{"project":{"acronym":"ALPO","projectId":93282,"title":"Aircraft Albedo Pod","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10923,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10922,"level":2,"code":"TX14.1","title":"Cryogenic Systems","definition":"Cryogenics is the art, science, and engineering of achieving extremely low temperatures below 150 C and involves research, technology development, design, analysis, characterization, and testing of components through ground/flight evaluations supporting qualification and use of cryogenic fluids/temperatures for flight. Cryogenics employs unique skills, facilities, and expertise as the thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, material behaviors, and component/system responses vary significantly at low temperatures. Applications include all aspects of propulsion, science, ground operations, other unique applications, supporting analysis, safety and test.","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true},{"taxonomyNodeId":10926,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10923,"level":3,"code":"TX14.1.3","title":"Thermal Conditioning for Sensors, Instruments, and High Efficiency Electric Motors","definition":"This area includes cost-effective, high-efficiency, low-weight/vibration cryocoolers and advanced sub-Kelvin cooling technology; technologies for thermal management for cryogenic applications to unique flight science sensors and instrumentation; and technologies to integrate cryocoolers into superconduction machines and power electronics for electrified aircraft. This area also includes technologies relevant to NASA’s unique wide-ranging science mission and research activities as well.","exampleTechnologies":"Integrated thermal control/parasitics; cryocooler refrigeration below 10 K; cryocooler refrigeration above 10 K; magnetic refrigeration, dilution coolers, multi-stage mechanical coolers, multi-stage passive coolers and Turbo-Brayton cryocoolers; Joule-Thomson effect; solid cryogens heat sink; liquid hydrogen spacecraft dewars; vapor cooling for instruments and storage hardware; solar shields/baffles for spacecraft cryogenic systems; coatings to limit thermal load on spacecraft cryogenic systems; heat rejection; thermal switches; thermal parasitics for cryogenic fluids/ cryocooler systems; emerging applications for cryogenic environments such as low-temperature mechanisms (e.g. planetary exploration); integrated cryocoolers for superconducting motors","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true},{"taxonomyNodeId":10922,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"level":1,"code":"TX14","title":"Thermal Management Systems","definition":"Thermal management systems acquire, transport, and reject heat, as well as insulate and control the flow of heat to maintain temperatures within the specified limits. Virtually all vehicles and related equipment require some level of thermal control, some much more tightly controlled than others, and the design approach and technologies employed vary widely depending on application.","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":3,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"
Instrument integration on aircraft has historically required airframe structural modification. ALPO will incorporate ElectRelease™, an adhesive that bypasses traditional bolting/riveting methods of attachment, leaves no trace once removed and facilitates easy repositioning on exterior of aircraft. While the immediate focus will be albedo data aboard the NASA P-3, adapter plates can be tailored to any aircraft and the pod will be designed with the versatility to host a wide range of miniaturized sensors.
","description":"ALPO is an effort to develop an airborne science instrument pod utilizing an advanced integration concept that minimizes structural impacts to the host aircraft. This proof of concept study will lead to a new NASA technology providing modular platforms for instrument development and could eventually leverage the high volume of DOD and commercial air traffic for collecting large coverage area Earth Science data measurements at a fraction of the cost of satellites.
