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101-407: The MCSB supervisor, Alan Weston, obtained from NASA Ames Research Center $ 4 million in internal funding to get the project started. Using that money, the prototype was built in about 15 months during 2007–2008. The fast concept development time is due in part to the preliminary use of repurposed SCUBA air tanks and an engine that uses cold gas, in place of a conventional rocket engine. This allowed

202-523: A hypervelocity model in flight. These images, combined with the recorded flight time history, can be used to obtain critical aerodynamic parameters such as lift, drag, static and dynamic stability, flow characteristics, and pitching moment coefficients. For very high Mach number (M > 25) simulations, models can be launched into a counter-flowing gas stream generated by the shock tube. The facility can also be configured for hypervelocity impact testing and has an aerothermodynamic capability as well. The HFFAF

303-461: A sun -like star, however with developments within extremophile research contemporary astrobiological research often focuses on identifying environments that have the potential to support life based on the availability of an energy source, such as the presence of volcanic activity on a planet or moon that could provide a source of heat and energy. It is important to note that these assumptions are based on our current understanding of life on Earth and

404-658: A 762 millimeters (30.0 in) shock tunnel. Energy for the drivers is supplied by a 1.25-MJ-capacitor storage system. In September 2016, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) announced plans to relocate its West Coast science center from nearby Menlo Park to the Ames Research Center at Moffett Field. The relocation is expected to take five years and will begin in 2017 with 175 of the USGS employees moving to Moffett. The relocation

505-540: A Level-D 747-400 simulator, and a panoramic air traffic control tower simulator. These simulators have been used for a variety of purposes including continued training for Space Shuttle pilots, development of future spacecraft handling qualities, helicopter control system testing, Joint Strike Fighter evaluations, and accident investigations. Personnel in the division have a variety of technical backgrounds, including guidance and control, flight mechanics, flight simulation, and computer science. Customers outside NASA have included

606-552: A Mars orbiter. NASA Ames Research Center The Ames Research Center ( ARC ), also known as NASA Ames , is a major NASA research center at Moffett Federal Airfield in California's Silicon Valley . It was founded in 1939 as the second National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) laboratory. That agency was dissolved and its assets and personnel transferred to the newly created National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on October 1, 1958. NASA Ames

707-612: A National Facility, funded through the Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program. In 1995, increased scientific needs across various disciplines resulted in joint core funding by three different science programs at NASA Headquarters (Planetary Geology and Geophysics, Exobiology, and Solar System Origins). In addition, the AVGR provides programmatic support for various proposed and ongoing planetary missions (e.g. Stardust, Deep Impact). Using its 0.30 cal light-gas gun and powder gun,

808-459: A collaborative venture established by the University of California Santa Cruz and NASA, based at Ames. The Bio|Info|Nano R&D Institute is dedicated to creating scientific breakthroughs by the convergence of biotechnology, information technology, and nanotechnology. Singularity University hosts its leadership and educational program at the facility. The Organ Preservation Alliance [1]

909-727: A cost of $ 27 million under the Unitary Plan Act of 1949. Since its completion, the UPWT facility has been the most heavily used NASA wind tunnel within the NASA Wind Tunnel Fleet. Every major commercial transport and almost every military jet built in the United States over the last 40 years has been tested in this facility. Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo spacecraft, as well as Space Shuttle, were also tested in this tunnel complex. Ames Research Center also houses

1010-717: A leader in high-performance computing, developing technology used across the industry, including the NAS Parallel Benchmarks and the Portable Batch System (PBS) job scheduling software. In September 2009, Ames launched NEBULA as a fast and powerful Cloud Computing Platform to handle NASA's massive data sets that complied with security requirements. This innovative pilot uses open-source components, complies with FISMA and can scale to Government-sized demands while being extremely energy efficient. In July 2010, NASA CTO Chris C. Kemp open sourced Nova,

1111-532: A long-term research partnership. In addition to pooling engineering talent, Google planned to build a 1,000,000-square-foot (9.3 ha) facility on the ARC campus. One of the projects between Ames, Google, and Carnegie Mellon University is the Gigapan Project – a robotic platform for creating, sharing, and annotating terrestrial gigapixel images. The Planetary Content Project seeks to integrate and improve

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1212-654: A new class of inexpensive spacecraft—and conduct significant science. The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission to look for water on the Moon was a 'secondary payload spacecraft.' LCROSS began its trip to the Moon on the same rocket as the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter ( LRO ), which continues to conduct a different lunar task. It launched in April 2009 on an Atlas V rocket from Kennedy Space Center , Florida. The Kepler mission

