Results for “VALUE” — Page 51

NASA NTRS2019

The Value of Being a Trustworthy Repository

Today, NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS), a system ofactive archives is attaching the CoreTrustSeal to its websites signifying that it merits theconfidence of its user community. But what value does being a trustworthy repository impart to auser? What does it mean to the owners and operators of repositories? What will it mean in thefuture? EOSDIS was started in the 1990s based on a framework of discipline-oriented, geographicallydistributed centers of expertise, named Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs). The functionof EOSDIS is to collect Earth Science data sensor measurements (principally those created andneeded by NASA) and manage the data and many derived digital products. EOSDIS providesmany services, including processing, curating, documenting, disseminating, and enabling datadiscovery as well as efficient use of the data. The EOSDIS has been operational over 25 years andmany lessons have been learned relative to the TRUST principles. During the tenure of EOSDIS,many changes have occurred as we have increased the size of the collection from gigabytes totens of petabytes and the distribution of the data to millions of users. We have had severalstages of system evolution that have improved EOSDIS in order to meet both stakeholder andcustomer expectations. This type of evolution is an on-going process to ensure that ourrepositories remain trustworthy. It is also important that our own community of data managersand system engineers add value in being trustworthy. This paper will discuss approaches to change within a large system of Earth Science data and services, while remaining a trustworthyrepository.

Behnke, Jeanne↗

NASA NTRS2019

Earned Value Management (EVM) System Description

The purpose of this Earned Value Management (EVM) System Description is to provide guidance in NASA’s Earned Value Management Capability for the effective application, implementation, and utilization of EVM on NASA programs, projects, major contracts and subcontracts. EVM is a project management process that effectively integrates a project’s scope of work with schedule and cost elements for optimum project planning and control. The goal is to achieve timely and accurate quantification of progress that will facilitate management by exception and enable early visibility into the nature and the magnitude of technical problems as well as the intended course and success of corrective actions. This system description contains detailed information on implementation of EVM processes, procedures, roles and responsibilities.

Schumann, Deborah C.↗

NASA NTRS2017

Participatory Technology Assessment for Mars Mission Planning: Public Values and Rationales

Public support and interest are needed to design an ambitious human spaceflight program. However, it is difficult to understand what the public values and would support. And it is even more challenging and rare to consider public views prior to actually developing a mission. Participatory technology assessment (pTA) is a method that aims to understand public preferences and values in order to inform upstream government decision-making. We assess a recently completed experiment in pTA, the "Informing NASA's Asteroid Initiative" project. Through a cooperative agreement with NASA, the Expert and Citizen Assessment of Science and Technology (ECAST) network conducted a pTA-based forum on NASA's Asteroid Initiative and the Journey to Mars. ECAST organized two citizen forums in Phoenix, Arizona and Boston, Massachusetts in November 2014, with a total of 183 citizens selected so as to minimize self-selection biases. This paper focuses on the "Journey to Mars" session, which had the primary goal of soliciting citizen perceptions about different Mars exploration scenarios and mission planning approaches. Citizens were given background information about three potential Mars exploration scenarios that NASA could carry out: 1) Crewed orbital mission to direct robots on the surface of Mars; 2) Short exploratory crewed mission to the surface of Mars; and 3) establishing a permanent settlement. Citizens then engaged in structured facilitated discussions about their preferences among the scenarios and NASA's mission planning approach. Using a grounded theory coding approach, we analyzed participants' written rationales and dialogue about Mars exploration. In general, participants did not show a strong preference for any particular mission profile, but there was a slight preference for the crewed orbital robotics scenario. Participants who supported this approach saw it as the quickest, safest, and least costly road to a successful mission. However, many participants were interested in seeing "boots on the ground," as they believed this would propel scientific advancement, increase excitement about space exploration, and make humans a "two-planet species."

