Analysis was done to determine fuel optimal translunar trajectories from Earth geostationary transfer orbit to a specified target lunar orbit for a small satellite navigation and communication mission. The study included the optimization of impulsive and finite burn transfers. The inclusion of finite burns was necessary due to the low thrust nature of a small satellite propulsion system. Finite burn optimization was achieved using suboptimal parameterization control theory. The orbital parameters of the initial Earth orbit as well as the target lunar orbit were varied to see how this affected the optimal transfer results. Additionally, two engine thrust levels were explored to find the impact on the fuel mass required. All optimization analyses were completed using Copernicus, a trajectory optimization software package developed at the University of Texas at Austin for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

On January 14, 2004, President George W. Bush announced the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE). The goals of the vision include developing a new generation launch capability while completing assembly of the International Space Station (ISS) and retiring the Space Shuttle by 2010. In support of this goal, the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) initiated evaluation of hardware, infrastructure, and workforce skill mix needed to continue Space Shuttle flights until the projected 2010 retirement. The SSP also studied how NASA will deploy personnel from, and use the facilities of, the SSP to ensure that the Space Shuttle operates safely through its final flight, and to ensure personnel and facilities from the SSP are effectively transitioned to NASA’s exploration programs. NASA funding, like other federal agencies, is affected by various factors including domestic and international political environments, current and emerging technologies available to meet agency goals, and sustainability and potential economic return of federal expenditures. In this paper I will present a retrospective analysis of federal budget allocations to NASA as a percentage of the Federal Budget from years 1958 to 2010 (adjusted to 1979 dollars). The classic method for calculating net present value (NPV) is not well suited for projecting potential value of future R&D technologies. A quantitative analysis of R&D technologies transferred to private industry will be presented, as well as a description of a method of evaluating their significance will discussed relative to current budgetary considerations will likely for past, current and upcoming funding cycles. The opportunity at hand for NASA’s transition from SSP to Constellation in support of the VSE initiative is to advocate their culture as R&D innovators and emphasize the future benefit of increased funding. / text

The purpose of this thesis is to bring forward and discuss the American vision for space exploration found at NASA's homepage, how the vision is popularised and why. NASA's homepage is analyzed as popularized science and the theoretical perspective emanates from the field of popular science and especially the work of Johan Kärnfelt. The historical reference is made up by Howard E McCurdy and he's thoughts about space and the American imagination. The analysis is based on a number of documents that popularize the vision for space exploration and is intended for the public. These documents describe the future plan for NASA and US space exploration. / Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka hur de amerikanska rymdvisionerna gestaltats på NASA:s hemsida, hur dessa populariseras samt vilka de bakomliggande drivkrafterna kan tänkas vara. NASA:s hemsida kommer att ses som populariserad vetenskap och det teoretiska perspektivet utgår från den populärvetenskapliga genren där en stor del av det teoretiska underlaget utgår från docenten Johan Kärnfelts tankar om populariseringen av vetenskap. Som historisk referens används professor Howard E. McCurdys tankar om den amerikanska rymdvisionen. Materialet som ingår i analysen är hämtat från NASA:s hemsida. Samtliga dokument handlar om den amerikanska visionen om rymden och USA:s fortsatta aktiviteter i rymden.

<p>The purpose of this thesis is to bring forward and discuss the American vision for space exploration found at NASA's homepage, how the vision is popularised and why. NASA's homepage is analyzed as popularized science and the theoretical perspective emanates from the field of popular science and especially the work of Johan Kärnfelt. The historical reference is made up by Howard E McCurdy and he's thoughts about space and the American imagination. The analysis is based on a number of documents that popularize the vision for space exploration and is intended for the public. These documents describe the future plan for NASA and US space exploration.</p> / <p>Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka hur de amerikanska rymdvisionerna gestaltats på NASA:s hemsida, hur dessa populariseras samt vilka de bakomliggande drivkrafterna kan tänkas vara. NASA:s hemsida kommer att ses som populariserad vetenskap och det teoretiska perspektivet utgår från den populärvetenskapliga genren där en stor del av det teoretiska underlaget utgår från docenten Johan Kärnfelts tankar om populariseringen av vetenskap. Som historisk referens används professor Howard E. McCurdys tankar om den amerikanska rymdvisionen. Materialet som ingår i analysen är hämtat från NASA:s hemsida. Samtliga dokument handlar om den amerikanska visionen om rymden och USA:s fortsatta aktiviteter i rymden.</p>