An integrated optical voltage-measuring apparatus based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer has been designed and constructed. The main feature of this apparatus is that optical fibers link part of it to an optical sensor head placed at the source of the voltage to be measured, whether the source be a...

An apparatus records triaxial acceleration and temperature as a function of time, operating unattended for as long as 3 weeks on power supplied by two D cells. The apparatus, which has dimensions of only 3.5 by 4.5 by 2.2 in. (8.9 by 11.4 by 5.6 cm) and weighs only 28.5 oz (0.81 kg) is designed...

A dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) circuit that tolerates single-event upsets (SEUs) has been developed. A single-event upset is a bit flip caused by ionizing radiation. In a DRAM, the state of each bit (0 or 1) is stored as charge on a buried capacitor. The impingement of an energetic charged particle...

The Knowledge Server Tools (KST) computer program comprises a distributed set of software tools for monitoring remote systems. Part of KST implements a knowledge server for monitoring the status of a remote system (e.g., a computer-controlled instrumentation system, a robot, or a...

The Monocoque Tank Analysis Spreadsheet System (MONTASS) computer program is an integrated software system that incorporates Microsoft Excel worksheet software and Visual BASIC software. MONTASS was developed to enable rapid analysis and preliminary design of structural domes and...

A software system generates sequences of commands for the operation of a robotic vehicle. The system was adapted to control Rocky 7, a semiautonomous instrumented vehicle of the "rover" type used in scientific exploration of Mars. The software system was developed by integrating two software...

White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) scientists have developed an energy-absorbing laminated shell that is a prototype of lightweight, inexpensive, and removable covers to shield and otherwise protect carbon-composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs). Although COPVs are superior to metal...

Nonevaporable getters have been proposed for use in maintaining vacuum inside hermetically sealed microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) that rely on vacuum for proper operation. A vibratory microgyroscope is an example of such a MEMS. The proposed getters could also be used in such vacuum...

Lightweight reflector dishes for radio antennas would be mass-produced cheaply by spin casting of polymers, according to a proposal. These reflector dishes were conceived for compact stowage followed by deployment and operation aboard spacecraft, but might also be useful on Earth in...

A retroreflective communication system (RCS), is a state-of-the-art system that provides (1) two-way optical communication using only one transmitter and (2) multipath communication among remote locations. RCSs were conceived for use in communication among stations on the ground and aboard spacecraft in...

The in-flight urine collection absorber (IUCA) is a Johnson Space Center (JSC) breakthrough. It features a lightweight, compact design and is easy to use for collection of urine samples by male and female space shuttle crewmembers. The IUCA is superior to currently available hardware for...