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NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Advances in X-ray Instruments to Support Mars Sample Return

The Mars 2020 Perseverance rover is currently collecting drill cores of ancient igneous and sedimentary rock in and around Jezero crater for potential transport to Earth. These samples from the martian surface will enable detailed mineralogical, geochemical, and petrological measurements to characterize ancient depositional and diagenetic environments, quantitatively age-date the samples, and identify the building blocks for life or evidence for life itself. Furthermore, these drill cores are especially precious because they may represent the most pristine samples from the martian surface and our best chance at identifying martian life, as future sample return missions may be conducted by humans that can introduce biological contaminants to the samples. Because of the importance of these samples, we must take great care in their handling, curation, and preliminary analyses so that they are preserved for scientific measurements for decades to come. In-situ measurements by Perseverance have identified minerals that further warrant special treatment of the returned samples. Hydrated sulfate carbonate, swelling clay minerals, and oxychlorine salts are extremely sensitive to changes in temperature and relative humidity. The structures of hydrated sulfates and oxychlorine minerals, in particular, readily change when exposed to different conditions, meaning the mineral assemblage of the as-returned samples may be lost if the samples aren’t handled properly. Characterizing the as-returned mineral assemblage, particularly of the salts, is essential for reconstructing past aqueous conditions and habitability. To characterize the as-returned mineral assemblage, the samples must be analyzed rapidly before phase changes occur and/or under controlled conditions (e.g., within a glove box). Significant recent advances in X-ray instrumentation for robotic exploration of the solar system have resulted in high-resolution miniaturized instruments that would provide mineralogical, geochemical, and petrological information on the returned martian samples without degradation of the mineral assemblage. Here, we describe a combined X-ray diffractometer/X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRD/XRF), an X-ray computed tomographic (XCT) instrument, and a scanned beam XRF mapping instrument that could be used in a glove box so that the martian samples remain under controlled conditions.

E. B. Rampe↗
NASA NTRS2024

Toward Prebiotic Chemistry on Titan: Impact Experiments on Organic Haze Particles

Impacts are critical to producing the aqueous environments necessary to stimulate prebiotic chemistry on Titan's surface. Furthermore, organic hazes resting on the surface are a likely feedstock of biomolecules. In this work, we conduct impact experiments on laboratory-produced organic haze particles and haze/sand mixtures and analyze these samples for life's building blocks. Samples of unshocked haze and sand particles are also analyzed to determine the change in biomolecule concentrations and distributions from shocking. Across all samples, we detect seven nucleobases, nine proteinogenic amino acids, and five other biomolecules (e.g., urea) using a blank subtraction procedure to eliminate signals due to contamination. We find that shock pressures of 13 GPa variably degrade nucleobases, amino acids, and a few other organics in haze particles and haze/sand mixtures; however, certain individual biomolecules become enriched or are even produced from these events. Xanthine, threonine, and aspartic acid are enriched or produced in impact experiments containing sand, suggesting these minerals may catalyze the production of these biomolecules. On the other hand, thymine and isoleucine/norleucine are enriched or produced in haze samples containing no sand, suggesting catalytic grains are not necessary for all impact shock syntheses. Uracil, glycine, proline, cysteine, and tyrosine are the most unstable to impact-related processing. These experiments suggest that impacts alter biomolecule distributions on Titan's surface, and that organic hazes co-occurring with fine-grained material on the surface may provide an initial source for further prebiotic chemistry on Titan.

impact experiments↗
NASA NTRS2016

Evolution of the Lunar Receiving Laboratory to the Astromaterial Sample Curation Facility: Technical Tensions Between Containment and Cleanliness, Between Particulate and Organic Cleanliness

