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At least 1,135 records · Page 63
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2007

Optics Program Simplifies Analysis and Design

Engineers at Goddard Space Flight Center partnered with software experts at Mide Technology Corporation, of Medford, Massachusetts, through a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to design the Disturbance-Optics-Controls-Structures (DOCS) Toolbox, a software suite for performing integrated modeling for multidisciplinary analysis and design. The DOCS Toolbox integrates various discipline models into a coupled process math model that can then predict system performance as a function of subsystem design parameters. The system can be optimized for performance; design parameters can be traded; parameter uncertainties can be propagated through the math model to develop error bounds on system predictions; and the model can be updated, based on component, subsystem, or system level data. The Toolbox also allows the definition of process parameters as explicit functions of the coupled model and includes a number of functions that analyze the coupled system model and provide for redesign. The product is being sold commercially by Nightsky Systems Inc., of Raleigh, North Carolina, a spinoff company that was formed by Mide specifically to market the DOCS Toolbox. Commercial applications include use by any contractors developing large space-based optical systems, including Lockheed Martin Corporation, The Boeing Company, and Northrup Grumman Corporation, as well as companies providing technical audit services, like General Dynamics Corporation

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NASA NTRS2009

Biomorphic Multi-Agent Architecture for Persistent Computing

A multi-agent software/hardware architecture, inspired by the multicellular nature of living organisms, has been proposed as the basis of design of a robust, reliable, persistent computing system. Just as a multicellular organism can adapt to changing environmental conditions and can survive despite the failure of individual cells, a multi-agent computing system, as envisioned, could adapt to changing hardware, software, and environmental conditions. In particular, the computing system could continue to function (perhaps at a reduced but still reasonable level of performance) if one or more component( s) of the system were to fail. One of the defining characteristics of a multicellular organism is unity of purpose. In biology, the purpose is survival of the organism. The purpose of the proposed multi-agent architecture is to provide a persistent computing environment in harsh conditions in which repair is difficult or impossible. A multi-agent, organism-like computing system would be a single entity built from agents or cells. Each agent or cell would be a discrete hardware processing unit that would include a data processor with local memory, an internal clock, and a suite of communication equipment capable of both local line-of-sight communications and global broadcast communications. Some cells, denoted specialist cells, could contain such additional hardware as sensors and emitters. Each cell would be independent in the sense that there would be no global clock, no global (shared) memory, no pre-assigned cell identifiers, no pre-defined network topology, and no centralized brain or control structure. Like each cell in a living organism, each agent or cell of the computing system would contain a full description of the system encoded as genes, but in this case, the genes would be components of a software genome.

Lodding, Kenneth N.↗
NASA NTRS2008

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2008

Topics covered include: Torque Sensor Based on Tunnel-Diode Oscillator; Shaft-Angle Sensor Based on Tunnel-Diode Oscillator; Ground Facility for Vicarious Calibration of Skyborne Sensors; Optical Pressure-Temperature Sensor for a Combustion Chamber; Impact-Locator Sensor Panels; Low-Loss Waveguides for Terahertz Frequencies; MEMS/ECD Method for Making Bi(2-x)Sb(x)Te3 Thermoelectric Devices; Low-Temperature Supercapacitors; Making a Back-Illuminated Imager with Back-Side Contact and Alignment Markers; Compact, Single-Stage MMIC InP HEMT Amplifier; Nb(x)Ti(1-x)N Superconducting-Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors; Improved Sand-Compaction Method for Lost-Foam Metal Casting; Improved Probe for Evaluating Compaction of Mold Sand; Polymer-Based Composite Catholytes for Li Thin-Film Cells; Using ALD To Bond CNTs to Substrates and Matrices; Alternating-Composition Layered Ceramic Barrier Coatings; Variable-Structure Control of a Model Glider Airplane; Axial Halbach Magnetic Bearings; Compact, Non-Pneumatic Rock-Powder Samplers; Biochips Containing Arrays of Carbon-Nanotube Electrodes; Nb(x)Ti(1-x)N Superconducting-Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors; Neon as a Buffer Gas for a Mercury-Ion Clock; Miniature Incandescent Lamps as Fiber-Optic Light Sources; Bidirectional Pressure-Regulator System; and Prism Window for Optical Alignment. Single-Grid-Pair Fourier Telescope for Imaging in Hard-X Rays and gamma Rays Range-Gated Metrology with Compact Optical Head Lossless, Multi-Spectral Data Compressor for Improved Compression for Pushbroom-Typetruments.

