May 2012 

NASA/TM-2012-217574 

NESC-RP-06-066 

 

Flight Data Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) 

Repository 

Elmain M. Martinez and Daniel Winterhalter 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 
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May 2012 

NASA/TM-2012-217574 

NESC-RP-06-066 

 

Flight Data Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) 

Repository 

Elmain M. Martinez and Daniel Winterhalter 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 
Available from: 

NASA Center for AeroSpace Information 

7115 Standard Drive 

Hanover, MD 21076-1320 

443-757-5802 

The use of trademarks or names of manufacturers in the report is for accurate reporting and does not 

constitute an official endorsement, either expressed or implied, of such products or manufacturers by the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
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Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) Repository

March 29, 2012 

 
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Report Approval and Revision History 

NOTE: This document was approved at the March 29, 2012, NRB. This document was 

submitted to the NESC Director on April 4, 2012, for configuration control. 

Approved: Original Signature on File 4/10/12

NESC Director Date

Version Description of Revision Office of Primary 

Responsibility

Effective 

Date

1.0 Initial Release Dr. Daniel Winterhalter, 

Lead, JPL

3/29/2012
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Table of Contents 

Technical Assessment Report 

1.0 Notification and Authorization ..................................................................................................... 6

2.0 Signature Page ................................................................................................................................ 7

3.0 Team List ........................................................................................................................................ 8

4.0 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................... 9

4.1 Supporting Documentation ..................................................................................................10

5.0 Assessment Plan ........................................................................................................................... 11

6.0 Problem Description and Background ....................................................................................... 13

6.1 Collection Priorities .......................................................................................................... 14

7.0 Requirements Definition ............................................................................................................. 17

8.0 System Design and Development Activities ............................................................................... 17

8.1 Standards ........................................................................................................................... 17

8.2 Hardware Architecture ...................................................................................................... 17

8.3 Software Architecture ....................................................................................................... 19

8.4 EDL-R Customization ...................................................................................................... 20

8.4.1 Subject Recommender Subsystem .................................................................................... 21

8.5 Testing and Deployment ................................................................................................... 23

8.5.1 Testing .............................................................................................................................. 23

8.5.2 Deployment ....................................................................................................................... 25

9.0 Curation of the EDL-R ................................................................................................................ 25

9.1 Policies and Procedures .................................................................................................... 26

10.0 Application Features .................................................................................................................... 26

10.1 Main Page Overview ........................................................................................................ 26

10.2 Search and Browse Methods ............................................................................................. 27

10.3 Submission Process ........................................................................................................... 28

10.4 Electronic Notification ...................................................................................................... 29

10.5 Most Wanted List .............................................................................................................. 30

11.0 Administrative Features .............................................................................................................. 30

11.1 Administrative Roles ........................................................................................................ 30

11.2 User Accounts ................................................................................................................... 30

11.3 Review Process ................................................................................................................. 31

11.4 Statistics Generation ......................................................................................................... 31

12.0 System Security ............................................................................................................................ 32

12.1 NASA Requirements ........................................................................................................ 32

12.2 System Controls and Audits ............................................................................................. 32

12.3 EDL-R Access Controls .................................................................................................... 32

12.3.1 Authentication ................................................................................................................... 33

12.3.2 Authorization .................................................................................................................... 33

13.0 Operational Status .......................................................................................................................34

13.1 Maintenance and Preservation .......................................................................................... 34

13.2 Usage Statistics ................................................................................................................. 35
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13.3 Subject Coverage .............................................................................................................. 38

13.4 Current Archive Content and Status ................................................................................. 40

13.5 Summary of Material Pending Review ............................................................................. 44

13.6 Summary of Material Pending Submission ...................................................................... 45

13.7 Summary of Material to be Collected ............................................................................... 47

13.8 Summary of Material to be Researched ............................................................................ 49

14.0 Interaction with the EDL Community ....................................................................................... 50

14.1 Presentations ..................................................................................................................... 50

14.2 Links to the EDL-R ........................................................................................................... 51

14.3 EDL Community Contact Information ............................................................................. 51

15.0 Transfer of System to Sponsor .................................................................................................... 51

15.1 Transfer Agreement .......................................................................................................... 52

15.2 Hand-off Plan .................................................................................................................... 52

15.3 Looking Forward: Short- and Long-term Goals ............................................................... 52

16.0 Findings, Observations, and NESC Recommendations............................................................ 55

16.1 Findings ............................................................................................................................ 55

16.2 Observations ..................................................................................................................... 55

16.3 NESC Recommendation ................................................................................................... 55

17.0 Lessons Learned ........................................................................................................................... 56

18.0 Definition of Terms ...................................................................................................................... 56

19.0 Acronyms List .............................................................................................................................. 57

20.0 Appendices .................................................................................................................................... 59

List of Figures 

Figure 5.0-1. Task Phases ....................................................................................................................... 12

Figure 8.2-1. Hardware Layout of the EDL-R ....................................................................................... 18

Figure 8.3-1. EDL-R LAMP Stack ......................................................................................................... 19

Figure 8.3-2. High Level EPrints Processing ......................................................................................... 20

Figure 8.4-1. Subject Recommender Algorithm ..................................................................................... 22

Figure 8.4-2. The EDL-R Integrated with the Subject Recommender Subsystem Integrated ................ 23

Figure 10.1-1. EDL-R Main Page ............................................................................................................ 27

Figure 13.3-1. Example of EDL-R Subject Page ..................................................................................... 39

List of Tables 

Table 6.1-1. Candidate Missions ........................................................................................................... 14

Table 6.1-2. Examples of EDL Subjects ............................................................................................... 15

Table 6.1-3. Examples of Contemporary EDL Missions ...................................................................... 16

Table 8.5-1. EDL-R Release History .................................................................................................... 24

Table 10.3-1. Material Sensitivity Levels ............................................................................................... 29

Table 11.1-1. Administrative Role Definition......................................................................................... 30

Table 11.2-1. User Classifications .......................................................................................................... 31

Table 13.2-1. Number of Unique Visitors ............................................................................................... 35

Table 13.2-2. Valid and Invalid Access Attempts ................................................................................... 35

Table 13.2-3. Top Ten Downloaded Documents .................................................................................... 37
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Table 13.2-4. Popular Operating System used to Access the EDL-R ..................................................... 38

Table 13.2-5. Popular Browsers used to Access the EDL-R ................................................................... 38

Table 13.4-1. Total Number of EPrints Records ..................................................................................... 40

Table 13.4-2. EDL-R Archive by Type of Material ................................................................................ 41

Table 13.4-3. EDL-R Archive by Mission .............................................................................................. 41

Table 13.5-1. Material for Review by Type ............................................................................................ 44

Table 13.5-2. Material in Review per Mission ........................................................................................ 44

Table 13.6-1. Material Pending Submission ........................................................................................... 45

Table 13.7-1. Points of Contact for Material to be Collected ................................................................. 47

Table 13.8-1. Points of Contact for Material Research ........................................................................... 49
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Technical Assessment Report 

1.0 Notification and Authorization 

Dr. Daniel Winterhalter, the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Chief Scientist at the 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), requested the NESC sponsor a 3-year effort to collect entry, 

descent, and landing (EDL) material and to establish a NASA-wide archive to host the material 

electronically for secure access. The principal focus of this task was to identify EDL repository 

(EDL-R) material that was at risk of being lost due to damage, decay, and undocumented 

storage. To provide NASA-wide access to the EDL-R, a web-based digital archive was created. 

Dr. Winterhalter was appointed as the assessment lead and Mr. Lloyd Keith, NESC Chief 

Engineer at the JPL, was appointed as the deputy lead. 

Key stakeholders are NASA missions and programs that will benefit from technical and 

engineering material concerning EDL. During the task of collecting and analyzing EDL 

material, domain experts were consulted to assist the EDL-R team in identifying pertinent 

material. Experts aided in defining a universal set of metadata used to describe the EDL-R 

material. 

The final report was presented to the NESC Review Board (NRB) for approval on 

March 29, 2012. 

 
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2.0 Signature Page 

Submitted by: 

Team Signature Page on File – 5/8/12 

Dr. Daniel Winterhalter Date 

Significant Contributors: 

Ms. Elmain M. Martinez Date Mr. Raymond L. Keith Date 

Signatories declare the findings, observations, and NESC recommendations compiled in the 

report are factually based from data extracted from program/project documents, contractor 

reports, and open literature, and/or generated from independently conducted tests, analysis, and 

inspections. 
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3.0 Team List 

Name Discipline Organization

Core Team

Daniel Winterhalter Project Lead, NESC Chief Scientist JPL

Lloyd Keith Deputy Team Lead, NESC Chief Engineer for JPL JPL

Elmain Martinez Lead Systems Engineer JPL

Robert Blanchard EDL Systems Contractor (retired LaRC)

Prasun Desai EDL systems LaRC

Michael Gangl Software JPL

Steve Glendenning Software ARC

Michael Green EDL and TPS Systems Contractor (retired ARC)

Michael Kelly NESC Principal Engineer LaRC

Michael Knosp EDL-R Editor JPL

Laura Leybold MTSO Program Analyst LaRC

Richard Powell EDL Systems LaRC

Robert Powers Curation, Subject Classification Development JPL

Belinda Randolf Software JPL

Paul Romere EDL Systems Contractor (retired JSC)

Paul Seimers EDL Systems LaRC

Keith Shackelford Space Shuttle Program Archive, Databases ARC

Adrian Tinio Software and Databases JPL

Robert Tolson EDL Systems LaRC

Alan Wood Archive ARC

Xiaoyan Zhou Science Support JPL

Administrative Support

Erin Moran Technical Writer LaRC/ATK

Pam Sparks Project Coordinator LaRC/ATK
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4.0 Executive Summary 

The history of NASA’s flight vehicles provides a valuable, if not essential, tool for the design 

and development of spacecraft Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) systems. Although NASA 

missions have provided a wealth of EDL-related information, poor archiving procedures and 

conditions, and the lack of a common repository have led to a situation where much of the older 

data has been lost, or is at risk of being unusable. These are serious impediments for the EDL 

research and development community.

To begin to remedy this situation, the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) approved 

funding for the NASA EDL Data Repository (EDL-R) task. The scope of this task was to collect 

and preserve technical data that contributed to the research, development, and flight of EDL 

systems. This includes topics such as aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, atmospheric 

density and wind profiles, flight dynamics, parachute performance and testing, material science 

(ablators), EDL-pertinent ascent systems, and EDL-pertinent spacecraft telemetry. 

The principal objectives were to: 

1) Locate, collect, and analyze a prioritized set of EDL material from NASA missions. 

2) Prepare and archive material. 

3) Develop and deploy a NASA-wide EDL-R.

For achieving the objectives of this task, two approaches were taken: collect and archive EDL 

material for at-risk missions, and develop and deploy a digital library. The first approach was 

accomplished by identifying at-risk missions based on feedback from the EDL community. 

From there, the EDL-R team began contacting individuals for access to digital and hardcopy 

material. While the collection effort was underway, the developers began identifying 

requirements and performed a trade-study that led to the selection of the open-source digital 

archive tool EPrints (see eprints.org), which adheres to the Open Archives Initiative (OAI) 

(openarchives.org) and Dublin Core1(International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 

15836:2009, dublincore.org) standards. EPrints was customized to adhere to NASA’s document 

security requirements and was configured to capture unique EDL metadata. The first EDL-R 

version was deployed in 2008. Two additional releases have been deployed and collection 

efforts have continued in parallel. 

The most heavily used EDL-R features are the search and browse options. The easiest and 

fastest search is “Google-like” where the user specifies a keyword search. A more detailed 

search can be performed using the advanced search options. Five search categories are available: 

EDL subject keyword, author, mission, publication date, and item type. 

From the EDL-R curator’s point of view and from those who submit the materials, the 

submission workflow will guide the user through the five categories of information to be 

collected: the item type (e.g., report, video, or test data), item upload and sensitivity level, item 

 

1

 Dublin Core is a trademark of the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative Limited (USPTO 2519654). 
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description (e.g., title, author, and description), assigning keywords, and submitting the item for 

review. After this last step, the curator reviews the submission for relevance, completeness, 

accuracy, and works with the submitter to make any necessary corrections before releasing it for 

general access. 

Since the first deployment in 2008, the archive size has expanded to nearly 1,500 records with 

many records having more than one document attached, and over 1,000 more to be submitted 

and reviewed. Currently, the archive is represented by 46 mission categories, more than 

1,400 authors, and a broad spectrum of subjects (e.g., EDL subsystems, re-entry 

thermodynamics, parachute test data, aerodynamics, and ablator technology). As of this writing, 

there are 96 active users, which represent many NASA Centers and a variety of universities. 

The consensus among users is that this task has been a beneficial effort and many have begun 

using the EDL-R as a resource to locate EDL material for their work. Many users feel that the 

EDL-R software has the potential to be used as a digital library in other domains (e.g., Planetary 

Protection). Although there were several interruptions due to funding limitations, the EDL-R 

team stayed intact and was able to produce a useful tool and built-up a valuable collection of 

EDL material. The EDL-R has been transferred to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for 

continued growth and maintenance on a best-effort basis. Under this new sponsorship, the 

EDL-R will continue to be made available to the NASA and university communities. 

The findings, observations, and the NESC recommendation are discussed in Section 16.0, with 

the two most important aspects being: NASA should establish a practice of archiving 

engineering, and technical material and efforts should be made to collect EDL material from 

closed programs and retirees before that knowledge cannot be recovered. 

4.1 Supporting Documentation 

The following supporting documents provide EDL-R detailed information. To request these, go 

to universal resource locator (URL): http://www.nasa.gov/offices/nesc/home/index.html. 

● Initial NESC Proposal 

● Original EDL Repository Plan 

● EDL-R Requirements 

● EDL-R Trade-Study 

● EDL-R User’s Guide

● EDL-R Subject Classification 
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5.0 Assessment Plan 

The original charter to this NESC assessment was: 

“The motivation for this activity stems from the lack of a common repository of EDL 

data from previous atmospheric flight missions to aid in the design of future EDL 

systems. Recent missions to Mars will provide a wealth of information; however, much 

of the older data has been lost or is at risk of being unusable due to poor storage 

conditions.”

The scope of the EDL-R focused on technical data that contributed to the research, development, 

and flight of EDL systems. Therefore, the objectives of this assessment were: 

1) Locate, collect, and analyze a prioritized set of EDL data from NASA missions. 