Bertrand, Pierre↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Value Proposition, Strategic Framework, and Capability Needs for In-Space Assembly

The Space Science and Technology (S&T) Partnership Forum was established in 2015 to identify synergistic efforts and technologies across the government, with a focus on key pervasive and game-changing technologies across government space agencies in order to more efficiently and effectively manage S&T resources. As principal partners of the interagency S&T Partnership Forum, the U.S. Air Force (USAF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) identified and prioritized several S&T collaboration topic areas. Autonomous and semi-autonomous in-space assembly (iSA) is the focus of the topic area that NASA, under the direction of the Office of Chief Technologist, is currently coordinating among the S&T principal partners and affiliate partners, such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). The S&T iSA facilitation and analysis team, led by NASA, collected data from the participating agencies on their current developments, activities, and needs in the area of in-space assembly. This paper provides an overview of the S&T iSA facilitation and analysis team’s efforts in establishing the value proposition and strategic framework for interagency collaboration in iSA within the partnership as a foundation to deliver value and achieve iSA topic objectives across government space agencies. Further, this paper describes the early products of these efforts in the definition of the iSA capabilities, design drivers, and stakeholder goals to facilitate dialogue within the partnership and the larger community.

Phillip A Williams↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Sensitivity of the ACCP Value Framework Science Benefit Score

NASA’s priorities for Earth Science are informed by the 2017-2027 Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. In that document, five Designated Observables are identified as priorities for implementation: Aerosols, Cloud-Convection-Precipitation, Surface Biology, Mass Change, and Surface Deformation Change. In 2019, NASA initiated four multi-year studies to formulate, assess, and recommend potential Observing System concepts that are responsive to the recommendations of the Earth Science Decadal Survey. The Aerosols, Clouds, Convection, and Precipitation (ACCP) study investigates opportunities for synergistic science resulting from implementations that combine both Aerosols science objectives and Clouds, Convection, and Precipitation science objectives. For the ACCP study, a Value Framework was designed to introduce structure, transparency, and traceability in the mission down-select decision process. This paper presents a sensitivity analysis that was conducted to characterize the behavior of the science benefit score of the ACCP Value Framework. it includes derivations of the sensitivity analysis equations, numerical analyses of the behavior of the combined benefit score, and the conclusions drawn from the results of the work that was conducted. The results of this analysis were key to ensuring that the aggregated science benefit scores would enable the team to differentiate and contrast across concepts.

John McLaughlan↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

How to Educate Decision Makers on the Value and Necessity of Modal Testing and Model Correlation: Tips for Young Engineers

Engineers need to effectively communicate the justification and value of their modal testing and model correlation in terminology familiar to decision makers as it relates to the program’s risk tolerance. This communication must relate to the program’s risk tolerance and the metrics used to judge the performance of both the program and individual decision makers. The challenge is the terminologies familiar to engineers and decision makers are quite different and seemingly unrelated. The engineering profession has developed a specific terminology to solve highly technical issues, which are many times themselves unique to very specific engineering problems. It is all too easy for engineers to believe that everyone in their organization, including the decision makers, has an intrinsic understanding of what they do and the value it brings to the program’s success. This is especially true for young engineers who have recently spent the last four plus years in an academic engineering learning environment, which has a highly technical research oriented atmosphere. Effective communication with decision makers is increasingly important as the technical breadth and practical program and project experience level for up and coming decision makers diminishes. It is not unusual for the decision makers to have technical knowledge in a domain different from structural dynamics (e.g., electronics or systems). Competition among satellite manufactures has increased the focus on programmatic cost and ability to deliver on schedule. NASA programs are also seeing more restrictive programmatic cost and schedule constraints, which impact both analysis and testing. It should also be noted that a comprehensive suite of tests are required to verify a satellite’s design capability with some margin. These tests include static strength verification tests, shock, acoustic, and vibration tests (sine and random) of systems, subsystems, and components. Each of these verification tests provide opportunities for model correlation and risk reduction. It is important to recognize dynamic loads/modal test models may not include all of the flight hardware (i.e., harness, coax, waveguides, connectors, etc.) and the previously mentioned tests are still required for qualification/verification of the design. This paper provides tips to young engineers on how to bridge this communications gap, have a better understanding of the environment in which decision makers operate, and assist them to better support successful missions. While this paper primarily focuses on modal testing and model correlation as related to spacecraft missions, the concepts and recommendations presented here are equally applicable to other fields such as aeronautics, automotive, power generation, etc.

