Technology for the Future: In-Space Technology Experiments Program, part 2

The purpose of the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST) In-Space Technology Experiments Program In-STEP 1988 Workshop was to identify and prioritize technologies that are critical for future national space programs and require validation in the space environment, and review current NASA (In-Reach) and industry/ university (Out-Reach) experiments. A prioritized list of the critical technology needs was developed for the following eight disciplines: structures; environmental effects; power systems and thermal management; fluid management and propulsion systems; automation and robotics; sensors and information systems; in-space systems; and humans in space. This is part two of two parts and contains the critical technology presentations for the eight theme elements and a summary listing of critical space technology needs for each theme

Large space structures and systems in the space station era: A bibliography with indexes

Bibliographies and abstracts are listed for 1219 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1, 1990 and December 31, 1990. The purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems

Large space structures and systems in the space station era: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 05)

Bibliographies and abstracts are listed for 1363 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1991 and July 31, 1992. Topics covered include technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion and solar power satellite systems

Large space structures and systems in the space station era: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 04)

Bibliographies and abstracts are listed for 1211 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between 1 Jul. and 30 Dec. 1991. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems

NASA Tech Briefs, August 2009

Topics covered include: Aligning a Receiving Antenna Array to Reduce Interference; Collecting Ground Samples for Balloon-Borne Instruments; Tethered Pyrotechnic Apparatus for Acquiring a Ground Sample; Enhanced Video-Oculography System; Joint Carrier-Phase Synchronization and LDPC Decoding; Dual-Polarization, Sideband-Separating, Balanced Receiver for 1.5 THz Modular Battery Charge Controller; Efficient Multiplexer FPGA Block Structures Based on G4FETs; VLSI Microsystem for Rapid Bioinformatic Pattern Recognition; Low-Noise Amplifier for 100 to 180 GHz; Improved Fabrication of Ceramic Matrix Composite/Foam Core Integrated Structures; Inert Welding/Brazing Gas Filters and Dryers; Fabricating Copper Nanotubes by Electrodeposition; Reducing Aerodynamic Drag on Empty Open Cargo Vehicles; Rotary Percussive Auto-Gopher for Deep Drilling and Sampling; More About Reconfigurable Exploratory Robotic Vehicles; Thermostatic Valves Containing Silicone-Oil Actuators; Improving Heat Flux Performance of Flat Surface in Spray-Cooling Systems; Treating Fibrous Insulation to Reduce Thermal Conductivity; Silica-Aerogel Composites Opacified with La(sub0.7)Sr(sub0.3)MnO3; Cyclic Oxidation Behavior of CuCrAl Cold-Sprayed Coatings for Reusable Launch Vehicles; Ceramic Fiber Structures for Cryogenic Load-Bearing Applications; Elastomer Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes; Biologically Inspired Purification and Dispersion of SWCNTs; A Technique for Adjusting Eigenfrequencies of WGM Resonators; Low-Pressure, Field-Ionizing Mass Spectrometer; Modifying Operating Cycles to Increase Stability in a LITS; Chamber for Simulating Martian and Terrestrial Environments; Algorithm for Detecting a Bright Spot in an Image; Extreme Programming: Maestro Style; Adaptive Behavior for Mobile Robots; Protocol for Communication Networking for Formation Flying; Planning Complex Sequences Using Compressed Representations; and Self-Supervised Learning of Terrain Traversability from Proprioceptive Sensors

Optimization techniques for satellites proximity maneuvers

The main topic of this dissertation is the control optimization problem for satellites Rendezvous and Docking. Saving resources is almost as important as the mission safeness and effectiveness. Three different numerical approaches are developed. The first two techniques deal with realtime and sub-optimal control, generating a reliable control sequence for a chaser spacecraft which eventually docks to a target. The first approach uses dynamic programming to quickly generate a sub-optimal control sequence on a predetermined path to be followed by one of the two vehicles involved into the docking operations. The second method presents a fast direct optimization technique, which was previously validated on real aircraft for trajectory optimization. The third approach aims to take into account the limitations of space qualified hardware, in particular thrusters. The new technique fuses the use of a set of low thrust on-off engines with impulsive-high-thrust engines. The hybrid method here developed combines and customizes different techniques. The relative motion in the above mentioned control strategies is represented by a linear dynamic model. As secondary topic of this dissertation, the use of a genetic algorithm optimizer to find possible conditions under which spacecraft relative motion can be periodic, or at least bounded, is presented. This analysis takes into account the J2 gravity perturbation and some drag effects. The importance of the obtained results directly apply to the problem of formation keeping, as natural dynamics can be exploited to reduce the amount of active control preventing the spacecrafts to drift apart along tim

Optimization techniques for satellites proximity maneuvers

The main topic of this dissertation is the control optimization problem for satellites Rendezvous and Docking. Saving resources is almost as important as the mission safeness and effectiveness. Three different numerical approaches are developed. The first two techniques deal with realtime and sub-optimal control, generating a reliable control sequence for a chaser spacecraft which eventually docks to a target. The first approach uses dynamic programming to quickly generate a sub-optimal control sequence on a predetermined path to be followed by one of the two vehicles involved into the docking operations. The second method presents a fast direct optimization technique, which was previously validated on real aircraft for trajectory optimization. The third approach aims to take into account the limitations of space qualified hardware, in particular thrusters. The new technique fuses the use of a set of low thrust on-off engines with impulsive-high-thrust engines. The hybrid method here developed combines and customizes different techniques. The relative motion in the above mentioned control strategies is represented by a linear dynamic model. As secondary topic of this dissertation, the use of a genetic algorithm optimizer to find possible conditions under which spacecraft relative motion can be periodic, or at least bounded, is presented. This analysis takes into account the J2 gravity perturbation and some drag effects. The importance of the obtained results directly apply to the problem of formation keeping, as natural dynamics can be exploited to reduce the amount of active control preventing the spacecrafts to drift apart along tim

Aerospace medicine and biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes (supplement 344)

This bibliography lists 125 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information System during January, 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

Space exploration: The interstellar goal and Titan demonstration

Automated interstellar space exploration is reviewed. The Titan demonstration mission is discussed. Remote sensing and automated modeling are considered. Nuclear electric propulsion, main orbiting spacecraft, lander/rover, subsatellites, atmospheric probes, powered air vehicles, and a surface science network comprise mission component concepts. Machine, intelligence in space exploration is discussed