SEARCH · Engineering Papers
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.
Methods for selecting the most viable program options were examined along with techniques for hardware development. Several separate program options were defined, and future plans for space exploitation were reviewed. Hardware elements in various sectors of space are discussed in detail to provide a definition for the major functional elements and operations.
The Space Shuttle will provide a new capability for the construction in space of structures too large to be accommodated in the Shuttle bay. To understand and develop this new capability several construction methods and design approaches are being studied by MSFC and industry. This paper relates the general scope of these ongoing activities, the project aims and objectives, and a discussion of many design and equipment variables. Major design and construction variables, such as on-orbit or ground fabricated construction and type of materials to be used, are discussed relative to their status and applicability to various designs. Construction methods and options are reviewed and many of the support equipments under study or development are described.
The versatility of space shuttle, its heat shieldings, principal components, and facilities for various operations are described as well as the accomodations for the spacecrew and experiments. The capabilities of an improved space suit and a personal rescue enclosure containing life support and communication systems are highlighted. A typical mission is described.
System analysis studies of space construction projects, primarily dealing with areas of space construction support services, construction facilities, orbit altitude, and orbit transfer are presented.
The total energy demanded by space missions of the future is expected to exceed past needs by orders of magnitude. The unit costs of this energy must be reduced from present levels if these missions are to be carried out at projected budget levels. The broad employment of electric propulsion and the capability to utilize novel high power sensors hinge on the availability of systems lighter by factors of ten or more than have flown to date. The NASA program aimed at providing the technological basis to meet these demands is described in this paper. Research and technology efforts in areas of energy conversion, storage and management are covered. In addition, work aimed at evolving the understanding necessary to cope with space environment interactions and at advanced concepts is described.
Technology areas in the orbital assembly of large space structures are addressed. The areas included structures, remotely operated assembly techniques, and control and stabilization. Various large space structure design concepts are reviewed and their construction procedures and requirements are identified.
The applicability of monitoring populations of Poccilia latipinna (sailfin molly) and its reproductive efforts as reliable indicators of environmental effects of aerospace activities in the Kennedy Space Center area was investigated. Results show that the sailfin molly experiences drastic fluctuations in population and reproductive success and is not an appropriate factor for monitoring to establish perturbations of the environment due to space transportation system related activities.
The Galileo mission is the first interplanetary mission scheduled to use the Space Transportation System (STS). Therefore, Galileo is the trailblazer for mission integration of a deep space mission with the STS. A short overview of the Galileo mission is presented as background for the discussion of the mission integration effort. The components of the STS and the mission integration system are defined, documentation requirements explained, the work of the Flight Design Working Group described, and several examples of the types of problems dealt with are given. The steps of mission integration are shown from introducing requirements into the system to resolving conflicts that arise between the payload project and the STS operator. Conclusions are drawn from the Galileo mission integration effort to aid future payload projects in working with the STS.
The results of a study which was designed to monitor, characterize, and evaluate the chemical composition of precipitation (rain) which fell at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida (KSC) during the period July 1977 to March 1979 are reported. Results which were obtained from a soil sampling and associated chemical analysis are discussed. The purpose of these studies was to determine the environmental perturbations which might be caused by NASA space activities.
Vegetation and small mammal populations in or around the Merritt Island area were studied. Thirty sites were selected from plant communities which were relatively free of logging, grazing, and clearing operations. The vegetative analysis was designed to yield a quantitative description and ecological explanation of the major types of upland vegetation in order to determine the possible future effects of NASA space activities on them. Changes in the relative abundance of small mammal populations, species diversity, standing crop biomass, reproductive activity, and other demographic features were documented in order to gather sufficient information on these populations so that it would be possible to detect even the smaller nonnatural behavior changes in the mammals which might be attributable to NASA space activities.
The histomorphometric study of alveolar bone, a non-weight-bearing bone submitted mainly to the mechanical stimulations of mastication, showed that space flight decreases the remodeling activity but does not induce a negative balance between resorption and formation. The most dramatic effect of space flight has been observed along the periosteal surface, and especially in areas not covered with masticatory muscles, where bone formation almost stopped completely during the flight period. This bone, having been submitted to the same mechanical forces in the flight animals and the controls, leads to the conclusion that factors other than mechanical loading might be involved in the decreased bone formation during flight.
The technological and economical impact of a large central power station in Earth orbit on the performance and cost of future spacecraft and their orbital transfer systems are examined. It is shown that beaming power to remote users cannot be cost effective if the central power station uses the same power generation system that is readily available for provision of onboard power and microwave transmission and reception of power through space for use in space is not cost competitive with onboard power or propulsion systems. Laser and receivers are required to make central power stations feasible. Remote power transmission for propulsion of orbital transfer vehicles promises major cost benefits. Direct nuclear pumped or solar pumped laser power station concepts are attractive with laser thermal and laser electric propulsion systems. These power stations are also competitive, on a mass and cost basis, with a photovoltaic power station.
The role of the European Coordinating Facility is described. European participation in the Space Telescope Science Institute and the relation of Space Telescope to ground-based astronomy in Europe are discussed.
For the planned Space Operations Center (SOC) and envisioned space manufacturing and processes systems, the concepts of phased programs, development and operations, station-keeping orbit envelopes, propulsive harbor tugs, and aspects of servicing are discussed. The SOC three-phased program concept includes the servicing of satellites in compatible orbits and in transition to higher energy orbits. Two concepts of a free-flyer satellite are assessed, including the fuel system, and the placement of such a satellite into orbit is discussed. Finally, some services that will be provided by SOC are mentioned.
The Deep Space Network (DSN) network configurations used to generate the navigation observables and the basic process of deep space spacecraft navigation, from data generation through flight path determination and correction are described. Special emphasis is placed on the DSN Systems which generate the navigation data: the DSN Tracking and VLBI Systems. In addition, auxiliary navigational support functions are described.
The programmatic data for the reference concept of the Manned Space Platform is presented. Details regarding work breakdown structure (WBS) and dictionary, the facilities and equipment required to produce the modules, the project schedule and logic diagram, a preliminary assessment of environmental impacts and details regarding the estimated costs for the reference concept are included. The proposed WBS which was developed to provide summary and system level segregation of the nonrecurring and recurring portions of the Manned Space Platform project is also included. The accompanying dictionary outlines the function and activities contained within each WBS element. The facility and equipment required to produce the various modules is discussed. Generally, required equipment is within the existing state of the art although the size of some of the items to be manufactured is a consideration. A preliminary manufacturing flow was also provided. The project schedules presented consist of the Master Project Summary Schedule, the Master Project Phasing Chart and the Logic Network.
The control systems design issues for large space structures can be addressed by a robotics experiment which defines a teleoperator or a robot or uses the RMS. The robotics control demonstration brings the large space structures control technology to an effective state of readiness and provides a useful robot when the experiment is finished. Three major options in such an experiment are the RMS, a flexible arm that is going to be put on the Shuttle for other reasons, or a dexetrous manipulator or teleoperator.
Logical, cost-effective steps in the evolution of manned space platforms are investigated and assessed. Tasks included the analysis of requirements for a manned space platform, identifying alternative concepts, performing system analysis and definition of the concepts, comparing the concepts and performing programmatic analysis for a reference concept.