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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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At least 775 records · Page 43

Liquid Rocket Booster (LRB) for the Space Transportation System (STS) systems study. Study plan

The two major objectives are: to present the study approach, and to provide the standard for guiding the Liquid Rocket Booster (LRB) project. The task plans provide a comprehensive description of the work to be performed. Each plan is presented on a foldout sheet that shows the task description, approach, timeframe, inputs/outputs, manloading, and management lead responsibility. A logic network depicting tasks/subtasks, interrelationships, and time-phasing is described. The milestones and timelines are defined for all tasks and subtasks.

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Crew procedures and workload of retrofit concepts for microwave landing system

Crew procedures and workload for Microwave Landing Systems (MLS) that could be retrofitted into existing transport aircraft were evaluated. Two MLS receiver concepts were developed. One is capable of capturing a runway centerline and the other is capable of capturing a segmented approach path. Crew procedures were identified and crew task analyses were performed using each concept. Crew workload comparisons were made between the MLS concepts and an ILS baseline using a task-timeline workload model. Workload indexes were obtained for each scenario. The results showed that workload was comparable to the ILS baseline for the MLS centerline capture concept, but significantly higher for the segmented path capture concept.

Summers, Leland G.↗

Telerobotic assembly of space station truss structures

Discussed here are methods of assembling the space station's structure utilizing only telerobotic devices, i.e.: (1) an approximately anthropomorphic telerobot with two dextrous arms; (2) the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS); and (3) various material handling machines. Timelines and task recommendations for autonomous operations are also included. Also described are some experimental results comparing two manipulator control devices.

Fischer, G.↗

Study of sampling systems for comets and Mars

Several aspects of the techniques that can be applied to acquisition and preservation of samples from Mars and a cometary nucleus were examined. Scientific approaches to sampling, grounded in proven engineering methods are the key to achieving the maximum science value from the sample return mission. If development of these approaches for collecting and preserving does not preceed mission definition, it is likely that only suboptimal techniques will be available because of the constraints of formal schedule timelines and the normal pressure to select only the most conservative and least sophisticated approaches when development has lagged the mission milestones. With a reasonable investment now, before the final mission definition, the sampling approach can become highly developed, ready for implementation, and mature enough to help set the requirements for the mission hardware and its performance.

Amundsen, R. J.↗

Hubble Space Telescope electrical power system model

This paper describes one of the most comprehensive models ever developed for a spacecraft electrical power system (EPS). The model was developed for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to evaluate vehicle power system performance and to assist in scheduling maintenance and refurbishment missions by providing data needed to forecast EPS power and energy margins for the mission phases being planned. The EPS model requires a specific mission phase description as the input driver and uses a high granularity database to produce a multi-orbit power system performance report. The EPS model accurately predicts the power system response to various mission timelines over the entire operational life of the spacecraft.

Baggett, Randy↗

A strategy for Space Station user integration

An approach for the development of a flexible end-to-end user integration process for the Space Station is proposed. Users are assigned to an integration class based on the integration complexity of their payloads. The user, user sponsor, and payload accomodations manager develop an integration timeline for the user. The development of techniques to manage multiple payloads and increments over the life of the Space Station, while minimizing interactions between the integration flows of individual users is considered. The integration classes are defined and the strategic, tactical, and execution planning phases of the process are described.

Levitt, Paul A.↗

Semi-autonomous design concepts for a Mars rover

Studies of rover mobility and surface rendezvous for a Mars Rover/Sample Return (MRSR) mission have been performed. The objective of these efforts has been to identify and address the most challenging issues and develop the most promising design options for the rover mobility and navigation subsystems. A series of trade studies culminated in three candidate design concepts: a large, but otherwise conventional four-wheel drive vehicle; a sophisticated and agile six-legged walking vehicle; and a greatly simplified legged vehicle. This paper summarizes the key design features for these three concepts. For each design, the approaches to vehicle locomotion, sensing and navigation are discussed first. Timelines are developed for the adopted concepts of operation which constrain the range of the remaining parameters. Estimates of rover mass, volume, and power are provided, and performance is projected for vehicle range, terrain traversibility and navigation accuracy.

