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DOE OSTI2024

Divergent urban land trajectories under alternative population projections within the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways

Population change is a main driver behind global environmental change, including urban land expansion. In future scenario modeling, assumptions regarding how populations will change locally, despite identical global constraints of Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), can have dramatic effects on subsequent regional urbanization. Using a spatial modeling experiment at high resolution (1 km), this study compared how two alternative US population projections, varying in the spatially explicit nature of demographic patterns and migration, affect urban land dynamics simulated by the Spatially Explicit, Long-term, Empirical City development (SELECT) model for SSP2, SSP3, and SSP5. The population projections included: (1) newer downscaled state-specific population (SP) projections inclusive of updated international and domestic migration estimates, and (2) prevailing downscaled national-level projections (NP) agnostic to localized demographic processes. Our work shows that alternative population inputs, even those under the same SSP, can lead to dramatic and complex differences in urban land outcomes. Under the SP projection, urbanization displays more of an extensification pattern compared to the NP projection. This suggests that recent demographic information supports more extreme urban extensification and land pressures on existing rural areas in the US than previously anticipated. Urban land outcomes to population inputs were spatially variable where areas in close spatial proximity showed divergent patterns, reflective of the spatially complex urbanization processes that can be accommodated in SELECT. Although different population projections and assumptions led to divergent outcomes, urban land development is not a linear product of population change but the result of complex relationships between population, dynamic urbanization processes, stages of urban development maturity, and feedback mechanisms. These findings highlight the importance of accounting for spatial variations in the population projections, but also urbanization process to accurately project long-term urban land patterns.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Ice Shape Classification for Swept Wings

An important consideration for swept-wing ice shapes is the level of geometric fidelity required to accurately capture the aerodynamics. One way to help make the task of addressing this more manageable is to organize the ice shapes into a small number of classifications. These classifications are done by grouping similar ice shape geometries that also have similar iced wing aerodynamics. Ice shape classifications for airfoils are more mature and are reviewed as an example. Swept wing ice shape classifications are based on the well-established airfoil classifications and here five classifications are proposed: leading-edge roughness, streamwise ice, 3D leading-edge horn, highly 3D leading-edge horn and spanwise ridge. Recent data on swept wing icing aerodynamics is used to develop and support this classification. The development, or suppression, of the leading-edge separation vortex on swept wings without a leading-edge device is seen to be key in the classification of the highly 3D leading-edge horn.

Aircraft icing↗

DOE OSTI2026

InterQnet: A Heterogeneous Full-Stack Approach to Co-Designing Scalable Quantum Networks

Quantum communications have progressed significantly, moving from a theoretical concept to small-scale experiments to recent metropolitan-scale demonstrations. As the technology matures, it is expected to revolutionize quantum computing in much the same way that classical networks revolutionized classical computing. Quantum communications will also enable breakthroughs in quantum sensing, metrology, and other areas. However, scalability has emerged as a major challenge, particularly in terms of the number and heterogeneity of nodes, the distances between nodes, the diversity of applications, and the scale of user demand. This article describes InterQnet, a multidisciplinary project that advances scalable quantum communications through a comprehensive approach that improves devices, error handling, and network architecture. InterQnet has a two-pronged strategy to address scalability challenges: InterQnet-Achieve focuses on practical realizations of heterogeneous quantum networks by building and then integrating first-generation quantum repeaters with error mitigation schemes and centralized automated network control systems. The resulting system will enable quantum communications between two heterogeneous quantum platforms through a third type of platform operating as a repeater node. InterQnet-Scale focuses on a systems study of architectural choices for scalable quantum networks by developing forward-looking models of quantum network devices, advanced error correction schemes, and entanglement protocols. Here, we report our current progress toward achieving our scalability goals.

