CFD to simulate 'bad day' in space

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

By SHELBY G. SPIRES

Times Aerospace Writer shelby.spires@htimes.com

Software will predict effects of radiation, cold and heat on electronics

Predicting calamity isn't just for palm readers and soothsayers. NASA would like to know when a "bad day" could affect life in space.

The space agency is turning to Huntsville-based CFD Research Corp. to research and write advanced simulation software to predict calamity in space, said Ashok K. Singhal, company president and founder.

"NASA would like to know when a bad event can occur and, probably more to the point, what would happen," Singhal said. "Space is an extreme environment."

CFD was awarded a two-year, $600,000 small-business grant to build software models "and tools to predict radiation effects, and the threat of dangerous cosmic rays, on electronics in space," said Marek Turowski, CFD manager for micro and nano electronics research.

For electronics on satellites, spacecraft and the International Space Station, those space dangers range from being inconvenient to life-threatening, Turowski said.

Although space seems like a void, it seethes with dangerous particles, wild temperature ranges and harmful radiation.

It's cold and hot in space, with temperatures fluctuating from 266 degrees to minus 290 degrees. "Those conditions can be on either side of a spacecraft and can really damage electronics if not properly cooled and monitored," Turowski said.

Radiation can short out delicate electronics; heat can damage sensitive systems; random cosmic rays can "cause a very tiny micro-explosion rendering systems useless or harming astronauts," he said.

"Radiation can shut down satellite systems. That's costly and means the satellite probably won't be as effective, or it can be shut down permanently.

"For something as complicated as the planned (Orion) crew vehicle or the International Space Station, losing key systems could be very bad. That would mean a mission is terminated, or the space station is in danger and it could mean loss of life. ... That's why NASA is very interested in predicting what and when one of these events happen," Turowski said.

About three CFD employees plan to develop software simulations and modeling tools that "hopefully will help NASA learn how to predict what will happen so they can build and design spacecraft to better withstand an event," Singhal said.

CFD is building on similar work it has done for the Department of Defense over the past decade, Singhal said. The Huntsville-based research company has developed computer models for the Air Force and other government agencies that use advanced reconnaissance satellites, Turowski said.

"We have some expertise in this area, and the needs of the Department of Defense line up with NASA. So it's natural that we could be of benefit" to NASA, he said.



CFD to simulate 'bad day' in space Tuesday, October 23, 2007 By SHELBY G. SPIRES Times Aerospace Writer shelby.spires@htimes.com Software will predict effects of radiation, cold and heat on electronics Predicting calamity isn't just for palm readers and soothsayers. NASA would like to know when a "bad day" could affect life in space. The space agency is turning to Huntsville-based CFD Research Corp. to research and write advanced simulation software to predict calamity in space, said Ashok K. Singhal, company president and founder. "NASA would like to know when a bad event can occur and, probably more to the point, what would happen," Singhal said. "Space is an extreme environment." CFD was awarded a two-year, $600,000 small-business grant to build software models "and tools to predict radiation effects, and the threat of dangerous cosmic rays, on electronics in space," said Marek Turowski, CFD manager for micro and nano electronics research. For electronics on satellites, spacecraft and the International Space Station, those space dangers range from being inconvenient to life-threatening, Turowski said. Although space seems like a void, it seethes with dangerous particles, wild temperature ranges and harmful radiation. It's cold and hot in space, with temperatures fluctuating from 266 degrees to minus 290 degrees. "Those conditions can be on either side of a spacecraft and can really damage electronics if not properly cooled and monitored," Turowski said. Radiation can short out delicate electronics; heat can damage sensitive systems; random cosmic rays can "cause a very tiny micro-explosion rendering systems useless or harming astronauts," he said. "Radiation can shut down satellite systems. That's costly and means the satellite probably won't be as effective, or it can be shut down permanently. "For something as complicated as the planned (Orion) crew vehicle or the International Space Station, losing key systems could be very bad. That would mean a mission is terminated, or the space station is in danger and it could mean loss of life. ... That's why NASA is very interested in predicting what and when one of these events happen," Turowski said. About three CFD employees plan to develop software simulations and modeling tools that "hopefully will help NASA learn how to predict what will happen so they can build and design spacecraft to better withstand an event," Singhal said. CFD is building on similar work it has done for the Department of Defense over the past decade, Singhal said. The Huntsville-based research company has developed computer models for the Air Force and other government agencies that use advanced reconnaissance satellites, Turowski said. "We have some expertise in this area, and the needs of the Department of Defense line up with NASA. So it's natural that we could be of benefit" to NASA, he said. © 2007 The Huntsville Times © 2007 al.com All Rights Reserved.