Jet Propulsion Laboratory (U.S.). Space Materials Science and Technology Section 355.

Hide Profile

Jet Propulsion Laboratory's (JPL), Section 355, Space Materials Science and Technology, in seeming contradiction to its name, dealt with the on-going scientific research and development of the Earth's natural resources (Earth Sciences), as well as the study of the planetary natural resources.

The division and section numbers and titles have changed throughout the years. The sequence of these changes are as follows: Section 345, Solid Propulsion and Environmental Systems, January 1976 - March 1979; Section 345, Chemical and Biological Process, April 1979 - December 1982; Section 345, Thermochemical Research and Systems, January 1983 - January 1985; Section 358, Thermochemical and Biological Systems, February 1985 - December 1985; Section 355, Applied Sciences and Microgravity Experiments, January 1986 - August 1990; Section 355, Space Materials Science and Engineering, September 1990 - June 1995 and Section 354, Science and Technology Development, July 1995 - Present.

This section's responsibilities were centered around maintaining expertise, providing support, performing theoretical and experimental research and developing advanced concepts in the following technologies: advanced materials, biotechnology, low temperature physics, advanced cryogenics systems and solid mechanics and rheology. The section was also involved with chemical systems and processes, space processing of materials, space experimental systems, surface and catalytic chemistry and high-energy impact physics.

The section was responsible for the following specific functions:

1. Conducting theoretical and experimental research on the chemistry, physics, rheology and fracture of metallic and non-metallic materials, including their environmental response.

2. Conducting theoretical and experimental research in the physics of materials at very low cryogenic temperatures and associated advanced cryogenic devices and systems.

3. Developing space flight experiments for the Microgravity Science and Applications Program and conducting associated ground-based experiments and development activities.

4. Managing space flight experiments under the Microgravity Science and Applications Program.

5. Conducting a program of research in biotechnology in areas of importance to JPL, NASA and the nation, with emphasis on Microbiology and Molecular genetics.

6. Performing the lead center role in the Department of Energy biocatalysis project.

One of the more noticeable projects that the section was involved with, was the JPL Activated Carbon Treatment System (ACTS) program. The ACTS program was a wastewater treatment process to prepare raw sewage for discharge to receiving waters. This was a one million gallon per day (1 MGD) pilot plant which was constructed by the County Sanitation Districts of Orange County (CSDOC) under an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Stage I Grant No. C-06-1073 at Huntington Beach, California. The Pilot Plant was designed to evaluate an Activated Carbon Treatment System for sewage that was conceived and developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory with the support of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Pilot Plant construction was started in September 1975 and was completed in April 1976. Hydraulic equipment checkout and start-up was initiated in March 1976 as pilot plant equipment installation was completed. Solids and gas handling equipment including the flash dryer and calciner were delayed in installation until April 1976. Process evaluation, including integrated pilot plant operation of the hydraulics and flash dryer - calciner solids processing system was initiated in May 1976.

Another notable project was the Coal Desulfurization by Low Temperature Chlorinolysis project. This was an engineering scale batch reactor system that was constructed and operated for the evaluation of five high sulfur bituminous coals obtained from Kentucky, Ohio and Illinois. This project, which was started in fiscal year 1976, was broken down into four phases and took approximately 16 months to complete. The construction was completed as scheduled. The Coal Desulfurization by Chlorinolysis production and test evaluation of Product Coals was conducted under a Department of Energy (DOE) Interagency Agreement for the period of September 1, 1981 through April 30, 1982. JPL and Pennsylvania State University conducted the work, which consisted of equipment modification and preparation for lab-scale and bench-scale testing and production of desulfurized coals. Production of Chlorinolysis and Chlorinolysis-hydrodesulfurized processed coals for combustion tests was carried out in the bench-scale batch reactor equipment. The outcome of these tests were remarkably successful.

Section 355 was also involved with some of JPL's unmanned space flight projects, such as the Nuclear Safety Review and Flight Approval Process for the Galileo and Ulysses spacecraft, which involved Hydrogen and Oxygen Explosion Environment Testing to analyze threat to Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) from fragments and centaur explosions. Also, the section was involved in the study of the Martian Surface and Atmospheric Effects on Mars Rovers, Landers and Balloons.

From the description of Space Materials Science and Technology Collection, 1976-1989. (Jet Propulsion Laboratory Library and Archives). WorldCat record id: 733100919

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Galileo project
Mars Rover Project
Ulysses Project
Viking project
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1976

Active 1989

Related Descriptions
Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6qc77s0

Ark ID: w6qc77s0

SNAC ID: 21908484