Engineering topics

Powell, William E.

Publications and source records attributed to Powell, William E..

2 records

NASA NTRS1992

NASP - A status report

The current status of the NASP program, a joint DoD-NASA effort in advancing the technologies needed for the X-30 research flight vehicle is described. The X-30 single stage to orbit (SSTO) vehicle utilizes an air-breathing primary propulsion system and takes off and lands horizontally on a conventional runaway. The technologies under development include high specific strength, high temperature capable materials and structures, ramjet/scramjet propulsion systems, hypersonic aerodynamics and computational fluid dynamics, and cryogenics. A concept for a follow-on NASP-derived operational vehicle and its potential use as a space transportation vehicle are also discussed.

Thomas, John P., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1992

NASP X-30 Propulsion technology status

The performance goals of the NASP program require an aero-propulsion system with a high effective specific impulse. In order to achieve these goals, the high potential performance of air-breathing engines must be achieved over a very wide Mach number operating range. This, in turn, demands high component performance and involves many important technical issues which must be resolved. Scramjet Propulsion Technology is divided into five major areas: (1) inlets, (2) combustors, (3) nozzles, (4) component integration, and (5) test facilities. A status report covering the five areas is presented.

Powell, William E.↗