Award Data

NEW APPROACHES TO AUTOMATIC CONTROL ARE NEEDED IF VARIABLE POLARITY PLASMA ARC (VPPA) WELDING IS TO REALIZE ITS FULL POTENTIAL AS A RELIABLE, REPEATABLE, COST EFFECTIVE PROCESS.PRESENT VPPA CONTROL SYSTEMS ARE FIRST GENERATION, ELEMENTARY COMPUTER-BASED SYSTEMS THAT DEPEND ON PROGRAMS WHICH ARE EXPERIMENTALLY DERIVED, AND DO NOT COMPENSATE FOR ANOMOLIES INJECTED BY TOOLING, PART, AND OTHER INDEPEN ...

MANNED SPACECRAFT ON LONG MISSIONS OR PERMANENTLY IN ORBIT (E.G. SPACE STATION) WILL REQUIRE HOT WATER FOR HOUSEKEEPINGCHORES SUCH AS CLOTHES AND DISH WASHING AND BATHING. THE ECLS SYSTEM WILL ALSO REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF HOT WATER. IF THIS WATER IS ELECTRICALLY HEATED, MANY ADDITIONAL SQUARE FEET OF THE PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) ARRAY WILL BE NEEDED. AN ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE IS TO MOUNT A SOLAR C ...

THIS EFFORT WILL ENHANCE THE CAPABILITY OF THE AIR FORCE PARABOLIZED NAVIER STOKES CODE (AFWAL PNS CODE) TO PREDICT SKIN FRICTION AND HEAT TRANSFER TO HIGH SPEED FLIGHT VEHICLES. THE CURRENT PREDICTION TECHNIQUES REQUIRE EXTREMELY ACCURATE CALCULATIONS OF VELOCITY AND TEMPERATURE IN THE VICINITY OF THE WALL. THE EFFORT HERE WILL REPLACE THIS PROCEDURE BY USING INTEGRAL MOMENTUM AND ENERGY EQUATION ...

In recent decades, NASA?s interest in spacecraft rendezvous and proximity operations has grown. Additional instrumentation is needed to improve manned docking operations? safety, as well as to enable telerobotic operation of spacecraft or completely autonomous rendezvous and docking. To address this need, we propose a suite of active sensors that will provide range and bearing information to a doc ...

Distribution of International Space Station (ISS) downlink video to Remote Principle Investigators (RPIs) requires a connection to Abilene, an Internet2 high-performance research network, or a network that peers with Abilene. Additionally, multicast network capability and four megabits per second bandwidth capacity per video channel is required end-to-end in order to receive the downlink video. ...

The overall objective is to develop a ?mixed-methodology?, drag and drop, component library (fluidic-lego)-based, system design and optimization tool for complex lab-on-a-chip systems. Experiments-based design is expensive and time-consuming. Full multiphysics simulations, while successful in designing components, are computationally infeasible for system design. The proposed tool will accelera ...

Experiment Modules (EM) such as the Quench Module Insert (QMI) must be comprised of robust components to minimize the need for recalibration and refurbishment/replacement on the International Space Station. A critical aspect for proper operation of the QMI is thermal performance monitoring by blackbody sensors (BBS). Significant improvements in the ability of the sensor to monitor thermal performa ...

Non-conventional technologies are needed to revolutionize space propulsion. Development of materials with improved properties is essential to increase performance and reduce cost. Advancements are needed for components in solid and hybrid rocket, high powered electrical, beamed energy, and nuclear propulsion systems. Innovative processes for fabricating net shape, tungsten-rhenium-hafnium carbide ...

Innovative low cost, light-weight airlock technologies are required to integrate with deep space and surface platform hosting Extra-Vehicular Activity. CFDRC team proposes an inflatable airlock structure that employs unique fabric architecture capable of delivering the lowest mass and greatest versatility of any competing design. The proposed design features a completely integrated air beam inter- ...

The Orion Launch Abort System (LAS) utilizes attitude control motors (ACM) with advanced ceramic composite components that function as a valve control system to allow for safe maneuverability away from danger. This system is made steerable due to the valve controlled thrusters which utilize advanced ceramic pintles made of 4D C/C-SiC that are attached to metallic structures and actuated. Dur ...