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At least 1,063 records · Page 59

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NASA NTRS2020

Blackbird: Object-Oriented Planning, Simulation, and Sequencing Framework Used by Multiple Missions

Every JPL flight mission relies on activity planningand sequence generation software to perform operations. Mostsuch tools in use at JPL and elsewhere use attribute-basedschemas or domain-specific languages (DSLs) to defineactivities. This reliance poses user training, softwaremaintenance, performance, and other challenges. To solve thisproblem for future missions, a new software called Blackbirdwas developed which allows engineers to specify behavior instandard Java. The new code base has over an order ofmagnitude fewer lines of code than other JPL planningsoftware, since no DSL or schema interpreter is needed. Theuse of Java for defining activities also allows mission adaptersto debug their code in an integrated development environment,seamlessly call external libraries, and set up truly multimissionmodels. These efficiency gains have significantlyreduced the amount of development effort required to supportthe software. This paper discusses Blackbird’s design,principles, and use cases.

Rothstein-Dowden, Ansel↗

NASA NTRS2021

Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling of Precipitated Electrons in Diffuse Aurora Driven by Time Domain Structures

Recent theoretical studies and the spacecraft conjugate observations between the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) mission and the low-altitude Enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (e-POP) spacecraft demonstrated the connections between broadband electrostatic fluctuations, the so called time domain structures (TDSs), and electron precipitation in the region of diffuse aurora. In this letter, we used the SuperThermal Electron Transport (STET) code to implement these theoretical and experimental results and analyze magnetosphere-ionosphere energy interplay of the precipitated electrons that are driven by TDSs. To put TDSs electron scattering processes in the context with other wave scattering activities, ECH and whistler chorus waves are taken into account. Integrated electron energy fluxes in the diffuse aurora driven by TDSs are comparable to those driven by whistler waves. We find that including Magnetosphere-Ionosphere coupling processes increases the integrated electron energy fluxes by more than two times than only driven by TDSs.

diffuse aurora↗

NASA NTRS2022

Arizona Water Resources: Utilizing Aerial Imagery and NASA Earth Observations to Assess Pinyon-Juniper Tree Mortality in Flagstaff, AZ

Pinyon-juniper woodlands (PJW) are a vital habitat and food source for several wildlife species and a source of both utility and cultural importance for Indigenous groups. In 2021, amidst a decades-long drought, an extensive juniper mortality event occurred at Wupatki National Monument (WNM) in Arizona. In response, the National Park Service (NPS) is evaluating which land management practices will be beneficial. In partnership with the NPS, the NASA DEVELOP team used remote sensing data to map PJW mortality and analyze the relation of tree mortality to stand density, climate, and topography in north-central Arizona from 2015 to 2021. To identify the extent of PJW, the team performed an unsupervised classification using National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) data with validation sources including NPS-created land cover maps, Landscape Fire and Resource Management Planning Tools (LANDFIRE), NPS and United States Forest Service (USFS) vegetation maps, and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) data. Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG), Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP), Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), and Landsat 8-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) were used to analyze factors contributing to pinyon-juniper mortality. Although no relationships were found in the broader study region, PJW mortality was weakly correlated to elevation, soil moisture, and land surface temperature within WNM. Results from this study can inform NPS vegetation management that best protects natural and cultural resources.

Margaret Jaenicke↗

NASA NTRS2024

Alignment of NASA’s Human System Risks with Technological Capability Gaps to Enable Integrated Research and Technology Development Strategic Planning

