72,777 research outputs found
Assessment of the NASA Flight Assurance Review Program
The NASA flight assurance review program to develop minimum standard guidelines for flight assurance reviews was assessed. Documents from NASA centers and NASA headquarters to determine current design review practices and procedures were evaluated. Six reviews were identified for the recommended minimum. The practices and procedures used at the different centers to incorporate the most effective ones into the minimum standard review guidelines were analyzed and guidelines for procedures, personnel and responsibilies, review items/data checklist, and feedback and closeout were defined. The six recommended reviews and the minimum standards guidelines developed for flight assurance reviews are presented. Observations and conclusions for further improving the NASA review and quality assurance process are outlined
Models of everywhere revisited: a technological perspective
The concept ‘models of everywhere’ was first introduced in the mid 2000s as a means of reasoning about the
environmental science of a place, changing the nature of the underlying modelling process, from one in which
general model structures are used to one in which modelling becomes a learning process about specific places, in
particular capturing the idiosyncrasies of that place. At one level, this is a straightforward concept, but at another
it is a rich multi-dimensional conceptual framework involving the following key dimensions: models of everywhere,
models of everything and models at all times, being constantly re-evaluated against the most current
evidence. This is a compelling approach with the potential to deal with epistemic uncertainties and nonlinearities.
However, the approach has, as yet, not been fully utilised or explored. This paper examines the
concept of models of everywhere in the light of recent advances in technology. The paper argues that, when first
proposed, technology was a limiting factor but now, with advances in areas such as Internet of Things, cloud
computing and data analytics, many of the barriers have been alleviated. Consequently, it is timely to look again
at the concept of models of everywhere in practical conditions as part of a trans-disciplinary effort to tackle the
remaining research questions. The paper concludes by identifying the key elements of a research agenda that
should underpin such experimentation and deployment
Space power systems technology enablement study
The power system technologies which enable or enhance future space missions requiring a few kilowatts or less and using the space shuttle were assessed. The advances in space power systems necessary for supporting the capabilities of the space transportation system were systematically determined and benefit/cost/risk analyses were used to identify high payoff technologies and technological priorities. The missions that are enhanced by each development are discussed
Deploying quantum light sources on nanosatellites II: lessons and perspectives on CubeSat spacecraft
To enable space-based quantum key distribution proposals the Centre for
Quantum Technologies is developing a source of entangled photons ruggedized to
survive deployment in space and greatly miniaturised so that it conforms to the
strict form factor and power requirements of a 1U CubeSat. The Small Photon
Entangling Quantum System is an integrated instrument where the pump, photon
pair source and detectors are combined within a single optical tray and
electronics package that is no larger than 10 cm x 10 cm x 3 cm. This footprint
enables the instrument to be placed onboard nanosatellites or the CubeLab
structure aboard the International Space Station. We will discuss the
challenges and future prospects of CubeSat-based missions.Comment: Submitted to SPIE Quantum Information Science and Technology. Paper
number 9648-4
Deployable platform systems development
The long range objective is to achieve technology readiness for one or more deployable platform systems by 1986. Engineering plans and approaches to meet this goal are presented in outline form
Apollo experience report: Safety activities
A description is given of the flight safety experiences gained during the Apollo Program and safety, from the viewpoint of program management, engineering, mission planning, and ground test operations was discussed. Emphasis is placed on the methods used to identify the risks involved in flight and in certain ground test operations. In addition, there are discussions on the management and engineering activities used to eliminate or reduce these risks
Particle detection technology for space-borne astroparticle experiments
I review the transfer of technology from accelerator-based equipment to
space-borne astroparticle detectors. Requirements for detection, identification
and measurement of ions, electrons and photons in space are recalled. The
additional requirements and restrictions imposed by the launch process in
manned and unmanned space flight, as well as by the hostile environment in
orbit, are analyzed. Technology readiness criteria and risk mitigation
strategies are reviewed. Recent examples are given of missions and instruments
in orbit, under construction or in the planning phase.Comment: Technology and Instrumentation in Particle Physics 2014 (TIPP 2014),
June 2-6, 2014, Amsterdam, The Netherland
A Conceptual Framework for Studying the Sources of Variation in Program Effects
Evaluations of public programs in many fields reveal that (1) different types of programs (or different versions of the same program) vary in their effectiveness, (2) a program that is effective for one group of people might not be effective for other groups of people, and (3) a program that is effective in one set of circumstances may not be effective in other circumstances. This paper presents a conceptual framework for research on such variation in program effects and the sources of this variation. The framework is intended to help researchers -- both those who focus mainly on studying program implementation and those who focus mainly on estimating program effects -- see how their respective pieces fit together in a way that helps to identify factors that explain variation in program effects and thereby support more systematic data collection on these factors. The ultimate goal of the framework is to enable researchers to offer better guidance to policymakers and program operators on the conditions and practices that are associated with larger and more positive effects
Lessons Learned about Change Capital in the Arts: Reflections on a four-year evaluation of Nonprofit Finance Fund's Leading for the Future initiative
This report takes stock of a four-year evaluation of Leading for the Future: Innovative Support for Artistic Excellence (LFF), an experimental 1 million in change capital, drawn down according to individual plans for change, and an additional 225,000 were awarded to organizations that made the most progress on their change efforts, for the purpose of advancing ongoing change efforts or seeding new plans.1 The 10 grantees invested LFF change capital in a wide variety of "business model transformations" ranging from building technologies with the potential to attract new donors and audiences, to experimenting with different models for touring, to investing in marketing and development capacities.NFF has previously published a series of working papers, case studies and video highlights from the LFF initiative, exploring the concepts of capital and financial reporting for capital, and documenting the 10 grantees' experiences.2 We will avoid citing the accomplishments and challenges of specific grantees in this report, and focus instead on program level issues and ideas that might be helpful to future investors of change capital. Indeed, the LFF initiative has played out against the backdrop of a national dialogue about capitalization in the nonprofit arts sector, both learning from, and contributing to, a good deal of productive thinking about capital.While the LFF initiative involved large grants, much was learned that might be of value to funders with more modest resources who are interested in exploring the role of capital in the artistic and financial health of the sector
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