Decision Maker↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

High Value Risk Targets in Human System Risk

The Human System Risk Board (HSRB) has the overall responsibility for tracking the evolution of the top ~30 human system risks that it has identified to be associated with human spaceflight. The Board is also charged with maintaining a consistent, integrated process to mitigate those risks, and developing evidence-based risk posture recommendations. Each Risk Custodian Team (RCT) identifies High Value Risk Mitigation Targets (HVRMT) that have the highest likelihood or greatest impact in reducing their risk. These typically include areas where there are major gaps in knowledge or capability; or other targets that promise to yield returns worthy of investments in time, money and other resources by stakeholders interested in reducing Human System Risk. As part of the review of each risk the Board members consider and discuss the HVRMT statements, which are then approved by the Board Chair. High Value Risk Mitigation Targets can include research activities funded by the Human Research Program, but often involve recommending standards, monitoring, or other operational goals to reduce risk. This presentation will discuss common themes and highlights of the approved HVRTs to inform IWS attendees and the wider research community.

D M Buckland↗

NASA NTRS2021

Earned Value Management (EVM) System Description

The purpose of this Earned Value Management (EVM) System Description is to provide guidance in NASA’s Earned Value Management Capability for the effective application, implementation, and utilization of EVM on NASA programs, projects, major contracts and subcontracts. EVM is a project management process that effectively integrates a project’s scope of work with schedule and cost elements for optimum project planning and control. The goal is to achieve timely and accurate quantification of progress that will facilitate management by exception and enable early visibility into the nature and the magnitude of technical problems as well as the intended course and success of corrective actions. This system description contains detailed information on implementation of EVM processes, procedures, roles and responsibilities.

Christopher Lewis Sadler↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

How to Educate Decision Makers on the Value and Necessity of Modal Testing and Model Correlation: Tips for Young Engineers

Engineers need to effectively communicate the justification and value of their modal testing and model correlation in terminology familiar to decision makers as it relates to the program’s risk tolerance. This communication must relate to the program’s risk tolerance and the metrics used to judge the performance of both the program and individual decision makers. The challenge is the terminologies familiar to engineers and decision makers are quite different and seemingly unrelated. The engineering profession has developed a specific terminology to solve highly technical issues, which are many times themselves unique to very specific engineering problems. It is all too easy for engineers to believe that everyone in their organization, including the decision makers, has an intrinsic understanding of what they do and the value it brings to the program’s success. This is especially true for young engineers who have recently spent the last four plus years in an academic engineering learning environment, which has a highly technical research oriented atmosphere. Effective communication with decision makers is increasingly important as the technical breadth and practical program and project experience level for up and coming decision makers diminishes. It is not unusual for the decision makers to have technical knowledge in a domain different from structural dynamics (e.g., electronics or systems). Competition among satellite manufactures has increased the focus on programmatic cost and ability to deliver on schedule. NASA programs are also seeing more restrictive programmatic cost and schedule constraints, which impact both analysis and testing. It should also be noted that a comprehensive suite of tests are required to verify a satellite’s design capability with some margin. These tests include static strength verification tests, shock, acoustic, and vibration tests (sine and random) of systems, subsystems, and components. Each of these verification tests provide opportunities for model correlation and risk reduction. It is important to recognize dynamic loads/modal test models may not include all of the flight hardware (i.e., harness, coax, waveguides, connectors, etc.) and the previously mentioned tests are still required for qualification/verification of the design. This paper provides tips to young engineers on how to bridge this communications gap, have a better understanding of the environment in which decision makers operate, and assist them to better support successful missions. While this paper primarily focuses on modal testing and model correlation as related to spacecraft missions, the concepts and recommendations presented here are equally applicable to other fields such as aeronautics, automotive, power generation, etc.

Decision Maker↗

NASA NTRS2020

Comparison of Extreme Value Distributions for Electrostatic Discharge Magnitudes in Spacecraft Charging Tests

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) induced by the accumulation of charge in the space environment is known to cause spacecraft anomalies and failures. While it is critical to estimate the worst-case expected ESD, sensitive radar instruments can be impacted by high rates of occurrence of very small ESD. To estimate the correct extreme behavior, it is important to select the correct extreme value distribution for extrapolation of test results limited in time and sensitivity. Quantile-quantile (Q-Q) analysis is used to compare electron beam-induced ESD test data to several statistical distributions used in the published literature. The best-fit distribution is shown to vary from between tests on different materials; however, it is clear that power law distributions are not good approximations for low amplitude events. Q-Q analysis is a convenient graphical method for evaluating multiple theoretical extreme-value distributions simultaneously.

