Large Space Systems in Global Change Mitigation
Alternative courses of action are an important aspect of reacting to climate changes, including the greenhouse effect, and other environmental issues such as depletion of the ozone layer....
A Mission to Earth: Global Rural Electrification
No nation can long remain morally strong or economically competitive without an inner purpose. There are many noble projects but few which will both kindle the individual's...
Antarctic Testbed for Extraterrestrial Operation and Technology
A remote and harsh environment, Antarctica has areas which are more similar to the Moon and Mars than anywhere else on Earth. The physical similarities, coupled with strong parallels between...
A Center for Extraterrestrial Engineering and Construction (CETEC)
The Center for Extraterrestrial Engineering and Construction (CETEC) has been envisioned as an organization, a center of knowledge and information, and a set of experimental test facilities....
Biosphere II: Closed Ecological Systems Engineering
This paper provides a general description of the Biosphere II project - a 3.15 acre materially closed ecological system containing tropical rainforest, savannah, marsh, marine, desert,...
Conceptual Design for a Lunar-Base CELSS
Future human exploration is key to the United States National Space Policy goal of maintaining a world leadership position in space. In the past, spacecraft life support systems have used...
Investigation of HVAC Systems in Low Gravity Application
This paper has been developed to identify and summarize the principal areas of investigation necessary to design and install functional HVAC systems in low gravity applications. These...
Composting for Lunar Agriculture
Alternative technologies for the microbially mediated biological oxidative transformation (composting) of human wastes and other organic wastes are presented. Batch mode and continuous...
Fluid Behavior Considerations for Waste Management in Low-Gravity Environments
Design of waste recycling systems for spacecraft requires a knowledge of fluid behavior in microgravity. As gravity is reduced, phenomena usually ignored in the One-G environment of earth...
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...
Commercial Launch Facility Economic factors
Launch facility construction, maintenance and modification costs remain a largely invisible part of the cost of putting mass into orbit. The government can lease launch facilities to commercial...
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...
Lunar Base Power Requirements, Options & Growth
A preliminary study of lunar base scenarios and associated power requirements has recently been completed. Minimum power levels of 50-100 kW are required for 'science-only'...
Power for Magma Electrolysis
This paper summarizes qualitative issues of electrical power distribution for near-term lunar facilities. The issues to be discussed were developed during a conceptual study of a Lunar...
Design Considerations for a Ceramic Fabric Radiator
The design of an Advanced Ceramic Fabric (ACF) thermal management device for use in both interplanetary and near-earth space must consider several important aspects of the environment....
The Optimum Dimensions of Radiative Spines
Radiative pin fins (spines) are important in conjunction with heat rejection systems for space applications. In the design of radiators for space applications, spines possessing minimum...
Implications of the New Radiation Exposure Limits on Space Station Freedom Crews
Spaceflight unavoidably increases the exposure of astronauts to natural ionizing radiation. Any increase in radiation exposure increases the risk of contracting cancer or inducing genetic...
A Prototype Model for Human/Automation Trade-offs
Future space construction missions will involve both human and machine constructors. Selection of the optimum constructor mix requires a model of constructor capabilities and requirements....
Managing Cultural Diversity in Orbital Habitats
This paper presents the background, outline, and initial findings of an international project on 'Managing Cultural Diversity in Orbital Habitats'. The purpose...
Return to search