Engineering Papers⌕ Search

Engineering topics

King, R. W.

Publications and source records attributed to King, R. W..

31 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Universal time - Results from lunar laser ranging

A least squares analysis of lunar laser ranging observations from the McDonald Observatory is used to estimate universal time. In addition to the ranging observations, the analysis simultaneously takes into account the parameters representing the locations of McDonald and the lunar retroreflectors, the orbits of the earth and the moon, and the moon's physical libration. The root-mean-square of the postfit range residuals for the 5-year period from October 1970 to November 1975 is 28 cm. The results are compared with those obtained by the Bureau International de l'Heure and by Stolz et al. (1976), and the reasons for discrepancies are discussed. It is suggested that problems in modeling the moon's motion make difficult the determination of UT with the accuracy inherent in the ranging observations.

King, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

An improved analytical model of the separation region on boattail nozzles at subsonic speeds

A practical engineering calculation was developed to model the viscous effects of a separated, reverse flow region on afterbody pressures and drag. This viscous calculation was iteratively coupled with an inviscid flow calculation by means of an aerodynamic interface. A standard boundary layer displacement thickness was used to modify the afterbody shape where the flow was attached. A discriminating streamline calculation was developed to account for displacement effects of the reverse flow in separated regions with and without a flowing jet. The viscous flow calculation was coupled with a potential flow calculation. The analysis accurately predicted afterbody pressures and drag with variations in Reynolds number, Mach number, and afterbody shape.

Presz, W. M., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1978

An improved analytical model of the separated region on nozzle boattails

A viscous flow calculation is formulated for modelling the effects of separated, reverse flow regions on nozzle afterbody pressures and drags at subsonic Mach numbers. A discriminating streamline approach is used. Effects of skin friction, axial pressure gradient, and nozzle jet entrainment on the separated discriminating streamline shape are included. The viscous flow calculation is coupled to a potential flow calculation. The combined analysis is found to accurately predict both the magnitude of the measured afterbody pressures and drag, and also their variation with Reynolds number, Mach number and afterbody shape.

Presz, W. M., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Study of lunar librations using differential very-long-baseline observations of ALSEPs

Observations of signals from the ALSEP transmitters via differential very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) are being made to determine the relative selenocentric coordinates of the ALSEPs and the motion of the moon about its center of mass. By VLBI the relative positions of the ALSEPs can be determined with uncertainties less than 5 meters, and the orientation of the moon within 0.5 second of selenocentric arc.

King, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Lunar dynamics and selenodesy - Results from analysis of VLBI and laser data

Very long base line interferometry (VLBI) observations of lunar radio transmitters have been combined with data from laser ranging to lunar retroreflectors to estimate simultaneously (1) parameters in models of the lunar orbit and libration and (2) the selenodetic coordinates of the radio transmitters and retroreflectors. For the ratio of the mass of the sun to that of the earth plus moon, a value of approximately 328,900.5 is obtained. The lunar moment-of-inertia ratios beta and gamma are also determined. The values and most of the uncertainties obtained for the third-degree harmonics of the moon's gravity field are comparable to those which have been obtained by others from observations of lunar-orbiting spacecraft. However, the results for the two third-degree gravity coefficients have much less uncertainty than determinations based on laser data alone. For the relative position vectors of the lunar radio transmitters and the retroreflectors, the estimates have uncertainties of about 30 m along the earth-moon direction and about 10 m in each of the two transverse coordinates.

King, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A method of distortion pattern synthesis for high response data screening

An empirically derived method of estimating maximum levels of instantaneous inlet total pressure distortion from steady state measurements is presented. The estimation procedure uses steady state total pressure and root mean square turbulent pressure data measurements to synthesize instantaneous distortion patterns. The synthesis method is tailored to intensify distortion patterns in a manner consistent with the characteristics of the particular index to be used in evaluating inlet/engine compatability. The maximum expected value of distortion, a statistically determined function of the length of time of inlet operation, is used to constrain the amount of pattern intensification. Comparison with an independent set of data is presented for verification of the synthesis method.

King, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Analysis of distortion data from TF30-P-3 mixed compression inlet test

A program was conducted to reduce and analyze inlet and engine data obtained during testing of a TF30-P-3 engine operating behind a mixed compression inlet. Previously developed distortion analysis techniques were applied to the data to assist in the development of a new distortion methodology. Instantaneous distortion techniques were refined as part of the distortion methodology development. A technique for estimating maximum levels of instantaneous distortion from steady state and average turbulence data was also developed as part of the program.

King, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Verification of the principle of equivalence for massive bodies

Analysis of 1389 measurements, accumulated between 1970 and 1974, of echo delays of laser signals transmitted from earth and reflected from cube corners on the moon shows gravitational binding energy to contribute equally to earth's inertial and passive gravitational masses to within the estimated uncertainty of 1.5%. The corresponding restriction on the Eddington-Robertson parameters is 4(beta) - gamma 3 = -0.001 plus or minus 0.015. Combination with other results, as if independent, yields values for beta and gamma in accord with general relativity.

Shapiro, I. I.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Lunar baselines and libration from differential VLBI observations of ALSEPs

Differential very-long-baseline interferometric observations of signals from Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package telemetry transmitters will yield the relative projected positions of the transmitters with uncertainty of only 1-3 m, set mainly by uncertainty of the lunar ephemeris. Noise and systematic instrumental errors which in the past affected similar observations have been reduced to the equivalent of a few centimeters on the lunar surface by the development of a new type of differential receiver. Continued observations should yield a determination of the motion of the moon about its center of mass with uncertainty less than 1 sec of selenocentric arc. Improvements (by other means) in our knowledge of the moon's orbital motion would allow a further order-of-magnitude refinement in the libration and relative position results obtainable by differential VLBI.

Counselman, C. C., III↗
NASA NTRS1973

Precision selenodesy via differential interferometry.

Review of the first results obtained from the development and use of a new type of differential receiver designed to determine the relative locations on the lunar surface of two Apollo-deposited transmitters. This receiver has made it possible to reduce random and systematic instrumental errors to nearly negligible levels (displacement uncertainties equivalent to a few centimeters).

Counselman, C. C., III↗