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Project Updates for December 2008

WHAT's NEW

IRB Project (Infra-Red Blacks)

N-Science Corporation (N-Sci) has proposed a new investigation and study in response to the DoD MDA SBIR with the IRB project proposal, MDA B083-019-0655. N-Science Corporation proposes to study and demonstrate the potential of some new and/or improved processes for the production of Black Surface finishes (IR Blacks - IRBs) on a variety of base materials typically used, or those of interest in future use, in Advanced Long Wave IR Integrated Dewar Assemblies. The availability of high performance Black Coatings are key in achieving the improved performance, more producible devices sought in this solicitation. In this project, N-Sci is teamed with Engineered Coatings Inc, of Parker CO, and Pompea & Associates, of Tucson AZ.

SENSORS & INSTRUMENTS (SI)

CICERO PROJECT

The CICERO PROJECT changes the way the world collects and disseminates Earth observational data.

The CICERO constellation lowers the cost of acquiring data essential to understanding our planet, expand the possibilities for obtaining new types of data from space, and place critical information swiftly and affordably into the hands of those who can put it to use.

CICERO Satellite	(Graphic Courtesy BRE)

The CICERO Project utilizes two new techniques for atmospheric and surface remote sensing known as Global Positioning System Radio Occultation (GPS-RO) and GPS Surface Reflection (GPS-SR).

N-SCIENCE provides the design, engineering, and fabrication of Torque Rods (MTQ-5s) for the CICERO Spacecraft Constellation Attitude Control System (ACS).

N-SCIENCE is also involved with BRE in study of a new Spacecraft Power Subsystem (SPS) concept that may be applicable to the CICERO spacecraft.

CICERO is on track toward an initial launch of 10 spacecraft, with follow-on launches to reach a "sustained array" of 100 spacecraft. This full constellation will deliver nearly 100,000 atmospheric profiles on a daily basis.

EARTH & SPACE 2008 — N-SCIENCE is a proud sponsor for the 11th International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction and Operations in Challenging Environments.

Dr. Joe Martin will present “In-Situ Geologic Analyzer for the Lunar and Martian Surfaces” to the “Exploration and Utilization of Extraterrestrial Bodies” Symposia on March 3 of the conference.

Please feel free to come pay us a Booth Visit!! See You There!

COLDSENSE - Achieving Steady Liquid He Temperatures Without Liquid He
The COLDSENSE Pulse Tube Cryocooler Concept provides stable vibration-free performance down to 4°K.

An updated version of Coldsense Concept is in work for submittal to the DoD 2008 SBIR/STTRs.

ALTR - Advanced Low Temperature Regenerator
ALTR™ is a subset of the COLDSENSE concept.

N-Sci and the ALTR Team has made great strides in our pursuit of this new Regenerator approach and design. N-Sci and the Team are seeking three patents as a result of this work.

The N-Sci ALTR Team will submit two proposals to continue the ALTR development program for the current round of the DoD 2008 SBIR/STTRs.

• Advanced Regenerators for Low Temperature Cryocoolers: Cryogenic Testing
• MEMS Orifice for Pulse Tube Cold Head Optimization

N-Science and Broad Reach Engineering have agreed to continue the Joint Study Contract to continue development and testing ALTR components. The testing provided under this contract will be conducted at the NIST facility in Boulder CO.

ALTR Continuation Team

MICA - Mineral Identification & Composition Analysis

MICA TEAM is nearing completion the current MICA development contract. This will bring the MICA concept to TRL (Technology Readiness Level) 6. The MICA breadboard is now moved from the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) X-Ray Lab over to the Lockheed Martin Spacecraft Development Lab for the next round of testing. A MICA prototype is now in fabrication stage. This prototype is a more "flight like" design that will be tested in a simulated Mars environment at the LMA lab thermal vacuum chamber to be followed by field-testing at NASA/AMES on their K-9 rover in the spring of 2006.

MICA - Mars Instrument Development Program (MIDP) Workshop
The annual Mars Instrument Development Program Workshop was recently held in Arcadia CA. John Marshall (PI) and Dan Scheld attended representing the MICA Project.