The Lunar Receiving Laboratory (LRL) was planned and constructed in the 1960s to support the Apollo program in the context of landing on the Moon and safely returning humans. The enduring science return from that effort is a result of careful curation of planetary materials. Technical decisions for the first facility included sample handling environment (vacuum vs inert gas), and instruments for making basic sample assessment, but the most difficult decision, and most visible, was stringent biosafety vs ultra-clean sample handling. Biosafety required handling of samples in negative pressure gloveboxes and rooms for containment and use of sterilizing protocols and animal/plant models for hazard assessment. Ultra-clean sample handling worked best in positive pressure nitrogen environment gloveboxes in positive pressure rooms, using cleanable tools of tightly controlled composition. The requirements for these two objectives were so different, that the solution was to design and build a new facility for specific purpose of preserving the scientific integrity of the samples. The resulting Lunar Curatorial Facility was designed and constructed, from 1972-1979, with advice and oversight by a very active committee comprised of lunar sample scientists. The high precision analyses required for planetary science are enabled by stringent contamination control of trace elements in the materials and protocols of construction (e.g., trace element screening for paint and flooring materials) and the equipment used in sample handling and storage. As other astromaterials, especially small particles and atoms, were added to the collections curated, the technical tension between particulate cleanliness and organic cleanliness was addressed in more detail. Techniques for minimizing particulate contamination in sample handling environments use high efficiency air filtering techniques typically requiring organic sealants which offgas. Protocols for reducing adventitious carbon on sample handling surfaces often generate particles. Further work is needed to achieve both minimal particulate and adventitious carbon contamination. This paper will discuss these facility topics and others in the historical context of nearly 50 years' curation experience for lunar rocks and regolith, meteorites, cosmic dust, comet particles, solar wind atoms, and asteroid particles at Johnson Space Center.

Allton, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Information Technology Support in the 8000 Directorate

My summer internship was spent supporting various projects within the Environmental Management Office and Glenn Safety Office. Mentored by Eli Abumeri, I was trained in areas of Information Technology such as: Servers, printers, scanners, CAD systems, Web, Programming, and Database Management, ODIN (networking, computers, and phones). I worked closely with the Chemical Sampling and Analysis Team (CSAT) to redesign a database to more efficiently manage and maintain data collected for the Drinking Water Program. This Program has been established for over fifteen years here at the Glenn Research Center. It involves the continued testing and retesting of all drinking water dispensers. The quality of the drinking water is of great importance and is determined by comparing the concentration of contaminants in the water with specifications set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and its 1986 and 1991 amendments. The Drinking Water Program consists of periodic testing of all drinking water fountains and sinks. Each is tested at least once every 2 years for contaminants and naturally occurring species. The EPA's protocol is to collect an initial and a 5 minute draw from each dispenser. The 5 minute draw is what is used for the maximum contaminant level. However, the CS&AT has added a 30 second draw since most individuals do not run the water 5 minutes prior to drinking. This data is then entered into a relational Microsoft Access database. The database allows for the quick retrieval of any test@) done on any dispenser. The data can be queried by building number, date or test type, and test results are documented in an analytical report for employees to read. To aid with the tracking of recycled materials within the lab, my help was enlisted to create a database that could make this process less cumbersome and more efficient. The date of pickup, type of material, weight received, and unit cost per recyclable. This information could then calculate the dollar amount generated by the recycling of certain materials. This database will ultimately prove useful in determining the amounts of materials consumed by the lab and will help serve as an indicator potential overuse.

