Pub Date : 2009-03-07DOI: 10.1109/MAES.2010.5638785
K. Cook
The military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) infrastructure is typically broken into three categories: wideband, protected, and narrowband. Wideband systems emphasize high capacity, protected systems prioritize anti-jam features and covertness, and narrowband systems emphasize support to the disadvantaged user by providing low data rate communications to small / mobile users. This paper focuses on the existing wideband MILSATCOM infrastructure (namely the Defense Satellite Communications System and Global Broadcast Service), because the architecture that exists is aging technology that lacks the ability to provide the required bandwidth to the warfighters without relying on commercial satellites. Bandwidth is limited and expensive to purchase, resulting in the DoD leasing transponders on commercial communications satellites - a solution that may not always be an option. This paper also illustrates various technologies and future programs currently being investigated by the Department of Defense (DoD) in order to augment and/or replace existing systems, and the resulting capability and benefits provided to the warfighter. These programs include the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) (previous known as Wideband Gapfiller Satellite System), and the Advanced Wideband System (AWS) / Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT). Both WGS and AWS/TSAT will significantly increase the bandwidth capacity of the wideband MILSATCOM architecture. These military initiatives take advantage of nascent technology such as IP router technology and laser cross-links to maximize performance. Finally, the paper describes several techniques to augment these MILSATCOM programs and increase their capacity and effectiveness, including: use of a network-style approach (vice point-to-point), combining space and terrestrial systems, use of near-space communication platforms (e.g. high-altitude UAVs or balloons), operating at higher frequencies, use of multiple satellites and re-use frequencies, and use of IP accelerators. These techniques increase the bandwidth capacity and improve its effectiveness by providing diversity, better quality of service via multiple relays, improved link performance via network architecture, and increase the amount of effective bandwidth available by including airborne platforms as additional communications relays.
{"title":"Current wideband MILSATCOM infrastructure and the future of bandwidth availability","authors":"K. Cook","doi":"10.1109/MAES.2010.5638785","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/MAES.2010.5638785","url":null,"abstract":"The military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) infrastructure is typically broken into three categories: wideband, protected, and narrowband. Wideband systems emphasize high capacity, protected systems prioritize anti-jam features and covertness, and narrowband systems emphasize support to the disadvantaged user by providing low data rate communications to small / mobile users. This paper focuses on the existing wideband MILSATCOM infrastructure (namely the Defense Satellite Communications System and Global Broadcast Service), because the architecture that exists is aging technology that lacks the ability to provide the required bandwidth to the warfighters without relying on commercial satellites. Bandwidth is limited and expensive to purchase, resulting in the DoD leasing transponders on commercial communications satellites - a solution that may not always be an option. This paper also illustrates various technologies and future programs currently being investigated by the Department of Defense (DoD) in order to augment and/or replace existing systems, and the resulting capability and benefits provided to the warfighter. These programs include the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) (previous known as Wideband Gapfiller Satellite System), and the Advanced Wideband System (AWS) / Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT). Both WGS and AWS/TSAT will significantly increase the bandwidth capacity of the wideband MILSATCOM architecture. These military initiatives take advantage of nascent technology such as IP router technology and laser cross-links to maximize performance. Finally, the paper describes several techniques to augment these MILSATCOM programs and increase their capacity and effectiveness, including: use of a network-style approach (vice point-to-point), combining space and terrestrial systems, use of near-space communication platforms (e.g. high-altitude UAVs or balloons), operating at higher frequencies, use of multiple satellites and re-use frequencies, and use of IP accelerators. These techniques increase the bandwidth capacity and improve its effectiveness by providing diversity, better quality of service via multiple relays, improved link performance via network architecture, and increase the amount of effective bandwidth available by including airborne platforms as additional communications relays.","PeriodicalId":117250,"journal":{"name":"2009 IEEE Aerospace conference","volume":"32 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133769534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2009-03-07DOI: 10.1109/AERO.2009.4839579
S. Ho, A. Talukder
Cyclone tracking using a single orbiting satellite in a continuous manner is impractical as it has limited spatial and temporal coverage. One solution is to use multiple orbiting satellites for cyclone tracking. However, data from some orbiting satellites do not provide features as useful as other satellites in identifying cyclones. Moreover, satellite data containing strong cyclone discriminating features may be affected by coarse temporal resolution and object occlusion. In this paper, we propose a knowledge transfer methodology based on a Kalman filter for cyclone tracking using multiple satellite data sources containing a mixture of strong and weak features. This approach minimizes the negative effect of coarse temporal resolution and occlusion if only the satellite data containing strong cyclone discriminating features were used. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of our knowledge transfer approach for cyclone tracking.
