National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Small Business Innovation Research 2002 Program Solicitations

TOPIC E2 Platform Technologies for Earth Science

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E2.01 Structures and Materials
E2.02 Guidance, Navigation and Control
E2.03 Command and Data Handling
E2.04 Advanced Communication Technologies for Near-Earth Missions
E2.05 On-Board Propulsion
E2.06 Storage and Energy Conversion
E2.07 Life-Cycle Integration, Validation, and Collaboration Technologies
E2.08 Power Management and Distribution

NASA is fostering innovations that support implementation of the Earth Science (ES) Enterprise program, an integrated international undertaking to study the Earth system. ES uses the unique perspective available from orbit to study land cover and land use changes, short and long term climate variability, natural hazards, and environmental changes. Additionally, ES uses terrestrial and airborne measurements to complement those acquired from Earth orbit. ES has a parallel development effort to these platforms which include the largest ground and data system ever undertaken which will provide the facility for command and control of flight segments and for data processing, distribution, storage, and archival of vast amounts of Earth science research data. The Earth Science Program defines platforms as the host systems for ES instruments. That is, they provide the infrastructure for an instrument or suite of instruments. Traditionally, the term 'platform' would be synonymous with 'spacecraft,' and it certainly does include spacecraft. However, 'platform' is intended to be much broader in application than spacecraft and is intended to include non-traditional hosts for sensors and instruments such as airborne platforms (piloted and unpiloted aircraft, balloons, drop sondes), terrestrial platforms, sea surface and subsurface platforms, and even surface penetrators. These application examples are given to illustrate the wide diversity of possibilities for acquiring Earth Science data consistent with the future vision of the Earth Science Program and indicate types of platforms for which technology development is required.

E2.01 Structures and Materials
Lead Center: LaRC
Participating Center(s): ARC, GSFC, JPL, JSC

Advanced materials and structures technologies are needed for future Earth Science platforms. These include materials and multifunctional structures that enable significant weight reduction and that possess extended life in the space environment, novel structural concepts for deployment to allow packaging of large structures on small launch vehicles, and innovative materials and technologies to enable dynamically and thermally stable platforms. Specific topics of interest include:

• High strength-to-weight carbon nanotube-based composite materials for application to thrust structure, high-strength booms, thin shells, and membranes;
• Lightweight shielding, self-healing materials, and other countermeasures to protect spacecraft systems from harmful effects of space radiation, including materials development;
• Ultra-lightweight large structural concepts such as deployable and/or inflatable booms, membranes, and apertures for radiometer and synthetic aperture radar missions;
• Concepts, components, and materials to enable large, lightweight, diffraction limited optical systems including membrane optics;
• Dynamically stable structures utilizing integral vibration control and disturbance/payload isolation including spacecraft launch load isolation systems;
• Modular multifunctional structures with flexible imbedded electronics;
• Modular multifunctional structural material with imbedded fluids and control functions;
• Thermally stable materials & components and integrated thermal/structural concepts for high efficiency passive thermal management;
• Low cost, high power-to-weight efficiency deployable/inflatable solar arrays and structures;
• Technologies for mitigating the effects of meteoroids on critical platform components applicable to near-Earth missions;
• Methods for predicting and controlling contamination resulting from the deployment and out-gassing of large platforms;
• Unpiloted Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) lightweight material and structure concepts;
• UAV material systems which enable multiple year mission operations.

E2.02 Guidance, Navigation and Control
Lead Center: GSFC
Participating Center(s): JPL

