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At least 793 records · Page 44

Design requirements for SRB production control system. Volume 2: System requirements and conceptual description

In the development of the business system for the SRB automated production control system, special attention had to be paid to the unique environment posed by the space shuttle. The issues posed by this environment, and the means by which they were addressed, are reviewed. The change in management philosphy which will be required as NASA switches from one-of-a-kind launches to multiple launches is discussed. The implications of the assembly process on the business system are described. These issues include multiple missions, multiple locations and facilities, maintenance and refurbishment, multiple sources, and multiple contractors. The implications of these aspects on the automated production control system are reviewed including an assessment of the six major subsystems, as well as four other subsystem. Some general system requirements which flow through the entire business system are described.

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Ames Research Center publications: A continuing bibliography, 1980

This bibliography lists formal NASA publications, journal articles, books, chapters of books, patents, contractor reports, and computer programs that were issued by Ames Research Center and indexed by Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports, Limited Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports, International Aerospace Abstracts, and Computer Program Abstracts in 1980. Citations are arranged by directorate, type of publication, and NASA accession numbers. Subject, personal author, corporate source, contract number, and report/accession number indexes are provided.

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The OSS-1 mission - Lessons learned in developing and integrating experiments

Experience gained in the development and integration of experiments for the OSS-1 payload to be carried on board the Space Shuttle for the characterization of the effects of the STS environment on future scientific missions is related. Following a review of mission objectives, including the demonstration of Shuttle research capabilities and the evaluation of new technology, the experiments and mission operations to be performed are outlined, and mission support requirements are indicated. The conduct of mission management by the Goddard Space Flight Center, which required interfacing with a large number of other agencies, centers, and investigators and contractors and an enormous amount of formal documentation, is then examined, with consideration given to the management of mechanical, electrical, and thermal systems development mock-up construction, EMI/EMC and acoustic testing, the formation of an integration and test team, and trade-offs between cost, schedule and performance. It is concluded that although work still remains to be done, significant progress has been made in ensuring that the STS is a viable system for space exploration.

Kissin, K.↗

Progress on the development of a 3- to 5-year lifetime Stirling cycle refrigerator for space

A new approach to the development of a 3- to 5-year lifetime Stirling cycle refrigerator for space is described. The reciprocating components would be driven directly by linear motors. There would be no contact between the moving components and the machine housing or motor during operation. The noncontact operation can be achieved either by magnetic or gas bearings and clearance seals. Consequently, two major contractual efforts are underway, one to develop the magnetic-bearing cooler and the other to develop the gas-bearing machine. The coolers are required to have a 5-W capability at 65 K and to be dynamically balanced. The results of the major contractor phase 1 design definition studies and component testing are discussed. Both the gas-bearing and magnetic-bearing coolers show promise for achieving the 3- to 5-year lifetime goal.

Sherman, A.↗

In-flight structural dynamic characteristics of the XV-15 tilt rotor research aircraft

The XV-15 tilt rotor research aircraft has recently completed the contractor flight test program at the Bell Helicopter Textron Flight Research Center, Arlington, Texas. During these development and envelope expansion flights (60 flight hours, 140 flights), the aircraft has been tested up to a maximum true airspeed of 557 km/h (346 mph, 301 knts). Results of the structural characteristics obtained during this testing are presented. Included is a discussion concerning the rotor and airframe loads, natural frequency placements, airframe control system interaction, and wing-rotor-pylon aeroelastic stability. Measured data are compared with predicted values for many cases.

Bilger, J. M.↗

Numerical and classical analysis of V/STOL aircraft using selected propulsion systems

The development needed for the evolution of selected V/STOL research vehicles into optimized antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft configurations, using numerical procedures and traditional analytical methods, has been examined. Three propulsion systems, which represent state-of-the-art development aimed at solving the thrust-vectoring and attitude-control problems of V/STOL aircraft, are analyzed. The use of NASA computer programs for aircraft synthesis (ACSYNT), and for optimizing configurations (COMMIN), coupled with contractor-supplied propulsion system data provides for accurate performance prediction of the selected ASW configurations. Particular emphasis on the transition phase between the research vehicle and the optimized configuration demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of using generic research aircraft instead of building prototypes to demonstrate new technology

Wilson, S. B., III↗

Report on research and technology-FY 1981

More than 65 technical reports, papers, and articles published by personnel and contractors at the Dryden Flight Research Center are listed. Activities performed for the Offices of Aeronautics and Space Technology, Space and Terrestrial Applications, Space Transportation Systems, and Space Tracking and Data Systems are summarized. Preliminary stability and control derivatives were determined for the shuttle orbiter at hypersonic speeds from the data obtained at reentry. The shuttle tile tests, spin research vehicle nose shapes flight investigations, envelope expansion flights for the Ames tilt rotor research aircraft, and the AD-1 oblique wing programs were completed as well as the KC-135 winglet program.

