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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

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS2016

Unstructured Grid Adaptation: Status, Potential Impacts, and Recommended Investments Toward CFD Vision 2030

Unstructured grid adaptation is a powerful tool to control discretization error for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). It has enabled key increases in the accuracy, automation, and capacity of some fluid simulation applications. Slotnick et al. provides a number of case studies in the CFD Vision 2030 Study: A Path to Revolutionary Computational Aerosciences to illustrate the current state of CFD capability and capacity. The authors forecast the potential impact of emerging High Performance Computing (HPC) environments forecast in the year 2030 and identify that mesh generation and adaptivity continue to be significant bottlenecks in the CFD work flow. These bottlenecks may persist because very little government investment has been targeted in these areas. To motivate investment, the impacts of improved grid adaptation technologies are identified. The CFD Vision 2030 Study roadmap and anticipated capabilities in complementary disciplines are quoted to provide context for the progress made in grid adaptation in the past fifteen years, current status, and a forecast for the next fifteen years with recommended investments. These investments are specific to mesh adaptation and impact other aspects of the CFD process. Finally, a strategy is identified to diffuse grid adaptation technology into production CFD work flows.

Park, Michael A.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Creating Portfolio Management Concepts for Highly Agile and Innovative Government Research Programs Using Design Thinking and Lean Startup Methodologies

Managing a research and development (R&D) portfolio presents numerous challenges, such as prioritizing research areas, remaining agile, strategic workforce planning, and measuring return on investment, impact, and innovation. One government R&D program is charged with producing a high degree of innovative, transformational breakthroughs in aviation technology. A practical, structured methodology for strategically prioritizing emerging aviation R&D in such an environment is lacking. The existing multi-criteria decision aid tools are primarily utilized at an enterprise level, take months to set up and collect data, require large teams of experts, are used on an infrequent basis, and are not conducive to a highly innovative, high-risk portfolio. Prior to audaciously creating a new portfolio prioritization process, the exact challenges with portfolio management for R&D projects were identified using the design thinking and lean start-up methods. A key part of this discovery process was interviewing stakeholders, as well as other managers of organizations charged with producing innovative portfolios. These interviews, as well as additional techniques, were used to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges and, subsequently, lay the foundation for development of an effective portfolio prioritization process. Four potential concepts that represent key findings emerged: carefully selected criteria for portfolio assessment and selection, targeted portfolio turnover rate, dynamic portfolio prioritization framework, and streamlined transition or commercialization of R&D. Acting on any one of the resulting portfolio management concepts will increase the transparency and confidence in portfolio decisions and, ideally, result in a greater degree of transformational breakthroughs in aviation technology.

project portfolio management↗

NASA NTRS1973

Studies in short haul air transportation in the California corridor: Effects of design runway length; community acceptance; impact of return on investment and fuel cost increases, volume 1

The impact of design runway length on the economics and traffic demand of a 1985 short haul air transportation system in the California Corridor was investigated. The community acceptance of new commercial airports for short haul service was studied. The following subjects were analyzed: (1) travel demand, (2) vehicle technology, (3) infrastructure, (4) systems analysis, and (5) effects on the community. The operation of the short haul system is compared with conventional airline operations.

Shevell, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1977

An initial comparative assessment of orbital and terrestrial central power systems

A silicon photovoltaic orbital power system, which is constructed from an earth source of materials, is compared to likely terrestrial (fossil, nuclear, and solar) approaches to central power generation around the year 2000. A total social framework is used that considers not only the projection of commercial economics (direct or in internal costs), but also considers external impacts such as research and development investment, health impacts, resource requirements, environment effects, and other social costs.

Caputo, R.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Studies in short haul air transportation in the California corridor: Effects of design runway length; community acceptance; impact of return on investment and fuel cost increases. Volume 2: Appendices

The development of a forecast model for short haul air transportation systems in the California Corridor is discussed. The factors which determine the level of air traffic demand are identified. A forecast equation for use in airport utilization analysis is developed. A mathematical model is submitted to show the relationship between population, employment, and income for indicating future air transportation utilization. Diagrams and tables of data are included to support the conclusions reached regarding air transportation economic factors.