BACKGROUND: Radiation, reduced gravity, distance from earth, isolation and confinement, and habitation within artificially created and controlled life support environments are hazards that present risk to human space explorers. NASA’s Human System Risk Board (HSRB) maintains a set of twenty-nine different Human System Risks with subject matter experts from across the agency providing regular updates to the estimated likelihood and consequence associated with each risk. The Human Research Program (HRP) has historically used these risk classifications as a primary basis for identifying and prioritizing human research investments aimed at characterizing and/or mitigating the respective human system risks. In many cases, technology development is required to mature and validate risk mitigation strategies, however, NASA’s primary technology development programs have not typically used Human System Risks as a basis for strategic planning. A primary function of the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) – Crew Health and Performance (CHP) System Capability Leadership Team (SCLT) is to continually identify, review, and update technological capability gaps and to establish and oversee multiyear strategic roadmaps aimed at guiding NASA’s technology development priorities in these areas. These roadmaps are intended to be agency-wide and independent of any program, directorate, or other organization within NASA. DESCRIPTION: The SCLT and HRP collaborated to establish a set of Human System Capability Gaps, which establish a formal linkage between the capability gaps used to prioritize investments across much of NASA, and the Human System Risks that are primarily used to inform and prioritize human research. This set of twenty-eight gaps was developed by subject matter experts, and each gap mapped to the primary associated Human System Risks. The gaps and risk mapping were then reviewed and approved via the HSRB, thereby formally aligning the research-focused Human System Risks with the technology-focused capability gaps. DISCUSSION: This effort has enabled development of integrated roadmaps and budget coordination with research and technology development activities that are formally linked to agency-recognized capability gaps and Human System Risks. Close and ongoing coordination between the SCLT, HRP, Mars Campaign Office, and the Health & Medical Technical Authority (HMTA) is essential to ensure alignment and prioritization of CHP-related research and technology development to enable NASA’s future exploration missions.

Andrew F J Abercromby↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Subjective Assessment of Initial and Mid-Term UAM Operations and the Impact on Air Traffic Controllers' Workload

The emergence of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) marks a new era of aviation that will be characterized by a shift in transportation dynamics marked by safe, efficient, and sustainable air travel within urban areas. Although UAM will provide significant advantages, increased air travel demand has the potential to impact air traffic controllers (ATCo) workload. Therefore, industry, government, and academia in the UAM ecosystem are actively working to overcome potential implementation challenges that include airspace integration and air traffic management. As part of this effort, researchers from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are studying the challenges associated with UAM operations’ interactions with air traffic control (ATC). The present research paper presents an analysis of subjective assessments to determine the usability and acceptability of airspace procedures under two different operating conditions – Initial and Mid-Term – and two different levels of UAM traffic. The completion of these investigations will be a steppingstone in supporting the successful implementation of UAM operations into the National Airspace System.

Urban Air Mobility, Air Traffic Control, Workload↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Subjective Assessment of Initial and Mid-Term UAM Operations and the Impact on Air Traffic Controllers' Workload

Urban Air Mobility↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Increasing Data Discovery and Re-Use: The Space Life Sciences Ontology

Two of the most important goals of the adoption of the FAIR principles are increasing the ability of agents to find and re-use research data. Achieving these goals for space life sciences research is even more pressing, given the relatively expensive and scarce nature of these data. We have reported in the past on the progress made by exemplar life sciences data systems towards implementing FAIR, showing gaps particularly in the “interoperability area” of the principles; the lack of common conceptual models for space life science research is one reason for this gap. There were few available resources that define, annotate, categorize or otherwise relate various kinds of metadata describing the acquisition, nature, and intent of investigational space life sciences data. To address this gap, NASA is working with the Open Biological and Biomedical Ontology Foundry (https://obofoundry.org/) to develop the Space Life Science Ontology (SLSO) that is intended to support archival and other kinds of systems that operate using these data. The scope of the ontology includes concepts regarding those aspects of investigation design and execution specific or unique to space environments, such as types of specialized equipment, operating organizations, and documentation. The ontology is continually being developed and published to the life science community (https://github.com/nasa/LSDAO/); at the time of this publication, the SLSO newly and uniquely defines 30 types (classes), 90 properties, and 14 relations specific to space life sciences metadata. In addition, the SLSO reuses (imports) some 2,360 types (classes), 49 properties, and 393 relations from other ontologies that are relevant to these kinds of metadata. In addition to its role as a common conceptualization for space biomedical research activities, the SLSO can also be used to provide automated support for traditionally difficult and expensive activities such as data curation and cross-system data integration and analysis.

fair↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Discovering Digital Engineering Needs Through Human-Centered Approaches