2) Develop and deploy an EDL-R.

3) Digitize material and archive. 

The task was funded intermittently over 6 years for an aggregate of about 3 years of effective 

work with the goal of standing up an operational repository that was to be initially populated 

with at-risk material. 

With this focus, the EDL-R team generated a plan to meet these objectives. At the first meeting, 

the team revisited the objectives and established a high-level project plan and the requirements 

definition phase began with participation from stakeholders. These task phases are illustrated in 

Figure 5.0-1. 
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Figure 5.0-1. Task Phases 

The objective of the Solution Selection phase was to identify a tool that met the requirements. 

To do this, a trade-study was performed to review the features of the tools available, select tools 

were installed for further analysis, and then a tool was selected based on an assessment from the 

EDL-R team and user community (see supporting documentation, EDL-R Trade-Study, for 

details). It was discovered during this phase that no single tool would meet all functional 

requirements and adaptation would be required on any tool that would be selected. At the 

conclusion of the trade-study, the EPrints open-source digital library tool was selected 

(see www.eprints.org). 

The EDL-R team began the Solution Development phase by implementing required security 

features. For example, differing user authentication levels required that the system display only 

those records a user was authorized to view. Further customization was required to capture 

unique EDL metadata to describe the various types of material and content that would be 

gathered. Most of the adaptations were easily made via EPrints configuration files. 

System testing was performed by EDL-R team members and the intended user community. 

Formal system testing, conducted by the team, was performed on all EPrints features and 

adaptations. For User Acceptance testing, members from the EDL community were invited to 

exercise the various search options and submission process. The response was positive and 

usability suggestions were integrated before initial deployment in 2008. 
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6.0 Problem Description and Background 

NASA has accomplished great achievements over the course of its history, with each new 

success building upon past efforts. This evolution of technical accomplishments and growing 

knowledge has allowed NASA to reach farther than before. The Mars missions in the last 

decade demonstrated phenomenal engineering feats and incredible discoveries. Many not 

closely involved with these projects, including the public, have not appreciated the complexity of 

the mission EDL phase, including successes and failures. As a commitment to the future, NASA 

needs to ensure this engineering knowledge is not lost, and should take steps to preserve the 

engineering and technical information from the past to enable the future. 

Material can be at risk for a variety of reasons. Many of the early EDL missions took place at a 

time when digital storage was in its infancy and paper was the primary medium for storing 

information. Many of these documents have been lost to damage or placed in undocumented 

storage (e.g., warehouse, a file cabinet, or retiree’s personal files). With the “graying” of the 

NASA workforce, there are many documents and test data that continue to be at risk of being 

lost. 

The scope of this repository focuses on technical data that contributed to the research, 

development, and flight of EDL systems. In pursuit of this focus, the following tasks were 

undertaken: 

● Creation of a NASA accessible EDL-R 

● Acquisition of historical and current material 

• Development, test, and flight data 

• Transmitted sensor readings and telemetry from various missions 

• Software used to process EDL data 

• Reports and analyses 

• Supporting data (e.g., arc-jet testing, parachutes, etc.) 

• Bibliographic references to published papers 

The project was initially funded by the NESC in mid-fiscal year 2007 and funding continued 

intermittently through the first half of fiscal year 2012. The first year focused on defining 

requirements and evaluating open-source software solutions. In 2008, the EDL-R team had a 

working prototype system based on a customized version of EPrints. Shortly thereafter, the 

EDL-R was deployed and focus shifted to collecting and archiving material. 

A variety of disciplines is represented in the EDL-R that includes: 

● Aerodynamics 

● Thermal dynamics 

● Atmospheric science 

● Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) 

● Thermal protections systems (TPS) 
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● Separation systems 

● Descent and landing systems 

6.1 Collection Priorities 

With input from the EDL community, collection priorities were based on the drivers of: 

preserving material that was a risk of being lost, and to collect recent material that may be of 

interest to current EDL development efforts (e.g., Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) and 

Constellation Program (CxP) Orion Project). 

As outlined in the NESC proposal, the task sought to collect EDL material from the missions 

shown in Table 6.1-1. 

Table 6.1-1. Candidate Missions 

Mission Name Year Mission Type Planet

Fire2 1965 Entry Earth

Surveyor 1966-1968 EDL Earth

Apollo 1966-1975 EDL Earth

RAM-C 1967 Entry Earth

PAET 1971 Entry Earth

Viking I and II 1975 EDL Mars

Pioneer Venus (4 probes) 1978 EDL Venus

Galileo 1989 Entry Jupiter

Magellan 1989 Entry-Aerobraking Venus

Mars Global Surveyor 1996 Entry-Aerobraking Mars

Mars Pathfinder 1996 EDL Mars

Huygens 2005 EDL Titan

Mars Polar Lander 1999 EDL Mars

Stardust 1999 EDL Earth

Genesis 2001 EDL Earth

Mars Odyssey 2001 Entry-Aerobraking Mars
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Mission Name Year Mission Type Planet

Mars Exploration Rovers 2003 EDL Mars

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter 2005 Entry-Aerobraking Mars

Space Shuttle Program 1981-2011 EDL Earth

Once the EDL-R team was convened, the first priority was to determine which missions were 

deemed to have EDL material at-risk of being lost. Material for the following missions was 

considered high priority: 

● Viking 

● Galileo 

● Pioneer Venus 

● Stardust (Note: the mission had no agreement with NASA to archive Earth entry data) 

● Mars Orbiters and Landers 

● Mars Rovers 

● Space Shuttle Program (SSP) 

Table 6.1-2 shows examples of the types of EDL subjects that were being sought for completed 

missions: 

Table 6.1-2. Examples of EDL Subjects 

Examples of EDL Subjects

• Raw engineering flight data

• Time reference data

• Calibration, scale factors, etc.

• Aerodynamic data

• Mass properties 

• Software design documents

• Processed or reconstructed data

• EDL design, development, certification

With identifying priorities for the collection of EDL-related materials, the EDL-R team 

identified an initial strategy to collect this information. Key individuals were identified for each 

of the at-risk missions. These individuals acted as coordinators for locating and submitting the 

materials by identifying key community contacts that can help locate materials and by 

establishing a network of domain experts who could aid in the archival. 
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In addition to the at-risk material, the EDL-R team collected recent EDL materials, especially 

where the interest/need was high. For example, Apollo-era parachute studies were sought by 

MSL to aid in their testing. Since the SSP was retired in 2011, its EDL material was viewed as 

at-risk because a formal archive was not established. Fortunately, in the process of searching for 

at-risk material, a significant portion of the early EDL test data was found in a retiree’s library. 

Table 6.1-3 lists topical examples that have been collected from recent missions. 

Table 6.1-3. Examples of Contemporary EDL Missions 

Mission (examples) Citation Examples

Huygens Probe • EDL Trajectory Reconstruction

• Vertical Pressure Profile of Titan - Observations of the Huygens 

Atmospheric Structure Instrument and Pressure Profile Instrument

• Parachute Characteristics of Titan Descent Modules

Mars Phoenix Lander • Mars Phoenix Mission EDL Trajectory and Atmosphere Reconstruction

• Aerodynamics for the Mars Phoenix Entry Capsule

• Phoenix Mars Atmospheric Structure Experiment

MSL • Abort determination with non-adaptive neural networks for the Mars 

precision landers

• Real-time EDL Navigation Performance using Spacecraft to Spacecraft 

Radiometric Data

• Surface Catalysis Experiments on Metal Surfaces in Oxygen and Carbon 

Monoxide Mixtures

SSP and Space 

Transportation Systems

• Supersonic/Hypersonic Laminar Heating Correlations for Rectangular and 

Impact-Induced Open and Closed Cavities

• Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Vertical Takeoff Vertical Landing 

(Single Stage to Orbit Vehicle from M(sub infinity) = 0.1 to 10

• SSP transonic wind tunnel wall interference analysis

• Subsonic lift and drag characteristics of lifting and wing-body vehicle 

configurations

During this assessment, the EDL-R team discovered documents and videos that were not on the 

priority list, but were considered highly valuable. These materials include a video from the Little 

Joe abort test, parachute design papers from T.W. Knacke, A. Seiff’s library, Galileo Thermal 

Protection documents from the federal archives, and a number of documents concerning liftingbodies (e.g., HL-10 and X-38). 
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7.0 Requirements Definition

A rigorous set of requirements was developed to enable an objective evaluation of potential tools 

to be used to host the EDL material. After reviewing the documentation on digital library tools 

and evaluating three in detail (see EDL-R Trade-Study), it became clear that no single tool would 

meet all requirements. In addition, a number of processes needed to be put in place concerning 

user accounts and document sensitivity. As a result, the EDL-R team specified additional 

detailed requirements across a number of topics that were added to the list of basic requirements. 

See EDL-R Requirements document for the base and adaptation requirements.

All requirements were met with the exception #4302, which was to develop a separate webpage 

where users could request an account. Currently, users must contact the administrator to request 

an account. Although not considered a high priority, having a web-based method for users to 

requests accounts would simplify the entire process. 

8.0 System Design and Development Activities 

It was established early in the assessment that the majority of funding should concentrate on the 

collection and preservation of EDL material. Therefore, it was desirable to keep the cost of 

developing a repository system to a minimum. The EDL-R team sought to design a system 

independent of the supporting infrastructure it was developed in since the system would be 

transferred to a permanent sponsor at the end of the task. These factors were the driving force 

behind the architectural design of the hardware and software components. 

8.1 Standards 

The EDL-R adheres to the OAI and Dublin Core archival standards. The OAI standard 

represents a model for archival systems and establishes practices for the harvesting from other 

repositories that are OAI-compliant. This standard requires the archives to follow the Dublin 

Core standard for metadata. The EDL-R allows for the possibility of sharing with the NASA 

Scientific and Technical Information (STI) archive. Similarly, it may be worthwhile to the new 

sponsor to investigate whether there are OAI archives that hold EDL material. For more 

information on this standard, go to URL: http://www.openarchives.org/.

The EDL-R adheres to the Dublin Core standard. This standard was adopted by ISO in 2006 

with the goal of establishing a base set of metadata to be collected to describe the item being 

archived. The EDL-R follows the simple metadata element set, which defines 15 standard 

elements. To capture information unique to EDL, additional metadata elements were added. For 

example, “mission name” – to capture the mission that the material refers to, and “observation 

start/end” date  for recording the dates when data were taken. For further information on 

Dublin Core standard, go to URL: http://dublincore.org/documents/usageguide/.

8.2 Hardware Architecture 

The EDL-R hardware is hosted in a data center that is managed by the JPL Multi-mission Image 

Processing Laboratory. As shown in Figure 8.2-1, the hardware consists of: 
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● Two Redhat Enterprise Linux 5 Servers with Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® 3060 

2.4 gigahertz with 2 megabytes (MB) cache processors. Each server has 4 gigabytes 

(GB) memory and 80 GB of internal disk storage. One server has been assigned as the 

production server, while the other serves the dual purpose of being the development 

server and a failover backup to the production server. 

● External redundant array of independent disks (RAID) system with 4.5 terabytes (TB) of 

usable disk space attached to production server via Small Computer System Interface 

(SCSI). 

● External RAID system with 1.8 TB of usable disk space attached to development server 

via Universal Serial Bus (USB). 

Figure 8.2-1. Hardware Layout of the EDL-R 

Storage is provided by the external stand-alone RAID units, which are directly attached to the 

servers. This storage solution was used to remain independent of JPL’s internal storage options. 

To gain Internet access, the EDL-R servers are connected to the JPL internal network via GB 

interfaces. The JPL network, which is firewall-protected, guards against arbitrary connections 

originating from outside the network. Perimeter access requests have been approved to allow 

access to the EDL-R from outside the JPL network. 
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8.3 Software Architecture 

The EDL-R core system uses the open-source, digital library tool EPrints. This tool is used by a 

number of organizations and universities as an open-source software platform for building online 

and web-based repository systems (http://www.eprints.org/). The design of EPrints is based on 

the Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP/Perl/Python (LAMP) software architecture, which is an 

acronym for a solution stack that is made up of free and open-source software. These 

components work in conjunction to build general-purpose web server applications. 

See Figure 8.3-1. 

Figure 8.3-1. EDL-R LAMP Stack 

Linux provides the secure operating system environment where the components run and execute. 

Apache provides the web server environment for the EPrints web application. MySQL provides 

the relational database back-end to store metadata information. Finally, Perl is the source code 

language that implements the logic and integrates the other components together to provide the 

functionalities for the EDL-R. Figure 8.3-2 depicts the high level processing that occurs for each 

EPrints request.
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Figure 8.3-2. High Level EPrints Processing 

When a request is made to the EPrints system, the various Perl programs query data from the 

MySQL database manager to retrieve EPrints metadata. With the use of EXtensible Markup 

Language (XML) configurations and the data retrieved from the database, the Perl programs 

generate the “views” or the web pages, which are served to the user by the web server. 

8.4 EDL-R Customization 

The EPrints system is made up of two main components: the core archiving software component 

and the site-specific component. The core archive component provides the general 

functionalities required for an archive. The site-specific component provides details about what 

is stored in the archive, how it is presented, and how it can be made accessible to the users. The 

EPrints system is a fully functional repository system. However, to meet the specific needs of 

the EDL-R, the core archive component and the site-specific component of EPrints required 

modification.

The following is a list of the major EPrints customizations to meet the EDL-R requirements: 

1. Authentication and Authorization 

a. Modified EPrints to prevent “dark data” (i.e., International Traffic in Arms 

Regulation (ITAR), and Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU)) from being shown to 

unauthorized users. Dark data, in this context, is any piece of information that 

gives evidence of sensitive information to unauthorized users. EPrints was 

modified so that browse views, citation pages, and search results only contain 

information that the user is authorized to access. 

2. Security 

a. The EPrints was modified to enforce NASA requirements on the use of password 

strength and aging. 

b. Virus scanning was added for every document uploaded. 

c. Utilized the secure socket layer (SSL) for encrypted connections, which ensures 

secure communication between the client and server. 
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d. Configured to be a login-only repository, which requires a user to be logged-in to 

perform any operation. 

3. Workflow 

a. Added a “Curator Only” sensitivity level, which prevents the document and the 

associated EPrints record from going to the live repository. 

