1. Visions of the Future in Aeronautics and Space
USRA
3rd Annual Meeting
June 5-6, 2001
NASA-Ames

2. Proposals Received and Awards
(through May 18, 2001)
TOTAL PROPOSALS RECEIVED (509)
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
UNIVERSITY (189)
HBCU (5)
SDB (23)
SMALL BUSINESS (252)
NATIONAL LABS (13)
LARGE BUSINESS (27)
AS OF 5/18/01
TOTAL NUMBER OF AWARDS (80)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
UNIVERSITY (34)
HBCU (2)
SDB (2)
SMALL BUSINESS (35)
NATIONAL LABS (0)
LARGE BUSINESS (7)
AS OF 5/18/01
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 3

3. NIAC Awards
(through May 18, 2001)
0 10 20 30 40
BPR
ES
SS
HEDS
AST
NIAC PHASE I AWARDS BY NASA ENTERPRISE
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
0 2 4 6 8 10
BPR
ES
SS
HEDS
AST
NIAC PHASE II AWARDS BY NASA ENTERPRISE
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 4

4. Future Events
Late Summer or Early Fall 2001
Release of Next Phase I Call for Proposals
with a due date of early CY 2002
November 2001
NIAC Phase I Fellows Meeting and Workshop
June 2002
NIAC 4th Annual Meeting
Location - TBD
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 5

5. Phase I Awards
Call for Proposals: CP 00-02
Performance Period: June 1 – November 30, 2001
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 6

6. Astronaut Bio-Suit System for Exploration
Class Missions
Dava Newman
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 7

7. A Chameleon Suit to Liberate Human
Exploration of Space Environments
Edward Hodgson
Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 8

8. A Flexible Architecture for Plant Functional
Genomics in Space Environments
Terri Lomax
Oregon State University
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 9

9. A Novel Information Management Architecture
for Maintaining Long Duration Space Crews
George Cybenko
Dartmouth College
Spacecraft
Mission Control
Activity Sensors
Automated
Urinalysis
CO2 Sensors
Bone
Loss
Expert
System
Filtered data,
Code Updates
Mobile Agents
•Agents transmit information to and from Mission Control.
•Agents ability to analyze information prior to moving saves bandwidth.
•Code and data can be updated throughout the mission, enabling increased performance and adaptation to mission conditions.
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 10

10. Adaptive Observation Strategies for
Advanced Weather Prediction
David Bacon
SAIC, Center for Atmospheric Physics
Michael Kaplan
North Carolina State University
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 11

11. Controlling the Global Weather
Ross Hoffman
Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc.
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 12

12. Architecture of ““Intelligent”” Earth Observation
Satellite for Common Users in 2010-2050
Guoqing Zhou
Old Dominion University
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 13

13. Global Observations and Alerts from Lagrange-
Point, Pole-Sitter, and Geosynchronous Orbits
(GOAL&GO)
Larry Paxton
Johns Hopkins University
Applied Physics Laboratory
The SHIVA system uses multiple, selectable bands as
commanded by remotely located users to search for,
identify, and report geophysical events. A pointed
telemetry system reduces the ground system
requirements.
VISHNU and SHIVA
On Polesitter
SHIVA 1
SHIVA 4 SHIVA 3
Real-time Command and Control
Functional Requirements
Performance
Resolution
Data Availability
Data Distribution
Maximize Utility
Data Content Maximized
Operational
Data Downlink Minimized
Minimize Data Latency
Autonomy Maximized
Constraints
Minimize Cost
Minimize Impact on Host
Spacecraft
Space Segment Resource
Requirements Ground System Resource
Requirements
Payload Flexibility
and Autonomy
Data Utility and Access
Geostationary
orbit
SHIVA 5 SHIVA 2
VISHNU and SHIVA
On Polesitter
Measurement
Requirements
for Science
and
Applications
Coverage: Temporal,
Spatial, Spectral
VISHNU L1 VISHNU L2
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 14

14. 3D Viewing of Images on the Basis of 2D
Images
H. John Caulfield
Fisk University
• Analogous to how nature allows you to see a 3D image using only one eye at a hyperfocal distance
from your eye
• Connected set of computer programs that start with any digitized 2D image and convert it into a pair
of images for 3D visualization
• Will be tested on telescopic and microscopic images in Phase I
• Feasibility established for simple objects in the near field
• Will record simulated scenes of interest for NASA and blur them by various amounts digitally to
simulate telescopic images
• Attempt 3D visualization of local regions
• Design software for a hardware system to be built in Phase II
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 15

