Spacecraft System Failures and Anomalies Attributed to the Natural Space Environment


Book Description

Provides a brief overview of the natural space environment - definition, related programmatic issues, and effects on various spacecraft subsystems. The primary focus, is to catalog, through representative case histories, spacecraft failures and anomalies attributed to the natural space environment.




Spacecraft System Failures and Anomalies Attributed to the Natural Space Environment


Book Description

The natural space environment is characterized by many complex and subtle phenomena hostile to spacecraft. The effects of these phenomena impact spacecraft design, development, and operations. Space systems become increasingly susceptible to the space environment as use of composite materials and smaller, faster electronics increases. This trend makes an understanding of the natural space environment essential to accomplish overall mission objectives, especially in the current climate of better/cheaper/faster. This primer provides a brief overview of the natural space environment - definition, related programmatic issues, and effects on various spacecraft subsystems. The primary focus, however, is to catalog, through representative case histories, spacecraft failures and anomalies attributed to the natural space environment. This primer is one in a series of NASA Reference Publications currently being developed by the Electromagnetics and Aerospace Environments Branch, Systems Analysis and Integration Laboratory, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Bedingfield, Keith, L. and Leach, Richard D. and Alexander, Margaret B. (Editor) Marshall Space Flight Center...




Limiting Future Collision Risk to Spacecraft


Book Description

Derelict satellites, equipment and other debris orbiting Earth (aka space junk) have been accumulating for many decades and could damage or even possibly destroy satellites and human spacecraft if they collide. During the past 50 years, various National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) communities have contributed significantly to maturing meteoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) programs to their current state. Satellites have been redesigned to protect critical components from MMOD damage by moving critical components from exterior surfaces to deep inside a satellite's structure. Orbits are monitored and altered to minimize the risk of collision with tracked orbital debris. MMOD shielding added to the International Space Station (ISS) protects critical components and astronauts from potentially catastrophic damage that might result from smaller, untracked debris and meteoroid impacts. Limiting Future Collision Risk to Spacecraft: An Assessment of NASA's Meteoroid and Orbital Debris Program examines NASA's efforts to understand the meteoroid and orbital debris environment, identifies what NASA is and is not doing to mitigate the risks posed by this threat, and makes recommendations as to how they can improve their programs. While the report identified many positive aspects of NASA's MMOD programs and efforts including responsible use of resources, it recommends that the agency develop a formal strategic plan that provides the basis for prioritizing the allocation of funds and effort over various MMOD program needs. Other necessary steps include improvements in long-term modeling, better measurements, more regular updates of the debris environmental models, and other actions to better characterize the long-term evolution of the debris environment.




Testing at the Speed of Light


Book Description

Spacecraft depend on electronic components that must perform reliably over missions measured in years and decades. Space radiation is a primary source of degradation, reliability issues, and potentially failure for these electronic components. Although simulation and modeling are valuable for understanding the radiation risk to microelectronics, there is no substitute for testing, and an increased use of commercial-off-the- shelf parts in spacecraft may actually increase requirements for testing, as opposed to simulation and modeling. Testing at the Speed of Light evaluates the nation's current capabilities and future needs for testing the effects of space radiation on microelectronics to ensure mission success and makes recommendations on how to provide effective stewardship of the necessary radiation test infrastructure for the foreseeable future.




Space Physics and Aeronomy, Space Weather Effects and Applications


Book Description

Examines how solar and terrestrial space phenomena affect sophisticated technological systems Contemporary society relies on sophisticated technologies to manage electricity distribution, communication networks, transportation safety, and myriad other systems. The successful design and operation of both ground-based and space-based systems must consider solar and terrestrial space phenomena and processes. Space Weather Effects and Applications describes the effects of space weather on various present-day technologies and explores how improved instrumentation to measure Earth's space environment can be used to more accurately forecast changes and disruptions. Volume highlights include: Damage and disruption to orbiting satellite equipment by solar particles and cosmic rays Effects of space radiation on aircraft at high altitudes and latitudes Response of radio and radar-based systems to solar bursts Disturbances to the propagation of radio waves caused by space weather How geomagnetic field changes impact ground-based systems such as pipelines Impacts of human exposure to the space radiation environment The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals. Find out more about the Space Physics and Aeronomy collection in this Q&A with the Editors in Chief




Space Systems Failures


Book Description

The very first book on space systems failures written from an engineering perspective. Focuses on the causes of the failures and discusses how the engineering knowledge base has been enhanced by the lessons learned. Discusses non-fatal anomalies which do not affect the ultimate success of a mission, but which are failures nevertheless. Describes engineering aspects of the spacecraft, making this a valuable complementary reference work to conventional engineering texts.