Digital engineering has the power to transform organizations in profound ways, but digitizing legacy workflows and infusing new technologies into existing practices may not yield the intended results or address the underlying problems or bottlenecks. This paper describes the human-centered approaches used to understand stakeholder challenges and identify digital engineering needs during the design-build-test portion of the systems development lifecycle. Through a series of interactive stakeholder workshops and need-finding activities, key stakeholder needs were identified to help guide the integration of digital engineering technologies. The overarching need was for downstream system development steps to be considered further upstream in the project lifecycle in a manner that allows for proactive and interactive co-constructive idea exploration, problem resolution, and requirements considerations in a collective engagement with engineers and technicians from multiple disciplines to increase efficiency and reduce risks while offering opportunities to improve the final engineered system. Supporting this need was a wide-ranging desire from stakeholders for digital and non-digital support structures for efficient rapid iteration during system development. This work yielded several improvements for system development processes and for digital engineering infusion.

Human-centered Design↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Discovering Digital Engineering Needs Through Human-Centered Approaches

Design Science↗

NASA NTRS2016

Update on the activities of the GGOS Bureau of Networks and Observations

The recently reorganized GGOS Bureau of Networks and Observations has many elements that are associated with building and sustaining the infrastructure that supports the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) through the development and maintenance of the International Terrestrial and Celestial Reference Frames, improved gravity field models and their incorporation into the reference frame, the production of precision orbits for missions of interest to GGOS, and many other applications. The affiliated Service Networks (IVS, ILRS, IGS, IDS, and now the IGFS and the PSMSL) continue to grow geographically and to improve core and co-location site performance with newer technologies. Efforts are underway to expand GGOS participation and outreach. Several groups are undertaking initiatives and seeking partnerships to update existing sites and expand the networks in geographic areas void of coverage. New satellites are being launched by the Space Agencies in disciplines relevant to GGOS. Working groups now constitute an integral part of the Bureau, providing key service to GGOS. Their activities include: projecting future network capability and examining trade-off options for station deployment and technology upgrades, developing metadata collection and online availability strategies; improving coordination and information exchange with the missions for better ground-based network response and space-segment adequacy for the realization of GGOS goals; and standardizing site-tie measurement, archiving, and analysis procedures. This poster will present the progress in the Bureau's activities and its efforts to expand the networks and make them more effective in supporting GGOS.

Networks↗

NASA NTRS1984

Space station propulsion analysis study

This paper summarizes the impacts on the weight, volume and power usage of a manned space station and its 90-day resupply for three integrated, auxiliary propulsion subsystems. The study was performed in coordination with activities of the Space Staton Concept Development Group (CDG). The study focused on three space station propulsion high-low thrust options that make use of fluids that will be available on the manned space station. Specific uses of carbon dioxide, water and cryogen boiloff were considered. For each of the options the increase in station hardware mass and volume to accommodate the dual thrust option is offset by the resupply savings, relative to the reference hydrazine system, after one to several resupplies. Over the life of the station the savings in cost of logistics could be substantial. The three options are examples of alternative technology paths that, because of the opportunity they provide for integration with the environmental control life support system (ECLSS) and OTV propellant storage systems, may reduce the scarring which is required on the early station to meet the increasing propulsion requirements of the growth station.

Donovan, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Space Station propulsion analysis study

This paper summarizes the impacts on the weight, volume and power usage of a manned space station and its 90-day resupply for three integrated, auxiliary propulsion subsystems. The study was performed in coordination with activities of the Space Station Concept Development Group (CDG). The study focused on three space station propulsion high-low thrust options that make use of fluids that will be available on the manned space station. Specific uses of carbon dioxide, water and cryogen boiloff were considered. For each of the options the increase in station hardware mass and volume to accommodate the dual thrust option is offset by the resupply savings, relative to the reference hydrazine system, after one to several resupplies. Over the life of the station the savings in cost of logistics could be substantial. The three options are examples of alternative technology paths that, because of the opportunity they provide for integration with the environmental control life support system (ECLSS) and OTV propellant storage systems, may reduce the scarring which is required on the early station to meet the increasing propulsion requirements of the growth station.

