Exploration Technologies - Technology Needs Assessment
This assessment is a critical component of ongoing technology roadmapping efforts, and will be used to guide the Geothermal Technology Program's research and development.
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
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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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Safeguards Challenges and Safeguards Technology Needs Assessment for Leading Thorium Fuel Cycles
Several thorium fuel cycle variants are currently being actively pursued by the global nuclear energy community. These variants have short-, medium-, and long-term deployment pathways in a variety of reactor types, including thorium-fueled molten salt reactors. Those pathways in turn give rise to a variety of fuel designs, fuel cycle facilities, and nuclear material processing requirements. These emerging fuel cycles will impact the technical implementation of safeguards, and they already raise questions about the applicability of current verification technologies. To address this issue, research is being performed to produce a detailed safeguards technology road map. It will include a needs assessment of the detection research and development (R&D;) necessary to transition the current safeguards technology toolkit to meet the verification needs of thorium fuel cycles, and to formulate the scientific basis for building new instrumentation to fill any potential capability gaps. The purpose of this technology road map is to define and inform on the safeguards technology needs for thorium fuel cycles, reflecting only the leading candidate thorium fuel cycles prioritized based on implementation timescales and the current direction of international programs. This work provides a guide to the priorities for future directed R&D; needed to bring the technology readiness levels (TRLs) of safeguards detection solutions in line with the higher TRLs of the most promising thorium fuel cycles. Herein, a summary is presented of thorium fuel cycle options and activities currently under way worldwide, which provides the technical basis for the needs evaluation. The key synergies and differences between these fuel cycles and current conventional uranium- and plutonium-based fuel cycles will be discussed from a nuclear material accountancy and detection standpoint. Reactor inventory calculations, fuel cycle simulations, and conclusions from the safeguards technology needs assessment will be presented, together with plans for experimental validation.
Worrall, Louise G.↗
Technology needs assessment of an atmospheric observation system for tropospheric research missions, part 1
The technology advancements needed to implement the atmospheric observation satellite systems for air quality research were identified. Tropospheric measurements are considered. The measurements and sensors are based on a model of knowledge objectives in atmospheric science. A set of potential missions and attendant spacecraft and sensors is postulated. The results show that the predominant technology needs will be in passive and active sensors for accurate and frequent global measurements of trace gas concentration profiles.
Alvarado, D. R.↗
Technology Needs Assessment of an Atmospheric Observation System for Multidisciplinary Air Quality/Meteorology Missions, Part 2
The technology advancements that will be necessary to implement the atmospheric observation systems are considered. Upper and lower atmospheric air quality and meteorological parameters necessary to support the air quality investigations were included. The technology needs were found predominantly in areas related to sensors and measurements of air quality and meteorological measurements.
Alvarado, U. R.↗
20/30 GHz satellite systems technology needs assessment
The paper surveys the system and market work done at NASA-Lewis with regard to exploring the potential of the 20/30 GHz bands for domestic satellite communications. The 20/30 GHz bands appear attractive economically and, with certain technology advances, appear to offer a virtually unlimited spectrum resource. This attractiveness is especially relevant to high density trunking where there is sufficient traffic to justify dual-station site diversity. Ongoing system and market studies actively involve satellite system suppliers and carriers as well as the government in a cooperative, mutually beneficial effort. It is considered that this is the approach most likely to result in a spectrum-efficient acceptable-risk high-capacity 30/30 GHz satellite system which is relevant to anticipated markets.
Stevens, G.↗
The 20/30 GHz satellite systems technology needs assessment
Rain attenuation in the 20/30 GHz bands, and the resultant impact on system user costs were estimated for a variety of satellite communication system concepts. Results of previous and current NASA Lewis contractual and in-house studies on system design are reported as well as market studies conducted to evaluate the concepts and test their relevancy against forecasted market needs. The 20/30 GHz bands appear attractive economically and, with certain technology, appear to offer a virtually unlimited spectrum resource. This attractiveness is especially relevant to high density trunking where there is sufficient traffic to justify dual-station site diversity.
Stevens, G.↗
Space Station Freedom Transportation Node Concepts and Analysis
This viewgraph presentation explores scenarios in which the configuration of Space Station Freedom evolves to support lunar and Mars exploration. The document includes a Lunar Evolution Case Study Assessment and a Mars Evolution Case Study Assessment, as well as a Lunar/Mars Exploration Initiative Assessment and a Technology Needs Assessment.
