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At least 847 records · Page 47
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1994

NASA tech brief evaluations

A major step in transferring technology is to disseminate information about new developments to the appropriate sector(s). A useful vehicle for transferring technology from the government sector to industry has been demonstrated with the use of periodical and journal announcements to highlight technological achievements which may meet the needs of industries other than the one who developed the innovation. To meet this end, NASA has very successfully pursued the goal of identifying technical innovations through the national circulation publication; NASA Tech Briefs. At one time the Technology Utilization Offices of the various centers coordinated the selection of appropriate technologies through a common channel. In recent years, each NASA field center has undertaken the task of evaluating submittals for Tech Brief publication independently of the others. The University of Alabama in Huntsville was selected to assist MSFC in evaluating technology developed under the various programs managed by the NASA center for publication in the NASA Tech Briefs journal. The primary motivation for the NASA Tech Briefs publication is to bring to the attention of industry the various NASA technologies which, in general, have been developed for a specific aerospace requirement, but has application in other areas. Since there are a number of applications outside of NASA that can benefit from innovative concepts developed within the MSPC programs, the ability to transfer technology to other sectors is very high. In most cases, the innovator(s) are not always knowledgeable about other industries which might potentially benefit from their innovation. The evaluation process can therefore contribute to the list of potential users through a knowledgeable evaluator.

Workman, Gary L.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

A Human-In-The-Loop Simulation for Urban Air Mobility in the Terminal Area

In this paper researchers propose a human-in-the-loop experiment to study human performance when tasked with tactical deconfliction in terminal area air taxi operations. The air taxi operations being considered herein are an advanced air transportation concept called Urban Air Mobility (UAM). The UAM concept aims to support not only air taxi operations, but also package delivery and emergency response among other use cases. The key innovation over current air transportation lies with the introduction of highly automated aircraft and air traffic management systems. Development of the UAM system will include transitional midterm phases where some operational services will be provided by a mixture of automation and human actors. Midterm operations present a unique challenge, since the scope of responsibility of automated systems is largely undefined, suggesting the need for direct human participation with little to inform how much human intervention is necessary. Here it is assumed that traffic management responsibilities require coordination between human actors and automated systems and focus on arrival flows for midterm operations. In the proposed human-in-the-loop simulation, virtual UAM traffic is strategically deconflicted by a Provider of Services for UAM at departure, then tactically managed by a human at the arrival facility. Generated traffic consists of UAM participants flying in UAM exclusive airspace structures, thus isolated from traditional traffic. The human operator is tasked with managing spacing of arrival traffic and executing speed adjustments as deemed necessary. Researchers propose the investigation of three levels of automation assistance: 1) no assistance; 2) spacing violation detection; 3) spacing violation detection and speed adjustment recommendations. Quantitative measures like throughput and delay are used to assess the human's capacity for accommodating airborne delays. Qualitative evaluations such as surveys and open-ended feedback are used to gain insight into human factors. These factors could introduce additional capacity constraints on traffic, independent of physical or technical constraints. Although findings for this study will not be reported as the study has not yet been executed, the authors conclude with potential outcomes informed by previous simulations in the literature and suggestions for the structure and procedures of midterm human-automation air traffic management.