Donovan, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Product Lifecycle Management and the Quest for Sustainable Space Explorations

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is an outcome of lean thinking to eliminate waste and increase productivity. PLM is inextricably tied to the systems engineering business philosophy, coupled with a methodology by which personnel, processes and practices, and information technology combine to form an architecture platform for product design, development, manufacturing, operations, and decommissioning. In this model, which is being implemented by the Engineering Directorate at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Marshall Space Flight Center, total lifecycle costs are important variables for critical decision-making. With the ultimate goal to deliver quality products that meet or exceed requirements on time and within budget, PLM is a powerful concept to shape everything from engineering trade studies and testing goals, to integrated vehicle operations and retirement scenarios. This paper will demonstrate how the Engineering Directorate is implementing PLM as part of an overall strategy to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable space exploration solutions. It has been 30 years since the United States fielded the Space Shuttle. The next generation space transportation system requires a paradigm shift such that digital tools and knowledge management, which are central elements of PLM, are used consistently to maximum effect. The outcome is a better use of scarce resources, along with more focus on stakeholder and customer requirements, as a new portfolio of enabling tools becomes second nature to the workforce. This paper will use the design and manufacturing processes, which have transitioned to digital-based activities, to show how PLM supports the comprehensive systems engineering and integration function. It also will go through a launch countdown scenario where an anomaly is detected to show how the virtual vehicle created from paperless processes will help solve technical challenges and improve the likelihood of launching on schedule, with less hands-on labor needed for processing and troubleshooting.

Caruso, Pamela W.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Product Lifecycle Management and the Quest for Sustainable Space Exploration Solutions

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is an outcome of lean thinking to eliminate waste and increase productivity. PLM is inextricably tied to the systems engineering business philosophy, coupled with a methodology by which personnel, processes and practices, and information technology combine to form an architecture platform for product design, development, manufacturing, operations, and decommissioning. In this model, which is being implemented by the Engineering Directorate at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Marshall Space Flight Center, total lifecycle costs are important variables for critical decisionmaking. With the ultimate goal to deliver quality products that meet or exceed requirements on time and within budget, PLM is a powerful tool to shape everything from engineering trade studies and testing goals, to integrated vehicle operations and retirement scenarios. This paper will demonstrate how the Engineering Directorate is implementing PLM as part of an overall strategy to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable space exploration solutions. It has been 30 years since the United States fielded the Space Shuttle. The next generation space transportation system requires a paradigm shift such that digital tools and knowledge management, which are central elements of PLM, are used consistently to maximum effect. The outcome is a better use of scarce resources, along with more focus on stakeholder and customer requirements, as a new portfolio of enabling tools becomes second nature to the workforce. This paper will use the design and manufacturing processes, which have transitioned to digital-based activities, to show how PLM supports the comprehensive systems engineering and integration function. It also will go through a launch countdown scenario where an anomaly is detected to show how the virtual vehicle created from paperless processes will help solve technical challenges and improve the likelihood of launching on schedule, with less hands-on labor needed for processing and troubleshooting. Sustainable space exploration solutions demand that all lifecycle phases be optimized. Adopting PLM, which has been used by the automotive industry for many years, for aerospace applications provides a foundation for strong, disciplined systems engineering and accountable return on investment by making lifecycle considerations variables in an iterative decision-making process. This paper combines the perspectives of the founding father of PLM, along with the experience of Engineering leaders who are implementing these processes and practices real-time. As the nation moves from an industrial-based society to one where information is a valued commodity, future NASA programs and projects will benefit from the experience being gained today for the exploration missions of tomorrow.

Caruso, Pamela W.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Ultra Low Power Imaging Systems Using CMOS Image Sensor Technology

The need for miniaturization in advanced science sensor systems has led to the development of a new image sensor technology, the active pixel image sensor (APS). The development of CMOS APS technology allows the integration of timing and control electronics, imaging detector arrays, signal chains and analog-to-digital conversion on a single integrated circuit. The impact on the imaging system is to reduce power by approximately 1000x over existing systems - from tens of watts to tens of milliwatts.