FROM↗
NASA NTRS2013

Low Temperature Catalyst for NH3 Removal

Air revitalization technologies maintain a safe atmosphere inside spacecraft by the removal of C02, ammonia (NH3), and trace contaminants. NH3 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) is produced by crew metabolism, payloads, or during an accidental release of thermal control refrigerant. Currently, the ISS relies on removing NH3 via humidity condensate and the crew wears hooded respirators during emergencies. A different approach to cabin NH3 removal is to use selective catalytic oxidation (SCO), which builds on thermal catalytic oxidation concepts that could be incorporated into the existing TCCS process equipment architecture on ISS. A low temperature platinum-based catalyst (LTP-Catalyst) developed at KSC was used for converting NH3 to H20 and N2 gas by SCO. The challenge of implementing SCO is to reduce formation of undesirable byproducts like NOx (N20 and NO). Gas mixture analysis was conducted using FTIR spectrometry in the Regenerable VOC Control System (RVCS) Testbed. The RVCS was modified by adding a 66 L semi-sealed chamber, and a custom NH3 generator. The effect of temperature on NH3 removal using the LTP-Catalyst was examined. A suitable temperature was found where NH3 removal did not produce toxic NO, (NO, N02) and N20 formation was reduced.

Monje, Oscar↗
NASA NTRS2014

Spacecraft Charging Analysis of a CubeSat

Spacecraft charging occurs when charged particles from the surrounding space plasma environment contact a spacecraft and unequal charging currents result in a net charge density accumulation on or in spacecraft materials. Charging becomes a threat when differential potentials between two points on the spacecraft or between the spacecraft and the ambient space environment build to the level that electric fields associated with the potentials exceed the electric breakdown strength of the spacecraft materials and electrostatic discharge arcs are generated. Electrostatic discharges resulting from spacecraft charging can adversely affect telemetry and cause irreparable damage to electronics. Other spacecraft charging effects include damage of solar arrays and thermal protection, enhancement of contamination of surfaces, and degradation of optics. Typically, the large government and commercial space programs include spacecraft charging analysis as part of the design process. CubeSat projects, however, usually do not have the time or funding to include a spacecraft charging analysis due to their low budget and quick-turnaround requirements. CubeSat projects also tend to rely heavily on commercial "off-the-shelf" products, many of which are not qualified for use in space, and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the space environment. As the demand for longer and more complex CubeSat missions increases, it is becoming more and more important to consider the effects of spacecraft charging in the design process. Results of surface charging analysis using Nascap-2k on a typical CubeSat design for a polar orbit scenario are illustrated. These results show that for a polar orbiting CubeSat, spacecraft charging could be an issue and steps should be taken to mitigate the effects for these small satellites.

Willis, Emily M.↗
NASA NTRS2024

Soil Interim Measures Implementation Report Q6 Radar Station – Solid Waste Management Unit 112 Locations of Concern 3 and 10 Kennedy Space Center, Florida

This report presents a summary of the soil interim measures (IM) implementation activities that occurred from January 23 through June 6, 2023, at the Q6 Radar Station (Q6RS) Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) 112, located at the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. The site is monitored under KSC’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Corrective Action Program, which also meets the requirements of Chapter 62-780, Florida Administrative Code. Assessment activities have previously been performed at 10 Q6RS Locations of Concern (LOCs), identified during a SWMU assessment in 2013 (NASA 2013). Since the SWMU assessment, further confirmatory sampling and assessment was conducted for each LOC, and based on the data collected during these assessments, it was determined that Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Facility Investigation to further evaluate soil and groundwater was to be conducted at two LOCs: LOC 1 – Former Underground Storage Tanks (groundwater) and LOC 3 – Radar Antenna Refurbishment Area (soil). The LOC 1 groundwater assessment is ongoing, and the results will be presented under a separate cover. It was also determined that soil IM would be completed at two of the LOCs, LOC 3 and LOC 10 – Compressor Building Condensate Discharge. A Soil IM Work Plan was prepared and submitted in October 2021 (NASA 2021). The plan proposed excavation and disposal of barium and copper impacted soil in the LOC 3 and 10 areas. This report presents a summary and results of the soil IM implementation activities conducted at LOCs 3 and 10. The site contaminates of concern for this soil IM are barium and copper. The activities presented in this report includes soil IM implementation and groundwater sampling. From January 23 through March 24, 2023, AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM) field personnel conducted IM implementation activities in the LOC 3 and 10 areas. As presented in the IM Work Plan, shallow soils, impacted with metals, were excavated to a depth of 2 feet below land surface in the central area of the site around the radar antenna and associated equipment. AECOM personnel excavated 77.43 tons of soil using hand tools and, when able, heavy equipment. The soils were placed into lined roll-off containers, which were covered and transported under manifest to the Cedar Trail Landfill in Bartow, Florida. The site was restored to original condition using certified clean backfill material (sand), with filter fabric, and gravel. Areas outside of the excavation were restored with grass seed. On June 6, 2023, AECOM field personnel conducted groundwater sampling activities within the soil IM excavation area. AECOM personnel collected one groundwater sample from monitoring well Q6RS-MW0003. The sample was submitted to a fixed-based laboratory for analysis by United States Environmental Protection Agency Method 6020B for metals (barium and copper). Barium and copper were detected at 18 micrograms per liter (µg/L) and 14 µg/L, respectively, and were below the State of Florida Groundwater Cleanup Target Levels (GCTLs) for barium at 2,000 µg/L and copper at 1,000 µg/L.

