Applying Fiber Support Technology to Small Satellite Systems

Cryogenically cooled components in infrared instruments designed by Utah State University\u27s Space Dynamics Laboratory traditionally have been mounted on glass-epoxy composite (G-10) cylinders for thermal isolation. Ensuring adequate mechanical stiffness to withstand typical launch loads often compromises the desired thermal isolation and conduction parasitic heat loads become a concern. Beginning with a senior design project in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, a new approach to rigidly supporting cold components using high performance fibers in tension was initiated. The development effort included consideration of several candidate fibers for tensile strength, shear strength, creep, and thermal conductivity as well as a technique for attaching and tensioning the support strands. A support system designed, fabricated and tested for application on the SABER instrument utilizes strands of Kevlar 49 in a bicycle wheel-spoke like arrangement to support a focal plane assembly (FPA) cooled by a miniature pulse tube refrigerator. The first resonant frequency of the Kevlar supported assembly has been measured to be greater than 600 Hz in all axes. This compares with typical values of 50 to 70 Hz for a similar assembly supported by concentric G-10 cylinders. In addition to an order of magnitude increase in the mechanical stiffness, the Kevlar system reduced parasitic conduction heat loads by almost two orders of magnitude. Calculated conduction loads through the Kevlar strands total less than 1 mW as compared to 85 mW for the G- 10 supports. This dramatic reduction brought total parasitic heat loads to within the limited cooling capacity of the miniature refrigerator and made possible the SABER instrument with its very stringent power and mass constraints. Further applications for this technology are currently being designed

Wide Angle Lens Systems for Distributed Atmospheric Measurements

USU — developed expertise in imaging atmospheric and space weather phenomena, has had repeated inquiries to provide all-sky imaging systems to help other upper atmosphere and space weather researchers

SABER Instrument Overview

This paper provides an overview of the sounding of the atmosphere using broadband emission radiometer (SABER) instrument proposed by NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) and the Space Dynamics Laboratory at Utah State University (SDL/USU). SABER is a 12-channel infrared radiometer designed to measure atmospheric emissions in the 1 to 17 im spectral region. Radiometric, optical , thermal, and electronic aspects of the design are discussed

Swimming Aid for Visually Impaired Swimmers (Semester Unknown) IPRO 310: Swimming Aid For Visually Impaired Swimmers IPRO 310 Abstract Su08

This project aims to help visually impaired individuals to exercise independently. While the primary focus this semester will be enabling visually impaired swimmers to swim independently, other physical activities will be researched for the purpose of choosing three activities to be considered for future projects. A passive device, which is a mechanically-based device that offers tactile feedback to the swimmer, and an active device, which is a sonarbased device, will both be developed in parallel to aid the swimmers. This project, overall, could potentially increase the independence of blind and visually impaired individuals, as well as improve their quality of life.Deliverable

Swimming Aid for Visually Impaired Swimmers (Semester Unknown) IPRO 310: Swimming Aid For Visually Impaired Swimmers IPRO 310 Final Report Su08

This project aims to help visually impaired individuals to exercise independently. While the primary focus this semester will be enabling visually impaired swimmers to swim independently, other physical activities will be researched for the purpose of choosing three activities to be considered for future projects. A passive device, which is a mechanically-based device that offers tactile feedback to the swimmer, and an active device, which is a sonarbased device, will both be developed in parallel to aid the swimmers. This project, overall, could potentially increase the independence of blind and visually impaired individuals, as well as improve their quality of life.Deliverable

Swimming Aid for Visually Impaired Swimmers (Semester Unknown) IPRO 310

This project aims to help visually impaired individuals to exercise independently. While the primary focus this semester will be enabling visually impaired swimmers to swim independently, other physical activities will be researched for the purpose of choosing three activities to be considered for future projects. A passive device, which is a mechanically-based device that offers tactile feedback to the swimmer, and an active device, which is a sonarbased device, will both be developed in parallel to aid the swimmers. This project, overall, could potentially increase the independence of blind and visually impaired individuals, as well as improve their quality of life.Deliverable

Microorganisms and climate change:terrestrial feedbacks and mitigation options

Microbial processes have a central role in the global fluxes of the key biogenic greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) and are likely to respond rapidly to climate change. Whether changes in microbial processes lead to a net positive or negative feedback for greenhouse gas emissions is unclear. To improve the prediction of climate models, it is important to understand the mechanisms by which microorganisms regulate terrestrial greenhouse gas flux. This involves consideration of the complex interactions that occur between microorganisms and other biotic and abiotic factors. The potential to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through managing terrestrial microbial processes is a tantalizing prospect for the future