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NASA NTRS2008

Deflection-Compensating Beam for use inside a Cylinder

A design concept for a beam for a specific application permits variations and options for satisfying competing requirements to minimize certain deflections under load and to minimize the weight of the beam. In the specific application, the beam is required to serve as a motion-controlled structure for supporting a mirror for optical testing in the lower third portion of a horizontal, cylindrical vacuum chamber. The cylindrical shape of the chamber is fortuitous in that it can be (and is) utilized as an essential element of the deflection-minimizing design concept. The beam is, more precisely, a table-like structure comprising a nominally flat, horizontal portion with vertical legs at its ends. The weights of the beam and whatever components it supports are reacted by the contact forces between the lower ends of the legs and the inner cylindrical chamber wall. Whereas the bending moments arising from the weights contribute to a beam deflection that is concave with its lowest point at midlength, the bending moments generated by the contact forces acting on the legs contribute to a beam deflection that is convex with its highest point at midlength. In addition, the bending of the legs in response to the weights causes the lower ends of the legs to slide downward on the cylindrical wall. By taking the standard beam-deflection equations, combining them with the geometric relationships among the legs and the horizontal portion of the beam, and treating the sliding as a component of deflection, it is possible to write an equation for the net vertical deflection as a function of the load and of position along the beam. A summary of major conclusions drawn from the equation characterization is included.

Goodman, Dwight↗
NASA NTRS2009

Implementing Earned Value Management in the CxP EVA Systems Project Office

Earned Value Management (EVM), like project management, is as much art as it is science to develop an implementation plan for a project. This presentation will cover issues that were overcome and the implementation strategy to deploy Earned Value Management (EVM) within the Constellation Program (CxP), EVA Systems Project Office (ESPO), as well as discuss additional hurdles that currently prevent the organization from optimizing EVM. Each organization and each project within an organization needs to mold an EVM implementation plan around existing processes and tools, while at the same time revising those existing processes and tools as necessary to make them compatible with EVM. The ESPO EVM implementation covers work breakdown structure, organizational breakdown structure, control account, work/planning package development; integrated master schedule development using an integrated master plan; incorporating reporting requirements for existing funding process such as Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) and JSC Internal Task Agreements (ITA); and interfacing with other software tools such as the Systems Applications and Products (SAP) accounting system and the CxP wInsight EVM analysis tool. However, there are always areas for improvement and EVM is no exception. As EVM continues to mature within the NASA CxP, these areas will continue to be worked to resolution to provide the Program Managers, Project Managers, and Control Account Managers the best EVM data possible to make informed decisions.

Sorge, Les L.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Degradation of Spacecraft Materials in the Space Environment

When we think of space, we typically think of a vacuum containing very little matter that lies between the Earth and other planetary and stellar bodies. However, the space above Earth's breathable atmosphere and beyond contains many things that make designing durable spacecraft a challenge. Depending on where the spacecraft is flyng, it may encounter atomic oxygen, ultraviolet and other forms of radiation, charged particles, micrormeteoroids and debris, and temperature extremes. These environments on their own and in combination can cause degradation and failure of polymers, composites, paints and other materials used on the exterior of spacecraft for thermal control, structure, and power generation. This article briefly discusses and gives examples of some of the degradation experienced on spacecraft and night experiments as a result of the space environment and the use of ground and space data to predict durability.