Future ES architectures will include platforms of varying size and complexity in a number of mission trajectories/orbits. These platforms will include spacecraft, sounding rockets, balloons, and aircraft (both piloted and unpiloted). Advanced Guidance, Navegation and Control (GN&C) technology is required for these platforms to address high performance/reliability requirements while simultaneously satisfying low power/mass/volume resource constraints. A vigorous effort is needed to develop guidance, navigation and control methodologies, algorithms, and sensor/actuator technologies to enable revolutionary Earth science missions. Of particular interest are highly innovative GN&C technology proposals directed towards enabling Earth Science investigators to exploit new vantage points, develop new sensing strategies, and implement new system-level observational concepts that promote agility, adaptability, evolvability, scalability, and affordability. Novel approaches for the autonomous control of distributed Earth Science spacecraft and/or the management of large fleets of heterogeneous and/or homogeneous Earth Science assets are desired. Proposals that are either directed towards routine engineering enhancements of existing GN&C products, techniques and concepts or not directly related to the mission of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise will be judged to be non-responsive as they do not address the future NASA Earth Science technological challenges that will clearly require a significant leap beyond the current state of the art. Specific areas of research include:

Attitude/Orbit/Trajectory Determination and Control Technologies

• Innovative GN&C testbed development capabilities and computer aided engineering, simulation and design tools with parallel algorithms for analysis and development of advanced GN&C systems. Open architecture object-oriented simulation tools and testbed systems for modeling and evaluating dynamically complex space systems.
• Advanced GN&C solutions for the Microsat attitude determination and control problem. Of special interest are low cost (at high production volumes) and highly integrated Microsat GN&C subsystems suitable for enabling both spin stabilized and three-axis stabilized Microsats. GN&C proposals that exploit and combine recent advances in miniature spacecraft subsystem architectures, spacecraft attitude determination and control theory, advanced electro-mechanical packaging, MEMS technology, ultra low power microelectronics are encouraged. Proposals that address the technologies needed to design and develop closed-loop spacecraft control system architectures that provide the "Drag-Free" precision orbit determination/maintenance capabilities needed for future ES LEO (Low Earth Orbit) formation-flying applications are of special interest. Technology solutions are encouraged which employ Drag-Free sensors (similar to accelerometers), high specific impulse (Isp) thrusters, and low-cost processors with appropriate closed-loop filtering/control algorithms to implement a complete Drag-Free spacecraft control system module.
• Vision-based GN&C system concepts, subsystems, hardware components and supporting algorithms/flight software. Applications of high performance video image processing technology to provide alternative solutions to challenging GN&C problems such as spacecraft relative range/attitude determination while in close formation and/or during proximity operations are of interest.
• Advanced GN&C solutions for balloon-borne stratospheric science payloads, including sub-arc second pointing control, sub-arcsecond attitude knowledge determination and trajectory guidance for individual balloon-borne payloads. Innovative techniques for modeling, simulating, and analyzing the inherent dynamics and control of balloon borne-payloads are of interest. Also of interest are innovative concepts, strategies, techniques, and methods for modeling, simulating, and analyzing formations, constellations and/or networks of multiple balloon-borne stratospheric science payloads.

GN&C Sensors and Actuators

• Advanced sensors and actuators with enhanced capabilities and performance, as well as reduced cost, mass, power, volume, and reduced complexity for all spacecraft GN&C system elements. Emphasis is placed on improved stability, accuracy, and noise performance. Non-traditional multifunctional sensor/actuator technology proposals are of particular interest. Proposals that address the GN&C needs for miniature reaction and momentum wheels, miniature star cameras/trackers, precision accelerometer-like sensors for "Drag-Free" spacecraft control and miniature Fine Guidance Sensors (FGS's) are encouraged.
• Low power, low mass, and low cost propulsive actuators, and related subsystem components, for generating attitude/orbit control torques/forces. Propulsive actuators that consume less than one watt of power at three volts, providing impulse bits on the order of one micro-N-sec for 3-axis control or 40 milli-N-sec for spin-stabilized control.
• Innovations in Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver hardware and algorithms that use GPS code and carrier signals to provide spacecraft navigation, attitude, and time:
  • Combined navigation/attitude space receivers, including advanced antenna designs/configurations,
    
  • Navigation techniques that may employ Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) corrections,
    
  • Navigation, attitude, and control for spacecraft proximity operations, and
    
  • Innovative uses of GPS which enable new Earth science measurements; for example, the use of differential GPS in repeating aircraft flight patterns and the use of ocean-reflected GPS signals.