{"title":"Automated cyclone tracking using multiple remote satellite data via knowledge transfer","authors":"S. Ho, A. Talukder","doi":"10.1109/AERO.2009.4839579","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO.2009.4839579","url":null,"abstract":"Cyclone tracking using a single orbiting satellite in a continuous manner is impractical as it has limited spatial and temporal coverage. One solution is to use multiple orbiting satellites for cyclone tracking. However, data from some orbiting satellites do not provide features as useful as other satellites in identifying cyclones. Moreover, satellite data containing strong cyclone discriminating features may be affected by coarse temporal resolution and object occlusion. In this paper, we propose a knowledge transfer methodology based on a Kalman filter for cyclone tracking using multiple satellite data sources containing a mixture of strong and weak features. This approach minimizes the negative effect of coarse temporal resolution and occlusion if only the satellite data containing strong cyclone discriminating features were used. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of our knowledge transfer approach for cyclone tracking.","PeriodicalId":117250,"journal":{"name":"2009 IEEE Aerospace conference","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133848260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2009-03-07DOI: 10.1109/AERO.2009.4839546
Yassir Salama, Dennis Fitzgerald, J. Rooks
This paper discusses the use of FPGA based emulation of embedded systems using the component level VHDL modules. The construction of an emulation board offers greater visibility of embedded signals and the ability to augment the circuitry with specialized debugging capabilities unavailable in the final hardware.
{"title":"Dependable embedded software through FPGA based emulation","authors":"Yassir Salama, Dennis Fitzgerald, J. Rooks","doi":"10.1109/AERO.2009.4839546","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO.2009.4839546","url":null,"abstract":"This paper discusses the use of FPGA based emulation of embedded systems using the component level VHDL modules. The construction of an emulation board offers greater visibility of embedded signals and the ability to augment the circuitry with specialized debugging capabilities unavailable in the final hardware.","PeriodicalId":117250,"journal":{"name":"2009 IEEE Aerospace conference","volume":"155 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132829253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2009-03-07DOI: 10.1109/AERO.2009.4839718
Donald R. Greer, L. Black, S. Eslinger, Dan X. Houston, R. Adams
Why is it, when we execute very large aerospace development programs according to project management best practices, we do not reliably achieve program success? Standard project management tools used on programs include static tools such as PERT charts, critical path analysis, and earned-value analysis. These tools, however, are insufficient for representing all the dependencies that exist, or for recognizing the unintended consequences that often result from actions taken to get a program “back on track.” Also, standard project management tools provide only limited visibility into emerging short-term and long-term dynamics during development that affect a program's ability to meet its requirements adequately within the expected cost and schedule constraints, i.e., a program's ability to be executable. This paper reports on research undertaken to enhance the government's capability for managing large, complex programs. This research will produce a dynamic model adaptable to multiple large space-system development programs. However, the rigor of the modeling process has underscored the need for theoretical constructs that describe management of large, complex programs. To that end, we have sought sources to support an emerging theory that can be translated into a dynamic model that adequately represents both best and actual practices in program management. This theory is developed by creating internally consistent causal relations affecting capabilities, cost, quality, and schedule and their associated accumulations, over time.
