Space shuttle base heating analysis

Work performed in support of radiation and convective base heating predictions in developing the space shuttle thermal environment is described. Topics discussed include plume radiation predictions and the development of prediction methods; convective base heating predictions due to both reversed flow and direct plume impingement; and evaluation testing of a gas temperature probe used in short-duration base heating model tests

Code, space and everyday life

In this paper we examine the role of code (software) in the spatial formation of collective life. Taking the view that human life and coded technology are folded into one another, we theorise space as ontogenesis. Space, we posit, is constantly being bought into being through a process of transduction – the constant making anew of a domain in reiterative and transformative practices - as an incomplete solution to a relational problem. The relational problem we examine is the ongoing encounter between individuals and environment where the solution, to a greater or lesser extent, is code. Code, we posit, is diversely embedded in collectives as coded objects, coded infrastructure, coded processes and coded assemblages. These objects, infrastructure, processes and assemblages possess technicity, that is, unfolding or evolutive power to make things happen; the ability to mediate, supplement, augment, monitor, regulate, operate, facilitate, produce collective life. We contend that when the technicity of code is operationalised it transduces one of three forms of hybrid spatial formations: code/space, coded space and backgrounded coded space. These formations are contingent, relational, extensible and scaleless, often stretched out across networks of greater or shorter length. We demonstrate the coded transduction of space through three vignettes – each a day in the life of three people living in London, UK, tracing the technical mediation of their interactions, transactions and mobilities. We then discuss how code becomes the relational solution to five different classes of problems – domestic living, travelling, working, communicating, and consuming

Interactive geodesic structures for attracting wider audience to marine concerns

Recent surveys indicate that there is a greater emotional disconnect between the European population and Europe’s aquatic environments [1]. Although a wider audience recognizes anthropogenic issues (i.e. litter pollution, overfishing, noise pollution, etc) where most people can feel connected to nature, however, they do not exhibit pro-environmental behaviors towards them. Interactive environ ments, which depict marine concerns, remain passive and informative, i.e. not being able to engage with the audience, failing to provide a long-term positive effect. This thesis explores the usage of geodesic structures in depicting marine concerns, exploring possible interactive environments among them in effort to increase the awareness of marine concerns. Dissertation performs five geodesic dome iterations and validations. In first, it studies the role of the open and porous geodesic structure, resembled as four marine species (seabird, sea turtle, dolphin and whale). In second, it enhances the first with the covers, studying more immersive experiences. Third setup contributed to the scaling-down of the geodesic dome marine species. Fourth setup showcased its deployment in wider public spaces. Fifth setup streamlined further the structures, so they can be used at diverse public spots. Two additional Augmented Reality modalites were used, with the former with interaction with the sea turtle and the latter, interacting with the whale.Pesquisas recentes indicam que há uma maior desconexão emocional entre a pop ulação europeia e os ambientes aquáticos da Europa. Embora um público mais amplo reconheça questões antropogênicas (ou seja, poluição maritima, pesca pre datória, poluição sonora, etc.), onde a maioria das pessoas pode se sentir conec tada à natureza, no entanto, eles não exibem comportamentos pró-ambientais em relação a eles. Os ambientes interativos, que retratam preocupações mar inhas, permanecem passivos e informativos, ou seja, não conseguem envolver o público, deixando de proporcionar um efeito positivo a longo prazo. Esta tese explora o uso de estruturas geodésicas na representação de preocupações mar inhas, explorando possíveis ambientes interativos entre elas em um esforço para aumentar a conscientização sobre preocupações marinhas. A dissertação real iza cinco iterações e validações de Domes geodésicas. Na primeira, é estudado o papel da estrutura geodésica aberta e porosa, semelhante às quatro espécies marinhas (ave marinha, tartaruga marinha, golfinho e baleia). Na segunda, po tencializa a primeira com as coberturas, estudando experiências mais imersivas. A terceira configuração contribuiu para a redução de espécies marinhas na cúpula geodésica. Na quarta configuração foi implantada em espaços públicos mais amp los. A quinta configuração simplificou ainda mais as estruturas para que possam ser usadas em vários locais públicos. Foram utilizadas duas modalidades adi cionais de Realidade Aumentada, a primeira com interação com a tartaruga marinha e a segunda com interação com a baleia

Carbon Isotope Constraints on the Deglacial CO2 Rise from Ice Cores

The stable carbon isotope ratio of atmospheric CO2 (d13Catm) is a key parameter in deciphering past carbon cycle changes. Here we present d13Catm data for the past 24,000 years derived from three independent records from two Antarctic ice cores. We conclude that a pronounced 0.3 per mil decrease in d13Catm during the early deglaciation can be best explained by upwelling of old, carbon-enriched waters in the Southern Ocean. Later in the deglaciation, regrowth of the terrestrial biosphere, changes in sea surface temperature, and ocean circulation governed the d13Catm evolution. During the Last Glacial Maximum, d13Catm and atmospheric CO2 concentration were essentially constant, which suggests that the carbon cycle was in dynamic equilibrium and that the net transfer of carbon to the deep ocean had occurred before then

Constructing living buildings: a review of relevant technologies for a novel application of biohybrid robotics

Biohybrid robotics takes an engineering approach to the expansion and exploitation of biological behaviours for application to automated tasks. Here, we identify the construction of living buildings and infrastructure as a high-potential application domain for biohybrid robotics, and review technological advances relevant to its future development. Construction, civil infrastructure maintenance and building occupancy in the last decades have comprised a major portion of economic production, energy consumption and carbon emissions. Integrating biological organisms into automated construction tasks and permanent building components therefore has high potential for impact. Live materials can provide several advantages over standard synthetic construction materials, including self-repair of damage, increase rather than degradation of structural performance over time, resilience to corrosive environments, support of biodiversity, and mitigation of urban heat islands. Here, we review relevant technologies, which are currently disparate. They span robotics, self-organizing systems, artificial life, construction automation, structural engineering, architecture, bioengineering, biomaterials, and molecular and cellular biology. In these disciplines, developments relevant to biohybrid construction and living buildings are in the early stages, and typically are not exchanged between disciplines. We, therefore, consider this review useful to the future development of biohybrid engineering for this highly interdisciplinary application.publishe

Reusable Agena study. Volume 2: Technical

The application of the existing Agena vehicle as a reusable upper stage for the space shuttle is discussed. The primary objective of the study is to define those changes to the Agena required for it to function in the reusable mode in the 100 percent capture of the NASA-DOD mission model. This 100 percent capture is achieved without use of kick motors or stages by simply increasing the Agena propellant load by using optional strap-on-tanks. The required shuttle support equipment, launch and flight operations techniques, development program, and cost package are also defined