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NASA NTRS2018

Bringing NASA Technology Down to Earth

Whether putting rovers on Mars or sustaining life in extreme conditions, NASA develops technologies to solve some of the most difficult challenges ever faced. Through its Technology Transfer Program, the agency makes the innovations behind space exploration available to industry, academia, and the general public. This paper describes the primary mechanisms through which NASA disseminates technology to solve real-life problems; illustrates recent program accomplishments; and provides examples of spinoff success stories currently impacting everyday life.

technology transfer spinoff↗
NASA NTRS2015

Sulfur and Metal Fertilization of the Lower Continental Crust

Mantle-derived melts and metasomatic fluids are considered to be important in the transport and distribution of trace elements in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle. However, the mechanisms that facilitate sulfur and metal transfer from the upper mantle into the lower continental crust are poorly constrained. This study addresses this knowledge gap by examining a series of sulfide- and hydrous mineral-rich alkaline mafic-ultramafic pipes that intruded the lower continental crust of the Ivrea-Verbano Zone in the Italian Western Alps. The pipes are relatively small (<300 m diameter) and primarily composed of a matrix of subhedral to anhedral amphibole (pargasite), phlogopite and orthopyroxene that enclose sub-centimeter-sized grains of olivine. The 1 to 5 m wide rim portions of the pipes locally contain significant blebby and disseminated Fe-Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide mineralization.Stratigraphic relationships, mineral chemistry, geochemical modeling and phase equilibria suggest that the pipes represent open-ended conduits within a large magmatic plumbing system. The earliest formed pipe rocks were olivine-rich cumulates that reacted with hydrous melts to produce orthopyroxene, amphibole and phlogopite.Sulfides precipitated as immiscible liquid droplets that were retained within a matrix of silicate crystals and scavenged metals from the percolating hydrous melt. New high-precision chemical abrasion TIMS-UPb dating of zircons from one of the pipes indicates that these pipes were emplaced at 249.1+/-0.2 Ma, following partial melting of lithospheric mantle pods that were metasomatized during the Eo-Variscan oceanic to continental subduction (approx. 420-310 Ma). The thermal energy required to generate partial melting of the metasomatized mantle was most likely derived from crustal extension, lithospheric decompression and subsequent asthenospheric rise during the orogenic collapse of the Variscan belt (<300 Ma). Unlike previous models, outcomes from this study suggest a significant temporal gap between the occurrence of mantle metasomatism, subsequent partial melting and emplacement of the pipes.We argue that this multi-stage process is a very effective mechanism to fertilize the commonly dry and refractory lower continental crust in metals and volatiles. During the four-dimensional evolution of the thermo-tectonic architecture of any given terrain, metals and volatiles stored in the lower continental crust may become available as sources for subsequent ore-forming processes, thus enhancing the prospectivity of continental block margins for a wide range of mineral systems.

Marek Locmelis↗
NASA NTRS2018

Testing the Martian Methane from Cometary Debris Hypothesis: The Unusually Close 24 Jan 2018 Interaction Between Comet C/2007 H2 (Skiff) and Mars

In previous work we proposed a hypothesis wherein debris moving along cometary orbits interacting with Mars (e.g. meteor showers) may be responsible for transient local increases of methane observed in the martian atmosphere (henceforth 'the hypothesis' ). An examination of the literature of methane detections dating back to 1997 showed that each detection was made, at most, 16 days after an interaction between Mars and one of seven small bodies (six comets and the unusual object 5335 Damocles)[ibid]. Two observations of high-altitude, transient visible plumes on Mars also correlate with cometary interactions, one occurring on the same day as the plume observation and the second observation occurring three days afterwards, and with two of the same seven small bodies. The proposed mechanism for methane production is dissemination of carbon-rich cometary material on infall into Mars' atmosphere followed by methane production via UV photolysis, a process that has been observed in laboratory experiments. Given this set of observations it is necessary and indeed conducive to the scientific process to explore and robustly test the hypothesis.

