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Affordable Practical High-Efficiency Photovoltaic Concentrator Blanket Assembly for Ultra-Lightweight Solar Arrays Project
nasa-test-0.demo.socrata.com | Last Updated 2015-07-20T05:13:36.000ZDeployable Space Systems, Inc. (DSS) will focus the proposed NASA Phase 1 effort on the development of our innovative Functional Advanced Concentrator Technology (FACT). FACT is an affordable practical high-efficiency concentrator blanket assembly for ultra-lightweight solar arrays. FACT coupled to an ultra-lightweight solar array structural platform (such as DSS's ROSA) will provide game-changing performance metrics and unparalleled affordability for the end-user. FACT will enable emerging Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) Space Science missions, and other NASA missions, through its ultra-affordability, high voltage operation capability, high/low temperature operation capability, high/low illumination operation capability, high radiation tolerance, ultra-lightweight, and ultra-compact stowage volume. Once completely optimized through the proposed Phase 1 and Phase 2 programs the FACT technology promises to provide NASA/industry a near-term and low-risk flexible blanket technology for advanced solar array systems that provides revolutionary performance in terms of high specific power / ultra-lightweight (>400-500 W/kg BOL at the array level & >1000 W/kg BOL at the blanket level, PV dependent), affordability (>50% cost savings at the array level), compact stowage volume (>80 kW/m3 BOL, 10X times better than current rigid panel arrays), high operation reliability, high radiation tolerance, high voltage operation capability (>150 VDC), scalability, and LILT & HIHT operation capability.
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Combining Discrete Element Modeling, Finite Element Analysis, and Experimental Calibrations for Modeling of Granular Material Systems Project
nasa-test-0.demo.socrata.com | Last Updated 2015-07-20T05:43:27.000ZThe current state-of-the-art in DEM modeling has two major limitations which must be overcome to ensure that the technique can be useful to NASA engineers and the commercial sector: the computational intensive nature of the software, and the lack of an established methodology to determine the particle properties to best accurately model a given physical system. The proposed work will address both of these limitations. We will look at two approaches to overcome the particle count limitations of DEM: investigate the scaling up of particle size; and combine FEA and DEM to look at problems of densely packed solids. We will explore regimes where DEM and FEA are applicable and establish a coupling methodology that can be further developed during phase II. To address the lack of an established methodology to determine the particle properties to best accurately model a given physical system, we will investigate several small scale experiments that can be used to characterize DEM models. The proposed work will advance the state-of-the-art in DEM. At the end of phase I we will show the feasibility of developing modeling approaches to overcome the main limitations of DEM.
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Robust Optimal Fragmentation and Dispersion of Near-Earth Objects Project
nasa-test-0.demo.socrata.com | Last Updated 2015-07-20T05:31:30.000Z<p> During the past 2 decades, various concepts for mitigating the impact threats from NEOs have been proposed, but many of these concepts were impractical and not technically credible. In particular, all non-nuclear techniques require mission lead times larger than 10 years. However, for the most probable impact threat with a warning time less than 10 years, the use of high-energy nuclear explosives in space becomes inevitable for proper fragmentation and dispersion of an NEO in a collision course with Earth. However, the existing nuclear subsurface penetrator technology limits the impact velocity to less than 300m/s because higher impact velocities destroy prematurely the detonation electronic equipment. Thus, an innovative space system architecture utilizing high-energy nuclear explosives must be developed for a worst-case intercept mission resulting in relative closing velocities as high as 5-30km/s. An advanced system concept is proposed for nuclear subsurface explosion missions. The concept blends a hypervelocity kinetic-energy impactor with nuclear subsurface explosion, and exploits a 2-body space vehicle consisting of a fore body and an aft body. These 2 spacecraft bodies may be connected by a deployable boom. The fore body provides proper kinetic impact crater conditions for an aft body carrying nuclear explosives to make a deeper penetration into an asteroid body. For such a complex mission architecture design study, non-traditional, multidisciplinary research efforts in the areas of hypervelocity impact dynamics, nuclear explosion modeling, high-temperature thermal shielding, shock-resistant electronic systems, and advanced space system technologies are required. Expanding upon the current research activities, the Iowa State Asteroid Deflection Research Center will develop an innovative, advanced space system architecture that provides the planetary defense capabilities needed to enable a future real space mission more efficient, affordable, and reliable.</p>
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Designer's Situation Awareness Toolbox (DeSAT) Project
nasa-test-0.demo.socrata.com | Last Updated 2015-07-20T05:22:49.000ZThis SBIR will develop a design decision support tool that will assist designers in providing a powerful, supportive work environment for aviation crews that support the maintenance of a high level of situation awareness in the flight environment. DeSAT will be developed as a design decision support system providing the capability to (1) analyze the situation awareness requirements associated with operational requirements (which could include ground based or flight based crew members), (2) compare situation awareness information requirements to system design features to identify potential situation awareness problems and deficiencies early in the design process, and (3) evaluate the degree to which design concepts support SA via the Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique (SAGAT). DeSAT will be developed for analysis of SA for both individual crew stations and for distributed teams operating across flight and time. DeSAT will allow designers to modify design concepts early in the design process to ensure that they provide the needed situation awareness to system users.
