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At least 307 records · Page 17

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NASA NTRS1980

The solar power satellite concept - The past decade and the next decade

The concept of using space satellites to collect solar energy for earth use was first proposed in 1968. The present paper summarizes the results of various studies conducted since that time. The concept is now being evaluated by DOE and NASA. This evaluation will result in a recommendation as to whether the concept should be pursued further. A possible plan for the continued exploration of the concept is presented. The initial thrust of this plan would involve laboratory development and testing of selected system elements to answer key technological and environmental questions.

Kraft, C. C., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Satellite Power Study (SPS) concept definition study (Exhibit D). Volume 1: Executive summary

Efforts concentrated on updating of the Rockwell reference concept, definition of new system options, studies of special emphasis topics, further definition of the transportation system, and further program definition. The Rockwell reference satellite concept has a gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cell array having flat concentrators with an effective concentration ratio of 1.83at end of life. Alternatives to this concept includes solid state power amplifiers or magnetrons for dc/RF conversion and multibandgap solar cells for solar to dc energy conversion. Two solid state concepts were studied. It was determined that the magnetron approach was the lowest mass and cost system.

Hanley, G. M.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Satellite Power Systems (SPS) concept definition study (Exhibit D). Volume 3: Transportation analysis

Additional analyses and investigations were conducted to further define transportation system concepts that will be needed for the developmental and operational phases of an SPS program. To accomplish these objectives, transportation systems such as the Shuttle and its derivatives were identified; new heavy lift launch vehicle (HLLV) concepts, cargo and personnel orbital transfer vehicles (EOTV and POTV), and intraorbit transfer vehicle (IOTV) concepts were evaluated; and, to a limited degree, the program implications of their operations and costs were assessed. The results of these analyses were integrated into other elements of the overall SPS concept definition studies.

Hanley, G. M.↗

NASA NTRS1980

An investigation of automatic guidance concepts to steer a VTOL aircraft to a small aviation facility ship

A detailed system model of a VTOL aircraft approaching a small aviation facility ship was developed and used to investigate several approach guidance concepts. A preliminary anaysis of the aircraft-vessel landing guidance requirements was conducted. The various subelements and constraints of the flight system are described including the landing scenario, lift fan aircraft, state rate feedback flight control, MLS-based navigation, sea state induced ship motion, and wake turbulence due to wind-over-deck effects. These elements are integrated into a systems model with various guidance concepts. Guidance is described in terms of lateral, vertical, and longitudinal axes steering modes and approach and landing phases divided by a nominal hover (or stationkeeping) point defined with respect to the landing pad. The approach guidance methods are evaluated, and the two better steering concepts are studied by both single pass and Monte Carlo statistical simulation runs. Four different guidance concepts are defined for further analysis for the landing phase of flight.

Sorensen, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Radiometer design concepts for large aperture microwave radiometer spacecraft

Concepts involving active and passive microwave systems for soil-moisture monitoring are discussed. It is shown that the first major development efforts should be directed toward the simpler passive design concepts. Subsequently, five passive design concepts for a microwave radiometer spacecraft are outlined and compared. Some common technology needs, such as large space structures and controls, are shown to exist. Also, some peculiar technology needs are identified, such as complicated phasing networks, dielectric lenses, tapered illumination, and reflector-surface irregularity and distortion control techniques. More detailed studies to address these design concepts and assess the associated technology needs are recommended.

Keafer, L. S., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Static internal performance characteristics of two thrust reverser concepts for axisymmetric nozzles

The statis performance of two axisymmetric nozzle thrust reverser concepts was investigated. A rotating vane thrust reverser represented a concept in which reversing is accomplished upstream of the nozzle throat, and a three door reverser concept provided reversing downstream of the nozzle throat. Nozzle pressure ratio was varied from 2.0 to approximately 6.0. The results of this investigation indicate that both the rotating vane and three door reverser concepts were effective static thrust spoilers with the landing approach nozzle geometry and were capable of providing at least a 50 percent reversal of static thrust when fully deployed with the ground roll nozzle geometry.

Leavitt, L. D.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Evaluation of a trajectory command concept for manual control of carrier approaches and landings

A novel trajectory control system concept was implemented to provide manual control of a conventional jet aircraft. This concept, called Total Aircraft Flight Control System (TAFCOS), utilizes an inverse model of the aerodynamic and propulsion characteristics and employs feedforward control to provide the required acceleration command. The concept requires on-board digital computations which can easily be handled by a modern airborne computer. The system was studied in a piloted simulation of the carrier approach and landing task with primarily visual flight and guidance cues. The principal modes of vertical flight-path control investigated were vertical velocity command and vertical acceleration command. The study included manual carrier approaches with and without moderate ship motion and associated air disturbances, and tests of the effects of discrete gusts. Manual control of flight path through this new concept was shown to be feasible as an addition to an automatic control system and to have potential as an improved mode of control over conventional control for the carrier approach task.