1313-402: A role in many NASA missions. It provides leadership in astrobiology ; small satellites; robotic lunar exploration; the search for habitable planets; supercomputing ; intelligent/adaptive systems; advanced thermal protection; planetary science ; and airborne astronomy . Ames also develops tools for a safer, more efficient national airspace. The center's current director is Eugene Tu. The site

1414-785: A steam ejector-driven vacuum system, a water-cooling system, high-pressure gas systems, data acquisition system, and other auxiliary systems. The magnitude and capacity of these systems makes the Ames Arc Jet Complex unique. The largest power supply can deliver 75 megawatts (MW) for a 30-minute duration or 150 MW for a 15-second duration. This power capacity, in combination with a high-volume 5-stage steam ejector vacuum-pumping system, enables facility operations to match high-altitude atmospheric flight conditions with samples of relatively large size. The Thermo-Physics Facilities Branch operates four arc jet facilities. The Interaction Heating Facility (IHF), with an available power of over 60-MW,

1515-635: A support role in a number of missions, most notably the Mars Pathfinder and Mars Exploration Rover missions, where the Ames Intelligent Robotics Laboratory played a key role. NASA Ames was a partner on the Mars Phoenix , a Mars Scout Program mission to send a high-latitude lander to Mars, deployed a robotic arm to dig trenches up to 1.6 feet (one half meter) into the layers of water ice and analyzing

1616-777: A variety of simulated flight- and re-entry conditions. Of its seven available test bays, four currently contain Arc Jet units of differing configurations, serviced by common facility support equipment. These are the Aerodynamic Heating Facility (AHF), the Turbulent Flow Duct (TFD), the Panel Test Facility (PTF), and the Interaction Heating Facility (IHF). The support equipment includes two D.C. power supplies,

1717-594: Is a common molecule that provides an excellent environment for the formation of complicated carbon-based molecules, and is generally considered necessary for life as we know it to exist. Thus, astrobiological research presumes that extraterrestrial life similarly depends upon access to liquid water, and often focuses on identifying environments that have the potential to support liquid water. Some researchers posit environments of water- ammonia mixtures as possible solvents for hypothetical types of biochemistry . Environmental stability : Where organisms adaptively evolve to

1818-619: Is a partnership with the Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory to understand the processes at the boundary between the Sun's chromosphere and corona . This mission is sponsored by the NASA Small Explorer program . The Lunar Atmosphere Dust Environment Explorer ( LADEE ) mission has been developed by NASA Ames. This successfully launched to the Moon on September 6, 2013. In addition, Ames has played

1919-425: Is a scientific field within the life and environmental sciences that studies the origins , early evolution , distribution, and future of life in the universe by investigating its deterministic conditions and contingent events. As a discipline, astrobiology is founded on the premise that life may exist beyond Earth. Research in astrobiology comprises three main areas: the study of habitable environments in

2020-583: Is also headquartered there; the Alliance is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the Methuselah Foundation 's New Organ Prize "to catalyze breakthroughs on the remaining obstacles towards the long-term storage of organs" to overcome the drastic unmet medical need for viable organs for transplantation. Kleenspeed Technologies is headquartered there. On September 28, 2005, Google and Ames Research Center disclosed details to

2121-480: Is approximately 2.5 meters (8 ft 2 in) in diameter and height and can accommodate a wide variety of targets and mounting fixtures. It can maintain vacuum levels below 0.03 torrs (4.0 Pa), or can be back filled with various gases to simulate different planetary atmospheres. Impact events are typically recorded with high-speed video/film, or Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The Hypervelocity Free-Flight (HFF) Range currently comprises two active facilities:

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2222-631: Is capable of testing a full size Boeing 737 . Although decommissioned by NASA in 2003, the NFAC is now being operated by the United States Air Force as a satellite facility of the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC). The Ames Arc Jet Complex is an advanced thermophysics facility where sustained hypersonic- and hyperthermal testing of vehicular thermoprotective systems takes place under

2323-508: Is conducted utilising the methodology of planetary and environmental science , especially atmospheric science , for astrobiological applications, and is often conducted through remote sensing and in situ missions. Astrobiology also concerns the study of the origin and early evolution of life on Earth to try to understand the conditions that are necessary for life to form on other planets. This research seeks to understand how life emerged from non-living matter and how it evolved to become

2424-526: Is considered to have a narrow scope limited to search of life external to Earth. Another associated term is xenobiology , from the Greek ξένος, "foreign"; βίος , "life"; and -λογία, "study", coined by American science fiction writer Robert Heinlein in his work The Star Beast ; xenobiology is now used in a more specialised sense, referring to 'biology based on foreign chemistry', whether of extraterrestrial or terrestrial (typically synthetic) origin. While