The MICA Proposal Opportunities

N-Sci and the MICA Team continues to advance the MICA concept. The team is working toward several new opportunities. For the current

Example of RAT pattern on Earth Sample (photo courtesy Honeybee Robotics)

NASA/ROSES (Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science) the team just submitted a proposal entitled Rapid Reconnaissance Of Planetary Surfaces With X-Ray-Optical Techniques to the PIDDP Program (Planetary Instrument Design and Development Program). This new proposal introduces the new concept of Advanced Science Instrument/Science Tool (ASIST™) end effectors for future robotic and manned missions requiring rapid reconnaissance and rapid initial acquisition of samples and data. The PI for the program is Dr. John Marshall at SETI. A list of MICA related reports and papers can be found here. The team includes N-Sci, Honeybee Robotics, Lockheed Martin, and Broad Reach Engineering. The proposed project will be the first effort in fully integrating the Mineral Identification and Composition Analyzer (MICA) instrument from SETI/N-Science with an Abrasion Tool (AT) supplied by Honeybee Robotics. Honeybee has been quite successful with their current Rock Abrasion Tool, otherwise known as the RATs now functioning at Mars on the MER rovers.
This first ASIST version is called the MICA-AT.

The MICA-AT Team



The team has prepared responses to several on-going opportunities.

First in line is a proposal to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for an Earth Based version of MICA. The team will also respond to the upcoming NASA/ROSES opportunities; Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploration of Planets (ASTEP) and Astrobiology Science and Technology Instrument Development (ASTID) Programs.

MICA - NSF Proposal

The MICA Team has entered into a new effort to promote Ground Based applications of the MICA technology. The initial thrust of this effort is our proposal to the National Science Foundation (NSF). In this case the target subject is "ARCHAEOMETRY". Archaeometry focuses on research and analysis applied to items of archaeological interest and on the natural context and environment in which they were found. One of the fundamental characteristics of the MICA Concept is its ability to do analysis on unprepared samples, that is, the samples to not have to be destroyed (powdered) or damaged for analyis. This is an obvious advantage to the Archaeometrist.

Our new proposal is entitled "A Non-Destructive X-Ray Analyitcal Concept for Archaeometry". Our Principal Investigator again is Dr. John Marshall at SETI. We are pleased to be joined by Lead Archaeometrist, Professor Linda Ellis. Linda is Director of the Museum Studies Program at SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY. She is also a founder of the TERRA EUROPAEA, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Heritage Research and Public Education. Their website can be found at, http://www.terraeuropaea.org/home.htm. In this application, MICA will be used to study artifacts and fragments of Mummified Remains & Tombs, Ancient Jewelry, Stone Objects, Statues & Figures, Fragments of Hieroglyphs, and much more. The Proposal submission was October 30. The details of the Project are Proprietary at this time.

An early demonstration of this application is now in the works. Professor Ellis and her team have recently uncovered the remains of an ancient Roman Aqueduct at a new dig site in Romania. Samples from the site will be analyzed utilizing the existing MICA breadbroad.

MICA - ASTEP 05 - ASTEX

The team submitted a new proposal entitled "Astrobiology Exploration with X-RAYS (ASTEX): Field Demonstration of the MICA Instrument at Meridiani

Microbial community textures in the Chosa Draw, Gypsum Plain field site area, NM.

Planum Analog". In this case, the analog is New Mexico. We have proposed to demonstrate the potential of this MICA-AT (ie, the MICA and RAT systems working together) for extracting astrobiologically relevant data at surface-exposed Permian Age evaporitic gypsum deposits in New Mexico that offer a spectrum of both surface and subsurface adapted gypsum microbial communities and associated mineral textures. In more direct terms, the New Mexico gypsum deposits are extensive and provide a "good analog" to the sulfate-rich deposits recently discovered on Mars in the Meridiani Planum area. At Meridiani, these materials cover several thousand square kilometers.

Stydy site map showing extent of Delaware Basin deposits in yellow, the Castile gypsum formation in red, mountains in white. Chosa Draw study area is indicated by a circle at the northern end of exposed Castile evaporites. Map © by K.W. Stafford.

MICA - ASTID 05 - XRAI

The team submitted a new proposal entitled "An X-RAY Analytical Instrument (XRAI) for ASTROBIOLOGY".

This new proposal continues pursuit of our concept for Advanced Science Instrument/Science Tool (ASIST™) end effectors for future robotic and manned missions requiring rapid reconnaissance and rapid initial acquisition of samples and data. The PI for the program is again Dr. John Marshall at SETI.