Chung, Joaquin [Argonne] (ORCID:0000000173833810)↗

NASA NTRS1992

Mechanisms of nascent fiber formation during avian skeletal muscle hypertrophy

This study examined two putative mechanisms of new fiber formation in postnatal skeletal muscle, namely longitudinal fragmentation of existing fibers and de novo formation. The relative contributions of these two mechanisms to fiber formation in hypertrophying anterior latissimus dorsi (ALD) muscle were assessed by quantitative analysis of their nuclear populations. Muscle hypertrophy was induced by wing-weighting for 1 week. All nuclei formed during the weighting period were labeled by continuous infusion of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), a thymidine analog, and embryonic-like fibers were identified using an antibody to ventricular-like embryonic (V-EMB) myosin. The number of BrdU-labeled and unlabeled nuclei in V-EMB-positive fibers were counted. Wing-weighting resulted in significant muscle enlargement and the appearance of many V-EMB+ fibers. The majority of V-EMB+ fibers were completely independent of mature fibers and had a nuclear density characteristics of developing fibers. Furthermore, nearly 100% of the nuclei in independent V-EMB+ fibers were labeled. These findings strongly suggest that most V-EMB+ fibers were nascent fibers formed de novo during the weighting period by satellite cell activation and fusion. Nascent fibers were found primarily in the space between fascicles where they formed a complex anastomosing network of fibers running at angles to one another. Although wing-weighting induced an increase in the number of branched fibers, there was no evidence that V-EMB+ fibers were formed by longitudinal fragmentation. The location of newly formed fibers in wing-weighted and regenerating ALD muscle was compared to determine whether satellite cells in the ALD muscle were unusual in that, if stimulated to divide, they would form fibers in the inter- and intrafascicular space. In contrast to wing-weighted muscle, nascent fibers were always found closely associated with necrotic fibers. These results suggest that wing-weighting is not simply another model of regeneration, but rather produces a unique environment which induces satellite cell migration and subsequent fiber formation in the interfascicular space. De novo fiber formation is apparently the principal mechanism for the hyperplasia reported to occur in the ALD muscle undergoing hypertrophy induced by wing-weighting.

Non-NASA Center↗

NASA NTRS2019

Technology Readiness Assessment for HEEET TPS

The HEEET project was conceived to develop a heatshield with a high performance ablative thermal protection material that can withstand the extreme entry environment produced as a result of rapid deceleration during high speed entry into Venus, Saturn, Uranus or higher speed entry into Earth's atmosphere. Successful maturation of HEEET supports future New Frontiers and Discovery AO's, as well as Flagship and directed missions in the longer term. In addition, HEEET has the potential to evolve and to support re-entry to Earth, for missions such as Mars Sample Return.The primary goal of the HEEET Project was to develop an ablative TPS heat-shield based on woven TPS technology to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6. Key evidence to support the TRL evaluation includes: Demonstration of reproducible manufacturing of a dual layer material over a range of thicknesses and integrated on to a heatshield engineering test unit at a scale that is applicable to near term Discovery as the highest priority and future NF missions as secondary priority set of missions. Demonstration of predictable and stable performance of the dual layer TPS over a range of entry environments that are applicable to near term Discovery and NF missions of interest to SMD.Includes completion of coupon arc jet and laser testing and development of a mid-fidelity thermal response model that correlates with test results. Demonstration of flight heatshield system design for a range of sizes and loads that are relevant to near term Discovery and NF missions of interest to SMD. Includes completion of structural testing to validate analytic thermal/structural models and development of a material property database. Includes structural testing of a ~1m Engineering Test Unit under relevant entry loads.

Gage, Peter↗

NASA NTRS2019

Computational Fluid Dynamics Methods Used in the Development of the Space Launch System Liftoff and Transition Lineloads Databases

The objective of this paper is to document the reasoning and trade studies that supported the selection of appropriate tools for constructing aerodynamic lineload databases for the Liftoff and Transition phases of flight for launch vehicles. These decisions were made amid the maturation of an evolving workflow for generating databases on variants of the Space Launch System launch vehicle, with most being based on results from brief developmental studies performed in response to specific, unforeseen challenges that were encountered in analyzing a given configuration. This report is intended to provide a summary of the results and the decision-making processes chronologically over the design cycles of various configurations, starting with isolated free-air bodies for the Block 1 Crew, then the Block 1B Crew and Cargo configurations, and most recently the Block 1B Crew configuration in proximity to the launch tower. The results from these analyses led to the selection of the CREATE-AV Kestrel flowsolver for simulating these problems. The need to accurately capture the expected leeward-wake flow field characteristics required the use of Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (DDES) method, for which the vorticity magnitude was employed as the solution Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) function over the off-body Cartesian grid region. In addition, the Spalart-Allmaras (SA) model is used to account for the flow turbulence effects.

