Search Results

The approach that was utilized to start up and requalify manufacture of the thermoelectric unicouple devices for the Cassini RTG (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator) program are described in this paper. Key elements involved in this effort were: engineering review of specifications; training of operators; manufacturing product verification runs; and management review of results. Appropriately, issues involved in activating a fabrication process that has been idle for nearly a decade, such as upgrading equipment, adhering to updated environmental, health, and safety requirements, or approving new vendors, are also addressed. The cumulative results of the startup activities have verified that a production line for this type of device can be reopened successfully.

This paper describes how the SP-100 Space Reactor Power System (SRPS) can be tailored to meet the specific requirements for a lunar surface power system to meet the needs of the consolidation and utilization phases outlined in the 90-day NASA SEI study report. This same basic power system can also be configured to obtain the low specific masses needed to enable robotic interplanetary science missions employing Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP). In both cases it is shown that the SP-100 SRPS can meet the specific requirements. For interplanetary NEP missions, performance upgrades currently being developed in the area of light weight radiators and improved thermoelectric material are assumed to be technology ready in the year 2000 time frame. For lunar applications, some system rearrangement and enclosure of critical components are necessary modifications to the present baseline design.

This paper describes test and checkout procedures for the Tektite ocean habitat system. The Tektite ocean habitat system is an underwater laboratory designed to support scientific and technical crews performing long term, shallow water diving experiments. In 1969, this system housed four aquanaut/scientists for a period of 60 days at a depth of 50 feet. The original experiment, sponsored by the Navy, verified the feasibility of the habitat as in-situ marine scientific laboratory and demonstrated its adequacy as a life support system. In April, 1970, the habitat began a program under the sponsorship of the Department of the Interior to support several five man teams, each performing two week scientific missions over a seven month time period. Testing and checkout of the habitat and its related systems, life support, power, communications, and water, involves activity both above and below the surface.

Long term multimanned space missions present numerous complex problems in devising a suitable life support system. Among these problems is the management of the waste Products generated during the mission. A promising approach appears to be the wet oxidation process wherein the organic waste materials are decomposed at high pressures (50 atm or higher) and intermediate temperatures (100 - 300 C). This technique is promising because: effluent may be used as a nutrient media, and thermodynamically it is exothermic. Problems associated with the adoption of this approach to waste management are amenable to experimental investigation and resolution.

Researchers now have the means to evolve complex manned and unmanned space missions using all of their complex support systems in a fully adaptive visual environment. The expected interactive nature of space missions requires powerful, flexible and comprehensive simulation hardware and software to develop and verify concepts, systems, and procedures. Correlation of visual, sensor, and radar imagery is essential due to new sensor blending and fusion techniques that characterize complex systems and missions. Only through total visual, non-visual and mission environment simulation, combined with analytical tools, can reliable systems and missions be developed. The same can be said of the simulation-based training programs that must be developed for ground and flight mission crews. If maximum situational awareness cannot be trained through simulation, it may be too risky, too expensive or even too late to acquire during a mission.