Digital Commons Network^™

Energy Storage Options For Low-Cost Spacecraft Applications, D.F. Pennington, S.E. Wecker, R.D. Wright, D.K. Coates

Small Satellite Conference

Several energy storage options currently exist for small satellite power systems. These include nickel-hydrogen, nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries. Nickel-hydrogen is available only as a spaceflight qualified system and is therefore relatively high in cost. Nickel-metal hydride batteries are available only in a small capacity, commercial cylindrical version which limits usefulness in aerospace applications. Both aerospace and commercial nickel-cadmium batteries are available, providing another degree of freedom in matching battery selection to the specific cost and power requirements of the spacecraft. Other near-term options which may become available include aerospace grade nickel-metal hydride, silver-metal hydride and lithium ion batteries. Other …

Fast Auroral Snapshot Mission Unique Electronics Complete Spacecraft Electronics Contained In A Single Enclosure, Lamar Dougherty, Timothy Gruner, Jonathan Wilmot, Michael Chiville

Small Satellite Conference

The Fast Auroral Snapshot (FAST) Mission Unique Electronics (MUE), housed in a single container, controls all major spacecraft functions. The functions include, Command and Data Handling (C&DH), Attitude Control and Stabilization (ACS), battery charge control and power distribution which comprise the Power System Electronics (PSE), thermal sensing and control, pyrotechnic device firing, spacecraft health and safety functions, Instrument Data Processing Unit (IDPU) interface and Small Launch Vehicle (SLV) interface. Each of the MUE functions have been optimized to conserve mass and power, utilize packaging, mechanical hardware and electronics components that are suitable for the radiation environment in the Auroral regions. …

The Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite Attitude Control Software Design, Mark Anderson, Miriam Wennersten, Joseph Bonnett, Adrian Hill

Small Satellite Conference

The Submilimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (SWAS) was selected for flight by NASA in 1989 as a part of the Small Explorer (SMEX) program. SWAS's primary science objective is to conduct high spectral resolution surveys of galactic molecular clouds. The SWAS Attitude Control System (ACS) is three-axis controlled, zero momentum stabilized, and is capable of performing subarcminute pointing. This paper will discuss the design of the software components which comprise the Attitude Control System Software. The paper first describes the high level requirements which governed the architecture of the Attitude Control System Software. Next, the context in which the software resides …

First Class Science On A Coach Class Ticket, Robert Meurer

Small Satellite Conference

"Faster - better - cheaper" is more than a catchy phrase at Orbital Sciences Corporation. On April 3, 1995, the first of OSC's MicroLab no Orbital Experiment Service missions was launched on a flawless Pegasus launch. The first PicoLab is expected to be placed on contract later this year for launch in 1997. Both of these two carrier concepts offer scientists, experimenters and students the opportunity to fly dedicated missions at a fraction of the cost of primary payloads. This paper introduces the MicroStar Common Core Vehicle (CCV) series of small satellites. The MicroStar CCV series is based on a …

Thymocyte Proliferation And Apoptosis Induced By Ionizing Radiation, Vera V. Shaposhnikova, Yuri N. Korystov

Scanning Microscopy

Proliferation and apoptosis of rat and mouse thymocytes caused by ionizing radiation were studied. The percentage of proliferating cells was determined by the method of colchicine metaphases and the apoptosis was estimated as DNA fragmentation. In vitro irradiation with 0.05-0.2 Gy was found to stimulate thymocyte proliferation, the maximum was observed at 0.05 Gy for mouse thymocytes and at 0.1 Gy for rat thymocytes. These doses caused a slight decrease in DNA fragmentation, as compared to control. By raising the radiation dose, proliferation was reduced and DNA fragmentation was increased. The results obtained indicate that low radiation doses stimulate cell …

Spartnik: Student Developed Micro Satellite, Benefits Education And Industry, Thomas Romano, Jason Leong