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Military standards and SCATHA program update of MIL-STD-1541

The elctromagnetic compatability requirements for space systems, 15 October 1973, to be met by industry contractors for spacecraft launch vehicles and other special space systems, are considered. Deficiencies in the existing standard with respect to spacecraft charge and discharge phenomena, the technical ramifications for generating a new standard, and the upgrading of MIL-STD-1541 with requirements supplied as a result of the SCATHA program are discussed.

Frankos, D. T.↗

Selling to NASA

The prospective NASA contractor is provided with information that describes the agency and its procurement practices. Products include ideas, manufacturing capabilities, fabricated components, construction, basic materials, and specialized services. NASA assistance in marketing these and other products is emphasized. Small and minority business enterprises are discussed. The agency's scientific and technical information activities are also discussed.

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Bibliography of NASA published reports on general aviation, 1975 to 1981

This bibliography lists 478 documents which relate to all heavier-than-air fixed wing aircraft exclusive of military types and those used for commercial air transport. An exception is the inclusion of commuter transport aircraft types within the general aviation category. NASA publications included in this bibliography are: conference publications (CP), reference publications (RP), technical memorandums (TM, TMX), technical notes (TN), technical papers (TP), and contractor reports (CR). In addition, papers and articles on NASA general aviation programs published by technical societies (AIAA, SAE, etc.) are included, as well as those listed in NASA's Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports (STAR) Journal. Author and subject indexes are also provided to facilitate use of the bibliography.

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Program on stimulating operational private sector use of Earth observation satellite information

Ideas for new businesses specializing in using remote sensing and computerized spatial data systems were developd. Each such business serves as an 'information middleman', buying raw satellite or aircraft imagery, processing these data, combining them in a computer system with customer-specific information, and marketing the resulting information products. Examples of the businesses the project designed are: (1) an agricultural facility site evaluation firm; (2) a mass media grocery price and supply analyst and forecaster; (3) a management service for privately held woodlots; (4) a brokerage for insulation and roofing contractors, based on infrared imagery; (5) an expanded real estate information service. In addition, more than twenty-five other commercially attractive ideas in agribusiness, forestry, mining, real estate, urban planning and redevelopment, and consumer information were created. The commercial feasibility of the five business was assessed. This assessment included market surveys, revenue projections, cost analyses, and profitability studies. The results show that there are large and enthusiastic markets willing to pay for the services these businesses offer, and that the businesses could operate profitably.

Eastwood, L. F., Jr.↗

Materials processing in space bibliography

Literature dealing with flight experiments utilizing a low gravity environment to elucidate and control various processes or with ground based activities that provide supporting research is listed. Included are Government reports, contractor reports, conference proceedings, and journal articles. Subdivisions of the bibliography include the five categories: crystal growth; metals, alloys, and composites, fluids and transport; glasses and ceramics; and Ultrahigh Vacuum and Containerless Processing Technologies, in addition to a list of patents and a compilation of anonymously authored collections and reports and a cross reference index.

Pentecost, E.↗

Comparative analysis of the conceptual design studies of potential early commercial MHD power plants (CSPEC)

A conceptual design study of the MHD/steam plant that incorporates the use of oxygen enriched air preheated in a metallic heat exchanger as the combustor oxidant showed that this plant is the most attractive for early commercial applications. The variation of performance and cost was investigated as a function of plant size. The contractors' results for the overall efficiencies are in reasonable agreement considering the slight differences in their plant designs. NASA LeRC is reviewing cost and performance results for consistency with those of previous studies, including studies of conventional steam plants. LeRC in house efforts show that there are still many tradeoffs to be considered for these oxygen enriched plants and considerable variations can be made in channel length and level of oxygen enrichment with little change in overall plant efficiency.

Sovie, R. J.↗

Recent progress in VSTOL technology

Progress in vertical and short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft technology, in particular, during the 1970 to 1980 period at Ames Research Center is discussed. Although only two kinds of V/STOL aircraft (the helicopter and the British direct lift Harrier) have achieved operational maturity, understanding of the technology has vastly improved during this 10 year period. To pursue an aggressive R and D program at a reasonable cost, it was decided to conduct extensive large scale testing in wind tunnel and flight simulation facilities, to develop low cost research aircraft using modified airframes or engines, and to involve other agencies and industry contractors in joint technical and funding arrangements. The STOL investigations include exploring STOL performance using the rotating cylinder flap concept, the augmentor wing, upon initiation of the Quiet Short Haul Research Aircraft program, the upper surface blown flap concept. The VTOL investigations were conducted using a tilt rotor aircraft, resulting in the XV-15 tilt rotor research aircraft. Direct jet lift is now being considered for application to future supersonic fighter aircraft.

Roberts, L.↗