Shevell, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Crystal study and econometric model

An econometric model was developed that can be used to predict demand and supply figures for crystals over a time horizon roughly concurrent with that of NASA's Space Shuttle Program - that is, 1975 through 1990. The model includes an equation to predict the impact on investment in the crystal-growing industry. Actually, two models are presented. The first is a theoretical model which follows rather strictly the standard theoretical economic concepts involved in supply and demand analysis, and a modified version of the model was developed which, though not quite as theoretically sound, was testable utilizing existing data sources.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2005

NASA Technical Interchange Meeting (TIM): Advanced Technology Lifecycle Analysis System (ATLAS) Technology Tool Box

The objective of this Technical Interchange Meeting was to increase the quantity and quality of technical, cost, and programmatic data used to model the impact of investing in different technologies. The focus of this meeting was the Technology Tool Box (TTB), a database of performance, operations, and programmatic parameters provided by technologists and used by systems engineers. The TTB is the data repository used by a system of models known as the Advanced Technology Lifecycle Analysis System (ATLAS). This report describes the result of the November meeting, and also provides background information on ATLAS and the TTB.

ONeil, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS2007

Roads Investments, Spatial Intensification and Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon

Understanding the impact of road investments on deforestation is part of a complete evaluation of the expansion of infrastructure for development. We find evidence of spatial spillovers from roads in the Brazilian Amazon: deforestation rises in the census tracts that lack roads but are in the same county as and within 100 km of a tract with a new paved or unpaved road. At greater distances from the new roads the evidence is mixed, including negative coefficients of inconsistent significance between 100 and 300 km, and if anything, higher neighbor deforestation at distances over 300 km.

Pfaff, Alexander↗

NASA NTRS2020

Application of Remote Sensing for Ex-Ante Decision Support and Evaluating Impact

Deforestation is an environmental stressor that dramatically threatens biodiversity while having adverse, deep-rooted socioeconomic impacts. Interventions to address deforestation require considerable long-term investments; therefore, assessing their impact is crucial. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity encourages establishing Protected Areas (PAs) as a strategy to conserve biodiversity, secure ecosystem services, support local livelihoods, and reduce climate change impacts. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has supported the conservation and management of PAs, yet site accessibility and data availability present challenges in assessing PAs using traditional evaluation methods. We present a novel application of satellite Earth observations for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of PAs as a deforestation mitigation strategy. Geospatial analysis and ecological forecasting methodologies provide an efficient way to quantify land cover change, estimate above-ground carbon stock, and evaluate ecosystem services provided by the PAs ex-ante. We demonstrate the value of a geospatial approach through evaluation of GEF-supported PAs in Kenya.

Remote sensing↗

NASA NTRS1992

Assessment of the state of the art in life support environmental control for SEI

This paper defines the types of technology that would be used in a lunar base for environmental control and life support system and how it might relate to in situ materials utilization (ISMU) for the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI). There are three types of interaction between ISMU and the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS): (1) ISMU can reduce cost of water, oxygen, and possibly diluent gasses provided to ECLSS--a corollary to this fact is that the availability of indigenous resources can dramatically alter life support technology trade studies; (2) ISMU can use ECLSS waste systems as a source of reductant carbon and hydrogen; and (3) ECLSS and ISMU, as two chemical processing technologies used in spacecraft, can share technology, thereby increasing the impact of technology investments in either area.

Simonds, Charles H.↗

NASA NTRS2018

Establishing In-Space Assembly Technical Collaboration Environments Through Functional Capability Analyses

NASA OCT strategically collaborates with other government space agencies to find enterprise synergistic technology solutions to benefit the Nation through leadership of the interagency Science and Technology Partnership Forum. Successful collaborations depend on integrating knowledge across the intersection of industry, academe, and government within pioneering technical areas such as in-space assembly. High-quality data products that are timely, accurate, and trusted are used to communicate with internal and external stakeholders to influence portfolios by focusing investments to maximize impact on NASA missions and the U.S. economy. These data products succinctly describe and convey the breadth and dependencies of multiple capabilities, while incorporating diverse technical perspectives, to articulate and inform interagency collaborative developments of autonomous on-orbit assembly technologies.