In this case, it is proposed to modify the MICA in two ways, with MARS Astrobiological Exploration as the key goal. First, components of the sensor head will be changed so that the instrument is very specifically "tuned" for Astrobiological Survey. This modification will significantly expand the range of mineral "d-spacings" that can be detected. In particular, this will enable hydrated minerals such as clays and zeolites to be efficiently discriminated. The second modification involves the addition of the "grinding tool" (aka RAT) coupled to MICA so that the instrument can interrogate both surface and immediate subsurface characteristics of subject materials. This is particularly important for astrobiology when exploring MARS for the Mineralogical and Geochemical "signatures of Microbial Activity".

This is the MICA-AT (MICA/RAT combination) at its best. The XRAI Team includes our usual MICA-AT group: SETI, N-Science, Honeybee Robotics, Lockheed Martin, & Broadreach Engineering. We welcome the Planetary Science Institute to the team.

We are pleased to be joined in this effort by a new CoI to the group, Dr. Kim Kuhlman Research Scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, Tuscon, AZ. Welcome Kim!


The ASTID - XRAI proposal was submitted Dec 9.

OTHER MICA NEWS

The MICA team has been invited to participate in new Lunar Mission instrument suite concepts evolving at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). The APL Principle Investigator is Jeff Plescia. Our team worked with Jeff before on the UREY Mars Scout Proposal and look forward to our new effort with him.

Lockheed Martin Civil Space Systems has expressed interest in MICA as a possible participant for several of their DISCOVERY Mission proposals. The next NASA Discovery Announcement of Opportunity is expected shortly.

MICA Thermal Engineering Lead, Dr. Daniel Ladner authored and presented a paper entitled "Thermal Model for a Mars Instrument with Thermo-Electric Cooled Focal Plane" at the 2005 Cryogenic Engineering Conference & International Cryogenic Materials Conference (CEC-ICMC 2005) in Keystone, CO. Dan also was chairperson for the "Cryo-cooler Technologies" Session. This paper is available from our Reports section.

Dr. Ladner is producing a paper, which will present advances made on the MICA Thermal Model. The paper is entitled “ Thermal Model for a Mars Instrument with TE Cooled Focal Plane: CCD Sub-system Results”. The paper will be presented at the International Cyrocooler Conference, June 2006, Annapolis MD. The abstract is available from our Reports section.

Mars Fundamental Research Project

The MICA team has been tasked to support a Mars Fundamental Research Project effort at Johns Hopkins / Applied Physics Laboratory. Dr. Jeff Plescia is the lead on this project. The MICA breadboard and prototype will be utilized. Dr. Plescia's team will use the prototype at several yet to be determined, Mars Analog field sites.

CONCEPTS DEVELOPMENT (CD)

GEOCHEMISTRY STUDY - With NASA/AMES



N-Science and Lockheed Martin are teamed-up to support NASA/Ames Research Center in submitting a Geochemistry proposal to the 04 NASA/ROSS ASTEP Program. The AMES PI is Dr. Dan Kojiro. The N-Sci/LMA team will provide "Sample Oven" subassemblies to the AMES built equipment. Announcements are expected soon.

Cryo Engineering Developments
N-Science is teamed with NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) in Boulder, CO in a contract to support a Helix Technologies Cryo-Cooler product development effort. Dr. Daniel Ladner, N-Sci Director of R&D Programs and a recognized expert in Cryo-Physics, leads the the N-Sci/NIST program. Dr. Ray Radebaugh will lead the subcontract effort at NIST. Helix Technlologies has recently merged with BROOKS AUTOMATION. Brooks is a leading worldwide provider of automation solutions and integrated subsystems to the global semiconductor and related industries.

The CRYO Team

OTHER CRYO NEWS
Our Cryo Engineering Lead, Dr. Ladner, authored and presented a paper entitled "Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator Field Mapping and Shielding Models for a 70 MK Superconducting Transition Edge Sensor Array and Associated Electronics" at the 2005 Cryogenic Engineering Conference & International Cryogenic Materials Conference (CEC-ICMC 2005) in Keystone, CO. Dan also was chairperson for the "Cryo-cooler Technologies" Session. This paper is available from our TECH REFs section.

STAR-TRACKER Engineering Developments
N-Sci has begun work on our contract with Broad-Reach Engineering (Golden CO) to provide Star Tracker Engineering & Design Services.

N-Science and Broad-Reach have teamed-up on a new proposal for a new lightweight, low volume Star Tracker. The micro-Khalstar, or "uKahlstar", has been proposed in response to a new RFP (Request for Proposal). Proposals submitted Sept 23. Details regarding the RFP, Design and Specifications are proprietary at this time.