Chadwick Sloan Lee↗
NASA NTRS2012

VIIRS On-Orbit Optical Anomaly - Investigation, Analysis, Root Cause Determination and Lessons Learned

A gradual, but persistent, decrease in the optical throughput was detected during the early commissioning phase for the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (SNPP) Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Near Infrared (NIR) bands. Its initial rate and unknown cause were coincidently coupled with a decrease in sensitivity in the same spectral wavelength of the Solar Diffuser Stability Monitor (SDSM) raising concerns about contamination or the possibility of a system-level satellite problem. An anomaly team was formed to investigate and provide recommendations before commissioning could resume. With few hard facts in hand, there was much speculation about possible causes and consequences of the degradation. Two different causes were determined as will be explained in this paper. This paper will describe the build and test history of VIIRS, why there were no indicators, even with hindsight, of an on-orbit problem, the appearance of the on-orbit anomaly, the initial work attempting to understand and determine the cause, the discovery of the root cause and what Test-As-You-Fly (TAYF) activities, can be done in the future to greatly reduce the likelihood of similar optical anomalies. These TAYF activities are captured in the lessons learned section of this paper.

Iona, Glenn↗
NASA NTRS2004

Solid oxidized fuel cells seals leakage setup and testing

As the world s reserves of fossil fuels are depleted, the U.S. Government, as well as other countries and private industries, is researching solutions for obtaining power, answers that would be more efficient and environmentally friendly. For a long time engineers have been trying to obtain the benefits of clean electric power without heavy batteries or pollution-producing engines. While some of the inventions proved to be effective (i.e. solar panels or windmills) their applications are limited due to dependency on the energy source (i.e. sun or wind). Currently, as energy concerns increase, research is being carried out on the development of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). The United States government is taking a proactive role in expanding the technology through the Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) Program, which is coordinated by the Department of Energy. into an electrical energy. This occurs by the means of natural tendency of oxygen and hydrogen to chemically react. While controlling the process, it is possible to harvest the energy given off by the reaction. SOFCs use currently available fossil fuels and convert a variety of those fuels with very high efficiency (about 40% more efficient than modem thermal power plants). At the same time they are almost entirely nonpolluting and due to their size they can be placed in remote areas. The main fields where the application of the fuel cells appears to be the most useful for are stationary energy sources, transportation, and military applications. structure and materials must be resolved. All the components must be operational in harsh environments including temperatures reaching 800 C and cyclic thermal- mechanical loading. Under these conditions, the main concern is the requirement for hermetic seals to: (1) prevent mixing of the fuel and oxidant within the stack, (2) prevent parasitic leakage of the fuel from the stack, (3) prevent contamination of the anode by air leaking into the stack, (4) electrically isolate the individual cells within the stack, and (5) mechanically bond the cell components. The sealing challenges are aggravated by the need to maintain hermetic boundaries between the different flow paths within the fuel cell throughout cycled operation. Within the timeframe of my tenure, the main objective is to assist in building a state-of-art test facility.