Small Satellite Conference

This paper describes a micro-satellite design and construction project. SPARTNIK, the capstone design project of the Aerospace Engineering undergraduate program was conceived with the industry ideal of "faster, cheaper, and better." With minimal funds and resources, SPARTNIK's main goal is to educate students for the real world, through the design and manufacturing of a working micro-satellite. A multidisciplinary team of Aerospace, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering undergraduate students was formed to confront this challenge. This project will help prepare engineering students to contribute to the emerging field of micro-satellite development. Classified as a secondary payload, SPARTNIK will conform to the size …

A System Architecture To Advance Small Satellite Mission Operations Autonomy, Sam Siewert, Linden Mcclure

Small Satellite Conference

A system architecture concept that supports automation of small satellite mission operations functions is presented along with a working prototype. The concept and prototype provide an automation framework which enables much more advanced levels of operational autonomy than is typical of current systems. This scalable architecture provides a risk mitigating stepwise approach toward achieving high levels of operational autonomy to enable significant operations cost savings through mission performance management by exception. The prototype consists of an October 1997 manifested Space Shuttle Hitchhiker payload along with the software and hardware described in this paper.

Microelectromechanical Systems (Mems) Technology Integration Into Microspacecraft, Lilac Muller

Small Satellite Conference

The need to significantly reduce the mass, power, and volume of future scientific spacecraft has resulted in an increased interest on the part of NASA in the relatively new technology of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). In addition to being light, compact and low-power-consuming, MEMS technology offers other advantages to space applications. Chief among these are robust performance with solid-state reliability. In addition, the ability to array many identical MEMS devices allows for very large scale integration (VLSI), fault tolerant, and distributed architectures. These micromachined, chip-level systems have been in the research stage for over a decade and are currently being developed …

Performance Measurements Of The Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (Swas) Solar Array Deployment System, Gary Sneiderman

Small Satellite Conference

This paper discusses some unique features of the solar array deployment system used on the Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (SWAS). The mechanism system is highly optimized, incorporates no single-use components, and is fully testable in a one-"g" environment. A single High Output Paraffin (HOP) linear actuator drives the mechanisms used to deploy and lock each wing of solar array panels. The solar arrays open slowly, requiring only enough force to overcome inefficiencies and friction. Load cells measure the force required to open the solar arrays. The system's margin is easily determined by comparing the maximum capability of the HOP actuator …

Systems Engineering And Integration Of Advanced Technologies For Small Satellites At Phillips Laboratory Directorate Of Space And Missiles Technology, Col. Henry Pugh, Robert Vacek, Lt. Michael Hopkins, William Macpherson, Kevin Bell

Small Satellite Conference

This paper will review some of the satellite technology developments and the system engineering approaches in use at the Phillips Laboratory Directorate of Space and Missiles Technology (PL/VT), which are relevant to increasing the capability of small satellites. The paper will cover structures, materials and controls, space power technology, thermal management, and electronics developments that enable high performance small satellites. In the last section of the paper we will cover some mass and performance advantages that can be obtained by integrating technologies at the system level and developing new concepts that cross the bounds of traditional spacecraft subsystems.

Deep Space Network Support Of Small Missions, G.K. Noreen

Small Satellite Conference

Spacecraft to be used in future missions supported by the Deep Space Network (DSN) will be much smaller than in previous missions, resulting generally in lower radiated power. These missions are expected to be launched more frequently than previous missions and to require an ever increasing number of tracking hours, while the funds available to track these future missions are declining. This paper briefly describes the DSN. It then characterizes performance limits of smaller spacecraft and the tracking challenges these limits present. It reviews new techniques and technologies the DSN is developing to meet these challenges. Finally, it recommends guidelines …

Steps Toward New Millennium: A Unified Approach To Three Satellite Projects, Nick Groleau