Spacecraft Formation Flying Technologies

• Novel approaches to autonomous control of distributed spacecraft and the man-agement of large fleets of heterogeneous and/or homogeneous assets. Submissions should focus on one or several of the following technologies and system-level concepts:
  
  • Formation self-organization
    
  • Reconfigurable control laws
    
  • Robust and fault-tolerant control laws
    
  • Algorithms for autonomous formation reconfiguration
    
  • Nonlinear, robust estimation algorithms for relative navigation
    
  • Integrated, multi-spacecraft formation guidance and control
    
  • On-board, multi-spacecraft, closed-loop responsiveness to sensed events
    
  • Low-cost approaches for formation navigation and control exploiting low-cost and existing technologies such as GPS Optimal (e.g., minimum fuel, minimum time) approaches for formation maintenance and maneuvering
    
  • Unique concepts for dealing with relevant perturbations and disturbances such as J2, solar radiation pressure, etc.
    
  • New modeling techniques to support the technologies and concepts listed above

E2.03 Command and Data Handling
Lead Center: GSFC

Advancing science with reduced levels of mission funding, shorter mission development schedules and reduced availability of flight electronic components creates new requirements for spacecraft Command and Data Handling (C&DH) systems. Specific areas for which proposals are being sought include:

Onboard Processing

• Volatile data storage - large capacity solid state storage media and data formatter are required to store instrument data until the next ground contact are currently weight and cost constrained. Development of components and packaging techniques that would allow greater density and lower cost components are necessary to support the higher science data rates higher data volumes and smaller spacecraft of the future.
• General purpose data processing - higher levels of spacecraft autonomy require higher levels of general purpose CISC and RISC processing with fault tolerance & error correction (system and application). Development of spacecraft computers that match or exceed the commercially available desktop computers is essential to meeting the "lights out" spacecraft control requirements.
• Special purpose data processing - higher levels of automated onboard science data processing such as histogramming, feature recognition and image registration are necessary to match the data gathering capabilities of future instruments with the limits of spacecraft to earth communications. Development of technologies such as Digital Signal Processors (DSP) and related hardware is necessary to address these future needs.
• Reconfigurable computing hardware - achieving pure hardware processing capabilities with the flexibility of reprogammability would allow different science objectives to be met with the same hardware platform. Development of technologies such as radiation hardened Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and similar components for data communications and processing is necessary to achieve this goal.
• Low-power electronics - in order to provide higher capabilities on smaller less expensive spacecraft, lower power consumption components is essential to reducing solar array and battery sizes, affecting the overall spacecraft design. Development of low voltage, such as 3.3V or 2.5V or lower technologies is essential to achieving the power constraints of smaller spacecraft.

Command and Data Transfer

• Subsystem data transfer - communications between various spacecraft subsystems become increasingly important in order to realize higher autonomy. Development of technologies and architectures that increase the rate of data transfer above 20 Mbits/s are necessary to achieve the self-diagnosis, autonomous control, and science data transfer requirements.
• Intra-system data transfer - communications within the spacecraft subsystem (between cards within a box) is currently a limiting factor in achieving higher overall data throughputs. Development of technologies for communications within a box that would replace the conventional passive backplane are necessary to achieve higher science data throughput.

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E2.04 Advanced Communication Technologies for Near-Earth Missions
Lead Center: GRC

To realize the Earth Science Enterprise vision of Sensor-Web, a host of in-space and terrestrial communication link technologies and protocols are required. These technologies are likely to perform in an internet-based multi-point to multi-point communication architecture. Furthermore, in this architecture, the space-craft, as well as the ground systems will be fully capable of interfacing to commercial communication networks to transport data directly to the users. Innovations are sought in space communications technologies and satellite-terrestrial network protocols for data delivery from NASA's future Earth science enterprise near-earth spacecraft, constellations and platforms directly to users. Advanced techniques and products are solicited that support communication among NASA spacecraft and commercial GEO networks for data delivery to users in a cost-effective manner. In addition, ever increasing demands are being placed on missions conserving bandwidth and power resources, while driving up the demands for data transmission and access. Innovative communications technologies are sought at the device, subsystem and system level in such areas as microwave, millimeter wave and optical communications; digital processing, modulation and coding, communications architectures and network technologies. Revolutionary or "breakthrough" improvements in communications technology are required to increase the success potential for planned NASA missions and enable missions for which adequate communications and information technologies do not presently exist. Advances in communications are sought that address provocative, unsolved or unexplored techniques that revolutionize existing methods and paradigms for packaging and communicating data or knowledge through space-time. Specifically, the required products are described below, but are not limited to the following:

Data Communications Technology

• High rate data communication microwave or optical system technologies for supporting multi-Gigabit/sec data rates between and from spacecraft LEO (Low Earth Orbit), MEO (Mid Earth Orbit) or GEO (Geo-synchronous Earth Orbit) orbits to ground networks. Communications include routing, encoding, encrypting of data to allow services on demand to address the need for autonomous spacecraft operations.
• Direct data distribution communication architectures (including multicasting) from LEO spacecraft directly to several users at various data rates and associated communication subsystems. Small, highly efficient, integrated communication receivers and transmitters for inter-spacecraft and constellation communications are needed.
• Communication link technologies to transfer data from an Earth observing balloon or airplane, where the collection and transmission of data is by Internet protocols.

Component Technology

• Innovative approaches to enable higher frequency, miniature, power efficient Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTAs) operating at millimeter wave frequencies. Of particular interest is the development of TWTA's that can operate at communication bit rates of 10 Gbps or higher.
• Wide band-gap devices & amplifiers based on III-nitride compound semiconductors for high power, high efficiency microwave power circuits and low noise microwave amplifiers, respectively.
• Low loss MEMS based RF switches are needed that would enable the development of microwave components such as reconfigurable antennas, phase shifters, amplifiers, oscillators, filters for in flight control of the radio frequency bandwidth and power. Photonic band-gap and left-hand meta materials for microwave devices, circuits and components.
• RF component and sub system technologies that enable integration for system on chip packaging type, such as mixed signal (analog/digital/optical) communication systems. Low cost, Ka band flat plate array antennas and low noise block down-converters are desired for small earth terminal applications. Low cost, precision tracking Ka-band earth terminals for OC-3 (155 Mbts/sec.) to OC-12 (622 Mbts/sec.) data rates direct-to-earth downlinks from LEO/MEO spacecraft are also of interest. Wide scan angle (+/-60 degrees), low profile, transmit/receive Ka-band antennas, Ku-Ka band transceivers and closed loop acquisition/ tracking algorithms for low-orbit space platforms and communication satellites are desired. Fractal-Element antennas are required for size reduction, broad or multi-band, increased gain and beam agility.
• Digital components enabling space-based networking. Routers, switches, network interface cards, network processors, transceivers, etc. which can lead to integration and implementations in FPGA, ASIC, DSP chip solutions. Internet-based protocol modules and architectures that will provide seamless network continuity between terrestrial and aerospace-based platforms and environments.

Optical Communications

• High (greater than or equal to 15%) Over all efficiency 1550 nm amplifiers; large (greater than or equal to 250 micron) diameter, high- speed (greater than 2.5 Gbps), In GaAs APD and PIN detectors; simplified acquisition, tracking and pointing architectures for LEO to GEO links; end-to-end optical communications simulation program with emphasis on acquisition, tracking and pointing.

Protocol and Architectures

• Internet-based protocol modules and extensions that will support seamless connectivity between terrestrial and aerospace platforms by mitigating variable latencies and bit error rates among distributed air and spacecraft to terrestrial gateways.
• Novel methodologies for performing medium to large scale simulations of space internet architectures, protocols and applications.
• Advanced network security technologies to assure integrity and authentication of data from the public Internet to protected Space-based networks.
• Adhoc and innovative lightweight networking protocols to support spacecraft constellation, formation flying, and satellite clusters.

