Goddard Research and Development Contributions
Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is invested in technology research and development (R&D) activities that leverage its core competencies and align with NASA’s strategic goals. R&D efforts are managed through Goddard’s Office
of the Chief Technologist and encompass technologies necessary to meet the Agency’s near and long-term challenges.
Goddard has developed a portfolio of projects that align with the Exploration line of business, supported by the Center's Internal Research and Development program. Below are some examples of GSFC’s areas of research and development that align to the Exploration Systems mission:
- Next-Generation, X-ray Communications
- Lunar Regolith Analysis with Mass Spectrometry
- Vacuum Pyrolysis
- Carbon Nanotubes
- Cryo-propellant Storage
- Communications, Standards, and Technology Lab (CSTL)
- Lunar Emissions, Electrons, and Dust (LEED)
- Dust Environmental Effects Particle Chamber (DEEP)
- Moon Portable Electrostatic Detector (MoPED)
- Dust Mitigation Vehicle
- Lotus Coating
- Composite Materials
- Integrated Lunar Information Architecture for Decisions Support (ILIADS)
Next-Generation, X-ray Communications
X-ray modulation offers the promise of overcoming many obstacles that
face our current communications technologies. It is the goal of this
project to demonstrate the ability to transmit gigabytes of data
per second using minimal power across large distances in space. X-ray
communications will be able to penetrate radio frequency (RF) shielding
and communicate with hypersonic vehicles during reentry of Earth’s
atmosphere when the build-up of heat blocks traditional communications
For
more information: PDF
(2 MB)
Lunar Regolith Analysis with Mass Spectrometry
The Volatile Analysis of Pyrolysis of Regolith (VAPoR) project is developing
a suitcase-size instrument that will investigate lunar regolith,
or soil, to determine the abundance of water vapor and other volatile
substances, helping to establish their origin (terrestrial, lunar,
solar, or exogenous).
For
more information: PDF
(2 MB)
Vacuum Pyrolysis
Vacuum pyrolysis is an efficient technique for extracting oxygen from
lunar soil and rock. When heated beyond 1200 C, lunar soil vaporizes
and releases gaseous oxygen, which can then be pumped and stored
in holding tanks. This method offers a potential process for harvesting
oxygen with the purpose of generating rocket propellant and/or breathable
air for human space missions on the moon
For
more information: PDF
(2 MB)
Carbon Nanotubes
Carbon nanotubes are being used to build an ultra-lightweight electron
gun for a next-generation mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometers are
useful in science for determining the composition of particles and
chemical samples. One such instrument on the Cassini-Huygens mission
to Saturn was roughly the size and weight of a bowling ball. It is
the goal of this project to use carbon nanotubes to reduce the size of
similar instruments to about the size of a CD jewel case.
For
more information: PDF
(2.5 MB)
Cryo-propellant Storage
This project is developing a sub-scale cyro-propellant tank system that
demonstrates many of the technologies needed for long-term storage
of cryogenic fuels in space. The technology aims to show where cryogenic
technology can provide additional benefits to the Constellation Program,
including the Orion Service Module and lunar rover power system.
For
more information: PDF
(4.5 MB)
Communications, Standards, and Technology Lab (CSTL)
The CSTL provides a high-fidelity, end-to-end IP communications test and
demonstration environment for the NASA Space Communications and Navigation
Standards and Technology programs. The testbed is currently configured
to demonstrate IP communications for the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle
and Lunar Surface Access Module
For
more information: PDF
(1 MB)
Lunar Emissions, Electrons, and Dust (LEED)
In order to help NASA understand the physical forces associated with the
Moon’s
dusty exosphere, the LEED team is carrying out feasibility studies
to build an instrument that would give scientists more insights into
the dust environment. Lunar dust is highly electrostatic which
can cause it to levitate high above the lunar surface. By understanding
the forces as work, LEED will give NASA insight into the forces at
work as the Agency develops dust mitigation strategies.
For
more information: PDF
(2.5 MB)
Dust Environmental Effects Particle Chamber (DEEP)
Goddard’s Dust Environmental Effects Particle (DEEP) chamber will give
scientists and engineers the capability to test ground-based hardware
in simulated lunar and Martian dust environments. The DEEP chamber
will be a critical tool for characterizing the effect of those environments
on spacecraft, instruments and components.
For
more information: PDF
(1.7 MB)
Moon Portable Electrostatic Detector (MoPED)
MoPED is a miniature electrometer that detects surface charging on spacesuits
and equipment. Providing real-time readings of static charge on spacesuits
and other equipment, MoPED will help astronauts avoid a potential
discharge hazard that could cause a human injury or equipment malfunction.
For
more information: PDF
(1.2 MB)
Dust Mitigation Vehicle
Goddard is developing techniques to vaporize lunar soil or regolith using
focused sunlight. The Dust Mitigation Vehicle concept would use this
technology to melt and pave areas on the Moon around lunar bases
and other areas where volatile dust poses a risk to human activities.
For
more information: PDF
(1.5 MB)
Lotus Coating
NASA has identified dust mitigation as one of its top priorities and in
response, Goddard is working with an Atlanta-based company to test
its “lotus
coating” technology to determine if it will withstand the harsh lunar environment.
The technology offers a lightweight, low-maintenance and cost effective
method for addressing the lunar dust issue.
For
more information: PDF
(1 MB)
Composite Materials
Composite materials offer multiple advantages over traditional metallic
materials. The Mechanical Systems Division is one of the few government
organizations to offer the gamut in composite materials engineering,
including design, analyses, fabrication, assembly and structural
verification. The division is investigating technologies that specifically
benefit the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate initiatives.
For
more information: PDF
(1 MB)
Integrated Lunar Information Architecture for Decisions Support (ILIADS)
ILIADS is an analysis and decision support tool to assist mission operators,
engineers and scientists with NASA’s next generation lunar exploration
program. It provides access to lunar data repositories such as the
Planetary Data System and USGS Planetary GIS Web Server. ILIADS’ Geographic
Information System (GIS) capabilities enables users to analyze and
display remotely sensed and in situ lunar data from historical missions
(e.g., Clementine, Lunar Prospector, and Apollo), and in the near
future, from NASA’s Lunar
Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), and international mission data (e.g.,
Chandrayaan-1).
For more information: PDF
(.5 MB)
