SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL AEROSPACE REPORTS

A Biweekly Publication of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
VOLUME 44, ISSUE 11 - MAY 30, 2006

88 SPACE SCIENCES (GENERAL)
Includes general research topics related to the natural space sciences.

For specific topics in space sciences see categories 89 through 93.

20060013174 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

The SMART Theory and Modeling Team: An Integrated Element of Mission Development and Science Analysis

Hesse, Michael; Birn, J.; Denton, Richard E.; Drake, J.; Gombosi, T.; Hoshino, M.; Matthaeus, B.; Sibeck, D.; [2005]; 2 pp.; In English; 2005 American Geophysical Union Meeting, 4-11 Dec. 2005, San Francisco, CA, USA; Copyright; Avail.: Other Sources; Abstract Only

When targeting physical understanding of space plasmas, our focus is gradually shifting away from discovery-type investigations to missions and studies that address our basic understanding of processes we know to be important. For these studies, theory and models provide physical predictions that need to be verified or falsified by empirical evidence. Within this paradigm, a tight integration between theory, modeling, and space flight mission design and execution is essential.

NASA's Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) mission is a pathfinder in this new era of space research. The prime objective of MMS is to understand magnetic reconnection, arguably the most fundamental of plasma processes. In particular, MMS targets the microphysical processes, which permit magnetic reconnection to operate in the collisionless plasmas that permeate space and astrophysical systems. More specifically, MMS will provide closure to such elemental questions as how particles become demagnetized in the reconnection diffusion region, which effects determine the reconnection rate, and how reconnection is coupled to environmental conditions such as magnetic shear angles.

Solutions to these problems have remained elusive in past and present spacecraft missions primarily due to instrumental limitations - yet they are fundamental to the large-scale dynamics of collisionless plasmas. Owing to the lack of measurements, most of our present knowledge of these processes is based on results from modern theory and modeling studies of the reconnection process. Proper design and execution of a mission targeting magnetic reconnection should include this knowledge and have to ensure that all relevant scales and effects can be resolved by mission measurements.

The SMART mission has responded to this need through a tight integration between instrument and theory and modeling teams. Input from theory and modeling is fed into all aspects of science mission design, and theory and modeling activities are tailored to SMART needs during mission development and science analysis. In this presentation, we will present an overview of SMART theory and modeling team activities. In particular, we will provide examples of science objectives derived from state-of-the art models, and of recent research results that continue to be utilized in SMART mission development. Author

Magnetic Field Reconnection; Space Missions; Models; NASA Space Programs; Systems Integration; Aerospace Sciences; Astrophysics; Research and Development

20060013430 InDyne, Inc., Cocoa Beach, FL, USA

Chronology of KSC and KSC Related Events for 2005

Liston, Elaine E.; February 2006; 271 pp.; In English; Original contains color illustrations Report No.(s): NASA/TM-2006-214195; Copyright; Avail.: CASI: A12, Hardcopy

This document is intended to serve as a record of KSC events and is a reference source for historians and other researchers. Arrangement is by day and month and individual articles are attributed to published sources. Materials were researched and described by the KSC Library .Archivist for KSC Library Services Contractor, InDyne, Inc. Author

Chronology; Discovery (Orbiter); Launch Vehicles; External Tanks; Space Shuttle Orbiters; Launching

20060013440 NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA

NASA UTILIZATION of THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION and THE VISION FOR SPACE EXPLORATION

Robinson, Julie A.; Thomas, Donald A.; [2006]; 6 pp.; In English; International Symposium on Space Technology and Science, 4-11 Jun. 2006, Kanazawa, Japan; Original contains color illustrations; No Copyright; Avail.: CASI: A02, Hardcopy

Under U.S. President Bush s Vision for Space Exploration (January 14, 2004), NASA has refocused its utilization plans for the International Space Station (ISS). This use will now focus on: (1) the development of countermeasures that will protect crews from the hazards of the space environment, (2) testing and validating technologies that will meet information and systems needs for future exploration missions. Author

International Space Station; Aerospace Environments; Information Systems; Space Exploration; Spacecrews

Source: NASA