NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

20040121107
Lightning Instrumentation at KSC
Colon, Jose L.; Eng, D.; 2003 Research Reports: NASA/ASEE Fellowship Program; December 15, 2003, pp. C-1 - C-10; In
English; See also 20040121096; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
This report summarizes lightning phenomena with a brief explanation of lightning generation and lightning activity as
related to KSC. An analysis of the instrumentation used at launching Pads 39 A&B for measurements of lightning effects is
included with alternatives and recommendations to improve the protection system and upgrade the actual instrumentation
system. An architecture for a new data collection system to replace the present one is also included. A novel architecture to
obtain lightning current information from several sensors using only one high speed recording channel while monitoring all
sensors to replace the actual manual lightning current recorders and a novel device for the protection system are described.
Author
Launching Pads; Lightning; Meteorological Instruments
20040121116 University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
The Virtual Test Bed Project
Rabelo, Luis; 2003 Research Reports: NASA/ASEE Fellowship Program; December 15, 2003, pp. R-1 - R-8; In English; See
also 20040121096; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
This is a report of my activities as a NASA Fellow during the summer of 2003 at the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC).
The core of these activities is the assigned project: the Virtual Test Bed (VTB) from the Spaceport Engineering and
Technology Directorate. The VTB Project has its foundations in the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) Intelligent Launch
& Range Operations program (ILRO). The objective of the VTB project is to develop a unique collaborative computing
environment where simulation models can be hosted and integrated in a seamless fashion. This collaborative computing
environment will have as emphasis operational models. This report will focus on the decisions about the different simulation
modeling environments considered, simulation platform development, technology and operational models assessment, and
computing infrastructure implementation.
Author
Computerized Simulation; Systems Simulation; Launching Bases
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LAUNCH VEHICLES AND LAUNCH OPERATIONS
Includes all classes of launch vehicles, launch/space vehicle systems, and boosters; and launch operations. For related information see
also 18 Spacecraft Design, Testing and Performance; and 20 Spacecraft Propulsion and Power.
20040111500 Air Univ., Maxwell AFB, AL
Reusable Launch Vehicles and Space Operations
Ward, John E.; May 2000; 85 pp.; In English; Original contains color illustrations
Report No.(s): AD-A425474; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A05, Hardcopy
As a result of technological progress, we are now on verge of developing cost-effective reusable launch vehicles (RLV)
for space. This study reviews the strategic implications of the emerging vision within the U.S. Department of Defense for using
these vehicles. Although the U.S. Air Force is making the transition to a force that relies increasingly on space, the best path
does not necessarily involve replicating the traditional air missions in space. This study of potential missions for RLVs
concludes that, while these are capable of numerous missions (e.g., reconnaissance, global strike, cargo and personnel
transport), the most important mission for the immediate future for both the U. S. military and commercial firms is in the area
of traditional spacelift. The two broad conclusions that emerge from this study are that the U.S. military should move away
from the spacelift business by obtaining spacelift through commercially procured launch services, and second, that the U.S.
military should not develop militarized RLVs that are designed to perform the traditional air operations in space.
DTIC
Launch Vehicles; Reusable Launch Vehicles; Space Missions; Space Transportation
20040111503 Air Univ., Maxwell AFB, AL
Using Lasers in Space: Laser Orbital Debris Removal and Asteroid Deflection
Campbell, Jonathan W.; Dec. 2000; 35 pp.; In English; Original contains color illustrations
Report No.(s): AD-A425477; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
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