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Predictive Situational Awareness Tool Project
nasa-test-0.demo.socrata.com | Last Updated 2015-07-20T05:09:28.000ZSituational Awareness is the key element of performing safe and effective operations, and the space vehicle operations carried out by NASA is by no means an exception to the rule. Astronauts and flight controllers need to maintain awareness of the situation in the space vehicles, robots, habitats, Mission Control Center, and other systems. NASA has devoted and continues to devote a significant amount of resources to software for displaying the current situation in order to maintain this awareness. However, astronauts and flight controllers need to predict the future state of the systems for themselves. What will happen next? Resources have now advanced to the point where it is possible to inform the astronauts and flight controllers of the expected situation in the near future, and also to warn them if the current situation does not match the expectations of the recent past?this will indicate a developing issue that requires attention. All of this will aid in reducing the cognitive load on the astronauts and flight controllers, and help them perform their work safely and effectively. S&K Aerospace, LLC (SKA) proposes to research and develop a system that will provide predictive situational awareness to flight controllers and astronauts, by bringing together information about the current state of the vehicles and other systems, the activities planned in the near future, and the expected state of the system in the future, as well as an indication if the current state of the system matches planned state. This system will be called the Predictive System Awareness Tool, or PSAT.
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Increasing NASA SSC Range Safety by Developing the Framework to Monitor Airspace and Enforce Restrictions Project
nasa-test-0.demo.socrata.com | Last Updated 2015-07-20T05:39:58.000Z<p>Engine testing at NASA SSC poses a significant risk to general aviation due to potential smoke and excessive turbulence. The airspace over Stennis has been designated as restricted from 0600 - 2300 at altitudes below 5000 feet. SSC has limited ability to detect aircraft that have breeched the restricted airspace. In order to protect lives and property, a systematic evaluation of the potential technologies was requested to identify and define options to monitor the airspace, warn aircraft of impending danger, warn NASA test operations, and if necessary provide NASA test operations data so that an informed, timely decision could be made on whether or not to interrupt engine tests. This project systematically evaluated potential technologies that could address the problem of unauthorized aircraft entering Restricted Airspace/R-4403; a primary focus of this activity was on protecting the SSC Fee and Buffer Zone during an engine test or other sensitive operation. The research began with the findings and technology identified in the SSC Facility Safety Assessment Report. In 2010, a Facility Safety Assessment was performed for SMA to identify hazards associated with the SSC multiuser test range. During this assessment, a top system level safety hazard concerning unauthorized aircraft entering the SSC Restricted Airspace during test range operations, as well as twelve other hazards that directly or indirectly relate to the top hazard, were identified. SSC has limited ability to detect aircraft that may have intentionally or unintentionally breached R-4403. Because the restricted airspace is controlled by Houston ARTCC, controllers at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) are not required to monitor or alert aircraft to avoid R-4403.</p><p>The purpose of the project was to evaluate monitoring techniques to address the problem of aircraft entering R-4403, primarily focusing on access to the SSC Buffer Zone during an engine test or other sensitive operation. The objective was to provide a small set of cost effective solutions that enable appropriate personnel to make informed safety decisions in near-real time. A number of different existing and prototype technologies were considered against the monitoring requirements defined by NASA.