4. Interface 

a. Modified the submission Details page to include EDL-related metadata. 

b. Added batch upload via Excel® spreadsheet. 

c. Updated the Subject tree to reflect the EDL disciplines. 

d. Modified Subject Selection interface to perform bulk subject selections. This 

allows the user to select multiple subject keywords with fewer mouse clicks. This 

improves the general usability of the subject selection interface and performance 

as this method requires less interaction from the server when selecting multiple 

subjects. 

e. Implemented a Subject Recommender Subsystem that preselects subject 

keywords based on the material’s title and description. 

5. Miscellaneous 

a. Implemented a capability to edit, manage, and post a list of “Most Wanted” 

materials. 

b. Integrated the statistics gathering packages to collect data and provide graphical 

reports on which material is being accessed, how much it is being accessed, and 

who is accessing the data. 

8.4.1 Subject Recommender Subsystem 

The EDL-R employs a multi-step submission workflow. One such step is to specify 

bibliographic type of metadata (e.g., title, description, and author) to describe the material. 

Another is to assign the appropriate subjects from a predefined subject list. The Subject 

Recommender Subsystem attempts to augment the subject assignment step by automatically 

classifying the material based on the title and description. The Subject Recommender Subsystem 

utilizes a Naïve Bayes document classifier.

The Naïve Bayes is a machine-learning-based classifier and is a statistical method that has been 

successfully applied to automatic document classification. This method is based on Bayes’

theorem for computing the conditional probability that a given document belongs to a category. 

The machine-learning (ML) algorithm is divided into two main phases: learning and 

classification. The learning phase is an inductive process that automatically builds a classifier or 

a model by observing the characteristics of a set of documents that have previously been 
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manually classified by a domain expert. This type of learning process is known as supervised 

learning since it is supervised by the predefined categories of the training data that belong to 

each category. The classification phase then uses the model built in the learning phase to 

classify new documents. Figure 8.4-1 illustrates this process. 

Figure 8.4-1. Subject Recommender Algorithm 

Supervised learning approach. The ML algorithm receives training data as input to generate a black box 

model that is used to classify new data. 

Other methods for automatic document classifications were considered (e.g., the use of neural 

networks and support vector machines). Ultimately, the Naïve Bayes method was selected 

because it provided fast training and classification time with reliable classification accuracy. 

Since the EDL-R/EPrints is a software system that is written in the Perl programming language, 

choosing a machine-learning package written in Perl to implement the Subject Recommender 

Subsystem made the integration easier. The machine-learning package used was the 

AI::Categorizer package, which is a Perl framework for automatic text categorization. It consists 

of a collection of Perl modules that implement common categorization tasks and a set of defined 

relationships among those modules. It provided an implementation for the Naïve Bayes 

classifier and the flexibility to use different classifier implementations (e.g., support vector 

machines (SVM) and other classifiers). 

Following the model of supervised ML methods, the Subject Recommender Subsystem is 

composed of three main modules: learner, classifier, and a preprocessor. The learner module is 

responsible for taking in the training documents and building a model. The classifier module 

uses the model built by the learner module to classify incoming documents. The preprocessor 

module consists of utilities to convert the documents into feature vectors with the appropriate 

format for the Naïve Bayes classifier. The classifier and preprocessor modules are integrated 

into the EDL-R software. The learner module sits outside of the EDL-R software and can be 
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treated as a separate process. Figure 8.4-2 shows the high-level EDL-R architecture with the 

integrated Subject Recommender Subsystem. 

Figure 8.4-2. The EDL-R Integrated with the Subject Recommender Subsystem Integrated 

Subject Recommender Subsystem components in red/dashed boxes.

8.5 Testing and Deployment 

8.5.1 Testing 

A test plan was prepared for each of the three deployed releases. Each plan defined the 

deliverables and described test cases for new features and bug fixes. Table 8.5-1 describes the 

schedule of releases.
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Table 8.5-1. EDL-R Release History

Release # Date Description

1 April 2008 This was the first version that was used to begin archiving material.

2 August 2009 This release contained a number of improvements suggested by the team: the 

addition of Browse by Mission, additional Advanced Search fields, 

additional controlled keywords, URL verifier, and a virus checker for 

uploaded files. The team conducted the User Acceptance test with this 

release.

3 December 

2009

Last major EDL-R release. The Subject Recommender Subsystem and 

statistics packages for monitoring usage were added. More controlled 

keywords and a new feature to import data in other formats were added. 

Documentation was updated for the user and curator.

For the three system tests, EDL-R team members were recruited to exercise the test cases. This 

proved helpful in getting alternate perspectives on how features should work and it allowed team 

members to verify bug fixes and explore new system features. 

As summarized in Table 8.5-1, the second release included the User Acceptance test. For this 

test, the EDL-R team prepared test scenarios for the two most popular features: search and 

material submission. Users were invited to comment on the organization of the main page, to 

peruse the documentation on the site (e.g., frequently asked questions (FAQs)) and to provide 

recommendations for improvement. 

The following is a summary of the feedback provided by the EDL community: 

● NASA requirement password rules were strict. 

● Main page organization was favorable. 

● Navigation issues with the Most Wanted List were identified that resulted in a fix. 

● Confusion on the Advanced Search field terminology prompted improvements to the inline documentation. 

● Document batch upload worked as expected. 

● Confusion on whether delimiters should be used to separate words in the uncontrolled 

keyword field, which prompted clarification in the in-line documentation. 
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8.5.2 Deployment 

There are two EDL-R deployed systems: operational and development. As the name implies, the 

development system is used primarily for developing capabilities, bug fixes, and systems tests. 

Towards the end of each release cycle, the development system is frozen so that official testing 

can proceed without the developer introducing new changes to the system.

The successful completion of formal testing marks the start of the deployment of the new release 

to the production server. The deployment of the EDL-R software involves three major phases: 

release, installation, and activation. The release phase involves committing new and modified 

code to Subversion, the project’s version control system. A new release is tagged with a release 

label or identifier when committed to Subversion. Installation involves syncing the operational 

system with the newly committed EDL-R release from Subversion. After this step, the 

operational system software is upgraded to the latest version. Part of the installation phase 

includes loading any new or modified database tables, stored procedures, or triggers, modifying 

host specific configurations, and installing EDL-R/EPrints web server configuration. The 

activation phase involves restarting the Apache web server to see the updated release. 

9.0 Curation of the EDL-R

The person responsible for managing and expanding the EDL-R collection is referred to as the 

curator. This person is required to be familiar with digital library practices, metadata standards, 

and trends in technology that define widely used file formats. Ultimately, the curator’s role is to 

ensure that material stored in the EDL-R is technically relevant and preserved for current and 

future NASA EDL missions. 

The curator performs many different functions, such as researcher, site administrator, user 

support, and marketing. To perform operational tasks, the curator is assigned EDL-R 

administrator permissions, grants privileges to create and manage user accounts, submits records, 

makes changes to live records, and generates usage statistics. In addition to this, the curator is 

responsible for: 

 Actively seeking EDL material from public and NASA sources. 

 Reviewing material for appropriate release approvals and sensitivity restrictions.

 Providing assistance to submitters and users seeking material. 

 Verifying that all URL references continue to be valid.

 Preservation activities, such as file format migration.

 Coordinating software and system upgrades. 

 Reporting status to management.

 Promoting the EDL-R via NASA channels and relevant meetings/conferences. 
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9.1 Policies and Procedures

Policies and procedures have been implemented for the use, operation, and management of the 

EDL-R. In addition to the NASA security and Information Technology (IT) policies, key 

policies concerning access and archival under which the EDL-R operates include: 

 Material is only available to NASA representatives (i.e., civil servant or contractor) and 

affiliates (See Table 10.3-1 for a definition of user classifications). 

 Create a reference to material located in copyrighted and public archives (e.g., American 

Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Planetary Data System instead of storing a 

copy). However, highly-relevant public material may be duplicated for convenience 

purposes. 

 Periodically transfer unique material to STI, per their request. 

 Submitters and owners of material can request that documents be withdrawn.

Detailed procedures, in the form of User’s Guides, have been defined to aid the user and the 

curator. Only the former is available on the EDL-R.

10.0 Application Features 

The following sections highlight some of EDL-R’s main features.

10.1 Main Page Overview 

The main page is the starting point for all EDL-R functions: documentation, Search, Browse, 

Most Wanted List edits, Submission workflow, and access to a user’s Profile. Figure 10.1-1 is 

an example of the main page.
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Figure 10.1-1. EDL-R Main Page 

The main page has three major sections. The left-hand side contains general information 

(e.g., policies, a user’s guide, and contact information), a link to initiate a submission and 

instructions on how to submit via e-mail, and website statistics. The middle section contains 

links to the various search methods: Browse, Simple, and Advanced search. The bottom of this 

section has links to the Most Wanted List. The right-hand side lists two sections: one listing the 

most recently added items and another that contains a list of other EDL-related web sites. 

10.2 Search and Browse Methods 

The EDL-R provides a number of search and browse methods for the identification and retrieval 

of relevant materials. The Quick and Simple search capabilities allow keyword searching of the 

following fields: 

● Submission title 

● Item description 

● Author name(s) 
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● Publication date 

● Uncontrolled (subject) keywords 

● Submission content 

Quick search provides an intuitive “Google-like” search box at the top of each page with the 

results sorted by title, while Simple search give users the added flexibility of sorting results by 

year, author’s name, or title. 

Advanced search allows the user to build a targeted search by specifying a variety of different 

criteria. This search combines the criteria using the AND Boolean operator. The search criteria 

can be saved for re-use.

The browse options are integrated into the user interface. Browsing can be done by Year, 

Subject, Author, Mission, or document Type. The browse by Subject provides a good way to 

peruse the various topics covered in the EDL-R. Alternatively, browsing by Mission or Author is 

a fast way to navigate down to a level where browsing can be done at the citation level. 

Underneath the Quick and Simple tools is the Apache open-source Lucene search engine 

(http://lucene.apache.org/). One of the main features of this engine is its full-featured text 

indexing. This allows any uploaded document that is formatted as .txt, .pdf, or .doc to have 

keywords indexed. This greatly improves the search experience and compliments the searchable 

metadata stored with each EDL-R record. 

10.3 Submission Process 

Registered users can submit material into the EDL-R by entering information into web-based

forms. The process is divided into five distinct stages: Type, Upload, Details, Subjects, and 

Deposit. Related to this, each user has a work area where submissions-in-progress can be stored 

until they are completed and ready for submission.

The Type stage involves selecting the type or kind of material that is being added to the 

repository. The customized item types that are available to choose from in the EDL-R includes 

book, book section, dataset/data, model/simulation, presentation, publication, report, review, 

study, teaching material, and test results. There is also an Other item type that can be selected 

for material that does not fit into any of the 11 distinct item types. A description is provided for 

each of the item types to help the depositor select the appropriate type. 

The next step in the submission workflow is the Upload stage. In this stage, the depositor is 

presented with an interface to upload the material to the system. It is also in this stage that the 

depositor specifies the format and the sensitivity level. The EDL-R has a list of formats that 

include various image, video, and application formats that are natively recognized. However, 

any formats are accepted. The sensitivity level specifies who has access to the material once it is 

in the repository. There are six customized sensitivity levels: Public, Copyright, NASA-Sensitive, 

ITAR, NASA-Sensitive ITAR, and Curator-Only, as shown in Table 10.3-1. 
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Table 10.3-1. Material Sensitivity Levels 

Sensitivity 

Level

Description

Public The item is publicly available (i.e., can be found via Internet search or public archives). 

Material is accessible by all registered users.

Copyright Used when an item is copyrighted. If the document is uploaded, then a letter of 

permission is required. Material is accessible by all registered users.

NASASensitiveUsed to describe SBU material; appropriate marking language must be included. 

Material is only accessible to NASA employees and NASA contractors.

ITAR Used to indicate that the uploaded document is ITAR-restricted; appropriate marking 

language must be included. Material is only accessible to United States (U.S.) persons.

NASASensitive ITARAn item is NASA-sensitive and ITAR-restricted; appropriate marking language must 

be included. Material is only accessible to NASA employees who are U.S. persons.

Curator-Only Used to hold material for investigative purposes or until permission for release has 

been given. Only the Editor/Reviewer/Admin can see these submissions.

The bibliographic information about the material (e.g., title, author, and publisher) is specified in 

the Details stage. This step in the workflow has been customized to capture EDL information 

that will help preserve the material and will provide a rich set of search criteria. Some fields are 

required and if not filled-in will generate a warning at the top of the page. The system will not 

allow a submission to be deposited if any required fields are blank. 

The Subjects stage involves selecting the subjects or keywords that are most appropriate to the 

material being submitted. In this stage, a predefined subject tree is presented from which the 

user can choose any number of keywords that best describe the material. An Uncontrolled 

Keyword text field is provided for free-form words or phrases that are not found in the subject 

tree. 

The final step in the submission workflow is to submit the material to the repository. This is 

performed in the Deposit stage. When the user clicks on the Deposit button, they are 

acknowledging that the necessary steps have been taken to vet the material for appropriateness 

and distribution, and that any required marking language has been added. 

10.4 Electronic Notification

The EDL-R has a feature that informs registered users when new material has been added to the 

repository. A user can set up a notification by saving search criteria and then indicating how 

often the search should be automatically run. Users are notified of new items via e-mail. 
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10.5 Most Wanted List 

The Most Wanted list is where a user can create a public request for material on a particular EDL 

subject or for a specific document. Since the postings in the Most Wanted list are located on the 

login page, any person that goes to the EDL-R can see this list. An e-mail contact link is 

provided to facilitate direct correspondence. 

Only a registered user can create a Most Wanted request. A link on the main page allows the 

user to create a posting. However, only the EDL-R administrator can remove a posting. 

11.0 Administrative Features 

11.1 Administrative Roles 

The EDL-R has three administrative roles (Table 11.1-1), which provide access to increasing 

levels of control of the archive content and site administration. 

Table 11.1-1. Administrative Role Definition 

Administrative 

Roles

Access

Reviewer Can view submissions that are in Review. However, a Reviewer cannot release 

submissions from Review to the live repository.

Editor Has Reviewer privileges. In addition, an Editor can move submissions from Review 

to the live repository and vice-versa reject submissions, edit submissions that are in 

Review and live repository, and delete submissions.

