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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 |
