NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

An approach of dealing with cases where subsystem optimization cannot find a feasible design will be investigated by using
the new flexible approximation models for the violated local constraints.
Author
Approximation; Systems Engineering; Systems Integration; Multidisciplinary Design Optimization
20040120990 NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, USA
A Concurrent Distributed System for Aircraft Tactical Decision Generation
McManus, John W.; [1990]; 8 pp.; In English; Original contains color illustrations; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02,
Hardcopy
A research program investigating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to aid in the development of a Tactical
Decision Generator (TDG) for Within Visual Range (WVR) air combat engagements is discussed. The application of AI
programming and problem solving methods in the development and implementation of a concurrent version of the
Computerized Logic For Air-to-Air Warfare Simulations (CLAWS) program, a second generation TDG, is presented.
Concurrent computing environments and programming approaches are discussed and the design and performance of a
prototype concurrent TDG system are presented.
Author
Aircraft Control; Artificial Intelligence; Combat; Decision Making; Distributed Parameter Systems
20040121108 University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
Intelligent Work Process Engineering System
Williams, Kent E.; 2003 Research Reports: NASA/ASEE Fellowship Program; December 15, 2003, pp. U-1 - U-21; In
English; See also 20040121096; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
Optimizing performance on work activities and processes requires metrics of performance for management to monitor and
analyze in order to support further improvements in efficiency, effectiveness, safety, reliability and cost. Information systems
are therefore required to assist management in making timely, informed decisions regarding these work processes and
activities. Currently information systems regarding Space Shuttle maintenance and servicing do not exist to make such timely
decisions. The work to be presented details a system which incorporates various automated and intelligent processes and
analysis tools to capture organize and analyze work process related data, to make the necessary decisions to meet KSC
organizational goals. The advantages and disadvantages of design alternatives to the development of such a system will be
discussed including technologies, which would need to bedesigned, prototyped and evaluated.
Author
Systems Engineering; Information Systems; Human Factors Engineering; Spacecraft Maintenance
70
PHYSICS (GENERAL)
Includes general research topics related to mechanics, kinetics, magnetism, and electrodynamics. For specific areas of physics see
categories 71 through 77. For related instrumentation see 35 Instrumentation and Photography; for geophysics, astrophysics, or solar
physics see 46 Geophysics, 90 Astrophysics, or92 Solar Physics.
20040111073 Musashi Inst. of Tech., Tokyo, Japan
Measurement of Charge Distribution in Electron Beam Irradiated PMMA Using Electro-Optical Effect
Usui, Yusuke; Sakai, Toshiro; Ishikawa, Masayasu; Isono, Takeharu; Tanaka, Yasuhiro; Takada, Tatsuo; Watanabe, Rikio;
Tomita, Nobuyuki; Murooka, Yoshihiro; 8th Spacecraft Charging Technology Conference; March 2004; 7 pp.; In English; See
also 20040111031; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
In space environment, a spacecraft is exposed by high-energy cosmic rays. The electric potential of insulating materials
on the surface of the spacecraft charged up when the cosmic rays are irradiated to the spacecraft. Sometimes, the change of
the electric potential causes an unexpected accident of electrostatic discharge (ESD) with serious damage to the electric
devices. To understand the mechanism of the ESD, the measurement of charge distribution in dielectric materials should be
carried out. Therefore, we have proposed to use an optical method using Kerr effect for the measurement. Using this system,
we have already succeeded in the measurement of PMMA after the electron beam is irradiated. In this paper, we would like
to show the measurement results under the electron beam irradiation in air atmosphere.
Author
Charge Distribution; Electron Beams; Polymethyl Methacrylate; Irradiation; Kerr Electrooptical Effect
271