extensible derivative of it, has been recognized as a critical part of a new, affordable human exploration architecture for missions beyond-low-Earth-orbit. This paper presents the status of AEPS development activities, and describes how AEPS hardware will be integrated into the PPE ion propulsion system.

Herman, Daniel↗

Cybersecurity Information Technology

As technology and security measures improve, hackers keep looking for new techniques and vulnerabilities that allow them to gain access to sensitive data. This includes but is not limited to: user accounts, personal information, databases, operating systems, developmental and testing systems, and operational systems. A hacker is an individual that uses technology such as computers, tablets, and phones for unauthorized access to data. As technology becomes more robust at preventing known attacks, new vulnerabilities always exists. These vulnerabilities usually go unnoticed by developers and could potentially be exploited by an attacker. To prevent hackers from stealing sensitive and potentially harmful information, we must protect our systems and data against these criminals by developing new methods to mitigate the damage caused by these vulnerabilities and prevent them from occurring in the first place. An excellent way to discover how hackers compromise systems is by identifying and analyzing existing vulnerabilities and patching them. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is one of the many federal agencies that operates under a constant threat by hackers. NASA puts a tremendous amount of effort to maintain and improve their security measures, protect critical systems, and secure sensitive information from attackers who would attempt to use it against our nation's interests.

Hackers↗

Performance evaluation system for inertial navigation equipment

Testing system studies inertial characteristics of gyroscopic devices. System consisting of instrument support package, dynamic test table, torque control electronics, and real-time computer evaluates performance of prototype gyroscopic strapdown units in inertial-grade attitude-reference systems. System is applicable to commercial aircraft.

Mc Kern, R. A.↗

Remote Raman Sensor System for Testing of Rocks and Minerals

Recent and future explorations of Mars and lunar surfaces through rovers and landers have spawned great interest in developing an instrument that can perform in-situ analysis of minerals on planetary surfaces. Several research groups have anticipated that for such analysis, Raman spectroscopy is the best suited technique because it can unambiguously provide the composition and structure of a material. A remote pulsed Raman spectroscopy system for analyzing minerals was demonstrated at NASA Langley Research Center in collaboration with the University of Hawaii. This system utilizes a 532 nm pulsed laser as an excitation wavelength, and a telescope with a 4-inch aperture for collecting backscattered radiation. A spectrograph equipped with a super notch filter for attenuating Rayleigh scattering is used to analyze the scattered signal. To form the Raman spectrum, the spectrograph utilizes a holographic transmission grating that simultaneously disperses two spectral tracks on the detector for increased spectral range. The spectrum is recorded on an intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) camera system, which provides high gain to allow detection of inherently weak Stokes lines. To evaluate the performance of the system, Raman standards such as calcite and naphthalene are analyzed. Several sets of rock and gemstone samples obtained from Ward s Natural Science are tested using the Raman spectroscopy system. In addition, Raman spectra of combustible substances such acetone and isopropanol are also obtained. Results obtained from those samples and combustible substances are presented.

Garcia, Christopher S.↗

Broad band X-ray telescope (BBXRT) displacement monitor system (DMS) testing and calibration

NASA's shuttle-borne Broad Band X-Ray Telescope (BBXRT) consists of two glancing incidence imaging mirror assemblies mounted on an optical bench which is bolted to the primary structure of the instrument. The X-ray detectors are located in the focal plane of the mirror assemblies approximately 3.5 meters away. It is desirable to monitor the relative alignment of these components throughout ground testing, and to determine the magnitude of launch or thermally induced perturbations to the alignment during flight. The Displacement Monitor System (DMS) was designed to accomplish this task. This paper describes the design of the DMS, the development and optimization of the DMS calibration facility, and the characterization of the system. The characterization of the DMS includes environmental qualification, displacement vs output calibration over the operating temperature range, a detailed error analysis, and the generation of a calibration polynomial which utilizes DMS detector output and thermocouple data to optimize system performance. The DMS accuracy exceeded the requirements of a 15 arc second limit of error, and passed the stringent environmental tests. As such, the DMS is one of the first flight qualified displacement monitor systems with this accuracy to be flown in space.

