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The Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell International Corporation is currently researching and evaluating the use of Artificial Intelligence and in particular Expert System technologies for the monitoring of large space-based electric power systems such as NASA's Space Station Freedom (SSF). Power System Security of space borne and lunar based electrical power systems provide unique challenges to power system software design engineers. The major responsibility of Power System Security is the monitoring of the state of health of the Power Distribution System. The role of system security is to ensure that uninterrupted electrical power of high quality is distributed to all the load centers [1]. Voltage, current, power source reliability, and power quality are main components that describe the integrity of an electrical power system and fall into the area of security control.

Future space exploration missions will require new and innovative approaches to supplying electric power. Due to the very high transportation cost associated with the lunar and Mars missions, the mass of these power systems will be a critical factor. Power systems currently being considered for these applications include both nonnuclear and nuclear systems. For lunar applications, the 354-hour-long nighttime presents a formidable challenge to energy storage technology for nonnuclear power systems. Because of their low energy densities, energy storage systems can be prohibitively massive at higher power levels. Consequently, the nonnuclear power systems may be limited to low-power mission applications on the surface of the Moon. Eliminating or greatly reducing the need for energy storage makes these systems competitive with nuclear power systems. A Free Electron Laser (FEL) power system based in lunar orbit was examined for providing power by beaming energy to the lunar surface.

An integral space power concept provides both the electrical power and propulsion from a common heat source and offers superior performance capabilities over conventional orbital insertion using chemical propulsion systems. This paper describes a hybrid (bimodal) system concept based on a proven, inherently safe solid fuel form for the high temperature reactor core operation and rugged planar thermionic energy converter for long-life steady state electric power production combined with NERVA-based rocket technology for propulsion. The integral system is capable of long-life power operation and multiple propulsion operations. At an optimal thrust level, the integral system can maintain the minimal delta-V requirement while minimizing the orbital transfer time. A trade study comparing the overall benefits in placing large payloads to GEO with the nuclear electric propulsion option shows superiority of nuclear thermal propulsion.

This paper presents classical control algorithms design for the solar array pointing system of the Space Station Freedom (SSF). This development is based on continuous, rigid body model of the solar array beta gimbal assembly (BGA) containing both linear and nonlinear dynamics due to various friction components. Optimum sets of controller parameters were obtained based on integral performance criteria through EASY5 simulations in the time domain. Classical sensitivity studies conducted in EASY5 indicated that the worst potential problem (possible system instability) is due to the variations in the electric motor dead-zone characteristics. After incorporation of an alternate static friction model, a Taguchi based tolerance design sensitivity study was conducted. Results indicated that the voltage variance, torque sensitivity constant and the motor resistance are the most important tolerances investigated with respect to integral square error (ISE).

Significant advancements have been made in the development of lightweight, high performance, carbon-carbon heat pipes for space nuclear power applications. The subject program has progressed through the concept definition and feasibility analysis stages to the current test article component fabrication and assembly phase. This concept utilizes a carbon-carbon tube with integrally woven fins as the primary structural element and radiative surface, Nb-1Zr liners to contain a potassium working fluid, and welded end caps and fill tubes. Various tests have been performed in the development of suitable liner bonding techniques and in the assessment of material stability.

The early external active thermal control system (EEATCS) is designed to cool the U.S. Laboratory (USL), during early assembly stages of the International Space Station (ISS), to support assured early research (AER). The ISS is assembled on orbit over a period of about 5 years and over 40 stages. During later stages, about half way through the assembly, the USL is cooled by the external active thermal control system (EATCS), but that system is not available during early stages. To assure research, during early stages, the USL is cooled by the EEATCS; at a later stage, the USL cooling is switched to EATCS. During early stages, electric power is provided by the integrated truss segment (ITS) P6, which consists of photovoltaic (PV) arrays to convert sunlight into direct current power, an integrated equipment assembly (IEA) to support hardware required to store and condition electric power, and a long spacer to provide spacing between outboard power modules.

Activities within the Society of Automotive Engineers originating circa 1966 in Division 4 of the Iron and Steel Technical Committee Said the foundation for the contemporary approach to cumulative fatigue damage analysis and component lifetime predictive techniques. Previous and current activities of the Division 4 successor, the Fatigue Design and Evaluation Committee, have established the local stress-strain approach to ground vehicle durability as the industry-accepted methodology for fatigue design of critical components and structures subject to cyclic loading. This paper outlines the chronology of significant events and individuals within the Society of Automotive Engineers fatigue community that have advanced our comprehension, and offered solutions to the rather complex problem of durability by design.