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Appendix D
Technologies Assessed by the Committee
Communications
• | broadband, high-power, high data-rate, redundant systems |
• | communications system-on-a-chip |
• | high-dielectric constant patch antennas |
• | high-frequency (› Ka band) antennas |
• | high-power (broadcast) antennas |
• | high-power, solid-state transponder systems |
• | phased-array antennas |
• | up-down transmission technologies, including raindrop compensation |
• | wideband (i.e., optical) communications |
Earth-Based Systems
• | automated and semi-automated processing of image data |
• | autonomous ground control |
• | development of space systems using nanotechnology |
• | image storage and dissemination |
• | integrated design systems |
• | large-scale information management and simulation |
• | low-cost operations |
• | paperless designs |
• | rapid system prototyping tools using multimedia capabilities |
• | verification and validation approaches and databases for commercial off-the-shelf technologies |
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Guidance and Control
• | advanced attitude-control technologies |
• | all star-tracker attitude-reference system |
• | avionics-on-a-chip (multichip module) |
• | coordinated operation of spacecraft fleets |
• | fault-tolerant electromechanical actuators |
• | high-accuracy, low-mass star trackers and gyros |
• | interferometric fiber-optic gyros (IFOGS) |
• | low-cost, reliable, position-tracking and telemetry systems (with built-in collision avoidance) |
• | micromechanical sensors |
• | miniature momentum-exchange devices |
• | modular avionics |
• | precision spacecraft pointing |
• | redundant (multistring) solid-state avionics |
• | use of Global Positioning System for guidance and control |
Information Technologies
• | artificial intelligence systems |
• | automatic fault recovery |
• | autonomous systems |
• | data compression technologies |
• | data fusion |
• | digital systems processing |
• | distributed functions among spacecraft |
• | effective human-machine interfaces |
• | high-density, fiber-optic sensor networks |
• | high-density, low-cost command and data handling with open architecture |
• | high-temperature electronics |
• | hundred-fold increase in processing capability |
• | integrated vehicle health-monitoring systems |
• | low-cost, high-capacity, low-mass, radiation-resistant, solid-state memories |
• | neural nets |
• | neuro-engineering systems |
• | onboard image processing |
• | onboard mission planning capability |
• | parallel computer processor architectures |
• | radiation-hardened electronics |
• | sequencing systems |
• | system standards to expand software reuse |
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Launch
• | ‹ 3,000 lb. thrust scale pump-fed liquid rocket propulsion |
• | air-augmented/breathing rockets |
• | automated ground processing |
• | clean solid propellants |
• | electromagnetic launch/assist |
• | environmentally compatible boosters |
• | gel propellants |
• | high-energy density chemical propellants |
• | high-energy liquid propellants |
• | high thrust-to-weight engines |
• | hybrid launch vehicle |
• | hypersonic airplane first stage |
• | integrated solar upper stage |
• | laser propulsion for ground-to-orbit launch |
• | lightweight integrated vehicle structures |
• | lightweight launch vehicle structures |
• | lightweight propellant tanks |
• | low-cost, reliable cryogenic propulsion |
• | lower-cost launchers |
• | mass drivers |
• | modular launch vehicle |
• | oxygen/kerosene rocket-based combined cycle engines |
• | reusable oxygen/kerosene rocket engines with thrust-to-weight ratios greater than 100 |
• | single-stage to orbit launchers |
Materials
• | advanced coatings |
• | advanced composite materials |
• | advanced composites manufacturing and processing |
• | atomic oxygen-resistant coatings for solar cells |
• | high-temperature materials for rocket engines |
• | lightweight, high-strength, high-temperature materials for launch vehicles |
• | low-mass, high-reflectivity composites (for telescope mirrors) |
• | organic coatings (instead of hermetically sealed containers) |
• | silicon carbide structures |
Power
• | advanced solar power |
• | arc-proof, environmentally durable solar arrays |
• | beamed power |
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• | compact electrical power supplies |
• | flywheels |
• | high-conversion efficiency, low-mass solar arrays |
• | high-efficiency, high-power, low-mass power generating systems |
• | high-power sources at millimeter wavelengths |
• | higher-energy density batteries |
• | integrated energy conversion/energy storage concepts |
• | large-capacity energy storage systems |
• | large gossamer fresnel lenses for concentrating solar energy |
• | lithium ion batteries |
• | long life, lighter, cheaper regenerative fuel cells |
• | long-term, compact nuclear-electric systems |
• | long-term nonphotovoltaic power sources |
