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At least 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2015

High Altitude Venus Operational Concept (HAVOC): Proofs of Concept

The atmosphere of Venus is an exciting destination for both further scientific study and future human exploration. A recent internal NASA study of a High Altitude Venus Operational Concept (HAVOC) led to the development of an evolutionary program for the exploration of Venus, with focus on the mission architecture and vehicle concept for a 30-day crewed mission into Venus's atmosphere at 50 kilometers. Key technical challenges for the mission include performing the aerocapture maneuvers at Venus and Earth, inserting and inflating the airship at Venus during the entry sequence, and protecting the solar panels and structure from the sulfuric acid in the atmosphere. Two proofs of concept were identified that would aid in addressing some of the key technical challenges. To mitigate the threat posed by the sulfuric acid ambient in the atmosphere of Venus, a material was needed that could protect the systems while being lightweight and not inhibiting the performance of the solar panels. The first proof of concept identified candidate materials and evaluated them, finding FEP-Teflon (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene-Teflon) to maintain 90 percent transmittance to relevant spectra even after 30 days of immersion in concentrated sulfuric acid. The second proof of concept developed and verified a packaging algorithm for the airship envelope to inform the entry, descent, and inflation analysis.

Jones, Christopher A.↗
NASA NTRS2004

An aerobot for global in situ exploration of Titan

This paper describes the design and component testing of an aerobot that would be capable of global in situ exploration of Saturn's moon, Titan, over a 6 to 12 month mission lifetime. The proposed aerobot is a propeller-driven, buoyant vehicle that resembles terrestrial airships. However, the extremely cold Titan environment requires the use of cryogenic materials of construction and careful thermal design for protection of temperature-sensitive payload elements. Multiple candidate balloon materials have been identified based on extensive laboratory testing at 77 K.

aerobot↗
NASA NTRS1972

Some applications of buoyancy systems and parawings to replace conventional and proposed transportation systems.

An exploratory study has been conducted to assess the performance potential of buoyant airships and parawings in short-haul passenger transportation. Results show that such systems can be used effectively, from a performance standpoint, in a VTOL or STOL mode of operation. A supplementary assessment of potential applications of such vehicles is examined, with a brief look at economic factors and an examination of missions for which they might be effectively used.

Havill, C. D.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The Design of Pumpjets for Hydrodynamic Propulsion

A procedure for use in the design of a wake adapted pumpjet mounted on the aft end of a body of revolution is presented. To this end, a pumpjet is designed for the Akron airship. The propulsor mass flow is selected to minimize kinetic energy losses through the duct and in the discharge jet. The shaft speed and disk size are selected to satisfy specified limits of cavitation performance and to provide acceptable blade loading. The streamtubes which pass through a propulsor mounted on a tapered afterbody follow essentially conical surfaces. A method is provided for defining these surfaces as a function of shroud geometry, rotor head distribution, and the energy distribution of the ingested mass flow. The three-dimensional effects to which the conical flow subjects the cylindrical blade design sections are described and a technique is presented which permits incorporation of these effects in the blade design procedure.

Bruce, E. P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Basic relationships for LTA economic analysis

Operating costs based on data of actual and proposed airships for conventional lighter than air craft (LTA) are presented. An economic comparison of LTA with the B-47F is included, and possible LTA economic trends are discussed.

Ausrotas, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A study of design trade (OFFS) using a computer model

The interaction between the efficiency of the structural design and the cost of the structure used was studied. It is shown that future effort is best directed at producing a low cost structure of medium efficiency, but with the ability to withstand normal service wear. The trade-off between aerodynamic drag and structure weight in selecting a length to diameter ratio for the hull is evaluated along with the implications of power plan type and fuel cost on the economics of the airship. The choice of lifting gas is considered.

Coughlin, S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Long fluid filled bags suspended by line forces

A previous analysis of fluid filled storage bags is extended to the case of a long fluid filled cylindrical membrane supported by uniform line loads. Cross-sectional shape, stiffness of the support system and stress resultants in the membrane are determined. The application of the numerical results to problems arising in the design of nonrigid airships is discussed.

Mullins, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Lighter than air: A look at the past, a look at the possibilities

A brief history of the flight by LTA including the development of the zeppelin is presented. Safety and economy are discussed along with power requirements and production techniques. The problem of ground handling facilities for very large airships are briefly mentioned.

Shea, W. F.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The Dynairship

A feasibility analysis for the construction and use of a combination airplane-airship named 'Dynairship' is undertaken. Payload capacities, fuel consumption, and the structural design of the craft are discussed and compared to a conventional commercial aircraft (a Boeing 747). Cost estimates of construction and operation of the craft are also discussed. The various uses of the craft are examined (i.e, in police work, materials handling, and ocean surveillance), and aerodynamic configurations and photographs are shown.

Miller, W. M., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Special problems and capabilities of high altitude lighter than air vehicles

Powered LTA vehicles have historically been limited to operations at low altitudes. Conditions exist which may enable a remotely piloted unit to be operated at an altitude near 70,000 feet. Such systems will be launched like high altitude balloons, operate like nonrigid airships, and have mission capabilities comparable to a low altitude stationary satellite. The limited lift available and the stratospheric environment impose special requirements on power systems, hull materials and payloads. Potential nonmilitary uses of the vehicle include communications relay, environmental monitoring and ship traffic control.

Wessel, P. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

LTA bibliography

This bibliography includes publications which deal with airship design, engineering, stress calculations, and historical information.

Neumann, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The technology assessment of LTA aircraft systems

The advantages of conventional small and large airships over heavier than air aircraft are reviewed and the need for developing hybrid aircraft for passenger and heavy charge transport is assessed. Performance requirements and estimated operating costs are discussed for rota-ships to be used for short distance transportation near large cities as well as for airlifting civil engineering machinery and supplies for the construction of power stations, dams, tunnels, and roads in remote areas or on isolated islands.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1979

Large lighter-than-air vehicles

The background of experience and the results achieved in building large airships are discussed. Two current applications are identified. These are in heavy vertical lift and in long endurance patrol. The most promising concepts for these missions include hybrid combinations of helicopters and aerostats and more conventional rigid types. These new approaches will require some technology development in aerodynamics and structures, but all vehicles will benefit from application of modern methods and materials.

Mayer, N. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Applications of a high-altitude powered platform /HAPP/

The high-altitude powered platform (HAPP) is a conceptual unmanned vehicle which could be either an airship or airplane. It would keep station at an altitude of 70,000 ft above a fixed point on the ground. A microwave power transmission system would beam energy from the ground up to the HAPP to power an electric motor-driven propeller and the payload. A study of the HAPP has shown that it could potentially be a cost-competitive platform for such remote sensing applications as forest fire detection, Great Lakes ice monitoring and Coast Guard law enforcement. It also has significant potential as a communications relay platform for (among other things) direct broadcast to home TVs over a large region.

Kuhner, M. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

In depth review of the 1979 AIAA Lighter-Than-Air Systems Technology Conference

The lighter than air (LTA) systems technology conference is reviewed. Highlights of the conference were: (1) the interest shown in patrol and surveillance airships, particularly for coastal patrol missions; (2) the session devoted to overviews of foreign activity; and (3) heavy lift and long range transport aircraft design considerations.

Ardema, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Classical Aerodynamic Theory

A collection of papers on modern theoretical aerodynamics is presented. Included are theories of incompressible potential flow and research on the aerodynamic forces on wing and wing sections of aircraft and on airship hulls.

Jones, R. T.↗