Results for “active integrators” — Page 75

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Analysis of the Value Added When Deploying a Model-Based Approach for the Validation and Verification of the Medical Database Software

The Medical Database (MD) is a virtual repository consisting of two software components: Medical Item Database (MedID) and the Evidence Library (EL). MedID consists of engineering data and associated information for specific medical resource items (e.g., pharmaceutical, medical devices, and supporting components), while the EL is a tool which provides all of the medical evidence necessary. The MD will 1) serve as the single “source of truth” for the Informing Mission Planning via Analysis of Complex Tradespaces (IMPACT) tool suite for both medical evidence and medical resource engineering data and 2) will be used in conjunction with the IMPACT tool suite to inform research prioritizations and perform systematic trade study evaluations to aid stakeholders in making informed decisions regarding simulated human spaceflight missions. The MD project used a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach to support all life cycles of the software development, while in parallel the human factors engineering team used modeling to support Human Centered Design (HCD) strategies in an effort to improve software usability. HCD is a frequently used approach in design frameworks that develops resolutions to complexities and challenges by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process. By integrating the model-based approaches used for systems engineering and human factors activities, the project is able to leverage the model-based artifacts originally created for HCD activities for system level and human factors validation. In this presentation, our team highlights the value added when leveraging these model-based artifacts to support the on-going verification and validation activities.

C. Laing↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

An Experimental System for Strategic Flight Path Management in Advanced Air Mobility

In the concept envisioned for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) operations, fleets of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles would operate between vertiports distributed within a densely populated area. These operations would be largely independent from the existing air traffic control system and would place the responsibility for flight planning and aircraft separation on fleet operators. The fourth major level on the UAM Maturity Level scale, UML-4, relies on “collaborative and responsible” automation to enable operations in non-visual conditions with medium traffic density (hundreds of aircraft in one metropolitan region) and medium complexity. This level of service places many requirements on automation systems to assist the operators of these aircraft. NASA has developed the Autonomous Operations Planner (AOP), a reference prototype Flight Path Management automation system, and has modified AOP to support research of anticipated UML-4 operations. AOP creates a four-dimensional flight plan conforming to the constraints of these operations, evaluates and modifies the flight plan during flight as conditions and constraints evolve, and coordinates the flight plan with other airspace users and with service providers. This version of AOP has been integrated into the Sikorsky Autonomy Research Aircraft and used in a flight test activity. In this paper we discuss anticipated characteristics of UAM operations, modifications that were made to AOP to adapt to that environment or to support the flight test, and observations of software and aircraft performance during the flight test. The aircraft achieved four-dimensional conformance with the flight plan and AOP provided adequate planning in almost all cases. We discuss improvements that could be made to AOP to address deficiencies that were observed.

Autonomous Operations Planner↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

An Experimental System for Strategic Flight Path Management in Advanced Air Mobility

In the concept envisioned for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) operations, fleets of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles would operate between vertiports distributed within a densely populated area. These operations would be largely independent from the existing air traffic control system and would place the responsibility for flight planning and aircraft separation on fleet operators. The fourth major level on the UAM Maturity Level scale, UML-4, relies on “collaborative and responsible” automation to enable operations in non-visual conditions with medium traffic density (hundreds of aircraft in one metropolitan region) and medium complexity. This level of service places many requirements on automation systems to assist the operators of these aircraft. NASA has developed the Autonomous Operations Planner (AOP), a reference prototype Flight Path Management automation system, and has modified AOP to support research of anticipated UML-4 operations. AOP creates a four-dimensional flight plan conforming to the constraints of these operations, evaluates and modifies the flight plan during flight as conditions and constraints evolve, and coordinates the flight plan with other airspace users and with service providers. This version of AOP has been integrated into the Sikorsky Autonomy Research Aircraft and used in a flight test activity. In this paper we discuss anticipated characteristics of UAM operations, modifications that were made to AOP to adapt to that environment or to support the flight test, and observations of software and aircraft performance during the flight test. The aircraft achieved four-dimensional conformance with the flight plan and AOP provided adequate planning in almost all cases. We discuss improvements that could be made to AOP to address deficiencies that were observed.