Cirillo, William M.↗
Gulf of Mexico Helicopter Offshore System Technologies Engineering Needs Assessment
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is conducting a research and development program to modernize the National Airspace System (NAS). The mission of NASA's Advanced Air Transportation Technologies (AATT) project is to develop advanced Air Traffic Management (ATM) concepts and decision support tools for eventual deployment and implementation by the FAA and the private sector. One major objective of the NASA AATT project is to understand and promote the needs of all user classes. The Gulf of Mexico (GoMex) airspace has unique needs. A large number of helicopters operate in this area with only limited surveillance and sometimes-severe environmental conditions. Thunderstorms are the most frequent weather hazard during the spring, summer, and fall. In winter, reduced hours of daylight, low ceilings, strong winds, and icing conditions may restrict operations. Hurricanes impose the most severe weather hazard. The hurricane season, from June through October, normally requires at least one mass evacuation of all offshore platforms.
Edmund J. Koenke↗
Broadening the Appeal of Marginal Abatement Cost Curves: Capturing Both Carbon Mitigation and Development Benefits of Clean Energy Technologies; Preprint
Low emission development strategies (LEDS) articulate policies and implementation plans that enable countries to advance sustainable, climate-resilient development and private sector growth while significantly reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions traditionally associated with economic growth. In creating a LEDS, policy makers often have access to information on abatement potential andcosts for clean energy technologies, but there is a scarcity of economy-wide approaches for evaluating and presenting information on other dimensions of importance to development, such as human welfare, poverty alleviation, and energy security. To address this shortcoming, this paper proposes a new tool for communicating development benefits to policy makers as part of a LEDS process. Thepurpose of this tool is two-fold: 1. Communicate development benefits associated with each clean energy-related intervention; 2. Facilitate decision-making on which combination of interventions best contributes to development goals. To pilot this tool, the authors created a visual using data on developmental impacts identified through the Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) project in Montenegro.The visual will then be revised to reflect new data established through the TNA that provides information on cost, GHG mitigation, as well as the range and magnitude of developmental impacts.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
Candidates and priorities for technology assessments: A survey of Federal executive agency professionals
A survey was conducted to provide a list of candidates for technology assessment for the purpose of assisting NSF in its role of supporting planning and assessment activities in and out of government. The study was to result in: a list of subjects which survey participants suggested needed technology assessment together with an indication of the frequency of each subject mentioned; suggested criteria for categorization of subjects for assessment; preliminary evaluation of the urgency and of the significance of each candidate based on responses obtained by the survey; and levels of government and agency location for recommended technology assessments.
Reese, H. C.↗
Conceptual assessment of two high-speed rotorcraft
Recently completed high-speed rotorcraft design studies for NASA provide the basis to assess technology needs for the development of these aircraft. Preliminary analysis of several concepts possessing helicopter-like hover characteristics and cruise capabilities in the 450-kt regime, led to the selection of two concepts for further study. The concepts selected included the rotor/wing and the tilt wing. Designs, based on current technology for each, established a baseline configuration from which technology trade studies could be conducted. Technology anticipated to be ready for application in the year 2005 set the goals for the trade studies. An assessment of the technologies' impact on the effectiveness of the concept served as the basis to determine potential risk, payoff, and criticality. Advanced technology, applied to either of these concepts, significantly improves the effectiveness and the attributes of the concepts.
Rutherford, John W.↗
High-speed rotorcraft propulsion
Recently completed high-speed rotorcraft design studies for NASA provide the basis to assess technology needs for the development of these aircraft. Preliminary analysis of several concepts possessing helicopter-like hover characteristics and cruise capabilities in the 450 knot regime, led to the selection of two concepts for further study. The concepts selected included the Rotor/Wing and the Tilt Wing. The two unique concepts use turbofan and turboshaft engines respectively. Designs, based on current technology for each, established a baseline configuration from which technology trade studies could be conducted. Propulsion technology goals from the IHPTET program established the advanced technolgy year. Due to high-speed requirements, each concept possesses its own unique propulsion challenges. Trade studies indicate that achieving th IHPTET Phase III goals significantly improves the effectiveness of both concepts. Increased engine efficiency is particularly important to VTOL aircraft by reducing gross weight.