UAM↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

A Human-In-The-Loop Simulation for Urban Air Mobility in the Terminal Area

In this presentation we propose a human-in-the-loop experiment to study the potential impact of human engagement in tactical mitigation of delay in terminal area air taxi operations. The air taxi operations being considered herein is an advanced air transportation concept called Urban Air Mobility (UAM). The UAM concept aims to support not only air taxi operations, but also package delivery and emergency response among other use cases. The key innovation over current air transportation lies with the introduction of autonomous aircraft and autonomous air traffic management systems. Development of the UAM system will include transitional midterm phases where some operational services will be provided by a mixture of automation and human actors. Midterm operations present a unique challenge, since the scope of responsibility of automated systems is largely undefined, suggesting the need for direct human participation with little to inform how much human intervention is necessary. Here we assume that traffic management responsibilities require coordination between human actors and automated systems and focus on arrival flows for midterm operations. In the proposed human-in-the-loop simulation, virtual UAM traffic is strategically deconflicted by a Provider of Services for UAM at departure, then tactically managed by a human at the arrival facility. Generated traffic consists of UAM participants flying in UAM exclusive airspace structures, thus isolated from traditional traffic. The human operator is tasked with managing spacing of arrival traffic and executing speed adjustments as deemed necessary. We propose the investigation of three levels of automation assistance: 1) no assistance; 2) spacing violation detection; 3) spacing violation detection and speed adjustment recommendations. Quantitative measures like throughput and delay are used to assess the human's capacity for accommodating airborne delays. Qualitative evaluations such as surveys and open-ended feedback are used to gain insight into human factors. These factors could introduce additional capacity constraints on traffic, independent of physical or technical constraints. Although findings for this study will not be reported as the study has not yet been executed, we conclude with potential outcomes informed by previous simulations in the literature and suggestions for the structure and procedures of midterm human-automation air traffic management.

UAM↗
NASA NTRS1994

A US-Japan collaborative robotics research program

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the Electrotechnical Laboratory (ETL) have recently initiated a cooperative R&D effort in telerobotics. This new effort, sponsored by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), has two major themes. First, our work broadens the outreach of space telerobotics R&D to international technical collaboration and facilities usage in the United States and Japan. Second, our work fosters development and demonstration of new operator interface technologies to improve the flexibility and reliability of ground-to-orbit telerobotic operations. This new technology is important, given the continuing imperatives to off-load platform maintenance from the extravehicular activity/intravehicular activity (EVA/IVA) crew to on-board robot assists under direct ground mission control.

Schenker, Paul S.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Human Systems Integration (HSI) for Safety- Critical Range Operations at Wallops Flight Facility (WFF)

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Human Factors (HF) Technical Discipline Team (TDT) funded a preliminary study in 2017 that was narrowly focused within the Range Data Display System (RDDS) scope of display design requirements based on schedule and resources. Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) personnel involved in the previous study asked for a broader Human Systems Integration (HSI) involvement that would span both the RDDS and Flight Termination System (FTS) projects and assist with identifying HSI best practices, via appropriate standards and guidelines, that if properly implemented should result in a more effective and efficient Range Safety Operations. WFF Range Safety Operations has expressed a need to assess the roles, responsibilities, and functions of the various personnel on console during launches to identify existing and potential efficiencies and incorporate them in the new system design. This assessment addresses that need.

Cynthia H Null↗
DOE OSTI2024

Capability Building Progression of an Insider Threat Mitigation Program at International Nuclear Power Plant

With threats to nuclear facilities continuously evolving, the development and implementation of insider threat mitigation programs is increasingly important. The Office of International Nuclear Security within the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA’s) developed the “Insider Threat Mitigation Program: Facility Implementation Handbook” to assist organizations to be better positioned to minimize the risks posed by malicious insiders. The handbook identified eight elements that contribute to the development and implementation of insider threat mitigation programs. This report outlines the development of a capability building progression of an insider threat mitigation program at international nuclear power plants. This information can be stand-alone or be accompanied by a technical exchange with subject matter experts to support development and implementation of programs with interested international partners.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Lessons Learned from AskGDR: Usage and Impact Analysis of the Geothermal Data Repository's AI Research Assistant: Preprint

In October of 2024, the Department of Energy's (DOE) Geothermal Data Repository (GDR) team officially launched AskGDR, an AI research assistant resulting from the integration of a Large Language Model (LLM) with the metadata and supporting documents associated with GDR datasets. AskGDR allows GDR users to ask deeper questions about the origin of datasets, the methods used to collect them, and the findings they help support. Using Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), AskGDR can be used to summarize findings spread across dozens of papers and technical reports or to extract relevant information describing a single data field. However, generative AI is experimental. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has been collecting metrics on AskGDR and documenting lessons learned during its deployment. This paper will outline the efficacy and impact of AskGDR through analysis of its use, operating costs, number and types of questions asked, and the quality of answers provided.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS2020

