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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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NASA NTRS1977

Instrumentation for space flight experiments

The selection of measurement systems for experiments conducted in the context of a space flight must be guided by the criteria applicable to any scientific study requiring objective measurements of physiological variables. Steps fundamental to the process of choosing the best instrumentation system are identified and the key factors in matching the operational characteristics of the instrumentation to its intended use are discussed. Special problems in obtaining data from nonhuman primates, whether restrained or unrestrained, are explored. Choices for data processing are evaluated as well as the use of prototype flight tests and simulations to assess future life science experiments for spacelab or payloads for the space shuttle biomedical scientific satellite.

Mccutcheon, E. P.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Two hundred years of flight in America: A bicentennial survey

The first recorded balloon ascension in America took place on June 19, 1784, when an unmanned balloon was raised in a public demonstration at Bladensburg, Maryland. On June 24, 1784, a thirteen-year-old boy ascended in the same balloon. The history of actual flight during the nineteenth century was entirely concerned with balloons except for several gliders and models leading to the coming of the airship and the aircraft. The history of practical flight in America begins in the twentieth century. The described developments related to aerostatics are concerned with balloons, rigid airships, and blimps. In a review of the evolution of aeronautics, attention is given to general aviation and its search for a market, trends in military aeronautics, and commercial aviation. It is pointed out that American air transport had its birth on New Year's Day, 1914, at Tampa Bay, Florida. The evolution of astronautics during the period from 1957 to 1976 is also examined, taking into account scientific satellites, the Apollo project, the exploration of the planets with the aid of unmanned spacecraft, strategic reconnaissance satellites, missile alarm satellites, instrumental satellites for detecting nuclear and thermonuclear explosions, weather satellites, communications satellites, and earth resource survey and geodetic satellites.

Emme, E. M.↗

NASA NTRS1979

GEOS axial booms

A booms and mechanisms subsystem was designed, developed, and qualified for the geostationary scientific satellite GEOS. Part of this subsystem consist of four axial booms consisting of one pair of 1 m booms and one pair of 2.5 m booms. Each of these booms is carrying one bird cage electric field sensor. Alignment accuracy requirements led to a telescopic type solution. Deployment is performed by pressurized nitrogen. At deployment in orbit two of these booms showed some anomalies and one of these two deployed only about 80%. Following this malfunction a detailed failure investigation was performed resulting in a design modification of some critical components as release mechanism, guide sleeves of the telescopic elements, and pressure system.

Schmidt, G. K.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The International Ultraviolet Explorer: Case study in spacecraft design

The International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) is a geosynchronous scientific satellite that was conceived as an international space observatory capable of measuring UV spectra of faint celestial bodies. Simple operational procedures allow the astronomers to joystick the spaceborne telescope about the sky, using familiar ground-based observatory techniques. The present paper deals with the IUE project objectives, the technical problems, constraints, trade-offs, and the problem solving techniques used in the IUE program.

Freeman, H. R.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Aeronautics and space report of the President, 1982 activities

Achievements of the space program are summerized in the area of communication, Earth resources, environment, space sciences, transportation, aeronautics, and space energy. Space program activities of the various deprtments and agencies of the Federal Government are discussed in relation to the agencies' goals and policies. Records of U.S. and world spacecraft launchings, successful U.S. launches for 1982, U.S. launched applications and scientific satellites and space probes since 1975, U.S. and Soviet manned spaceflights since 1961, data on U.S. space launch vehicles, and budget summaries are provided. The national space policy and the aeronautical research and technology policy statements are included.

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NASA NTRS1986

Tethered satellite design

The capability of the satellite to perform a variety of space operations to be accomplished from the shuttle is reviewed considering use of the satellite with man-in-loop and closed loop modes and deployment (toward or away from Earth, up to 100 km), stationkeeping, retrieval and control of the satellite. Scientific payloads are to be used to perform experiments and scientific investigation for applications such as magnetometry, electrodynamics, atmospheric science, chemical release, communications, plasmaphysics, dynamic environment, and power and thrust generation. The TSS-S will be reused for at least 3 missions after reconfiguration and refurbishment by changing the peculiar mission items such as thermal control, fixed boom for experiments, aerodynamic tail for yaw attitude control, external skin, experiments, and any other feature. The TSS-S is to be composed of three modules in order to allow independent integration of a single module and to facilitate the refurbishment and reconfiguration between flights. The three modules are service, auxiliary propulsion, and payload modules.