{"title":"Assessing executability in large complex programs","authors":"Donald R. Greer, L. Black, S. Eslinger, Dan X. Houston, R. Adams","doi":"10.1109/AERO.2009.4839718","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO.2009.4839718","url":null,"abstract":"Why is it, when we execute very large aerospace development programs according to project management best practices, we do not reliably achieve program success? Standard project management tools used on programs include static tools such as PERT charts, critical path analysis, and earned-value analysis. These tools, however, are insufficient for representing all the dependencies that exist, or for recognizing the unintended consequences that often result from actions taken to get a program “back on track.” Also, standard project management tools provide only limited visibility into emerging short-term and long-term dynamics during development that affect a program's ability to meet its requirements adequately within the expected cost and schedule constraints, i.e., a program's ability to be executable. This paper reports on research undertaken to enhance the government's capability for managing large, complex programs. This research will produce a dynamic model adaptable to multiple large space-system development programs. However, the rigor of the modeling process has underscored the need for theoretical constructs that describe management of large, complex programs. To that end, we have sought sources to support an emerging theory that can be translated into a dynamic model that adequately represents both best and actual practices in program management. This theory is developed by creating internally consistent causal relations affecting capabilities, cost, quality, and schedule and their associated accumulations, over time.","PeriodicalId":117250,"journal":{"name":"2009 IEEE Aerospace conference","volume":"7 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132624573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2009-03-07DOI: 10.1109/AERO.2009.4839530
L. Fesq
Fault management for today's space missions is a complex problem, going well beyond the typical safing requirements of simpler missions. Recent missions have experienced technical issues late in the project lifecycle, associated with the development and test of fault management capabilities, resulting in both project schedule delays and cost overruns. Symptoms seem to become exaggerated in the context of deep space and planetary missions, most likely due to the need for increased autonomy and the limited communications opportunities with Earth-bound operators. These issues are expected to cause increasing challenges as the spacecraft envisioned for future missions become more capable and complex. In recognition of the importance of addressing this problem, the Discovery and New Frontiers Program Office hosted a Fault Management Workshop on behalf of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Planetary Science Division, to bring together experts in fault management from across NASA, DoD, industry and academia. The scope of the workshop was focused on deep space and planetary robotic missions, with full recognition of the relevance of, and subsequent benefit to, Earth-orbiting missions. Three workshop breakout sessions focused the discussions to target three topics: 1) Fault Management Architectures, 2) Fault Management Verification and Validation, and 3) Fault Management Development Practices, Processes and Tools. The key product of this three-day workshop is a NASA White Paper that documents lessons learned from previous missions, recommended best practices, and future opportunities for investments in the fault management domain. This paper summarizes the findings and recommendations that are captured in the White Paper.
{"title":"Current fault management trends in NASA's planetary spacecraft","authors":"L. Fesq","doi":"10.1109/AERO.2009.4839530","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO.2009.4839530","url":null,"abstract":"Fault management for today's space missions is a complex problem, going well beyond the typical safing requirements of simpler missions. Recent missions have experienced technical issues late in the project lifecycle, associated with the development and test of fault management capabilities, resulting in both project schedule delays and cost overruns. Symptoms seem to become exaggerated in the context of deep space and planetary missions, most likely due to the need for increased autonomy and the limited communications opportunities with Earth-bound operators. These issues are expected to cause increasing challenges as the spacecraft envisioned for future missions become more capable and complex. In recognition of the importance of addressing this problem, the Discovery and New Frontiers Program Office hosted a Fault Management Workshop on behalf of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Planetary Science Division, to bring together experts in fault management from across NASA, DoD, industry and academia. The scope of the workshop was focused on deep space and planetary robotic missions, with full recognition of the relevance of, and subsequent benefit to, Earth-orbiting missions. Three workshop breakout sessions focused the discussions to target three topics: 1) Fault Management Architectures, 2) Fault Management Verification and Validation, and 3) Fault Management Development Practices, Processes and Tools. The key product of this three-day workshop is a NASA White Paper that documents lessons learned from previous missions, recommended best practices, and future opportunities for investments in the fault management domain. This paper summarizes the findings and recommendations that are captured in the White Paper.","PeriodicalId":117250,"journal":{"name":"2009 IEEE Aerospace conference","volume":"170 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132772500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2009-03-07DOI: 10.1109/AERO.2009.4839723
D. Maluf, T. Okimura
This paper discusses the modern approach of the implementation of Software as a Service (SaaS) for NASA as a way to reduce cost and increase efficiency. The Grid XML Datastore Framework is an extension of SaaS framework based on eXtensible Database technology (XDB). This is implemented to support the Innovative Partnership Program (IPP) for its Technology Transfer System (NTTS) project.