Rodgers, Erica↗

NASA NTRS1974

An economic assessment of STOL aircraft potential including terminal area environmental considerations, volume 1

The results of an economic and environmental study of short haul airline systems using short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft are presented. The STOL system characteristics were optimized for maximum patronage at a specified return on investment, while maintaining noise impact compatibility with the terminal area. Supporting studies of aircraft air pollution and hub airport congestion relief were also performed. The STOL concept specified for this study was an Augmentor Wing turbofan aircraft having a field length capability of 2,000 ft. and an effective perceived noise level of 95 EPNdB at 500 ft. sideline distance. An economic and environmental assessment of the defined STOL system and a summary of the methodology, STOL system characteristics and arena characteristics are provided.

Solomon, H. L.↗

NASA NTRS1998

The Role of Computational Fluid Dynamics at Marshall Space Flight Center

The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is the Center of Excellence for Space Propulsion Technology within NASA. One of MSFC's goals is to lower the cost of access to space. MSFC's Fluid Dynamics Division, a part of the Structures and Dynamics Lab, assists in accomplishing this goal. This division is divided into two branches: experimental and analytical, whose work is complimentary and integrated. In the analysis branch, the emphasis is to apply, rather than develop computational fluid dynamics (CFD), to reduce the cost of design and development of: (1) pump and turbine feedlines and feed manifolds; (2) all primary and secondary flow paths in pumps; (3) all primary and secondary flow paths in turbines; (4) combustion chambers; (5) rocket engine nozzles and plumes; and (6) launch vehicles ascent. The broad range of applications imposes unique constraints on the software. The use of CFD in evaluating rocket engine hardware, specifically, is of value due to several reasons: (1) Rocket engine hardware is extremely expensive to build and test; (2) high engineering and development cost is due to limited production; (3) the cost of one engine test is greater than the average yearly hardware and software cost; (4) CFD represents a relatively small investment relative to the impact it has on the engine development; and (5) computing costs are continuously decreasing. In terms of accuracy the predictable error is more useful than the inconsistent accuracy. The achievable accuracy varies from application to application. The lack of accuracy is often caused by improper analyses: such as improperly applied or located boundary conditions, or attempting steady analysis of unsteady flows. This report is in viewgraph format.

Garcia, Roberto↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

An Orbit Determination Comparison Study and Demonstration for Rendezvous and Docking in a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit from the Lunar Surface

For the upcoming NASA Artemis III mission and those that follow, both the Human Landing System (HLS) and Orion programs are invested in understanding the impacts of ground tracking performance in supporting rendezvous and docking in a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO). Several critical questions must be answered to ensure mission success and crew safety and an assortment of analysis tools are being incorporated to address them. Two of these tools, LINCOV and MONTE, are currently providing program decision making results through HLS Insight, HLS NASA-collaborations, and Orion/Gateway cross-program analysis. To ensure consistency in the orbit determination performance, a comparison trade-study is performed using a low-lunar orbit to NRHO rendezvous scenario anticipated for the upcoming Artemis missions. An overview of the two analysis tools is provided along with a detailed step-by-step evaluation of the core capabilities and models related to the orbit determination process. This incremental comparison effort reveals both tools produce consistent solutions for the criteria investigated. Given the confidence in the orbit determination process and solutions generated, these results are then applied to demonstrate an integrated, closed-loop system performance where the HLS lander ascends from the lunar surface and successfully inserts into the NRHO relative to the Orion spacecraft in preparation for the final rendezvous and docking phase.