Administrator Has Editor privileges, and has access to all administrative functions on the webpage, 

history logs, detailed statistics, and user accounts.

11.2 User Accounts 

Since the EDL-R is a NASA tool, access is based on the requestor’s affiliation with a NASA 

EDL-related task/mission and citizenship. The site is not available to the public or offered for 

commercial use.

When an account is created, a user type must be specified. This sets the user’s authorization 

level that controls the types of sensitive material that can be accessed since the site contains SBU 

and ITAR material. Table 11.2-1 shows the user types, definitions, and level of access. 
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Table 11.2-1. User Classifications 

User Type Definition Access

Non-U.S. Affiliate A foreign person who is not a NASA representative 

(i.e., civil or contractor), but collaborates with NASA.

Public material.

U.S. Affiliate A U.S. person who is not a NASA representative, but 

collaborates with NASA.

ITAR and public material.

Non-U.S. NASA 

Employee

A foreign person who is a NASA representative. NASA SBU and public 

material.

U.S. NASA 

Representative

A U.S. person who is a NASA representative. NASA SBU, ITAR, and 

public material.

Reviewer An authorized U.S. NASA representative who can 

review and release submissions.

NASA SBU, ITAR, and 

public material.

Editor An authorized U.S. NASA representative who can edit 

released submissions and has Reviewer privileges.

NASA SBU, ITAR, and 

public material.

Administrator An authorized U.S. NASA representative who has 

access to the entire website content and can 

create/change/delete user accounts.

NASA SBU, ITAR, and 

public material.

11.3 Review Process 

Deposited materials are reviewed before being released to the community. Once a submission 

has been deposited it is held in a temporary review area where the Reviewer or Editor evaluates 

the metadata for completeness and accuracy, condition of the submitted material (e.g., quality of 

scanned documents), and the appropriateness of the material being submitted. 

After the material has been reviewed, the Editor has three courses of action. If the submission 

does not pass the review process, then the Editor will return the item to the depositor with a 

description of what needs to be corrected, or delete the item if it is not relevant. Both of these 

actions will generate an e-mail message to the depositor explaining the issue and actions to be 

taken. When the submission passes the review process, then the Editor can release it to the 

operational system where it becomes available to users. 

11.4 Statistics Generation 

Two plug-in statistics packages have been configured to track EDL-R usage. The IRStats tool 

comes with EPrints and it provides a number of reporting options that are generated in real-time 

(e.g., downloads, unique visitors, top ten downloads, and a comma-separated values file) that can 

be used for further analysis. The AWStats package is an open-source log analyzer that reports 

on various web site usage statistics (e.g., number of visits, visit duration, host Internet Protocol 
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(IP) addresses, most viewed pages, and browsers used). These tools provide an in-depth view of 

the historical usage.

12.0 System Security 

12.1 NASA Requirements 

The EDL-R adheres to the guiding NASA security requirements defined in: 

 NASA Procedural Requirement: 2810.1, NASA Information Security Policy 

 NASA Procedural Requirement: 2810.1, Security of Information Technology 

 NASA Procedural Requirement: 1600.1, NASA Security Program Procedural 

Requirements 

 NASA Interim Directive: 5.24 Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) Controlled Information, 

NID 1600-55 

Links to these and the related applicable documents are located at 

http://www.nasa.gov/offices/ocio/itsecurity/index.html. 

These documents describe the rules and practices to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of 

equipment and data. The following sections describe the steps taken to meet these requirements. 

12.2 System Controls and Audits 

The EDL-R hardware is physically secured in an access-controlled computer room. Access to 

this room is limited to the system and hardware administrators. The health and safety of the 

systems are constantly monitored and any incidents are reported to the administrators. 

The JPL IT Security performs random scans on the operational and development servers. These 

scans are performed to identify software vulnerabilities and security weak points. The system 

administrators are notified of the scan results, especially when security violations have been 

identified. For each identified violation, a Security Problem Log ticket is issued, which the 

administrator must address. The scan results are assessed by the JPL IT Security and a full 

system audit is performed if the scans consistently reveal security violations. The audits are 

intended to assess how well the systems comply with the security policy with regard to hardware 

criticality and data sensitivity. These reports are gathered and reviewed by the JPL IT Security. 

Access to the machines is controlled on two levels: machine logins are restricted to the 

developers and administrators, and system directories and files are controlled by access-control 

lists that are managed by the system administrators. 

12.3 EDL-R Access Controls 

Access to the EDL-R is controlled by a user’s authentication and authorization. The 

authentication process is enforced by a login, which requires a valid user name and password. 

The authentication process is accomplished by verifying that the user is affiliated with NASA 

and verifying their U.S. citizenship. This is done using NASA’s employee directory and may 
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involve contacting the requestor’s supervisor to confirm affiliation and citizenship. With this 

information, the EDL-R administrator can determine the user’s authorization (classification) 

level (see Table 11.2-1 for a list of user classifications). The following sections describe how 

EDL-R authentication and authorization are implemented.

12.3.1 Authentication 

Authentication consists of a valid user name and password. To implement this, the default 

EPrints configuration had to be changed from open access to password-only access. The 

password-only configuration uses the SSL for all interactions, including login. These alterations 

required the definition of a comprehensive rule set for the passwords (including length and 

special characters), including keyboard patterns, and dictionary-based checking. 

With these password requirements, a custom aging component was built into the existing 

repository and database. The aging script can be configured for any variable amount of days, 

and sends reminder e-mails regarding password expiration 1 and 2 weeks prior to expiration. 

Once a password expires, only a repository administrator has the ability to reset it. Users can 

request a reset by clicking the Contact the Curator e-mail link on the login page. 

12.3.2 Authorization 

The EDL-R authorization policy is similar to that used by NASA STI (i.e., a specific user 

authorization level is set at the time a user account is created and this controls what the user is 

allowed to see and do). To control access to the various types of material, the EDL-R 

established a policy to only display information that the user is authorized to see. Implementing 

this policy required a new capability to be implemented in EPrints to filter the browse list and 

search results based on a user’s authorization level. For example, the EDL-R will intercept 

search results before being displayed to the user and determines if the sensitivity of the document 

maps to the user authorization level. If any documents do not match, then they are removed 

from the results. If access is granted, then the result is passed to the screen processor for display. 

This same methodology is used for the saved searches that users can use to find or store 

information that has been previously searched. Because users can search via other users’ saved 

searches, this is needed to be a dynamic filter completed in real time. If a user attempts to access 

a document via the EDL-R search URL and it does not match his/her authorization level, then an 

“access denied” message is displayed. 

Browse pages are different because they are not generated dynamically like search results. 

Instead, the browse contents are created once per day for each user type. This means each user 

type has its own browse page that it will be authenticated against. This policy means that a user 

can only see information they are authorized to see; there are no hints or clues that are displayed 

to suggest that other documents exist. To capture attempts to circumvent these controls 

(e.g., typing in a URL directly into the address bar of a browser), the EDL-R performs 

authentication in the background for all requests to browse pages, giving a 403 forbidden error 

when a user attempts to access an unauthorized access browse page. 
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From the administrator’s perspective, the EDL-R has authorization levels for submissions and 

system management. Each type of EDL-R administrator (e.g., Editor, Reviewer, and 

Administrator) has a specific role that limits the types of changes that can be performed on a 

submission depending on where the submission is in the workflow process. The highest level of 

access is reserved for the Administrator. In addition to being able to modify a submission at any 

step in the workflow process, the Administrator can modify the system settings and subject tree, 

view system status and submission histories, and create user accounts. 

For the next major EPrints upgrade, a goal is to interface with the NASA Lightweight Directory 

Access Protocol (LDAP) for authentication and authorization. This would eliminate the need for 

a separate password checking and aging component because all of the information is stored and 

retrieved in a central location. 

13.0 Operational Status 

13.1 Maintenance and Preservation 

Maintaining the EDL-R archive encompasses two aspects: system maintenance and material 

preservation. System maintenance involves the periodic installation of operating 

system/database upgrades and patches. The scope includes expenses related to hardware 

replenishment. For this, it is suggested the servers be replenished every five years to avoid 

hardware failures due to age and to take advantage of higher performance machines. Since the 

EDL-R servers were purchased in 2007 they are due for replenishment in 2012. 

EPrints upgrades are less frequent since this requires porting customized software 

(e.g., password checking and aging). EDL-R is currently on EPrints version 3.01, but should be 

upgraded to version 3.3.7 to take advantage of a number of bug fixes and new features. For a list 

of features per version, go to URL: http://wiki.eprints.org/w/New_Features_in_EPrints_3.1. 

Material preservation is a more challenging aspect of maintenance. The preservation strategy is 

based not only on archival standards, but also by paying close attention to technology changes 

and the file formats needed by the EDL community. File format changes could mean the lack of 

support for a particular file format or the increasing popularity of a new format. Fortunately, 

major shifts in file format usage are infrequent. However, when format changes occur, tools will 

need to be employed to search the EDL-R database/file system for old formats, then migrate 

these formats to the new format, and save the migrated file in the EDL-R record with the old 

format. Once the popularity of the old format has waned sufficiently, then the old format can be 

removed. There may be a few cases where the migration path may be uncertain, and better 

conversion processes may evolve over time. It is important to keep the original format until 

migration processes are stable and robust. 

Another preservation activity is maintaining changes to the metadata (e.g., document sensitivitylevel changes). Government policies and procedures for marking and handling of government 

information are evolving and, in some cases, becoming more open. It is important that the 

materials in the EDL-R be reviewed on a periodic basis to meet current requirements. The 
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curator will need to review all ITAR records for changes to the sensitivity level and marking 

language. 

Because the EDL archive adheres to archival interface standards defined by the OIA, all material 

can be copied to an alternate archive that complies with the same standard. This flexibility 

allows all material and metadata to be moved to an alternate archival system, whether it is a 

successor to the EDL-R or an improved archival tool. 

13.2 Usage Statistics 

This section describes various usage aspects. The system tracks the IP address of each 

visitor/user who accesses the EDL-R, including the login page. Table 13.2-1 provides the 

number of unique visitors (i.e., unique IP addresses) and the total number of visits per year. 

Table 13.2-1. Number of Unique Visitors 

Year Unique Visitors Number of Visits

2009 147 557

2010 469 1525

2011 353 721

2012 63 147

Table 13.2-2 lists valid and invalid access attempts in the month of January 2012. The Valid 

Attempts category lists users who have EDL-R accounts and Invalid Attempts represent login 

failures. The Location column lists the city of origin based on the IP address. 

Table 13.2-2. Valid and Invalid Access Attempts 

Valid Attempts IP Address Location

137.78... Pasadena, CA

205.201... Bayfield, CO

75.3... Chicago, IL

98.166... Yorktown, VA

70.186... Hayes, VA

98.234... San Jose, CA
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Valid Attempts IP Address Location

198.116... Halethorpe, MD

128.149.. Huntsville, AL

166.250... Cerritos, CA

98.112... Sylmar, CA

Invalid Attempts IP Address Location

209.85... Council Bluffs, IA

74.125... Atlanta, GE

146.165... Newport News, VA

66.102... Groningen, Netherlands

98.112... San Fernando, CA

59.92... Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
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Table 13.2-3 lists the top ten documents that have been downloaded over the course of the 

EDL-R task and the number of times each was downloaded. 

Table 13.2-3. Top Ten Downloaded Documents 

Top Ten Downloaded Documents Number of 

Downloads

Pamadi, Bandu N. and Covell, Peter F. and Powell, Richard W. and Schoenenberger, 

Mark and Graves, Claude A. and Cerimeli, Christopher J. and Romere, Paul O. (2005) 

A Brief Analysis of Apollo Command Module Dynamic Stability. [Presentation] 

(Unpublished)

9

Sengupta, Anita (2008) Supersonic Unconstrained DGB Parachute in GRC 10x10 Wind 

Tunnel. [Test Results]

8

Ertle, Ivan D. and Morse, Mary Louise and Bays, Jean Kennahan and Brooks, Courtney 

G. (1978) The Apollo Spacecraft - A Chronology - Volumes I - IV. [Report]

8

Sengupta, Anita Mars Science Lab. Parachute Test data: Excel File for GRC Subscale 

Unconstrained Parachute Load Cell Data (axial load only). [Data]

7

Seiff, Alvin and Blanchard, Robert C. (2009) Comparative Atmosphere Structure 

Experiment (Pioneer Venus). [Other]

6

Catling, David Phoenix Mars Atmospheric Structure Experiment (ASE). [Data] 5

Achtermann, E., and Kapp, R., and Lehra, H. (1986) Parachute Characteristics of Titan 

Descent Modules; Planetary Probe; Final Report. [Report]

5

UNSPECIFIED (1976) Pioneer Venus Large and Small Probe Data Book. [Report] 5

Manning, R. (2005) Landing on Mars. [Presentation] (Unpublished) 5

Wercinski, Paul, Stardust Entry Observation "DIM" (Wercinski). [Data] 5
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Table 13.2-4 shows the popular operating systems (OS) that visitors used when visiting the site 

in 2011. 

Table 13.2-4. Popular Operating Systems used to Access the EDL-R 

Operating System Percentage

Windows XP 82.2

Windows 2008 8.9

Mac OS X 6.6

Windows NT 1.9

Unknown 0.3

Similarly, Table 13.2-5 lists the most popular browsers used to access the EDL-R in 2011. 

Table 13.2-5. Popular Browsers used to Access the EDL-R 

Browser Percentage

Internet Explorer® 84.6

Firefox® 12.2

Safari® 2.8

Google Chrome 0.4

Netscape® 0.1

13.3 Subject Coverage 

The penultimate step in the submission workflow is where multiple subject terms are selected to 

describe the item(s) being submitted. Figure 13.3-1 is an example of this page where search 

terms have been selected to describe a document concerning subsonic parachutes. 
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Figure 13.3-1. Example of EDL-R Subject Page 

The subject tree is organized hierarchically with four levels and over 200 keywords. The user 

can expand or close a level by toggling the +/- icons next to the keywords. If a keyword is in 

bold font, then it indicates that it has been selected, as in the case of Drag and Descent in the 

example. What is not shown is the uncontrolled keyword field at the bottom of the page, which 

contains terms: reefing, porosity distribution, and squidding. The purpose of this field is to allow 

the user to specify keywords that were not found in the hierarchical list. 

