SOFTWARE AND TESTING
 Return to Index
 Home Page
============================================================================================ 
Accelerated Oxygen Atom Source for Material Studies for Low Earth OrbitsPhysical Sciences, Inc.Commercial Application A system for accelerated erosion testing of spacecraft materials was developed by Physical Sciences. Several domestic aerospace firms and foreign space agencies are customers of Physical Sciences for this type of service and equipment. In addition, Physical science has received a variety of research contract awards based on the capabilities of this equipment. Sales of services and equipment exceed $8.5 million for this type of testing and research. NASA Application Experience with the Space Shuttle in low earth orbit has shown that significant erosion of external materials occurred as the result of collisions with oxygen atoms. The unique system developed by Physical Sciences has made it possible to study this and similar phenomena in the laboratory. Physical Sciences has tested over 2,000 samples for aerospace contractors involved in the space program. Several years of low earth orbit exposure can be simulated in a few hours with this system. The system has been particularly valuable in studying materials for the International Space Station. Social/Economic Benefit This technology has helped to reduce the cost of NASA's space program by allowing for accelerated ground testing of materials for use in low earth orbit. The technology has also been employed in several additional research studies including diamond film deposition and polishing, semiconductor processing, wafer etching and hyper thinning, high temperature superconductors, simulated rocket plumes, orbital energy accommodation, and spacecraft glows. Return to Top of Page
============================================================================================== 
Measuring High Temperatues at a Distance for Material Processing in SpacePhysical Sciences, Inc.Commercial Application A multicolor pyrometer, capable of measuring temperatures of moving, hot objects without physical contact, was developed by Physical Sciences for future NASA micro gravity experiments. A commercial version of the instrument was developed for precise measurements of high temperatures, (700-2500 C). A significant number of instruments have been purchased by utilities to measure flue gas temperatures. Sales exceed over $1/2 million. Several promising markets exist for technology including waste treatment facility boilers. NASA Application Physical Sciences developed a passive non-contact pyrometer for measurement of a moving object's temperature. This instrument was designed to support future NASA micro gravity research experiments. Social/Economic Benefit This pyrometer technology has improved the efficiency of utility operations by making it possible to more accurately monitor flue gas temperatures. This same technology may someday benefit similar operations including waste treatment facility boilers. The technology holds promise as a means of monitoring micro gravity experiments where non-contact high temperature measurements are required. Return to Top of Page
============================================================================================= 
Modeling Tool for Performance Engineering of Complex Computer SystemsAST Engineering Services, Inc.Commercial Application A system engineering tool for quantitatively evaluating a computer system design was developed by AST Engineering Services. Initial commercial sales were $150,000 with significant growth projected for future years. Under contract with Computer Associates, the software has been ported to PC and Unix environments and they are marketing the software as "Application Modeler". AST Engineering Services won additional contracts with GSFC and the U.S. Navy which further enhanced the software's capabilities. NASA Application Software is used in the development and design of complex computer systems, including capacity planning and system downsizing. Simulations can estimate service and response times for planned systems as well as device utilization and functional availability. Social/Economic Benefit The software tool is capable of addressing hardware and software requirements and data handling capabilities. The software makes it possible to plan for additional capacity or downsizing of complex computer systems. Correct planning reduces the need for over sizing to protect against poor capacity requirements estimates, reducing operating costs and excessive capital investment. Return to Top of Page
============================================================================================== 
Improved Performance Star Tracker for Spacecraft NavigationIntelligent DecisionsCommercial Application The stellar compass for spacecraft attitude control eliminates the need for ground updates and allows a spacecraft to function autonomously. Under contract with Lockheed Martin, Intelligent Decisions developed a stellar compass for a 1998 Mars mission. Aerospace firms have expressed interest in utilizing the stellar compass in commercial satellites. NASA Application The stellar compass represents an important step in the effort to develop more autonomous spacecraft for future NASA missions. Attitude determination times have been greatly reduced and stellar compass is able to solve the Alost in space problem@. The Mars 1998 and Stardust missions employed this stellar compass technology Social/Economic Benefit Autonomous spacecraft operation would provide important cost savings for future NASA missions as well as lowering the cost of commercial satellite operations. A stellar compass that provides attitude control without relying on ground control for "lost in space problems" is key to the future of autonomous operation of spacecraft. Return to Top of Page
============================================================================================== 
Internet Software Development TooleFORCE, Inc.Commercial Application Software was developed by I-Kinetics, Inc. (purchased by eForce, Inc.) for transitioning existing software applications to component software elements for new internet applications. The software and methodology has benefited the company’s line of commercial products with an estimated contribution of $2 million in sales. NASA Application The work provided a methodology for utilizing existing software tools in developing internet based applications to support remote science teams. Social/Economic Benefit The methodology provides considerably cost savings in the process of developing new internet software applications by utilizing existing software programs that were not originally developed for the internet. Return to Top of Page
============================================================================================== 
Software for Planning in a Dynamic EnvironmentIntelligent Automation, Inc.Commercial Application Intelligent Automation developed a new software planning architecture that integrates planning, scheduling and execution. The software development contributed to CybeleTM, software for distributed computing and inter-agent communications. Cybele is a leading commercial product for the company and an open source version is available. NASA Application Cybele is now being used in a major NASA program. The complex planning capability of the software has potential application in space mission sequencing, air traffic control, urban traffic signal control and scalable simulations. Social/Economic Benefit The software is capable of addressing complex scheduling and delivery problems found in the real world. Return to Top of Page
==============================================================================================
Spacecraft Integrated Health Monitoring SystemInnovative Dynamics, Inc.Commercial Application Innovative Dynamics has developed a technology for monitoring the health of structures under vibrational stress. Damage is detected utilizing vibration signatures. The Company has a contract with Boeing Aircraft to explore application of the technology in the Joint Strike Fighter Program. NASA Application Innovative Dynamics has a development contract with NASA Dryden Flight Research Center for evaluation on the F18 vertical stabilizer and a contract with Northrop-Grumman for evaluation on reusable launch vehicle tanks under NASA’s Space Launch Initiative Program. Social/Economic Benefit Structural health monitoring for aircraft, spacecraft and other structures will assist in structural design work and help prevent unexpected failures. Return to Top of Page
Home Page
|