Autonomous Operations Planner↗

NASA NTRS2026

The Evolution in Coma Molecular Composition of Comet C/2017 K2 (PanSTARRS) Across the H 2 O Sublimation Zone: ALMA Imaging of an H 2 O-Dominated Coma

We report a survey of molecular emission from cometary volatiles using the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) toward comet C/2017 K2 (PanSTARRS) carried out on UT 2022 September 21, 22, and 23 at a heliocentric distance r H 3 OH, and H 2 CO (along with continuum emission from dust) sampled molecular chemistry in C/2017 K2 at the inner edge of the H 2 O sublimation zone, the region from r H 2 O begins vigorously subliming and increasingly dominating comet activity, discerning parent from daughter or extended source species. This work presents spectrally integrated flux maps, production rates, and parent scale lengths for each molecule. CH 3 OH, CO, and HCN were produced within ~250 km of the nucleus, potentially including contributions from sublimation of icy grains. CS was consistent with production from CS 2 photolysis, and H 2 CO required production from extended sources in the coma. An ortho-to-para ratio of 2.9 ± 0.4 for H 2 CO was derived from simultaneously measured transitions of each spin species. The continuum was extended and spatially resolved, consistent with thermal emission from dust in the coma. Analysis of the continuum visibilities provided an upper limit on the nucleus diameter d <6.6 km and coma dust masses of (1.2-2.4) times10 11 kg.

Nathan X Roth↗

NASA NTRS2001

Space Station Human Factors: Designing a Human-Robot Interface

The experiments described in this paper are part of a larger joint MIT/NASA research effort and focus on the development of a methodology for designing and evaluating integrated interfaces for highly dexterous and multifunctional telerobot. Specifically, a telerobotic workstation is being designed for an Extravehicular Activity (EVA) anthropomorphic space station telerobot called Robonaut. Previous researchers have designed telerobotic workstations based upon performance of discrete subsets of tasks (for example, peg-in-hole, tracking, etc.) without regard for transitions that operators go through between tasks performed sequentially in the context of larger integrated tasks. The experiments presented here took an integrated approach to describing teleoperator performance and assessed how subjects operating a full-immersion telerobot perform during fine position and gross position tasks. In addition, a Robonaut simulation was also developed as part of this research effort, and experimentally tested against Robonaut itself to determine its utility. Results show that subject performance of teleoperated tasks using both Robonaut and the simulation are virtually identical, with no significant difference between the two. These results indicate that the simulation can be utilized as both a Robonaut training tool, and as a powerful design platform for telepresence displays and aids.

Rochlis, Jennifer L.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Actively Controlled Louver for Human Spacecraft Radiator Ultraviolet (UV), Dust, and Freeze Protection

This paper examines the use of actively controlled louvers to attenuate UV and dust, as well as mitigate freezing concerns for human spacecraft radiators during Artemis missions. Artemis missions to the lunar orbit or surface will expose the radiators to high energy UV radiation and dust, which will degrade the radiator’s coating emissivity and consequently reduce heat rejection performance. In addition, subfreezing environmental temperatures during transit to lunar orbit and nighttime on lunar south pole can rupture coolant tubes, reduce heat rejection performance, and worst-case scenario result in a Loss of Mission (LOM). Louver technology would be a promising solution to maintaining radiator performance and integrity for Artemis missions, but heritage louvers are passively controlled. This technology needs maturing to active control, or motor actuation, to achieve faster thermal response times. Actively controlled louver design considerations are discussed in this paper. The analysis that follows shows actively controlled louvers can attenuate high energy UV radiation and dust, as well as protect the coolant from freezing.

Louver↗

NASA NTRS2023

Actively Controlled Louver for Human Spacecraft Radiator Ultraviolet (UV), Dust, and Freeze Protection

This paper examines the use of actively controlled louvers to attenuate UV and dust, as well as mitigate freezing concerns for human spacecraft radiators during Artemis missions. Artemis missions to the lunar orbit or surface will expose the radiators to high energy UV radiation and dust, which will degrade the radiator’s coating emissivity and consequently reduce heat rejection performance. In addition, subfreezing environmental temperatures during transit to lunar orbit and nighttime on lunar south pole can rupture coolant tubes, reduce heat rejection performance, and worst-case scenario result in a Loss of Mission (LOM). Louver technology would be a promising solution to maintaining radiator performance and integrity for Artemis missions, but heritage louvers are passively controlled. This technology needs maturing to active control, or motor actuation, to achieve faster thermal response times. Actively controlled louver design considerations are discussed in this paper. The analysis that follows shows actively controlled louvers can attenuate high energy UV radiation and dust, as well as protect the coolant from freezing.