Small Satellite Conference

The New Millennium (NM) program announced by NASA calls for ambitions "smaller, better, faster" spacecrafts. The basic idea is that truly low-cost operations require a paradigm shift to "justified operations". The NM baseline is zero operator between the payload user and the instrument. Each and every operator allowed into the mission must be JUSTIFIED. Several large institutions are making plans to "demonstrate" NM capabilities on testbeds in a matter of years. The Computational Sciences Division (IC) at the NASA Ames Research Center, together with several partners, is actively working towards implementing autonomous capabilities on three missions: EUVE, TERRIERS, and WEBSAT. …

The Engineering Of Cost Efficient Operations, G.E. Cameron, G.A. Herbert

Small Satellite Conference

The Thermosphere • Ionosphere • Mesosphere • Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) program, being developed at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory for NASA's Space Physics Division, is the first in mission in the Solar Connections program. The TIMED mission, in its present form, was engineered to reduce life cycle costs. This paper describes the operations concept planned for TIMED and shows how this novel approach to operations has resulted in a lower overall cost. TIMED relies on a combination of simplified operations, enhanced automation, and event-based commanding to provide a mission operations system that is less expensive to operate, …

Uars And Toms-Ep Project Operations Control Centers Collocated And Reengineered, E.J. Macie, A.H. Maury, R. Horne, J. Speer

Small Satellite Conference

At NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), we are reengineering Project Operations Control Centers (POCCs) based on workstation network technologies and lessons learned from the current complex Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) mission and the impending generation of low-cost satellites such as the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer-Earth Probe (TOMS-EP) mission. UARS is supported in a multimission institutional environment by Concurrent Computer Corporation computers; TOMS-EP is supported independently by networked workstations using embedded processing techniques tailored to small systems. To maintain data continuity until follow-on instruments can be launched, NASA wants to extend the UARS mission (currently in its fourth year …

The Taos/Step Satellite, David Edwards, Robert Hosken

Small Satellite Conference

The Technology for Autonomous Operational Survivability / Space Test Experiments Platform (TAOS/STEP) satellite was launched on a Taurus booster from Vandenberg Air Force Base into a nearly circular, 105 degree inclined orbit on March 13, 1994. The purpose of this satellite is twofold: 1) to test a new concept in multiple procurements of fast-track modular satellites and 2) to test a suite of Air Force Phillips Laboratory payloads in space. The TAOS payloads include the Microcosm Autonomous Navigation System (MANS), two Barnes Engineering Dual Cone Scanners, two Honeywell Generic VHSIC Spaceborne Computers, a Rockwell Global Positioning System receiver, a MIL-STD …

The Space Technology Research Vehicles Strv-1a And -1b: One Year In Gto, N.S. Wells

Small Satellite Conference

On 17th June 1994, Ariane flight V64 placed into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) two 52 kg 'Space Technology Research Vehicles' built by the UK Defence Research Agency (DRA). The major objective of the STRV-1a/b one year mission was to evaluate in orbit, new technologies which have application to future space missions. The GTO provides a very harsh space environment, particularly in terms of radiation dose. The two spacecraft not only carry a suite of fourteen experiments between them, including experiments from the Ballistic Missile Defence Organisation, European Space Agency, the DRA and various universities, but they also incorporate many new …

Vitamin B6 Deficiency And Galactose Induced Alterations In Morphology And Osmotic Fragility Of Rat Erythrocytes, P. Kaul, H. Sidhu, S. K. Thind, S. K. Sharma, R. Nath

Scanning Microscopy

Recently, red blood cells have been investigated mainly for alterations in ion transporting capacity, membrane bound enzymes or modifications in the structure of its individual constituents in clinical and experimental urolithiasis. However, the implication of such modifications on the physical state or morphology of cells has not been investigated. Scanning electron microscopic studies performed in vitamin B₆ deficient and/or galactose fed rat (established hyperoxaluric models) erythrocytes, showed the presence of large number of stomatocytes, spherocytes and other variously deformed cells as compared to discocytic cells seen in normal control group. These changes in shape were in concurrence with red …

Consistency In Calibrated Backscattered Electron Images Of Calcified Tissues And Minerals Analyzed In Multiple Imaging Sessions, E. G. Vajda, J. G. Skedros, R. D. Bloebaum