Breakthrough Communications Technology

• Methods or techniques which demonstrate breakthrough means of effectively "packaging", "storing" and/or "transferring" information or knowledge directly between separate, independent entities using new techniques including, but not limited, "qubit" type devices. Transferring knowledge directly must be suggested or accomplished without first breaking down the information into fundamental "data" transmission elements such as bits, bytes, symbols or other "raw data" types.
• Breakthroughs in quantum information physics to specifically address curious effects and critical unknowns relevant to revolutionary improvements in communicating data, information or knowledge between independent entities across space-time.
• Breakthrough power-efficiency in communications brought about through the use of natural phenomenon, e.g. soliton pulse/wave/energy propagation.
• Verifiable holographic or other multi-dimensional breakthrough communications technologies which enable credible, repeatable communications techniques. Demonstrating functionality is more crucial than theoretical explanations for the effects.
• Enhancements in modulation, coding, protocol development and information or knowledge routing brought about through the inspection or imitation of effective biological, biochemical and other natural and living systems. Examples include cellular "messenger molecules", adapters, aquatic bio-systems and any other communications systems occurring in nature which may demonstrate breakthrough enhancements to existing space communications paradigms.
• Demonstrations of using biological or living systems to successfully, effectively and/or efficiently transfer data, information or knowledge directly, intentionally and controllably between other nonliving (electronic, etc) mediums for use in bio or living networks or systems.
• Provocative, nonstandard uses of radiofrequency spectrum for demonstrating practical yet break-through means of communications.
• Innovative uses of planetary atmospheres or planetary electromagnetic properties for the break-through communication of data, information or knowledge directly between independent entities.
• Enhancements in automated communications carriers through any type of media (including living) where a breakthrough improvement due to the technique can be explained or demonstrated.

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E2.05 On-Board Propulsion
Lead Center: GRC
Participating Center(s): GSFC, JSC

This subtopic seeks technologies that will significantly increase capabilities and reduce costs for Earth science spacecraft. Propulsion functions include orbit insertion, orbit maintenance, constellation maintenance, precision positioning, in-space maneuvering, and de-orbit. Propulsion technologies are sought that will provide platforms with larger scientific payloads, longer-life missions, and increased operational flexibility during missions. To accomplish these goals, innovations are needed in low thrust chemical and electric propulsion technology, including thruster components, advanced propellants, power processing units, and feed system components. Of particular interest are innovations in propulsion technology that lead to smaller-sized, integrated, autonomous spacecraft. The following specific areas are of interest:

Miniature/Precision Propulsion

• Propulsion technologies for spacecraft less than 10 kg that emphasize system simplicity, low power requirements, and minimal mass. This includes concepts with fundamentally different approaches to propulsion than for larger scale spacecraft, accounting for the unique physics occurring in physically small propulsion devices. These technologies could leverage micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) fabrication techniques, though more robust substrate materials are also sought.
• Propulsion technologies to provide high-precision (impulse bit < 100 milliNewton-second) stationkeeping and attitude control.

Thruster Technology

• High-performance, high-efficiency electrostatic and electromagnetic propulsion technologies, including thruster components and advanced power processing, for small, power-limited spacecraft.
• High-performance (specific impulse > 250 s), high-density monopropellant technologies, includ-ing propellant formulations, catalytic and noncatalytic decomposition methods, and chamber wall materials.
• High-performance (specific impulse > 360 s) bipropellant technologies for either non-toxic or hypergolic propellant systems.

Propulsion System Components

• Materials compatible with high-temperature, oxidizing, and reactive environments.
• Components for fluid isolation, pressure/mass flow regulation, relief quick disconnect, and flow control.
• Technologies for metering, injection, and ignition of fluids in combustion devices.
• Gaseous storage and pressurization system.
• Components for xenon storage and flow control.

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E2.06 Storage and Energy Conversion
Lead Center: GRC
Participating Center(s): GSFC, JPL

Earth science observation missions will employ spacecraft, balloons, sounding rockets, surface assets, and piloted and robotic aircraft and marine craft. Advanced power technologies are required for each of these platforms that address issues of size, mass, capacity, reliability, and operational costs. A vigorous effort is needed to develop energy storage and power conversion technologies that will enable the revolutionary Earth science missions. Exploiting innovative technological opportunities, developing power systems for adverse environments, and implementing system-wide techniques which promote scalability, adaptability, flexibility, and affordability are characteristic of the technological challenges to be faced and are representative of the type of developments required beyond the current state of the art.