{"title":"NASA web-accessible open Software as a Service framework","authors":"D. Maluf, T. Okimura","doi":"10.1109/AERO.2009.4839723","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO.2009.4839723","url":null,"abstract":"This paper discusses the modern approach of the implementation of Software as a Service (SaaS) for NASA as a way to reduce cost and increase efficiency. The Grid XML Datastore Framework is an extension of SaaS framework based on eXtensible Database technology (XDB). This is implemented to support the Innovative Partnership Program (IPP) for its Technology Transfer System (NTTS) project.","PeriodicalId":117250,"journal":{"name":"2009 IEEE Aerospace conference","volume":"40 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133564539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2009-03-07DOI: 10.1109/AERO.2009.4839664
C. Rideout, Steven C. Taylor
Advanced materials including high density composites, metal matrix, and ceramic metal matrix are critical to numerous applications associated with current and next generation aircraft for cost efficiency, safety and reliability. The wide variety of advanced materials used in current and next generation aerospace construction creates significant challenges for existing material characterization technologies, both in defect resolution and minimizing disassembly to reduce platform downtime. Known for their significant weight savings versus metal alternatives, advanced composites and specialized metals provide weight advantages and better performance, but suffer from short operational usage histories and frequently unknown lifecycle parameters.
{"title":"Advanced deep focus acoustic microscope for nondestructive inspection of metals and composite materials","authors":"C. Rideout, Steven C. Taylor","doi":"10.1109/AERO.2009.4839664","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO.2009.4839664","url":null,"abstract":"Advanced materials including high density composites, metal matrix, and ceramic metal matrix are critical to numerous applications associated with current and next generation aircraft for cost efficiency, safety and reliability. The wide variety of advanced materials used in current and next generation aerospace construction creates significant challenges for existing material characterization technologies, both in defect resolution and minimizing disassembly to reduce platform downtime. Known for their significant weight savings versus metal alternatives, advanced composites and specialized metals provide weight advantages and better performance, but suffer from short operational usage histories and frequently unknown lifecycle parameters.","PeriodicalId":117250,"journal":{"name":"2009 IEEE Aerospace conference","volume":"16 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122409225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2009-03-07DOI: 10.1109/AERO.2009.4839594
R. Sullivan, A. Yost, L. Johnson
Experimental angular distributions of high-energy primary ions in the near-field region of a small Hall thruster between 50-200 mm downstream of the thruster exit plane at a range of centerline angles have been determined using a highly-collimated, energy-selective diagnostic probe. The measurements reveal a wide angular distribution of ions exiting the thruster channel and the formation of a strong, axially-directed jet of ions along the thruster centerline. Comparisons are made to other experimental determinations as applicable.
{"title":"Near-field angular distributions of high velocity ions for low-power hall thrusters","authors":"R. Sullivan, A. Yost, L. Johnson","doi":"10.1109/AERO.2009.4839594","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO.2009.4839594","url":null,"abstract":"Experimental angular distributions of high-energy primary ions in the near-field region of a small Hall thruster between 50-200 mm downstream of the thruster exit plane at a range of centerline angles have been determined using a highly-collimated, energy-selective diagnostic probe. The measurements reveal a wide angular distribution of ions exiting the thruster channel and the formation of a strong, axially-directed jet of ions along the thruster centerline. Comparisons are made to other experimental determinations as applicable.","PeriodicalId":117250,"journal":{"name":"2009 IEEE Aerospace conference","volume":"106 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122447762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2009-03-07DOI: 10.1109/AERO.2009.4839376
V. H. Miller, Charles G. Dusold, Michael F. Fraietta, R. L. Mchenry
Lunar communications can be problematic for mission success when trading multiple objectives such as reduced mass, landing trajectory, and the need for communication with other orbiting vehicles and ground stations. To this end, reusability of existing vehicle components—for purposes other than the original intent—is an enticing option. In the case of Constellation, the Ares upper stage instrument unit avionics IUA has promise for re-use as a lunar relay satellite. The guidance, navigation and control GNC avionics along with the electrical power system can be re-used to position the IUA into a suitable lunar orbit for use as a relay. The IUA can be inserted into a medium lunar orbit via re-use of the earth departure stage EDS for the lunar orbit insertion LOI burn. Additionally, the descent module from the Altair can be re-used as either a beacon on the lunar surface or as a relay node for surface operations. The ascent module can be reconfigured and reused as an orbiting relay satellite. The re-use of these modules would greatly improve the effective delivered mass. This specific instance of re-use improves the following mission objectives a) enhanced safety via improved situational awareness, b) increased public visibility of NASA's lunar mission, and c) higher volume of data for scientific discovery. We present an architecture for re-use of modules to populate a lunar communications satellite system.