As mentioned, the controlled subject keywords are defined in a four-level, hierarchical subject 

classification tree. The EDL-R Subject Classification document (see supporting documentation)

defines the list of subject terms by which submissions can be indexed and then retrieved via the 

various EDL-R search and browse methods. This document outlines a structured subject 

classification for the EDL discipline, which has the major classifications of: 
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● Aerodynamics 

● EDL Subsystems 

● Mission Phase

● Other Technical Topics 

● Project Lifecycle 

● Systems Engineering 

● Testing 

This classification scheme provides a broad subject structure for topics that are likely to occur in 

any large repository, while providing a framework for covering in more detail the technical areas 

unique to EDL. 

Terms for the controlled subject classification were drawn from multiple sources. Much of the 

terminology was based on terms from the NASA Scope and Subject Category Guide, the NASA 

Thesaurus, and from work breakdown structure terminology. Additions and refinement of the 

subject terms and classification was conducted iteratively with input from a number of EDL-R 

experts and team members. 

In addition to the controlled subject classification, the EDL-R allows the user to specify free-text 

uncontrolled keywords to be assigned to particular documents. These terms supplement the 

subject access to documents provided by the classification. In addition to providing enhanced 

keyword search retrieval, the uncontrolled keywords can be used by the curator to evaluate 

patterns of new terms/topics that are being entered into the repository (i.e., terms that might be 

appropriate additions to the controlled subject classification). 

13.4 Current Archive Content and Status 

This section describes the EDL-R archive content as of January 31, 2012. Table 13.4-1 lists the 

number of live records that have been released, the number of records that are waiting to be 

reviewed, the number of records in user’s work area, and the total number of records.

Table 13.4-1. Total Number of EPrints Records 

EPrints Records Number of Records

Live Records 1,491

Records Under Review 649

Records in Managed Deposits

(User work areas)

192

Total Number of Records 2,332

The types of EDL-R material consist mostly of reports and publications. The archive contains a 

number of records showing scientific data as shown in Table 13.4-2. 
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Table 13.4-2. EDL-R Archive by Type of Material 

Type of Material (Number of Records)

Book (8)

Book Section (2)

Data (35)

External Repository Reference (6)

Model/Simulation (0)

Other (41)

Presentation (54)

Publication (262)

Report (934)

Review (6)

Study (45)

Teaching Material (2)

Test Results (99)

Note that some EPrints records can contain more than one type of document. For example, 

scientific data are often accompanied by documentation describing the data. 

The missions with the dominant number of records are the SSP and Apollo, as shown in the 

alphabetical listing in Table 13.4-3. 

Table 13.4-3. EDL-R Archive by Mission

Mission Name (Number of Records)

Apollo Missions (437)

Assured Crew Return Vehicle (1)

Beagle 2 (1)

Buran Project (1)

Constellation (1)

Crew Exploration Vehicle (2)

Fire (16)

Galileo (1)

Galileo Probe (7)

Gemini Missions (32)

Human exploration of Mars (2)

Huygens Probe (8)

Japanese Orbital Reentry Experiment (1)

Lunar Landers (1)

Magellan (26)

Mariner 10 (1)

Mariner 5 (1)

Mars 4 Orbiter (4)
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Mission Name (Number of Records)

Mars 5 Orbiter (4)

Mars 6 Lander (6)

Mars 7 Lander (5)

Mars Exploration Rover (1)

Mars Exploration Rovers Missions A and B (1)

Mars Global Surveyor (1)

Mars Pathfinder (2)

Mars Phoenix Lander (4)

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (1)

Mars Science Laboratory (13)

Mars Surveyor (2)

Mercury (19)

Multiple (5)

Non-specific (66)

Pioneer Venus (73)

Planetary Atmospheric Entry Test (PAET) (2)

Probe/Lander (1)

SHARP (1)

SSP (515)

Stardust (18)

Surveyor (2)

Transport Spacecraft (1)

Unknown (0)

Unspecified (216)

Venera (2)

Venera 10 (1)

Venera 9 (1)

Viking (22)

X-33 (1)

X-37 (1)

X-38 (1)

As indicated in Table 13.4-3, some archived material applies to more than one mission 

(Multiple) and some are generic to any mission (Non-specific). There is the category of 

Unspecified, which is intended to capture material that is relevant to the EDL discipline (e.g., 

simulations and models). 
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The following is a listing of the number of items archived in the Aerodynamics subject category: 

 Aerodynamics (1058) 

o Aero-thermodynamics/Aeroheating (447) 

 Ablative heating (35) 

o Aerodynamic Configurations (668) 

 Blunt Body (232) 

 Wing Body (429) 

o Aerodynamic Flow (726) 

 Hypersonic (314) 

 Laminar Flow (46) 

 Rarefied-Flow (18) 

 Subsonic (193) 

 Supersonic (231) 

 Transitional Flow (9) 

 Transonic (215) 

 Turbulent Flow (28) 

o Aerodynamic Forces (503) 

 Aeroelastic Forces (8) 

 Buffet (2) 

 Drag (323) 

 Flutter (3) 

 Force and Moment (289) 

 Lift (298) 

 Pressure (159) 

 Thrust (34) 

o Aerodynamics (General) (584) 

o Stability and Control (328) 

 Control Surfaces (207) 

For the current listing of EDL-R subjects and the associated number of records, select the 

BrowseBrowse by Subject option on the EDL-R webpage. 

Over the course of this task, a variety of material has been archived. For example, the SSP 

DataMan collection of wind tunnel test reports was submitted and a number of documents on 

various EDL topics are in the process of being submitted. Much of retirees’ personal collection 

of Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and SSP documents along with multiple NASA technical note 

documents, technical memorandums, X-series technical memorandums (i.e., X denotes older 

designation given to the technical memorandums numbering scheme (e.g., 1970s)), and 

contractor reports have been archived. Contacts continue to be pursued towards locating 

information related to HL-10, HL-20, X-34, X-38, various other lifting body vehicles, and the 

CxP Orion parachute subsystem. 
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13.5 Summary of Material Pending Review 

On January 31, 2012, there were 649 submissions awaiting the review process. Table 13.5-1 

shows the majority of these submissions were technical reports.

Table 13.5-1. Material for Review by Type 

Item Type Count in Review

Book 2

Book Section 6

Data 36

Model/Simulation 2

Presentation 8

Publication 16

Report 571

Study 4

Test Results 2

Other 2

Total 649

In terms of subjects, the vast majority of the materials pending review concern the SSP 

(i.e., 486 records, 75 percent) wind tunnel test DataMan documents. Table 13.5-2 shows the 

number of records pending review per mission: 

Table 13.5-2. Material in Review per Mission 

Mission Name Count in Review

Apollo Missions 52

Galileo Probe 20

Magellan 15

Mars Exploration Rover 3

MSL 3
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Mission Name Count in Review

MISR 4

Mars ISRU 1

Mercury 1

PAET 1

Pioneer Venus 6

SSP 486

Stardust 29

Unspecified 11

Viking 2

Other 15

Total 649

13.6 Summary of Material Pending Submission 

Table 13.6-1 show items in the possession of the curator, but have not been submitted to the 

EDL-R. The majority of these items are in a digital format. However, the EDL-R team has a 

number of boxes containing hardcopy that will need to be scanned if the digital version cannot be 

found. 

Table 13.6-1. Material Pending Submission 

Description Format Status

Stardust CT scan data. Digital Pending Review

CxP Orion drop test. Digital Pending Submission

T. Knacke parachute papers. Digital Pending Submission

Northrop-Apollo parachute documents. Digital Pending Submission

SSP Ascent/Descent BET data. Digital Collection started by EDL-R 

Curator

Apollo Landing Test, Crew Couch videos. Digital Pending Submission
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Description Format Status

NASA command module drop test. Digital Pending Submission

Infrared Sensing Aeroheating Flight 

Experiment (ISAFE) data; performed on 

SSP flight 96.

Digital Uploading started

Huygens EDL documents. Digital Uploading started

X-38 drop test videos and documentation, 

includes parachute data.

Digital In process of sending to JPL

HL-10, HL-20, X-33, X-24, X-38, 

ASSET, Lifting Bodies reports, and data 

books from personal library, JSC retiree.

Digital and Hardcopy Sent to JPL for uploading

Hypersonic Thermodynamic Infrared 

Measurements, HYTHIRM.

Digital, Hardcopy, and 

digital image frames

Process started (publications) 

awaiting data processing 

completion

Gemini EDL material from Ft. Worth 

Federal Records Center.

Digital Pending Submission

Mercury EDL material from Ft. Worth 

Federal Records Center

Digital Uploading started

Apollo Pad abort stills and Little Joe 

launch abort video. 

Digital Sent to JPL for uploading

Apollo impact test, landing simulation, 

parachute qualification video.

Digital Pending Submission

Apollo land landing damage analysis 

images.

Digital Pending Submission

Personal Library, JSC employee working 

on Orion. 

Digital Uploading started

Personal library, JPL employee. Various 

documents on parachute design.

Hardcopy Pending Submission
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Description Format Status

Personal library, JSC employee. Various 

reports and presentations on EDL designs 

and tests - primarily for Apollo and SSP. 

Digital Uploading started

Personal Library, JSC retiree. Various 

documents related to EDL. 

Digital and Hardcopy Partially completed only

Personal Library, Langley retiree. 

Various documents related to EDL. 

Pending Submission

Personal Library, JPL employee working 

on MSL. 

Hardcopy Pending Submission

13.7 Summary of Material to be Collected 

Table 13.7-1 lists material that has been identified, but not collected for submission. 

Table 13.7-1. Points of Contact for Material to be Collected 

Description Point-of-Contact

Lifting bodies, e.g., X-38, HL-10, HL-20 reports, test data, videos, 

and databases.

Ricardo (Koki) Machin, JSC 

Christopher Cerimele, JSC 

Jay Lebeau, JSC 

Paul Romere, JSC retired

CxP Orion EDL designs, test data, and associated documentation. Phil Robinson, JSC 

Jay Lebeau, JSC

Mars Global Surveyor data Robert H. Tolson, NIA

Robert C. Blanchard, NIA

HYTHIRM Thomas J. Horvath, LaRC

Robert C. Blanchard, NIA

Galileo Probe reports. Robert C. Blanchard, NIA

X-38 drop tests and parachute videos and data from JSC. Richardo (Koki) Machin, JSC

Christopher Cerimele, JSC

Jay Lebeau, JSC

Apollo parachute test video with voice-over dubs from JSC. Tim Fisher, JSC 
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Description Point-of-Contact

Apollo Little Joe Launch Abort Test Video and Pad Abort Stills. Tuan Truong, JSC

Odyssey data. Robert H. Tolson, NIA

Robert C. Blanchard, NIA

Aero database for 70 degree half-cone forebody (using MER and 

Phoenix data).

Robert C. Blanchard, NIA 

Pioneer Venus documents, for example:

“Final report on Investigation Of The Probe Buffeting Problem at 

Low Subsonic Mach Numbers,” by Vincent U. Muirhead, 

Principal Investigator, The University of Kansas, July 1975.

Large Probe Pressure Vessel Aerodynamics, Hughes Final report 

HS507/Pioneer Venus, Oct., 1976; prepared by T.W. Oswald.

Pioneer Venus Deceleration Module Final Design Review, 

Hughes Subcontract 08-737440-L72, by General electric 

Company, Entry, and Environmental Systems Division, final data 

report, Pioneer Venus Static and dynamic transonic wind tunnel 

tests by S.A. Weinberg, July 11, 1975.

Robert C. Blanchard, NIA

Magellan data and documents. Robert H. Tolson, NIA

Robert C. Blanchard, NIA

Aerobraking papers. Public sources

Phoenix EDL; George Washington University final report. Robert C. Blanchard, NIA

SSP Orbiter Experiments (OEX): HiRAP, OARE, SUMS, 

SEADS, SILTS.

Robert C. Blanchard, NIA

Crew Exploration Vehicle Program, Thermal Protection System 

(in Windchill), JSC.

Jay Lebeau, JSC

Parachute data from Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) Parachute 

Assembly Subsystem (CPAS) and Orion. 

Richardo (Koki) Machin, JSC 

Howard Hu, JSC

MLAS project large parachute test data (NESC). John Baker, JPL

Huygens’s EDL collection. Dr. Jean-Pierre Leberton, ESA

Mars Exploration Rover EDL material. Mission Project Office, JPL
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13.8 Summary of Material to be Researched 

Table 13.8-1 lists other subject areas that may have valuable material to archive, but further 

research is required. 

Table 13.8-1. Points of Contact for Material Research 

Description Point-of-Contact

All EDL material related to the Crew 

Exploration Vehicle/Orion - JSC

Phil Robinson, JSC

Jay Lebeau, JSC

MSFC-led Space Transportation 

Programs, including Reusable 

Launch Vehicle (RLV) Programs: 

X-33, X-34, X-37, NGLT, TSTO*, 

and Orbital Space Plane (OSP)*, and 

associated technologies programs: 

RLV and NGLT 

*MSFC-funded studies

Paul Romere, JSC retired 

Michael J. Green, ARC retired

X-34, Henri J. Fuhrmann, Orbital Sciences 

Dale Andrews, MSFC retired

Ames documentation on Thermal 

Protection Systems for some of the 

MSFC-led Space Transportation 

Programs. (Over 100 boxes, stored 

in Building N-229).

Michael J. Green, ARC retired

X-38 data and databooks - JSC Jay Lebeau, JSC

Personal library (JPL employee) EDL-R Curator; pending JPL Limited Release

Personal Library (Retired JSC 

employee)

Paul Romere, JSC retired

NASA Langley parachute material Juan Cruz, LaRC

LCROS data and analyst’s notebook Data is publicly available from pds.nasa.gov and Notebook is at 

http://an.rsl.wustl.edu/lcross/lcrossbrowser/

Pioneer Venus Large Probe 

heatshield data

Jim Garvin, GSFC

Gary Allen, ARC
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Description Point-of-Contact

Huygens Probe material - ESA Contains links to data and documentation: 

http://www.sciops.esa.int/index.php?project=PSA&page=huygens 

Mars Exploration Rovers EDL 

material 

Data is publicly available from pds.nasa.gov and Notebook is at 

http://an.rsl.wustl.edu/mer/

For project documents, contact John Callas, MER Project 

Manager, JPL

Viking reprocessed data James E. Tillman, University of Washington 

Mars Pathfinder Data is publicly available from pds.nasa.gov and other technical 

documentation located at JPL

Mars Phoenix Data is publicly available from pds.nasa.gov and Notebook is at 

http://an.rsl.wustl.edu/phx/solbrowser/default.aspx

SSP Wind tunnel data Access Tool 

(SWAT), JSC 

Accessible with IDMAX password. URL is webeg3.nasa.gov/swat. Post on EDL-R main page

14.0 Interaction with the EDL Community 

During this assessment, the EDL-R team took the initiative to engage the EDL community. The 

following paragraphs describe some of the key interactions.