Bastrzyk, Marta B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Evaluation of Fungal Metabolic Compounds Released to the Air in a Restricted Environment

The metabolic action of selected fungi species on common components of the interior of Space Station Freedom (SSF) will be tested. When present, volatile organic chemicals will be collected on porous polymer adsorbent columns. Using thermal desorption, the volatile compounds will be passed onto a gas chromatographic column for analysis. The Space Station Freedom (SSF) modular complex will largely be individually self contained and the established air environment will not be easily adjusted. The development and maintenance of a safe working environment offers a considerable challenge. Present plans for use of SSF acknowledge periods of manned activities and alternate times when the station is unmanned. The obvious necessity for clean and safe air and water during periods of use have been pursued as fundamental systems to SSF success. Somewhat less obvious, although perhaps of no less importance to the success of long term cyclic usage, are those periods of inactivity. It is during these periods when spores from microorganisms may be afforded the best conditions to germinate and in the vegetative form react with the complex synthetic chemical polymers which compose the furnishings and hardware of SSF nodes. Biodegradation could constitute a real hygiene problem, if the organisms form and release volatile organic chemicals. Similar problems have been documented in closed and improperly ventilated buildings and work spaces. Many of the metabolic products of fungi and bacterial growth create a variety of health problems. Analytical chemical techniques will first be used to document the growth of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium fungal species on the potential substrates Nomex and Kevlar. Any volatile organics that are released will be measured using the spectrum of gas adsorption chromatography. The level of microbial contamination that is necessary to produce such volatile compounds and the relative amounts expected to accumulate will be estimated.

Ferebee, Robert N.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Evaluation of Hands-Free Devices for the Display of Maintenance Procedures

Over the past year, NASA's focus has turned to crewed long duration and exploration missions. On these journeys, crewmembers will be required to execute thousands of procedures to maintain life support systems, check out space suits, conduct science experiments, and perform medical exams. To support the many complex tasks crewmembers undertake in microgravity, NASA is interested in providing crewmembers a hands-free work environment to promote more efficient operations. The overarching objective is to allow crewmembers to use both of their hands for tasks related to their mission, versus holding a paper manual or interacting with a display. The use of advanced, hands-free tools will undoubtedly make the crewmembers task easier, but they can also add to overall task complexity if not properly designed. A leading candidate technology for supporting a hands-free environment is the Head-Mounted Display (HMD). A more recent technology (e-book reader) that could be easily temp-stowed near the work area is also a potential hands-free solution. Previous work at NASA involved the evaluation of several commercially available HMDs for visual quality, comfort, and fit, as well as suitability for use in microgravity. Based on results from this work, three HMDs were selected for further evaluation (along with an e-book reader), using International Space Station (ISS)-like maintenance procedures. Two evaluations were conducted in the Space Station Mockup and Trainer Facility (SSMTF) located at the NASA Johnson Space Center (building 9). The SSMTF is a full scale, medium fidelity replica of the pressurized portions of the ISS. It supports crew training such as ingress and egress, habitability, and emergency procedures. In each of the two evaluations, the participants performed two maintenance procedures. One maintenance procedure involved inspecting air filters in a life support system and replacing them with a clean filter if one were found to be contaminated. The second maintenance procedure focused on working in a confined space; specifically, pulling down a rack to inspect wiring configurations, and rewiring in a different pattern. The maintenance procedures were selected to assess mobility, tool use, and access to multiple document sources during task performance. That is, the participant had to move from rack to rack, use a wrench, a camera, etc., replace components, and refer to diagrams to complete tasks. A constraint was imposed that the ISS-like format of the procedures was to be retained, and not modified or optimized for the electronic device ("plug and play" approach). This was based on future plans to test with real procedures on ISS.