{"title":"Lunar relay satellite capabilities via re-use of delivery vehicle modules","authors":"V. H. Miller, Charles G. Dusold, Michael F. Fraietta, R. L. Mchenry","doi":"10.1109/AERO.2009.4839376","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO.2009.4839376","url":null,"abstract":"Lunar communications can be problematic for mission success when trading multiple objectives such as reduced mass, landing trajectory, and the need for communication with other orbiting vehicles and ground stations. To this end, reusability of existing vehicle components—for purposes other than the original intent—is an enticing option. In the case of Constellation, the Ares upper stage instrument unit avionics IUA has promise for re-use as a lunar relay satellite. The guidance, navigation and control GNC avionics along with the electrical power system can be re-used to position the IUA into a suitable lunar orbit for use as a relay. The IUA can be inserted into a medium lunar orbit via re-use of the earth departure stage EDS for the lunar orbit insertion LOI burn. Additionally, the descent module from the Altair can be re-used as either a beacon on the lunar surface or as a relay node for surface operations. The ascent module can be reconfigured and reused as an orbiting relay satellite. The re-use of these modules would greatly improve the effective delivered mass. This specific instance of re-use improves the following mission objectives a) enhanced safety via improved situational awareness, b) increased public visibility of NASA's lunar mission, and c) higher volume of data for scientific discovery. We present an architecture for re-use of modules to populate a lunar communications satellite system.","PeriodicalId":117250,"journal":{"name":"2009 IEEE Aerospace conference","volume":"108 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121952198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2009-03-07DOI: 10.1109/AERO.2009.4839319
P. Tsou
STARDUST, the 4th NASA Discovery Mission, returned the world's first coma sample from a comet with known history. The returned samples gave the world the first opportunity to perform detailed laboratory studies of comet Wild 2 and a time capsule of the formational times of our Solar System. The completion of a comet coma flyby sample return mission required heroic endeavors from many participants, extensive advocacy by officials and reviewers, considerable doses of serendipitous miracles and, invariably, disappointments. This chronicle recounts some of the technology breakthroughs and significant engineering and strategic innovations that made STARDUST possible. For those who dream of future space exploration, this account may provide inspiration for even more incredible discoveries to come. A flight project distinguished by the excellence of its technical concept is only a necessary condition; completing such a mission successfully depends on sufficiency factors that are often slighted-programmatic, interpersonal and cosmic happenstances.
{"title":"STARDUST: A comet coma flyby sample return","authors":"P. Tsou","doi":"10.1109/AERO.2009.4839319","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO.2009.4839319","url":null,"abstract":"STARDUST, the 4th NASA Discovery Mission, returned the world's first coma sample from a comet with known history. The returned samples gave the world the first opportunity to perform detailed laboratory studies of comet Wild 2 and a time capsule of the formational times of our Solar System. The completion of a comet coma flyby sample return mission required heroic endeavors from many participants, extensive advocacy by officials and reviewers, considerable doses of serendipitous miracles and, invariably, disappointments. This chronicle recounts some of the technology breakthroughs and significant engineering and strategic innovations that made STARDUST possible. For those who dream of future space exploration, this account may provide inspiration for even more incredible discoveries to come. A flight project distinguished by the excellence of its technical concept is only a necessary condition; completing such a mission successfully depends on sufficiency factors that are often slighted-programmatic, interpersonal and cosmic happenstances.","PeriodicalId":117250,"journal":{"name":"2009 IEEE Aerospace conference","volume":"31 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121604921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}