Ratnayake, Nalin A.↗

NASA NTRS2020

Mark Twain National Forest Ecological Forecasting - Utilizing NASA Earth Observations to Classify Ground Cover Types in the Mark Twain National Forest

The Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF) encompasses 1.5 million acres of public land in the Ozarks region of southeastern Missouri. The industrial boom between the 1880s and 1920s had devastating effects on the shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata),Missouri’s only native pine species. The combination of fire suppression on this fire-dependent species and timber harvest of mature pine stands inhibited the development of pine seedlings and promoted the establishment of hardwood stands. Partners at the US Forest Service’s MTNF are currently involved in restoration efforts in two ranger districts, which includes removing invasive eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and prescribed burning. To expand spatial coverage for the MTNF beyond in situ observation sites, the NASA DEVELOP team analyzed land cover change from 1986 through 2019 and forecasted changes based on a ‘business-as-usual' scenario out to 2040. The team incorporated remotely sensed data from Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) into the random trees supervised classification tool in ArcGIS Pro. This tool spectrally separated pixels into five distinct land cover classes and produced classifications for 1986 and 2019, with kappa statistics of 0.87 and 0.81, respectively. Overall, there was a net decrease in conifer and meadow land cover between 1986 and 2019 along with a net increase in water, developed, and deciduous land cover. The team used TerrSet’s Land Change Modeler to forecast land cover through 2040. Results showed an increase in coniferous land cover and a decrease in deciduous cover, indicating a high probability that current restoration efforts will produce the intended effect.

Kaitlyn Bretz↗

NASA NTRS2020

Mark Twain National Forest Ecological Forecasting: Utilizing NASA Earth Observations to Classify Ground Cover Types in the Mark Twain National Forest

DEVELOP Tech Paper↗

DOE OSTI2025

Project Title: Demonstration High Temperature Superconducting NonPlanar Stellarator Magnet with Advanced Manufactured Assemblies

