STS-31 HST Deploy Sim in SMS and MOCR
This video shows the crew on a simulated middeck during the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) deploy simulation. Intercut from the MOCR is included.
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Results for “deployable”
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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AIRSAR South American deployment: Operation plan, version 3.0
The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Brazilian Commission for Space Activities (COBAE) are undertaking a joint experiment involving NASA's DC-8 research aircraft and the Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) system during late May and June 1993. The research areas motivating these activities are: (1) fundamental research in the role of soils, vegetation, and hydrology in the global carbon cycle; and (2) in cooperation with South American scientists, airborne remote sensing research for the upcoming NASA Spaceborne Imaging Radar (SIR)-C/X-SAR flights on the Space Shuttle. A flight schedule and plans for the deployment that were developed are included. Maps of the site locations and schematic indications of flight routes and dates, plots showing swath locations derived from the flight requests and generated by flight planning software, and, most importantly, a calendar showing which sites will be imaged each day are included.
Kobrick, M.↗
SATCOM simulator speeds MSS deployment and lowers costs
Mobile satellite systems (MSS) are being proposed and licensed at an accelerating rate. How can the design, manufacture, and performance of these systems be optimized at costs that allow a reasonable return on investment? The answer is the use of system simulation techniques beginning early in the system design and continuing through integration, pre- and post-launch monitoring, and in-orbit monitoring. This paper focuses on using commercially available, validated simulation instruments to deliver accurate, repeatable, and cost effective measurements throughout the life of a typical mobile satellite system. A satellite communications test set is discussed that provides complete parametric test capability with a significant improvement in measurement speed for manufacturing, integration, and pre-launch and in-orbit testing. The test set can simulate actual up and down link traffic conditions to evaluate the effects of system impairments, propagation and multipath on bit error rate (BER), channel capacity and transponder and system load balancing. Using a standard set of commercial instruments to deliver accurate, verifiable measurements anywhere in the world speeds deployment, generates measurement confidence, and lowers total system cost.
Carey, Tim↗
Low melting temperature alloy deployment mechanism and recent experiments
This paper describes the concept of a low melting temperature alloy deployment mechanism, U.S. Patent 4,842,106. It begins with a brief history of conventional dimethyl-silicone fluid damped mechanisms. Design fundamentals of the new melting alloy mechanism are then introduced. Benefits of the new over the old are compared and contrasted. Recent experiments and lessons learned complete this paper.
Madden, M. J.↗
Lock-up failure of a four-bar linkage deployment mechanism
A successful failure investigation of a four-bar linkage deployment mechanism has been performed. Possible failure causes such as the mismatch of material coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), excessive hinge friction, limit switch interference, and thermal gradient induced resistive preload were investigated and are discussed. The final conclusions and corrective actions taken are described. Finally, valuable lessons learned during the investigation are discussed.
Zinn, Michael↗
A large motion zero-gravity suspension system for experimental simulation of orbital construction and deployment
The design and implementation of a vertical degree of freedom suspension system is described which provides a constant force off-load condition to counter gravity over large displacements. By accommodating motions up to one meter for structures weighing up to 100 pounds, the system is useful for experiments which simulate orbital construction events such as docking, multiple component assembly, or structural deployment. A unique aspect of this device is the combination of a large stroke passive off-load device augmented by electromotive torque actuated force feedback. The active force feedback has the effect of reducing break-away friction by a factor of twenty over the passive system alone. The thesis describes the development of the suspension hardware and the control algorithm. Experiments were performed to verify the suspensions system's effectiveness in providing a gravity off-load and simulating the motion of a structure in orbit. Additionally, a three dimensional system concept is presented as an extension of the one dimensional suspension system which was implemented.
Straube, Timothy Milton↗
Transrapid (the first high-speed Maglev train system certified ready for application): Development status and prospects for deployment
The Transrapid maglev technology is at the threshold of commercial deployment and technologically all prerequisites for the successful operation of the system in public service are given. In post unification Germany the domestic maglev technology is envisioned to be applied in the Berlin-Hamburg project. At present, a public-private funding concept is being prepared and the lengthy planning process is about to be initiated. In the USA the AMG has presented a program to Americanize the technology and to make it available for commercial use in the U.S. in the very near future. The paramount features of this program are to generate economic development, provide a basis for transportation technology development, create opportunities for U.S. industry, improve the U.S. transportation infrastructure, and improve the environment and traveler safety. Maglev is ready for the U.S.; is the U.S. ready for maglev?