Louver↗

NASA NTRS1992

Our Changing Planet: The FY 1993 US Global Change Research Program. A report by the Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences, a supplement to the US President's fiscal year 1993 budget

The U.S. Global Change Reasearch Program (USGCRP) was established as a Presidential initiative in the FY-1990 Budget to help develop sound national and international policies related to global environmental issues, particularly global climate change. The USGCRP is implemented through a priority-driven scientific research agenda that is designed to be integrated, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary. It is designed explicitly to address scientific uncertainties in such areas as climate change, ozone depletion, changes in terrestrial and marine productivity, global water and energy cycles, sea level changes, the impact of global changes on human health and activities, and the impact of anthropogenic activities on the Earth system. The USGCRP addresses three parallel but interconnected streams of activity: documenting global change (observations); enhancing understanding of key processes (process research); and predicting global and regional environmental change (integrated modeling and prediction).

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1987

EASE/ACCESS ground processing at Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Payload Management and Operations Directorate is responsible for the processing of Space Shuttle payloads. The KSC responsibilities begin prior to hardware arrival at the launch site and extend until the experiments are returned to the investigators after the flight. The KSC involvement with the integration and checkout of payloads begins with participation in experiment, Mission Peculiar Equipment (MPE), and integrated payload design reviews. This involvement also includes participation in assembly and testing of flight hardware at the appropriate design center, university, or private corporation. Once the hardware arrives at the launch site, KSC personnel install the experiments and MPE onto a carrier in the Operations and Checkout (O & C) building. Following integration, the payload is functionally tested and then installed into the orbiter. After the mission, the payload is removed from the orbiter, deintegrated in the O & C building, and the experiments are turned over to the mission manager. One of the many payloads process at KSC consisted of two space construction experiments: the Experimental Assembly of Structures in Extravehicular Activity (EASE) and the Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structures (ACCESS). The details of EASE/ACCESS integration, testing, and deintegration are addressed and how this mission can serve as a guide for future space construction payloads is discussed.

Moates, Deborah J.↗

NASA NTRS2015

Advanced Stirling Convertor Dual Convertor Controller Testing at NASA Glenn Research Center in the Radioisotope Power Systems System Integration Laboratory

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) developed a non-nuclear representation of a Radioisotope Power System (RPS) consisting of a pair of Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASC), a Dual Convertor Controller (DCC) EM (engineering model) 2 & 3, and associated support equipment, which were tested in the Radioisotope Power Systems System Integration Laboratory (RSIL). The DCC was designed by the Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) to actively control a pair of Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASC). The first phase of testing included a Dual Advanced Stirling Convertor Simulator (DASCS) which was developed by JHU/APL and simulates the operation and electrical behavior of a pair of ASC's in real time via a combination of hardware and software. RSIL provides insight into the electrical interactions between a representative radioisotope power generator, its associated control schemes, and realistic electric system loads. The first phase of integration testing included the following spacecraft bus configurations: capacitive, battery, and supercapacitor. A load profile, created based on data from several missions, tested the RPS and RSIL ability to maintain operation during load demands above and below the power provided by the RPS. The integration testing also confirmed the DCC's ability to disconnect from the spacecraft when the bus voltage dipped below 22 V or exceeded 36 V. Once operation was verified with the DASCS, the tests were repeated with actual operating ASC's. The goal of this integration testing was to verify operation of the DCC when connected to a spacecraft and to verify the functionality of the newly designed RSIL. The results of these tests are presented in this paper.

systems integration↗

NASA NTRS1991

On the utility of low resolution IUE spectroscopy of the 2800 A Mg II lines as a stellar chromosphere indicator