This is the final report for the project “Demonstration High Temperature Superconducting Non- Planar Stellarator Magnet with Advanced Manufactured Assemblies”, funded by DOE, and performed by Type One Energy from September, 2020, to March 2024 involving the Fusion Technology Institute at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) to design and fabricate the first non-planar HTS (REBCO) coil for a high-field stellarator based on the SPARC tokamak’s VIPER cable concept. Stellarators at high fields make high-temperature superconducting magnets necessary for a compact fusion device. But the asymmetric and non-planar nature of its components, especially the magnets make it difficult for scalable producibility. To address these challenges, two promising technologies have emerged: advanced manufacturing (AM) for the supporting plates for forming the magnets, and high-temperature superconducting (HTS) cables inside the plates. AM has advanced enough to produce stellarator components with the necessary geometric complexity, size, and the precision, leading to potentially significant reductions in production time, cost, and waste. The cost of HTS tape has decreased dramatically, and progress in HTS planar magnet development has reached a point where it can be proposed for application to complex 3D non-planar magnets. The main objective of this project is to develop, demonstrate and pre-commercialize a novel, non-planar HTS coil shape that remains superconducting to achieve production scalable reductions in time and cost and performance. The proposed technology is based on the novel concept of a precision sub-scale HTS nonplanar coil assembly. This project focuses on the design, fabrication, material optimization of cable design, and validation and demonstration of the high current carrying capability of superconducting magnets and their support in a complex 3D shape needed for application to stellarator magnetic plasma confinement. The specific objectives of this research program include: (1) The successful application of metal AM to build a precision sub-scale HTS nonplanar coil, (2) An HTS cable and cross-section design that can conform to the required nonplanar coil shape (bend radii as tight as 10-cm) and remains superconducting at an engineering current density of 1.35 kA/cm 2 at 77 K and 1 tesla at the conductor (5 kA in the cable). To achieve the above challenging goals, we have formed a multidisciplinary research team consisting of members from Type One Energy and UW-Madison, MIT PSFC and CFS with complementary skills and strong facilities. The team worked collaboratively on fundamental and applied research on the following three major technical areas: (1) Design, fabrication, and optimization of non-planar HTS Cable The ultimate goal of the project is to determine if commercial REBCO tapes and additive manufacturing can be used to fabricate high field (≥ 10T) non-planar coils with tight bending radii (≃ 100mm) and with a degradation of the critical current (Ic) smaller than 20% with respect to the expected performance. We started with shorter length cable to evaluate the scalability of the production process and eventually reached multiple turns for higher magnetic fields. Our findings suggest that a stellarator coil system of a relevant size, characterized by its asymmetric and non-planar components, can be fabricated using a formed cable in plate method. This system can be simulated using a large-scale modeling approach. The use of hybrid modeling 3 techniques will be pivotal in reducing the complexity of the model and in assessing expected performance in designs. (2) Modeling and simulation of the non-planar HTS Cable Multiphysics simulations are performed using the commercial software and are carried out in self-field conditions, involving 2D and 3D models and twisted around one slot of twist-pitched VIPER cable. Multiphysics simulations are mainly focused on the coil for the critical current evaluation, the magnetic field map, self-Lorentz forces and mechanical, and magnetothermal behavior and the quench dynamics. The detailed model and prediction of the superconducting performance of a stellarator-relevant demonstration cable from numerical simulations supports the results from the actual testing backing the results. A detailed description and results are provided in the later sections. (3) Design, fabrication, and optimization of support for the non-planar HTS Cable The team developed an additive manufactured (AM) coil positioning plate that formed into the required non-planar geometry (with bend radii as tight as 10-cm) and to acceptable tolerances required for a stellarator magnet: (+0.25-mm from ideal on dimensions of coil positioning plates and up to +1-mm from ideal for position of wound coil). The plate materials is also included in this selection process from fabrication and 3D printing perspective and commensurate with eventual application to a fusion reactor. From the cost effectiveness point of view, the HTS coil and plate has the potential to cost less than that made in conventional methods with less waste (<75% waste) reducing time (<50%) and cost (<50%), especially as the AM field matures. The application of advanced manufacturing in the construction of the support plates will also lead to cost reduction, as the cables can be easily replaced, thereby making the assembly modular. With such high primary cost and time savings, high current densities and magnetic field, the funded R&D work has validated the designs, proven the feasibility, and characterized the performance of the HTS coil and plate assembly, paving the way for a relevant-size stellarator coil system.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2023

Expression of macromolecular organic nitrogen degrading enzymes identifies potential mediators of soil organic N availability to an annual grass

Abstract Nitrogen (N) is frequently limiting to plant growth, in part because most soil N is present as polymeric organic compounds that are not readily taken up by plants. Microbial depolymerization of these large macromolecular N-substrates gradually releases available inorganic N. While many studies have researched and modeled controls on soil organic matter formation and bulk N mineralization, the ecological—spatial, temporal and phylogenetic—patterns underlying organic N degradation remain unclear. We analyzed 48 time-resolved metatranscriptomes and quantified N-depolymerization gene expression to resolve differential expression by soil habitat and time in specific taxonomic groups and gene-based guilds. We observed much higher expression of extracellular serine-type proteases than other extracellular N-degrading enzymes, with protease expression of predatory bacteria declining with time and other taxonomic patterns driven by the presence (Gammaproteobacteria) or absence (Thermoproteota) of live roots and root detritus (Deltaproteobacteria and Fungi). The primary chitinase chit1 gene was more highly expressed by eukaryotes near root detritus, suggesting predation of fungi. In some lineages, increased gene expression over time suggests increased competitiveness with rhizosphere age (Chloroflexi). Phylotypes from some genera had protease expression patterns that could benefit plant N nutrition, for example, we identified a Janthinobacterium phylotype and two Burkholderiales that depolymerize organic N near young roots and a Rhizobacter with elevated protease levels near mature roots. These taxon-resolved gene expression results provide an ecological read-out of microbial interactions and controls on N dynamics in specific soil microhabitats and could be used to target potential plant N bioaugmentation strategies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2024

