Space among us: Some effects of space research on society
A wide range of effects, favorable and unfavorable, resulting from the space program are considered. The social effects, and technology application are discussed.
Boyle, C. P.↗
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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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Geosynchronous platform definition study. Volume 4, Part 1: Traffic analysis and system requirements for the baseline traffic model
The traffic analyses and system requirements data generated in the study resulted in the development of two traffic models; the baseline traffic model and the new traffic model. The baseline traffic model provides traceability between the numbers and types of geosynchronous missions considered in the study and the entire spectrum of missions foreseen in the total national space program. The information presented pertaining to the baseline traffic model includes: (1) definition of the baseline traffic model, including identification of specific geosynchronous missions and their payload delivery schedules through 1990; (2) Satellite location criteria, including the resulting distribution of the satellite population; (3) Geosynchronous orbit saturation analyses, including the effects of satellite physical proximity and potential electromagnetic interference; and (4) Platform system requirements analyses, including satellite and mission equipment descriptions, the options and limitations in grouping satellites, and on-orbit servicing criteria (both remotely controlled and man-attended).
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The administration of the NASA space tracking system and the NASA space tracking system in Australia
The international activities of the NASA space program were studied with emphasis on the development and maintenance of tracking stations in Australia. The history and administration of the tracking organization and the manning policies for the stations are discussed, and factors affecting station operation are appraised. A field study of the Australian tracking network is included.
Hollander, N.↗
A study of the potential of remote sensors in urban transportation planning
The potential uses of remotely sensed data as applied to the transportation planning process are presented. By utilizing the remote sensing technology developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the various space programs, it is hoped that both the expense and errors inherent in the conventional data collection techniques can be avoided. Additional bonuses derived from the use of remotely sensed data are those of the permanent record nature of the data and the traffic engineering data simultaneously made available. The major mathematical modeling phases and the role remotely sensed data might play in replacing conventionally collected data are discussed. Typical surveys undertaken in the overall planning process determine the nature and extent of travel desires, land uses, transportation facilities and socio-economic characteristics. Except for the socio-economic data, data collected in the other surveys mentioned can be taken from photographs in sufficient detail to be useful in the modeling procedures.
Rietschier, D.↗
Industrial use of aerospace technology
Examples are given of industrial utilization of aerospace technology generated through the NASA space programs.
Burnett, J. E.↗
Multi-mission nuclear electric propulsion stage design.
Results of a mission engineering analysis of nuclear-thermionic electric propulsion spacecraft for unmanned interplanetary and geocentric missions. Critical technologies assessed are associated with the development of nuclear electric propulsion (NEP), and the impact of its availability on future space programs. Specific areas of investigation include outer planet and comet rendezvous mission analysis, NEP stage design for geocentric and interplanetary missions, and technology requirements for NEP stage development. A multimission NEP stage can be developed to perform both multiple geocentric and interplanetary missions for a 1983 launch. Identified pacing NEP technology requirements are the development of 20,000 full power hour ion thrustors and thermionic reactor and the development of related power conditioning. The resulting NEP stage design provides both inherent reliability and high payload mass capability.
Prickett, W. Z.↗
Kohoutek - A great comet coming.
Passing inside the earth's orbit in late November, the comet Kohoutek will travel through the inner solar system during a unique period in the history of the space program, when Skylab and Mariner Venus-Mercury are in operation and the new C-141 Airborne Infrared Observatory is ready for flight. It is planned to investigate comprehensively the nature and evolution of the coma and tails of the comet. The detailed goals of the investigation include the identification of the parent molecules of the gases observed in comets, the determination of the processes that break down the parent molecules, the study of the physical nature of transient events in the comet, and the measurement of the solar-wind velocity in the inner solar system.
Maran, S. P.↗
Medical electronics: A need and a challenge
Space programs have led to the development of telemetry pills for diagnosis of diseases of the digestive tract, reusable X-ray image storage plates that require no chemical processing, and muscular augmentation systems for the handicapped. These examples, together with countless other examples of technological innovation that can be drawn from research and development programs supported by government funds, offer a potential opportunity to stimulate growth and to control rising costs in medical electronics.
Dimeoff, J.↗
A Saturn launched X-ray astronomy experiment. Volume 1: S-027
The S-027 X-Ray Astronomy Experiment originally proposed in early 1966, was developed to detect X-rays in the 2 keV to 10 keV range. Both a prototype unit and flight unit were constructed with the prototype unit also serving as the engineering model, the qualification test unit, and after refurbishment, as the back-up flight unit. Two Ground Support Equipment consoles were built to verify the experiment operation. A photograph of one experiment package with its Ground Support Equipment is shown. The S-027 experiment was scheduled for launch in 1968/69 and although both units were completed and tested to the extent that either would be ready for the scheduled launch, delays in the space program resulted in a launch date slip of several years. When the 1968/69 launch delay became official, provisions were made for storage of the two experiment packages at SCI Electronics in Huntsville, Alabama until a new launch date could be established.