</p><p>During this project, several different types of aircraft monitoring technologies were investigated. The project intended to prototype these potential technology solutions based on information and assessments performed. Potential software approaches to be prototyped included: phone apps, e-mail alerts, and desk top displays. Each was assessed against NASA&rsquo;s airspace monitoring requirements, which included the ability to monitor the entire buffer zone plus an additional 5 mile radius for both transponder and non-transponder equipped aircraft and, if possible, low-altitude UASs. Some technologies were eliminated because they are unable to track non-transponder equipped aircraft, while others are not capable of operating in all weather and illumination conditions. The remaining technologies represent potential solutions to monitoring the restricted airspace at SSC.&nbsp;Ultimately, the technologies investigated were not required and a refined notification procedure to follow in advance of test operations was implemented to insure NASA SSC Range Safety.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
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Multi-Cluster Network on a Chip Reconfigurable Radiation Hardened Radio Project
nasa-test-0.demo.socrata.com | Last Updated 2015-07-20T05:18:34.000ZThe objective of the Phase-I research is to architect, model and simulate a multi-cluster Network on a Chip (NoC) reconfigurable Radio in SystemC RTL, with throughput up to 1Gbps. The architecture is based on mapping key Radio DSP operations onto clusters of 2D-Grid networks of primitive computation agents. The primitives in each cluster consists of multiply, accumulate and CORDIC operations. RISC agents and a primary RISC provide for reconfigurability. All agents are individually accessible for testing and configuration. The reconfigurable radio trades throughput for power by turning off primitive agents, using subsets of agents and routing links. Key agents that require SEU immunity for robust operation are identified and registers are implemented with Rad Hard temporal latch technology. The radio is reconfigurable for both beamforming and open-loop MIMO-OFDM operation with variable length FFTs to meet throughput/range requirements. The chip area and power is drastically reduced by maximum reuse of primitive agents by taking advantage of orthogonality between DSP operations. In Phase-II an NoC with support for 4x4 MIMO-OFDM will be synthesized on IBM 90nm process using Rad Hard agents and routing links that can be reconfigured for 4x1,4x2 and 4x4 MIMO-OFDM and single carrier operation, including FPGA emulation.
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High-Frequency Flush Mounted Miniature LOX Fiber-Optic Pressure Sensor II Project
nasa-test-0.demo.socrata.com | Last Updated 2015-07-20T05:43:28.000ZLuna Innovations has teamed with the University of Alabama, Huntsville, to develop a miniature flush-mounted fiber-optic pressure sensor that will allow accurate, high-frequency high-pressure measurement of LOx and LH2. The Innovation of this proposed development is that the miniature flush-mounted fiber-optic pressure sensor is not intrusive, is intrinsically safe, and is a novel adaptation of proven technology. To insure compatibility with the LOx environment, the sensor has been constructed from metal-oxides, ceramics and other materials that are intrinsically safe. The sensor will help engineers optimize performance of liquid fueled rocket engines for the next generation of reusable lift vehicles, and flight versions of the sensors will enable real-time monitoring and control of the engines, improving safety and enabling commercialization of space. During the Phase I, prototype sensors were demonstrated in Liquid Oxygen (LOx) at temperatures of -196<SUP>o</SUP>C. The sensor was able to measure pressures over 1000 psi and transients exceeding 4500 psi/sec rates of change without failure. During the Phase II, optimized thermally compensated sensors will be constructed and extensive tests conducted to advance the technology to pre-production status. This system meets NASA's goals by providing LOx and LH2 pressure data while: 1) minimizing intrusion, 2) improving reliability, 3) having fast response time, and 4) being intrinsically safe.
