Design of Aircraft Wings Subjected to Gust Loads: A System Reliability Approach
A method for system reliability based design of aircraft wings is presented. A wing of a light commuter aircraft designed according to the FAA regulations is compared with one designed...
Reliability Assessment of Pressurized Fuselages with Multiple-Site Fatigue Cracks
Multiple-site damage could cause a catastrophic structural failure of aged aircraft. A reliability analysis is proposed for an assessment of the capability of visual inspection on multiple-site...
High Wiring Act
Prendergast describes a project to construct a 345 kV transmission line over 313 mi in southwestern New Mexico, in which, due to environmental considerations and limited access, extensive...
Requirements and Concept for an On-Orbit Construction Facility for Phase 1 Space Station Freedom
Future NASA plans for exploring the solar system and programs such as the Large Deployable Reflector and Pathfinder require in-space construction for their success. The technologies required...
An Astronaut Positioning System for Space Station Assembly and Maintenance Support
Large space structures require special systems to support assembly, operations, and maintenance. These systems must be designed to support many tasks throughout the life of the space facility....
Telerobotic Capabilities for Space Station Operations
Over the past decade, the M.I.T. Space Systems Laboratory has accumulated an extensive data base on space operations typical of those planned for the Space Station, based on integrated...
Incident Solar Flux at Fixed Orientations
Optimal orientations are computed to maximize or minimize the incident solar flux onto surfaces on spacecraft at fixed attitudes. This analysis was motivated by a potential need to optimize...
Space Debris?A Design Consideration
With the increased use of space by manned or unmanned missions, it has become necessary to include yet another parameter in the design of spacecraft, namely, the effect of a probable impact...
Man-Made Debris Environment Characterization for Spacecraft Vulnerability Assessment
An issue of growing importance in the study of orbital debris is the need to understand the consequence of impact on a space structure. In this paper, a technique is developed to analyze...
Clearing Space Debris Using Energetic Materials
Space debris is growing at an alarming rate. It consists not only of old, unusable payloads but also aluminum oxide combustion products of various space delivery systems and small fragments...
Low Earth Orbit Infrastructure to Accommodate Manned Lunar Missions
In order to establish bases on the lunar and Mars surfaces, a significant amount of orbital infrastructure including assembly platforms, cryogenic fluids depots, and Space Station Freedom,...
Post-MECO Propulsion System Requirements for Placement of an STS External Tank in Low Earth Orbit
This paper discusses the findings of a series of computer simulations carried out at the National Institute of Standards and Technology to investigate the requirements for powered flight...
A Space Station Trash Recovery and Recycling System
The quantity of trash produced on the Space Station during its lifetime will be substantial and will include useful waste materials. Given the high cost of transportation to orbit, it...
Explosive Metal Working for Space
As the United States looks towards larger and larger lift vehicles for the transportation of the space station and other large payloads, the application of explosive metalworking becomes...
Unusual Spacecraft Materials
For particularly innovative space exploration missions, unusual requirements are levied on the structural components of the spacecraft. In many cases, the preferred solution is the utilization...
National Aero-Space Plane Pioneering New Frontiers
Paper reviews the current status, technology and potential future space launch applications of the joint DOD/NASA National Aero-Space Plane (NASP) program. Key program goals include first...
Considerations for the Development of a Commercial Spaceport
Several states and countries are currently reviewing the feasibility of developing a commercial spaceport in their homeland. United Engineers & Constructors Inc. completed an extensive...
Preliminary Assessment of the Power Requirements of a Manned Rover for Mars Missions
This paper presents the results of a preliminary study to determine the total mass and power requirements of a Manned Mars Rover. The primary power for the Rover is provided by a Nuclear...
Variable Gravity Research Facility: A Concept
One of the most exciting missions NASA is currently studying is a human mission to Mars. Mission scenarios range from 20 day surface expeditions to permanent human bases on the martian...
Working on the Moon: The Apollo Experience
Work experience gained during the Apollo missions suggests that lunar base productivity can be enhanced through careful attention to suit design, repair capabilities, equipment design...
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