Lambayeque Water Resources: Assessing Hydrologic Patterns Using NASA Earth Observations to Address Tree Mortality in Peru’s Coastal Mesquite Forests

The mesquite (Prosopis sp.) forests in Northwestern Peru have had a significant increase in tree mortality in the past fifty years. Within this time frame, 17% of the forest extent was lost and the forest saw an average annual declination rate of 0.33% (Ektvedt, Vetaas, & Lundberg, 2012). These habitats support the region's rich biodiversity and play an important role in local community economies. Several hydrologic causes for mesquite mortality have been hypothesized, but local researchers lack spatially comprehensive techniques to address the problem. While in situ research is currently being utilized in an attempt to explain this recent anomaly, landscape-level visualizations through remote sensing have not been produced to find connections between hydrologic trends and the health of Northwestern Peru’s mesquite forests. Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data and Global Land Data Assimilation System data were analyzed to assess hydrologic patterns pertaining to precipitation and soil moisture in the Lambayeque region of Peru. These data were then paired with vegetation indices derived from Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) to display how changing hydrologic patterns relate to the health of mesquite trees. These data were then compiled on a monthly basis over the 30-year study period to create a time series product, which was later referenced with background research to find the likely causes of recent forest decline. The results will assist in the Lambayeque Regional Government’s understanding of recent biological declination and will help them design strategies to mitigate forest decline in Lambayeque, Peru and surrounding regions.

Water Resources↗
NASA NTRS1990

NASA's commercial space program - Initiatives for the future

NASA's commercial development of the space program aimed at the stimulation and assistance of expanded private sector involvement and investment in civil space activities is discussed, focusing on major new program initiatives and their implementation. NASA's Centers for the Commercial Development of Space (CCDS) program, composed of competitively selected consortia of universities, industries, and government involved in early research and testing phases of potentially commercially viable technologies is described. The 16 centers concentrate on seven different technical areas such as automation and robotics; remote sensing; life sciences; and space power, propulsion, and structures. Private sector participation, CCDS technology development, government and commercially supplied access to space in support of CCDS programs, CCDS hardware development, and CCDS spinoffs are discussed together with various cooperative and reimbursable agreements between NASA and the private sector.

Rose, James T.↗
NASA NTRS2001

NASA Patent Abstracts Bibliography: A Continuing Bibliography

This report lists reports, articles and other documents recently announced in the NASA STI Database. Several thousand inventions result each year from the aeronautical and space research supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The inventions having important use in government programs or significant commercial potential are usually patented by NASA. These inventions cover practically all fields of technology and include many that have useful and valuable commercial application. NASA inventions best serve the interests of the United States when their benefits are available to the public. In many instances, the granting of nonexclusive or exclusive licenses for the practice of these inventions may assist in the accomplishment of this objective. This bibliography is published as a service to companies, firms, and individuals seeking new, licensable products for the commercial market. The NASA Patent Abstracts Bibliography is a semiannual NASA publication containing comprehensive abstracts of NASA owned inventions covered by U.S. patents. The citations included in the bibliography arrangement of citations were originally published in NASA's Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports (STAR) and cover STAR announcements made since May 1969. The citations published in this issue cover the period July 2000 through December 2000. This issue includes 10 major subject divisions separated into 76 specific categories and one general category/division. This scheme was devised in 1975 and revised in 1987 in lieu of the 34 category divisions which were utilized in supplements (01) through (06) covering STAR abstracts from May 1969 through January 1974. Each entry consists of a STAR citation accompanied by an abstract and, when appropriate, a key illustration taken from the patent or application for patent. Entries are arranged by subject category in ascending order. A typical citation and abstract presents the various data elements included in most records cited. This appears after the table of contents.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2002