Rutherford, John W.↗
Autonomous System Operations for Lunar Safe Haven Establishment and Sustainment
To enable a sustainable, permanent human lunar presence, NASA must provide a safe haven shelter to protect astronauts and equipment from radiation, thermal extremes, and micro-meteoroids (MM). Planning and development for a robust Safe Haven includes an examination of NASA activities in site preparation, excavation, regolith transfer, surface operations, autonomous monitoring and maintenance, advanced manufacturing, and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) for identifying the best approaches when implementing a safe haven shelter. These NASA activities were reviewed as a part of a trade study conducted at NASA Langley to assess technological needs and estimated technology readiness levels (TRL). This paper presents a thorough review of the role and level of autonomy in the establishment and sustainment operations of a Lunar Safe Haven.
Walter J Waltz↗
Autonomous System Operations for Lunar Safe Haven Establishment and Sustainment
To enable a sustainable, permanent human lunar presence, NASA must provide a safe haven shelter to protect astronauts and equipment from radiation, thermal extremes, and micro-meteoroids (MM). Planning and development for a robust Safe Haven includes an examination of NASA activities in site preparation, excavation, regolith transfer, surface operations, autonomous monitoring and maintenance, advanced manufacturing, and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) for identifying the best approaches when implementing a safe haven shelter. These NASA activities were reviewed as a part of a trade study conducted at NASA Langley to assess technological needs and estimated technology readiness levels (TRL). This paper presents a thorough review of the role and level of autonomy in the establishment and sustainment operations of a Lunar Safe Haven.
Walter J Waltz↗
OAST Space Theme Workshop. Volume 3: Working group summary. 9: Aerothermodynamics (M-3). A: Statement. B: Technology needs (form 1). C. Priority assessment (form 2). D. Additional assessments
Twelve aerothermodynamic space technology needs were identified to reduce the design uncertainties in aerodynamic heating and forces experienced by heavy lift launch vehicles, orbit transfer vehicles, and advanced single stage to orbit vehicles for the space transportation system, and for probes, planetary surface landers, and sample return vehicles for solar system exploration vehicles. Research and technology needs identified include: (1) increasing the fluid dynamics capability by at least two orders of magnitude by developing an advanced computer processor for the solution of fluid dynamic problems with improved software; (2) predicting multi-engine base flow fields for launch vehicles; and (3) developing methods to conserve energy in aerothermodynamic ground test facilities.
Source record↗
Preliminary assessment of industrial needs for an advanced ocean technology
A quick-look review of selected ocean industries is presented for the purpose of providing NASA OSTA with an assessment of technology needs and market potential. The size and growth potential, needs and problem areas, technology presently used and its suppliers, are given for industries involved in deep ocean mining, petrochemicals ocean energy conversion. Supporting services such as ocean bottom surveying; underwater transportation, data collection, and work systems; and inspection and diving services are included. Examples of key problem areas that are amenable to advanced technology solutions are included. Major companies are listed.
Mourad, A. G.↗
Overview of Ka-band communications technology requirements for the space exploration initiative
In the Space Exploration Initiative, Ka-band frequencies are likely to carry the bulk of the communications traffic both in the vicinity of and on the return links from the moon and Mars. The four exploration architectures identified by the Synthesis Group are examined and Ka-band technology requirements to meet the data traffic needs and schedule are identified. Specific Ka-band technology requirements identified are: transmitters - 0.5 to 200 W with high efficiency; antennas - 5m and 9m diameter, with multiple beams and/or scanning beams; and spacecraft receivers - noise figure of 2 dB. For each component, the current state of technology is assessed and needed technology development programs are identified. It is concluded that to meet the schedules of lunar and Mars precursor missions beginning in approximately the year 2000, aggressive technology development and advanced development programs are required immediately for Ka-band communications systems components. Additionally, the greater data transmission rates for the cargo and piloted phases of the exploration program require further Ka-band communications technology developments targeted for operations beginning in about 2010.
Miller, Edward F.↗
Study of thermal management for space platform applications
Techniques for the management of the thermal energy of large space platforms using many hundreds of kilowatts over a 10 year life span were evaluated. Concepts for heat rejection, heat transport within the vehicle, and interfacing were analyzed and compared. The heat rejection systems were parametrically weight optimized over conditions for heat pipe and pumped fluid approaches. Two approaches to achieve reliability were compared for: performance, weight, volume, projected area, reliability, cost, and operational characteristics. Technology needs are assessed and technology advancement recommendations are made.
Oren, J. A.↗