Chemical clocks: using otolith geochemistry to enhance estimation of age and growth of white hake (Urophycis tenuis)

The white hake (Urophycis tenuis) is a groundfish distributed throughout the Gulf of Maine. Catch advice is based on stock assessments done with age-based population dynamics models; however, otolith aging is challenging because of unclear growth increments. To address this concern, we compared the consistency of aging with counts of visual annuli to that of aging with cycles of elemental concentrations measured by using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We tested the hypothesis that oscillations in both environmental conditions and internal physiology through time influence uptake of elements during otolith mineralization. Concentrations of manganese, in comparison with those of the other investigated trace elements (magnesium, strontium, and barium), had the most promising correlation with visual growth increments (~100% age agreement, ±1 year), offering an additional tool to enhance increment identification. In our examination of 550 otoliths collected during 2007–2021, we found that white hake lived a maximum of 10.3 years and exhibited sexual dimorphism in maximum length and age. By using generated von Bertalanffy growth functions, L(t)=110(1–e–0.113(t+0.45)) for males and L(t)=140(1–e–0.113(t–0.30)) for females (where L(t) is length at time t), size and age at maturity were calculated for males (37.4 cm in total length (TL), 3.3 years) and females (47.4 cm TL, 4.2 years). These results demonstrate that otolith geochemistry can be used to improve the accuracy and precision of the estimation of fish age and maturity, even for challenging species.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2014

Planck 2013 results. I. Overview of products and scientific results

The European Space Agency's Planck satellite, dedicated to studying the early Universe and its subsequent evolution, was launched 14 May 2009 and has been scanning the microwave and submillimetre sky continuously since 12 August 2009. In March 2013, ESA and the Planck Collaboration released the initial cosmology products based on the first 15.5 months of Planck data, along with a set of scientific and technical papers and a web-based explanatory supplement. This report gives an overview of the mission and its performance, the processing, analysis, and characteristics of the data, the scientific results, and the science data products and papers in the release. The science products include maps of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and diffuse extragalactic foregrounds, a catalogue of compact Galactic and extragalactic sources, and a list of sources detected through the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect. The likelihood code given to assess cosmological models against the Planck data and a lensing likelihood are described. Scientific results include robust support for the standard six-parameter ΛCDM model of cosmology and improved measurements of its parameters, including a highly significant deviation from scale invariance of the primordial power spectrum. The Planck values for these parameters and others derived from them are significantly different from those previously determined. Several large-scale anomalies in the temperature distribution of the CMB, first detected by WMAP, are confirmed with higher confidence. Planck sets new limits on the number and mass of neutrinos, and has measured gravitational lensing of CMB anisotropies at greater than 25σ. Planck finds no evidence for non-Gaussianity in the CMB. Planck's results agree well with results from the measurements of baryon acoustic oscillations. Planck finds a lower Hubble constant than found in some more local measures. Some tension is also present between the amplitude of matter fluctuations (σ8) derived from CMB data and that derived from Sunyaev-Zeldovich data. The Planck and WMAP power spectra are offset from each other by an average level of about 2% around the first acoustic peak. Analysis of Planck polarization data is not yet mature, therefore polarization results are not released, while the robust detection of E -mode polarization around CMB hot and cold spots is shown graphically.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Carbon dioxide, water vapor and methane soil efflux (soil respiration) in a Pinus palustris root exclusion in Georgetown, SC