Mcneill, W. E.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Analysis of selected VTOL concepts for a civil transportation mission

As part of defining the needs and technology requirements for VTOL aircraft research and development, the objective of this paper is to study the application of two tilt propulsion concept VTOL aircraft to the business/executive transport mission. The two concepts selected for study are the tilt jet concept utilizing rotating turbofan engines for both vertical lift and cruise thrust, and the tilt rotor concept using relatively low disc loading propellers for hover and cruise. Overall mission costs, including the time-value cost of the executives, was computed for a selected range of mission distances, up to the design mission range of 750 nm (1400 km). The total trip cost was also compared to that of a conventional helicopter/business jet combination for a typical executive transport mission.

Wilson, S. B., III↗

NASA NTRS1980

Program Assessment Report Statement of Findings: Satellite Power Systems Concept Development and Evaluation Program

This report states what is known, uncertain, and unknown about the Solar Power Satellite (SPS) concept - collecting solar energy in space and delivering the energy to Earth for the production of baseload electricity. This report discusses the important technical, environmental, and cost goal questions that must be answered prior to making a commitment to the SPS concept. Although significant technological, environmental and economic questions remain to be answered, the preliminary investigations undertaken in the Concept Development and Evaluation Program do provide a basis for a policy decision on further commitment. This report also suggests areas of research and experimentation required to acquire the knowledge by which a series of informed, time-phased decisions may be made concerning the possibility of the SPS concept playing a major role in the United States' energy future.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1983

An aerodynamic assessment of various supersonic fighter airplanes based on Soviet design concepts

The aerodynamic, stability, and control characteristics of several supersonic fighter airplane concepts were assessed. The configurations include fixed-wing airplanes having delta wings, swept wings, and trapezoidal wings, and variable wing-sweep airplanes. Each concept employs aft tail controls. The concepts vary from lightweight, single engine, air superiority, point interceptor, or ground attack types to larger twin-engine interceptor and reconnaissance designs. Results indicate that careful application of the transonic or supersonic area rule can provide nearly optimum shaping for minimum drag for a specified Mach number requirement. Through the proper location of components and the exploitation of interference flow fields, the concepts provide linear pitching moment characteristics, high control effectiveness, and reasonably small variations in aerodynamic center location with a resulting high potential for maneuvering capability. By careful attention to component shaping and location and through the exploitation of local flow fields, favorable roll-to-yaw ratios may result and a high degree of directional stability can be achieved.

Spearman, M. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Research-Concept Evaluation

Concepts ranked according to potential benefit/cost ratios. ARINC Researh Concept Evaluation Methodology (ARCEM) program provides powerful tool for organization and planning of research activities indicating which concepts provide greatest benefit for investment and determines number of concepts implemented to justify expenditures for development of generic technologies.

White, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Hot melt adhesive pad surface attachment assembly concept for on-orbit operations

The use of a hot melt adhesive concept to develop a Surface Attachment Assembly (SAA) for on-orbit attachment and detachment operations for the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) was investigated. The concept involved impregnation of the hot melt adhesive into a fiberglass covered pad which contained electrical heating and thermoelectric cooling devices. The polyamide hot melt adhesive selected can be repeatedly heated to its melting point in a vacuum and provide good adhesion to various surfaces, i.e., reusable surface insulation tiles, metals, and composites, when cooled. After a series of adhesive screening tests, Jet-Melt 3746 was selected from a group of commercially available thermoplastic adhesive candidates which met or exceeded many of the criteria established for the SAA system. The SAA system was designed and fabricted with the goal of proving the concept with a working model rather than attempting to optimize all facets of the system. This system evolved by investigating alternate attachment concepts, designing and fabricating electronic systems to heat and cool the adhesive, and then fabricating electronic systems to heat and cool the adhesive, and then fabricating and testing two prototype full-size units.

Progar, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

A system study of the solar power satellite concept

The paper summarizes a system study of the solar power satellite (SPS) concept which was conducted in the 1977-1980 time period. The system study was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as part of an SPS Concept Development and Evaluation Program. A reference system, developed during the study is described. The reference system was subsequently used as a basis for environmental, economic, and societal assessments. The reference system was recognized as probably not being an optimized approach. A number of alternate approaches which were studied in less depth are also described. The paper concludes with a number of observations regarding the SPS concept, and the pertinence of ongoing space technology, development, and flight programs to various aspects of the concept.

