An enormous number of asteroids and comets orbit the Sun, ranging in size from pebbles to mountains. Earth approaching asteroids and comets are collectively termed near-Earth objects (NEOs). Fortunately, only a tiny number of these objects cross the Earth's orbit, and our atmosphere protects us from small and structurally weak objects; however, smaller NEOs vastly outnumber the larger, thus resulting in a higher impact frequency. The goal of current search efforts is to catalog and characterize by 2008 the orbits of 90 percent of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) larger than 1 km in diameter,...

Performance projections for aerocapture show a vehicle mass savings of between 40 and 80%, dependent on destination, for an aerocapture vehicle compared to an all-propulsive chemical vehicle. In addition aerocapture is applicable to multiple planetary exploration destinations of interest to the NASA Office of Space Science. These results led to the identification of aerocapture as one of the top three propulsion technologies for solar system exploration missions during the 2001 NASA In- Space Propulsion Program (ISP) technology prioritization effort, led by Marshall Space Flight Center, to...

On April 17, 1998, the Neurolab Spacelab mission lifted off from Kennedy Space Center. On board were 26 experiments dedicated to studying the effects of weightlessness on the brain and nervous system. Over the course of the 16-day mission, the crew worked through the demanding and complex payload to provide an in-depth and fascinating look at how a basic natural force-gravity-can profoundly affect the nervous system. This book contains the results from the mission. Neurolab's focus on brain and nervous system research allowed for in-depth studies and provided a series of complementary...

This book is for you. You will find that it lives up to the promise of its cover and title. The text is authoritative, but at the same time easy to understand. It is written for any layperson who is interested in space exploration. In this book, we will give you a good look at what is involved in sending a large spacecraft to the outer solar system. Join us and share in the excitement of this extended voyage of discovery One of the first things you will learn is that Cassini-Huygens is an international mission. Seventeen countries are involved. You will also learn that Huygens is an...

The successful conclusion of the Skylab Program following the Apollo series marks the end of an era in which the United States proved that men could not only explore the Moon, but could also live and work effectively in space for prolonged periods of time. The conclusions of these initial efforts in space exploration also heralds the beginning of a new era during which the use of space will be developed and expanded for the benefit of all mankind. Progress in development of manned space flight and exciting new scientific discoveries in space over the past two decades have produced, in...

The purpose of schedule management is to provide the framework for time-phasing, resource planning, coordination, and communicating the necessary tasks within a work effort. The intent is to improve schedule management by providing recommended concepts, processes, and techniques used within the Agency and private industry. The intended function of this handbook is two-fold: first, to provide guidance for meeting the scheduling requirements contained in NPR 7120.5, NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements, NPR 7120.7, NASA Information Technology and Institutional...

The information in this Handbook is intended to assist users of the Spacelab (SL) scientific platform on the Space Transportation System (STS). It will assist experimenters to incorporate into their experimental design and procedures features that will minimize the impact of contamination on the performance of their own and other experiments. The contamination information is presented in sufficient detail for use by most experiments. Extensive references, bibliographies, and contacts are provided for use by those experimenters who need more detailed information. The term contamination, as...

During the Technology Prioritization Panel held in December 2007, the Constellation Program (CxP) Ground Operations Project (GOP) identified corrosion control technologies as their #2 technology need for initial capability to meet Draft Stretch/Operability requirements for reduced ground processing complexity, streamlined integrated testing, and operations phase affordability. The Refractory Materials for Flame Deflector Protection System Corrosion Control task under the Supportability project will develop refractory technologies that will provide support at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) launch...

For probe missions, 2004 was a bumper year, beginning with two successful Mars missions and concluding with the descent of Huygens to the surface of Titan. In August, an international community of scientists, engineers, mission designers, instrument/sensor designers, program and agency leaders gathered in California to discuss planetary probe science and technology, both for missions in progress, such as Genesis and Huygens, and for future missions, including Stardust, Phoenix, MSL, and proposed missions to the Gas Giants and Venus. This international workshop grew out of the need to create a...

STARLAB is a 35-man orbiting Space Technology Applications and Research Laboratory preliminary design and a training exercise in the systems approach. The selected orbit is 308 n. mi. with a 69-degree inclination which enables coverage of 93 percent of the earth's surface. The onboard experiments utilize research and application laboratories with auxiliary supporting laboratories. A laser communication system with a 3000 megabits per second data rate, three synchronous communication satellites, and an earth-based administration function comprises the information management system. Emphasis is...