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At least 937 records · Page 52

Astrobiology as a NASA Grand Challenge

"Are we alone" is a question whose ambition can only be met with a NASA-led global collaboration. In this white paper, we describe how this makes "The Search for Life Beyond Earth" a new Grand Challenge for NASA. As described in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the White House National Economic Council, Grand Challenges are "ambitious but achievable goals that harness science, technology, and innovation to solve important national or global problems and that have the potential to capture the public's imagination." NASA had identified an "Asteroid Grand Challenge" centered on the Asteroid Retrieval Mission, which was closed out in June, 2017. Here, we explain how NASA's next Grand Challenge could be focused on "The Search for Life Beyond Earth," with a flagship-scale mission in Astrophysics as its centerpiece.

Domagal-Goldman, Shawn↗

Pterodactyl: Thermal Protection System for Integrated Control Design of a Mechanically Deployed Entry Vehicle

The need for precision landing of high mass payloads on Mars and the return of sensitive samples from other planetary bodies to specific locations on Earth is driving the development of an innovative NASA technology referred to as the Deployable Entry Vehicle (DEV). A DEV has the potential to deliver an equivalent science payload with a stowed diameter 3 to 4 times smaller than a traditional rigid capsule configuration. However, the DEV design does not easily lend itself to traditional methods of directional control. The NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)’s Pterodactyl project is currently investigating the effectiveness of three different Guidance and Control (G&C) systems – actuated flaps, Center of Gravity (CG) or mass movement, and Reaction Control System (RCS) – for use with a DEV using the Adaptable, Deployable, Entry, and Placement Technology (ADEPT) design. This paper details the Thermal Protection System (TPS) design and associated mass estimation efforts for each of the G&C systems. TPS is needed for the nose cap of the DEV and the flaps of the actuated flap control system. The development of a TPS selection, sizing, and mass estimation method designed to deal with the varying requirements for the G&C options throughout the trajectory is presented. The paper discusses the methods used to i) obtain heating environments throughout the trajectory with respect to the chosen control system and resulting geometry; ii) determine a suitable TPS material; iii) produce TPS thickness estimations; and, iv) determine the final TPS mass estimation based on TPS thickness, vehicle control system, vehicle structure, and vehicle payload.

Hays, Zane B.↗

Environmental Enrichment in the ISS Rodent Habitat Hardware System

Responses of animals exposed to microgravity during in-space experiments were reviewed from NASAs and ESA available video recording archives. These documented observation of animal behavior, as well as the range and level of activities during spaceflight, clearly demonstrate that weightlessness conditions and the extreme novelty of the surroundings exert damaging psychological stresses on the inhabitants. In response to a recognized need for in-flight animals to improve their wellbeing we propose to reduce such stresses by shaping and interrelating structures and surroundings to satisfying vital physiological needs of inhabitants. Rodent Habitat Hardware System based housing facility incorporating a tubing network system, to maintain and monitor rodent health environment with advanced accessories has been proposed. The new tubing configuration was found suitable for further incorporation of innovative monitoring technology and accessories in the animal holding habitat unit which allow to monitor in real-time the most valuable health related biological parameter under weightlessness environment of spaceflight.

Orr, Sophie↗

Development and Characterization of the Integrally Stiffened Cylinder (ISC) Process for Launch Vehicles and Aircraft Fuselage Structures

Over the past decade, NASA Langley has led development of the Integrally Stiffened Cylinder (ISC) Process, a near-net shape, flow-forming technology. This innovative process is being evaluated for launch vehicle and commercial aircraft manufacturing. A thick-walled, cylindrical preform is flow-formed in a single operation into a thin-walled barrel with longitudinal stiffeners. The one-piece, stiffened barrels offer a direct replacement for conventional multi-piece welded or riveted structures. A cost-benefit analysis for launch vehicles estimated that the ISC process offers up to a 50% reduction in manufacturing costs and a 10% reduction in mass. NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and industry partners have teamed to manufacture 10-ft. diameter aluminum ISCs. The intent is to demonstrate the commercial viability of the process at a scale relevant to the commercial launch and aircraft industries. Development activities will be presented, including process scale-up, formability assessment, microstructural analysis, and mechanical property testing.