Scanning Microscopy

Pure metal standards have been used to calibrate the operating environment in quantitative backscattered electron (BSE) imaging of mineralized tissue, allowing comparisons to be made between various mineralization states of bone at the microscopic level. It has not previously been documented that calibration procedures produce consistent, reliable results over multiple imaging sessions. In this study, BSE images were obtained from bones, pure metals, and a naturally occurring mineral in multiple imaging sessions over a six day period. The graylevel histogram profile (GHP) from each specimen was analyzed for changes in the shape and relative placement on the graylevel spectrum. Computer …

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopic Studies On Alveolar Bone Remodeling With Orthodontic Tooth Movement And Retention, H. Yagishita, S. Iwatsubo, T. Aoba

Scanning Microscopy

Alveolar bone reconstruction in growing dog during the retention period following orthodontic tooth movement was studied. Three beagle dogs (8-10 kg body weight, about one-year-old) were used and two of the animals were subjected to histological observation. The upper 2nd and lower 3rd premolars on both sides were extracted prior to the orthodontic treatments. After a healing period of one month, the upper 3rd premolar and the lower 4th premolar on the right side were moved mesially with a conventional orthodontic force for 8 weeks, and then retained in their new position for 4 weeks. The contralateral corresponding premolars were …

Improved Methods For Preserving Macromolecular Structures And Visualizing Them By Fluorescence And Scanning Electron Microscopy, Paul B. Bell Jr., Barbara Safiejko-Mroczka

Scanning Microscopy

To determine the optimal procedures to preserve cytoskeletal and other macromolecular structures for microscopic studies we have evaluated the effects of various methods to extract cultured cells. In this report, we compare results using different fixatives, crosslinking reagents, and permeabilization methods on (1) the labeling of cells for fluorescence microscopy with phalloidin or antibody against tubulin; and (2) the morphological preservation of macromolecular structures for scanning electron microscopy. Maximal labeling of F-actin with phalloidin was obtained by fixing cells in 4% para formaldehyde (PFA) and labeling the unextracted cells with methanolic phalloidin, whereas maximal labeling of tubulin required prefixation with …

Utah Science Vol. 56 No. 2, Summer 1995

Utah Science

2 ONE FOR THE WOAD: RUST AS BIOCONTROL

6 PROMISING BIOCONTROL OF WHEAT DISEASE

10 BACTERIAL BIOCONTROL OF BEE DISEASE

12 ROOTS & CO.: UNDERGROUND ASSISTANCE FOR CROPS

17 BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOCONTROL

18 GROUND COVER AIDS ORCHARD PEST CONTROL

20 RESEARCHERS GET AT THE ROOT OF PLANT BEHAVIOR

22 THE CLIMATE-AGRICULTURE RELATIONSHIP

Use Of Colloidal Gold And Neutron Activation In Correlative Microscopic Labeling And Label Quantitation, B. J. Darien, P. A. Sims, K. T. Kruse-Elliott, T. S. Homan, R. J. Cashwell, A. J. Cooley, R. M. Albrecht

Scanning Microscopy

Albumin was conjugated to 16 nm gold particles (Alb-Au16) and infused into anesthetized pigs to determine if plasma, tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid concentrations of gold could be quantitated by neutron activation (Au198). Additionally, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of lung and liver samples was evaluated for sites of gold distribution and morphological changes. The minimum concentration of gold detected by neutron activation ranged between 1.4 and 1.9 ppb (ng/gm of sample). No gold was detected in the plasma of pigs prior to Alb-Au16 infusion, while mean post infusion concentrations were 1.037 ± 0.69 ppm (μg/gm plasma, ±SD). The concentrations …

Heterogeneous Nucleation Of Calcium Oxalate Crystals In Mammalian Urine, Saeed R. Khan

Scanning Microscopy

It is generally recognized that calcium oxalate crystal formation in urine is induced by heterogeneous nucleation. However, there is no consensus as to the nature of the nucleation substrate. Evidence is provided in this paper that membranous cellular degradation products are the most likely candidates because they: (1) are ubiquitous in urine and urinary stones; (2) are found in close association with crystal deposits in the kidneys; and (3) can induce nucleation of crystals from a meta-stable solution of calcium oxalate in vitro and metastable urine in vivo.