Low resolution IUE spectroscopy of the 2800-A Mg II h and k lines is shown to provide a useful means for documenting chromospheric activity among relatively young dwarf stars. An index I(Mg II) has been defined which measures the integrated flux in the region 2784-2814 A relative to the flux interpolated from nearby comparison regions. Values of this index have been derived from low resolution IUE spectra for a sample of field dwarfs for which Ca II H and K line indices have been published as part of the Mount Wilson HK program. The large range in chromospheric activity among field dwarfs that is exhibited by the Mount Wilson Ca II S index is found to also be reflected by the lower resolution I(Mg II) index. Using an age calibration of Ca II emission line strengths derived by Barry, it is found that the value of I(Mg II) can be used to distinguish between dwarfs younger and older than 3 Gyr. The low resolution nature of the I(Mg II) index means that it holds potential for use as an age diagnostic for stellar population studies. Among dwarfs of age greater than 3 Gyr there is some evidence that this Mg II index is affected by line blanketing.

Smith, Graeme H.↗

NASA NTRS1988

A shared-world conceptual model for integrating space station life sciences telescience operations

Mental models of the Space Station and its ancillary facilities will be employed by users of the Space Station as they draw upon past experiences, perform tasks, and collectively plan for future activities. The operational environment of the Space Station will incorporate telescience, a new set of operational modes. To investigate properties of the operational environment, distributed users, and the mental models they employ to manipulate resources while conducting telescience, an integrating shared-world conceptual model of Space Station telescience is proposed. The model comprises distributed users and resources (active elements); agents who mediate interactions among these elements on the basis of intelligent processing of shared information; and telescience protocols which structure the interactions of agents as they engage in cooperative, responsive interactions on behalf of users and resources distributed in space and time. Examples from the life sciences are used to instantiate and refine the model's principles. Implications for transaction management and autonomy are discussed. Experiments employing the model are described which the authors intend to conduct using the Space Station Life Sciences Telescience Testbed currently under development at Ames Research Center.

Johnson, Vicki↗

NASA NTRS1993

Nonlinear optical thin films

A focused approach to development and evaluation of organic polymer films for use in optoelectronics is presented. The issues and challenges that are addressed include: (1) material synthesis, purification, and the tailoring of the material properties; (2) deposition of uniform thin films by a variety of methods; (3) characterization of material physical properties (thermal, electrical, optical, and electro-optical); and (4) device fabrication and testing. Photonic materials, devices, and systems were identified as critical technology areas by the Department of Commerce and the Department of Defense. This approach offers strong integration of basic material issues through engineering applications by the development of materials that can be exploited as the active unit in a variety of polymeric thin film devices. Improved materials were developed with unprecedented purity and stability. The absorptive properties can be tailored and controlled to provide significant improvement in propagation losses and nonlinear performance. Furthermore, the materials were incorporated into polymers that are highly compatible with fabrication and patterning processes for integrated optical devices and circuits. By simultaneously addressing the issues of materials development and characterization, keeping device design and fabrication in mind, many obstacles were overcome for implementation of these polymeric materials and devices into systems. We intend to considerably improve the upper use temperature, poling stability, and compatibility with silicon based devices. The principal device application that was targeted is a linear electro-optic modulation etalon. Organic polymers need to be properly designed and coupled with existing integrated circuit technology to create new photonic devices for optical communication, image processing, other laser applications such as harmonic generation, and eventually optical computing. The progression from microscopic sample to a suitable film-forming material in a working device is a complex, multifaceted endeavor. It requires close attention to maintaining the optical properties of the electro-optic active portion of the polymer while manipulating the polymer structure to obtain the desired secondary polymer properties.

Leslie, Thomas M.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Application of New Technology to Future Celestial Trackers

New developments in image sensors and optical materials have opened the door to dramatic mass and power reductions in celestial tracker designs. The rapid development of active pixel sensors (APS) has provided a new detector choice offering high on-chip integration of support circuitry at reduced power consumption. Silicon-Carbide (Si-C) optics are one of the new developments in low-mass optical components. We describe the celestial tracker needs of an Autonomous Feature and Star Tracking (AFAST) system designed for autonomous spacecraft control. Details of a low mass celestial tracker, based on a low power APS array and optimized for an AFAST system, are discussed.

active↗

NASA NTRS2005

Transition to Operations Support at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center

The Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) is a multi-agency partnership, which aims at the creation of next generation space weather models. The goal of the CCMC is to support the research and developmental work necessary to substantially increase the present-day modeling capability for space weather purposes, and to provide models for transition to the rapid prototyping centers at the space weather forecast centers. This goal requires close collaborations with and substantial involvement of the research community. The physical regions to be addressed by CCMC-related activities range from the solar atmosphere to the Earth's upper atmosphere. The CCMC is an integral part of the National Space Weather Program Implementation Plan, of NASA's Living With a Star (LWS) initiative, and of the Department of Defense Space Weather Transition Plan. CCMC includes a facility at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, as well as distributed computing facilities provided by the US Air Force. CCMC also provides, to the research community, access to state-of-the-art space research models. This paper will focus on a status report on CCMC activities in support of model transition to operations at US space weather forecasting centers. In particular, an update will be given on past and present transition activities, on developments that address operational needs, and on future opportunities for transition-to-operations support.

Hesse, M.↗

NASA NTRS2025

Assessment of Model Outcomes Between the Integrated Medical Model (IMM) and the Medical Extensible Dynamic Probabilistic Risk Assessment Tool (MEDPRAT)

The Medical Extensible Dynamic Probabilistic Risk Assessment Tool (MEDPRAT) is a computational model that provides human health and medical risk predictions for crewed spaceflight missions. MEDPRAT utilizes discrete event modeling and dynamic probabilistic simulation to predict critical mission outcomes (total medical events, crew health index, quality time lost, loss of crew life, removal to definitive care), condition occurrences, and resource consumption. Input parameters for MEDPRAT include crew attributes (e.g., sex), types of mission activities (e.g., whether and where crew members perform an extravehicular activity (EVA)), available resources, treatment information, and probability distributions for medical conditions. As an evolution of the Integrated Medical Model (IMM), MEDPRAT provides enhanced capabilities and higher fidelity, and incorporates more appropriate assumptions for long-duration spaceflight. IMM is the currently accepted standard for quantifying spaceflight mission medical risk in NASA operations that uses a probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) approach. MEDPRAT builds on the same logical foundation as IMM but implements the model architecture through highly optimized Monte Carlo sampling methods. An analysis is performed comparing the outputs from IMM with those from MEDPRAT V1.0 and V2.0 for the same reference missions in order to quantify similarities and differences in the model outcomes. The juxtaposition between IMM and MEDPRAT V1.0 and 2.0 shown in this report demonstrates that these two models generate very similar results; where differences in outcomes are shown, these are in accordance with the underlying assumptions and differences in the model architectures. This validation effort further establishes the credibility and reliability of the MEDPRAT software.

Matthew T Prelich↗

NASA NTRS1987

Kinematics at the intersection of the Garlock and Death Valley fault zones, California: Integration of TM data and field studies

The Garlock and Death Valley fault zones in SE California are two active strike-slip faults coming together on the east side of the Avawatz Mtns. The kinematics of this intersection, and the possible continuation of either fault zone, are being investigated using a combination of field mapping, and processing and interpretation of remotely sensed image data. Regional and local relationships are derivable from Thematic Mapper data (30 m resolution), including discrimination and relative age dating of alluvial fans, bedrock mapping, and fault mapping. Aircraft data provide higher spatial resolution over more limited areas. Hypotheses being considered are: (1) the Garlock fault extends east of the intersection; (2) the Garlock fault terminates at the intersection and the Death Valley fault continues southeastward; and (3) the Garlock fault has been offset right laterally by the Death Valley fault which continues to the southeast. Preliminary work indicates that the first hypothesis is invalid. From kinematic considerations, image analysis, and field work the third hypothesis is favored. The projected continuation of the Death Valley zone defines the boundary between the Mojave crustal block and the Basin and Range block.

Abrams, Michael↗

NASA NTRS1992

Framework Programmable Platform for the Advanced Software Development Workstation (FPP/ASDW). Demonstration framework document. Volume 1: Concepts and activity descriptions

The Framework Programmable Software Development Platform (FPP) is a project aimed at effectively combining tool and data integration mechanisms with a model of the software development process to provide an intelligent integrated software development environment. Guided by the model, this system development framework will take advantage of an integrated operating environment to automate effectively the management of the software development process so that costly mistakes during the development phase can be eliminated. The Advanced Software Development Workstation (ASDW) program is conducting research into development of advanced technologies for Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE).

Mayer, Richard J.↗