Storage and Energy Conversion Technologies
The energy storage and conversion technologies solicited include photovoltaics, batteries, regenerative fuel cells, alternative high-power-density storage technologies such as dual-use energy storage such as flywheels and structural batteries. Specific areas of interest are:

• Battery and flywheel technologies are needed for spacecraft requiring greater than a 100 watt-hour per kilogram specific energy density and a 10-year lifetime in LEO (Low Earth Orbit) and GEO (Geo-synchronous Orbit). Rechargeable lithium ion batteries with advanced anode and cathode materials and liquid/polymer electrolytes and other advanced battery systems capable of meeting the above performance criteria are of interest. For some terrestrial missions, energy storage is needed which is capable of delivering 30-50% of their ambient specific energy at temperatures as low as -100°C. A 10 AH structural battery is needed for 3.5v spacecraft bus operation. Micro flywheels with high Wh/kg and highly integrated components are needed for spacecraft with 50 Watt bus.
• Regenerative fuel cell technology is of interest to NASA because it is an enabling technology for some robotic terrestrial Earth observation missions. Improvements in specific energy cycle life, cost, and operational overhead are needed for small regenerative fuel cells utilized in balloon and other terrestrial observation missions.
• Micro flywheels for spacecraft FESS or IPACS. Spacecrafts with 50watt bus will require high wh/kg and highly integrated subsystem-to-subsystem components to achieve future Earth Science requirements.
• Future micro-spacecraft require distributed power sources that are integrated with microelectronics devices/instruments. These microelectronic devices/instruments. These microelectronic devices/instruments require rechargeable batteries/fuel cells that can provide power in the micro to milliwatt range. Due to the low thermal mass of the micro-spacecraft in LEO, these spacecraft must operate over a wide temperature range (-100 to 100°C). Long cycle life performance capability is also needed for micro-rechargeable batteries.
• Power systems based on micromachining fabrication techniques and in energy storage components based upon carbon nano-tube, micro, and nano technologies.
• Photovoltaic cell and array technologies with significant improvement(s) in efficiencies, cost, radiation resistance, and wide/low temperature operation are solicited. Potential concepts include rigid arrays, thin film arrays, and various concentrator configurations. Also, technologies for electrostatically clean spacecraft solar arrays.
• Thermal power conversion technologies for orbiting spacecraft and/or orbit transfer vehicles are of interest. Solar concentrators may be rigid or inflatable, primary or secondary and address issues such as manufacturing, coatings, efficiency, packaging/deployment, and pointing/tracking. Receivers may utilize heat pipe or direct absorption technologies to minimize mass and volume. Topics of interest in power conversion include compact heat exchangers, advanced materials and fabrication techniques, and control methods, as they relate to life, reliability and manufacturability. Heat rejection areas include composite materials, heat pipes, pumped loop systems, and packaging and deployment. Also of interest are highly integrated systems that combine elements of the above subsystems to show system level benefits.

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E2.07 Life-Cycle Integration, Simulation, and Collaboration Technologies
Lead Center: JPL
Participating Center(s): ARC

NASA seeks to address all aspects of design development and life-cycle management for Earth Science Missions. In particular, it is desired to improve determination of complete life-cycle requirements early in the design cycle, and the relative effect of each requirement on cost, schedule and risk. As the mission progresses through the life-cycle, it is assumed that modeling, simulation and collaborative engineering technologies would best support integration and validation. A typical NASA mission, project, or vehicle life-cycle could be on the order of 30 years, and over this time, the desired capabilities must be supported across diverse geographic, cultural, and computational environments and be used in and across Earth Science organizations. This subtopic is focused on component design and commercial advanced technologies that support the advancement and integration of engineering tools and processes.

