On-Orbit Assembly of Large Space Structures: A Mars Aerobrake Mock-up Study
As design requirements for space structures become larger in dimension, the issues of shipping and assembling these structures in space become more critical. One example of such a structure...
Cargo Transport to the Lunar Surface Using a Three Rotor Sling
The three rotor sling, a momentum transfer device, is described. The dynamics of multi-rotor systems are explained, and the three rotor system is shown to be favored over one and two rotor...
Ropeway Material Handling Systems for Lunar Mining Sites
The establishment of permanent lunar sites will be a requirement for future space explorations during early missions into space as well as long term. During all stages it will be necessary...
Beneficiation and Comminution Circuit for the Production of Lunar Liquid Oxygen (LLOX)
A complete lunar beneficiation and comminution circuit has been designed that requires no air or fluid locks for feed introduction or egress, with the exception of a vapor pyrolysis station....
Combustion Synthesis of Advanced Materials
The combustion synthesis of ceramic-metal composites using an in-situ liquid infiltration technique is described. The effect of varying the reactants and their stoichiometry to provide...
Modular Robot Testbed
One approach to non-terrestrial construction involves the use of small, inexpensive, modular robots rather than expensive one-of-a-kind construction tools. The Modular Robots Testbed at...
The Virtual Mission: A Step-Wise Approach to Large Space Missions
The new Virtual Mission concept will provide NASA's Science Program with a powerful new, 'go-as-you-pay,' flexible, and resilient way of accomplishing its science observing program. The...
Advanced Construction Management for Lunar Base Construction?Surface Operation Planner
The unprecedented task of constructing a lunar base could easily overwhelm any existing terrestrial construction management system. Couple this with the overall need for lunar surface...
Architectures for Mission Control at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
One of the most vital, but often overlooked, research areas for space missions is flight operations. The imbalance is caused by many factors. Among them, the manner in which space missions...
Extraction of Potable Water from Urine for Space Applications
A regenerative technology capable of managing water and wastewater on-board long-term manned space platforms is essential if the Bush Administration's Space Exploration Initiative (SEI)...
Artificial Gravity Augmentation on the Moon and Mars
Extended visits to the moon and Mars will require a base on the surface. Exploration of small planetary neighbors will depend upon the development of a life support system that prevents...
LIAC: A Closed Ecosystem Research Facility
A preliminary design for a closed research facility capable of supporting multispecies and ecosystem level experiments is presented. This project will support NASA's Controlled Ecological...
Mars Basing
Transportation options for getting humans to and from Mars are understood much better than are the Mars basing options themselves. Current crew mission designs do not yet integrate planetary...
Systems Integration of Lunar Campsite Vehicles
This paper describes the configuration design and subsystems integration resolution for lunar Campsite vehicles and the crew vehicles (CVs) which support them. Briefly stated, this concept...
Spaceborne Construction and Operations Planning: Decision Rules for Selecting EVA, Telerobot, and Combined Work-Systems
The development and implementation of Lunar and Mars Missions will require integration of numerous architectures for both on-orbit and planetary surface engineering and construction. These...
Towards a Spacefaring Civilization
Three questions are addressed: (1) Is the U.S. a spacefaring nation? (2) Are we a spacefaring civilization? What are the benefits of being one? If we are not, how do we become one? (3)...
Roof Management Alternatives for Aging Launch Infrastructure
This paper describes a Roof Management System approach to better cope with aging and deteriorating infrastructure support facilities at our national spaceports. It describes facility conditions...
Using a Lunar Base Scenario Context in Business Education
A practical matter of realizing a lunar colony requires businesses to effectively manage the cost and profitability of space-related products and services. To achieve this objective, the...
Application of Large Infrastructure Project Financing to Construction Projects in Space
In a time when space projects are limited by the scarcity of public funding it is reasonable to try to finance and operate them with the help of the private sector. An example to follow...
Regulatory Law and Policy to Support Space Mining
Adaptation of modern mining law principles, such as those embodied in the U.S. General Mining Law of 1872, would protect mineral resource interests in space. A good illustration of a closely...
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