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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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Studies of the habitability of the space shuttle orbiter are briefly summarized. Selected illustrations and descriptions are presented for: crew compartment, hygiene facilities, food system and galley, and storage systems.
The application of NASTRAN to a complex piping design evaluation problem is summarized. Emphasis is placed on structural modeling aspects, problems encountered in modeling and analyzing curved pipe sections, principal results, and relative merits of using NASTRAN as a pipe analysis and design tool. In addition, the piping and manifolding system was analyzed with SNAP (Structural Network Analysis Program). The parallel SNAP study provides a basis for limited comparisons between NASTRAN and SNAP as to solution agreement and computer execution time and costs.
The function of the proposed manned Space Construction Base (SCB) is to provide a permanent manned orbital facility for the construction and operation of a variety of space experiments, ranging from a space-processing development to on-orbit-constructed microwave radiometers and antennas. A typical SCB system might reach initial operational capability in low earth orbit in 1985, have a 10-year mission duration, and have an initial power requirement of 50 kWe. A summary of the requirements imposed by the SCB on the electrical power system (EPS) is presented in a table. Attention is given to EPS options, baseline power platform system operations, an energy storage system evaluation, advanced-technology NiCd batteries and lifetime, and orbital buildup operations.
A unique energy-storage system has been developed at NASA's Lewis Research Center called REDOX. This NASA-REDOX system is an electrochemical storage device that utilized the oxidation and reduction of two fully soluble redox couples for charging and discharging. The redox couples now being investigated are acidified chloride solutions of chromium (Cr(+2)/Cr(+3)) and iron (Fe(+2)/Fe(+3)).
Trade and optimization studies that highlight the potential of solar and nuclear dynamic systems relative to photovoltaic power systems are summarized. The solar dynamic case is the LEO Stirling system, while the nuclear system is the SP-100 system goal. Nuclear systems have the potential for the lightest weight, least area, sunlight independent, radiation-durable system. Solar dynamic systems pose a stiff challenge to photovoltaic systems in the midaltitudes because of their insensitivity to the Van Allen radiation belts. While the initial operational capability space station power system is only slightly superior to the SOA PV system, with development focused on the key technologies, advanced solar dynamic systems are fully competitive in LEO midaltitudes with the advanced photovoltaic systems. Advances in energy storage systems (100 Whrs/kg required) are essential.
A crystal growth apparatus is presented. It utilizes a vapor diffusion method for growing protein crystals, and particularly such an apparatus wherein a ball mixer is used to mix the fluids that form a drop within which crystals are grown. Particular novelty of this invention lies in utilizing a ball mixer to completely mix the precipitate and protein solutions prior to forming the drop. Additional novelty lies in details of construction of the vials, the fluid deployment system, and the fluid storage system of the preferred embodiment.
During 2004, the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter project, a part of NASA's Project Prometheus, continued efforts to develop electric propulsion technologies. These technologies addressed the challenges of propelling a spacecraft to several moons of Jupiter. Specific challenges include high power, high specific impulse, long lived ion thrusters, high power/high voltage power processors, accurate feed systems, and large propellant storage systems. Critical component work included high voltage insulators and isolators as well as ensuring that the thruster materials and components could operate in the substantial Jupiter radiation environment. A review of these developments along with future plans is discussed.
