. 24/7 Space News .
SPACE TRAVEL
Five NASA innovations that could change the way we live and explore
by Staff Writers
Cleveland OH (SPX) Jun 20, 2018

.

Our job at NASA Glenn is to advance technologies that have the potential to change the way we explore space and also change our lives on Earth. Teams of scientists have partnered with industry to produce these five recent innovations.

Detecting Smoke and Fire
When detecting hazards in the air, a fast and informed response can save lives. Glenn scientists had this in mind when they developed MPASS (Multi-Parameter Aerosol Scattering Sensor) for determining air quality on the International Space Station. They found many other uses for this cutting-edge optical sensor, which identifies particles suspended in the air and their properties.

Because MPASS sensors are light and compact, they are being considered for respiratory health monitoring applications for first responders, miners, disaster relief services and other environmental workers.

Predicting Aircraft Icing Dangers
Conditions can quickly become dangerous when aircraft encounter icing conditions at high altitude. A new tool to help understand icing risk has been developed at NASA Glenn.

LEWICE3D is a software program that computes parameters associated with icing risk by integrating state-of-the-art, fluid flow solutions for Computational Fluid Design software.

Its three-dimensional modeling capability and validation by an extensive database of icing profiles make LEWICE3D the most accurate technology available for the analysis of aircraft susceptibility to ice accretion; ice protection system design; the design of aircraft, rotorcraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, jet engines, probes, and detectors; and aircraft certification.

LEWICE3D may be downloaded with a software usage agreement at no charge from the 2017/2018 NASA software catalog.

Metals with Memory
Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are metal alloys with memory. The groundbreaking materials can be stretched and deformed at low temperature or under force and recover their original shape upon heating or applied load.

The applications are enormous. Glenn innovators have developed a groundbreaking method for using SMAs to split apart rock formations without explosives, hydraulics, or any demolition damage to the surrounding environment. They have also developed SMA tires, a lighter, more durable option for rovers which explore other planets. And they are testing SMA components for use on aircraft wings that fold while in flight.

Next-generation SMA technologies could revolutionize a broad range of industries as varied as oil drilling, hydraulic fracturing, mining, civil engineering, adaptive structures, automotive, aerospace, medical devices, actuators, and search-and-rescue operations.

Sandwiched Solar Cells
As solar power becomes widely adopted, NASA Glenn innovators are working to make it more efficient. Engineer Geoffrey Landis has designed a high-efficiency, multi-junction solar cell that uses a thin interlayer of selenium as the bonding material between wafers.

Selenium's transparency enables light to pass through the top cell through to the bottom silicon-based cell substrate. Since selenium is also a semiconductor, the efficiency of the cell is improved significantly.

This cell, with selenium sandwiched in between, provides a more robust design for space and a more efficient solar cell for commercial applications, including space-based power systems, solar aircraft, drones, electric vehicle charging stations, auxiliary power units, power plants, and solar roof tiles.

Additional advantages of this solar cell include its ease of manufacture and lower-cost.

Extreme Electronics
When Venus landers reach the surface of the planet, they don't last long. At nearly 860 degrees Fahrenheit, the electronics might only function for a few hours due to the extreme conditions.

Scientists at NASA Glenn recently completed a technology demonstration that could allow new scientific missions to last much longer. The team developed extremely durable silicon carbide semiconductor integrated circuits and tested them in our extreme environments rig.

The circuits withstood the Venus surface temperature and atmospheric conditions for over 1,400 hours - operating more than 700 times longer than previously demonstrated Venus mission electronics.

"We demonstrated vastly longer electrical operation with chips directly exposed - no cooling and no protective chip packaging - to a high-fidelity physical and chemical reproduction of Venus' surface atmosphere," says Engineer Phil Neudeck. "And both integrated circuits still worked after the end of the test."

These extreme electronics could have a significant impact for a range of Earth applications, including use within hot regions of fuel-efficient aircraft engines.

These are just a few of the innovative technologies being advanced by innovators at NASA Glenn as we shape the world of tomorrow to enable further exploration of the universe and revolutionize air travel.

For information on additional technologies please visit here


Related Links
Technology at NASA
Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


SPACE TRAVEL
Peggy Whitson, NASA's most experienced astronaut, retires
Washington (UPI) Jun 15, 2018
After nearly four decades with NASA, including 22 years as an astronaut, Peggy Whitson is leaving the space agency. Her retirement is effective Friday, NASA announced. "It's been the greatest honor to live out my lifelong dream of being a @NASA Astronaut," Whitson wrote on Twitter. "Thank you to the #NASAVillage and all who have supported me along the way. As I reminisce on my many treasured memories, it's safe to say my journey at NASA has been out of this world!" Whitson ends her caree ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SPACE TRAVEL
Astronaut Sally Ride's legacy of encouraging young women to embrace science and engineering

Space tourism not far off, rocket maker says

Space Station Roulette

Peggy Whitson, NASA's most experienced astronaut, retires

SPACE TRAVEL
S7 space mulls restoring production of heavy rocket engines in Russia

ESA Council commits to Ariane 6 and transition from Ariane 5

Re-generatively cooled RL10 Thrust Chamber Assembly test validates 3D printing process

Sample Return Technology Successfully Tested on Xodiac Rocket

SPACE TRAVEL
Explosive volcanoes spawned mysterious Martian rock formation

Unique microbe could thrive on Mars, help future manned missions

NASA spacecraft studying massive Martian dust storm

Opportunity rover sends transmission amid Martian dust storm

SPACE TRAVEL
China confirms reception of data from Gaofen-6 satellite

Experts Explain How China Is Opening International Space Cooperation

Beijing welcomes use of Chinese space station by all UN Nations

China upgrades spacecraft reentry and descent technology

SPACE TRAVEL
US FCC expands market access for SES O3b MEO constellation

Liftoff as Alexander Gerst returns to space

Lockheed Martin Announces $100 Million Venture Fund Increase

Iridium Continues to Attract World Class Maritime Service Providers for Iridium CertusS

SPACE TRAVEL
Combining experts and automation in 3D printing

The right chemistry, fast: employing AI and Automation to map out and make molecules

Dutch software makes supercomputer from laptop

Ground-breaking discoveries could create superior alloys with many applications

SPACE TRAVEL
Astronomers identify 121 giant planets likely to host habitable moons

Hawking plea 'to save planet' beamed to black hole

Study could help humans colonise Mars and hunt for alien life

Chandra Scouts Nearest Star System for Possible Hazards

SPACE TRAVEL
A dark and stormy Jupiter

NASA shares more Pluto images from New Horizons

Juno Solves 39-Year Old Mystery of Jupiter Lightning

NASA Re-plans Juno's Jupiter Mission









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.