2525-585: Is currently configured to operate the 1.5 inches (38 mm) light-gas gun in support of continuing thermal imaging and transition research for NASA's hypersonics program. The HFFGDF is used for gun performance enhancement studies, and occasional impact testing. The Facility uses the same arsenal of light-gas and powder guns as the HFFAF to accelerate particles that range in size from 3.2 to 25.4 millimeters (0.13 to 1.00 in) diameter to velocities ranging from 0.5 to 8.5 km/s (1,100 to 19,000 mph). Most of

2626-637: Is designed to save money on the $ 7.5 million annual rent the USGS pays for its Menlo Park campus. The land in Menlo Park is owned by the General Services Administration , which is required by federal law to charge market-rate rent. The NASA Experience exhibit at the Chabot Space and Science Center serves as the visitor center for NASA's Ames Research Center. The NASA Experience provides a dynamic and interactive space for

2727-548: Is home to over 100 researchers, contractors and administrative staff. The NASA Advanced Supercomputing Division at Ames operates several of the agency's most powerful supercomputers , including the petaflop -scale Pleiades , Aitken, and Electra systems. Originally called the Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation Division, the facility has housed more than 40 production and test supercomputers since its construction in 1987, and has served as

2828-520: Is indeed water ice in the polar craters of the Moon. The mission ended July 31, 1999, when the orbiter was guided to an impact into a crater near the lunar south pole in an (unsuccessful) attempt to analyze lunar polar water by vaporizing it to allow spectroscopic characterization from Earth telescopes. The 11-pound (5 kg) GeneSat-1 , carrying bacteria inside a miniature laboratory, was launched on December 16, 2006. The very small NASA satellite has proven that scientists can quickly design and launch

2929-425: Is named in honor of Joseph Sweetman Ames , a physicist and one of the founding members of NACA. At last estimate NASA Ames had over US$ 3 billion in capital equipment, 2,300 research personnel and a US$ 860 million annual budget. Ames was founded to conduct wind-tunnel research on the aerodynamics of propeller-driven aircraft; however, its role has expanded to encompass spaceflight and information technology. Ames plays

3030-410: Is on display. The exhibit was opened on November 12, 2021. The NASA Ames Exploration Center is a science museum and education center for NASA. There are displays and interactive exhibits about NASA technology, missions and space exploration. A Moon rock, meteorite, and other geologic samples are on display. The theater shows movies with footage from NASA's explorations of Mars and the planets, and about

3131-547: Is one of the highest-power arc jets available. It is a very flexible facility, capable of long run times of up to one hour, and able to test large samples in both a stagnation and flat plate configuration. The Panel Test Facility (PTF) uses a unique semielliptic nozzle for testing panel sections. Powered by a 20-MW arc heater, the PTF can perform tests on samples for up to 20 minutes. The Turbulent Flow Duct provides supersonic, turbulent high temperature air flows over flat surfaces. The TFD

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3232-545: Is powered by a 20-MW Hüls arc heater and can test samples 203 by 508 millimeters (8.0 by 20.0 in) in size. The Aerodynamic Heating Facility (AHF) has similar characteristics to the IHF arc heater, offering a wide range of operating conditions, sample sizes and extended test times. A cold-air-mixing plenum allows for simulations of ascent or high-speed flight conditions. Catalycity studies using air or nitrogen can be performed in this flexible rig. A 5-arm model support system allows

3333-472: Is used to support an active research program in aerodynamics, dynamics, model noise, and full-scale aircraft and their components. The aerodynamic characteristics of new configurations are investigated with an emphasis on estimating the accuracy of computational methods. The tunnel is also used to investigate the aeromechanical stability boundaries of advanced rotorcraft and rotor-fuselage interactions. Stability and control derivatives are also determined, including

3434-528: The Arecibo message , and computational approaches to detecting and deciphering 'natural' language communication. While some high-profile scientists, such as Carl Sagan , have advocated the transmission of messages, theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking warned against it, suggesting that aliens may raid Earth for its resources. Emerging astrobiological research concerning the study of the origin and early evolution of life on Earth utilises methodologies within

3535-710: The German Aerospace Center (DLR) to make an infrared telescope platform that can fly at altitudes high enough to be in the infrared-transparent regime above the water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere. The aircraft was supplied by the U.S., and the infrared telescope by Germany. Modifications of the Boeing 747SP airframe to accommodate the telescope, mission-unique equipment and large external door were made by L-3 Communications Integrated Systems of Waco, Texas . The Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph mission

3636-481: The Moon and Near-Earth objects , with different modules or applicable systems. This modular concept is an innovative way of transitioning away from custom designs and toward multi-use designs and assembly-line production, which could dramatically reduce the cost of spacecraft development. It can be adapted as an orbiter or a lander. MCSB modules can carry solar cells on their eight side faces. On LADEE , electrical power

