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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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At least 19 records

STS-101 Meal - Suit Up - Depart O&C Launch - On Orbit - Landing - Crew Depart

The STS-101 Space Shuttle Atlantis Assembly Flight International Space Station (ISS) -2A-2a mission begins with Commander Jim Halsell, and mission specialists Jeff Williams and Yuri Usachev talking briefly to the media. Pilot Scott Horowitz, and Mission Specialists Susan Helms, James Voss, and Mary Ellen Weber are shown arriving later to take crew photos. Footage of the entire STS-101 crew is shown getting suited and departing the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. Views of the actual launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis are presented from the vehicle assembly building (VAB), PAD-A, Tower 1, Universal Camera Sites (UCS) 15 and 23 and Press sites. Jeff Williams and James Voss are shown on orbit performing a single space walk to complete maintenance to the International Space Station. A nighttime touchdown of the Space Shuttle Atlantis is also presented.

Source record↗

Marshall Space Flight Center's Education Department

Marshall Space Flight Center's Education Department is a resource for Educator, Students and Lifelong Learners. This paper will highlight the Marshall Space Flight Center's Education Department with references to other NASA Education Departments nationwide. The principal focus will be on the responsibilities of the Pre-college Education Team which is responsible for supporting K- 12 teachers highlighting how many of the NASA Pre-college Offices engage teachers and their students in better understanding NASA's inspiring missions, unique facilities, and specialized workforce to carryout these many agency-wide tasks, goals and objectives. Attendee's will learn about the Marshall Educational Alliance Teams, as well, which is responsible for using NASA's unique assets to support all types of learning. All experience and knowledge levels, all grades K-12, and teachers in these specified groupings will gain a true appreciation of what is available for them, through Marshall Space Flight Center's Education Department. An agency-wide blue directory booklet will be distributed to all attendees, for future references and related points of contact.

Henderson, Arthur J., Jr.↗

Department of Transportation Merger Policy

The policy of the Department of Transportation with respect to evaluating airline mergers is discussed. The subjects presented are: (1) statutory responsibilities of the Department of Transportation, (2) interrelationship of airline merger policy and overall airline policy, (3) executive branch criteria for domestic airline merger proposals, and position of Department of Transportation on several merger proceedings.

Gillick, J.↗

The U.S. Commercial Space Launch Program and the Department of Defense Dilemma

The U.S. space launch program no longer dominates the world and is now playing 'catch-up' with the world's first commercial launch company, Arianespace. A healthy U.S. commercial launch program is essential and will assure continued low-cost military access to space. The effort to regain the lead in commercial space launch market has been hindered by declining Department of Defense budgets. President Clinton's space policy prohibits expensive new launch vehicles and limits the Department of Defense to low cost upgrades of existing launch vehicles. The U.S. government created the space sector and must ensure a smooth and effective split from the emerging commercial space program in order to regain world dominance. Until U.S. government and commercial ties are severed, the Department of Defense must consider commercial space launch interests when making military decisions. Ariane provides an excellent 'bench mark' for the U.S. to base future launch vehicle upgrades. Ariane advantages were identified and low-cost recommendations have been made. If the U.S. sets the target of first equaling and then surpassing Ariane by incorporating these recommendations, then the U.S. could once again dominate the world commercial launch market and ensure low cost military access to space.

Clapp, William G.↗

Microbial Monitoring from the Frontlines to Space: Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Research Technology Aboard the International Space Station

The RAZOR (trademark) EX, a quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) instrument, is a portable, ruggedized unit that was designed for the Department of Defense (DoD) with its reagent chemistries traceable to a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract beginning in 2002. The PCR instrument's primary function post 9/11 was to enable frontline soldiers and first responders to detect biological threat agents and bioterrorism activities in remote locations to include field environments. With its success for DoD, the instrument has also been employed by other governmental agencies including Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The RAZOR (Trademark) EX underwent stringent testing by the vendor, as well as through the DoD, and was certified in 2005. In addition, the RAZOR (trademark) EX passed DHS security sponsored Stakeholder Panel on Agent Detection Assays (SPADA) rigorous evaluation in 2011. The identification and quantitation of microbial pathogens is necessary both on the ground as well as during spaceflight to maintain the health of astronauts and to prevent biofouling of equipment. Currently, culture-based monitoring technology has been adequate for short-term spaceflight missions but may not be robust enough to meet the requirements for long-duration missions. During a NASA-sponsored workshop in 2011, it was determined that the more traditional culture-based method should be replaced or supplemented with more robust technologies. NASA scientists began investigating innovative molecular technologies for future space exploration and as a result, PCR was recommended. Shortly after, NASA sponsored market research in 2012 to identify and review current, commercial, cutting edge PCR technologies for potential applicability to spaceflight operations. Scientists identified and extensively evaluated three candidate technologies with the potential to function in microgravity. After a thorough voice-of-the-customer trade study and extensive functional and safety evaluations, the RAZOR (trademark) EX PCR instrument(Bio-Fire Defense, Salt Lake City, UT) was selected as the most promising current technology for spaceflight monitoring applications.

Cherie M Oubre↗

ERTS-A data as a teaching and research tool in the Department of Geology

The author has identified the following significant results. The ERTS-1 materials continue to be used in a number of courses including Geology of Alaska, Economic Geology, and Structural Geology. In addition, specific talks about the ERTS-1 material were given at a seminar at the Geophysical Institute, to the Geology Department, to numerous individuals, and were extensively used in a popularized talk on the Geology of Alaska to the local Historical Society.

Grybeck, D.↗

Application of ERTS-1 Results to US Department of Interior Programs

The activities of the U.S. Department of Interior which have benefited from ERTS-1 data are described. It is stated that the primary interest is in the area of land use. Legislative actions regarding land use are reported. Programs involving renewable resources are stressed.