This paper presents an overview of the design optimisation measures that have been proposed and analysed in order to reduce the mass of the structure, including the MMOD (Micro-Meteoroid and Orbital Debris) protection system, of the ESM (European Service Module) for the “Orion” MPCV (Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle). Under an agreement between NASA and ESA, the NASA Orion MPCV for human space exploration missions will be powered by a European Service Module, based on the design and experience of the ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle). The development and qualification of the European Service Module is managed and implemented by ESA. The ESM prime contractor and system design responsible is Airbus Defence and Space. Thales Alenia Space Italia is responsible for the design and integration of the ESM Structure and MMOD protection system in addition to the Thermal Control System and the Consumable Storage System. The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle is a pressurized, crewed spacecraft that transports up to four crew members from the Earth’s surface to a nearby destination or staging point. Orion then brings the crew members safely back to the Earth’s surface at the end of the mission. Orion provides all services necessary to support the crew members while on-board for short duration missions (up to 21 days) or until they are transferred to another orbiting habitat. The ESM supports the crew module from launch through separation prior to re-entry by providing: in-space propulsion capability for orbital transfer, attitude control, and high altitude ascent aborts; water and oxygen/nitrogen needed for a habitable environment; and electrical power generation. In addition, it maintains the temperature of the vehicle's systems and components and offers space for unpressurized cargo and scientific payloads. The ESM has been designed for the first 2 Lunar orbit missions, EM-1 (Exploration mission 1) is an un-crewed flight planned around mid-2020, and EM-2, the first crewed flight, is planned in 2022. At the time where the first ESM is about to be weighted, the predicted mass lies slightly above the initial requirement. For future builds, mass reduction of the Service Module has been considered necessary. This is being investigated, together with other design improvements, in order to consolidate the ESM design and increase possible future missions beyond the first two Orion MPCV missions. The mass saving study has introduced new optimised structural concepts, optimisation of the MMOD protection shields, and optimised redesign of parts for manufacturing through AM (Additive Manufacturing).
Using the core ideals of bioregenerative life support, an anaerobic–phototrophic membrane bioreactor (APMBR) has been designed and operated at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to treat complex wastewaters with the goal of closing water and nutrient cycles on early planetary bases. The system combined the previously operated anaerobic membrane bioreactor and the phototrophic membrane bioreactor that have been detailed in presentations at previous ICES conferences. This newly combined system is able to treat complex wastewater with completely automated controls on a small footprint. The treatment of wastes in this APMBR is as follows: (1) the waste enters the anaerobic subsystem, where solids are hydrolyzed and carbon is removed via anaerobic digestion, (2) an ultrafiltration membrane is used to separate the solids and the recovered water, (3) the effluent from the anaerobic subsystem is fed to the phototrophic subsystem on command, (4) the algae–bacteria consortium aids in nitrification in the recovered water, and (5) an ultrafiltration membrane is used to separate the algae and the final recovered water. The recovered water from the APMBR is rich in nutrients, making it a sustainable source of fertilizer for downstream hydroponic systems. This conference paper will detail the design and operation of the APMBR as a bioregenerative alternative to physical–chemical systems or bag and storage systems. In this paper, data will be presented on subsystem water quality, membrane performance, and effluent quality. Overall, the APMBR has the ability to treat wastewater using a combination of biological and filtration technologies that allow for higher removal efficiencies, low consumable use, and small footprint.
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The invention provides methods for producing a strong, light, sorbent-based storage/dispenser system for gases and fuels. The system comprises a porous monolithic material with an adherent strong impervious skin that is capable of storing a gas under pressure in a safe and usable manner.
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Restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions and growth of renewables change the price structure of electricity markets with more hours per year of low electricity prices and high electricity prices. This creates large economic incentives to (1) store energy at times of low electricity prices to produce electricity when prices are high and (2) couple base-load nuclear plants to heat storage to avoid selling electricity at times of low prices and increase electricity sales at times of high prices. Nuclear energy coupled with thermal energy storage has potentially superior economics to alternative energy storage technologies for peak electricity production because (1) heat storage is cheaper than electricity storage, (2) economics of scale for energy storage, (3) more storage cycles per year and (4) dispatchable electricity generation that avoids full depletion of energy storage systems. Nuclear with heat storage is potentially the enabling technology for a zero-carbon nuclear renewable electricity grid. The changing electricity market, nuclear thermal energy storage options, and market analysis using the Texas electricity grid as an example are described.
This paper presents a test bed that utilities, vendors, and researchers can use to evaluate the performance of existing and emerging advanced distribution management systems (ADMS) or specific applications of such systems. The test bed provides a realistic laboratory test setting, including detailed modeling of the power system, controller and/or power hardware, and industry-standard communication protocols. The test bed can further represent the current state of a specific utility's distribution system or the anticipated state with increased penetrations of distributed energy resources, such as rooftop photovoltaic systems, residential battery energy storage systems, electric vehicles, and loads with smart controls. The paper describes the design and implementation of the test bed. We present two use cases of the test bed and preliminary results for these two use cases. We also discuss upcoming and potential future use cases. Results from test bed experiments can be used to accelerate industry deployment of ADMS technologies and advance development of ADMS capabilities.