3737-739: The Pioneer Venus Orbiter and Multiprobe, this time using orbital insertion rather than flyby missions. Lunar Prospector was the third mission selected by NASA for full development and construction as part of the Discovery Program . At a cost of $ 62.8 million, the 19-month mission was put into a low polar orbit of the Moon, accomplishing mapping of surface composition and possible polar ice deposits, measurements of magnetic and gravity fields, and study of lunar outgassing events. Based on Lunar Prospector Neutron Spectrometer (NS) data, mission scientists have determined that there

3838-461: The Solar System and beyond, the search for planetary biosignatures of past or present extraterrestrial life, and the study of the origin and early evolution of life on Earth. The field of astrobiology has its origins in the 20th century with the advent of space exploration and the discovery of exoplanets . Early astrobiology research focused on the search for extraterrestrial life and

3939-443: The extremophiles populating austere environments on Earth, like volcanic and deep sea environments. Research within this topic is conducted utilising the methodology of the geosciences, especially geobiology , for astrobiological applications. The search for biosignatures involves the identification of signs of past or present life in the form of organic compounds , isotopic ratios, or microbial fossils. Research within this topic

4040-517: The + Z axis for large velocity adjustments. The RCS provides three-axis attitude control during burns of the OCS system, and also provides momentum dumps for the reaction wheels which are the primary attitude control system between OCS burns. For LADEE, the bus was equipped with a 455 N High Performance Apogee Thruster (HiPAT) main engine. The high efficiency 22 N attitude control thrusters are manufactured using high temperature materials and similar to

4141-540: The 1950s and 1960s with the advent of space exploration , when scientists began to seriously consider the possibility of life on other planets. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 , the first artificial satellite, which marked the beginning of the Space Age . This event led to an increase in the study of the potential for life on other planets, as scientists began to consider the possibilities opened up by

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4242-492: The 1980s. It is currently capable of air speeds up to 100 knots (190 km/h; 120 mph). This section is used in similar ways to the 40 by 80 foot section, but it is capable of testing larger aircraft, albeit at slower speeds. Some of the test programs that have come through the 80 by 120 Foot include: F-18 High Angle of Attack Vehicle , DARPA/Lockheed Common Affordable Lightweight Fighter, XV-15 Tilt Rotor , and Advance Recovery System Parafoil. The 80 by 120 foot test section

4343-406: The AVGR can launch projectiles to velocities ranging from 500 to 7,000 m/s (1,600 to 23,000 ft/s; 1,100 to 15,700 mph). By varying the gun's angle of elevation with respect to the target vacuum chamber, impact angles from 0° to 90° relative to the gravitational vector are possible. This unique feature is extremely important in the study of crater formation processes. The target chamber

4444-582: The Aerodynamic Facility (HFFAF) and the Gun Development Facility (HFFGDF). The HFFAF is a combined Ballistic Range and Shock-tube Driven Wind Tunnel. Its primary purpose is to examine the aerodynamic characteristics and flow-field structural details of free-flying aeroballistic models. The HFFAF has a test section equipped with 16 shadowgraph-imaging stations. Each station can be used to capture an orthogonal pair of images of

4545-837: The Crewed Exploration Vehicle ( CEV ). The first AI in space ( Deep Space 1 ) was developed from Code TI, as is the MAPGEN software that daily plans the activities for the Mars Exploration Rovers , the same core reasoner is used for Ensemble to operate Phoenix Lander , and the planning system for the International Space Station 's solar arrays. Integrated System Health Management for the International Space Station 's control moment gyroscopes, collaborative systems with semantic search tools, and robust software engineering round out

4646-497: The ESA's Beagle 2 , which failed minutes after landing on Mars, NASA's Phoenix lander , which probed the environment for past and present planetary habitability of microbial life on Mars and researched the history of water, and NASA's Curiosity rover , currently probing the environment for past and present planetary habitability of microbial life on Mars. Astrobiological research makes a number of simplifying assumptions when studying

4747-640: The FAA, DOD, DHS, DOT, NTSB, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing. The center's flight simulation and guidance laboratory was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. Ames is the home of NASA's large research and development divisions in Advanced Supercomputing , Human Factors , and Artificial Intelligence (Intelligent Systems ). These Research & Development organizations support NASA's Exploration efforts, as well as

4848-457: The HiPAT. The main engine provides the majority of the thrust for spacecraft trajectory correction maneuvers. The control system thrusters are used for small maneuvers planned for the science phase of the mission. NASA Ames Research Center states that the design concept is best for a lunar orbiter, a lunar lander, spacecraft at Earth-Moon Lagrange points, missions to near Earth objects (NEO) or as