In 2008, the team prepared a paper, poster, and demonstration for the International Planetary 

Probe Workshop, held in Atlanta, Georgia. The purpose of the paper, entitled “Rescuing EDL 

Data,” was to introduce the community to this newly established archive and to describe the 

various search and subscription features (see Appendix A). The poster illustrated the submission 

workflow and the review processes, provided greater detail on the search options, and described 

the security features. The poster session and demonstration were well attended with lots of 

interest and enthusiasm for the EDL-R. 

In 2009, EDL-R team members attended the CxP Orion/MSL Workshop where engineers 

discussed various EDL issues from both missions. The facilitator of the meeting was Mr. Daniel 

Murri, NASA Technical Fellow for Flight Mechanics, who allocated time to present an EDL-R 

overview and demonstration. 

14.1 Presentations 

The EDL-R team presented several presentations on EDL-R to three types of audiences: those 

who were interested in a similar archive system, potential EDL-R users, and providers of EDL 

material. On more than one occasion, the team was invited to give a presentation to multiple 

NASA facilities and groups on the EDL-R and its features. One group in particular was the 
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Entry Systems Division at the Ames Research Center (ARC), who looked for a way to archive 

the large number of boxes and cabinets filled with thermal protection papers. Although the 

EDL-R was considered as a solution, the group made the decision to use their existing document 

management tool with future plans to move appropriate documents into the EDL-R. A 

presentation was given to JPL’s Planetary Protection group, who were looking for a tool to 

archive test data from various missions. In this case, they were looking to run their own version 

of the EDL-R; however, they were never able to secure funding for a sample archive. 

Presentations were given at various NASA Centers to groups who were interested in using and 

providing material, including: JSC’s Crew Exploration Vehicle Parachute Subsystem group and 

interested personnel from Langley Research Center’s (LaRC) Atmospheric Flight and Entry 

Systems Branch, JPL’s Spacecraft and Mechanical Engineering group, and NASA’s Mars 

Program Office. 

In the team’s quest for “at-risk” material, presentations were given to organizations outlining 

specific subjects of interest. Audiences included the JSC-CPAS (CEV Parachute Assembly 

System) group, LaRC’s Atmospheric Flight and Entry Systems Branch, JSC and ARC’s library 

archives, and LaRC’s Records Office.

14.2 Links to the EDL-R 

To increase the visibility of the EDL-R within NASA and the EDL community, the team 

researched NASA websites where a link to the EDL-R could be posted. Two years ago, the 

EDL-R team contacted the NASA Technical Fellow who manages the Flight Mechanics 

webpage on the NASA Engineering Network (NEN).2 He agreed to provide a link to the 

EDL-R, which is listed under the “Links” heading (https://nen.nasa.gov/web/fm/links). The 

team also inquired about providing a link on the Aerosciences webpage that is on the same 

parent site. 

14.3 EDL Community Contact Information 

During this assessment and the involvement with persons in the EDL community, the EDL-R 

team compiled a contact list from across NASA who have worked on or are currently working on 

EDL projects. See Appendix B for a listing. 

15.0 Transfer of System to Sponsor 

After numerous inquiries for sponsorship of the EDL-R, the Office of the Chief Engineer at JPL 

agreed to accept the responsibility. Since the curator, developers, and hardware are located at 

JPL, this makes the transfer much easier (e.g., minimal training) and inexpensive (e.g., no 

shipping and installation costs, or travel expenses).

 

2

https://nen.nasa.gov/web/nen/community/technical 
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15.1 Transfer Agreement 

The terms of the transfer are primarily driven by concerns of the EDL-R team. The terms 

address the continued collection and archive of material, and long-term access. The sponsor 

agrees to: 

1. Provide funding to train a new curator. 

2. Significantly reduce the backlog of material within the next year. 

3. Keep the EDL community informed about the EDL-R and encourage usage. 

4. Actively seek material from other NASA Centers, federal archives, and retirees based on 

the available funding. 

5. At a minimum, provide funding for back-ups, security patches, and any other 

tasks/expenses that are needed to keep the site available to users. 

6. Find an alternate sponsor (e.g., NASA STI) should funding cease to be available. 

15.2 Hand-off Plan 

Specific sections of this document have been written to aid in the transition to JPL, including: 

● The state of the archive, material pending collection, and potential leads are detailed in 

Section 13.0.

● Recommendations on software improvements and hardware replenishment are provided 

in Section 15.3.

● A partial list of names in the EDL community is listed Appendix A. 

In addition to this, presentations, meeting minutes, and other relevant documentation are 

provided on a DVD. 

As part of the hand-off plan, JPL took the initiative to train a new curator before the NESC 

assessment was completed to ensure adequate familiarization with the task history, curation 

processes, and EDL-R team members. Doing this in parallel with the systems already residing at 

JPL allowed the hand-off to be straightforward. 

Once the collection activities were completed for this task, only two tasks remained to be 

fulfilled in the final phase. The penultimate close-out milestone was the hand-off to JPL, which 

occurred on February 29, 2012. This transition marked the end of this NESC task and the 

beginning of a renewed focus on collecting EDL material from recent and current missions. The 

final milestone will be the final report presentation to the NRB, which occurred in mid-March 

2012. 

15.3 Looking Forward: Short- and Long-term Goals 

The primary priority of this task was to collect and archive older technical and engineering 

materials that were at risk of being lost. The secondary priority was to collect and archive 
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material from recent missions (i.e., 1990s to present). For the future goals of the EDL-R, the 

EDL-R team suggested that the JPL sponsor continue to support and contribute to the NASA 

EDL community by providing a NASA-wide resource to aid engineers in the design of future 

EDL systems so that they can continue to acquire and archive older and current 

technical/engineering material.

For the short-term, the EDL-R team recommended that the JPL sponsor continue to collect 

at-risk material. The collection efforts of this task, while successful, found that a lot of older 

material still remains in archives at various NASA Centers and in employees’ personal files. To 

this end, the EDL-R team has attempted to document what is known to be available with pointsof-contact that can help narrow the search effort (see Sections 12.7 and 12.8). In reviewing the 

depth of material on some older missions represented in the EDL-R, the EDL-R team identified 

the following that should have their collections expanded: 

● Surveyor 

● RAM-C 

● PAET 

● GLL Probe 

Other short-term goals that the EDL-R team recommends are to: 

1. Archive and release highly valuable material as soon as possible, e.g., Knacke parachute 

material. 

2. Expand the collection for underrepresented missions.

3. Continue to seek material from retirees, NASA libraries, NASA Center records/archives, 

and Federal archives.

4. Improve the user experience in downloading multi-gigabyte collections. 

5. Increase visibility to external search engines to promote visibility. 

6. Establish a domain expert support network drawing from the EDL community. 

7. Identify and implement ways to inform NASA and the EDL community about this 

resource. 

8. Replenish the servers. 

Long-term goals for the EDL-R have already been mentioned in this report, including the below 

additional recommendations: 

1. Establish working relationships to support material flow into the EDL-R. Relationships 

with current missions, NASA Center libraries/records, professors, retirees, and NASA 

historians are vitally important to the continued expansion of the EDL-R since the 

majority of leads and valuable material come directly from them. To make the archival 

process easier for currently NASA employees and retirees, the EDL-R team recommends 
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that the curator offer to organize and digitize hardcopy material, and to offer a DVD of 

the digitized documents along with the return of the original hardcopy. 

2. Collect EDL material from current missions. Recent missions, such as MSL and 

CEV/Orion, have extensive libraries on EDL, including valuable Apollo-era material. 

Since these designs will likely be referenced by future missions, the EDL-R team 

strongly recommends that the curator establish a good relationship with engineers and 

document librarians working on these missions to ensure that their engineering and 

technical material is archived. 

3. Create and maintain a list of material to periodically send to STI. At the start of the task, 

the EDL-R team spoke with lead members of STI about the purpose of the EDL-R. 

While supportive, they asked that material be provided that was not in their archives. Not 

all material in the EDL-R qualifies to be in STI, such as the Stardust data and videos, but 

any NASA documents that are not found in STI should be periodically exported and sent 

to STI. 

4. Update the subject keyword list. To keep the controlled subject list up to date, the curator

should periodically review the set of uncontrolled subject keywords to identify recurring 

words that should be added to the controlled subject list. The EDL-R team also 

suggested that the curator run the learning component of the Subject Recommender over 

the entire archive to ensure that a meaningful set of recommended subject keywords are 

strongly related to what is being archived. 

5. Keep track of newly published papers and authors. Doing this has two benefits: new 

material is added to the EDL-R and potential new users can be identified. 

6. Make improvements to the EDL-R that promotes content and encourages new users. One 

suggestion is to create an e-mail list of registered users (perhaps by user type) and 

unregistered users, where registered users would get announcements on recently added 

NASA material and unregistered users would receive announcements on valuable public 

material. It has been suggested to post a bibliography of public material on the login 

page so that unregistered users, such as students, can also make use of this resource. 

7. Monitor the file format evolution to determine when to migrate old versions. This issue 

concerns activities related to preservation. To keep the EDL-R content usable, it is 

recommended that the curator periodically refresh a list of archived file formats to track 

those that are fading from use and those that are becoming more popular. 

8. Upgrade to the most recent version of EPrints. The EDL-R team recommends upgrading 

to the current release for two reasons: 1) upgrading will become more difficult as 

additional versions are released; and 2) the EDL-R may be able to take advantage of new 

features to replace custom software. For example, edit locking which locks records to 

reduce the risk of multiple people editing the same record at the same time, plug-in based 

issue tracking system to replace the custom-developed URL verifier tool, improve 
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privilege handling that allows more fine-grained control to what a user is allowed to do, 

and improve workflow and document management. 

16.0 Findings, Observations, and NESC Recommendations 

16.1 Findings 

The following findings were identified by the EDL-R team based on their experience with this 

task: 

F-1. EDL material was located in a variety of locations from institutional files to private 

collections. The EDL-R team discovered many caches of EDL data and have leads on 

many more sources. 

F-2. The most effective method of obtaining EDL material and supporting information is 

through face-to-face meetings. People were busy and getting them to focus on archiving 

documents was always a lower priority. On more than one occasion, the EDL-R team 

found that sitting down with the person is the best way to get their attention. Projects of 

this nature should plan for a travel budget. 

F-3. The time and effort to collect EDL material can be far less than the submission and 

review time. After a few dozen submissions, the EDL-R team reduced the submission 

time to around 15 minutes. However, the review effort can take days if the document(s) 

are not publicly available. In cases where the document is either sensitive or so old it has 

no markings, it could take days or weeks before it is released. 

16.2 Observations 

The EDL-R team identified the following observations that could have an impact on future 

archival initiatives and the engineers who seek older, technical information: 

O-1. It becomes exponentially more difficult to recover EDL data as the time from project 

completion increases. There is a large volume of existing EDL-related data and, as time 

passes, it is becoming much harder to locate and completely correlate. As people retire 

or move to new projects, the data may be passed to remaining team members or even be 

taken home and stored as data that is too important to lose. Eventually, the space that the 

data occupies is needed and the files are thrown away. 

O-2. Many of the current projects are relying on the old data, and when they “push the edges 

of the envelope” on their designs, access to the old data is required to ensure their 

assumptions are still valid. 

16.3 NESC Recommendations

The following recommendations were identified by the EDL-R team: 

R-1. NASA should establish a technical documents archive policy for each mission similar to 

the required scientific archive. (F-1, F-2, O-1, and O-2)
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R-2. NASA should consider how to fund efforts to collect EDL material from closed programs 

and retirees before that knowledge cannot be recovered. (F-1, F-2, and O-1)

17.0 Lessons Learned 

Lessons learned from the development of the EDL-R point to several areas of interest. The task 

of locating documentation and data for archiving needs to proceed as the result of many 

decisions, the least of which being what information qualifies as archival candidates. Those 

considered for EDL-R were initially limited to EDL; however, it soon became apparent that 

information related to launch and ascent were equally important archival candidates. The 

candidate archival items were expanded to include formal and informal reports, memorandums, 

presentations, events, flight and ground test data, analyses, drawings, and decisions, which 

shaped the direction of the program of interest. 

To further enhance the presence of EDL-R, all NASA Centers and associated contractors must 

be made aware of the archive facility and the importance of transferring candidate information to 

the EDL-R. If it does not become a natural concept of archiving, the importation and retrieval 

usage will only decrease due to not being aware of the facility, or a lack of dedicated funding and 

manpower on the part of NASA Centers and contractors to pursue active archiving. 

As a result of the efforts in place to define and implement EDL-R, any archival undertaking 

should adhere to standard IT practices to control access and protect content. Archival standards 

should be followed so that future application upgrades or database migrations can be easily 

accommodated. Once the concept of archiving has been set, it must be a dedicated and fully 

funded effort, both in dollars and manpower, to assure that the maintenance and system 

availability remains in place for the extended future. 

18.0 Definition of Terms 

Corrective Actions Changes to design processes, work instructions, workmanship practices, 

training, inspections, tests, procedures, specifications, drawings, tools, 

equipment, facilities, resources, or material that result in preventing, 

minimizing, or limiting the potential for recurrence of a problem. 

E-print Also refers to the open-source tool, EPrints. 

Finding A relevant factual conclusion and/or issue that is within the assessment 

scope and that the team has rigorously based on data from their 

independent analyses, tests, inspections, and/or reviews of technical 

documentation. 

Lessons Learned Knowledge, understanding, or conclusive insight gained by experience 

that may benefit other current or future NASA programs and projects. 

The experience may be positive, as in a successful test or mission, or 

negative, as in a mishap or failure. 
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Observation A noteworthy fact, issue, and/or risk, which may not be directly within the 

assessment scope, but could generate a separate issue or concern if not 

addressed. Alternatively, an observation can be a positive 

acknowledgement of a Center/Program/Project/Organization’s operational 

structure, tools, and/or support provided. 

