Optic Flow-Based Nonlinear Control and Sub-optimal Guidance for Lunar Landing

International audience— A sub-optimal guidance and nonlinear control scheme based on Optic Flow (OF) cues ensuring soft lunar land-ing using two minimalistic bio-inspired visual motion sensors is presented here. Unlike most previous approaches, which rely on state estimation techniques and multiple sensor fusion methods, the guidance and control strategy presented here is based on the sole knowledge of a minimum sensor suite (including OF sensors and an IMU). Two different tasks are addressed in this paper: the first one focuses on the computation of an optimal trajectory and the associated control sequences, and the second one focuses on the design and theoretical stability analysis of the closed loop using only OF and IMU measurements as feedback information. Simulations performed on a lunar landing scenario confirm the excellent performances and the robustness to initial uncertainties of the present guidance and control strategy

Automation and robotics for the Space Exploration Initiative: Results from Project Outreach

A total of 52 submissions were received in the Automation and Robotics (A&R) area during Project Outreach. About half of the submissions (24) contained concepts that were judged to have high utility for the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) and were analyzed further by the robotics panel. These 24 submissions are analyzed here. Three types of robots were proposed in the high scoring submissions: structured task robots (STRs), teleoperated robots (TORs), and surface exploration robots. Several advanced TOR control interface technologies were proposed in the submissions. Many A&R concepts or potential standards were presented or alluded to by the submitters, but few specific technologies or systems were suggested

Acronym dictionary

This reference was originally compiled as a tool for abstracters who need to know the expansion of acronyms they may encounter in the texts they are analyzing. It is a general rule of abstracting at the NASA Center For Aerospace Information (CASI) that acronyms are expanded in the abstract to enhance both information content and searchability. Over the last 22 years, abstracters at CASI have recorded acronyms and their expansions as they were encountered in documents. This is therefore an ad-hoc reference, rather than a systematic collection of all acronyms related to aerospace science and technology

The Second Conference on Lunar Bases and Space Activities of the 21st Century, volume 1

These papers comprise a peer-review selection of presentations by authors from NASA, LPI industry, and academia at the Second Conference (April 1988) on Lunar Bases and Space Activities of the 21st Century, sponsored by the NASA Office of Exploration and the Lunar Planetary Institute. These papers go into more technical depth than did those published from the first NASA-sponsored symposium on the topic, held in 1984. Session topics covered by this volume include (1) design and operation of transportation systems to, in orbit around, and on the Moon, (2) lunar base site selection, (3) design, architecture, construction, and operation of lunar bases and human habitats, and (4) lunar-based scientific research and experimentation in astronomy, exobiology, and lunar geology

Publications of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory July 1965 through July 1966

Bibliography on Jet Propulsion Laboratory technical reports and memorandums, space programs summary, astronautics information, and literature searche

Light environment - A. Visible light. B. Ultraviolet light

Visible and ultraviolet light environment as related to human performance and safety during space mission

Aerospace medicine and biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes (supplement 324)

This bibliography lists 200 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information System during May, 1989. Subject coverage includes: aerospace medicine and psychology, life support systems and controlled environments, safety equipment, exobiology and extraterrestrial life, and flight crew behavior and performance

Technology for Future NASA Missions: Civil Space Technology Initiative (CSTI) and Pathfinder

Information is presented in viewgraph form on a number of related topics. Information is given on orbit transfer vehicles, spacecraft instruments, spaceborne experiments, university/industry programs, spacecraft propulsion, life support systems, cryogenics, spacecraft power supplies, human factors engineering, spacecraft construction materials, aeroassist, aerobraking and aerothermodynamics

Research and technology at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Johnson Space Center accomplishments in new and advanced concepts during 1983 are highlighted. Included are research funded by the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology; Advanced Programs tasks funded by the Office of Space Flight; and Solar System Explorations, Life Sciences, and Earth Sciences and Applications research funded by the Office of Space Sciences and Applications. Summary sections describing the role of the Johnson Space Center in each program are followed by one-page descriptions of significant projects. Descriptions are suitable for external consumption, free of technical jargon, and illustrated to increase ease of comprehension

NASA/USRA University Advanced Design Program Fourth Annual Summer Conference

The study topics cover a broad range of potential space and aeronautics projects which could be undertaken during a 20-30 year period beginning with the Space Station Initial Operating Configuration scheduled for the mid 1990's. Both manned and unmanned endeavors are embraced, and the systems approach to the design problem is emphasized. The student teams pursue the chosen problem during their senior year in a one or two semester capstone design course and submit a comprehensive written report at the conclusion of the project. Finally, student representatives from each of the universities summarize their work in oral presentations at the annual Summer Conference, held at one of the NASA centers and attended by the university faculty, NASA and USRA personnel, and aerospace industry representatives