Spiessbach, Andrew J.↗

The CDAW-8 substorm event on 28 January 1983 - A detailed global study

A small, isolated substorm with an expansion phase onset at 0739 UT on January 28, 1983 was well observed by ground-based instrumentation as well as by low- and high-altitude spacecraft. Because of the comprehensive nature of the data coverage, including ISEE-3 identification of plasmoid signatures in the deep tail (about 220 earth radii) associated with the substorm, a detailed timeline of the growth, expansion, and recovery phases of the substorm can be provided. The plasma, energetic particle, and field signatures at ISEE-3 are considered within the framework of the near-earth data. Quantitative estimates of substorm energy input and output relationships are made for this case, and the timing and physical dimensions of the deep tail disturbance implied are evaluated by the global observations available.

Baker, D. N.↗

Increased efficiency of mammalian somatic cell hybrid production under microgravity conditions during ballistic rocket flight

The electrofusion of hybridoma cell lines under short-duration microgravity during a flight of the TEXUS 18 Black Brand ballistic sounding rocket at Kiruna, Sweden is reported. The fusion partners, growth medium, cell fusion medium, cell fusion, cell viability in the fusion medium, and postfusion cell culture are described, and the rocket, cell fusion chamber, apparatus, and module are examined. The experimental timeline, the effects of fusion medium and incubation time on cell viability and hybrid yields, and the effect of microgravity on hybrid yields are considered.

Schnettler, R.↗

The Space Station Freedom evolution-phase - Crew-EVA demand for robotic substitution by task primitive

Space Station Freedom represents a significant demand for automation and robotics services as substitutes for crew EVAs. Results are reported from a study aimed at identifying the demand for crew EVA and the crew-task primitive distributions derived for input to future robotic substitution studies. Generic EVA tasks are developed from historical EVA mission timelines, and a set of 70 task primitives defined. The generic task activities are partitioned into task setup, kernel, and tear-down, with standardized task times and frequencies. These standardized times are coupled with inputs from numerous mission data bases in a probabilistic simulation to obtain estimates of total crew-EVA task time demand by crew task primitive. The use of probabilistic model is found to be crucial for understanding, isolating, and addressing the large uncertainties in the EVA task kernels.

Smith, Jeffrey H.↗

Design of a final approach spacing tool for TRACON air traffic control

This paper describes an automation tool that assists air traffic controllers in the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) Facilities in providing safe and efficient sequencing and spacing of arrival traffic. The automation tool, referred to as the Final Approach Spacing Tool (FAST), allows the controller to interactively choose various levels of automation and advisory information ranging from predicted time errors to speed and heading advisories for controlling time error. FAST also uses a timeline to display current scheduling and sequencing information for all aircraft in the TRACON airspace. FAST combines accurate predictive algorithms and state-of-the-art mouse and graphical interface technology to present advisory information to the controller. Furthermore, FAST exchanges various types of traffic information and communicates with automation tools being developed for the Air Route Traffic Control Center. Thus it is part of an integrated traffic management system for arrival traffic at major terminal areas.

Davis, Thomas J.↗

Payload crew utilization for spacelab missions

Planned payload crew utilization on Spacelab mission are analyzed to establish trends and guidelines. The study included missions that have flow to date as well as those in planning. Available data were analyzed on the basis of four major timeline iterations that occur during mission design. Data were categorized and assessed by crewmember, flight day, and mission. Based on the results of this analysis, it was recommended that for the Requirements Review and Preliminary Design Review iterations the maximum utilization per shift should be 75 percent for the Payload Specialist (PS) and 65 percent for the Mission Specialist (MS); and for the basic and final iterations, the maximum utilization shift should be 85 percent for the PS and 75 percent for the MS. Additional recommendations include limiting the amount of activity during the first two shifts whenever possible and establishing a common set of guidelines for the calculations of crew utilization.

Ibrahim, K. Y.↗

Combustion process science and technology

An important and substantial area of technical work in which noncontact temperature measurement (NCTM) is desired is that involving combustion process research. In the planning for this workshop, it was hoped that W. Serignano would provide a briefing regarding the experimental requirements for thermal measurements to support such research. The particular features of thermal measurement requirements included those describing the timeline for combustion experiments, the requirements for thermal control and diagnostics of temperature and other related thermal measurements and the criticality to the involved science to parametric features of measurement capability including precision, repeatability, stability, and resolution. In addition, it was hoped that definitions could be provided which characterize the needs for concurrent imaging as it relates to science observations during the conduct of experimentation.