Miller, Sharon K. R.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Virtual Machine Language

Virtual Machine Language (VML) is a mission-independent, reusable software system for programming for spacecraft operations. Features of VML include a rich set of data types, named functions, parameters, IF and WHILE control structures, polymorphism, and on-the-fly creation of spacecraft commands from calculated values. Spacecraft functions can be abstracted into named blocks that reside in files aboard the spacecraft. These named blocks accept parameters and execute in a repeatable fashion. The sizes of uplink products are minimized by the ability to call blocks that implement most of the command steps. This block approach also enables some autonomous operations aboard the spacecraft, such as aerobraking, telemetry conditional monitoring, and anomaly response, without developing autonomous flight software. Operators on the ground write blocks and command sequences in a concise, high-level, human-readable programming language (also called VML ). A compiler translates the human-readable blocks and command sequences into binary files (the operations products). The flight portion of VML interprets the uplinked binary files. The ground subsystem of VML also includes an interactive sequence- execution tool hosted on workstations, which runs sequences at several thousand times real-time speed, affords debugging, and generates reports. This tool enables iterative development of blocks and sequences within times of the order of seconds.

Grasso, Christopher↗
NASA NTRS2012

Open Circuit Resonant (SansEC) Sensor for Composite Damage Detection and Diagnosis in Aircraft Lightning Environments

Composite materials are increasingly used in modern aircraft for reducing weight, improving fuel efficiency, and enhancing the overall design, performance, and manufacturability of airborne vehicles. Materials such as fiberglass reinforced composites (FRC) and carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) are being used to great advantage in airframes, wings, engine nacelles, turbine blades, fairings, fuselage and empennage structures, control surfaces and coverings. However, the potential damage from the direct and indirect effects of lightning strikes is of increased concern to aircraft designers and operators. When a lightning strike occurs, the points of attachment and detachment on the aircraft surface must be found by visual inspection, and then assessed for damage by maintenance personnel to ensure continued safe flight operations. In this paper, a new method and system for aircraft in-situ damage detection and diagnosis are presented. The method and system are based on open circuit (SansEC) sensor technology developed at NASA Langley Research Center. SansEC (Sans Electric Connection) sensor technology is a new technical framework for designing, powering, and interrogating sensors to detect damage in composite materials. Damage in composite material is generally associated with a localized change in material permittivity and/or conductivity. These changes are sensed using SansEC. Unique electrical signatures are used for damage detection and diagnosis. NASA LaRC has both experimentally and theoretically demonstrated that SansEC sensors can be effectively used for in-situ composite damage detection.

Wang, Chuantong↗
NASA NTRS2012

Photogrammetric Verification of Fiber Optic Shape Sensors on Flexible Aerospace Structures

Multi-core fiber (MCF) optic shape sensing offers the possibility of providing in-flight shape measurements of highly flexible aerospace structures and control surfaces for such purposes as gust load alleviation, flutter suppression, general flight control and structural health monitoring. Photogrammetric measurements of surface mounted MCF shape sensing cable can be used to quantify the MCF installation path and verify measurement methods.

Moore, Jason P.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Damage Detection Response Characteristics of Open Circuit Resonant (SansEC) Sensors

