NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

Orbital debris in tow-Earth orbit ranging in size from 1 to 10 centimeters (cm) in diameter, poses a significant problem
for space vehicles. While this debris can he detected, it cannot he tracked with sufficient reliability to permit spacecraft to avoid
these objects. Such debris can cause catastrophic damage even to a shielded spacecraft. Given the technological advances
associated with adaptive optics, a ground- based pulsed laser could ablate or vaporize the surface of orbital debris, thereby
producing enough cumulative thrust to cause debris to reenter the atmosphere. One laser facility could remove all of the
one-ten centimeter debris in three years or less. This study proposes that the USA develop a technology demonstration of this
laser space propulsion in order to implement a system for removing debris from earth orbit. The cost of this proposed
demonstration is favorable in comparison with the typical costs OR SPACECRAFT OPERATIONS. Orbital debris is not the
only form of space junk that is deleterious to the Earth. Since collisions with asteroids have caused major havoc to the Earth
s biosphere on several occasions in the geological past, the reality is that the Earth will probably experience another impact
in the future. For this reason, this study also considers the possibilities of scaling up a system for removing orbital debris to
a system that could prevent these catastrophic collisions if we have sufficient warning.
DTIC
Asteroids; Deflection; Disasters; Earth Orbits; Lasers; Space Debris
20040111525 Air War Coll., Maxwell AFB, AL
Weaponization of Space: Understanding Strategic and Technological Inevitabilities
Bell, Thomas D.; Jan. 1999; 38 pp.; In English; Original contains color illustrations
Report No.(s): AD-A425531; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
It is inevitable that humankind will weaponize space and equally likely that this will take place in the next 30 years. The
USA is in the early stages of a transition from using space assets to support combat operations on the surface of the earth to
using space assets to conduct combat operations in space, from space, and through space. This paper discusses factors driving
the USA to take its first steps to weaponize space. It is time for the Air Force to build the doctrinal framework for combat
operations in, from, and through space that will guide the technological development of space assets just as the doctrine of
strategic bombardment guided Air Force thought and aircraft development prior to World War II. This paper discusses the
transition from an air to a space force by examining required changes to Air Force doctrine in terms of the framework of its
six core competencies to prepare the Air Force to organize, train, and equip aerospace forces for conducting combat operations
in space. (66 refs.)
DTIC
Military Operations; Warfare
20040111548 Surrey Univ., Guildford
A Low-Cost Mid-Wave IR Microsatellite Imager Concept Based on Uncooled Technology
Oelrich, Brian D.; Crastes, Arnaud; Underwood, Craig I.; Mackin, Stephen; Jul. 22, 2004; 10 pp.; In English
Report No.(s): AD-A425583; CI04-493; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
A new class of lowcost midwave infrared (MWIR) Earth observation (EO) data will become available with the flight of
miniature MWIR EO instruments in satellite constellations. Due to the frequent ground repeat times inherent in constellations,
this data set would provide a unique alternative for those wishing to analyse trends or rapidly detect anomalous changes in
the MWIR characteristics of the earth’s surface (e.g fire detection) or atmosphere. To date, the MWIR imagers have been based
on highly responsive cooled detector technology, which traditionally has been the only real option for collecting useful data
in this waveband from space. However, state-of-the art microbolometers, adapted from their original design for operation in
the LWIR, are thought to be a potential alternative for low-cost MWIR constellations. Following the laboratory evaluation of
a modified microbolometer arrays in the MWIR, a low-mass instrument concept was designed and evaluated for a variety of
candidate MWlR mission areas. If implemented, the imager concept would complement a larger imaging suite (visible, near
IR, and long-wave IR) on a sub-100kg Surrey Space Technology Ltd. (SSTL) micro-satellite and open up several new
potential mission areas for the SSTL-engineered Disaster Monitoring Constellation.
DTIC
Bolometers; Low Cost; Microsatellites; Satellite Constellations
20040121103 Wisconsin Univ., Stoughton, WI, USA
Shuttle Systems 3-D Applications: Application of 3-D Graphics in Engineering Training for Shuttle Ground Processing
Godfrey, Gary S.; 2003 Research Reports: NASA/ASEE Fellowship Program; December 15, 2003, pp. K-1 - K-10; In
English; See also 20040121096; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
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