This dataset contains processed data from a combination of survey flux chambers and long-term automated flux chambers. Soil flux measurements were conducted from June 2023 through December 2025 in a mature longleaf pine forest in Georgetown, SC. Soil respiration measurements were conducted approximately biweekly for two and a half years, before and after a root exclusion that took place on May 5, 2024. Processed, QAQC’d data for the treatment (root exclusion) and control (roots intact) before and after the root exclusion can be found in the file: 1_DATA_ESS_DOE_HR_RS_HB2_QAQC_Survey_Data_20260223.csv. Two multiday deployments were also conducted prior to the root exclusion using long-term automated chambers to continuously monitor greenhouse gas soil efflux. Processed, QAQC’d data for both long-term deployments can be found in the file: 2_DATA_ESS_DOE_HR_RS_HB2_QAQC_Longterm_Data_20260209.csv. Raw and working data files (.json, .81x, & .82z format) from LI-COR equipment are included for reference and can be accessed using SoilFluxPro software. CSV metadata files describe the raw data and modifications made using SoilFluxPro v5 and Matlab R2024b, as well as formatting and units for processed CSVs. Matlab code is included for reading in the processed CSVs, with sample figures comparing treatment and control. This research was performed as part of the project: “Improving models of stand and watershed carbon and water fluxes with more accurate representations of soil-plant-water dynamics in southern pine ecosystems”, which examines in part the effects hydraulic redistribution on soil efflux of carbon dioxide, water vapor and methane, as well as soil moisture and temperature in a southern pine ecosystem with sandy soils and high water table.

CARBON DIOXIDE FLUX↗

NASA NTRS2019

Loftid Aeroshell Engineering Development Unit Structural Testing

NASA’s Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) technology was selected for a Technology Demonstration Mission under the Space Technology Mission Directorate in 2017. HIAD is an enabling technology that can facilitate atmospheric entry of heavy payloads to planets such as Earth and Mars using a deployable aeroshell. The deployable nature of the HIAD technology allows it to avoid the size constraints imposed on current rigid aeroshell entry systems. This enables use of larger aeroshells resulting in increased entry system performance (e.g. higher pay-load mass and/or volume, higher landing altitude at Mars). The Low Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) is currently scheduled for late-2021. LOFTID will be launched out of Vandenberg Air Force Base as a secondary payload on an Atlas V rocket. The flight test features a 6m diameter, 70-deg sphere-cone aeroshell and will provide invaluable high-energy orbital re-entry flight data. This data will be essential in supporting the HIAD team to mature the technology to diameters of 10m and greater. Aeroshells of this scale are applicable to potential near-term commercial applications and future NASA missions. Currently the LOFTID project has completed fabrication of the engineering design unit (EDU) inflatable structure (IS) and the flexible thermal protection system (F-TPS). These two components along with the rigid nose and center body comprise the HIAD aeroshell system. This EDU aeroshell is the precursor to the LOFTID aeroshell that will be used for flight. The EDU was built to verify the design given the subtle differences between the LOFTID aeroshell and past aeroshell designs that have been fabricated under the NASA HIAD project. To characterize the structural performance of the LOFTID aeroshell design, three structural tests will be performed. The first test to be conducted is static load testing, which will induce a uniform load across the forward surface of the aeroshell to simulate the expected pressure forces during atmospheric entry. The IS integrated with the rigid center body will first be tested alone to provide data for analytical model correlation, and then the F-TPS will be integrated for a second series of static load testing of the full aeroshell system. Instrumentation will be employed during the test series to measure component loads during testing, and a laser scanner will be used to generate a 3D map of the aeroshell surface to verify that the shape of the structure is acceptable at the simulated flight loads. After static load testing, pack and deployment testing will be conducted multiple times on the integrated system to demonstrate the aeroshell’s ability to fit within the required packed volume for the LOFTID mission without experiencing significant damage. Finally, the aeroshell will undergo modal testing to characterize its structural response. This presentation will discuss the setup and execution of each of the three tests that the EDU aeroshell will undergo. In addition, initial results of the testing will be presented outlining key findings as LOFTID moves for-ward with fabrication of the flight aeroshell.