4949-535: The MCSB design received the Popular Mechanics 2014 Breakthrough Award for innovation in science and technology. The modular MCSB spacecraft bus structure has a versatile octagonal shape that can carry up to 50 kg (110 lb) of instruments so long as they can fit inside. The bus is made of a lightweight carbon composite and has the ability to perform on various kinds of missions, including voyages to

5050-547: The Solar System. In the 1960s-1970s, NASA established the Viking program , which was the first US mission to land on Mars and search for metabolic signs of present life; the results were inconclusive. In the 1980s and 1990s, the field began to expand and diversify as new discoveries and technologies emerged. The discovery of microbial life in extreme environments on Earth, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents, helped to clarify

5151-409: The atmospheres of planets : Scientists are studying the potential for life to exist in the atmospheres of planets, with a focus on the study of the physical and chemical conditions necessary for such life to exist, namely the detection of organic molecules and biosignature gases; for example, the study of the possibility of life in the atmospheres of exoplanets that orbit red dwarfs and the study of

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5252-409: The biosphere : Scientists are studying the ways in which human activities, such as deforestation, pollution, and the introduction of invasive species, are affecting the biosphere and the long-term survival of life on Earth. Long-term preservation of life : Researchers are exploring ways to preserve samples of life on Earth for long periods of time, such as cryopreservation and genomic preservation, in

5353-411: The building blocks of life- amino acids, nucleotides, and lipids- and how these molecules could have formed spontaneously under early Earth conditions. The study of impact events : Scientists are investigating the potential role of impact events- especially meteorites- in the delivery of water and organic molecules to early Earth. The study of the primordial soup : Researchers are investigating

5454-400: The conditions and ingredients that were present on the early Earth that could have led to the formation of the first living organisms, such as the presence of water and organic molecules, and how these ingredients could have led to the formation of the first living organisms. This includes the role of water in the formation of the first cells and in catalysing chemical reactions. The study of

5555-652: The conditions of the environments in which they reside, environmental stability is considered necessary for life to exist. This presupposes the necessity of a stable temperature , pressure, and radiation levels; resultantly, astrobiological research focuses on planets orbiting Sun -like red dwarf stars . This is because very large stars have relatively short lifetimes, meaning that life might not have time to emerge on planets orbiting them; very small stars provide so little heat and warmth that only planets in very close orbits around them would not be frozen solid, and in such close orbits these planets would be tidally locked to

5656-500: The conditions under which it can exist. As our understanding of life and the potential for it to exist in different environments evolves, these assumptions may change. Astrobiological research concerning the study of habitable environments in our solar system and beyond utilises methods within the geosciences. Research within this branch primarily concerns the geobiology of organisms that can survive in extreme environments on Earth, such as in volcanic or deep sea environments, to understand

5757-629: The continued operations of the International Space Station , and the space science and Aeronautics work across NASA. The center also runs and maintains the E Root nameserver of the DNS . The Intelligent Systems Division (Code TI) is NASA's leading R&D Division developing advanced intelligent software and systems for all of NASA Mission Directorates. It provides software expertise for earth science applications, aeronautics, space science missions, International Space Station , and

5858-705: The contributions of the scientists at Ames. This facility is currently closed. In 1999, Mark León developed NASA's Robotics Education Project — now called the Robotics Alliance Project ;— under his mentor Dave Lavery, which has reached over 100,000 students nationwide using FIRST robotics and BOTBALL robotics competitions. The Project's FIRST branch originally comprised FRC Team 254: "The Cheesy Poofs" , an all-male team from Bellarmine High School in San Jose, California . In 2006, Team 1868: "The Space Cookies" , an all-female team,

5959-482: The data that Google uses for its Google Moon and Google Mars projects. On 4 June 2008, Google announced it had leased 42 acres (170,000 m ) from NASA, at Moffett Field , for use as office space and employee housing. Construction of the new Google project which is near Google's Googleplex headquarters began in 2013 and has a target opening date in 2015. It is called "Bay View" as it overlooks San Francisco Bay . In May 2013, Google announced that it

6060-587: The detection of biosignatures, such as the use of remote sensing to search for biosignatures in the atmosphere of exoplanets. SETI and CETI : Scientists search for signals from intelligent extraterrestrial civilizations using radio and optical telescopes within the discipline of extraterrestrial intelligence communications (CETI). CETI focuses on composing and deciphering messages that could theoretically be understood by another technological civilization. Communication attempts by humans have included broadcasting mathematical languages, pictorial systems such as

6161-443: The diverse array of organisms we see today. Research within this topic is conducted utilising the methodology of paleosciences, especially paleobiology , for astrobiological applications. Astrobiology is a rapidly developing field with a strong interdisciplinary aspect that holds many challenges and opportunities for scientists. Astrobiology programs and research centres are present in many universities and research institutions around