Satellites Missions and Technologies for Geosciences


Book Description

Being a vital modern technology, satellite systems for navigation, telecommunication, and geosciences have developed rapidly in the last 25 years. Modern satellite technologies have become a base of our civilization and support our day-to-day activity in both practice and geosciences. This book is devoted to GNSS-remote sensing for ionosphere research, modeling and mitigation techniques to diminish the ionosphere and multipath impacts on GNSS, and survey of the modern satellite missions and technologies. We hope that the experts’ opinions presented in the book will be interesting for the research community and students in the area of satellites and space missions as well as in engineering and geoscience research.




Handbook of Space Engineering, Archaeology, and Heritage


Book Description

Some might think that the 27 thousand tons of material launched by earthlings into outer space is nothing more than floating piles of debris. However, when looking at these artifacts through the eyes of historians and anthropologists, instead of celestial pollution, they are seen as links to human history and heritage.Space: The New Frontier for Ar




Spacecraft Sensors


Book Description

Spacecraft Sensors, the first of its kind, offers a comprehensive review of many aspects and intricacies of sensors used in the spacecraft industry. It covers sensor development from concept, design, and cost, to building, testing, interfacing, integrating, and on-orbit operation. It is intended for the specialist or non-specialist engineer, scientist, and those involved in the business aspect of the spacecraft industry. Focusing on how these various disciplines contribute to the development of a sensor used in space, this key text: Explains how mathematics, physics, business, and engineering-based concepts are used to develop and design a sensor which complies with a set of specific requirements. Discusses essential topics such as cost estimation, signal processing, noise reduction, filters, phased arrays, radars, optics, and radiometers used in space operation. Covers a range of typical sensors used in the spacecraft industry such as infrared, passive microwave, radars and spacebased GPS sensors. Concludes each chapter with examples of past and current orbiting sensors such as DSP, SBIRS, CHAMP, LANDSAT, and GOES to illustrate how concepts are applied. Includes the Matlab codes used to create the example plots in order to give the reader a starting point for further analysis Spacecraft Sensors is an invaluable resource for engineers, technical consultants, those in the business division, and research scientists associated with spacecraft projects. It is also an excellent textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying the development, design and applications of spacebased sensors.




Recent Trends on Electromagnetic Environmental Effects for Aeronautics and Space Applications


Book Description

Electromagnetic compatibility and regulatory compliance issues are subjects of great importance in electronics engineering. Avoiding problems regarding an electronic system's operation, while always important, is especially critical in space missions and satellite structures. Many problems can be traced to EM field disturbances as interference from unintended sources and other electromagnetic phenomena. As a result, stringent requirements are to be met in terms of electromagnetic emissions levels. The inclusion of this electromagnetic environment in the design of a multimillion mission can lead to a system that is able to withstand whatever challenge the environment throws at it. Failure to do so may lead to important data corruption or loss, destruction of expensive instruments, waste of resources, and even a total mission failure. Research in this area focuses on the studying of the applications of electromagnetic compatibility and electromagnetic interference in the space industry. Recent Trends on Electromagnetic Environmental Effects for Aeronautics and Space Applications will provide relevant theoretical frameworks and the latest empirical research findings in electromagnetic compatibility and electromagnetic interference (EMC/EMI) for the aerospace industry. This book examines all the necessary information for all matters that can possibly affect the system design of a spacecraft and can be a useful reference to space system engineers and more. While highlighting topics such as artificial intelligence, electromagnetic testing, environmental shielding, and EMC modelling techniques, this book is ideal for professionals, spacecraft designers, science and data processing managers, electrical and mechanical engineers, EMC testing engineers, and researchers working in the aerospace industry along with practitioners, researchers, academicians, and students looking for necessary information for all the matters that can possibly affect the system design of a spacecraft.