Fries, M.↗
NASA NTRS2018

System and Method for Providing a Climate Data Persistence Service

A system, method and computer-readable storage devices for providing a climate data persistence service. A system configured to provide the service can include a climate data server that performs data and metadata storage and management functions for climate data objects, a compute-storage platform that provides the resources needed to support a climate data server, provisioning software that allows climate data server instances to be deployed as virtual climate data servers in a cloud computing environment, and a service interface, wherein persistence service capabilities are invoked by software applications running on a client device. The climate data objects can be in various formats, such as International Organization for Standards (ISO) Open Archival Information System (OAIS) Reference Model Submission Information Packages, Archive Information Packages, and Dissemination Information Packages. The climate data server can enable scalable, federated storage, management, discovery, and access, and can be tailored for particular use cases.

Schnase, John L.↗
NASA NTRS2018

How NASA is Building a Petabyte Scale Geospatial Archive in the Cloud

NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) is working towards a vision of a cloud-based, highly-flexible, ingest, archive, management, and distribution system for its ever-growing and evolving data holdings. This free and open source system, Cumulus, is emerging from its prototyping stages and is poised to make a huge impact on how NASA manages and disseminates its Earth science data. This talk outlines the motivation for this work, present the achievements and hurdles of the past 18 months and charts a course for the future expansion of Cumulus. We explore not just the technical, but also the socio-technical challenges that we face in evolving a system of this magnitude into the cloud. The NASA EOSDIS archive is currently at nearly 30 PBs and will grow to over 300PBs in the coming years. We've presented progress on this effort at AWS re:Invent and the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting in 2017 and hope to have the opportunity to share with FOSS4G attendees information on the availability of the open sourced software and how NASA intends on making its Earth Observing Geospatial data available for free to the public in the cloud.

NASA Archive↗
NASA NTRS2018

Sixth NASA Glenn Research Center Propulsion Control and Diagnostics (PCD) Workshop

The Intelligent Control and Autonomy Branch at NASA Glenn Research Center hosted the Sixth Propulsion Control and Diagnostics Workshop on August 22-24, 2017. The objectives of this workshop were to disseminate information about research being performed in support of NASA Aeronautics programs; get feedback from peers on the research; and identify opportunities for collaboration. There were presentations and posters by NASA researchers, Department of Defense representatives, and engine manufacturers on aspects of turbine engine modeling, control, and diagnostics.

Collaboration↗
NASA NTRS2018

LEAPTech/HEIST Experiment Test and Evaluations Lessons Learned

This presentation is designed to update and enhance NASA's ability to collect, preserve, disseminate, and communicate to decision makers for Distributed Electric Propulsion technologies. Acronyms: LEAPTech/HEIST (Leading Edge Asynchronous Propeller Technology/Hybrid-Electric Integrated Systems Testbed).

electric propulsion↗
NASA NTRS2018

NASA Additive Manufacturing Initiatives for Deep Space Human Exploration

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is being infused into aerospace industries at an accelerated pace. Reasons for this rapid adoption include: (1) Innovation Capability e.g. design features such as topology optimization, integrated fluid passages, and mesh structures; (2) Rapid Development and Optimization - ability to quickly iterate the design, development, and test cycle; (3) Affordability - reductions in part counts, cost, and schedule. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has taken a leadership role in application of AM technologies for deep space human exploration, leading the Agency's In Space Manufacturing (ISM) initiative and the application of AM for a broad variety of space propulsion systems. MSFC has championed the development of ISM capabilities since our first reduced-gravity aircraft experiment flew in 1999. Partnering with Made In Space, MSFC placed the first 3D Printer on ISS in 2014 and the second generation printer, the Additive Manufacturing Facility, in 2016. The next ISS technology demonstration will be the Refabricator, a recycler/basic printer scheduled to launch in late Fall 2018. Ground-based development is progressing in common use materials, metals 3D printing, printed electronics, and the new cornerstone of ISM, the FabLab. The latest developments in each area will be described. An overview of NASA's In Space Robotic Manufacturing and Assembly (IRMA) ground-based risk reduction projects will also be presented. MSFC has aggressively incorporated AM capabilities for design and development of space propulsion components. The capabilities have been rapidly matured and extensively exercised to produce and hot-fire test the Additive Manufacturing Demonstrator Engine, an in-space class prototype engine. This experience base has been extended to support Aerojet Rocketdyne in the application of AM to the RS-25, the Space Launch System Core Stage engine, and to small propulsion systems and thrusters for small satellites and cubesats. The latest developments will be described. In responding to a request from NASA's Commercial Crew Program for a consistent methodology for evaluation of AM processes and parts, MSFC began development of a draft standard for AM space flight hardware in late 2014. The draft was broadly disseminated for comments in mid-2015, and subsequently revised into two documents, a standard and a specification for AM space flight hardware, which were formally released by MSFC in October 2017. An overview of the key elements of these documents will be presented.