Problem The subject of the independent technical assessment. 

Proximate Cause The event(s) that occurred, including any condition(s) that existed 

immediately before the undesired outcome, directly resulted in its 

occurrence and, if eliminated or modified, would have prevented the 

undesired outcome. 

Recommendation A proposed measurable stakeholder action directly supported by specific 

Finding(s) and/or Observation(s) that will correct or mitigate an identified 

issue or risk. 

Root Cause One of multiple factors (events, conditions, or organizational factors) that 

contributed to or created the proximate cause and subsequent undesired 

outcome and, if eliminated or modified, would have prevented the 

undesired outcome. Typically, multiple root causes contribute to an 

undesired outcome. 

Supporting Narrative A paragraph, or section, in an NESC final report that provides the detailed 

explanation of a succinctly worded finding or observation. For example, 

the logical deduction that led to a finding or observation; descriptions of 

assumptions, exceptions, clarifications, and boundary conditions. Avoid 

squeezing all of this information into a finding or observation. 

19.0 Acronyms List 

ACL Access Control List 

ARC Ames Research Center 

ASE Atmospheric Structure Experiment 

ATK Alliant Techsystems 

BET Best Estimated Trajectory 

CEV Crew Exploration Vehicle 

CPAS CEV Parachute Assembly System 

CxP Constellation Program 

DB Database 

EDL entry descent and landing 

EDL-R entry descent and landing repository 

FAQs frequently asked questions 

GB gigabyte 
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GN&C Guidance, Navigation, and Control 

ISO International Organization for Standardization 

IT Information Technology 

ITAR International Traffic in Arms Regulations 

JPL Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

JSC Johnson Space Center 

LAMP Linux, Apache, MySQL, and Perl 

LaRC Langley Research Center 

LCROS Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite 

LDAP Lightweight Directory Access Protocol 

MB megabyte 

ML Machine Learning 

MSL Mars Science Laboratory 

MTSO Management Technical Support Office 

NEN NASA Engineering Network 

NESC NASA Engineering and Safety Center 

NIA National Institute of Aerospace 

NRB NESC Review Board 

OAI Open Archives Initiative 

OS Operating System 

OSP Orbital Space Plane 

PAET Planetary Atmosphere Experiments Test 

RAID Redundant Array of Independent Disks 

RAM-C Radio Attenuation Measurement Flight C 

RLV Reusable Launch Vehicle 

SBU Sensitive But Unclassified 

SCSI Small Computer System Interface 

SSL Secure Socket Layer 

SSP Space Shuttle Program 

STI Scientific and Technical Information (NASA) 

SVM support vector machines 

SWAT SSP Wind tunnel data Access Tool 

TB Terabyte 

U.S. United States 

URL Universal Resource Locator 

USB Universal Serial Bus 

V&V Validation and Verification 

XML EXtensible Markup Language
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20.0 Appendices 

A. Rescuing EDL Data 

B. EDL Community Contacts 
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Appendix A. Rescuing EDL Data 

(Paper published in the International Planetary Probe Workshop, 2008) 

Rescuing EDL Data 

Elmain Martinez, Adrian Tinio, Mike Gangl, and Robert Powers 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

and 

Keith Shackelford, Alan Wood, and Russell Westbrook 

NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 
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ABSTRACT 

After 50 years of spaceflight a tremendous amount of information has been written and published 

about the Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) discipline. While there are holdings, with 

individuals and partial collections at various NASA web sites, there is no central repository or 

portal for this critical information. This paper will discuss a new initiative for archiving and 

preserving technical EDL material, which aims to provide a single resource for archiving and 

preserving EDL material from recent missions as well as older data that are at risk of being lost. 

Background information will be presented establishing the rationale and charter for the 

Repository along with a description of the scope and intended users. 

Key features of the web-based EDL-R will be presented, including: 

- a standards-oriented open-source solution 

- security measures 

- various retrieval methods 

- submission and review processes 

- subscription and automatic notification 

Lastly, plans for future capabilities, expanded repository content, and maintenance will be 

described. 
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Introduction 

After 50 years of spaceflight a tremendous amount of information has been written and published 

about the Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) discipline. While there are holdings with 

individuals and partial collections at various NASA web sites, there is no central repository or 

portal for this critical information. The lack of a centralized collection was the impetus for 

members in the EDL community to request that the NASA Engineering and Safety Center 

(NESC) fund a task to develop a digital EDL archive (https://edlr.jpl.nasa.gov). 

The content of the EDL repository (EDL-R) focuses on technical and engineering data that 

contributed to the research, development, test, and flight of EDL systems. Some examples are: 

 Development and test data 

 Transmitted sensor readings & telemetry from various missions 

 Software used to process EDL data 

 Reports and analysis 

 Bibliographic references to published papers 

A variety of disciplines are represented: 

 Aerodynamics 

 Propulsion & decelerators 

 Guidance & control 

 Thermal Protections Systems 

 Separation systems 

Of keen interest is older material, such as Viking parachute and EDL data, which has already 

proven useful to the EDL design of the Mars Science Laboratory mission. This kind of material 

is “at risk” of being lost, and it is the highest priority for the content development of the 

repository. Materials can be at risk for a variety of reasons. Many of the early EDL missions 

took place in a time when information systems were not in wide use, and paper was the medium 

for storing information. Combine this with the “graying” of the NASA workforce, many of the 

pioneers’ in the EDL community are, or have, retired, and there are many documents and test 

data that are vulnerable to being lost. 

The EDL-R Team has identified a number of “at risk” missions and types of data that are to be 

given a priority for collection, as shown in Table 1. 
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Table 1. Examples of High Risk Materials 

Missions (examples) Types of Information (examples)

 Viking I&II (1976)

 Pioneer Venus (1978)

 Galileo [entry and descent] (1989)

 Project Fire [Heatshield testing] (1962)

 Magellan [aero-braking data] (1989)

 Early planetary atmospheric entry tests

 Apollo (1961-1972)

 Gemini (1965-1966)

 Mercury (1959-1963)

 Raw engineering flight data

 Time reference data

 Calibration, scale factors, etc.

 Aerodynamic data base

 Mass properties (detailed)

 Software design documents

 Process or reconstructed data

Along with identifying priorities for the collection of EDL related materials, the team has 

identified an initial strategy to collect this information. Key individuals have been identified for 

each of the at risk missions. These individuals will act as coordinators for the location of 

materials. They will identify key community contacts and network to identify, collect, and 

possibly interpret these materials. If necessary, an informal peer review process will be set up to 

evaluate the materials for accuracy and appropriateness for the repository. 

Along with at-risk data, the Repository is also collecting contemporary EDL-R materials 

especially where the interest/need for the data is high. Included in the current ingest plan is 

Stardust Entry Observation EDL and shuttle EDL. Shuttle EDL material is viewed as at-risk 

because the program will be retired in two years and there is currently no archive plan. 

Fortunately, in the process of searching for some of the high-risk data, a significant portion of the 

early Columbia EDL test data was found in a private holding and that data has been transferred 

to the EDL-R for use. The capture of all shuttle data is beyond the scope of this activity and 

even the archival of shuttle EDL data would be a monumental effort extending beyond the scope 

of the EDL-R development phase. For this reason, proposals for capturing all shuttle EDL data 

are being planned. 

Tool Selection 

An open-source solution was sought to reduce development time and to take advantage of 

existing digital library practices and standards, such as the Open Archives Initiative (OAI) and 

the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI). At the completion of a trade study, which 

reviewed and tested similar open-source, web-based digital library solutions, EPrints was 

selected. This tool was developed at the School of Electronics and Computer Science, 

University of Southampton, UK (see www.eprints.org) and is used by universities, libraries, and 

businesses worldwide, 
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One of the main benefits of open-source software is absence of copyright restrictions. This 

flexibility has allowed the team to customize the EDL-R to meet the specific needs and 

constraints of the user community. For example, it has been customized to support encryption, 

user authorization and authentication, additional browse options, as well as a number of other 

added capabilities that will be described in this paper. 

Search & Retrieval Methods 

The EDL-R database provides a number of distinct search and browse methods for the 

identification and retrieval of relevant materials. A “Quick Search” and a “Simple Search” 

capability both allow easy keyword searching of the following fields: 

 document content 

 title

 description 

 individual authors 

 date 

 uncontrolled keywords 

 subjects 

“Quick Search” provides an intuitive “Google-like” search box at the top of each page, while 

“Simple Search” give uses the added flexibility of sorting results by year, author’s name, or by 

title. The “Advanced Search” function allows the user to build a targeted search by specifying a 

variety of different criteria, which are represented in the database. This search combines the 

criteria using the Boolean operator AND. The search criteria used in all searches can be saved 

for later re-use. 

Browse capabilities are well integrated into the user interface. Browsing can be done by Year, 

Subject, Author, or document Type. The browse by Subject provides a good way to find all the 

documents in the repository on a specific topic. The hierarchical nature of the subject access 

provides the user with a rich way to explore the repository. In the future, an option to browse by 

Mission will be added. 

Submission Process 

Registered users can submit material into the EDL-R by entering information into web-base 

forms. The process is divided into 5 distinct stages: Type, Upload, Details, Subjects, and Deposit

stage. 

The Type stage involves selecting the type of material that is being added to the repository. The 

customized item types that are available to choose from in the EDL-R includes book, book 

section, dataset/data, model/simulation, presentation, publication, report, review, study, teaching 

material, and test results. In addition, there is also an Other item type that can be selected for 
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material that does not fit into any of the 11 distinct item types. A description is provided for 

each of the item types to help the depositor select the appropriate type. 

The next step in the submission workflow is the Upload stage. In this stage, the depositor is 

presented with an interface to upload the material to the system. It is also in this stage that the 

depositor specifies the format and the sensitivity level of the material. The EDL-R has a list of 

formats that include various image, video, and application formats that are natively recognized 

by the system. However, any and all formats are accepted. The sensitivity level specifies who 

has access to the material once it is in the repository. There are five customized sensitivity 

levels: None, Copyright, NASA-sensitive, ITAR, and NASA-sensitive ITAR. All users can access 

materials with a None or Copyright level. NASA-sensitive materials are only accessible by 

NASA employees, ITAR materials are only accessible by U.S. persons, and NASA-sensitive ITAR

materials are only accessible by U.S. persons who are also NASA employees. 

The bibliographic information about the material, such as title, author, and publisher, is specified 

in the Details stage of the workflow. This step in the workflow has been customized to capture 

information that will help preserve the material and will provide a rich set of search criteria. 

Because there are several fields to be filled out some fields are pre-filled with default values. 

Other fields have an auto-completion feature where matching options are presented as the 

depositor types in a value. Some fields are mandatory and will prevent the material from being 

deposited if a value is not supplied. Specifying as much information as possible in this stage 

makes the material more easily searchable. 

The Subjects stage involves selecting the subjects or keywords that are most appropriate to the 

material being submitted. In this stage, a predefined subject tree is presented from which the 

depositor can choose. Multiple subject keywords can be selected. Aside from the predefined 

subject tree, the depositor may also specify Uncontrolled Keywords. Uncontrolled keywords are 

free-form words or phrases that describe the material. 

All the work has been done to upload and describe the material being submitted. The final step 

in the submission workflow is to deposit the material to the repository. This is performed in the 

Deposit stage. The depositor is presented with legal language regarding any rules and 

regulations with submitting material in the EDL-R. It is implied that by depositing the material, 

the depositor is in agreement set forth by the terms of the legal language. 

Review Process 

Deposited materials are reviewed before being released to the community. Once a submission 

has been deposited it is held in a temporary review area where the curator or editor can review 

the completeness and accuracy of the metadata. The curator’s review process may include 

checking the submission for metadata completeness and accuracy, condition of the submitted 

material (e.g., quality of scanned documents), and the appropriateness of the material being 

submitted. 
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After the material has been reviewed, the curator has three courses of action. If the submission 

does not pass the review process, the curator may “return” the item to the depositor so that any 

inadequacies can be corrected, or the curator may decide to simply destroy the item. Both of 

these actions will generate a notification e-mail message to the depositor. If the submission 

passes the review process, the curator can approve it. It is only after the curator approves the 

submission that it goes into the live repository where it becomes available. 

Special Features 

Automatic Notification 

Users can be notified of new material through the use of the Save Search capability. When 

search criteria are saved using any of the three search mechanisms (Quick, Simple and Advance 

search) it can also be configured to send an e-mail notification listing new material that matches 

the search criteria. The frequency of e-mail notifications can be set to daily, weekly, monthly, or 

never. 

Most Wanted List 

A unique feature of the EDL-R is the ‘Most Wanted’ list, which serves as a classified ad for rare 

and sought-after EDL material. Since it is located on the login page permissions are not required 

to view it, however, registered users can add to it. As material is located and submitted to the 

EDL-R, the curator will remove the request from the list. 

System Security 

Developing a secure repository to store and serve entry, descent and landing data presents some 

interesting challenges. These issues range from user account creation and password expiration to 

ITAR rules and regulations. In order to best understand these issues and their complexity, it is 

important to understand the assumptions and conditions under which the EDL-R will be used. 

One key determination that was made early on in the planning process regards the type of 

information that can be stored in the repository. The EDL-R will house public, copyright, and 

Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) information, but no classified material shall be kept in the 

EDL-R. This excludes discrete and classified information, new technology, intellectual property, 

patents, competitive information, budgets, and proposals. This decision creates different security 

requirements, often more lax, than a repository that allows these more sensitive information 

types. 

Another assumption that was made affecting the design had to do with the metadata for each 

entry. Due to the sensitivity of some data, no metadata will be displayed to users who do not 

have access to the document. This change affected how search, browse, and other parts of the 

system were to be modified. 

To best understand the modifications and tailoring done to the EDL-R, understanding data 

sensitivity and user roles is paramount. Modification to the EPrints software has dealt directly 

with one, two, or both of these components. Users have been separated into distinct groups 
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based on their affiliation with NASA or not, and their status as a U.S. person. There are two 

other roles that are more administrative in function, one being an actual administrator who can 

modify accounts and change passwords, and others are reviewers charged with making sure that 

the material submitted has adequate metadata associated with it. 

User accounts are created via a separate site, where potential users fill out a form containing their 

work and project information, along with some points of contact for verification purposes. Once 

verified, the account is created and given access depending on the outcome of their background 

check. 