Swanson, G. T.↗

NASA NTRS2024

Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate: Moon to Mars Architecture Definition Document

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery. Extending the reach of humanity through the human exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond is key to that mission. NASA’s Moon to Mars Strategy and Objectives document establishes long-term goals and objectives for crewed deep space exploration; however, satisfying NASA’s Moon to Mars Objectives requires an innovative approach to the definition, management, and execution of NASA’s Moon to Mars Architecture. An architecture offers a high-level unifying structure and defines a system. It provides rules, guidelines, and constraints that define a cohesive and coherent framework that identifies constituent parts, relationships, and connections and establishes how those parts fit and work together. This Architecture Definition Document (ADD) establishes the process for the decomposition of objectives empowers the agency’s success in achieving human exploration of the cosmos. NASA updates this document annually to reflect the maturation of the architecture and the progress NASA and partners make toward achieving exploration objectives. The ADD is not a manifest or requirements document. Instead, it serves as a tool for the programs, projects, and engineers who will implement and execute NASA’s bold ambitions for crewed exploration of deep space. As established in the Moon to Mars Strategy and Objectives, “Why” we explore encompasses three pillars: Science, Inspiration, and National Posture. Ensuring success in all three areas requires an architectural approach that incorporates innovation, collaboration, and partnerships that can be sustained across a multi-decadal effort. This second revision (Rev-B) of the ADD, developed to support NASA’s 2024 Architecture Concept Review (ACR), incorporates several key updates to support the continued evolution of the architecture. Since the last revision of the ADD, NASA has significantly improved the clarity of the objective decomposition, which distills exploration objectives into the characteristics and needs and use cases and functions needed to achieve them. The updated decomposition incorporates findings from internal studies and diverse stakeholder feedback. A model-based systems engineering approach ensures coherence and consistency, removing inconsistency and repetition. Revision B also incorporates advancements to NASA’s Mars architecture, including insight into initial capabilities, systems, and operations necessary to support the Humans to Mars segment. Updates to objective decomposition for Mars add significant detail to the ADD and hint at areas of forward work and future study. An appendix adds greater depth in the future decisions needed for Mars that will drive lunar needs. They are not the only decisions to be made, but they will have huge effects on subsequent decisions. NASA continues to introduce new exploration systems into the architecture. Two new elements — initial surface habitat and lunar surface cargo lander—successfully passed mission concept review in 2024 as a result of extensive analysis, concept refinement, and studies. These elements and their respective reference missions appear in this revision. NASA also continues to apply architecture processes to cross-agency efforts and coordination with external stakeholders by including definitions of architecture technology gaps — essential areas for engagement across and beyond the agency. The technology gaps appendix identifies areas that need attention and innovation to enable future exploration. In publishing this information, NASA communicates the technologies and capabilities that may benefit from partnership with industry, academia, other U.S. government agencies, and international space agencies. Ultimately, NASA established the Moon to Mars Architecture approach to communicate and facilitate humanity’s journey into the universe according to the principles and recurring tenets of NASA’s Moon to Mars Strategy and Objectives. The NASA architecture team thanks their many stakeholders, participants, and partners for their efforts to review and provide feedback. Their support has been critical to the success of this approach.

Elements↗

DOE OSTI2022

Chronic Cardiotoxicity Assays Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs)

Cardiomyocytes (CMs) differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are increasingly used in cardiac safety assessment, disease modeling and regenerative medicine. A vast majority of cardiotoxicity studies in the past have tested acute effects of compounds and drugs; however, these studies lack information on the morphological or physiological responses that may occur after prolonged exposure to a cardiotoxic compound. In this review, we focus on recent advances in chronic cardiotoxicity assays using hiPSC-CMs. We summarize recently published literature on hiPSC-CMs assays applied to chronic cardiotoxicity induced by anticancer agents, as well as non-cancer classes of drugs, including antibiotics, anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) and antidiabetic drugs. We then review publications on the implementation of hiPSC-CMs-based assays to investigate the effects of non-pharmaceutical cardiotoxicants, such as environmental chemicals or chronic alcohol consumption. We also highlight studies demonstrating the chronic effects of smoking and implementation of hiPSC-CMs to perform genomic screens and metabolomics-based biomarker assay development. The acceptance and wide implementation of hiPSC-CMs-based assays for chronic cardiotoxicity assessment will require multi-site standardization of assay protocols, chronic cardiac maturity marker reproducibility, time points optimization, minimal cellular variation (commercial vs. lab reprogrammed), stringent and matched controls and close clinical setting resemblance. A comprehensive investigation of long-term repeated exposure-induced effects on both the structure and function of cardiomyocytes can provide mechanistic insights and recapitulate drug and environmental cardiotoxicity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2019