NASA Patent Abstracts Bibliography: A Continuing Bibliography

Several thousand inventions result each year from the aeronautical and space research supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The inventions having important use in government programs or significant commercial potential are usually patented by NASA. These inventions cover practically all fields of technology and include many that have useful and valuable commercial application. NASA inventions best serve the interests of the United States when their benefits are available to the public. In many instances, the granting of nonexclusive or exclusive licenses for the practice of these inventions may assist in the accomplishment of this objective. This bibliography is published as a service to companies, firms, and individuals seeking new, licensable products for the commercial market. The NASA Patent Abstracts Bibliography is a semiannual NASA publication containing comprehensive abstracts of NASA owned inventions covered by U.S. patents. The citations included in the bibliography arrangement of citations were originally published in NASA's Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports (STAR) and cover STAR announcements made since May 1969. The citations published in this issue cover the period July 2001 through December 2001. This issue includes 10 major subject divisions separated into 76 specific categories and one general category/division. (See Table of Contents for the scope note of each category, under which are grouped appropriate NASA inventions.) This scheme was devised in 1975 and revised in 1987 in lieu of the 34 category divisions which were utilized in supplements (01) through (06) covering STAR abstracts from May 1969 through January 1974. Each entry consists of a STAR citation accompanied by an abstract and, when appropriate, a key illustration taken from the patent or application for patent. Entries are arranged by subject category in ascending order. A typical citation and abstract presents the various data elements included in most records cited. This appears after the table of contents.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2003

NASA Patent Abstracts Bibliography: A Continuing Bibliography

Several thousand inventions result each year from research supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA seeks patent protection on inventions to which it has title if the invention has important use in government programs or significant commercial potential. These inventions cover a broad range of technologies and include many that have useful and valuable commercial application. NASA inventions best serve the interests of the United States when their benefits are available to the public. In many instances, the granting of nonexclusive or exclusive licenses for the practice of these inventions may assist in the accomplishment of this objective. This bibliography is published as a service to companies, firms, and individuals seeking new, licensable products for the commercial market. The NASA Patent Abstracts Bibliography is a semiannual NASA publication containing comprehensive abstracts of NASA owned inventions covered by U.S. patents. The citations included in the bibliography arrangement of citations were originally published in NASA's Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports (STAR) and cover STAR announcements made since May 1969. The citations published in this issue cover the period July 2002 through. December 2002. This issue includes 10 major subject divisions separated into 76 specific categories and one general category/division. (See Table of Contents for the scope note of each category, under which are grouped appropriate NASA inventions.) This scheme was devised in 1975 and revised in 1987 in lieu of the 34 category divisions which were utilized in supplements (01) through (06) covering STAR abstracts from May 1969 through January 1974. Each entry consists of a STAR citation accompanied by an abstract and, when appropriate, a key illustration taken from the patent or application for patent. Entries are arranged by subject category in ascending order. A typical citation and abstract presents the various data elements included in most records cited. This appears after the table of contents.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2019

Spectrally Resolved Synthetic Aperture Imaging Interferometer: Final Report of NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts - Phase 1 Study

The Spectrally Resolved Synthetic-Aperture Imaging Interferometer (SRSAII) is a system proposed to provide high-resolution and high-sensitivity measurements of astronomical objects. SRSAII uses long baseline interferometric methods to achieve the resolution and low-noise, high time-precision detection to achieve the sensitivity. The primary goal of the SRSAII study was to lay out a framework for using new optical physics technologies to directly resolve, both spatially and spectrally, the disk of an exoplanet. In addition to the ambitious goal of directly resolving an exoplanet, the SRSAII team also sought to identify science opportunities achievable with intermediate system configurations which may offer resolution significantly higher than the current state of the art, but insufficient for direct resolution of an exoplanetary disk. An operational SRSAII system can function with essentially arbitrarily large baselines, achieving correspondingly high angular resolution. The primary limitation occurs in the system sensitivity, which became the major technical focus for study. In this report, we compare the predicted performance (sensitivity in SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) along with angular resolution) of three interferometric techniques: direct detection (also known as homodyne interferometry), multi-channel intensity interferometry (using the Hanbury Brown and Twiss effect), and multi-channel heterodyne interferometry (using an optical frequency comb as a local oscillator). Additionally, quantum-assisted interferometry is also explored as a prospective enhancement of established methods. This report presents a survey of the technologies that enable the SRSAII techniques - optical frequency combs, single photon detectors, and photonic integrated circuits. These technologies are the basis of methods critical to SRSAII's success: precision timing, length and frequency metrology, sensitive photodetection, fine-scale wavelength filtering, and dense multi-channel operation. Lastly, we give some notional performance metrics and propose some possible experimental observations.