Piland, R. O.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Supersonic wing design concepts employing nonlinear flows

Three nonlinear flow concepts for the design of supersonic wings are reviewed. The specific concepts are: leading-edge thrust, supercritical crossflow, and leading-edge vortex flow. The major results of the experimental-theoretical studies supporting the development of these concepts are presented and discussed. Also, supporting aerodynamic prediction methods are described and example applications are given. Recommendations for further development of each concept are made.

Miller, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Missions and Vehicle Concepts for Modern, Propelled, Lighter-Than-Air Vehicles

The results of studies conducted over the last 15 years to assess missions and vehicle concepts for modern, propelled, lighter-than-air vehicles (airships) were surveyed. Rigid and non-rigid airship concepts are considered. The use of airships for ocean patrol and surveillance is discussed along with vertical heavy lift airships. Military and civilian needs for high altitude platforms are addressed. Around 1970 a resurgence of interest about lighter-than-air vehicles (airships) occurred in both the public at large and in certain isolated elements of the aerospace industry. Such renewals of airship enthusiasm are not new and have, in fact, occurred regularly since the days of the Hindenburg and other large rigid airships. However, the interest that developed in the early 1970's has been particularly strong and self-sustaining for a number of good reasons. The first is the rapid increase in fuel prices over the last decade and the common belief (usually true) that airships are the most fuel efficient means of air transportation. Second, a number of new mission needs have arisen, particularly in surveillance and patrol and in vertical heavy-lift, which would seem to be well-suited to airship capabilities. The third reason is the recent proposal of many new and innovative airship concepts. Finally, there is the prospect of adapting to airships the tremendous amount of new aeronautical technology which has been developed in the past few decades thereby obtaining dramatic new airship capabilities. The primary purpose of this volume is to survey the results of studies, conducted over the last 15 years, to assess missions and vehicle concepts for modern propelled lighter-than-air vehicles.

Ardema, M. D.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Integrated technology rotor/flight research rotor hub concept definition

Two variations of the helicopter bearingless main rotor hub concept are proposed as bases for further development in the preliminary design phase of the Integrated Technology Rotor/Flight Research Rotor (ITR/FRR) program. This selection was the result of an evaluation of three bearingless hub concepts and two articulated hub concepts with elastomeric bearings. The characteristics of each concept were evaluated by means of simplified methodology. These characteristics included the assessment of stability, vulnerability, weight, drag, cost, stiffness, fatigue life, maintainability, and reliability.

Dixon, P. G. C.↗

NASA NTRS1985

In situ orbital debris experiment concepts

Implementation of the radar, lidar and passive optical remote sensing concepts for measuring space debris from an Earth orbiting platform was investigated. Each system was compared for their requirements on the host platform, their performance relative to the space debris measurement program and the estimated cost of developing each concept into a flight instrument. It is found that the radar and lidar systems offer the greatest versatility and accuracy since they control the direction, intensity and duration of the energy incident on the target object. The performance of the passive optical system is determined by the capability of the detector and by the baseline separation of the telescopes, which requires the use of an on-orbit deployment mechanism. The passive optical concept provides the largest total event rae, and includes significant detections of particle sizes greater than 10 cm to allow correlation with ground based observations of the larger particles. The event rate for the radar system is relatively constant with particle while the lidar system is slightly biased toward the smaller sizes. These event rate differences result from a combination of the debris flux size distribution and the variation of sensitive detection area with particle size for the three concepts.

Neste, S. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Static investigation of several yaw vectoring concepts on nonaxisymmetric nozzles

A test has been conducted in the static test facility of the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel to determine the flow-turning capability and the effects on nozzle internal performance of several yaw vectoring concepts. Nonaxisymmetric convergent-divergent nozzles with throat areas simulating dry and afterburning power settings and single expansion ramp nozzles with a throat area simulating a dry power setting were modified for yaw thrust vectoring. Forward-thrust and pitch-vectored nozzle configurations were tested with each yaw vectoring concept. Four basic yaw vectoring concepts were investigated on the nonaxisymmetric convergent-divergent nozzles: (1) translating sidewall; (2) downstream (of throat) flaps; (3) upstream (of throat) port/flap; and (4) powered rudder. Selected combinations of the rudder with downstream flaps or upstream port/flap were also tested. A single yaw vectoring concept, post-exit flaps, was investigated on the single expansion ramp nozzles. All testing was conducted at static (no external flow) conditions and nozzle pressure ratios varied from 2.0 up to 10.0.

Mason, M. L.↗