Kim, Wousik↗

NASA NTRS2023

Finite Element Model Tuning using Analytical Sensitivity Values

This paper presents an efficient approach for tuning finite element models to match the measured ground vibrationtest and proof test data. Frequencies, mode shapes, total weight, location of the center of gravity, and staticdeformation computed from the finite element model are matched to the measured data. The model tuningprocedure used in this work is based on solving an optimization problem in which the errors for the consideredmetrics, between the finite element prediction and the measured data, are minimized. Analytical sensitivity values ofperformance indices are computed using the NASTRAN-generated sensitivity values together with the in-housecomputer programs, which allow for faster computational time and the use of gradient-based optimizers. The methodis applied to the Aerostructures Test Wing 4 model. The study shows that the military standard and the NASAstandard for comparing analytical and experimental modal data are all satisfied. The final finite element modelcorrelates well with the test data. The flutter speed decreases by 8.91% after model tuning compared with the original Aerostructures Test Wing 4 design.

Chan-gi Pak↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Preserving NASA Historic and Current Mission Data and Adding Value to These for Future Researchers

The NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) has been actively involved in many aspects of ensuring the long-term preservation of NASA earth science data and knowledge. This involves both the recovery and preservation of early NASA meteorological and other earth observation data, as well as preserving the more recent Earth Observation System (EOS) mission data sets which continue or have reached their end of lifetime. The GES DISC adds value to these preserved data by adding metadata and making the data available online to future researchers. The early NASA meteorological and earth observation data sets from the 1960s and 70s were originally archived on magnetic tapes, and visualizations of these data were preserved on 70-mm film. As these media have aged, their contents have been at risk of permanent loss. NASA has given the task of preserving these early data sets to the GES DISC and making these data sets easily available to the public. The data from these early missions are potentially useful to climate researchers as these are some of the only global measurements made at their time. These old data on magnetic tapes and film strips do not contain easily readable metadata, and so to add value the GES DISC has added digital metadata to them so that the data are searchable and findable. The GES DISC is also involved in preserving the data and knowledge from the EOS era missions. The GES DISC follows the guidelines developed for the preservation of data as specified in the NASA EOS Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Earth Science Data Preservation Content Specification (423-SPEC-001) document. To date, the GES DISC has consulted with the data science teams from the following missions: UARS, Earth Probe TOMS, Aura HIRDLS, and SORCE, in order to properly preserve their data and accompanying documentation. The GES DISC is also currently working with the EOS science teams from TRMM, AIRS, MLS, OMI and additional missions to ensure that the relevant documents and data sets are properly archived for future researchers. A standardized procedure for mission data preservation following 423-SPEC-001 makes preservation among the many NASA EOSDIS data centers uniform, so that these could be transitioned easily to a common EOSDIS preservation repository. This presentation will give an overview of the preservation and recovery of the old NASA historical data sets archived at the GES DISC, as well as the data and documentation preservation efforts of the EOS era missions.

James Johnson↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Evaluating the Feasibility of Data Simulation for Radiation Research: Estimating RBE Values for HZE Radiation

As the drive for deep space exploration intensifies, a comprehensive understanding of the health effects of radiation exposure becomes paramount to the future of human space flight. However, epidemiological data for radiation exposure, particularly to high-energy (HZE) ions, is limited, partially due to the financial and logistical costs of radiation studies. As an alternative, this study aims to assess the viability of data simulation strategies to accurately model potential study parameters prior to utilizing laboratory conditions. This study estimates a relative biological effectiveness (RBE) factor based on the solid tumor data for outbred mice provided by Edmundson et al. 2020. Excess relative risk (ERR) models for HZE-Fe ions and gamma radiation were estimated using Poisson regression with Weibull models to represent the background solid tumor hazard without radiation. RBE values were calculated from the ratio of the heavy ion linear slope to the gamma linear slope. The parameters from these models were then applied to simulate iterations of 300 datasets across HZE-Fe doses of 0.05, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.75 Gy; gamma radiation doses of 0.75, 2, and 3 Gy, as well as an unirradiated control group. Sample size per dose varied from 100-500 mice across simulations (800-4000 mice total per dataset). 1500 datasets were generated total (300 each for sample sizes 800, 1600, 3200, and 4000). For each dataset, ERR per radiation type and RBE for HZE-Fe were calculated. The RBE from the Edmondson data was calculated to be 5.55. The RBEs from the simulated data converged around this value across the increasing sample sizes. For n = 4000, the mean RBE across the 300 datasets was 5.71 (95% CI: 5.47-5.95). These results suggest that RBEs calculated from simulated data are credible. Based on this exploration, data simulation is a viable method of testing radiation studies. It provides a method of testing study assumptions and refining research questions prior to embarking on costly laboratory experiments.

