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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 901 records · Page 50

Titan Explorer mission trades from the perspective of aerocapture

A detailed Titan aerocapture systems analysis and spacecraft design study was performed as part of NASA's In-Space Propulsion Program. The primary objective was to engineer a point design based on blunt body aeroshell technology and quantitatively assess feasibility and performance. This paper reviews the launch vehicle, propulsion, and trajectory options to reach Titan in the 2010-2015 time frame using aerocapture and all-propulsive vehicles. It establishes the range of entry conditions that would be consistent with delivering a 360 kg entry vehicle plus a 580 kg orbiter to Titan. Results show that inertial entry velocities in the range of 5.3 to 6.6 kmls are to be expected for chemical and solar electric propulsion options with Venus and/or Earth gravity assists. Trip times range from approximately 6 years for aerocapture orbiters to 8-11 years for all-propulsive vehicles. In addition to trip time reduction, the use of aerocapture enables the mission with a Delta 4450 class launch vehicle as opposed to an all-propulsive orbit insertion approach, which requires a Delta IV heavy or Titan IV class launch vehicle.

Bailey, Robert W.↗

SIM Configuration Trades

The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) will perform astrometry to a resolution of a few micro arc seconds (after post-processing on the ground of the acquired data).

Classic↗

Working Fluid Trade Study for a Two-Phase Mechanically Pumped Loop Thermal Control System

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is investigating a two-phase mechanically pumped fluid loop (MPFL) technology for spacecraft thermal control for future planetary space science mission concepts. The two-phase technology combines the potential of single-phase MPFL and the passive two-phase heat pipe systems. Previous two-phase MPFL studies at JPL have identified an evaporator system with a separated flow architecture as providing a robust light mass thermal control system with very high spatial and temporal thermal stability required by the science instruments on these missions. These studies have further identified the thermophysical properties of the working fluid to be key to the performance of a two-phase fluid loop. This paper describes the methodology used in the selection of the working fluids for optimizing the performance of the two-phase MPFL. A high level model was developed that includes the constraints and boundaries driven by the system components. The performance of fluids from the REFPROP database are investigated and rated for this system. The working fluid attributes such as cost, hazardous properties, and heritage were taken into account in this selection. A typical spacecraft dissipating 1000 W and a fluid loop consisting of an evaporator, accumulator, radiator, and associated tubing components is used as an example in this study.

Daimaru, Takuro↗

Working Fluid Trade Study for a Two-Phase Mechanically Pumped Loop Thermal Control System

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is investigating a two-phase mechanically pumped fluid loop (MPFL) technology for spacecraft thermal control for future planetary space science mission concepts. The two-phase technology combines the potential of single-phase MPFL and the passive two-phase heat pipe systems. Previous two-phase MPFL studies4,5 at JPL have identified an evaporator system with a separated flow architecture as providing a robust light mass thermal control system with very high spatial and temporal thermal stability required by the science instruments on these missions. These studies have further identified the thermophysical properties of the working fluid to be key to the performance of a two-phase fluid loop. This paper describes the methodology used in the selection of the working fluids for optimizing the performance of the two-phase MPFL. A high level model was developed that includes the constraints and boundaries driven by the system components. The performance of fluids from the REFPROP database were investigated and rated for this system. The working fluid attributes such as cost, hazardous properties, and heritage were taken into account in this selection. A typical spacecraft dissipating 1000 W and a fluid loop consisting of an evaporator, accumulator, radiator, and associated tubing components was used as an example in this study.

Daimaru, Takuro↗

Supersonic Retropropulsion on Robotic Mars Landers: Selected Design Trades

Many concepts for future robotic Mars lander missions require landing heavier payloads than those landed to date. Mars lander architectures to date have relied on a parachute to help slow the lander; however the effectiveness of a parachute in the thin Martian atmosphere is diminished with heavier payloads unless the diameter of the parachute is increased or it is deployed at a higher Mach number, both of which are significant technical challenges. In addition the parachute can be successfully deployed only within a specific Mach number and dynamic pressure range. Targeting the entry trajectory to hit this “Mach-Q box” imposes constraints on the entry ballistic coefficient, limiting it to ~ 150-200 kg/m^2. Eliminating the parachute from the design requires descent engine ignition at supersonic speeds (Supersonic Retropropulsion, or SRP). SRP increases the propellant requirement, but also allows entry ballistic coefficients of ~600 kg/m^2 or more, with the consequence of significantly increased entry mass and landed payload mass.

Lorenz, Christopher G.↗