There are many emerging technological concepts that show promise in integrating the life-cycle. Examples of some existing concepts which have not been well incorporated into integrated life-cycle management are: (1) Intelligent data handling (e.g., agents, portals, archiving, documents, mining), (2) Collaborative Analysis and Design, (3) Project Management tools including workflow integration.

Areas of interest include:

• Software system architectures that enable life-cycle simulation systems to be assembled quickly from existing validated models (perhaps using a knowledge base) and tailored for specific vehicles or missions. Such systems must be compatible with legacy software codes and must permit the insertion of research technology by users.
• Intelligent systems for knowledge capture of engineering design and process, and assessment methodologies.
• Technologies that allow intelligent collection, storage, and retrieval of various forms of engineering data (graphical, text, photo, email, sound, etc.) associated with a process life-cycle (full life-cycle greater than 30 years).
• Technologies integrating multi-disciplinary analysis at levels appropriate to the project life-cycle phase, and including multi-disciplinary optimization.
• Technologies for simulating system performance, assessing risk, and estimating cost as the design evolves, and exploring alternatives to aid in decision making.
• Systems and products that reduce the effort required for creating immersive visualization displays of simulations, e.g., to validate real time modeling results.
• Distributed collaboration tools that support the integration of life-cycle analysis in both modeling and simulation.
• Approaches leveraging emerging standards to reduce cost of products, tools, and information services.

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E2.08 Power Management and Distribution
Lead Center: GRC
Participating Center(s): GSFC, JPL

Earth science missions employ spacecraft, balloons, sounding rockets, surface assets, aircraft, and marine craft as observation platforms. Advanced technologies are required for the electrical components and systems on these platforms to address the issues of size, mass, capacity, durability, reliability, modularity, and operational costs. Using advanced materials and components, developing packages and coatings for adverse environments, and using intelligent, system-wide techniques that promote modularity, flexibility, and affordability are the technology challenges this subtopic will address. Advanced technologies for power management and distribution (PMAD) systems are sought in the following areas:

Environmentally Durable Technologies
Technologies that enable materials, surfaces, coatings, and components to be durable in a space environment, in atomic oxygen, soft x-ray, electron, proton, ultraviolet radiation, and thermal cycling environments are of interest to NASA. Environmentally durable coatings for radiators and lightweight electromagnetic shielding are sought.

Electrical Packaging
Packaging technologies capable of wide-temperature operation or radiation resistance for use in electrical power systems are also of interest. Thermal control technologies that are integral to electrical devices with high heat flux capability and advanced electronic packaging technologies that reduce volume and mass or combine electromagnetic shielding with thermal control are sought.

Electrical Materials and Components
Advanced magnetic, dielectric, semiconductor, and superconductor materials, devices, and circuits are of interest. Advancements in energy density, operating temperature, voltage capability, speed, or efficiency are required. Candidate applications include transformers, inductors, semiconductor switches and diodes, integrated circuits, capacitors, micro batteries, electro-optical devices, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), superconducting cables and connectors, high voltage connectors, carbon nanotube cables, current sensors, and low-loss soft-magnetic materials.

Power Conversion, Protection, and Distribution
Technologies that provide significant mass, size, low noise, high reliability, efficiency, or integration cost savings in electrical power conversion and protective switchgear components are of interest to NASA. Modular, building block technologies for power conversion/conditioning, battery charging, distribution, and protection are sought that provide higher performance, simple system integration, and greater flexibility through the use of innovative topologies and intelligent controls. Advanced power distribution technologies such as combining power cables with the vehicle structure and advanced connector technologies are sought to reduce mass, increase reliability, and decrease integration costs.

Power Management
Management, control, and monitoring of electrical power systems with autonomous operation to improve safety, reliability, status reporting, operations scheduling and performance of terrestrial and aerospace power systems are of interest to NASA. Candidate technologies include: battery charging, fault detection, isolation, recovery, and system reconfiguration using "intelligent components", autonomous reconfiguration, active impedance and electrical noise cancellation, built-in test, component and system health monitoring, and advanced circuit protection concepts.

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