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A case study in technology utilization: Industrial products and practices
In pursuit of such missions as Apollo, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has called into being unique equipment that obviously has little direct application beyond the achievement of mission objectives. Yet, to assume that further direct application of space program hardware is somehow a measure of the industrial benefits accruing to the nation is to misunderstand how the creation of new technology affects modern industrial capability. This document presents a profile of the significant ways in which technological developments in response to aerospace mission requirements have been coupled into industrial practice, with the result being that improved products and processes are now being utilized to benefit the nation.
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Status of FEP encapsulated solar cell modules used in terrestrial applications
The Lewis Research Center has been engaged in transferring the FEP encapsulated solar cell technology developed for the space program to terrestrial applications. FEP encapsulated solar cell modules and arrays were designed and built expressly for terrestrial applications. Solar cell power systems were installed at three different land sites, while individual modules are undergoing marine environment tests. Four additional power systems are being completed for installation during the summer of 1974. These tests have revealed some minor problems which have been corrected. The results confirm the inherent utility of FEP encapsulated terrestrial solar cell systems.
Ratajczak, A. F.↗
Automatic controls and regulators: A compilation
Devices, methods, and techniques for control and regulation of the mechanical/physical functions involved in implementing the space program are discussed. Section one deals with automatic controls considered to be, essentially, start-stop operations or those holding the activity in a desired constraint. Devices that may be used to regulate activities within desired ranges or subject them to predetermined changes are dealt with in section two.
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Surface atmospheric extremes (launch and transportation areas)
Criteria are provided on atmospheric extremes from the surface to 150 meters for geographical locations of interest to NASA. Thermal parameters (temperature and solar radiation), humidity, precipitation, pressure, and atmospheric electricity (lightning and static) are presented. Available data are also provided for the entire continental United States for use in future space programs.
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The use of remote sensing in mosquito control
The technology of remote sensing, developed by the space program for identification of surface features from the vantage point of an aircraft or satellite, has substantial application in precisely locating mosquito breeding grounds. Preliminary results of the NASA technology working cooperatively with a city government agency in solving this problem are discussed.
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The MATHEMATICA economic analysis of the Space Shuttle System
Detailed economic analysis shows the Thrust Assisted Orbiter Space Shuttle System (TAOS) to be the most economic Space Shuttle configuration among the systems studied. The development of a TAOS Shuttle system is economically justified within a level of space activities between 300 and 360 Shuttle flights in the 1979-1990 period, or about 25 to 30 flights per year, well within the U.S. Space Program including NASA and DoD missions. If the NASA and DoD models are taken at face value (624 flights), the benefits of the Shuttle system are estimated to be $13.9 billion with a standard deviation of plus or minus $1.45 billion in 1970 dollars (at a 10% social rate of discount). If the expected program is modified to 514 flights (in the 1979-1990 period), the estimated benefits of the Shuttle system are $10.2 billion, with a standard deviation of $940 million (at a 10% social rate of discount).
Heiss, K. P.↗
Space shuttle sortie payload crew safety and systems compatibility criteria. Volume 1: Executive summary
As part of the effort to reduce the costs of shuttle payloads, this study was performed to determine the minimum, mandatory design and verification criteria necessary to insure that sortie payloads are compatible with the space shuttle system; distinguishing them from those criteria related primarily to mission success, configuration choices, management prerogatives, or other cost-benefit variables which are, therefore, discretionary to payload project management. It was concluded that utilization of the mandatory design criteria, presented in this report, as the basis for sortie payload specifications will produce basic systems compatibility between the orbiter and its sortie payloads at reduced costs. Also, when additional criteria are generated due to changes in subsystems, designs, or guidelines, the categorization methodology developed can aid managerial decision-making concerning these criteria. To a limited degree, the compatibility criteria as defined in this study reflect a portion of the total system safety effort involved in a manned space program.
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Optical grating analyzer studies
A spectrometer was specifically designed and developed to observe grating spectra over a range of incidence angles from normal to almost grazing incidence. A unique scanning and focusing mechanism is utilized to keep the exit slit on the Rowland circle. Polarization effects in the vacuum were investigated, and efficiency measurements and spectral scans were made simultaneously with the spectrometer. Results of measurements are given. Applications of the spectrometer to the space program and to the study of contamination on optical surfaces are indicated.
Mcdonald, J. K.↗
Attitude Control Propulsion Components, Volume 2
Attitude control propulsion components are described, including hydrazine thrusters, hydrazine thruster and cold gas jet valves, and pressure and temperature transducers. Component-ordered data are presented in tabular form; the manufacturer and specific space program are included.
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