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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 109 records · Page 6

Rendezvous Integration Complexities of NASA Human Flight Vehicles

Propellant-optimal trajectories, relative sensors and navigation, and docking/capture mechanisms are rendezvous disciplines that receive much attention in the technical literature. However, other areas must be considered. These include absolute navigation, maneuver targeting, attitude control, power generation, software development and verification, redundancy management, thermal control, avionics integration, robotics, communications, lighting, human factors, crew timeline, procedure development, orbital debris risk mitigation, structures, plume impingement, logistics, and in some cases extravehicular activity. While current and future spaceflight programs will introduce new technologies and operations concepts, the complexity of integrating multiple systems on multiple spacecraft will remain. The systems integration task may become more difficult as increasingly complex software is used to meet current and future automation, autonomy, and robotic operation requirements.

Brazzel, Jack P.↗

A Battery Certification Testbed for Small Satellite Missions

A battery pack consisting of standard cylindrical 18650 lithium-ion cells has been chosen for small satellite missions based on previous flight heritage and compliance with NASA battery safety requirements. However, for batteries that transit through the International Space Station (ISS), additional certification tests are required for individual cells as well as the battery packs. In this manuscript, we discuss the development of generalized testbeds for testing and certifying different types of batteries critical to small satellite missions. Test procedures developed and executed for this certification effort include: a detailed physical inspection before and after experiments; electrical cycling characterization at the cell and pack levels; battery-pack overcharge, over-discharge, external short testing; battery-pack vacuum leak and vibration testing. The overall goals of these certification procedures are to conform to requirements set forth by the agency and identify unique safety hazards. The testbeds, procedures, and experimental results are discussed for batteries chosen for small satellite missions to be launched from the ISS.

Certification↗

Expert system verification and validation study: ES V/V Workshop

The primary purpose of this document is to build a foundation for applying principles of verification and validation (V&V) of expert systems. To achieve this, some V&V as applied to conventionally implemented software is required. Part one will discuss the background of V&V from the perspective of (1) what is V&V of software and (2) V&V's role in developing software. Part one will also overview some common analysis techniques that are applied when performing V&V of software. All of these materials will be presented based on the assumption that the reader has little or no background in V&V or in developing procedural software. The primary purpose of part two is to explain the major techniques that have been developed for V&V of expert systems.

French, Scott↗

Managing the Implementation of Mission Operations Automation

Reducing the cost of mission operations has necessitated a high level of automation both on spacecraft and ground systems. While automation on spacecraft is implemented during the design phase, ground system automation tends to be implemented during the prime mission operations phase. Experience has shown that this tendency for late automation development can be hindered by several factors: additional hardware and software resources may need to be procured; software must be developed and tested on a non-interference basis with primary operations with limited manpower; and established procedures may not be suited for automation requiring substantial rework. In this paper we will review the experience of successfully automating mission operations for seven on-orbit missions: the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO), the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE), the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE), Interplanetary Physics Laboratory (WIND), Polar Plasma Laboratory (POLAR), and the Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE). We will provide lessons learned in areas such as: spacecraft recorder management, procedure development, lights out commanding from the ground system vs. stored command loads, spacecraft contingency response time, and ground station interfaces. Implementing automation strategies during the mission concept and spacecraft integration and test phase as the most efficient method will be discussed.

Sodano, R.↗

On a Formal Tool for Reasoning About Flight Software Cost Analysis

A report focuses on the development of flight software (FSW) cost estimates for 16 Discovery-class missions at JPL. The techniques and procedures developed enabled streamlining of the FSW analysis process, and provided instantaneous confirmation that the data and processes used for these estimates were consistent across all missions. The research provides direction as to how to build a prototype rule-based system for FSW cost estimation that would provide (1) FSW cost estimates, (2) explanation of how the estimates were arrived at, (3) mapping of costs, (4) mathematical trend charts with explanations of why the trends are what they are, (5) tables with ancillary FSW data of interest to analysts, (6) a facility for expert modification/enhancement of the rules, and (7) a basis for conceptually convenient expansion into more complex, useful, and general rule-based systems.

Spagnuolo, John N., Jr.↗

Flight dynamics of rotorcraft in steep high-g turns

An analyticl procedure developed to permit a systematic examination of rotorcraft flight dynamics in steep high-g turns is presented. The procedure is used in a numerical investigation of a tilt-rotor aircraft and three single-rotor helicopters that have different types of main rotor systems. The results indicate (1) that strong coupling in longitudinal and lateral-directional motions exists for these rotorcraft in high-g turns; (2) that for single-rotor helicopters, the direction of turn has a significant influence on flight dynamics; and (3) that a stability and control augmentation system that is designed on the basis of standard small-disturbance equations of motion from steady straight and level flight and that otherwise performs satisfactorily in operations near 1 g, becomes significantly degraded in steep turning flight.