Low Concentrations Of Mercury Induce Changes In Ion Composition Of Cultured Myoblasts, Joanna Wroblewski, Jan Ekstrand, Romuald Wroblewski

Scanning Microscopy

The effects of low concentrations (1 pM, 1 nM, 1 μM) of mercuric chloride on ion distribution in cultured myoblasts were analysed by energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis. An increase in intracellular sodium concentration was observed five minutes after addition of HgC12 to the culture medium. This increase was dose dependent and accompanied by a transient decrease in potassium concentration. Exposure to 1 nM and 1 μM HgC12 led to a two-fold increase in the cytoplasmic chlorine concentration. The higher HgC12 concentration (1 μM) induced morphological alterations in the form of cell membrane blebs, perforations and shrinkage or flattening of the …

Apartments, Leona K. Hawks

All Archived Publications

Description: Apache plume is an evergreen shrub that can reach five feet tall and wide in a landscape setting. This plant’s most distinguishing and attractive feature is the feathery, red- turning-pink seedhead that emerges after the white rose-like, five-petaled flower fades. In the same family as Mexican cliffrose, both species produce similar deeply lobed small leaves; Apache plume’s leaves are lighter green and more finely textured. The bark becomes red and exfoliating with age. Apache plume is a dioecious species, requiring both male and female plants to produce viable seed.

Home Storage Of Wheat, Ralph E. Whitesides

Archived Food and Health Publications

Publication gives information and tips on how to properly and safely store wheat.

Vertebrate Animal Pest Control, Usu Extension

All Current Publications

Vertebrate pest control deals with animals possessing a backbone. Vertebrate pests include any vertebrate, native or introduced, domestic or wild, which affects human health, well-being, or conflicts in some way with human activities. This conflict can be either real or perceived.

Vitamin E Deficiency As A Model Of Precocious Brain Aging: Assessment By X-Ray Microanalysis And Morphometry, Carlo Bertoni-Freddari, Patrizia Fattoretti, Ugo Caselli, Roberta Paoloni, William Meier-Ruge

Scanning Microscopy

Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is a known biological antioxidant able to quench the lipid peroxidation chain and to protect the cellular structures (e.g., plasma membranes) from the attack of free radicals which are reported to play a primary role in aging. To assess whether the absence of α-tocopherol from the diet of young laboratory animals may be considered a reliable model of precocious brain aging, intracellular ionic content of brain cortex pyramidal cells, ultrastructural features of synaptic contact zones, synaptic mitochondria and perykarial mitochondria positive to the succlillc dehydrogenase (SDH) histochemical reaction with copper ferrocyanide have been investigated by X-ray microanalysis …

Insights, Spring, 1995, Utah State University

Discovery Magazine

Bi-annual alumni newsletter for the College of Science of Utah State University in Logan.

A Phylogeny Of The Genus Amaranthus (Amaranthaceae): Restriction Site Analysis Of Pcr-Amplified Chloroplast And Nuclear Dna, Karen Zak Lanoue

Biology

Amaranthus is a genus containing approximately 60 species, of which three are cultivated because their seeds exhibit a high protein content compared to the traditional monocot grains. Many wild Amaranthus species possess agriculturally desirable traits like drought and salt tolerance, and pathogen resistance. A phylogenetic tree of the genus Amaranthus was constructed in order to elucidate the relationships between the wild and cultivated Amaranthus species for breeding purposes in order to establish amaranth as a valuable alternative dry-land crop. Our tree was based upon restriction site analysis of two chloroplast DNA regions and a nuclear DNA region. The chloroplast regions …