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We propose the continued development of a novel approach to the detection of chromosomal inversions. Transmissible chromosome aberrations (translocations and inversions) have profound genetic effects, such as disrupting regulatory sequences that control gene expression, or creating genetic chimeras. These chromosome aberrations play a causative role in cancer, and ionizing radiation is one of th ...

The Kennedy Space Center maintains approximately $2 billion worth of ground support facilities to support its launch vehicle program. Maintenance of the ground facilities is a difficult and ongoing task since the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is located in one of the most aggressive corrosion environments in the U.S. The effects of the corrosive environment at the KSC are compounded by the exhaust ...

The multi-cell thermal battery (MCTB) is a device that can recover a large fraction of the thermal energy from heated regolith and subsequently apply this energy to heat up cool regolith. The individual cells of the MCTB contain a thermal storage media that is specifically designed for optimal performance at a given temperature range. Each of these cells is charged with thermal energy from hot reg ...

Fine water mist (FWM) is a promising replacement technology for fire suppression on the next generation of manned spacecraft. It offers advantages in performance, ease of cleanup, compatibility with on-board environmental systems, and ability to recharge during a mission. ADA Technologies has designed and built a prototype hand-held extinguisher that successfully extinguished test fires in an atmo ...

The Lunar Soil Particle Separator (LSPS) is an innovative method to beneficiate soil prior to in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). The LSPS can improve ISRU oxygen yield by boosting the concentration of ilmenite or other iron-oxide bearing materials found in lunar soils. This can substantially reduce hydrogen reduction reactor size and drastically decrease the power input required for soil heating ...

Satellite observations of the Earth often contain excessive noise and extensive data voids. Aerosol measurements, for instance, are obscured and contaminated by clouds, possible only on the sunlit side of the globe, and difficult over bright land areas. We propose to extend filtering and data assimilation techniques for satellite derived aerosol optical depth based on the wavelet transform. The as ...

Lightweight, high performance thermal insulation is critical to NASA's next generation Exploration spacecraft. Zero or low cryogenic propellant boiloff is required during extended missions and lengthy on-orbit times. Heat flow through multilayer insulation is usually the largest heat leak in cryogenic systems, so improvements are desirable. Load Responsive Multi-Layer Insulation (LRMLI) is an inno ...

In Phase II SPEC will design, fabricate and flight test a state-of-the-art combined cloud particle probe called the Hawkeye. Hawkeye is the culmination of two decades of innovative instrument development at SPEC. The new probe will measure the size distribution of cloud and precipitation particles, provide high-resolution (2.3 micron pixel) images of cloud particles and remove artifacts from ice ...

Access to space for Small Satellites is enabled by the use of excess launch capacity on existing launch vehicles. A range of sizes, form factors and masses of small sats need to be accommodated. An integration process that minimizes programmatic/technical risk to the primary, allows "late flow" integration and predictable cost/schedule for the secondary enables regular and cost-effective access. ...

THE USE OF EXTRATERRESTRIAL SOLAR IRRADIATED SEMICONDUCTOR POWDERS TO PHOTOCATALYTICALLY OXIDIZE ORGANIC TOXICANTS PERSISTENT IN THE SPACE STATION'S POST-TREATED WATER, TO THELEVELS SPECIFIED BY NASA MEDICAL SCIENCES DIVISION, IS PROPOSED. THE TOTAL MINERALIZATION OF SEVERAL CLASSES OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS BY THE UV IRRADIATION OF UNDOPED, NAKED AND PLATINIZED TIO2 (ANATASE) POWDERS HAS BEEN ABUNDANT ...