imaging↗

NASA NTRS2014

Exploration Systems Development (ESD) Approach to Enterprise Risk Management

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Exploration Systems Development (ESD) Division has implemented an innovative approach to Enterprise Risk Management under a unique governance structure and streamlined integration model. ESD's mission is to design and build the capability to extend human existence to deep space. The Enterprise consists of three Programs: Space Launch System (SLS), Orion, and Ground Systems Development and Operations (GSDO). The SLS is a rocket and launch system that will be capable of powering humans, habitats, and support systems to deep space. Orion will be the first spacecraft in history capable of taking humans to multiple destinations within deep space. GSDO is modernizing Kennedy's spaceport to launch spacecraft built and designed by both NASA and private industry. ESD's approach to Enterprise Risk Management is commensurate with affordability and a streamlined management philosophy. ESD Enterprise Risk Management leverages off of the primary mechanisms for integration within the Enterprise. The Enterprise integration approach emphasizes delegation of authority to manage and execute the majority of cross-program activities and products to the individual Programs, while maintaining the overall responsibility for all cross-program activities at the Division. The intent of the ESD Enterprise Risk Management approach is to improve risk communication, to avoid replication and/or contradictory strategies, and to minimize overhead process burden. This is accomplished by the facilitation and integration of risk information within ESD. The ESD Division risks, Orion risks, SLS risks, and GSDO risks are owned and managed by the applicable Program. When the Programs have shared risks with multiple consequences, they are jointly owned and managed. When a risk is associated with the integrated system that involves more than one Program in condition, consequence, or mitigation plan, it is considered an Exploration Systems Integration (ESI) Risk. An ESI risk may require visibility and risk handling by multiple organizations. The Integrated Risk Working Group (IRWG) is a small team of Risk experts that are responsible for collaborating and communicating best practices. In addition, the forum facilitates proper integration of risks across the Enterprise. The IRWG uses a Continuous Risk Management approach for facilitating the identification, analysis, planning, tracking, and controlling of ESI Risks. The ESD Division, Programs, and Integrated Task Teams identify ESI Risks. The IRWG maintains a set of metrics for understanding Enterprise Risk process and the overall Risk Posture. The team is also actively involved in the modeling of risk for Enterprise Performance Management. With the Enterprise being constrained in Schedule and Budget, and with significant technical complexity, the appropriate use of Risk Management techniques is crucial to the success of the Enterprise. The IRWG achieves this through the modified approach, providing a forum for collaboration on risks that cross boundaries between the separate entities.

Bauder, Stephen P.↗

NASA NTRS2000

A Boundary Scan Test Vehicle for Direct Chip Attach Testing

To facilitate the new faster, better and cheaper spacecraft designs, smaller more mass efficient avionics and instruments are using higher density electronic packaging technologies such as direct chip attach (DCA). For space flight applications, these technologies need to have demonstrated reliability and reasonably well defined fabrication and assembly processes before they will be accepted as baseline designs in new missions. As electronics shrink in size, not only can repair be more difficult, but 49 probing" circuitry can be very risky and it becomes increasingly more difficult to identify the specific source of a problem. To test and monitor these new technologies, the Direct Chip Attach Task, under NASA's Electronic Parts and Packaging Program (NEPP), chose the test methodology of boundary scan testing. The boundary scan methodology was developed for interconnect integrity and functional testing at hard to access electrical nodes. With boundary scan testing, active devices are used and failures can be identified to the specific device and lead. This technology permits the incorporation of "built in test" into almost any circuit and thus gives detailed test access to the highly integrated electronic assemblies. This presentation will describe boundary scan, discuss the development of the boundary scan test vehicle for DCA and current plans for testing of direct chip attach configurations.

Parsons, Heather A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

High-speed, automatic controller design considerations for integrating array processor, multi-microprocessor, and host computer system architectures

Modern control systems must typically perform real-time identification and control, as well as coordinate a host of other activities related to user interaction, online graphics, and file management. This paper discusses five global design considerations which are useful to integrate array processor, multimicroprocessor, and host computer system architectures into versatile, high-speed controllers. Such controllers are capable of very high control throughput, and can maintain constant interaction with the nonreal-time or user environment. As an application example, the architecture of a high-speed, closed-loop controller used to actively control helicopter vibration is briefly discussed. Although this system has been designed for use as the controller for real-time rotorcraft dynamics and control studies in a wind tunnel environment, the controller architecture can generally be applied to a wide range of automatic control applications.

Jacklin, S. A.↗