SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL AEROSPACE REPORTS

A Biweekly Publication of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
VOLUME 43, ISSUE 26 - DECEMBER 30, 2006

12 ASTRONAUTICS (GENERAL)
Includes general research topics related to space flight and manned and unmanned space vehicles, platforms or objects launched into, or assembled in, outer space; and related components and equipment.

Also includes manufacturing and maintenance of such vehicles or platforms.

For specific topics in astronautics see categories 13 through 20.

For extraterrestrial exploration see 91 Lunar and Planetary Science and Exploration.

20050243481 Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Livermore, CA USA

Thermal Design and Performance of the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer for the MESSENGER Spacecraft

Burks, M.; Cork, C. P.; Eckels, D.; Hull, E.; Madden, N. W.; Oct. 20, 2004; 12 pp.; In English Report No.(s): DE2005-15014669; UCRL-CONF-207362; No Copyright; Avail.: Department of Energy Information Bridge

A gamma-ray spectrometer (GRS) has been built and delivered to the Mercury MESSENGER spacecraft which launched on August 3, 2004, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The GRS, a part of seven scientific instruments on board MESSENGER, is based on a coaxial high-purity germanium detector. Gamma-ray detectors based on germanium have the advantage of providing excellent energy resolution, which is critical to achieving the science goals of the mission. However, germanium has the disadvantage that it must operated at cryogenic temperatures (typically approx 80 K). This requirement is easy to satisfy in the laboratory but difficult near Mercury, which has an extremely hot thermal radiation environment. To cool the detector, a Stirling cycle mechanical cooler is employed. In addition, radiation and conduction techniques are used to reduce the GRS heat load. Before delivering the flight sensor, a complete thermal prototype was built and tested. The results of these tests, including thermal design, radiative and conductive heat loads, and cooler performance are described. NTIS

Evaluation; Gamma Ray Spectrometers; Messenger (Spacecraft); Performance Tests; Temperature Effects

20050245264 Federal Aviation Administration, Washington, DC, USA

Guidelines for Experimental Permits for Reusable Suborbital Rockets, May 2005

May 2005; 20 pp.; In English Report No.(s): PB2006-102095; No Copyright; Avail.: CASI: A03, Hardcopy

On December 23, 2004, President George W. Bush signed into law the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004 (CSLAA). The CSLAA promotes the development of the emerging commercial space flight industry and makes the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), through delegations, responsible for regulating private human space flight under 49 U.S.C. Subtitle IX, ch. 701. Among other things, the CSLAA establishes an experimental permit regime for developmental reusable suborbital rockets. NTIS

Launch Vehicles; Space Commercialization; Aerospace Industry

20050245289 Swedish Water and Air Pollution Research Lab., Stockholm, Sweden

Some Fundamentals of Space Technology Satellites, Surveillance, and Communications

Ekblad, U.; Mar. 2005; 80 pp.; In Swedish Report No.(s): PB2006-100626; FOI-R-1594-SE; No Copyright; Avail.: CASI: A05, Hardcopy

During several decades, space-based functions have been integrated in almost all human activities, both civilian and military. Information gathering from space is widely accepted in all situations, military as well as security political. Within a network centric defense, the importance of obtaining, from space-based systems, information contributing to the common situation awareness is increasing in importance. Satellite communications will constitute a vital method, either as an alternative or as a complement, for maintaining communication in a network centric defense. Satellite navigation constitutes almost a necessity for international operations. In the report is explained, without going into details, some basic principles and notions (elements) when it comes to space technology concerning satellite orbits, how imaging is done from space, and something about communication and signals intelligence. The report treats satellite movements, imaging, communication, and signals intelligence. In several appendices, short explanations of concepts and terminology concerning satellites and sensors are given. There is also a list of frequently occurring abbreviations as well as tables of divisions of the electromagnetic spectrum. NTIS

Aerospace Engineering; Surveillance

Source: NASA.