The STAR-TRACKER TEAM has responded to a Request for Information (RFI) out of NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The LUNAR RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER (LRO) Program will eventually procure 2 Quaternion Output Star Trackers, including appropriate Sun Shades and Ground Support Equipment.

Star-Tracker Team

MAGA - Zero-G MAss GAuging System for Propellant Depots & Storage Vehicles

Mass Gauging of Propellants & Life-Essential staples is an "enabling technology" critical to the New Exploration Vision for the Moon, Mars, & Beyond. MAGA is a fresh, valuable, and innovative approach to addressing the problem.

N-Science Corporation has entered into an agreement with Broad-Reach Engineering for joint development of the N-Science Low-g Mass Gauging System MAGA.

The N-Sci engineering team will design, build, and test the MAGA proof-of-principle hardware. Some testing may be carried out at NIST facility in Boulder CO. Deliverables from the contract will consist of a Study Report to include comparative data (Model-vs-Hardware), as well as tested algorithms and sampling techniques, in order to be able to turn the design concept into a flight specification for later development and build by the MAGA Team.

It is expected that this MAGA effort will result in a sensor that has tremendous potential applications for both the Federal government and the private sector. Accurate knowledge of residual mass quantities in space applications impacts mission scheduling, human safety, and the logistics of space exploration itself.

The MAGA team includes, in addition to N-Science, Broad Reach Engineering, Lockheed Martin, and our new team member, Technology Applications Inc., of Boulder CO.

Dr. Dan Ladner is PI for project at N-Science.
See our Press Release dated 1/31/06 for more information.

N-Sci/AST OPTICAL SURFACES (NAOS)

DSB News - Deep Space Black Updates
N-Science Corp (N-Sci) and Advanced Surface Technologies (AST): forces in the production of DEEP SPACE BLACK™.

Partners in Innovation/Technology/Production for Advanced Optical Blacks

N-Sci/AST Optical Surfaces - Customers of the Month

	Apache Point Observatory

The Deep Space Black PRODUCT BULLETIN is available at www.nscicorp.com. This bulletin provides a one stop shop for complete Information and Data on DSB Family.

Miscellaneous News Items

Space.com has chosen N-Science team member John Marshall to kick off its new monthly feature called Adopt-a-Scientist where each month the research of a different SETI Institute scientist is highlighted. This feature enables readers to join an expedition or participate directly in science or science education. Full Story.

 
N-Science Team Member John Marshall plays key role in NASA Phoenix Mission

Phoenix Mars Lander (photo NASA)

Bumpy Road to Mars
By Edna DeVore, Space.com, 22 May 2008

On Sunday, May 25, the Phoenix Lab will land on Mars to look for evidence of water and organics in the soil. John Marshall, geologist for the Phoenix Lab Mission, who is also a member of our N-Science MICA instrument team, will be applying his expertise to study the soil and dust to try to understand how water and wind have altered the material that makes up the surface of Mars. The mission will utilize instruments that were originally built for a 2001 Mars mission that was canceled. Details about the Phoenix Lab mission, its instruments and team are presented in a recent article appearing on space.com titled "Bumpy Road to Mars, Part 2", by Edna DeVore that can be found here.

Martian Dust: Evidence for Water and Life?
By Edna DeVore, Space.com, 02 August 2007

Phoenix has reappeared at the SETI Institute, this time in the form of NASA's next Mars lander, which has the involvement of Dr. John Marshall in the science team. NASA's Phoenix Mission is headed to Mars to look for water, and carbon compounds that could signify life on Mars. Like its namesake mythological bird, NASA's Phoenix Mission rises from remnants of its predecessors. It will use many components of a spacecraft originally built for a 2001 Mars lander mission, which was kept in careful storage after that mission was cancelled. … more

23rd National Space Symposium - The conference was held April 9-12 in Colorado Springs. N-Science Corp was well represented with Dan Ladner, Jeff Hayden, & Dan Scheld in attendance.

image credit Joe Vinton

The N-Sci TechWELLS associates will have its next meeting early this summer. Date to be announced. The concept of the TechWELLS meetings is to allow our Engineering Teams and others from the local technology companies to engage in discussions on emerging technologies and in turn consider alternatives and roadmaps to their continued development and application to products.

Stay Tuned.... MUCH MORE TO COME !

And

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