Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Whitaker, A..
The aerospace industry has conquered numerous environmental challenges during the last decade. The aerospace industry of today has evolved due in part to the environmental challenges, becoming stronger, more robust, learning to push the limits of technology, materials and manufacturing, and performing cutting edge engineering.
Installing multilayer insulation against primary Whipple bumper reduces pressure-wall damage. Protection to Space Station based on Whipple bumper concept, "Multishock Shields Containing Aluminum Mesh" (MSC-21792). In addition to Whipple bumper, thermal insulation required and provided by multilayered insulation (MLI) consisting of 20 layers (alternating) of double-aluminized Mylar(R) and Dacron(R) netting. When MLI located against bumper, material still disintegrates, but extra space between MLI and pressure wall allows debris pressure cloud to expand so pressure cloud loading reduced. In addition, total amount of MLI material damaged considerably less when placed against Whipple bumper, which contributes to decrease in excess pressure and contents of expanding debris cloud.
Certain plastic films, such as KAPTON, are known to be stable with excellent long-term aging characteristics under intense uv radiation. Our recent measurements of the optical transmission spectra of KAPTON films show an absorption edge in the blue and are interpreted in terms of an electronic excitation mechanism. The application of this type of film as covering for solar collectors is discussed in regard to the protection this strong uv absorption offers to the materials underneath.
Properties of ferrolubricants and their potential uses are outlined in relation to industrial processes. Experiments with ball and journal bearings indicate significant advantages in the use of ferrolubricants.
The concept Verification Testing (CVT) project at the Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama, is a developmental activity that supports Shuttle Payload Projects such as Spacelab. It provides an operational 1-g environment for testing NASA and other agency experiment and support systems concepts that may be used in shuttle. A dedicated Materials Science Payload was tested in the General Purpose Laboratory to assess the requirements of a space processing payload on a Spacelab type facility. Physical and functional integration of the experiments into the facility was studied, and the impact of the experiments on the facility (and vice versa) was evaluated. A follow-up test designated CVT Test IVA was also held. The purpose of this test was to repeat Test IV experiments with a crew composed of selected and trained scientists. These personnel were not required to have prior knowledge of the materials science disciplines, but were required to have a basic knowledge of science and the scientific method.