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,...
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...
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'...
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...
Artificial Gravity Research Facility Options
On a long duration manned mission to Mars, the physiological changes caused by microgravity may be counteracted by artificial gravity. This paper evaluates several different classes of...
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...
Artificial Gravity: Human Factors Design Requirements
A major challenge of manned spaceflight is to assure the health, well-being and performance of the space inhabitants. As man ventures beyond Earth's orbit to settle the Moon,...
Partial Gravity: Human Impacts on Facility Design
Partial gravity affects the body differently than earth gravity and microgravity environments. The main difference from earth gravity is human locomotion; while the main difference from...
Hedratecture and Artificial Gravity
There is a need, according to the National Commission On Space, to develop three critical space facilities: A Space Base, A Variable-Gravity Research Facility, and a Lunar Surface Outpost....
Education: The Future is Now
The United States of America as a nation faces a major challenge in improving its entire educational systems, especially education in mathematics, science, and engineering. Our future...
New Interdisciplinary Engineering Design Course in Planetary Materials and Resource Utilization
A new senior/graduate-level course addressing topics of planetary materials and resource utilization was given at Michigan Technological University in the spring of '89. The...
Designed Experiments: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Space Education
The challenge of space is forcing engineering faculties to re-examine their roles in preparing college graduates to contribute to the space exploration and colonization effort. One of...
Probable Impacts of Space Operations on Air Force Civil Engineering
Consider the bridge from today's space programs and systems to tomorrow's space reality. Current space policy is revoluntionary in nature. Selected space related...
Synthesis of a Space Infrastructure
The Rockwell International 'Integrated Space Plan' consolidates a broad range of near-term and long-range objectives for the development of space. Beginning with...
Columbus Generic Element Management Concept
The concept for largely autonomous onboard management of the ESA Columbus project elements relies on the automation of operational procedures. Reconfigurable items are commanded in sequence...
Normal Accidents and Logistics in Space Operations
Unpredictable systemic accidents, normal accidents, will occur in highly-complex large-scale space systems. To mitigate the catastrophic consequences of normal accidents, containment engineering...
DYCAM: A Computer Aided Engineering Tool for Space Construction Planning
Planning and management of construction activities in space have not received sufficient attention up to the present. Space Station Freedom, a number of large platforms and extraterrestrial...
The Selection of Constructors for Space Construction
The process of space construction is defined by the construction goal and by the construction system selected to accomplish that goal. The goal provides the tasks that must be executed,...
A Language Model for Space Construction Control
The optimal construction system for many space construction projects is a mixed construction ensemble. Such an ensemble consists of humans, robots with varying degrees of teleoperation...
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