The capability to assess the current or future state of the health of an aircraft to improve safety, availability, and reliability while reducing maintenance costs has been a continuous goal for decades. Many companies, commercial entities, and academic institutions have become interested in Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) and a growing effort of research into "smart" vehicle sensing systems has emerged. Methods to detect damage to aircraft materials and structures have historically relied on visual inspection during pre-flight or post-flight operations by flight and ground crews. More quantitative non-destructive investigations with various instruments and sensors have traditionally been performed when the aircraft is out of operational service during major scheduled maintenance. Through the use of reliable sensors coupled with data monitoring, data mining, and data analysis techniques, the health state of a vehicle can be detected in-situ. NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) is developing a composite aircraft skin damage detection method and system based on open circuit SansEC (Sans Electric Connection) sensor technology. Composite materials are increasingly used in modern aircraft for reducing weight, improving fuel efficiency, and enhancing the overall design, performance, and manufacturability of airborne vehicles. Materials such as fiberglass reinforced composites (FRC) and carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) are being used to great advantage in airframes, wings, engine nacelles, turbine blades, fairings, fuselage structures, empennage structures, control surfaces and aircraft skins. SansEC sensor technology is a new technical framework for designing, powering, and interrogating sensors to detect various types of damage in composite materials. The source cause of the in-service damage (lightning strike, impact damage, material fatigue, etc.) to the aircraft composite is not relevant. The sensor will detect damage independent of the cause. Damage in composite material is generally associated with a localized change in material permittivity and/or conductivity. These changes are sensed using SansEC. The unique electrical signatures (amplitude, frequency, bandwidth, and phase) are used for damage detection and diagnosis. An operational system and method would incorporate a SansEC sensor array on select areas of the aircraft exterior surfaces to form a "Smart skin" sensing surface. In this paper a new method and system for aircraft in-situ damage detection and diagnosis is presented. Experimental test results on seeded fault damage coupons and computational modeling simulation results are presented. NASA LaRC has demonstrated with individual sensors that SansEC sensors can be effectively used for in-situ composite damage detection of delamination, voids, fractures, and rips. Keywords: Damage Detection, Composites, Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring (IVHM), Aviation Safety, SansEC Sensors

Dudley, Kenneth L.↗
NASA NTRS2013

SpF: Enabling Petascale Performance for Pseudospectral Dynamo Models

Pseudospectral (PS) methods possess a number of characteristics (e.g., efficiency, accuracy, natural boundary conditions) that are extremely desirable for dynamo models. Unfortunately, dynamo models based upon PS methods face a number of daunting challenges, which include exposing additional parallelism, leveraging hardware accelerators, exploiting hybrid parallelism, and improving the scalability of global memory transposes. Although these issues are a concern for most models, solutions for PS methods tend to require far more pervasive changes to underlying data and control structures. Further, improvements in performance in one model are difficult to transfer to other models, resulting in significant duplication of effort across the research community.We have developed an extensible software framework for pseudospectral methods called SpF that is intended to enable extreme scalability and optimal performance. High-level abstractions provided by SpF unburden applications of the responsibility of managing domain decomposition and load balance while reducing the changes in code required to adapt to new computing architectures. The key design concept in SpF is that each phase of the numerical calculation is partitioned into disjoint numerical kernels that can be performed entirely in-processor. The granularity of domain-decomposition provided by SpF is only constrained by the data-locality requirements of these kernels. SpF builds on top of optimized vendor libraries for common numerical operations such as transforms, matrix solvers, etc., but can also be configured to use open source alternatives for portability. SpF includes several alternative schemes for global data redistribution and is expected to serve as an ideal testbed for further research into optimal approaches for different network architectures.In this presentation, we will describe the basic architecture of SpF as well as preliminary performance data and experience with adapting legacy dynamo codes. We will conclude with a discussion of planned extensions to SpF that will provide pseudospectral applications with additional flexibility with regard to time integration, linear solvers, and discretization in the radial direction.