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6262-450: The diversity and activity of microorganisms in environments such as deep mines, subsurface soil, cold glaciers and polar ice, and high-altitude environments. Research also regards the long-term survival of life on Earth, and the possibilities and hazards of life on other planets, including: Biodiversity and ecosystem resilience : Scientists are studying how the diversity of life and the interactions between different species contribute to

6363-407: The early magnetic field in protecting the Earth from harmful radiation and helping to stabilise the climate. This research has immense astrobiological implications where the subjects of current astrobiological research like Mars lack such a field. The study of prebiotic chemistry : Scientists are studying the chemical reactions that could have occurred on the early Earth that led to the formation of

6464-422: The emergence of life. The study of the early oceans : Scientists are investigating the composition and chemistry of the early oceans and how it may have played a role in the emergence of life, such as the presence of dissolved minerals that could have helped to catalyse the formation of organic molecules. The study of hydrothermal vents : Scientists are investigating the potential role of hydrothermal vents in

6565-412: The event of a catastrophic event that could wipe out most of life on Earth. Emerging astrobiological research concerning the search for planetary biosignatures of past or present extraterrestrial life utilise methodologies within planetary sciences. These include: The study of microbial life in the subsurface of Mars : Scientists are using data from Mars rover missions to study the composition of

6666-623: The facility was utilized for foam-debris dynamics testing in support of the Return To Flight effort. As of March 2007, the GDF has been reconfigured to operate a cold gas gun for subsonic CEV capsule aerodynamics. The Electric Arc Shock Tube (EAST) Facility is used to investigate the effects of radiation and ionization that occur during very high velocity atmospheric entries. In addition, the EAST can also provide air-blast simulations requiring

6767-436: The feasibility of potential life existing in harsh conditions. The development of new techniques for the detection of biosignatures, such as the use of stable isotopes, also played a significant role in the evolution of the field. The contemporary landscape of astrobiology emerged in the early 21st century, focused on utilising Earth and environmental science for applications within comparate space environments. Missions included

6868-425: The inner Solar System. By 1972, it supported the bold flyby missions to Jupiter and Saturn with Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 . Those two missions were trail blazers (radiation environment, new moons, gravity-assist flybys) for the planners of the more complex Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 missions, launched five years later. In 1978, the end of the program brought about a return to the inner solar system, with

6969-399: The lifting surfaces of aircraft. The 40 by 80 Foot Wind Tunnel is primarily used for determining the low- and medium-speed aerodynamic characteristics of high-performance aircraft, rotorcraft, and fixed wing, powered-lift V/STOL aircraft . The 80 by 120 Foot Wind Tunnel is the world's largest wind tunnel test section. This open circuit leg was added and a new fan drive system was installed in

7070-675: The limits of life, and the conditions under which life might be able to survive on other planets. This includes, but is not limited to: Deep-sea extremophiles : Researchers are studying organisms that live in the extreme environments of deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. These organisms survive in the absence of sunlight, and some are able to survive in high temperatures and pressures, and use chemical energy instead of sunlight to produce food. Desert extremophiles : Researchers are studying organisms that can survive in extreme dry, high temperature conditions, such as in deserts. Microbes in extreme environments : Researchers are investigating

7171-583: The national airspace. Automation and its attendant safety consequences are key foundations of the concept development. Historically, the division has developed products that have been implemented for the flying public, such as the Traffic Management Adviser, which is being deployed nationwide. For high-fidelity flight simulation, the division operates the world's largest flight simulator (the Vertical Motion Simulator),

7272-472: The necessary components for planetary habitability. Carbon and Organic Compounds : Carbon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe and the energy required to make or break a bond is at just the appropriate level for building molecules which are not only stable, but also reactive. The fact that carbon atoms bond readily to other carbon atoms allows for the building of extremely long and complex molecules. As such, astrobiological research presumes that

7373-515: The new technology of space exploration. In 1959, NASA funded its first exobiology project, and in 1960, NASA founded the Exobiology Program, now one of four main elements of NASA's current Astrobiology Program. In 1971, NASA funded Project Cyclops , part of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence , to search radio frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum for interstellar communications transmitted by extraterrestrial life outside

7474-455: The origin of life, as these environments may have provided the energy and chemical building blocks needed for its emergence. The study of plate tectonics : Scientists are investigating the role of plate tectonics in creating a diverse range of environments on the early Earth. The study of the early biosphere : Researchers are investigating the diversity and activity of microorganisms in the early Earth, and how these organisms may have played

7575-401: The palaeosciences. These include: The study of the early atmosphere : Researchers are investigating the role of the early atmosphere in providing the right conditions for the emergence of life, such as the presence of gases that could have helped to stabilise the climate and the formation of organic molecules. The study of the early magnetic field : Researchers are investigating the role of