Ronald B Hoffman↗
NASA NTRS2016

In-Space Recycler Technology Demonstration

In 2014, a 3D printer was installed and used successfully on the International Space Station (ISS), creating the first additively manufactured part in space. While additive manufacturing is a game changing technology for exploration missions, the process still requires raw feedstock material to fabricate parts. Without a recycling capability, a large supply of feedstock would need to be stored onboard, which negates the logistical benefits of these capabilities. Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (TUI), received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award to design and build the first In-space Recycler for demonstration aboard the ISS in 2017. To fully test this technology in microgravity, parts will be 3D printed, recycled into reusable filament, and then reprinted into new parts. Recycling scrap into printer filament is quite challenging in that a recycler must be able to handle a large variety of possible scrap configurations and densities. New challenges include: dealing with inevitable contamination of the scrap material, minimizing damage to the molecular structure of the plastic during reprocessing, managing a larger volume of hot liquid plastic, and exercising greater control over the cooling/resolidification of the material. TUI has developed an architecture that addresses these challenges by combining standard, proven technologies with novel, patented processes developed through this effort. Results show that the filament diameter achieved is more consistent than commercial filament, with only minimal degradation of material properties over recycling steps. In May 2016, TUI completed fabrication of a flight prototype, which will ultimately progress to the demonstration unit for the ISS as a testbed for future exploration missions. This capability will provide significant cost savings by reducing the launch mass and volume required for printer feedstock as well as reduce waste that must be stored or disposed.

Recycling↗
NASA NTRS1986

Observations of electric fields near the plasmapause at midnight

Static electric field measurements in the equatorial-plane from the 100-m double floating probe experiment carried on the SCATHA (P-78-2) satellite are reported. Eclipse measurements on auroral L shells are studied to better understand the change in magnetospheric convection at the plasmapause. The use of eclipse data allows the electric fields to be measured directly without contamination from the spacecraft photoelectron sheath; and it allows the thermal ion population in the outer plasmasphere to be observed, identifying the satellite location with respect to the plasmapause. (Such measurements are limited to near local midnight). It is found that, in the corotating frame, there is generally an electric field component in the antisolar direction during periods of low magnetic activity which begins at the edge of the plasmasphere and builds in amplitude as the satellite enters the plasma sheet. The amplitude of this electric field varies from 0.05 mV/m to 0.2 mV/m with increasing magnetic activity; the electric field switches to radially inward during periods of high activity with magnitudes up to 2 mV/m. The amplitude of the observed electric field increases with the amount of contribution from east-west currents in the earth's plasma sheet-magnetotail current system.

Olsen, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Plasma interactions and surface/material effects

A discussion on plasma interactions and surface/material effects is summarized. The key issues in this area were: (1) the lack of data on the material properties of common spacecraft surface materials; (2) lack of understanding of the contamination and decontamination processes; and (3) insufficient analytical tools to model synergistic phenomena related to plasma interactions. Without an adequate database of material properties, accurate system performance predictions cannot be made. The interdisciplinary nature of the surface-plasma interactions area makes it difficult to plan and maintain a coherent theoretical and experimental program. The shuttle glow phenomenon is an excellent example of an unanticipated, complex interaction involving synergism between surface and plasma effects. Building an adequate technology base for understanding and predicting surface-plasma interactions will require the coordinated efforts of engineers, chemists, and physicists. An interdisciplinary R and D program should be organized to deal with similar problems that the space systems of the 21st century may encounter.