Pseudospectral (PS)↗
NASA NTRS2014

Using SpF to Achieve Petascale for Legacy Pseudospectral Applications

Pseudospectral (PS) methods possess a number of characteristics (e.g., efficiency, accuracy, natural boundary conditions) that are extremely desirable for dynamo models. Unfortunately, dynamo models based upon PS methods face a number of daunting challenges, which include exposing additional parallelism, leveraging hardware accelerators, exploiting hybrid parallelism, and improving the scalability of global memory transposes. Although these issues are a concern for most models, solutions for PS methods tend to require far more pervasive changes to underlying data and control structures. Further, improvements in performance in one model are difficult to transfer to other models, resulting in significant duplication of effort across the research community. We have developed an extensible software framework for pseudospectral methods called SpF that is intended to enable extreme scalability and optimal performance. Highlevel abstractions provided by SpF unburden applications of the responsibility of managing domain decomposition and load balance while reducing the changes in code required to adapt to new computing architectures. The key design concept in SpF is that each phase of the numerical calculation is partitioned into disjoint numerical kernels that can be performed entirely inprocessor. The granularity of domain decomposition provided by SpF is only constrained by the datalocality requirements of these kernels. SpF builds on top of optimized vendor libraries for common numerical operations such as transforms, matrix solvers, etc., but can also be configured to use open source alternatives for portability. SpF includes several alternative schemes for global data redistribution and is expected to serve as an ideal testbed for further research into optimal approaches for different network architectures. In this presentation, we will describe our experience in porting legacy pseudospectral models, MoSST and DYNAMO, to use SpF as well as present preliminary performance results provided by the improved scalability.

DYNAMO↗
NASA NTRS1959

The Problem of Obtaining High Lift-Drag Ratios at Supersonic Speeds

The importance of the lift to drag ratio is well known to all aircraft designers since it gives, to a great extent, the aerodynamic efficiency of the airplane. Aerodynamic efficiency, however, is only one component of the grand compromise that a completed airplane represents. At subsonic speeds, lift-drag ratios of well over 200 have been measured in wind tunnels on airfoil sections; but few powered aircraft have attained (L/D) value of 20. It is invariably true that the requirements of stability and control, structure, and flight operation all contribute to reducing the design (L/D) (sub max)) considerably below those exotic values which can be predicted from unrestricted aerodynamic theory. If, however, a certain range or operating efficiency is required, there is most certainly a minimum (L/D) (sub max)) value for which the goals are just attainable. If we examine the range equation we see that range is proportional to the lift-drag ratio, the thermopropulsive efficiency, and the logarithm of the initial to final weight ratio. The appearance of the lift-drag ratio as a linear factor in the range equation indicates that every attempt should be made to increase (L/D) (sub max)); however, the search for higher (L/D)max may lead to strange and unorthodox configurations. Most frequently, such configurations are ruled out by the adverse effects of their geometry on the weight ratios. In the present paper, we will deal with the maximum lift-drag ratio problem for conventional configurations having a wing and a body in close proximity to each other. No attempt will be made to select a particular configuration as being the best. However, the promising direction to go from the aerodynamic view will be stressed with the understanding that the other factors may outweight the aerodynamics

Brown, Clinton E.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Methods and Apparatus for Deployable Swirl Vanes

An aircraft control structure for drag management includes a nozzle structure configured to exhaust a swirling fluid stream. A plurality of swirl vanes are positioned within the nozzle structure, and an actuation subsystem is configured to cause the plurality of swirl vanes to move from a deployed state to a non-deployed state. In the non-deployed state, the plurality of swirl vanes are substantially flush with the inner surface of the nozzle structure. In the deployed state, the plurality of swirl vanes produce the swirling fluid stream.

Shah, Parthiv N.↗
NASA NTRS2018

A Prognostic Launch Vehicle Probability of Failure Assessment Methodology for Conceptual Systems Predicated on Human Causal Factors