Luerken, Reinhard F.↗
Micron Accuracy Deployment Experiment (MADE), phase A. Volume 1
This report documents a Phase A In-STEP flight experiment development effort. The objective of the experiment is to deploy a portion of a segmented reflector on the Shuttle and study its micron-level mechanics. Ground test data are presented which projects that the on-orbit precision of the test article should be approximately 5 microns. Extensive hardware configuration development information is also provided.
Peterson, Lee D.↗
The Alpha-Proton-X-ray Spectrometer deployment mechanism: An anthropomorphic approach to sensor placement on Martian rocks and soil
On July 4,1997, the Mars Pathfinder spacecraft lands on Mars and starts conducting technological and scientific experiments. One experiment, the Alpha-Proton-X-ray Spectrometer, uses a sensor head placed against rocks and soil to determine their composition. To guarantee proper placement, a deployment mechanism mounted on the Mars Rover aligns the sensor head to within 20 deg of the rock and soil surfaces. In carrying out its task, the mechanism mimics the action of a human hand and arm. Consisting of a flexible wrist, a parallel link arm, a brush dc motor actuator, and a revolutionary non-pyrotechnic fail-safe release device, the mechanism correctly positions the sensor head on rocks as high as 0.29 m and on targets whose surfaces are tilted as much as 45 deg from the nominal orientation of the sensor head face. The mechanism weighs less than 0.5 kg, can withstand 100 g's, and requires less than 2.8 N x m of actuation torque. The fail-safe coupler utilizes Cerrobend, a metal alloy that melts at 60 C, to fuse the actuator and the rest of the mechanism together. A film heater wrapped around the coupler melts the metal, and Negator springs drive the mechanism into its stowed position. The fail-safe actuates using 6.75 Watts for 5 minutes in the event of an actuator failure.
Blomquist, Richard S.↗
Development of the Toggle Deployment Mechanism
The Toggle Deployment Mechanism (TDM) is a two fault tolerant, single point, low shock pyro/mechanical releasing device. Many forms of releasing are single fault tolerant and involve breaking of primary structure. Other releasing mechanisms, that do not break primary structure, are only pyrotechnically redundant and not mechanically redundant. The TDM contains 3 independent pyro actuators, and only one of the 3 is required for release. The 2 separating members in the TDM are held together by a toggle that is a cylindrical stem with a larger diameter spherical shape on the top and flares out in a conical shape at the bottom. The spherical end of the toggle sits in a socket with the top assembly and the bottom is held down by 3 pins or hooks equally spaced around the conical shaped end. Each of the TDM's 3 independent actuators shares a third of the separating load and does not require as much pyrotechnic energy as many single fault tolerant actuators. Other single separating actuators, i.e., separating nuts or pin pullers, have the pyrotechnic energy releasing the entire preload holding the separating members together. Two types of TDM's ,described in this paper, release the toggle with pin pullers, and the third TDM releases the toggle with hooks. Each design has different advantages and disadvantages. This paper describes the TDM's construction and testing up to the summer of 1993.
Brown, Christopher W.↗
Vibration Control of Deployable Astromast Boom: Preliminary Experiments
This paper deals with the dynamic characterization of a flexible aerospace solar boom. The modeling issues and sine dwell vibration testing to determine natural frequencies and mode shapes of a continuous-longer on deployable ASTROMAST lattice boom are discussed. The details of the proof-of-concept piezoelectric active vibration experiments on a simple cantilever beam to control its vibrations are presented. The control parameters like voltage to the controller crystal and its location are investigated, to determine the effectiveness of control element to suppress selected resonant vibrations of the test specimen. Details of this experiment and plans for its future adaptation to the prototype structure are also discussed.