Chen, R. T. N.↗

Computational models for the analysis of three-dimensional internal and exhaust plume flowfields

This paper describes computational procedures developed for the analysis of three-dimensional supersonic ducted flows and multinozzle exhaust plume flowfields. The models/codes embodying these procedures cater to a broad spectrum of geometric situations via the use of multiple reference plane grid networks in several coordinate systems. Shock capturing techniques are employed to trace the propagation and interaction of multiple shock surfaces while the plume interface, separating the exhaust and external flows, and the plume external shock are discretely analyzed. The computational grid within the reference planes follows the trace of streamlines to facilitate the incorporation of finite-rate chemistry and viscous computational capabilities. Exhaust gas properties consist of combustion products in chemical equilibrium. The computational accuracy of the models/codes is assessed via comparisons with exact solutions, results of other codes and experimental data. Results are presented for the flows in two-dimensional convergent and divergent ducts, expansive and compressive corner flows, flow in a rectangular nozzle and the plume flowfields for exhausts issuing out of single and multiple rectangular nozzles.

Dash, S. M.↗

Analysis Of Fractures In Sublaminates

Computational procedure developed to predict mechanical behavior and interactions of individual plies or sublaminates of fiber/matrix laminate structures. Embodied in computer code, procedure useful for computation of stresses in regions affected by delaminations, transverse cracks, discontinuities caused by manufacturing errors, configurations, and loading conditions. Analysis applied to all layers in laminate or to only few layers surrounding defects.

Valisetty, R. R.↗

Computational strategies for three-dimensional flow simulations on distributed computer systems

An increasing amount of research activity in computational fluid dynamics has been devoted to the development of efficient algorithms for parallel computing systems. The increasing performance to price ratio of engineering workstations has led to research to development procedures for implementing a parallel computing system composed of distributed workstations. This thesis proposal outlines an ongoing research program to develop efficient strategies for performing three-dimensional flow analysis on distributed computing systems. The PVM parallel programming interface was used to modify an existing three-dimensional flow solver, the TEAM code developed by Lockheed for the Air Force, to function as a parallel flow solver on clusters of workstations. Steady flow solutions were generated for three different wing and body geometries to validate the code and evaluate code performance. The proposed research will extend the parallel code development to determine the most efficient strategies for unsteady flow simulations.

Weed, Richard Allen↗

Integrated tools for teleoperated satellite repair

Tools and tool handling techniques designed for demonstrating the use of the Advanced Teleoperation System at JPL in satellite repair operations are described in this paper. Our model for the repair demonstration is the Main Electronics Box (MEB) replacement on the Solar Maximum Satellite Repair (SMSR) procedure developed by NASA and successfully performed by the crew of Space Shuttle STS-13 in 1984. A summary of the repair procedure consists of uncovering thermal protection blankets on the satellite, removing screws from the MEB panel, opening the panel and clamping it in place, then removing electrical connectors from their sockets, cutting cords that hold electrical cables to the MEB panel, replacing the panel, and finally reversing the previous procedures. Methods for handling tools used in our SMSR procedure, along with details of the tool designs are discussed in this paper.

Das, H.↗

Simulating Microfracture In Metal-Matrix Composites

Computational procedures developed for simulating microfracture in metal-matrix/fiber composite materials under mechanical and/or thermal loads at ambient and high temperatures. Procedures evaluate microfracture behavior of composites, establish hierarchies and sequences of fracture modes, and examine influences of compliant layers and partial debonding on properties of composites and on initiation of microfractures in them.

Mital, Subodh K.↗

Improvement of screening methods for silicon planar semiconductor devices

The results of the program for the development of a more sensitive method for selecting silicon planar semiconductor devices for long life applications are reported. The manufacturing technologies (MOS and Bipolar) are discussed along with the screening procedures developed as a result of the tests and evaluations, and the effectiveness of the MOS and Bilayer screening procedures are evaluated.