Hagopian, John G.↗

Automated Activation and Deactivation of a System Under Test

The MPLM Automated Activation/Deactivation application (MPLM means Multi-Purpose Logistic Module) was created with a three-fold purpose in mind: 1. To reduce the possibility of human error in issuing commands to, or interpreting telemetry from, the MPLM power, computer, and environmental control systems; 2. To reduce the amount of test time required for the repetitive activation/deactivation processes; and 3. To reduce the number of on-console personnel required for activation/ deactivation. All of these have been demonstrated with the release of the software. While some degree of automated end-item commanding had previously been performed for space-station hardware in the test environment, none approached the functionality and flexibility of this application. For MPLM activation, it provides mouse-click selection of the hardware complement to be activated, activates the desired hardware and verifies proper feedbacks, and alerts the user when telemetry indicates an error condition or manual intervention is required. For MPLM deactivation, the product senses which end items are active and deactivates them in the proper sequence. For historical purposes, an on-line log is maintained of commands issued and telemetry points monitored. The benefits of the MPLM Automated Activation/ Deactivation application were demonstrated with its first use in December 2002, when it flawlessly performed MPLM activation in 8 minutes (versus as much as 2.4 hours for previous manual activations), and performed MPLM deactivation in 3 minutes (versus 66 minutes for previous manual deactivations). The number of test team members required has dropped from eight to four, and in actuality the software can be operated by a sole (knowledgeable) system engineer.

Poff, Mark A.↗

The pseudonoise test set: Communication system's performance evaluation based upon RMS error testing

A pseudonoise (PN) test set was built to provide a relatively easy means of accurately determining the end-to-end rms error introduced by a communication system when subjected to wideband data. It utilizes a filtered pseudorandom sequence generator as a wideband data source, providing a convenient means for digitally delaying the input reference signal for comparison with the distorted test communication system output. In addition to providing a means to measure the end-to-end rms error and the average delay of a communication system, the PN test set also provides a means to determine the tested system's impulse response and correlation function. The theory of PN testing is discussed in detail along with the most difficult aspects of implementation, the building of matched filter pairs. Both analytical and empirical results are reported which support the contentions that this is an accurate and practical way to acquire figures of merit for complete communication systems.

Wallace, G. R.↗

Partnership Opportunities with AFRC for Wireless Systems Flight Testing

The presentation will overview the flight test capabilities at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC), to open up partnership collaboration opportunities for Wireless Community to conduct flight testing of aerospace wireless technologies. Also, it will brief the current activities on wireless sensor system at AFRC through SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) proposals, and it will show the current areas of interest on wireless technologies that AFRC would like collaborate with Wireless Community to further and testing.

sensors↗

Development and Initial Testing of the Tiltrotor Test Rig

The NASA Tiltrotor Test Rig (TTR) is a new, large-scale proprotor test system, developed jointly with the U.S. Army and Air Force, to develop a new, large-scale proprotor test system for the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC). The TTR is designed to test advanced proprotors up to 26 feet in diameter at speeds up to 300 knots, and even larger rotors at lower airspeeds. This combination of size and speed is unprecedented and is necessary for research into 21st-century tiltrotors and other advanced rotorcraft concepts. The TTR will provide critical data for validation of state-of-the-art design and analysis tools.

Proprotor↗

International Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support System Acceptance Testing for the Pressurized Mating Adapters

The International Space Station (ISS) Pressurized Mating Adapters (PMAs) Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) System is comprised of three subsystems: Atmosphere Control and Supply (ACS), Temperature and Humidity Control (THC), and Water Recovery and Management (WRM). PMAs 1 and 2 flew to ISS on Flight 2A and Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA) 3 flew to ISS on Flight 3A. This paper provides a summary of the PMAs ECLS design and a detailed discussion of the ISS ECLS Acceptance Testing methodologies utilized for the PMAs.

Williams, David E.↗