Clinton, Raymond↗
NASA NTRS2018

The Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI) and NASA's Small Spacecraft Enterprise

The mission of the Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI) is to advance the field of small spacecraft systems and allied sciences by promoting innovation, exploring new concepts, identifying emerging technology opportunities, and establishing effective conduits for the collaboration and the dissemination of research results relevant to small spacecraft systems. The S3VI is the common portal for NASA related small spacecraft activities. The portal hosts the Small Spacecraft Body of Knowledge as an online resource for the Small Spacecraft Technology State of the Art report, and reliability processes and practices, among other small spacecraft-focused content. The S3VI's first year activities focused on development of the web portal and investment in collaborative tools to host and support working groups formed to concentrate on a variety of small spacecraft topics such as reliability and access to space. The S3VI serves as the front door for other governmental and non-governmental organizations that wish to collaborate or interact with NASA small spacecraft organizations. NASA presently has a growing number of small spacecraft related programs, projects, and efforts underway to advance the state of the art of small spacecraft instruments, technologies, and missions in order for NASA to achieve its science and exploration goals.

Small spacecraft↗
NASA NTRS2018

Important Changes to User Access at the NASA CDDIS

The Crustal Dynamics Data Information System (CDDIS) supports data archiving and distribution activities for the space geodesy and geodynamics community. The main objectives of the system are to make space geodesy and geodynamics related data and derived products available in a central archive, to maintain information about the archival of these data, to disseminate these data and information in a timely manner to a global scientific research community, and to provide user based tools for the exploration and use of the archive. Since its inception, the user community has utilized anonymous ftp for accessing and downloading files from the CDDIS archive. Although this protocol allows users to easily automate file downloads, many organizations, data systems, and users have already migrated from ftp or are actively pursuing a move away from the protocol due to problems from a system and security standpoint. Furthermore, U.S. Government agencies have become increasingly concerned about this legacy protocol and ensuring data integrity for the user community have begun recently to disallow the use of the ftp protocol. The CDDIS, operated by NASA GSFC, must therefore address these concerns and provide alternative methods for access to its archive for continued easy and automated download of its contents. This poster will discuss the upcoming changes at CDDIS and provide examples on transitioning from anonymous ftp.

Noll, Carey E.↗
NASA NTRS2019

NIAC Project: 10 meter Sub-Orbital Large Balloon Reflector (LBR)

In Section 1 we summarize the technological approaches to the Large Balloon Reflector (LBR) that are discussed at length in our Phase I Technical report. Within each subsection we highlight how the work was advanced in Phase II. In Section 2 the work and lessons learned from the 3 and 5 meter LBR prototypes are described. In Section 3 the LBR Sensor Package stratospheric flight is described. Section 4 puts LBR in the context of on-going NASA missions.In Sections 5 and 6 the dissemination of results and plans to realize a stratospheric LBR are discussed. Instead of attempting to maintain the pointing of a large telescope at the end of a tether, we propose to deploy a telescope in the benign, protected environment within the carrier balloon. The telescope is itself a balloon, spherical in shape, metalized on one side and anchored to the top of the carrier balloon via a rotating azimuth plate (see Figure 2). The carrier balloon serves as both a stable mount and a radome for the inner balloon reflector. Light from space (or the atmosphere or ground) first passes through the ~2 mil thick polyethylene skin of the carrier balloon and then through the ~1 mil thickMylar side of the inner balloon. Together these layershave < 8% absorption at the wavelengths of interest.The incoming light then encounters the aluminized,spherical, back surface of the inner balloon and isthen focused into a receiving system. To achieve the performance of a 10 meter parabolic reflector, a 20 meter diameter inner balloon can be used with a modest size (~1 meter) spherical corrector.