High Resolultion↗
DOE OSTI2025

Life-Cycle Cost Analysis Framework for Water Efficiency Measures

Life-Cycle Cost Analysis Framework for Water Efficiency Measures: Guidance Designed for Federal Agencies (hereafter referred to as “this report”) provides a technical framework for federal agencies to conduct a life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) for water efficiency projects in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 8253. This report leverages insights from the 2023 report, PNNL-34006, Water and Wastewater Annual Price Escalation Rates for Selected Cities Across the United States: 2023 Edition (Unger et al. 2023). The primary objective of this report is to provide a framework to assist federal agencies with evaluating the full economic impact of water efficiency projects by assessing both initial investments and long-term operational benefits. An LCCA can provide a comprehensive view of all costs associated with a water efficiency project, including initial investment, ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M), and eventual disposal or replacement, ensuring the most cost-effective solution is selected. The LCCA methodology outlined in this report enables users to compare base case scenarios with potential alternatives using a standardized present value approach. It incorporates key cost components such as energy, water and wastewater, installation, O&M, and equipment replacement. Additionally, the framework introduces relevant evaluation metrics, such as the net savings and the savings-to-investment ratio, to ensure that water efficiency measures are economically justified over the lifespan of the project. To support practical application, this report also describes various water efficiency strategies that may be analyzed using an LCCA, including plumbing retrofits, irrigation upgrades, alternative water use, and cooling system improvements. By applying this framework, federal agencies can ensure compliance with regulatory mandates while maximizing the return on investment and contributing to resilient water management practices. The information provided in this report is aligned with the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) life-cycle cost (LCC) methodology, as conveyed in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 135 (Kneifel and Webb 2022). This report is intended to provide relatively high-level guidance, acting as a complement to, rather than a substitute for, that resource.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS2014

Namibia Dashboard Enhancements

The purpose of this presentation is for a Technical Interchange Meeting with the Namibia Hydrological Services (NHS) in Namibia. The meeting serves as a capacity building exercise. This presentation goes over existing software functionality developed in collaboration with NHS over the past five years called the Namibia Flood Dashboard. Furthermore, it outlines new functionality developed over the past year and future functionality that will be developed. The main purpose of the Dashboard is to assist in decision support for flood warning. The Namibia Flood Dashboard already exists online in a cloud environment and has been used in prototype mode for the past few years.Functionality in the Dashboard includes river gauge hydrographs, TRMM estimate rainfall, EO-1 flood maps, infrastructure maps and other related functions. Future functionality includes attempting to integrate interoperability standards and crowd-sourcing capability. To this end, we are adding OpenStreetMap compatibility and an Applications Program Interface (API) called a GeoSocial API to enable discovery and sharing of data products useful for decision support via social media.

Disaster Decision Support↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Exploration Medical Capability - Advancing Medical System Design and Risk-Informed Decision Making for Deep Space Exploration

BACKGROUND: Within NASA’s Human Research Program, the Exploration Medical Capability (ExMC) Element has three primary focus areas: clinical and scientific research, systems engineering and trade space analysis, and technology development and demonstrations. These focus areas feed into the overarching goal of enabling progressively Earth-Independent Medical Operations (EIMO), a new paradigm that will be necessary for future Artemis and Mars medical and vehicle systems. This EIMO end state aligns with NASA’s Moon to Mars Objectives, which clearly outline the need for NASA deep space exploration missions to reduce their reliance upon Earth and become increasingly autonomous, in preparation for the first human Mars mission. OVERVIEW: To advance exploration medical systems and ultimately, integrated crew health and performance systems, ExMC’s portfolio includes: funding ground development & testing of novel medical capabilities; creation of new approaches for the development of medical protocols and procedures; deployment of innovative technologies into analog environments; technology demonstrations in spaceflight; and eventual transition to operations of new capabilities for deep space exploration missions. The portfolio also includes: pharmaceutical research targeting stability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics; integrated data architectures and clinical decision support tools; and systems engineering and trade space analysis tools to assist NASA in the development of future medical system models as well as the medical system requirements that can serve as a foundation for deep space exploration missions. All of these investments are done in a collaborative and coordinated fashion with other NASA stakeholders, such as the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems – Crew Health and Performance System Capability Leadership Team and the Health and Medical Technical Authority. DISCUSSION: In this presentation, ExMC will provide an overview of our work from across our portfolio, all of which will inform future EIMO efforts at NASA. ExMC’s research and development investments are targeted to reduce the human system risks associated with deep space exploration to the Moon and Mars.