Understanding user roles and accounts is only one of the two key components to the repository. 

This user role can be mapped to document sensitivity levels in what can be best described as an 

access control list (ACL). The document sensitivity levels relate to the SBU classifications 

NASA uses, including ITAR and NASA Sensitive markings. These markings will originate 

from the author’s center when the document goes through review. 

These markings are included with the digital files during the upload process, and verified by the 

editors of the repository. From this point on, this mapping is used to allow or disallow access to 

the document by various users in the repository. For example, if a link to a document is shared 

between users, one having access to the document and the other not, an access denied message 

will be issued to the user who does not have access when visiting the link. This is done by 

authentication mechanisms that map the sensitivity level and the user role, determining access. 

Once the decision to make metadata invisible to users without document access was made, there 

were two major areas that needed to be modified: Browsing and Searching. Both are very 

similar in what needed to be accomplished, but how the two are achieved is very different. 

Search results in the default configuration are all shown to the user regardless of their sensitivity 

level. The EDL-R now filters out search results that are not accessible by the user. It does this 

by intercepting the results before being displayed to the user, and then determining if the 

sensitivity of the document maps to the user role via an ACL. If it does not, it is removed from 

the listing of results; if access is granted then the result is passed along to the screen processor 

for display. This same methodology is used for the saved searches that users can use to find or 

store information that they’ve searched on before. Because users can search via other users’ 

saved searches, this needed to be a dynamic filter, done in real time. 

Unlike the search features, the browse feature, also known a view, is generated statically at some 

predetermined interval. Because the repository serves static pages, the EDL-R cannot 

dynamically filter out these lists. The solution to this is to dynamically allow or disallow access 

to the browse pages. Before this authorization is given, the browse pages are created on a per 

user type basis. This means each user type has its own browse page that will authenticate 

against. 

The browse pages are created very similarly to the search results, whereby a user role is used to 

filter out documents, which are inaccessible to that role. From this, static HTML pages are 

created and stored on the web server and are accessed through links found on the site. 
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These links are dynamically created when the user logs in, so all links pointing to static browse 

pages point to the one associated with their user role. To avoid typing an alternate URL directly 

into the address bar of a browser, the EDL-R also does authentication in the background for all 

requests to these browse pages, giving a 403 (forbidden) error when a user attempts an 

unauthorized access to a browse page. 

The default system configuration is a completely open access, unencrypted system, meaning no 

password or user account is needed to access documents stored in the repository. The EDL-R 

uses password only access over secure socket layer (SSL). These alterations required a 

comprehensive rule set for the passwords (including length and special characters), and future 

plans of more robust password checking, including keyboard patterns and dictionary based 

checking. Along with these password requirements, a custom aging component built on top of 

the existing repository and database. 

The aging component can be easily modified for any variable amount of days, and sends 

reminder emails regarding password expiration 1 and 2 weeks prior to expiration. This reminds 

a user to change his or her password before expiration, which can be done through their EDL-R 

profile. Once a password expires, only a repository administrator has the ability to reset it. 

While a lot of work has been done to the repository thus far, there are plans for future 

developments. One addition to be made will be anti-virus checking to all incoming files. While 

this does not affect the repository directly, the EDL-R should not disseminate information to 

users that contain virus, exploits, or other malicious code. 

Other plans include interfacing with the NASA LDAP for authentication and authorization. This 

would eliminate the need for a separate password checking and aging component because all of 

the information is stored and retrieved in a central location. 

Maintenance & Preservation 

Maintaining the EDL archive encompasses two aspects: regular hardware and software 

maintenance, and preservation of the material stored in the archive. The former is fairly straight 

forward up until the time technology surpasses the current architecture. Because the EDL 

archive adheres to archival interface standards defined by the OAI, all material can essentially be 

copied to an alternate archive that complies with the same standard. This flexibility will allow 

all material to be moved to an improved archival system. 

Preservation of the material may be more challenging aspect of maintenance. The preservation 

strategy is based not only on the open source software and standards but also by paying close 

attention to technology changes and the file formats needed by the EDL community. In addition, 

practical considerations have been implemented and planned for, such as off-site frequent 

mirrors of the site, planned media and software migration as media decays, and software 

becomes obsolete. 
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Closing 

The next delivery of the EDL-R is scheduled for the summer of 2008 and it has a number of 

additional capabilities planned to improve security and ease of use: 

 On-line Account Request form 

 Automatic virus checking 

 Batch submissions 

 User interface for updating the Most Wanted List 

 Improved Subject selection 

 NASA branding 

 FAQ and on-line Help 

As the development of this tool continues, a number of challenges lie ahead: 

- ensuring the security of sensitive material 

- incorporating all of shuttle EDL data 

- continuing search to preserve rare and at-risk material 

- securing a post development home and sustained funding 

Looking further down the road, it is our hope that NASA continues to archive valuable 

information and considers expanding this repository to include EDL material from other 

countries that are committed to space exploration, perhaps by means of a federated archive. 

Ames, JPL, and Langley collaborate on this task, which is funded by the NASA Engineering and 

Safety Center. The development of the EDL-R has been guided by the keen interest and 

dedication of these members of the EDL community: Prasun Desai, Dick Powell, Bob 

Blanchard, Bob Tolson, Paul Seimers, and Paul Romere. We would also like to give our 

appreciation and thanks to Daniel Winterhalter and Lloyd Keith for their direction and insightful 

leadership. 
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Appendix B. EDL Community Contacts 

Name Contact Information

Chen, Allen Organization: JPL

Title: MSL EDL Systems Engineering Team (Flight Dynamics Lead, Chief of 

Staff)

Discipline: Systems Engineering

Barth, Andy Organization: Lockheed Martin

Discipline: Entry GN&C

Queen, Eric Organization: LaRC

Title: Research Engineer

Discipline: GN&C and Simulation

Kipp, Devin Organization: JPL

Title: MSL EDL Systems Engineer & Terrain Interaction Lead

Olejniczak, Joseph Organization: ARC

Discipline: Aerosciences

Edquist, Karl Organization: LaRC, Atmospheric Flight and Entry Systems Branch

Title: MSL Aerothermal Lead

Discipline: Aerodynamics/Aerothermodynamics

French, Richard Organization: JPL

Title: EDL Systems Engineering/Orion TPS V&V

Discipline: EDL system engineering

Adams, Douglas Organization: JPL

Title: MSL Parachute Cognizant Engineer, Phoenix EDL Mechanical Systems 

Engineer

Discipline: EDL Simulations, Vehicle Dynamics, and Structural Dynamics

O’Donnell, Jim Organization: NESC GN&C TDT/GSFC Attitude Control Systems Engineering 

Branch

Title: Core Member/Branch Head

Discipline: GN&C

Reuther, James Organization: ARC (MS 230-2)

Title: Project Manager, CEV Thermal Protection System
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Name Contact Information

Wright, Michael Organization: ARC

Title: Senior Research Scientist

Discipline: Aerothermodynamics and Thermal Protection Systems

Sell, Steve Organization: JPL

Title: MSL EDL Powered Flight Lead

Mendeck, Gavin Organization: JSC, Mission Operations Directorate

Title: MSL Entry Guidance, CEV GNC/Ops Integrator

Discipline: Entry Guidance, Mission Operations

Kramer-White, Julie Organization: JSC

Title: Orion Chief Engineer

Rivellini, Tom Organization: JPL

Title: Mechanical Systems Lead for MSL EDL Hardware, Supervisor of EDL 

and Mechanical systems Group

Discipline: Mechanical Engineering

Shidner, Jeremy Organization: MSL, LaRC, Atmospheric Flight and Entry Systems Branch

Title: Research Engineer

Discipline: Flight Mechanics Modeling and Simulation

Fremaux, Charles M. 

(Mike)

Organization: LaRC/RTD/Flight Dynamic Branch

Title: Branch Head

Discipline: Flight Dynamics and Control

Jackson, Bruce Organization: LaRC

Title: Sr. Research Engineer

Discipline: Handling Qualities/GNC

Baird, Darren Organization: JSC

Title: GN&C Engineer

Discipline: Entry Guidance

Beck, Robin Organization: ARC

Title: NESC Passive Thermal TDT member, MSL TPS Cognizant Engineer,

Principal Technologist for ETDP TPS Technology Development Project

Discipline: Ablative Materials
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Name Contact Information

Powell, Richard 

(Dick)

Organization: AMA/LaRC

Title: Senior Research Engineer

Discipline: Flight Mechanics

Chen, George Organization: JPL

Title: EDL Systems Engineering and Advanced Technology Group Supervisor

Discipline: EDL Systems Engineering, GN&C, Spacecraft Systems Engineering

Prakash, Ravi Organization: JPL

Title: Orion TPS Task Lead

Discipline: EDL Systems

Sengupta, Anita Organization: JPL

Title: Senior Systems Engineer

Discipline: Decelerators and Aerodynamics

Salerno, Chris Organization: Lockheed Martin 

Discipline: Orion Mission Analysis

Desai, Prasun Organization: LaRC

Title: Senior Systems Engineer

Discipline: EDL Systems

Tigges, Michael Organization: JSC

Title: SSM Entry Guidance 

Discipline: Guidance

Engelund, Walter Organization: LaRC

Title: Head, Atmospheric Flight and Entry Systems Branch

Discipline: Aerodynamics, Systems Engineering

Kim, Sungwan Organization: LaRC

Title: Orion LaRC GN&C Team Deputy Lead

Discipline: GN&C

Hoelscher, Brian Organization: JSC

Title: Subsystem Manager - Orion Entry Flight Control

Discipline: flight control and entry simulation

Machin, Ricardo 

(Koki)

Organization: JSC, Aerosciences Branch
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Name Contact Information

Rea, Jeremy Organization: JSC

Title: Orion Entry Performance Subsystem Manager

Discipline: Orion Entry Flight Dynamics and GN&C

Mueller, Eric Organization: NESC Flight Mechanics TDT (org code is AFT at ARC)

Title: Aerospace engineer

Discipline: GNC, spacecraft handling qualities

Morris, Aaron Organization: JSC, Engineering Support Contract Group

Title: CPAS Engineering Group Lead 

Discipline: Orion Parachutes

Westhelle, Carlos H Organization: JSC - Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division

Title: JSC Tech. Lead for Mars EDL Systems Analysis Study, Flight Mechanics 

TDT extended member

Discipline: Aerocapture Guidance, Mission Design and Analysis

Venkatapathy, Ethiraj Organization: ARC/CEV TPS Insight-Oversight Team

Title: Chief Technologist, Space Technology Division/TPS Integration 

Technologist

Discipline: Aerothermal/TPS

Rickman, Steve Organization: NESC

Title: NASA Technical Fellow for Passive Thermal

Discipline: Passive Thermal

Stachowiak, Susan Organization: JSC

Title: Aerospace Engineer

Discipline: Orion Entry Flight Control, MSL Entry Guidance

Nguyen, Luat Organization: Flight Projects Directorate, LaRC

Title: Director, Flight Projects Directorate

Discipline: Flight Mechanics

Beaty, James R. (Jim) Organization: LaRC, Systems Analysis & Concepts Directorate 

Discipline: Flight Mechanics, GN&C, Simulation & Modeling

Hughes, Mike Organization: LM

Title: Orion GN&C Lead Systems Engineer

Discipline: GN&C
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Name Contact Information

Calhoun, Philip Organization: GSFC

Title: Aerospace Engineer

Discipline: Guidance, Navigation, and Control

Gay, Robert Organization: JSC EG6

Title: Orion EDL Navigation Subsystem Manager/Orion Nav System Team

Member

Discipline: Navigation/Modeling and Simulation

Cerimele, Chris Organization: JSC CxP SE&I and Engineering Directorate

Title: Constellation Level II Flight Performance Systems Integration Group 

Lead

Flight Mechanics and Trajectory Design Branch Chief

Discipline: Flight Mechanics

Zang, Thomas A. Organization: LaRC

Title: Chief Technologist, Systems Analysis and Concepts Directorate

Discipline: Systems Analysis

Putnam, Zachary Organization: Draper Laboratory, Orion GN&C Entry Mode Team

Title: none

Discipline: Entry Guidance

Murri, Daniel Organization: NESC

Title: NASA Technical Fellow for Flight Mechanics

Discipline: Flight Mechanics

Manning, Robert Organization: JPL

Title: MSL Chief Engineer

Discipline: EDL

Steltzner, Adam Organization: JPL

Title: MSL EDL Phase Lead

Discipline: EDL 

Blanchard, Robert Organization: Retired

Discipline: EDL

Romere, Paul Organization: JSC Retired

Discipline: SSP EDL

Green, Michael Organization: Retired

Discipline: EDL
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Name Contact Information

Tolson, Robert Organization: Retired

Discipline: EDL

Desai, Prasun Organization: LaRC

Discipline: EDL, Aerospace Flight Systems

St. Vaughn, Josh Organization: JPL

Title: Manager, Spacecraft Mechanical Engineering

Discipline: Spacecraft Mechanical Engineering
REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form Approved

OMB No. 0704-0188

2. REPORT TYPE 

Technical Memorandum

 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Flight Data Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) Repository

5a. CONTRACT NUMBER

 6. AUTHOR(S)

Martinez, Elmain M.; Winterhalter, Daniel

 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

NASA Langley Research Center

Hampton, VA 23681-2199

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Washington, DC 20546-0001

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NASA

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Subject Category 16- Space Transportation and Safety

Availability: NASA CASI (443) 757-5802

19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON

STI Help Desk (email: help@sti.nasa.gov)

14. ABSTRACT

Dr. Daniel Winterhalter, NASA Engineering and Safety Center Chief Engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, requested the 

NASA Engineering and Safety Center sponsor a 3-year effort to collect entry, descent, and landing material and to establish a 

NASA-wide archive to serve the material. The principle focus of this task was to identify entry, descent, and landing 

repository material that was at risk of being permanently lost due to damage, decay, and undocumented storage. To provide 

NASA-wide access to this material, a web-based digital archive was created. This document contains the outcome of the 

effort.

15. SUBJECT TERMS

NASA Engineering and Safety Center; EDL repository; digital archive

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(443) 757-5802

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3. DATES COVERED (From - To)

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5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER

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11. SPONSOR/MONITOR'S REPORT

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collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and 

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