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Advanced Situation Awareness Technologies Project
nasa-test-0.demo.socrata.com | Last Updated 2015-07-20T05:24:46.000ZAdvanced Situation Awareness Technologies (ASAT) will facilitate exploration of the moon surface, and other planetary bodies. This powerful technology will also find application in the commercial sector, particularly submersible vehicle operation. ASAT will fuse video and other sensor technologies, with geographic databases to maximize vehicle operator situation awareness, and enhance the navigation state of the guidance and control system. During previous research and development activities RIS invented a method to use video camera data to enhance vehicle attitude estimation from gyroscopic inertial navigation systems. In non-earth environments, the absence of a strong reference field increases the problem of INS drift, and decreases operator situation awareness as a consequence. RIS will develope technology which enhances navigation and situation awareness in these challenging environments.
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Nano Dust Analyzer Project
nasa-test-0.demo.socrata.com | Last Updated 2015-07-20T05:42:34.000Z<p> We propose to develop a new highly sensitive instrument to confirm the existence of the so-called nano-dust particles, characterize their impact parameters, and measure their chemical composition. Simultaneous theoretical studies will be used to derive the expected&nbsp; mass and velocity ranges of these putative particles to formulate science and measurement requirements for the future deployment of&nbsp; the proposed Nano-Dust Analyzer (NDA)&nbsp;</p> <p> Early dust instruments onboard Pioneer 8 and 9 and Helios spacecraft detected a flow of submicron sized dust particles coming from the direction of the Sun. These particles originate in the inner solar system from mutual collisions among meteoroids and move on&nbsp; hyperbolic orbits that leave the Solar System under the prevailing radiation pressure force. Later dust instruments with higher&nbsp; sensitivity had to avoid looking toward the Sun because of interference from the solar wind and UV radiation and thus contributed&nbsp; little to the characterization of the dust stream. The one exception is the Ulysses dust detector that observed escaping dust particles&nbsp; high above the solar poles, which confirm the suspicion that charged nanometer sized dust grains are carried to high heliographic&nbsp; latitudes by electromagnetic interactions with the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF). Recently, the STEREO WAVES instruments&nbsp; recorded a large number of intense electric field signals, which were interpreted as impacts from nanometer sized particles striking the&nbsp; spacecraft with velocities of about the solar wind speed. This high flux and strong spatial and/or temporal variations of nanometer&nbsp; sized dust grains at low latitude appears to be uncorrelated with the solar wind properties. This is a mystery as it would require that&nbsp; the total collisional meteoroid debris inside 1 AU is cast in nanometer sized fragments. The observed fluxes of inner-source pickup ions&nbsp; also point to the existence of a much enhanced dust population in the nanometer size range.&nbsp;</p> <p> This new heliospherical phenomenon of nano-dust streams may have consequences throughout the planetary system, but as of yet no dust instrument exists that could be used to shed light on their properties. &nbsp;We propose to develop a dust analyzer capable to detect and&nbsp; analyze these mysterious dust particles coming from the solar direction and to embark upon complementary theoretical studies to&nbsp; understand their characteristics. The instrument is based on the Cassini Dust Analyzer (CDA) that has analyzed the composition of&nbsp; nanometer sized dust particles emanating from the Jovian and Saturnian systems but could not be pointed towards the Sun. By&nbsp; applying technologies implemented in solar wind instruments and coronagraphs a highly sensitive dust analyzer will be developed and&nbsp; tested in the laboratory. The dust analyzer shall be able to characterize impact properties (impact charge and energy distribution of&nbsp; ions from which mass and speed of the impacting grains may be derived) and chemical composition of individual nanometer sized&nbsp; particles while exposed to solar wind and UV radiation. The measurements will enable us to identify the source of the dust by&nbsp; comparing their elemental composition with that of larger micrometeoroid particles of cometary and asteroid origin and will reveal&nbsp; interaction of nano-dust with the interplanetary medium by investigating the relation of the dust flux with solar wind and IMF&nbsp; properties.&nbsp;</p> <p> Complementary theoretically studies will be performed to understand the characteristics of nano-dust particles at 1 AU to answer the&nbsp; following questions:&nbsp; - What is the speed range at which nanometer sized particles impact