15. Formation Flying with Shepherd Satellites
Michael LaPointe
Ohio Aerospace Institute
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 16

16. Propellantless Control of Spacecraft Swarms
using Coulomb Forces
Brad King
Michigan Technology University
• Potentially feasible to generate tens of micro-Newtons of attraction and repulsion between spacecraft
separated by tens of meters.
• Net spacecraft charge can be controlled by harvesting ambient space-plasma electrons or actively
emitting electrons.
• Mutually interacting Coulomb spacecraft will be oriented in stable minimum energy arrays that can be
configured using active control.
• Advantages
- Circumvent need for micro-thrusters in satellite swarms
- Increase formation mission lifetimes by harvesting in-space resources
- Greatly improve fine position-keeping through active feedback
- Facilitate wider range of satellite formation
- Increase swarm robustness through fault-detection and reconfiguration
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 17

17. Directed Application of Nanobiotechnology
for the Development of Autonomous Biobots
Carlo Montemango
Cornell University
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 18

18. Europa Sample Return Mission utilizing High
Specific Impulse Propulsion
Refueled with Indigenous Resources
John Paniagua
Plus Ultra Technologies, Inc.
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 19

19. Achieving Comprehensive Mission
Robustness
Do not harm the Ont
Deontology vs. mission…
teleology…
RDF/KIF/FIPA RDF/KIF/FIPA RDF/KIF/FIPA RDF/KIF/FIPA
. . .
Maximize
utility…
Actions External Influences and
Sensory Inputs
Environment
John Rose
University of South Carolina

20. Ultra-High Resolution X-ray Astronomy using
Steerable Occulting Satellites
Glenn Starkman
Case Western Reserve University
• Occultation of an X-ray telescope by a steerable satellite may allow binary point source resolution
better than milli-arcsecond with little or no re-design of X-ray telescopes.
• Model reconstructive capabilities of the technique and adjust satellite shape so as to maximize those
capabilities.
• Evaluate possible scientific payback from implementing this approach in conjunction with planned
facilities, such as Constellation-X.
• Occulter design considerations to be investigated.
- Thickness
- Size
- Steerability
- Binary point source resolution
- Compound source resolution
- Target sources
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 21

21. Ultra-Fast Laser-Driven Plasma for Space
Propulsion
Terry Kammash
University of Michigan
Laser-Accelerated Plasma Propulsion System
(LAPPS)
Reactor
T C
G
Rad.
Laser
Particle
Beam
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 22

22. High Acceleration Micro-Scale Laser Sails for
Interstellar Propulsion
Jordin Kare
Kare Technical Consulting
N sails accelerate over r ~ R / N
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 23

23. High Speed Interplanetary Tug / Cocoon
Vehicles (HITVs)
Nick Omidi
Scibernet, Inc.
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 24

24. June 5, 2001 - Morning Agenda
9:00am – 10:00am Keynote Speaker
Dr. Bruce Jakosky, University of Colorado
10:00am – 10:30am Break
10:30am – 11:50am NIAC Status Reports
Dr. Ralph L. McNutt, Jr., Johns Hopkins Applied Physics
“A Realistic Interstellar Explorer”
Dr. Steven Dubowsky, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
“Self-Transforming Robotic Planetary Explorers”
11:50am - 1:00pm Lunch (on your own)
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 25

25. A Realistic Interstellar Explorer
Ralph McNutt, Jr., Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 26

26. Self-Transforming Robotic Planetary Explorers
Steven Dubowsky, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 27

27. 1:00pm - 3:00pm NIAC Status Reports
Dr. Neville J. Woolf, Steward Observatory, University of Arizona
“Very Large Optics for the Study of Extrasolar Terrestrial Planets”
Dr. Paul Gorenstein, Smithsonian Institution, Astrophysical Lab
“An Ultra-High Throughput X-Ray Astronomy Observatory with a
New Mission Architecture”
Dr. Webster Cash, University of Colorado
“X-Ray Interferometry”
3:00pm - 3:15pm Break
June 5, 2001 - Afternoon Agenda
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 28

28. Very Large Optics for the Study of Extrasolar Terrestrial Planets
Neville J. Woolf, Steward Observatory, University of Arizona
Hubble Space Telescope (operational)
Next Generation Space Telescope (technology development)
Terrestrial Planet Finder (concept development)
Life Finder

29. An Ultra-High Throughput X-Ray Astronomy
Observatory with A New Mission Architecture
Paul Gorenstein, Smithsonian Institute, Astrophysical Observatory
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 30