Swaminadham, M.↗
A Nitinol-Based Solar Array Deployment Mechanism
This document describes a simple, light weight, and scalable mechanism capable of deploying flexible or rigid substrate solar arrays that have been configured in an accordion-like folding scheme. This mechanism is unique in that it incorporates a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator made of Nitinol. This paper documents the design of the mechanism in full detail while offering to designers a foundation of knowledge by which they can develop future applications with SMA's.
Choi, Shin John↗
SCARLET I: Mechanization solutions for deployable concentrator optics integrated with rigid array technology
The SCARLET I (Solar Concentrator Army with Refractive Linear Element Technology) solar array wing was designed and built to demonstrate, in flight, the feasibility of integrating deployable concentrator optics within the design envelope of typical rigid array technology. Innovative mechanism designs were used throughout the array, and a full series of qualification tests were successfully performed in anticipation of a flight on the Multiple Experiment Transporter to Earth Orbit and Return (METEOR) spacecraft. Even though the Conestoga launch vehicle was unable to place the spacecraft in orbit, the program effort was successful in achieving the milestones of analytical and design development functional validation, and flight qualification, thus leading to a future flight evaluation for the SCARLET technology.
Wachholz, James J.↗
Small Expendable Tether Deployer Systems (SEDS) Tether Dynamics Analysis
This Final report summarizes the work performed for Small Expendable Tether Deployer Systems (SEDS) Tether Dynamics Analysis in support of the Marshall Space Flight Center.
Glaese, John R.↗
Identification of Nonlinear Micron-Level Mechanics for a Precision Deployable Joint
The experimental identification of micron-level nonlinear joint mechanics and dynamics for a pin-clevis joint used in a precision, adaptive, deployable space structure are investigated. The force-state mapping method is used to identify the behavior of the joint under a preload. The results of applying a single tension-compression cycle to the joint under a tensile preload are presented. The observed micron-level behavior is highly nonlinear and involves all six rigid body motion degrees-of-freedom of the joint. it is also suggests that at micron levels of motion modelling of the joint mechanics and dynamics must include the interactions between all internal components, such as the pin, bushings, and the joint node.
Bullock, S. J.↗
A Large Motion Suspension System for Simulation of Orbital Deployment
This paper describes the design and implementation of a vertical degree of freedom suspension system which provides a constant force off-load condition to counter gravity over large displacements. By accommodating motions up to one meter for structures weighing up to 100 pounds, the system is useful for experiments which simulate the on-orbit deployment of spacecraft components. A unique aspect of this system is the combination of a large stroke passive off-load device augmented by electromotive torque actuated force feedback. The active force feedback has the effect of reducing breakaway friction by an order of magnitude over the passive system alone. The paper describes the development of the suspension hardware and the feedback control algorithm. Experiments were performed to verify the suspensions system's ability to provide a gravity off-load as well as its effect on the modal characteristics of a test article.
Straube, T. M.↗
Launch Deployment Assembly Human Engineering Analysis
This report documents the human engineering analysis performed by the Systems Branch in support of the 6A cargo element design. The human engineering analysis is limited to the extra vehicular activities (EVA) which are involved in removal of various cargo items from the LDA and specific activities concerning deployment of the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS).
Loughead, T.↗
Research and Development of Satellites, Small Expendable Deployer System (SEDS)
The work proposed in this task order was successfully accomplished. This is reflected in the approval by three NASA centers of the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Satellite (SEDSAT) to fly as a payload on the shuttle. All documentation necessary for evaluation of the satellite as a Shuttle payload was submitted and approved by the appropriate safety boards. The Small Expendable Deployer System - SEDS - Earth Atmosphere and Space Imaging System (SEASIS) instrument was demonstrated to work and its inclusion as a SEDSAT payload was accomplished in the task period. Finally, the SEDSAT interface to the NASA GSFC PES was approved by MSFC and GSFC with no substantive issues outstanding. As of the end of the contract date all milestones were met. However the NASA MSFC SEDS program was canceled by the center. Since that time SEDSAT has gone on to be manifested on a Delta vehicle.
Wingo, Dennis Ray↗