Manarini, G.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The handling of data in solar-terrestrial and in planetary physics

The evolution of data handling systems for solar-terrestrial and planetary physics applications is discussed. The main elements of data management systems for scientific satellites are described, including: command and control; data transmission; prioritization of data users; and data reduction and analysis. The design approaches incorporated into the data management systems of the Interplanetary Monitoring Platform (IMP), International Sun Earth Explorer (ISEE), and the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory, (OGO) spacecraft, are discussed. Emphasis is given to classical, centralized, and hybrid system designs. The report of the Committee on Data Management and Computation (CODMAC) concerning concepts for new data management systems is briefly summarized.

Vette, J. I.↗

NASA NTRS1985

An overview of integrated flywheel technology for aerospace application

Space missions ranging from small scientific satellites to large manned spacecraft have, for many years, utilized systems of spinning flywheels to maintain vehicle attitude. These systems have included momentum and reaction wheels as well as control moment gyros. Extension of that technology to satisfy the additional tasks associated with energy storage has also been pursued. The combining of control and energy storage features into one system has been examined by NASA for space applications and demonstrated in the laboratory. The impact of technology advances in such areas as composite material rotors, magnetic suspensions, motor/generators, and electronics have prompted a re-evaluation of the viability of the flywheel storage system concept for aerospace applications. This paper summarizes the results of this re-examination and identifies shortfalls in the various technology areas.

Keckler, C. R.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The interaction of small and large spacecraft with their environment

The most significant results from small scientific satellites and from the space shuttle mission STS-3 regarding body-plasma interactions are presented and discussed. The causes for the above information being meager and fragmentary are given. The research avenues to be followed in the future in order to correct this situation are mentioned, including practical ways to achieve this goal.

Samir, Uri↗

NASA NTRS1986

FEDS - An experiment with a microprocessor-based orbit determination system using TDRS data

An experiment in microprocessor-based onboard orbit determination has been conducted at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The experiment collected forward-link observation data in real time from a prototype transponder and performed orbit estimation on a typical low-earth scientific satellite. This paper discusses the hardware and organizational configurations of the experiment, the structure of the onboard software, the mathematical models, and the experiment results.

Shank, D.↗

NASA NTRS1987

The NASA tracking and data acquisition networks - Their history and their future

The NASA Tracking and Data Acquisition Networks were begun in the late 1950s as a part of the U.S. activities associated with the 1958-59 International Geophysical Year. The first network, the Minitrack Net, evolved into the Space Tracking and Data Acquisition Network (STADAN) for support of scientific satellites in earth orbit. The NASA Mercury and Apollo manned flight programs produced more demanding requirements for near real-time tracking, communications, and orbit determination, thus providing the impetus for new, more sophisticated networks. The Deep Space Network was also created to meet unique requirements of the planetary exploration programs. All of these programs necessitated establishing ground stations in various countries around the world, thus promoting the concept of international cooperation in space activities which NASA has fostered in many programs. This paper traces these networks from their beginnings through the various stages of development and introduction of new technologies to meet the requirements of increasingly more complex space missions. The paper also discusses the planning for new capabilities for tracking, data acquisition and communications support of future programs, including particularly the Space Station in the next decade.

Force, Charles T.↗

NASA NTRS1989

The evolution of space mechanisms in the ESA R and D program

The status of recently completed and already ongoing technology developments, as well as some of the most important future developments of the European Space Agency are discussed. Among the subjects considered are Scientific Satellites, Columbus space station development, applications spacecraft for communications, Earth observation and meteorology, and the Ariane V and Hermes space transportation systems.