Linear Covariance Analysis↗

NASA NTRS2024

NASA Astrophysics Division Technology Heritage Study

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Astrophysics Division (APD) funds and manages missions and studies that seek to broaden our understanding of our place in the universe. These science missions are enabled by technologies developed through APD’s technology development programs. APD has funded approximately seven different technology development programs over the last ten years which support basic research and target varying Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). The funding has targeted technology for future space flight experiments as well as suborbital science investigations. To understand the overall impact of APD’s investment on astrophysics technology advancement through their grants and contracts, APD engaged The Aerospace Corporation to conduct an independent, comprehensive Astrophysics Technology Heritage Study. The study was conducted in the 2021-2022 timeframe, first focusing priority on infusion of competed grants and general trends, followed by directed grants and further trend analysis and technology characterization. The study included three major components: a grants database, a missions database, and a survey of Principal Investigators (PIs). The study found that APD grants and contracts fund a healthy portfolio of technologies that resulted in an overall 62% infusion rate, as suborbital missions provide ample science and technology maturation and platform transition opportunities. Within the 62% of infused grants, 12% were infused into space missions and another 31% were suborbital. The study also looked at various other characteristics of the grant awards including the organizations they were awarded to and award trends by PI. Technology focus areas and detector types were also investigated, as well as technology platform transitions from on mission environment (e.g., suborbital to space). Additional feedback from PIs was also requested and evaluated including alternative benefits of grants and reasons development did, or did not, succeed.

NASA↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

An Orbit Determination Comparison Study and Demonstration for Rendezvous and Docking in a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit from the Lunar Surface

For the upcoming NASA Artemis III mission and those that follow, both the Human Landing System (HLS) and Orion programs are invested in understanding the impacts of ground tracking performance in supporting rendezvous and docking in a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO). Several critical questions must be answered to ensure mission success and crew safety and an assortment of analysis tools are being incorporated to address them. Two of these tools, LINCOV and MONTE, are currently providing program decision making results through HLS Insight, HLS NASA-collaborations, and Orion/Gateway cross-program analysis. To ensure consistency in the orbit determination performance, a comparison trade-study is performed using a low-lunar orbit to NRHO rendezvous scenario anticipated for the upcoming Artemis missions. An overview of the two analysis tools is provided along with a detailed step-by-step evaluation of the core capabilities and models related to the orbit determination process. This incremental comparison effort reveals both tools produce consistent solutions for the criteria investigated to within 0.3\% difference in the absolute position state estimate at key decision making epochs with all errors sources activated.

orbit determination↗

NASA NTRS2018

Strategic Framework for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate

In October 2016, NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) began adopting a new strategic framework that focuses investment prioritization and communication on impacts, outcomes, and challenges. The structure of the framework has been modeled after one successfully pioneered by NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate over the past five years, incorporating lessons learned and changes where appropriate. The Framework is driven by two major factors: (a) dialogue with the community and (b) analysis of the overarching trends shaping the course of civilian space research. These factors are captured in the Framework as Mega-Drivers, which represent major axes of change within the space industry and are characterized by a collection of industry trends and projections. In response to these Mega-Drivers, STMD has developed its understanding of the vision for the future of civilian space relative to STMD space research, captured in five Strategic Thrusts that represent the major lines of investment within STMD’s portfolio. Within each of these Strategic Thrusts, multiple measureable, community-level goals have been established that STMD chooses to pursue as part of a joint effort across the community. STMD chose these goals based upon their potential impact, refers to them as Outcomes within the Framework. These Outcomes are decomposed into the products and/or capabilities that will be delivered by STMD, represented in the framework as Technical Challenges. This paper will further describe the framework structure and the progress that has been in defining each of the above elements to date.

Earle, Kevin D.↗

NASA NTRS2018

Strategic Framework for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate

In October 2016, NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) began adopting a new strategic framework that focuses investment prioritization and communication on impacts, outcomes, and challenges. The structure of the framework has been modeled after one successfully pioneered by NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate over the past five years, incorporating lessons learned and changes where appropriate. The Framework is driven by two major factors: (a) dialogue with the community and (b) analysis of the overarching trends shaping the course of civilian space research. These factors are captured in the Framework as Mega-Drivers, which represent major axes of change within the space industry and are characterized by a collection of industry trends and projections. In response to these Mega-Drivers, STMD has developed its understanding of the vision for the future of civilian space relative to STMD space research, captured in five Strategic Thrusts that represent the major lines of investment within STMD’s portfolio. Within each of these Strategic Thrusts, multiple measurable, community-level goals have been established that STMD chooses to pursue as part of a joint effort across the community. STMD chose these goals based upon their potential impact, refers to them as Outcomes within the Framework. These outcomes are decomposed into the products and/or capabilities that will be delivered by STMD, represented in the framework as Technical Challenges. This paper will further describe the framework structure and the progress that has been in defining each of the above elements to date.

Kevin D Earle↗