Space, the new frontier

Space program - high thrust boosters with greater payload capabilities, superior guidance and control, and astronaut trainin

Rover and Telerobotics Technology Program

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's (JPL's) Rover and Telerobotics Technology Program, sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), responds to opportunities presented by NASA space missions and systems, and seeds commerical applications of the emerging robotics technology. The scope of the JPL Rover and Telerobotics Technology Program comprises three major segments of activity: NASA robotic systems for planetary exploration, robotic technology and terrestrial spin-offs, and technology for non-NASA sponsors. Significant technical achievements have been reached in each of these areas, including complete telerobotic system prototypes that have built and tested in realistic scenarios relevant to prospective users. In addition, the program has conducted complementary basic research and created innovative technology and terrestrial applications, as well as enabled a variety of commercial spin-offs

Space resources. Volume 2: Energy, power, and transport

This volume of the Space Resources report covers a number of technical and policy issues concerning the energy and power to carry out advanced space missions and the means of transportation to get to the sites of those missions. Discussed in the first half of this volume are the technologies which might be used to provide power and a variety of ways to convert power from one form to another, store it, move it wherever it is needed, and use it. In the second half of this volume, various kinds of transportation, including both interplanetary and surface systems, are discussed

Engineering the locusts: Hind leg modelling towards the design of a bio-inspired space hopper

The mechanical operation of a biologically inspired robot hopper is presented. This design is based on the hind leg dynamics and jumping gait of a desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria). The biological mechanism is represented as a lumped mass system. This emulates the muscle activation sequence and gait responsible for the long, coordinated jump of locusts, whilst providing an engineering equivalent for the design of a biological inspired hopper for planetary exploration. Despite the crude simplification, performance compares well against biological data found in the literature and scaling towards size more typical of robotic realisation are considered from an engineering point of view. This aspect makes an important contribution to knowledge as it quantifies the balance between biological similarity and efficiency of the biomimetic hopping mechanism. Further, this work provides useful information towards the biomimetic design of a hopper vehicle whilst the analysis uncover the range maximisation conditions for powered flight at constant thrust by analytic means. The proposed design bridges concepts looking at the gait dynamics and designs oriented to extended, full powered trajectories

Humanity and Space

Space exploration is motivated by our desire to ensure the survival of the human species and commercial enterprises. To avoid extinction and maintain quality of life of the human species, humanity has to experiment with colonization and manipulation of our Solar System. Commercial enterprise includes technological advancements, communications, and new sources of energy available throughout the Solar System and to the benefit of humanity. This project explores all of these possibilities, provides guidelines, and a vision for the future

Living in space, book 2, levels D, E, F

In June 1984, President Reagan announced a new NASA program, Operation Liftoff. For more than 25 years NASA has pioneered on the cutting edge of science and technology and has stimulated our young people to strive for excellence in all they do. This program is designed to encourage pupils in the nation's elementary schools to take a greater interest in mathematics and science. Areas addressed include: food, clothing, health, housing, communication, and working in space