Wyn-Roberts, D.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Calculation of double-lunar swingby trajectories: I. Keplerian foundation

Scientific satellites may require translunar orbits aligned with the Sun-Earth line, with most of the period spent in either the sunward or antisunward direction. To maintain alignment, the orbit's line of apsides must rotate at a rate equal to mean angular motion of the Earth about the Sun. To maintain this rotation of the line of apsides by use of fuel onboard the spacecraft is prohibitively expensive. Farquhar and Dunham proposed a method for maintaining the desired alignment by gaining momentum at the expense of the Moon during a close approach (a lunar swingby) as the spacecraft passes beyond lunar orbit, then returning the momentum at the second lunar swingby as the spacecraft returns within the lunar orbit. The cycle of double-lunar swingbys may then be repeated. Dunham presented the orbit parameters necessary to achieve double-lunar swingby orbits which will maintain Sun-Earth line alignment. The details of the Keplerian approach to calculation of these parameters are presented. Methods for solution of the necessary equations for these parameters are presented.

Stalos, Stephen↗

NASA NTRS1990

Small Explorers - Small is beautiful

NASA's Small Explorer Program aims to achieve a flight rate of one mission per year in a program of small scientific satellites launched from small expendable launch vehicles. The Program is developing 3 missions for launch in the early 1990's: the Solar, Anomalous, and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX), the Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (SWAS), and the Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer (FAST). This paper gives an overview of the program, a description of the selected missions, the approach to developing the missions and the plans for the next Announcement of Opportunity.

Gilman, David↗

NASA NTRS1991

Electrical design and analysis of the TOPEX/Poseidon solar array

TOPEX/Poseidon, a scientific satellite to be launched into low earth orbit, will map the surface topography of the earth's oceans. The satellite derives its primary electrical power from a deployable, sun tracking, rigid, single wing, rectangular solar array with overall dimensions of approximately 26 by 11 ft. The requirements which affect the electrical performance of the solar array and the method by which each requirement is satisfied are addressed. The worst-case power calculations used to size the solar array and to verify power capability are discussed. Also included is a detailed description of the solar array configuration and a summary of the qualification and acceptance testing.

Roufberg, Lew↗

NASA NTRS1993

A multimission three-axis stabilized spacecraft flight dynamics ground support system

The Multimission Three-Axis Stabilized Spacecraft (MTASS) Flight Dynamics Support System (FDSS) has been developed in an effort to minimize the costs of ground support systems. Unlike single-purpose ground support systems, which attempt to reduce costs by reusing software specifically developed for previous missions, the multimission support system is an intermediate step in the progression to a fully generalized mission support system in which numerous missions may be served by one general system. The benefits of multimission attitude ground support systems extend not only to the software design and coding process, but to the entire system environment, from specification through testing, simulation, operations, and maintenance. This paper reports the application of an MTASS FDSS to multiple scientific satellite missions. The satellites are the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE), and the Solar Anomalous Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX). Both UARS and EUVE use the multimission modular spacecraft (MMS) concept. SAMPEX is part of the Small Explorer (SMEX) series and uses a much simpler set of attitude sensors. This paper centers on algorithm and design concepts for a multimission system and discusses flight experience from UARS.

Langston, J.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Cognitive engineering models: A prerequisite to the design of human-computer interaction in complex dynamic systems

This chapter examines a class of human-computer interaction applications, specifically the design of human-computer interaction for the operators of complex systems. Such systems include space systems (e.g., manned systems such as the Shuttle or space station, and unmanned systems such as NASA scientific satellites), aviation systems (e.g., the flight deck of 'glass cockpit' airplanes or air traffic control) and industrial systems (e.g., power plants, telephone networks, and sophisticated, e.g., 'lights out,' manufacturing facilities). The main body of human-computer interaction (HCI) research complements but does not directly address the primary issues involved in human-computer interaction design for operators of complex systems. Interfaces to complex systems are somewhat special. The 'user' in such systems - i.e., the human operator responsible for safe and effective system operation - is highly skilled, someone who in human-machine systems engineering is sometimes characterized as 'well trained, well motivated'. The 'job' or task context is paramount and, thus, human-computer interaction is subordinate to human job interaction. The design of human interaction with complex systems, i.e., the design of human job interaction, is sometimes called cognitive engineering.

Mitchell, Christine M.↗

NASA NTRS1971

1971 Aeronautics and Space Highlights

These highlights include Mariner orbit of Mars, Interplanetary Monitoring Platform, Orbiting Solar Observatory, small scientific satellite, sounding rockets, Stratoscope 11, earth resources, aeronautics, jet noise abatement, airport runway safety, Apollo 14 and 15, and Skylab.

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