Engineering topics

Burns, Rowland E.

Publications and source records attributed to Burns, Rowland E..

4 records

NASA NTRS1991

Flight mechanics expert systems

A method is established which can be used to solve any problem in equation-driven disciplines. This is accomplished by solving all applicable equations of the given discipline for all variables which occur in each of the equations. The system then provides logic tests to determine if enough information is available to calculate a new variable. By recording the order in which the equations are used, the machine can also supply a derivation of the answer to each problem.

Burns, Rowland E.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Forbidden tangential orbit transfers between intersecting Keplerian orbits

The classical problem of tangential impulse transfer between coplanar Keplerian orbits is addressed. A completely analytic solution which does not rely on sequential calculation is obtained and this solution is used to demonstrate that certain initially chosen angles can produce singularities in the parameters of the transfer orbit. A necessary and sufficient condition for such singularities is that the initial and final orbits intersect.

Burns, Rowland E.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Forbidden tangential orbit transfers between intersecting Keplerian orbits

The classical problem of tangential impulse transfer between coplanar Keplerian orbits is addressed. A completely analytic solution which does not rely on sequential calculation is obtained and this solution is used to demonstrate that certain choices of initial true anomaly can produce singularities in the parameters of the transfer orbit. A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of such singularities is that the initial and final orbits intersect.

Burns, Rowland E.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Application of artificial intelligence to impulsive orbital transfers

A generalized technique for the numerical solution of any given class of problems is presented. The technique requires the analytic (or numerical) solution of every applicable equation for all variables that appear in the problem. Conditional blocks are employed to rapidly expand the set of known variables from a minimum of input. The method is illustrated via the use of the Hohmann transfer problem from orbital mechanics.

Burns, Rowland E.↗