Berger, W. M.↗

Investigation of advanced counterrotation blade configuration concepts for high speed turboprop systems. Task 4: Advanced fan section aerodynamic analysis computer program user's manual

The computer program user's manual for the ADPACAPES (Advanced Ducted Propfan Analysis Code-Average Passage Engine Simulation) program is included. The objective of the computer program is development of a three-dimensional Euler/Navier-Stokes flow analysis for fan section/engine geometries containing multiple blade rows and multiple spanwise flow splitters. An existing procedure developed by Dr. J. J. Adamczyk and associates at the NASA Lewis Research Center was modified to accept multiple spanwise splitter geometries and simulate engine core conditions. The numerical solution is based upon a finite volume technique with a four stage Runge-Kutta time marching procedure. Multiple blade row solutions are based upon the average-passage system of equations. The numerical solutions are performed on an H-type grid system, with meshes meeting the requirement of maintaining a common axisymmetric mesh for each blade row grid. The analysis was run on several geometry configurations ranging from one to five blade rows and from one to four radial flow splitters. The efficiency of the solution procedure was shown to be the same as the original analysis.

Crook, Andrew J.↗

A compendium of controlled diffusion blades generated by an automated inverse design procedure

A set of sample cases was produced to test an automated design procedure developed at the NASA Lewis Research Center for the design of controlled diffusion blades. The range of application of the automated design procedure is documented. The results presented include characteristic compressor and turbine blade sections produced with the automated design code as well as various other airfoils produced with the base design method prior to the incorporation of the automated procedure.

Sanz, Jose M.↗

Numerical Methodology For Full-Body TPS Sizing And Optimization For Access-To-Space Vehicles

This paper presents details of the methodology and numerical procedures developed at NASA Ames for full-body TEXAS sizing and optimization for Access to Space vehicle concepts. The core of the procedures is a robust implicit solver for one dimensional transient heat conduction in reusable multilayer TEXAS stackups. The solver includes an arbitrary number of material layers, contact resistances between materials, temperature and pressure dependent material and surface properties, numerous boundary-condition options, and self-adaptive time stepping. The solver is coupled with the Access-to-Space material database of 23 candidate TPS and structural materials and a thermal-environment database obtained from trajectory-based fullbody Navier-Stokes computations of the external flowfield. The thermal environment and material response are coupled through the use of T-type heat transfer coefficients. TIPS sizing and weight optimization are performed at every surface point on the vehicle based on sizing constraints which include material temperature limits, maximum backwall temperature, and cumulative interior heat flux. Typical results are presented for a lifting body concept with 10000 surface points, which required 35 minutes to compute on an SGI Indigo 2.

Milos, Frank S.↗

Viscous/Inviscid Interaction On An Oscillating Airfoil

Viscous/inviscid-interaction procedure developed for computation of two-dimensional flow of air about airfoil, angle of attack of which oscillates at high amplitude. Purpose of procedure to study flow effects in dynamic stall. Bulk of flow treated as inviscid, while effects of viscosity treated only on surface of airfoil and in boundary layer. Inviscid part of flow simulated via time-marching, unsteady-subsonic-flow panel method incorporating appropriate distributions of unsteady surface and wake singularities.

Carr, L. W.↗

Development and Flight of the NASA-Ames Research Center Payload on Spacelab-J

Spacelab-J was an international Spacelab mission with numerous innovative Japanese and American materials and life science experiments. Two of the Spacelab-J experiments were designed over a period of more than a decade by a team from NASA-Ames Research Center. The Frog Embryology Experiment investigated and is helping to resolve a century-long quandary on the effects of gravity on amphibian development. The Autogenic Feedback Training Experiment, flown on Spacelab-J as part of a multi-mission investigation, studied the effects of Autogenic Feedback Therapy on limiting the effects of Space Motion Sickness on astronauts. Both experiments employed the use of a wide variety of specially designed hardware to achieve the experiment objectives. This paper reviews the development of both experiments, from the initial announcement of opportunity in 1978, through selection on Spacelab-J and subsequent hardware and science procedures development, culminating in the highly successful Spacelab-J flight in September 1992.

Schmidt, Gregory K.↗

Extracting a representative loading spectrum from recorded flight data

One of the more important ingredients when computing the life of a structure is the loading environment. This paper describes the development of an aircraft loading spectrum that closely matches the service experience, thus allowing a more accurate assessment of the structural life. The paper outlines the flight loads data collection system, the procedures developed to compile and interpret the service records and the techniques used to define a spectrum suitable for structural life analysis. The areas where the procedures were tailored to suit the special situation of the USAF B-1B bomber are also discussed. the results of the methodology verification, achieved by comparing the generated spectra with the results of strain gage monitoring during service operations, are also presented.

Denyer, Anthony G.↗