John M DeNoyer↗

Justice Department Airline Merger Policy

Justice Department airline merger policy is developed within the context of the Federal Aviation Act, in which there is an unusually explicit reliance on competition as a means of fulfilling statutory goals. The economics of the airline industry appear to indicate that low concentration and vigorous competition are particularly viable and desirable. Several factors, including existing regulatory policy, create incentives for airlines to merge whether or not an individual merger promotes or conflicts with the public interest. Specific benefits to the public should be identified and shown to clearly outweight the detriments, including adverse competitive impact, in order for airline mergers to be approved.

Farmer, D. A.↗

ERTS-A data as a teaching and research tool in the Department of Geology

The author has identified the following significant results. The project was an attempt to integrate ERTS-1 data into teaching introductory, specialized, and graduate courses in the Department of Geology, University of Alaska. This data was to be utilized principally through a specially selected, high quality collection of black and white, and color 9.5 mosaics of the State of Alaska. In completing these tasks, the data accumulated has proved highly useful in a variety of ways including: (1) discussions of the uses and availability of ERTS imagery; (2) as a medium for talking about and showing various areas of Alaska; (3) in discussing geology in general; and (4) as an aid in doing research and as possible research topics themselves. Use of ERTS-1 imagery in geology proved highly successful and its use is now an integral part of many courses.

Grybeck, D.↗

Department of the Interior program

The remote sensing activities of the Department of Interior are summarized. The use of satellite imagery in land and water management is described. Specific topics discussed include: land use mapping, exploration and discovery of metal, oil, and gas deposits, location of geological faults, and repetitive monitoring of dynamic environmental phenomena related to water resources.

Balsley, J. R.↗

An analysis of aircraft requirements to meet United States Department of Agriculture remote sensing goals

The survey needs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are immense, ranging from individual crop coverage at specific intervals to general land use classification. The aggregate of all desirable resolutions and sensor types applicable to airborne platforms yields an annual survey coverage rate equivalent to about 6 times the U.S. land area. An intermediate annual survey level equal to the U.S. area can meet all currently perceived crop survey needs and provide sample imagery over many other resource areas. This decreased survey level can be accomplished with one or two high altitude aircraft or medium altitude aircraft. Survey costs range from about 25 cents to several dollars per square nautical mile depending primarily on resolution requirements and the aircraft used.

Arno, R. D.↗

The NASA/Baltimore Applications Project (BAP). Computer aided dispatch and communications system for the Baltimore Fire Department: A case study of urban technology application

An engineer and a computer expert from Goddard Space Flight Center were assigned to provide technical assistance in the design and installation of a computer assisted system for dispatching and communicating with fire department personnel and equipment in Baltimore City. Primary contributions were in decision making and management processes. The project is analyzed from four perspectives: (1) fire service; (2) technology transfer; (3) public administration; and (5) innovation. The city benefitted substantially from the approach and competence of the NASA personnel. Given the proper conditions, there are distinct advantages in having a nearby Federal laboratory provide assistance to a city on a continuing basis, as is done in the Baltimore Applications Project.

Levine, A. L.↗

NTF and the Department of Defense

The relationship of the National Transonic Facility (NTF) to the Department of Defense (DOD) is discussed. Recognition of the need for the NTF capabilities were first encountered in military aircraft development. Several tactical aircrafts experienced the after body drag which was higher than predicted by small scale tests, resulting in less than desired transonic acceleration performance. It is necessary to understand the problem because flight efficiency is more important for military aircrafts. Improved cruise performance is required for the whole range of military mission. Factors that make cruise efficiency important include: (1) rapid deployment airlift capability; (2) self-deployment capability for tactical aircraft; (3) reduced tanker dependence for strategic aircraft. It is concluded that the continuing escalating cost of fuel mandates to develop aircraft that are as fuel efficient as possible. Other uses for NTF are outlined.

Siewert, R. F.↗

ECUT: Energy Conversion and Utilization Technologies program. Industry, university and research interest in the US Department of Energy ECUT biocatalysis research activity

The results of a Research Opportunity Notice (RON) disseminated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy Conversion and Utilization Technologies (ECUT) Program's Biocatalysis Research Activity are presented. The RON was issued in late April of 1983 and solicited expressions of interest from petrochemical and chemical companies, bioengineering firms, biochemical engineering consultants, private research laboratories, and universities for participating in a federal research program to investigate potential applications of biotechnology in producing chemicals. The RON results indicate that broad interest exists within the nation's industry, universities, and research institutes for the Activity and its planned research and development program.

Wilcox, R. E.↗

Salt-gradient Solar Ponds: Summary of US Department of Energy Sponsored Research

The solar pond research program conducted by the United States Department of Energy was discontinued after 1983. This document summarizes the results of the program, reviews the state of the art, and identifies the remaining outstanding issues. Solar ponds is a generic term but, in the context of this report, the term "solar pond" refers specifically to salt-gradient solar pond. Several small research solar ponds have been built and successfully tested. Procedures for filling the pond, maintaining the gradient, adjusting the zone boundaries, and extracting heat have been developed. Theories and models have also been developed and verified. The major remaining unknowns or issues involve the physical behavior of large ponds; i.e., wind mixing of the surface, lateral range or reach of horizontally injected fluids, ground thermal losses, and gradient zone boundary erosion caused by pumping fluid for heat extraction. These issues cannot be scaled and must be studied in a large outdoor solar pond. This report has been subdivided into three parts. Part One presents the results of the DOE research program. The major contributing institutions include Solar Energy Research Institute, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Part Two presents related independent research conducted by universities. Part Three is a selected bibliography with abstracts.

R.L. French↗