Kris Lehnhardt↗
DOE OSTI2020

GHEP WIBT (Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals Weatherization Installer Badges Toolkit) [SWR-20-69]

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) are collaborating with the home energy retrofit industry to support the development of skilled workers. The Installer Badges Toolkit provides a flexible, customizable, and voluntary approach to training and skills recognition for WAP implementers, utility programs, private-sector workers, and contractors. In Fiscal Year 2018, DOE, along with the Crew Leader scheme committee, determined the Retrofit Installer Technician (RIT) Job Task Analysis (JTA) could be eliminated and its tasks inserted in the Crew Leader JTA. The RIT tasks became the basis of the Installer Badges. The Badges Toolkit was updated in 2020 to add licensing and copyright agreements. Users must cite the copyright information when using or distributing copies of the Badges Toolkit in any way. The technical content has remained unchanged from previous versions of the Badges Toolkit. The Toolkit for home retrofits consists of 25 Badges, each representing different energy efficiency tasks that an installer could perform on a home. Each Badge defines the desired outcome, criteria to verify, applicable material requirements, and references to Standard Work Specifications (SWS) or other relevant standards. The Badges provide a consistent approach to training by ensuring that installers in different regions are learning the same skills nationwide. Organizations can also customize the Toolkit by choosing only those Badges that are relevant to their program. The Badges Toolkit includes five pieces: "How to Use the Badges Toolkit" provides a brief overview of how a Grantee, Subgrantee, or training provider may approach using the toolkit. The "Badges Toolkit: Worksheet" includes what to consider when determining whether and how to best incorporate the Badges into a weatherization assistance program. The "Crew Leader Job Task Analysis Spreadsheet" indicates how the Badges align with specific areas of the JTA. The "Installer Badges Passport" features separate pages for each Badge, which include places for the installer and the supervisor/trainer to record the number of times a task has been successfully completed. The "Installer Badges Verification Criteria" includes sample inspection checklists for each Badge. These can be modified as needed based on approved variance requests or more stringent requirements. They also provide a basis for consistent inspections and awarding of Badges. Note: All elements of the Badges Toolkit are designed for use by potential program implementers. They are not off-the-shelf products intended for immediate deployment. Program implementers must review and modify as needed, revise verification criteria to match local requirements, complete worksheets, and otherwise define the parameters of their own badging program.

Desai, Jal↗
NASA NTRS2001

Australian Red Dune Sand: A Potential Martian Regolith Analog

To demonstrate the potential scientific and technical merits of in situ microscopy on Mars, we analyzed a possible Martian regolith analog - an acolian red dune sand from the central Australian desert (near Mt. Olga). This sand was chosen for its ubiquitous red coating and the desert environment in which is it found. Grains of this sand were analyzed using a variety of microanalytical techniques. A database of detailed studies of such terrestrial analogs would assist the study of geological and astrobiological specimens in future missions to Mars. Potential instrument concepts for in situ deployment on Mars include local electrode atom probe nanoanalysis (LEAP), vertical scanning white light interferometry (VSWLI), scanning electron microscopies, energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). While in situ deployment of these techniques is many years away, ground-based studies using these analytical techniques extend our understanding of the data obtained from instruments to be flown in the near future.

Kuhlman, K. R.↗