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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

Atmosphere Explorer control system software (version 2.0)

The Atmosphere Explorer Control System (AECS) was developed to provide automatic computer control of the Atmosphere Explorer spacecraft and experiments. The software performs several vital functions, such as issuing commands to the spacecraft and experiments, receiving and processing telemetry data, and allowing for extensive data processing by experiment analysis programs. The AECS was written for a 48K XEROX Data System Sigma 5 computer, and coexists in core with the XDS Real-time Batch Monitor (RBM) executive system. RBM is a flexible operating system designed for a real-time foreground/background environment, and hence is ideally suited for this application. Existing capabilities of RBM have been used as much as possible by AECS to minimize programming redundancy. The most important functions of the AECS are to send commands to the spacecraft and experiments, and to receive, process, and display telemetry data.

Mocarsky, W.↗

Controlled deorbit of the Saturn S-IVB stage

The S-IVB stage with Instrument Unit (IU) has been successfully deorbited in the Pacific corridor following each launch of the Skylab crew. A description of the S-IVB hardware and the deorbit method includes an evaluation of stage capabilities and of stage conditions, propellant residuals, and available propellants required to provide the deorbit impulse. A significant feature of the method employs real-time monitoring of stage systems performance to optimize the timing of the deorbit sequence. Results of the deorbited flight stages are presented and compared to preflight and real-time determined available impulse and footprint.

Mcharris, G. A.↗

Analytical simulation of the far-field jet noise and the unsteady jet flow-field by a model of periodic shedding of vortex ring from the jet exit

The construction of a theoretical flow field due to shedding of vortex rings, the identification of the controlling parameters, and the determination of whether the theoretical model successfully simulated the unsteady pressure field near jet (and consequently the far field noise) was studied. The basic parameters contained in the analytic solutions were the epoch at which a vortex ring was shed near the jet exit and the eddy viscosity coefficient. These parameters were identified from the experimental data for the real-time pressure and from the spread of the mixing layer of the jet. Results of the theoretical analysis show good qualitative agreement with the experimental data.

Liu, C. H.↗

A Standard Kinematic Model for Flight Simulation at NASA Ames

A standard kinematic model for aircraft simulation exists at NASA-Ames on a variety of computer systems, one of which is used to control the flight simulator for advanced aircraft (FSAA). The derivation of the kinematic model is given and various mathematical relationships are presented as a guide. These include descriptions of standardized simulation subsystems such as the atmospheric turbulence model and the generalized six-degrees-of-freedom trim routine, as well as an introduction to the emulative batch-processing system which enables this facility to optimize its real-time environment.

Mcfarland, R. E.↗

Computing and data transmission for the prediction steering of the Goonhilly satellite-communication aerial

The Goonhilly satellite-communication aerial uses an 85-ft. diameter paraboloidal reflector with waveguide feed at the focus. The aerial is movable in azimuth and elevation, and is provided with independent feedback control systems for these two motions. During a satellite pass, the aerial must be steered so that its axis points continuously, and with high accuracy, in the direction of the satellite. Of the various possible methods of achieving this result, that based on prediction of satellite position has been adopted for the first transatlantic communication experiments using the Telstar and Relay satellites. The process by which orbital predictions originating in the USA are converted to substantially continuous real-time azimuth and elevation pointing instructions at Goonhilly is described herein.

GROUND STATION↗

V/STOL tilt rotor study. Volume 5: A mathematical model for real time flight simulation of the Bell model 301 tilt rotor research aircraft

A mathematical model for real-time flight simulation of a tilt rotor research aircraft was developed. The mathematical model was used to support the aircraft design, pilot training, and proof-of-concept aspects of the development program. The structure of the mathematical model is indicated by a block diagram. The mathematical model differs from that for a conventional fixed wing aircraft principally in the added requirement to represent the dynamics and aerodynamics of the rotors, the interaction of the rotor wake with the airframe, and the rotor control and drive systems. The constraints imposed on the mathematical model are defined.

P B Harendra↗

System definition of SEASAT-A, an ocean observation satellite

SEASAT will be an earth-satellite system designed to monitor and observe ocean dynamics in order to provide data for real-time use and predictive purposes. SEASAT-A will be a prototype satellite which will provide experience for system development and some operational demonstration capability. The SEASAT-A will use passive and active visible, infrared, and microwave sensing techniques. The payload will include a scanning radiometer (SR) and a scanning multichannel microwave radiometer (SMMR), which are passive sensors, a short-pulse altimeter, a scatterometer, and a synthetic aperture radar, which are active. The major functional elements considered in the definition-phase studies are the sensors, data handling, communications, attitude control, power, orbit adjust, thermal control, structures, and mechanical design. An existing satellite bus, with sensors and sensor modules to be developed, is to be used on SEASAT-A.

