Award Data

This project extends Probability Bounds Analysis to model epistemic and aleatory uncertainty during early design of engineered systems in an Integrated Concurrent Engineering environment. This method uses efficient analytic and semi-analytic calculations, is more rigorous than probabilistic Monte Carlo simulation, and provides comprehensive and (often) best possible bounds on mission-level risk a ...

An acoustic igniter eliminates the need to use electrical energy to drive spark systems to initiate combustion in liquid-propellant rockets. It does not involve the use of catalysts (which have a limited life), it does not exhibit typical wear and tear as seen in spark and catalytic igniters, and it is simple in design with no moving parts. Orion's proposed Acoustic Igniter is expected to offer a ...

Future lunar initiatives will demand sophisticated operation of mobile robotics platforms. In particular, lunar site operations will benefit from robots, both autonomous and tele-operated, that complement or replace human extravehicular activity (EVA). Three-dimensional sensing technology is at the heart of such functionality, enabling safe and reliable navigation in complex, dynamic environments, ...

Radiative heat fluxes are important in the design of launch vehicles for Project Constellation. In this Phase II STTR, CFDRC and its partner Mississippi State University will develop an innovative, comprehensive, high fidelity radiation module in the LOCI CFD framework that will enable NASA to design/analyze heat transfer challenges that include radiation. In Phase I, CFDRC/MSU successfully demo ...

CFDRC proposes to develop, validate and demonstrate a comprehensive aeroservoelastic analysis framework for aerospace vehicles by enabling coupled interactions between multi-physics simulation modules with variable fidelity for flexible structures, aerodynamics, flight dynamics, and embedded smart materials. In Phase I, a nonlinear electrodynamics finite-element model for smart materials, capable ...

NASA's vision of Space Exploration will require advancements in communication systems to maintain flexibility and adaptability to changing needs and requirements. The research outlined in this project will develop a hardware/software design environment that will allow NASA engineers to automatically develop flexible, reconfigurable communications systems. We will develop automated compiler algor ...

High current hollow cathodes are the baseline electron source for next generation high power Hall thrusters. Currently for electron sources providing current levels >50 A and cathodes utilizing LaB6 emitters, the only viable, long life heater technology is a low reliability, low producibility, multi-element heater constructed from MgO insulated coaxial heater cable. In the Phase I project we wil ...

We propose new concepts for developing components for high performance space based Lidar systems. While it is generally recognized that photonic crystal fiber technology can extend the performance range of fiber laser based sources these fibers are considered by many to be incompatible with complementary component technology such as fused couplers and pump combiners. Integration of these fibers i ...

Develops a low-cost and portable rehabilitation device with intelligent control to stretch spastic joints safely and repeatedly througout the range of motion to reduce spasticity/contracture and increase functional performance

This project develops a wearable/portable robotic device, IntelliStretch, to perform therapeuticrehabilitation of the arm with the following three integrated steps: (1) stretching a spastic/stiff jointto its extreme position under intelligent control to loosen the stiff joint, (2) voluntary movement training using virtual reality games interfaced with assistance/resistance control when needed, and ...