7676-407: The pioneering techniques of contrast enhancement using Fourier analysis were developed at Ames in conjunction with researchers at ESL Inc. The NASA Ames Research Center wind tunnels are known not only for their immense size, but also for their diverse characteristics that enable various kinds of scientific and engineering research. The Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT) was completed in 1956 at

7777-435: The potential for extraterrestrial life, especially intelligent life, has been explored throughout human history within philosophy and narrative, the question is a verifiable hypothesis and thus a valid line of scientific inquiry; planetary scientist David Grinspoon calls it a field of natural philosophy, grounding speculation on the unknown in known scientific theory. The modern field of astrobiology can be traced back to

7878-604: The potential for microbial life in the upper atmosphere of Venus. Telescopes and remote sensing of exoplanets : The discovery of thousands of exoplanets has opened up new opportunities for the search for biosignatures. Scientists are using telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite to search for biosignatures on exoplanets. They are also developing new techniques for

7979-433: The project is "To create a human, technical, and programmatic resource of robotics capabilities to enable the implementation of future robotic space exploration missions." The federal government has re-tasked portions of the facility and human resources to support private sector industry, research, and education. HP became the first corporate affiliate of a new Bio-Info-Nano Research and Development Institute (BIN-RDI);

8080-608: The public to learn about local contributions to space exploration across the years. From models of spacecraft and genuine spacesuits from as early as the Mercury and Gemini missions to artifacts related to NASA's upcoming Artemis missions, the NASA Ames Visitor Center gives visitors access to over 80 years of Ames history and a look into current and future projects. Ames' expertise in wind tunnel testing, rover design and testing, space robotics, supercomputing, and more

8181-417: The research effort to date has centered on Earth atmosphere entry configurations (Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Shuttle), planetary entry designs ( Viking , Pioneer Venus , Galileo and MSL ), and aerobraking (AFE) configurations. The facility has also been used for scramjet propulsion studies ( National Aerospace Plane (NASP) ) and meteoroid/orbital debris impact studies ( Space Station and RLV ). In 2004,

8282-441: The resilience of ecosystems and their ability to recover from disturbances. Climate change and extinction : Researchers are investigating the impacts of climate change on different species and ecosystems, and how they may lead to extinction or adaptation. This includes the evolution of Earth's climate and geology, and their potential impact on the habitability of the planet in the future, especially for humans. Human impact on

8383-428: The role of minerals : Scientists are investigating the role of minerals like clay in catalysing the formation of organic molecules, thus playing a role in the emergence of life on Earth. The study of the role of energy and electricity : Scientists are investigating the potential sources of energy and electricity that could have been available on the early Earth, and their role in the formation of organic molecules, thus

8484-550: The scope of Code TI's work. The Human Systems Integration Division "advances human-centered design and operations of complex aerospace systems through analysis, experimentation, and modeling of human performance and human-automation interaction to make dramatic improvements in safety, efficiency and mission success". For decades, the Human Systems Integration Division has been on the leading edge of human-centered aerospace research. The Division

8585-550: The soil composition. Ames is also a partner on the Mars Science Laboratory and its Curiosity rover, a next generation Mars rover to explore for signs of organics and complex molecules. The Aviation Systems Division conducts research and development in two primary areas: air traffic management, and high-fidelity flight simulation. For air traffic management, researchers are creating and testing concepts to allow for up to three times today's level of aircraft in

8686-423: The star; whereas the long lifetimes of red dwarfs could allow the development of habitable environments on planets with thick atmospheres. This is significant as red dwarfs are extremely common. ( See also : Habitability of red dwarf systems ). Energy source : It is assumed that any life elsewhere in the universe would also require an energy source. Previously, it was assumed that this would necessarily be from

8787-560: The static and dynamic characteristics of new aircraft configurations. The acoustic characteristics of most of the full-scale vehicles are also determined, as well as acoustic research aimed at discovering and reducing aerodynamic sources of noise. In addition to the normal data gathering methods (e.g., balance system, pressure measuring transducers , and temperature sensing thermocouples), state-of-the-art, non-intrusive instrumentation (e.g., laser velocimeters and shadowgraphs) are available to help determine flow direction and velocity in and around

8888-439: The strongest possible shock generation in air at an initial pressure loading of 1 standard atmosphere (100 kPa) or greater. The facility has three separate driver configurations, to meet a range of test requirements: the driver can be connected to a diaphragm station of either a 102 millimeters (4.0 in) or a 610 millimeters (24 in) shock tube, and the high-pressure 102 millimeters (4.0 in) shock tube can also drive