Rose, J. R.↗

A computer-controlled scintiscanning system and associated computer graphic techniques for study of regional distribution of blood flow.

Two methods whereby a digital computer may be used to regulate a scintiscanning process are discussed from the viewpoint of computer input-output software. The computer's function, in this case, is to govern the data acquisition and storage, and to display the results to the investigator in a meaningful manner, both during and subsequent to the scanning process. Several methods (such as three-dimensional maps, contour plots, and wall-reflection maps) have been developed by means of which the computer can graphically display the data on-line, for real-time monitoring purposes, during the scanning procedure and subsequently for detailed analysis of the data obtained. A computer-governed method for converting scintiscan data recorded over the dorsal or ventral surfaces of the thorax into fractions of pulmonary blood flow traversing the right and left lungs is presented.

Coulam, C. M.↗

The Future of in-Situ Sequencing-Based Microbial Monitoring: Development of a Shelf-Stable Method for Artemis and Beyond

Microbial monitoring onboard the International Space Station (ISS) is essential for assessing the efficiency of the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) and providing insight into potential risk to both crew and spacecraft. Historically, this monitoring required the need to culture organisms onboard, return these cultures to Earth, and then complete the identifications, a process that would take months. Over the past decade, and through numerous payloads, advances in molecular biology have enabled in-flight microbial identifications using nanopore sequencing. The swab-to-sequencer method resulting from these efforts was transitioned from research to operations for microbial monitoring under the Crew Health Care Systems (CHeCS) BioMole. Collectively, these accomplishments have propelled the swab-to-sequencer method to be selected as the Microbial Surface Monitor (MSM) for Gateway, as well as a payload on Artemis IV. However, the lack of cold stowage availability for Artemis requires modifications to the entire method due to the thermal instability of the reagents required for sample preparation. To achieve this, new development, optimization, and validations were undertaken. Key considerations included enzyme concentration, buffer compatibility, and equal or enhanced sensitivity and specificity. At each step, thorough side-by-side comparisons with the current ISS method were performed. The development of a robust shelf-stable method will ensure continued sequencing-based microbial monitoring for Artemis and beyond, providing data in near real-time, enhancing risk response time, and yielding clear insight into the microbiome of spacecraft.

Christian G Mena↗

Apollo experience report: Real-time auxiliary computing facility development

The Apollo real time auxiliary computing function and facility were an extension of the facility used during the Gemini Program. The facility was expanded to include support of all areas of flight control, and computer programs were developed for mission and mission-simulation support. The scope of the function was expanded to include prime mission support functions in addition to engineering evaluations, and the facility became a mandatory mission support facility. The facility functioned as a full scale mission support activity until after the first manned lunar landing mission. After the Apollo 11 mission, the function and facility gradually reverted to a nonmandatory, offline, on-call operation because the real time program flexibility was increased and verified sufficiently to eliminate the need for redundant computations. The evaluation of the facility and function and recommendations for future programs are discussed in this report.

Allday, C. E.↗

Electro-optical processing of phased array data

An on-line spatial light modulator for application as the input transducer for a real-time optical data processing system is described. The use of such a device in the analysis and processing of radar data in real time is reported. An interface from the optical processor to a control digital computer was designed, constructed, and tested. The input transducer, optical system, and computer interface have been operated in real time with real time radar data with the input data returns recorded on the input crystal, processed by the optical system, and the output plane pattern digitized, thresholded, and outputted to a display and storage in the computer memory. The correlation of theoretical and experimental results is discussed.

Casasent, D.↗

Induced shock pulse testing by transient waveform control

A method of synthesizing an arbitrarily shaped transient time pulse on vibration exciters is described. The transient waveform control technique is based on recent developments in digital time series analysis, the real-time FFT processor. A brief description of the theory, error estimates and hardware/software implementation to the JPL Dynamic Environmental Testing Laboratory is presented.

Kim, B. K.↗

Highly reliable processor system for space application.

Description of a redundant processor organization which can be implemented with off-the-shelf processors for fault-tolerant operation. Reconfiguration can be performed automatically in a transientless manner. To support this system configuration and redundancy management concept, an operating system referred to as a synchronous executive has been designed. This system is directed at real-time closed-loop space applications where minimum response time, no degradation of software solution, and system simplicity are of importance. The system is based on a multicomputer organization with each machine solving the same problem based on a common set of inputs. Processor status is fed to a higher-level device which selects a controlling processor for controlling outputs and monitoring computers for fault detection.

Tsou, H. S. E.↗