Walker, Christopher↗
NASA NTRS2014

Ghost Imaging of Space Objects

would like to summarize that our "Ghost Imaging of Space Objects" NIAC research effort was successful. As anticipated, its main return has been the newly acquired knowledge and the understanding of the pathways that lead from this knowledge to its applications in observational astronomy. During this research we came across several fundamental insights that were not expected at the beginning. We came to realize that the ghost imaging of dark objects using background thermal light can be treated as a special case of Hanbury Brown and Twiss intensity interferometry in combination with the Babinet's principle for higher-order observables. Extensive recent work performed in this field by other research groups worldwide might seem to detract from the conceptual originality and novelty of our approach; but at the same time it serves as an encouraging indication that the chosen approach is acknowledged in the broader science community as promising. This newly found synergy, acknowledged in the CTA newsletter from May 2014 reporting on the Workshop on Hanbury Brown and Twiss interferometry in Nice, makes us confident that our published and otherwise disseminated results will be integrated into a larger-scale on-going research effort aimed at performing astronomy observations of both bright and dark objects with unparalleled resolution. While we are satisfied with acceptance of our results by the international research community as a contribution to the field of intensity interferometry as well as to the on-going mission-oriented projects, we also have been aiming at receiving support to continue and advance this research at JPL. Several proposals have been submitted in pursuit of this goal. Three of them are still under consideration, and we expect to learn about the funding decisions soon. These new projects would leverage the results of this NIAC study and extend it along well-defined directions that have been discussed above. Shifting the main paradigm of our approach towards intensity interferometry entailed another important realization, that the actual imaging of dark objects, in a sense of mapping the column optical density distribution, is possible by using known numerical techniques, such as the Gerchberg-Saxton approach. This insight was also unanticipated in the beginning and caused a shift of the research focus from the initial plan. While this focus shift has been well-justified and fruitful, it has left several issues unexplored. Some of these issues, too, are included in the future research proposals.

Optics↗
NASA NTRS2018

Human Exploration of Mars: Preliminary Lists of Crew Tasks

This is a preliminary report of ongoing research that has identified 1,125 tasks that are likely to be performed during initial human expeditions to Mars. The purpose of the report is to facilitate immediate access to the task inventory by researchers whose efforts might benefit from concrete examples of the work that will likely be performed by the first human explorers of Mars and the tasks for which crew members must be prepared to perform in response to emergencies. The research that led to the task lists is being conducted under Cooperative Agreement NNX15AW34G / NNX16AQ86G for the Human Factors and Behavioral Performance Element, Human Performance Program, NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The study is ongoing and will conclude with a final report that documents all research activities and presents the results of task and ability analyses and the implications of study results to crew size and composition, personnel selection and training, and design of equipment and procedures. The research addresses the Risk of Inadequate Mission, Process, and Task Design and the Risk of Performance Errors Due to Training Deficiencies by identifying the work that will be performed during an expedition to Mars and the abilities, skills, and knowledge that will be required of crew members. The study began by developing the comprehensive inventory of 1,125 tasks that are likely to be performed during the 12 phases of initial human expeditions to Mars, from launch to landing 30 months later. This full-mission task inventory was generated by a comprehensive review of documentation and concepts of operations with the understanding that plans and tasks might change in response to continuing technological development. Note: This interim report includes no discussion of analyses and has been prepared solely to facilitate dissemination of the task lists to others whose research might benefit from detailed information about the work and other activities that are likely to be performed during the human exploration of Mars.

Stuster, Jack W.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Space Weather Forecasting at NASA GSFC Space Weather Research Center

The NASA GSFC Space Weather Research Center (http://swrc.gsfc.nasa.gov) is committed to providing research forecasts and notifications to address NASA's space weather needs - in addition to its critical role in space weather education. We provide a host of services including spacecraft anomaly resolution, historical impact analysis, real-time monitoring and forecasting, tailored space weather alerts and products, weekly summaries and reports, and most recently - video casts. In this presentation, we will focus on how near real-time data (both in space and on ground), in combination with modeling capabilities and an innovative dissemination system called the Integrated Space Weather Analysis System (iSWA http://iswa.gsfc.nasa.gov), enable space weather forecasting and quality space weather products provided by our Center. A few critical near real-time data streams for space weather forecasting will be identified and discussed.