30. X-ray Interferometry - Ultimate Astronomical Imaging
Webster Cash, University of Colorado

31. June 5, 2001 - Afternoon Agenda
3:15pm - 5:15pm NIAC Status Reports
Bradley Edwards, Eureka Scientific
“The Space Elevator”
Dr. George Maise, Plus Ultra Technologies
“Exploration of Jovian Atmosphere using Nuclear Ramjet Flyer”
Dr. Kerry T. Nock, Global Aerospace
“Cyclical Visits to Mars via Astronaut Hotels”
5:30pm - 7:00pm Reception, Ames Cafe
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 32

32. The Space Elevator
Bradley Edwards, Eureka Scientific
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 33

33. Exploration of Jovian Atmosphere Using Nuclear Ramjet Flyer
George Maise, Plus Ultra Technologies, Inc.
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 34

34. Cyclical Visits to Mars via Astronaut Hotels
Kerry Nock, Global Aerospace Corporation
Astrotel IPS
Taxi during Mars Aerocapture
Taxi departing
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 35

35. June 6, 2001 - Morning Agenda
8:30am - 8:40am Welcome and Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Dr. Robert A. Cassanova, NIAC Director
8:40am - 9:40am Keynote Speaker
Dr. Eric Barron, Pennsylvania State University
9:40am – 10:20am NIAC Status Report
Dr. Robert M. Winglee, University of Washington
“The Mini-Magnetospheric Plasma Propulsion, M2 P2”
10:20am – 10:40am Break
10:40am – 12:00pm NIAC Status Reports
Dr. Ilan Kroo, Stanford University
“Mesicopter: A Meso-Scale Flight Vehicle”
Dr. Kerry T. Nock, Global Aerospace Corporation
“Global Constellation of Stratospheric Scientific Platforms”
12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch (on your own)
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 36

36. The Mini-Magnetospheric Plasma Propulsion System, M2P2
Robert M. Winglee, University of Washington
Graphics by permission of New Scientist
Concept for interstellar propulsion and radiation shielding
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 37

37. Meso-Scale Flight Vehicle for Atmospheric Sensing
Ilan Kroo, Stanford University
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 38

38. Global Constellation of
Stratospheric Scientific Platforms
Kerry Nock, Global Aerospace Corporation
• Super-pressure Balloon
~40-50 m
diameter
Gondola
10-15 km
Balloon
Trajectory
Control
System
35-45 km
Flight Altitude
Rel. Wind
0.3-2.0 m/s
Possible
Science
Sensors
Rel. Wind
5-10 m/s
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 39

39. 1:00pm - 3:00pm NIAC Status Reports
Dr. Robert P. Hoyt, Tethers Unlimited, Inc.
“Moon & Mars Orbiting Spinning Tether Transport (MMOSTT)”
Mr. John Grant, Boeing
“Hypersonic Airplane Space Tether Orbital Launch Study”
Dr. Eric E. Rice, Orbital Technologies Corporation
“Advanced System Concept for Total ISRU Based Propulsion and
Power Systems for Unmanned and Manned Mars Exploration”
3:00pm - 3:15pm Break
3:15pm - 4:35pm NIAC Status Reports
Anthony Colozza, Ohio Aerospace Institute
“Planetary Exploration using Biomimetics”
Mr. Andrew Keith, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
“Autonomous VTOL Scalable Logistics (AVSLA)”
4:35pm Adjourn
June 6, 2001 - Afternoon Agenda
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 40

40. Moon and Mars Orbiting Spinning Tether Transport (MMOSTT)
Architecture
Robert P. Hoyt, Tethers Unlimited, Inc.
Payload pick-up
Payload release
Origin
Escape
trajectory Interplanetary
trajectory
Destination
Inbound
trajectory
Payload release
Payload capture
P atch point
Tapered tether
Loaded Tether
Center of mass
orbit
Tapered tether
Loaded Tether
Center of mass
orbit
P atch point
Earth’s gravitational
sphere of influence
Mars’ gravitational
sphere of influence
Sol
INTERPLANETARY TRANSPORT USING
ROTATING TETHERS
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 41

41. Hypersonic Airplane Space Tether Orbital Launch – HASTOL
John Grant, The Boeing Company
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 42

42. Advanced System Concept for Total ISRU-Based Propulsion
and Power Systems for Unmanned and Manned Mars Exploration
Eric Rice, Orbital Technologies Corporation
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 43

43. Planetary Exploration Using Biomimetrics
Anthony Colozza, Ohio Aerospace Institute
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 44

44. Methodology for Study of Autonomous
VTOL Scalable Logistics Architecture
Andrew Keith, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Annual Meeting-NASA Ames-June 2001.Page 45