Create an improved method to calculate reliability of a conceptual launch vehicle system prior to fabrication by using historic data of actual root causes of failures. While failures have unique "proximate causes", there are typically a finite amount of common "root causes". Heretofore launch vehicle reliability evaluation typically hardware-centric statistical analyses, while most root causes of failures are been shown to be human-centric. A method based on human-centric root causes can be used to quantify reliability assessments and focus proposed actions to mitigate problems. Existing methods have been optimistic in their projections of launch vehicle reliability compared to actuals. Hypothesis: reliability of a conceptual launch vehicle can be more accurately evaluated based on a rational, probabilistic approach using past failure assessment teams' findings predicated on human-centric causes."Human Reliability Analysis Methods Selection Guidance for NASA"Chandler F.T., et al., NASA HQ/OSMA study group, July 2006. Outside HRA experts from academia, other federal labs, and the private sector. 50 system reliability methods considered, fourteen selected for further study, four finally selected as best suited for human spaceflight. Probabilistic Risk Analysis (PRA) + Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) enabled incorporating effects and probabilities of human errors. While four down-selected methods deemed appropriate for failure assessment, it did not appear that these methods could be concisely applied to perform major system-wide assessment of probability of failure of a conceptual design without becoming unwieldy."Engineering a Safer World", Detailed, comprehensive study external to NASA Leveson N. G., MIT, 2011.Systems-Theoretic Accident Model and Processes (STAMP). All-encompassing accident model based on systems theory analyzed accidents after they occurred and created approaches to prevent occurrence in developing systems not focused on failure prevention per se, but rather reducing hazards by influencing human behavior through use of constraints, hierarchical control structures, and process models to improve system safetySystem Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) addresses predictive part of problem (a "hazard analysis"). Includes all causal factors identified in STAMP: "...design errors, software flaws, component interaction accidents, cognitively complex human decision-making errors, and social organizational and management factors contributing to accidents" can guide design process rather than require it to exist before-hand did not appear capable of concise application for system-wide assessment of probability of failure of a conceptual design without becoming unwieldy.

Williams, Craig H.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Dielectric Properties of Conductively Loaded Polyimides in the Far Infrared

The dielectric properties of selected conductively-loaded polyimide samples are characterized in the microwave through far-infrared wavebands. These materials, belonging to the Vespel family, are more readily formed by direct machining than their ceramic-loaded epoxy counterparts and present an interesting solution for realizing absorptive optical control structures. Measurements spanning a spectral range from 1 to 600 cm(exp −1) (0.03–18 THz) were performed and used in parametrization of the media’s dielectric function at frequencies below ≈3 THz.

Helson, Kyle R.↗
NASA NTRS2019

NASA Astrophysics Technology Gaps, Prioritization, and Development

Physics of the Cosmos (PCOS) X-ray astrophysics: grazing-angle mirrors, optical blocking filters, fast event ID, gratings, micro-calorimeters, radiation-tolerant detectorsGravitational-wave astrophysics: phase measurement system, micro-Newton thrusters, non-contact charge-management system, stable laser system, low-stray-light telescope Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB): superconducting FPAs and optical elements (cryo filters and coatings)Cosmic Origins (COR)UV/Optical/IR: Next-gen detectors, ultra-stable high-precision telescope systems (including mirrors, thermal control, structures, metrology, etc.), and advanced UV coatingsFar-IR: Heterodyne detectors, advanced cooling systems, ultra-sensitive detectors and large arraysLarge Space Optics: As discussed earlier by Mario Perez, the Program Office supports HQ in monitoring/tracking the Segmented Mirror Technology Program (SMTP) and other technology development projects targeting large space telescopes

Ganel, Opher↗
NASA NTRS2020

Nonlinear Slosh Damping Testing and Analysis for Launch Vehicle Propellant Tanks

Propellant tank slosh damping models for launch vehicle ascent analysis typically employ linear models for bare-wall damping, or assume a single, low-amplitude wave height for baffled configurations. A higher fidelity damping model would incorporate nonlinear effects to increase damping as slosh wave amplitude increases. This paper provides an overview of a technical assessment performed by the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) to evaluate lateral slosh damping as a function of lateral force (or wave) amplitude for multiple tank configurations. The increased fidelity of nonlinear slosh damping models, if leveraged, has the potential to reduce over-conservatism associated with the use of linear slosh damping models. This can provide design flexibility to enhance launch vehicle flight control performance, reduce baffle design requirements and/or increase robustness in targeted areas such as control-structure interaction during ascent.

Tannen S VanZwieten↗