CMEs↗
NASA NTRS2017

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission for Science and Society

Precipitation is a key source of freshwater; therefore, observing global patterns of precipitation and its intensity is important for science, society, and understanding our planet in a changing climate. In 2014, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory (CO) spacecraft. The GPM CO carries the most advanced precipitation sensors currently in space including a dual-frequency precipitation radar provided by JAXA for measuring the three-dimensional structures of precipitation and a well-calibrated, multifrequency passive microwave radiometer that provides wide-swath precipitation data. The GPM CO was designed to measure rain rates from 0.2 to 110.0 mm h1 and to detect moderate to intense snow events. The GPM CO serves as a reference for unifying the data from a constellation of partner satellites to provide next-generation, merged precipitation estimates globally and with high spatial and temporal resolutions. Through improved measurements of rain and snow, precipitation data from GPM provides new information such as details on precipitation structure and intensity; observations of hurricanes and typhoons as they transition from the tropics to the midlatitudes; data to advance near-real-time hazard assessment for floods, landslides, and droughts; inputs to improve weather and climate models; and insights into agricultural productivity, famine, and public health. Since launch, GPM teams have calibrated satellite instruments, refined precipitation retrieval algorithms, expanded science investigations, and processed and disseminated precipitation data for a range of applications. The current status of GPM, its ongoing science, and its future plans are presented.

Gail Skofronick-Jackson↗
NASA NTRS2019

Concept of Operations for Urban Air Mobility Command and Control Communications

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is a burgeoning flight services concept for passenger and cargo airborne applications operating within and around urban environments. Among the services envisioned, most attention is being directed at airborne personal transport to improve transit time and mitigate automobile congestion. In addition, delivery services for more efficient transport of goods and local area information gathering for timely media dissemination and emergency monitoring will also likely be early UAM system applications. Among the infrastructure components in need of development are communications systems that manage these air vehicles. Not only will there be a need to communicate with the pilots in command of the aircraft for traffic management, but the control of the aircraft and monitoring of the aircraft systems will also need to use these communications systems to ensure safe operations.

Urban Air Mobility (UAM)↗
NASA NTRS2018

NASA's Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute and Small Spacecraft Enterprise

In January of 2017, NASA's Space Technology and Science Mission Directorates established the Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI). The mission of the agency-wide institute is to advance the field of small spacecraft systems and allied sciences by promoting innovation, exploring new concepts, identifying emerging technology opportunities, and establishing effective conduits for the collaboration and the dissemination of research results relevant to small spacecraft systems and subsystems. To achieve this, the S3VI serves as the common portal for NASA-related small spacecraft activities, hosts the Small Spacecraft Body of Knowledge as an online resource for the annual Small Spacecraft Technology State of the Art report, including a components and subsystems database, and also collects and organizes related knowledge such as small spacecraft reliability processes and best practices. The S3VI also serves as the front door for other governmental, non-governmental, and external agencies that wish to collaborate or interact with NASA small spacecraft organizations. NASA also presently has a growing number of small spacecraft related programs, projects, and efforts collectively termed the NASA Small Spacecraft Enterprise underway to advance the utility of small spacecraft instruments, technologies, and missions in order for NASA to achieve its exploration and science goals. These various activities will be outlined and described with a refocused emphasis on cis-lunar and deep space applications and supporting technologies.

Small spacecraft↗
NASA NTRS2019

Advanced Diffractive MetaFilm Sailcraft

A fast-tracked multifaceted approach that integrated NASA, industry, and academia was successfully executed to advance the novel concept of radiation pressure by means of a thin diffractive film. This pioneering new approach to light sailing was found to offer advantages over reflective sails - especially for missions that include close orbits or a close fly-by of the sun.The research effort included experiments, numerical modeling, and an "incubator meeting" that brought together over 35 researchers and stakeholders to uncover some of the most feasible means of advancing both the TRL and mission capabilities of diffractive sailcraft. One of the outcomes of the incubator meeting was to focus this Phase I research on a solar polar orbiter mission for heliophysics experiments. NASA decadal surveys and other reports have repeatedly pointed out that scientists have only a paucity of information about the sun beyond the ecliptic plane. The TRL has been advanced from 1 to 3 during this Phase I research with the help of experiments that have verified the predicted force and mechanical control afforded by diffractive sails. Knowledge gained from the experiments and numerical models was not only disseminated in peer reviewed publications and conferences, but it also resulted in a patent disclosure.

Diffractive↗