A Robotic Return to the Moon
An autonomous Lunar precursor mission is proposed as the first step to an effective, low cost return of man to the Lunar surface. The mission would use two self similar robotic vehicles...
A Robotics Testbed for In-Space Assembly Tasks
The operations testbed of the Center for Space Construction at the University of Colorado is described. This testbed serves as a centralized testing environment for interdisciplinary research...
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...
Prefabrication of Ceramic Segments by Compaction and Microwave Fusion Technology
Material source and environmental impacts are two major concerns in the application of conventional concrete technology in lunar base construction. In this study, the simulated lunar soil...
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...
Motion Control of Space Structures
A new area of civil engineering is emerging as we begin to establish a permanent presence in space. The new area of civil engineering is the motion control of space structures. This paper...
Effects of Initial Conditions on Large Space Structures
Effects of initial conditions of axial deformation (length) and attitude (pitch) angle have been investigated on the subsequent orbital motion, attitude (librational) motion, and axial...
Actively Controlled Optimum Structural Design
This paper deals with the investigation of the number and location of actuators and sensors on the optimum structure and control design of space structures. The optimization problem is...
Space Construction: A CSI Perspective
This paper outlines the control structure interaction (CSI) problem for space construction engineers. An overview of the Control Astrophysics and Structures Experiment in Space (CASES)...
The Truss-Beam and Space Technology
A method is presented herein to determine the dynamic characteristics of truss-beam systems for both planar and space structures. Results from this approach are compared with those of...
An Introduction to Pressurized Volumes in Space
Space habitation designers come from diverse backgrounds. As it is human nature to emphasize that which is familiar, habitat design is strongly influenced by the designer's...
Effect of Gravity on Dynamic Behavior of Beams
Large space structures will be needed to provide structural framework for maintaining relative positions of individual components of systems in low earth orbit. Particularly because of...
Space-Based Control of the Climate
The expected global greenhouse warming of 2 ?C may be reversed by a space-based screen that intercepts 3% of the incident solar radiation. Space-based devices may also mitigate the ozone/UV...
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...
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...
Return to search