Sneha Mehta↗

DOE OSTI2011

Status and Value of International Standards for Nuclear Criticality Safety

This presentation provides an update to the author's standards report provided at the ICNC-2007 meeting. It includes a discussion about the difference between, and the value of participating in, the development of international 'consensus' standards as opposed to nonconsensus standards. Standards are developed for a myriad of reasons. Generally, standards represent an agreed upon, repeatable way of doing something as defined by an individual or group of people. They come in various types. Examples include personal, family, business, industrial, commercial, and regulatory such as military, community, state, federal, and international standards. Typically, national and international 'consensus' standards are developed by individuals and organizations of diverse backgrounds representing the subject matter users and developers of a service or product and other interested parties or organizations. Within the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Technical Committee 85 (TC85) on nuclear energy, Subcommittee 5 (SC5) on nuclear fuel technology, there is a Working Group 8 (WG8) on standardization of calculations, procedures, and practices related to criticality safety. WG8 has developed, and is developing, ISO standards within the category of nuclear criticality safety of fissionable materials outside of reactors (i.e., nonreactor fissionable material nuclear fuel cycle facilities). Since the presentation of the ICNC-2007 report, WG8 has issued three new finalized international standards and is developing two more new standards. Nearly all elements of the published WG8 ISO standards have been incorporated into IAEA nonconsensus guides and standards. The progression of consensus standards development among international partners in a collegial environment establishes a synergy of different concepts that broadens the perspectives of the members. This breadth of perspectives benefits the working group members in their considerations of consensus standards developments in their own countries. A testament to the value of the international standards efforts is that nearly all elements of the published WG8 ISO standards have been incorporated into IAEA nonconsensus guides and standards and are mainly consistent with international ISO member domestic standards.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2014

High coking value pitch

A high coking value pitch prepared from coal tar distillate and has a low softening point and a high carbon value while containing substantially no quinoline insolubles is disclosed. The pitch can be used as an impregnant or binder for producing carbon and graphite articles.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

DOE OSTI2013

Value of Improved Wind Power Forecasting in the Western Interconnection (Poster)

Wind power forecasting is a necessary and important technology for incorporating wind power into the unit commitment and dispatch process. It is expected to become increasingly important with higher renewable energy penetration rates and progress toward the smart grid. There is consensus that wind power forecasting can help utility operations with increasing wind power penetration; however, there is far from a consensus about the economic value of improved forecasts. This work explores the value of improved wind power forecasting in the Western Interconnection of the United States.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2016

Method and apparatus for real-time measurement of fuel gas compositions and heating values

An exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for real-time, in situ measurement of gas compositions and heating values. The apparatus includes a near infrared sensor for measuring concentrations of hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide, a mid infrared sensor for measuring concentrations of carbon monoxide and a semiconductor based sensor for measuring concentrations of hydrogen gas. A data processor having a computer program for reducing the effects of cross-sensitivities of the sensors to components other than target components of the sensors is also included. Also provided are corresponding or associated methods for real-time, in situ determination of a composition and heating value of a fuel gas.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

DOE OSTI2015

Droplet Number Concentration Value Added Product

Cloud droplet number concentration is an important factor in understanding aerosol-cloud interactions. As aerosol concentration increases, it is expected that droplet number concentration (Nd) will increase and droplet size will decrease, for a given liquid water path. This will greatly affect cloud albedo as smaller droplets reflect more shortwave radiation; however, the magnitude and variability of these processes under different environmental conditions is still uncertain.McComiskey et al. (2009) have implemented a method, based onBoers and Mitchell (1994), for calculating Nd from ground-based remote sensing measurements of optical depth and liquid water path. They show that the magnitude of the aerosol-cloud interactions (ACI) varies with a range of factors, including the relative value of the cloud liquid water path (LWP), the aerosol size distribution, and the cloud updraft velocity. Estimates of Nd under a range of cloud types and conditions and at a variety of sites are needed to further quantify the impacts of aerosol cloud interactions. In order to provide data sets for studying aerosol-cloud interactions, the McComiskey et al. (2009) method was implemented as the Droplet Number Concentration (NDROP) value-added product (VAP).

Chitra Sivaraman, PNNL↗