• | low-cost, high-efficiency solar arrays |
• | low-cost power storage devices |
• | low-mass, high-capacity, low-cost power storage |
• | more efficient long-term solar power conversion |
• | nuclear power sources |
• | power conversion |
• | power management and distribution-on-a-chip |
• | smart power-management systems |
• | sodium sulfur batteries |
• | solar cells with different bandgap energies with better than 40 percent efficiency |
• | thin-film solar arrays |
Propulsion
• | antimatter propulsion |
• | concentric combustion chamber engine |
• | electric propulsion |
• | high-energy density matter propulsion |
• | high-energy density storable propellants |
• | high-performance, less expensive, more producible electric propulsion |
• | high thrust-to-weight engines |
• | laser propulsion |
• | magnetic sail |
• | nontoxic storable bipropellants |
• | nuclear fusion propulsion |
• | nuclear propulsion |
• | nuclear-thermal rocket |
• | propulsion for 50 kg spacecraft |
• | rockets using native propellants |
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• | solar sail |
• | solar-thermal propulsion |
• | tethers for momentum exchange/electromagnetic maneuvering |
• | xenon thrusters |
Robotics
• | curious, autonomous, adaptive probes |
• | mobile robots |
• | partially self-replicating robots |
• | rovers |
• | small robots for planetary mining, manufacturing, assembly |
• | telerobotics |
Sensors
• | active sensors using synthetic aperture radar and high-frequency microwaves |
• | free-flying, synthetic-aperture radars and interferometers |
• | high-power local oscillators |
• | high-resolution, stereoscopic Earth sensing systems |
• | high-sensitivity, room temperature mid-infrared detector arrays |
• | highly-integrated, multifunctional atmospheric sounders |
• | hyperspectral focal planes |
• | infrared interferometer (for planet detection) |
• | large-aperture, deployable, optical telescopes with active alignment |
• | large-format, low-noise, long-wavelength, direct-detection sensors |
• | low-cost, low-power imaging sensors |
• | low-mass, low-power radars |
• | low-noise heterodyne mixers |
• | microcalorimeters for high throughput spectroscopy |
• | microsensors |
• | microwave technologies |
• | multiband phased arrays |
• | multispectral sensors |
• | remote sensing signal chain miniaturization |
• | smaller autonomous instruments |
• | solid-state sensor systems with high spectral and spatial resolution |
• | space-based lidars |
Spacecraft Systems and Electronics
• | almost monolithic small spacecraft |
• | highly integrated multifunction modules |
• | integrated instruments |
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• | integrated low-power electronic microsystems (communications, guidance) |
• | integrated power and propulsion bus |
• | microminiaturization |
• | miniaturized electronics |
• | multichip modules and chip-on-board technologies |
• | optical buses |
• | superconducting devices |
Structures
• | active interferometric system technologies, such as active delay lines and space-qualified precision metrology |
• | adaptive membranes and space fabrication techniques for large optics |
• | adaptive structures |
• | deployable structures |
• | gossamer films in multi-km sizes |
• | inflatable structures |
• | lightweight composite spacecraft |
• | lightweight debris shielding |
• | lightweight structures |
• | microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) |
• | multifunctional structures |
• | spinning spacecraft (for gravity) |
• | structures to reduce vibrations on crewed platforms |
• | technologies and processes for deploying ''quiet" structures to precise dimensional tolerances |
• | tethers |
Thermal Control
• | advanced coatings for thermal control and electrostatic discharge control |
• | electrochromic radiator surfaces |
• | electronics able to function at high temperatures |
• | electronics able to function at low temperatures |
• | electronics cooling with direct immersion heat pipe |
• | graphite/aluminum radiator panels |
• | improved heat-rejection technologies |
• | long-life cryocoolers |
• | low-mass, low-power cryocoolers |
• | multichip modules with integral thermal control |
• | nuclear heat sources |
• | rugged thermal protection for reentry |
• | spacecraft that can approach the sun |
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Working in Space
• | aerocapture/aerobraking |
• | autonomous landing |
• | chemical processing of off-Earth resources |
• | construction with off-Earth resources |
• | lasers for debris shielding/removal |
• | lightweight, high-efficiency cryogenic liquefaction |
• | long-term cryogenic fluid storage in space |
• | planetary surface transportation technologies |
• | remote (cryogenic) fluid transfer and handling |
• | remote robotic rendezvous, docking, and other operations |
• | space traffic management systems |
• | structures for planetary surfaces |
• | surface/subsurface sample acquisition |
• | terraforming technologies |