ISC, flow forming, near net shape↗

Nano-ALSEP: Use of Nano-Sat Technology to Advance Lunar Exploration Science/Engineering

During the Apollo program, unique ALSEP (Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package) stations were deployed and left on the surface for long term data collection. Powered by a SNAP-27 electrical power source, the packages continued to transmit useful data until September 30, 1977 (the end of the Fiscal year and termination of the budget). The instruments were varied but included an active seismic experiment (ASE), charged particle experiments, magnetometer experiment, micro-meteoroide/bolide detection experiments. Only only one, the Laser Ranging Retro-Reflector (LRRR) was continued to be used to the present day due to the passive nature of the device. After a dearth of data during an absence of 50 years, is it possible to restart similar packages using the advances in nano-sat technologies? An innovation effort is proposed that would first look at a 2U nano-sat package evolving to an eventual radio-isotope powered system that could be either part of a lunar lander or as an independent package. In the first phase, the packages would only survive during the Lunar day. In a second phase, the later radio-isotope options would place the surface packages in a semi-dormant mode during the Lunar night cycle. Communication capability developed in the TechEdSat-n flight series (UHF, S, X and optical bands) would help to independently close the link and potentially explore IoT devices that were powered only in the sunlight. In addition, limited mobility in the form factor of a nano-rover might also greatly extend the utility of such packages while adding evolutionary capability - and finally continue where the Apollo program was forced to leave off.

M Murbach↗

Development and Characterization of the Integrally Stiffened Cylinder (ISC) Process for Launch Vehicles and Aircraft Fuselage Structures

Over the past decade, NASA Langley has led development of the Integrally Stiffened Cylinder (ISC) Process, a near-net-shape, flow-forming technology. This innovative process is being evaluated for launch vehicle and commercial aircraft manufacturing. A thick-walled, cylindrical preform is flow-formed using a single operation into a thin-walled barrel with integral longitudinal stiffeners. The one-piece, stiffened barrels offer a direct replacement for conventional multi-piece, welded or riveted structures. A cost-benefit analysis for launch vehicle cryogenic propellant tanks estimated that the ISC process offers up to a 50% reduction in manufacturing costs and a 10% reduction in mass. NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and industry partners have teamed to manufacture 3-m(10-ft.) diameter aluminum ISCs. The intent is to demonstrate the commercial viability of the process at a scale relevant to the commercial launch and aircraft industries. Development activities will be presented, including process scale-up, formability assessment, and mechanical property testing.

ISC, flow forming, near net shape↗

Space Communications and Navigation

Presentation for public Getting to Know Goddard and our role in Artemis event. As part of the Artemis program, NASA will use innovative new technologies and systems to explore more of the Moon than ever before. Ahead of a human return, the agency will send dozens of new science investigations and technology experiments to the Moon beginning in 2021. NASA will land the first woman and next man on the Moon in 2024 and establish sustainable lunar exploration by the end of the decade. At NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, we’re leveraging our expertise across multiple areas and facilities to support the Artemis initiative, including sending instruments to the Moon through the agency’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. Along with commercial and international partners, NASA will establish a sustainable presence on the Moon in preparation to take humanity’s next giant leap – sending astronauts to Mars.

commercialization↗

Secure and Safe Assured Autonomy (S2A2)

Aviation’s future will likely see the integration of a wide variety of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) systems including Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for cargo/delivery, personal air vehicles, and commercial Urban Air Mobility (UAM)vehicles. However, substantial challenges exist that could delay (and possibly prevent) these developments and thus research is needed in a variety of areas to leverage technologies in autonomy, Air Traffic Management (ATM), multi-redundant flight systems architectures, and advanced wireless connectivity like 5G to meet these challenges. The goal of this ULI project is to develop new technologies and innovative operational concepts which will ensure safe, secure and robust integration of autonomous vehicles into Advanced Air Mobility-tailored transportation infrastructure. All this must be done while maintaining inter-operability with current civil air transportation systems and associated safety standards. The project is organized into four Technical Challenges (TCs) areas designed to provide unique UAM solutions and a transition roadmap for industry and government to utilize research product output.

Koushik Datta↗

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Vision Concept of Operations (ConOps) UAM Maturity Level (UML)-4 Overview

The Vision ConOps is intended as a foundation to engage members of the UAM community and provide a consensus on the future vision of UAM operations. It provides a concept for more detailed discussion and a basis for the exploration of ideas using a common framework to inform the continued development and integration of UAM as part of the broader transportation system. Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) encompasses a range of innovative aviation technologies (small drones, electric aircraft, automated air traffic management, etc.) that are transforming aviation’s role in everyday life, including the movement of goods and people. Urban Air Mobility (UAM) represents one of the most exciting and complex AAM concepts with highly automated aircraft, providing commercial services to the public over densely populated cities.

Brian Hill↗

Heterodyne Receiver for Origins

The Heterodyne Receiver for Origins (HERO) is the first detailed study of a heterodyne focal plane array receiver for space applications. HERO gives the Origins Space Telescope the capability to observe at very high spectral resolution (R ¼ 107) over an unprecedentedly large far-infrared (FIR) wavelengths range (111 to 617 μm) with high sensitivity, with simultaneous dual polarization and dual-frequency band operation. The design is based on prior successful heterodyne receivers, such as Heterodyne Instrument for the Far-Infrared /Herschel, but surpasses it by one to two orders of magnitude by exploiting the latest technological developments. Innovative components are used to keep the required satellite resources low and thus allowing for the first time a convincing design of a large format heterodyne array receiver for space. HERO on Origins is a unique tool to explore the FIR universe and extends the enormous potential of submillimeter astronomical spectroscopy into new areas of astronomical research.

