Goals and Requirements for Scientific Lunar Rovers
The detailed science requirements for future lunar rovers should, of course, be based on achievable science goals and objectives. It is clear that lunar geoscience will benefit by robotic...
A Stewart Platform Lunar Rover
A lunar version of the Robocrane is being developed at the Robot Systems Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to address the needs of NASA researchers....
Recent Developments in the Robotic All Terrain Lunar Exploration Rover (RATLER) Program
The Robotic All-Terrain Lunar Exploration Rover (RATLER) is a four wheeled all-wheel-drive dual-body vehicle. A uniquely simple method of chassis articulation is employed which allows...
On the Dynamics and Control of Flexible Orbiting Systems: An Approach with Application
A relatively general formulation for studying the dynamics and control of an arbitrary spacecraft, with interconnected flexible, deployable and articulating structural members, is reviewed...
Use of GPS for Tethered Satellite Position Determination
This paper provides a description of the potential application of GPS to determine the position of a tethered satellite with respect to the Space Shuttle. Relative positioning is performed...
Allowable Design Loads for Marman Clamp Systems
Marman clamp separation systems have many aerospace applications. One of their most important applications is in the attachment of spacecraft to expendable launch vehicles. Because their...
Analysis of Inflating Habitable Space Structures with neomass (near-Earth-object mass)
The discovery of near Earth objects (NEOs), during August 1992, and that one of them is a dormant comet, dramatically changed the potential availability of near-Earth resources. NEOs provide...
Optical Scatter From a Space Craft Mirror Due to Microscopic Impacts
This article addresses the issue of how micrometeoroid and man made debris in the space environment can adversely change the optical resolution of a mirror. The study used an algorithm...
Spacecraft Wall Design for Orbital Debris Impact
This paper describes a method for obtaining the optimal rise angle of corrugated bumpers for the design of space structures in the event of an on-orbit impact. The procedure determines...
Construction Operations on the OUTPOST Platform in Orbit
GLOBAL OUTPOST, Inc., with significant NASA assistance, proposes to place an External Tank (ET) of the space shuttle in orbit for commercial purposes. The OUTPOST Platform is designed...
Interactions Between the Space Station Freedom Attitude Control System and Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator Controller During On-Orbit Assembly Operations
This paper presents the results of dynamics and control interaction analyses involving the Space Shuttle Orbiter, the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS), and the Space Station Freedom...
Zero-Gravity Sports Centers
One of the uses that has been proposed for fully reusable launch vehicles is `space tourism', the making of short visits to low Earth orbit by fare-paying passengers. This seems to offer...
The Potential for the Department of Defense to Use Space-Based Remote Sensing to Support DOD and Other Government Agencies' Environmental Programs
This paper describes the potential for the Department of Defense (DOD) to support other government agencies in the management of national and worldwide environmental programs. The DOD...
Modeling of Interaction of Small Particulates in Earth Orbit
The hazards posed by small debris is an area of increasing concern for all space systems. Depending on the size and relative encounter velocity of small particulates, there are a variety...
Integrated Spacecraft Environments Model (ISEM)
Capabilities of the ISEM code are presented that can aid in the understanding of the complex interactions between a space system and the ambient environment. The development of ISEM has...
The LEO Particulate Environment as Determined by LDEF
A Summary of the NEPSTP Nuclear Safety Program
The Nuclear Electric Propulsion Space Test Program (NEPSTP) is sponsored by the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) to demonstrate and evaluate the Russian-built TOPAZ II nuclear...
TOPAZ II System Description
The TOPAZ II single-cell thermionic space reactor power system was designed, built and tested by the former Soviet Union (Russia). It has been purchased by the United States (U.S.) for...
TOPAZ II Qualification and Nuclear Testing Program
This paper presents an overview of the Topaz II qualification and nuclear test program. The program combines the joint efforts and resources of Russian and American specialists and organizations...
Inter-stellar Propulsion: The Need for Speed
Interstellar travel is certainly one of mankind's next step to reach for the stars. Four ideas for interstellar propulsion are discussed in this paper: the Orion Project, Deep Space Ramjets,...
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