","destinations":[{"lkuCodeId":1543,"code":"EARTH","description":"Earth","lkuCodeTypeId":526,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"DESTINATION_TYPE","description":"Destination Type"}}],"startYear":2017,"startMonth":10,"endYear":2019,"endMonth":9,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":316652,"canUserEdit":false,"displayOrder":1,"firstName":"Martin","lastName":"Nowicki","fullName":"Martin N Nowicki","fullNameInverted":"Nowicki, Martin N","middleInitial":"N","primaryEmail":"martin.nowicki@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":373483,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Peter","lastName":"Hughes","fullName":"Peter M Hughes","fullNameInverted":"Hughes, Peter M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"peter.m.hughes@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":98165,"canUserEdit":false,"displayOrder":1,"firstName":"Daniel","lastName":"Mullinix","fullName":"Daniel A Mullinix","fullNameInverted":"Mullinix, Daniel A","middleInitial":"A","primaryEmail":"daniel.a.mullinix@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":333963,"canUserEdit":false,"displayOrder":2,"firstName":"Michael","lastName":"Hitch","fullName":"Michael G Hitch","fullNameInverted":"Hitch, Michael G","middleInitial":"G","primaryEmail":"michael.g.hitch@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"coInvestigators":[{"contactId":457310,"canUserEdit":false,"displayOrder":1,"firstName":"Taylor","lastName":"Green","fullName":"Taylor A Green","fullNameInverted":"Green, Taylor A","middleInitial":"A","primaryEmail":"taylor.a.green@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[{"caption":"Exploded View: ALPO to Aircraft","file":{"fileExtension":"png","fileId":314461,"fileName":"ALPO Install","fileSize":414797,"objectId":309710,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"405.1 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"png","fileId":314461,"fileName":"ALPO Install","fileSize":414797,"objectId":309710,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"405.1 KB"}],"id":309710,"title":"Untitled","description":"Exploded View: ALPO to Aircraft","libraryItemTypeId":1095,"projectId":93282,"primary":true,"publishedDateString":"","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":1095,"code":"IMAGE","description":"Image","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}}],"transitions":[{"transitionId":76241,"projectId":93282,"transitionDate":"2019-09-01","path":"Closed Out","url":"","details":"This project seeks to exploit that technology in order to shift the aircraft integration paradigm away from traditional bolting and riveting methods that typically require significant structural modifications to an aircraft. The objective of the project is to develop an airborne science instrument pod utilizing an electrically de-bondable integration concept (ElectRelease™) that minimizes structural impacts on the host aircraft. ElectRelease™ epoxy has a unique property that allows it to release its bond between two conductive surfaces with the application of electrical current. The paradigm shift could open up new flight opportunities for NASA science with aircraft platform providers that, in the past, may have been reluctant to undertake the requisite structural modification.
The project accomplished improved installation procedure, testing jigs and flight hardware, developed Workmanship Qualification Plan, and set-up the fixture for thermal vacuum testing. Lab testing was conducted throughout the course of the entire project to further understand and define bonding characterization for the Workmanship Qualification Plan.
The purpose of the Goddard Space Flight Center’s Internal Research and Development (IRAD) program is to support new technology development and to address scientific challenges. Each year, Principal Investigators (PIs) submit IRAD proposals and compete for funding for their development projects. Goddard’s IRAD program supports eight Lines of Business: Astrophysics; Communications and Navigation; Cross-Cutting Technology and Capabilities; Earth Science; Heliophysics; Planetary Science; Science Small Satellites Technology; and Suborbital Platforms and Range Services.
Task progress is evaluated twice a year at the Mid-term IRAD review and the end of the year. When the funding period has ended, the PIs compete again for IRAD funding or seek new sources of development and research funding or agree to external partnerships and collaborations. In some cases, when the development work has reached the appropriate Technology Readiness Level (TRL) level, the product is integrated into an actual NASA mission or used to support other government agencies. The technology may also be licensed out to the industry.
The completion of a project does not necessarily indicate that the development work has stopped. The work could potentially continue in the future as a follow-on IRAD; or used in collaboration or partnership with Academia, Industry and other Government Agencies.
If you are interested in partnering with NASA, see the TechPort Partnerships documentation available on the TechPort Help tab. http://techport.nasa.gov/help
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Goddard's IRAD program is managed under Goddard's Office of Chief Technologist. Activities are coordinated in collaboration with the Sciences and Exploration Directorate; Applied Engineering and Technology Directorate; Flight Projects Directorate; Wallops Flight Facility; New Opportunites Office; SBIR/STTR program; Goddard Strategic Partnerships Office; and the Export Compliance Office.
IRAD provides"seed funding" to develop concepts, reduce technology risk, and advance human capital and technological capabilities. The program is highly competitive, opportunity-driven, and 100% strategically aligned with NASA's and GSFC's strategic priorities. A significant portion of the program is focused on Early Stage Innovations for high-risk, strategically aligned, potential high-payoff technologies that are longer-term or lower TRL.
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