Martina C Wiedner↗

Satellite Conjunction Assessment, Risk Analysis and Collision Avoidance Best Practices: The History, Evolution and Opportunities

Since Explorer 1 was launched on January 31, 1958, the United States (U.S.) has reaped the benefits of space exploration. New markets and new technologies have spurred the economy and changed lives in many ways across the national security, civil, and commercial sectors. Space technologies and space-based capabilities now provide global communications, navigation and timing, weather forecasting, and more. Space exploration also presents challenges that impact not only the U.S. but also its allies and other partners. A significant increase in the volume and diversity of activity in space means that it is becoming increasingly congested. Emerging commercial ventures such as satellite servicing, in-space manufacturing, and tourism as well as new technologies enabling small satellites and large constellations of satellites present serious challenges for safely and responsibly using space in a stable, sustainable manner. To meet these challenges, the U.S. seeks to improve global awareness of activity in space by publicly sharing flight safety-related information and by coordinating its own on-orbit activity in a safer, more responsible manner. It seeks to bolster stability and reduce current and future operational on-orbit risks so that space is sustained for future generations. To this end, new and better Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities are needed to keep pace with the increased congestion, and the U.S. seeks to create a dynamic environment that encourages and rewards commercial providers who improve these capabilities. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Spacecraft Conjunction Assessment and Collision Avoidance Best Practices Handbook reflects how NASA currently operates, which has evolved over time. Consideration is given to important topics such as spacecraft and constellation design; spacecraft “trackability;” pre-launch preparation and early launch activities; on-orbit collision avoidance; and automated trajectory guidance and maneuvering. This talk aims to present examples of responsible practices for spacecraft Owners/Operators (O/O) to consider for lowering collision risks and operating safely in space (from LEO and beyond) in a stable and sustainable manner. As technology and innovation continues to improve upon existing capabilities, what kind of new challenges are presented in the SSA community? Can space exploration and commercial ventures thrive while keeping paramount the safety and protection of the space environment? What are the challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed and considered for space situational awareness in Cis-Lunar Space? It may prove useful for entities offering, or intending to offer, SSA or Conjunction Assessment (CA) services to consider such examples of responsible practices to protect the space environment for future use by all.

Collision Avoidance↗

Additive Manufacturing: Disrupting Global Supply Chains and Enabling Sustainable Development

The integration of new materials and innovative manufacturing technologies into product supply chains are critically needed to address human and societal needs and to promote sustainable development and economic competitiveness. Recently, there has been tremendous growth in the additive manufacturing (AM) landscape with the introduction of high- end machines suitable for industrial applications. In addition, availability of desktop 3-D printers as well as open source printers and platforms have also facilitated the large scale growth of distributed manufacturing. The paradigm shift in thinking, where one can turn their design into product on demand, is leading to new business models and challenging traditional models of product development and distribution. In this presentation, an overview of different AM technologies will be provided along with technical challenges and opportunities. Various examples of materials (polymers, ceramics, metals, hybrids, and multi material systems) and structures achieved from utilizing a wide variety of additive manufacturing approaches will be provided. Technical challenges and opportunities for the utilization of additive manufacturing as a powerful enabler for sustainable development and disruptive technological threat to global supply chains for different materials and systems will be presented.

Additive Manufacturing↗

EXCAP-LR: Exploration Capabilities Logistics Reduction

All human space missions require substantial logistical mass and volume. As our exploration missions increase in distance and duration, reduction of these logistics requirements becomes more important. The movement and tracking of logistics between vehicle elements are increasingly recognized as critical to crew efficiency and on-orbit mission assurance. This project targets the best opportunities to demonstrate logistics reduction, repurposing, and efficient tracking and management of logistics. These technologies and innovations will make future exploration missions more affordable. - REALM-3 (RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) Enabled Autonomous Logistics Management) – Hydra (HYper-Distributed RFID Antenna) Smart Stow: receives RFID signal from readers, use very small % of signal to self-power on-board microcontroller and RF switch, multiplex RFID signal to other nodes in a chain or to a multitude of antennas. ISS HYDRA Smart Stow is over-instrumented to allow evaluation of a branched network HYDRA chain. - UWMS (Universal Waste Management System) – provides a compact, lower mass/volume toilet for exploration missions - ACS (Advanced Clothing Systems) – investigates ways to reduce clothing mass and volume directly or through efficiently cleaning them for reuse.

Patrick Fink↗