Achieving Verifiable and High Integrity Instrumentation and Control Systems through Complexity Awareness and Constrained Design. Final Report

While most process control industries have been able to embrace digital Instrumentation and Control (I&C) technology to improve performance, reliability, maintainability, and efficiency of production, the nuclear industry has been relatively slow to adopt digital I&C for safety critical plant functions. There are a variety of reasons for this, but in general the nuclear industry takes a conservative stance that new technologies must mature before adoption. A deeper underlying reason for not fully realizing digital I&C and automation in nuclear power is associated with the complexity that can manifest in software-based systems that is different in nature from the complexity of their analog predecessors. Accordingly, this research pursued the development of innovative architectures and methods to “constrain complexity” to enhance verifiability of digital I&C devices. These constraints can positively impact the reduction of Software Common Cause Failures (SCCF) and other systematic errors. The architectural concept developed in this research effort is called SymPLe. SymPLe is specifically aimed at safety critical functions within Nuclear Power Plants and other critical infrastructure where constraining device complexity to support verifiability and safety case arguments is important. The SymPLe architecture is designed to promote “accessible verification” between OEM/utility engineers and the regulatory agencies who review and license nuclear power plant I&C systems. The major contributions of this work to the nuclear industry are: Demonstration of SymPLe as a viable approach to “complexity aware” I&C systems and Embedded Digital Devices.Comprehensive use of model-based design and engineering to produce verifiable I&C systems for the nuclear industry with clear findings on the usability of model-based engineering. Employ comprehensive use of model-based engineering, testing, and verification in an IEC 61508 workflow in support of design assurance. Gathered evidence of “difficult to find” design flaws found using model-based design and testing methods. Detailed the nature of these SCCFs including where they were introduced, the triggers, and how they were found. Gathered evidence on the synergistic use of practical formal methods and testing and how these methods can be used to significantly increase assurance of reduction and avoidance of design flaws.

Testing↗

NASA NTRS1990

Platform Management System (PMS) evolution

In fiscal year 1988 a study was begun to define the platform management system (PMS) functions required for the mature platform operations era. The objectives of the task include: (1) defining how to increase the operational productivity of the platform by providing enhanced capability for responding to changing events, (2) influencing the initial PMS design by identifying required 'hooks and scars', and (3) evaluation potential automation techniques that are appropriate given predicted onboard computing resources. Initial platform operations scenarios were defined. The focus was on PMS-related functions where operations enhancements are likely to occur. Operations productivity was defined in terms of scientific productivity of the platform as well as the level of automation of the ground system. The Platform Operations Productivity Enhancement Report was completed earlier this year documenting system enhancements to increase science productivity and ground system automation. Using the baseline PMS defined in the PMS Definition Document as a starting point, the resulting PMS-specific enhancements were molded into a sequence of progressively more sophisticated operations management capabilities. This sequence of upgrades to the PMS has been documented in a PMS Evolution Plan. The plan includes enhancements in the areas of resources scheduling, resource modeling, system and payload anomaly management, and transaction sequence interpretation. A plan for migration of functions from the ground portion of the PMS to the flight portion is also included. The impacts of this plan on the platform are now being documented to ensure that the required 'hooks and scars' are included in the baseline system. Future plans include a prototype of some of the PMS enhancements to address the feasibility of and techniques for implementing these enhancements in the onboard computing environment.

Tilley, Mike↗