Mandel, M.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Air Purification in Closed Environments: An Overview of Spacecraft Systems

The primary goal for a collective protection system and a spacecraft environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) are strikingly similar. Essentially both function to provide the occupants of a building or vehicle with a safe, habitable environment. The collective protection system shields military and civilian personnel from short-term exposure to external threats presented by toxic agents and industrial chemicals while an ECLSS sustains astronauts for extended periods within the hostile environment of space. Both have air quality control similarities with various aircraft and 'tight' buildings. This paper reviews basic similarities between air purification system requirements for collective protection and an ECLSS that define surprisingly common technological challenges and solutions. Systems developed for air revitalization on board spacecraft are discussed along with some history on their early development as well as a view of future needs. Emphasis is placed upon two systems implemented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) onboard the International Space Station (ISS): the trace contaminant control system (TCCS) and the molecular sieve-based carbon dioxide removal assembly (CDRA). Over its history, the NASA has developed and implemented many life support systems for astronauts. As the duration, complexity, and crew size of manned missions increased from minutes or hours for a single astronaut during Project Mercury to days and ultimately months for crews of 3 or more during the Apollo, Skylab, Shuttle, and ISS programs, these systems have become more sophisticated. Systems aboard spacecraft such as the ISS have been designed to provide long-term environmental control and life support. Challenges facing the NASA's efforts include minimizing mass, volume, and power for such systems, while maximizing their safety, reliability, and performance. This paper will highlight similarities and differences among air purification systems. Additional information is included in the original extended abstract.

Perry, Jay L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The use of tethered satellites for the collection of cosmic dust and the sampling of man made orbital debris far from the space station

The use of a tethered subsatellite employed downward into the earth's upper atmosphere to an altitude of about 110 km above the earth would eliminate the orbital contamination problem while at the same time affording a measure of atmospheric braking to reduce the velocities of many particles to where they may be captured intact or nearly so with properly designed collectors. The same technique could also be used to monitor the flux of all types of man-made orbital debris out to a distance of more than a hundred kilometers in any direction from the space station. In this way the build up of any debris belt orbiting earth could be determined. The actual collecting elements used for both purposes could be of several different materials and designs so as to optimize the collection of different types of particles with different densities. Stacks of foils, films, plastics, and foams, as well as simple capture cells would be mounted in clusters around the outside of a tethered satellite and protected by iris covers until the tethered had been fully deployed. If the orientation history of the satellite were known the direction of the incoming material could be infered. A chief advantage in deploying such tethered collectors from the Space Station instead of from the shuttle is the ability to maintain deployment of the tether for days instead of hours resulting in much greater yields of intact particles and impact debris.

Corso, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Super Clean, Super Safe

The Supersonic Gas/Liquid Cleaning System (SS-GLCS) has applications ranging from cleaning circuit boards to scouring building exteriors. The system does not abrade the surface of the hardware being cleaned, and it requires much lower levels of pressure while using very little water. An alternative to CFC-based solvents, the system mixes air and water from separate pressurized tanks, ejecting the gas- liquid mixture at supersonic speeds from a series of nozzles at the end of a hand-held wand. The water droplets have the kinetic energy to forcibly remove the contaminant material. The system leaves very little fluid that must be handled as contaminated waste. It can be applied in the aerospace, automotive, and medical industries, as well as to circuit boards, electronics, machinery, metals, plastics, and optics. With a nozzle that can be oriented in any direction, the system is adjustable to allow all sides of a part to be cleaned without reorientation. It requires minimal training and is easily moved on built-in casters

Source record↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Planetary Protection at Marshall Space Flight Center

Planetary Protection (PP) at NASA aims to 1) protect solar system bodies from contamination by Earth life and 2) protect Earth from possible life forms that may be returned from other solar system bodies. It is particularly relevant for missions focused on life detection. PP specialists at MSFC act as subject matter experts to interpret PP requirements and communicate with other NASA centers and/or vendors to ensure compliance. This includes insight and oversight to help projects consider and plan PP implementation during design phases. It also includes physical implementation during build, assembly, and test operations, (i.e. microbial sampling of environments and spacecraft) to help maintain cleanliness. MSFC has also expanded to include PP research which included standing up a fully functional BSL2 microbiology laboratory.

Planetary Protection↗