Hale, Robert R.↗

Interactions between the Space Station and the environment: A preliminary assessment of EMI

A review of the interactions between proposed Space Station systems/payloads and the environment that contribute to electromagnetic interference was performed. Seven prime sources of interference have been identified. These are: The Space Station power system; active experiments such as beam injection; ASTROMAG; ram and wake density gradients; pick up ions produced by vented or offgassed clouds; waves produced by current loops that include the plasma and structure; arcing from high voltage solar arrays (or possible ESD in polar orbit). This review indicates that: minimizing leakage current from the 20 kHz power system to the structure; keeping the surfaces of the Space Station structure, arrays, and radiators nonconducting; minimizing venting of payloads or systems to non-operational periods; careful placement of payloads sensitive to magnetic field perturbations or wake noise; and designing an operational timeline compatible with experiment requirement are the most effective means of minimizing the effects of this interference. High degrees of uncertainty exist in the estimates of magnitudes of gas emission induced EMI, radiation of 20 kHz and harmonics, ASTROMAG induced interference, and arc threshold/frequency of the solar array. These processes demand further attention so that mitigation efforts are properly calibrated.

Murphy, G. B.↗

Design of a Lunar Farside Observatory

The design of a mantendable lunar farside observatory and science base is presented. A farside observatory will allow high accuracy astronomical observations, as well as the opportunity to perform geological and low gravity studies on the Moon. The requirements of the observatory and its support facilities are determined, and a preliminary timeline for the project development is presented. The primary areas of investigation include observatory equipment, communications, habitation, and surface operations. Each area was investigated to determine the available options, and each option was evaluated to determine the advantages and disadvantages. The options selected for incorporation into the design of the farside base are presented. The observatory equipment deemed most suitable for placement on the lunar farside consist of large optical and radio arrays and seismic equipment. A communications system consisting of a temporary satellite about the L sub 2 libration point and followed by a satellite at the stable L sub 5 libration point was selected. A space station common module was found to be the most practical option for housing the astronauts at the base. Finally, a support system based upon robotic construction vehicles and the use of lunar materials was determined to be a necessary component of the base.

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In-space construction and dynamics of large space structures

The types of equipment and structures that will be required to construct very large spacecraft in space are discussed. One of the basic issues that must be resolved is the appropriate mix of humans and machines in the construction process. While the use of robots offers the potential for reducing the number of extra-vehicular activity (EVA) hours required for particular construction operations, the availability of humans greatly increases the reliability of complex construction tasks. A hybrid system is described which makes the best use of man and machine to provide a highly reliable and versatile construction approach. Such a system will provide an efficient method for constructing large spacecraft until fully automated, robotic devices can be perfected. Details are given on an extensive ground test program which was designed to evaluate and demonstrate large spacecraft construction. A discussion is presented on the use of the Space Station Freedom, or an appropriate derivative, as a construction facility. Finally, a construction scenario and assembly timelines are presented for constructing a 20-meter-diameter high precision reflector.

Mikulas, Martin M., Jr.↗

Mesoscale Lightning Experiment (MLE): A view of lightning as seen from space during the STS-26 mission

Information on the data obtained from the Mesoscale Lightning Experiment flown on STS-26 is provided. The experiment used onboard TV cameras and a 35 mm film camera to obtain data. Data from the 35 mm camera are presented. During the mission, the crew had difficulty locating the various targets of opportunity with the TV cameras. To obtain as much data as possible in the short observational timeline allowed due to other commitments, the crew opted to use the hand-held 35 mm camera.

Vaughan, O. H., Jr.↗

The FIFE information system

A description is given of the FIFE (First ISLSCP Field Experiment) information system, which was developed to serve FIFE investigators as a tool for designing the experiment and for organizing and manipulating the complex data set. Fulfilling these functions on an experiment-driven timeline led to abandoning the classical sequential development paradigm of software engineering in favor of a more responsive and broadly based approach. The design, development, and operation of the information system supporting the experiment had to be flexible and under direct day-to-day control of scientist/users. Because of the organization around scientific requirements, the system was able to incorporate diverse data types in a systematic way as they became available, to add scientific rigor by identifying data gaps at an early stage, and to provide real-time quality assurance. These factors are important for designing and building future databases and long-term information systems to support interdisciplinary scientific research.

Strebel, Donald E.↗