Controlling spacecraft landings with constantly and exponentially decreasing time-to-contact

Two bio-inspired landing strategies are studied. Both strategies enforce a constant ventral optic flow with, respectively, (1) constantly decreasing time-to-contact, or (2) exponentially decreasing time-to-contact. Until now these strategies have only been studied assuming the visual quantities to be known, i.e., without sensor noise and delay. In this study, the control laws executing the aforementioned landing strategies are studied both theoretically and empirically, taking into account the actual extraction of the visual cues from images

Humanity and Space

This project is designed to study the topic of space exploration. We took an in depth look at propulsion, space physics, moon base feasibility, and launch systems. We determined that for launch the best way to reach space would be rocket propulsion and then when in space a combination of plasma thrusters and solar sail. This project would best be used as a resource and a starting point for others who are interested in the colonization of space

Armstrong Flight Research Center Research Technology and Engineering Report 2015

I am honored to endorse the 2015 Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Centers Research, Technology, and Engineering Report. The talented researchers, engineers, and scientists at Armstrong are continuing a long, rich legacy of creating innovative approaches to solving some of the difficult problems and challenges facing NASA and the aerospace community.Projects at NASA Armstrong advance technologies that will improve aerodynamic efficiency, increase fuel economy, reduce emissions and aircraft noise, and enable the integration of unmanned aircraft into the national airspace. The work represented in this report highlights the Centers agility to develop technologies supporting each of NASAs core missions and, more importantly, technologies that are preparing us for the future of aviation and space exploration.We are excited about our role in NASAs mission to develop transformative aviation capabilities and open new markets for industry. One of our key strengths is the ability to rapidly move emerging techniques and technologies into flight evaluation so that we can quickly identify their strengths, shortcomings, and potential applications.This report presents a brief summary of the technology work of the Center. It also contains contact information for the associated technologists responsible for the work. Dont hesitate to contact them for more information or for collaboration ideas

Presidents, Politics, And Policy: How The Apollo And Shuttle Decisions Shaped Nasa

The two most important decisions in the history of NASA after its founding have been John Kennedy\u27s decision to send humans to the moon and Richard Nixon\u27s decision to develop the space shuttle. This study examines the nature of each decision, and illustrates how each decision resulted from a confluence of world events, presidential personalities, and domestic political pressures. This examination of both primary and secondary historical and policy source materials demonstrates that the individual personalities of each president, especially how each reacted to domestic and international political and economic pressures, played a major role in the formulation of these space policy decisions. Furthermore, the presidential election of 1960 played a critical role in determining the focus of NASA\u27s activities from the early 1960s to this day. These policy decisions directly shaped the nature of NASA\u27s human spaceflight program in the short term, but had unintended consequences in the long term. While each decision produced spectacular results in the moon landings and in the space shuttle program, each decision affected NASA\u27s ultimate growth and curtailed other space-related projects that had been proposed

Planetary quarantine

Methods for presterilization cleaning or decontamination of spacecraft hardware to reduce microbial load, without harming materials or spacecraft components, are investigated. Three methods were considered: (1) chemicals in liquid form, relying on physical removal as well as bacterial or bacteriostatic action; (2) chemicals used in the gaseous phase, relying on bacterial activity; and (3) mechanical cleaning relying on physical removal of organisms. These methods were evaluated in terms of their effectiveness in microbial burden reduction and compatibility with spacecraft hardware. Results show chemical methods were effective against spore microorganisms but were harmful to spacecraft materials. Mechanical methods were also effective with the degree depending upon the type of instrument employed. Mechanical methods caused problems in handling the equipment, due to vacuum pressure damaging the very thin layered materials used for shielding, and the bristles used in the process caused streaks or abrasions on some spacecraft components

Humanity and Space - MH IQP 1207

Our IQP investigates the possible functionality of another celestial body as an alternate home for mankind. This project explores the necessary technological advances for moving forward into the future of space travel and human development on the Moon and Mars. Mars is the optimal candidate for future human colonization and a stepping stone towards humanity\u27s expansion into outer space. Our group concluded space travel and interplanetary exploration is possible, however international political cooperation and stability is necessary for such accomplishments

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

Biologically Inspired Guidance for Autonomous Systems

Animals and humans can perform purposeful actions using only their senses. Birds can perch on branches; bats use echolocation to hunt prey and humans are able to control vehicles. It must therefore be possible for autonomous systems to replicate this autonomous behaviour if an understanding of how animals and humans perceive their environment and guide their movements is obtained. Tau theory offers a potential explanation as to how this is achieved in nature. Tau theory posits, that in combination with the so-called ‘motion guides’, animals and humans perform useful movements by closing action-gaps, i.e. gaps between the current state and a desired state. The theory suggests that the variabl

Behaviour based autonomy for single and multiple spacecraft

Current research in space systems engineering has highlighted the requirement for increasingly autonomous spacecraft and planetary rovers to meet the stringent needs of future missions. The purpose of this thesis is to present a new approach in the concept and implementation of single and clustered micro-spacecraft. The one true "artificial agent" approach to autonomy requires the micro-spacecraft to interact in a direct manner with the environment through the use of sensors and actuators. As such, there is little computational effort required to implement such an approach, which is clearly of great benefit for limited micro-satellites. Rather than using complex world models, which have to be updated, the agent is allowed to exploit the dynamics of its environment for cues as to appropriate actions to take to achieve mission goals. The particular artificial agent implementation used here has been borrowed from studies of biological systems, where it has been used successfully to provide models of motivation and opportunistic behaviour. The so called "cue- deficit" action selection algorithm considers the micro-spacecraft to be a non linear dynamical system with a number of observable states. Using optimal control theory, rules are derived which determine which of a finite repertoire of behaviours the satellite should select and perform. The principal benefits of this approach is that the micro-spacecraft is endowed with self-sufficiency, defined here to be the ability to achieve mission goals, while never placing itself in an irrecoverable position

Aerospace medicine and biology. A continuing bibliography (supplement 231)

This bibliography lists 284 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in March 1982