8989-560: The study of the potential for life to exist on other planets. In the 1960s and 1970s, NASA began its astrobiology pursuits within the Viking program , which was the first US mission to land on Mars and search for signs of life . This mission, along with other early space exploration missions, laid the foundation for the development of astrobiology as a discipline. Regarding habitable environments , astrobiology investigates potential locations beyond Earth that could support life, such as Mars , Europa , and exoplanets , through research into

9090-517: The subsurface of Mars , searching for biosignatures of past or present microbial life. The study of liquid bodies on icy moons : Discoveries of surface and subsurface bodies of liquid on moons such as Europa , Titan and Enceladus showed possible habitability zones, making them viable targets for the search for extraterrestrial life. As of September 2024 , missions like Europa Clipper and Dragonfly are planned to search for biosignatures within these environments. The study of

9191-464: The team to perform indoor flight tests as fast as every 40 minutes in their laboratory, rather than waiting weeks or months for a time slot at an appropriate rocket testing facility. After a flight demonstration to top NASA officials, the system was selected as the bus for the planned Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) mission to the Moon, and the project awarded $ 80 million for further development and construction. On October 7, 2014,

9292-560: The technology behind the NEBULA Project in collaboration with Rackspace , launching OpenStack . OpenStack has subsequently become one of the largest and fastest growing open source projects in the history of computing , and as of 2014 has been included in most major distributions of Linux including Red Hat , Oracle , HP , SUSE , and Canonical . NASA Ames was one of the first locations to conduct research on image processing of satellite -platform aerial photography. Some of

9393-525: The user to maximize testing efficiency. The AHF can be configured with either a Hüls or segmented arc heater, up to 20-MW. 1 MW is enough power to supply 750 homes. The Arc Jet Complex was listed on the National Register in 2017. The Ames Vertical Gun Range (AVGR) was designed to conduct scientific studies of lunar impact processes in support of the Apollo missions. In 1979, it was established as

9494-474: The vast majority of life forms in the Milky Way galaxy are based on carbon chemistries , as are all life forms on Earth. However, theoretical astrobiology entertains the potential for other organic molecular bases for life, thus astrobiological research often focuses on identifying environments that have the potential to support life based on the presence of organic compounds. Liquid water : Liquid water

9595-514: The world's largest wind tunnel, part of the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex (NFAC): it is large enough to test full-sized planes, rather than scale models. The complex of wind tunnels was listed on the National Register in 2017. The 40 by 80 foot wind tunnel circuit was originally constructed in the 1940s and is now capable of providing test velocities up to 300 knots (560 km/h; 350 mph). It

9696-626: The world, and space agencies like NASA and ESA have dedicated departments and programs for astrobiology research. The term astrobiology was first proposed by the Russian astronomer Gavriil Tikhov in 1953. It is etymologically derived from the Greek ἄστρον , "star"; βίος , "life"; and -λογία , -logia , "study". A close synonym is exobiology from the Greek Έξω, "external"; βίος , "life"; and -λογία , -logia , "study", coined by American molecular biologist Joshua Lederberg ; exobiology

9797-425: Was NASA's first mission capable of finding Earth-size and smaller planets. The Kepler mission monitored the brightness of stars to find planets that pass in front of them during the planets' orbits. During such passes or 'transits,' the planets will slightly decrease the star's brightness. Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) was a joint venture of the U.S. and German aerospace agencies, NASA and

9898-789: Was founded in collaboration with the Girl Scouts. In 2012, Team 971: "Spartan Robotics" of Mountain View High School joined the Project, though the team continues to operate at their school. All three teams are highly decorated. All three have won Regional competitions, two have won the FIRST Championship , two have won the Regional Chairman's Award, and one is a Hall of Fame team. The three teams are collectively referred to as "House teams". The mission of

9999-433: Was generated by a photovoltaic system composed of 30 panels of silicon solar cells producing 295 W at one AU . The solar panels were mounted on the satellite's exterior surfaces and the electrical energy was stored in one lithium-ion battery providing up to 24 A·hs at 28 V . LADEE's propulsion system consists of an orbit control system (OCS) and a reaction control system (RCS). The OCS provides velocity control along

10100-624: Was launching the Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab, to be hosted by ARC. The lab will house a 512  qubit quantum computer from D-Wave Systems , and the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) will invite researchers from around the world to share time on it. The goal being to study how quantum computing might advance machine learning. Astrobiology Astrobiology (also xenology or exobiology )

10201-692: Was mission center for several key missions ( Kepler , the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph ) and a major contributor to the "new exploration focus" as a participant in the Orion crew exploration vehicle. Although Ames is a NASA Research Center, and not a flight center, it has nevertheless been closely involved in a number of astronomy and space missions. The Pioneer program 's eight successful space missions from 1965 to 1978 were managed by Charles Hall at Ames, initially aimed at

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