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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1961

Landing of Manned Reentry Vehicles

Landing characteristics were investigated using dynamic models. The landing speeds for several let-down systems are simulated. Demonstrations include: (1) the vertical landing of parachute-supported capsules on water; (2) reduction of landing acceleration by shaping the impact surface for water entry; (3) problems created by horizontal velocity due to wind; (4) the use of energy absorbers (yielding metal legs or torus bags) for land or water landings; (5) problems associated with horizontal land landings; (6) the use of a paraglider to aid in vehicle direction control; (7) a curved undersurface to serve as a skid-rocker to convert sinking-speed energy into angular energy; (8) horizontal-type landing obtained with winged vehicles on a hard runway; (9) the dangers of high-speed water landings; and (10) the positive effects of parachute support for landing winged vehicles.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2017

Assessment of a Conceptual Flap System Intended for Enhanced General Aviation Safety

A novel multielement trailing-edge flap system for light general aviation airplanes was conceived for enhanced safety during normal and emergency landings. The system is designed to significantly reduce stall speed, and thus approach speed, with the goal of reducing maneuveringflight accidents and enhancing pilot survivability in the event of an accident. The research objectives were to assess the aerodynamic performance characteristics of the system and to evaluate the extent to which it provided both increased lift and increased drag required for the low-speed landing goal. The flap system was applied to a model of a light general aviation, high-wing trainer and tested in the Langley 12- Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel. Data were obtained for several device deflection angles, and component combinations at a dynamic pressure of 4 pounds per square foot. The force and moment data supports the achievement of the desired increase in lift with substantially increased drag, all at relatively shallow angles of attack. The levels of lift and drag can be varied through device deflection angles and inboard/outboard differential deflections. As such, it appears that this flap system may provide an enabling technology to allow steep, controllable glide slopes for safe rapid descent to landing with reduced stall speed. However, a simple flat-plate lower surface spoiler (LSS) provided either similar or superior lift with little impact on pitch or drag as compared to the proposed system. Higher-fidelity studies are suggested prior to use of the proposed system.

Campbell, Bryan A.↗
NASA NTRS1923

Speed limits of aircraft

This paper is restricted to the question of attainable speed limits and attacks the problem from different angles. Theoretical limits due to air resistance are presented along with design factors which may affect speed such as wing loads, wing areas, wing section shifting, landing speeds, drag-lift ratios, and power coefficients.

Everling, E↗
NASA NTRS1965

Model Investigation of Technique for Full Scale Landing Impact Tests at Simulated Lunar Gravity

An investigation of a 1/6-scale dynamic model has been made to develop and evaluate a technique for conducting full-scale landing-impact tests at simulated lunar gravity. Landings were made at touchdown pitch attitudes of -15 degrees, 0 degrees, and 15 degrees. All landings were made with two gear pads forward and at a roll attitude of 0 degrees. Both roll and yaw attitudes were constrained. Vertical landing speed was varied from 5 to 15 feet per second (1.5 to 4.6 m/s) and horizontal speed was varied from 0 to 10 feet per second (0 to 3.0 m/s). Most of the landings were made at a vertical and horizontal speed of 10 feet per second or 3.0 m/s (45 degree flight-path angle) while pitch attitude and surface characteristics, friction and topography, were varied. These parameters were investigated with the free-body earth-gravity and the simulated lunar-gravity test techniques. The landings were made at a model mass corresponding to a full-scale lunar weight (force due to gravity) of 1,440 pounds (6.41 kN) or an earth weight of 8,640 pounds (38.4 kN).

TESTS↗
NASA NTRS2019

Robotic Mars Sample Return and Earth entry vehicle concept development

NASA has studied potential Mars Sample Return over many decades, and the most recent Planetary Science Decadal Survey recommended making significant progress on this topic one of its highest priority goals. Recent inter-agency discussions and scientific support are lending credence to current Mars Sample Return planning activities, which notionally target launch of Sample Retrieval Lander and Earth Return Orbiter flight elements in 2026, and return of Martian samples to Earth in 2031. As part of the Mars Sample Return architecture under consideration, an Earth Entry Vehicle would perform the final phase by protecting the samples through severe entry environments using a 60-deg. sphere-cone flying on a passive/ballistic trajectory. The Earth Entry Vehicle design activities in particular are considering a variety of potential challenges, including: minimizing vehicle mass due to the need to travel to Mars and back to Earth, vehicle robustness to Micrometeroid and Orbital Debris impacts, capability to withstand severe entry environments while minimizing landing ellipse size, and providing impact load attenuation during a high-speed landing to meet Martian sample tube load limits and ensure sample containment in off-nominal scenarios. The present work provides a snapshot of current study work in progress, and highlights paths being taken to address these various design challenges for the conceptual Earth Entry Vehicle.

Corliss, James↗
NASA NTRS1980

Accuracy of aircraft velocities from inertial navigation systems for application to airborne wind measurements

An experimental assessment was made of two commercially available inertial navigation systems (INS) with regard to their velocity measuring capability for use in wind, shear, and long-wavelength atmospheric turbulence research. The assessment was based on 52 sets of postflight measurements of velocity (error) during a "Schuler cycle" (84 minutes) while the INS was still operating but the airplane was motionless. Four INS units of one type and two units of another were tested over a period of 2 years after routine research flights similar to air-linetype operations of from 1 to 6 hours duration. The maximum postflight errors found for the 52 cases had a root mean square value of 2.82 m/sec with little or no correlation of error magnitude with flight duration. Using an INS for monitoring ground speed during landway in a predicted high wind shear situation could lead to landing speeds which are dangerously high or low.

Rhyne, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1998

X-34 Vehicle Aerodynamic Characteristics

The X-34, being designed and built by the Orbital Sciences Corporation, is an unmanned sub-orbital vehicle designed to be used as a flying test bed to demonstrate key vehicle and operational technologies applicable to future reusable launch vehicles. The X-34 will be air-launched from an L-1011 carrier aircraft at approximately Mach 0.7 and 38,000 feet altitude, where an onboard engine will accelerate the vehicle to speeds above Mach 7 and altitudes to 250,000 feet. An unpowered entry will follow, including an autonomous landing. The X-34 will demonstrate the ability to fly through inclement weather, land horizontally at a designated site, and have a rapid turn-around capability. A series of wind tunnel tests on scaled models was conducted in four facilities at the NASA Langley Research Center to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of the X-34. Analysis of these test results revealed that longitudinal trim could be achieved throughout the design trajectory. The maximum elevon deflection required to trim was only half of that available, leaving a margin for gust alleviation and aerodynamic coefficient uncertainty. Directional control can be achieved aerodynamically except at combined high Mach numbers and high angles of attack, where reaction control jets must be used. The X-34 landing speed, between 184 and 206 knots, is within the capabilities of the gear and tires, and the vehicle has sufficient rudder authority to control the required 30-knot crosswind.

Brauckmann, Gregory J.↗
NASA NTRS1946

Waters Loads on the XJL-1 Hull as Obtained in Langley Impact Basin, TED No. NACA 2413.3

An investigation was conducted in the Langley impact basin of the water loads on a half scale model of the XJL-1 hull whose forebody has a vee bottom with exaggerated chine flare. The impact loads, moments, and pressures were determined for a range of landing conditions. A normal full-scale landing speed of 86 miles per hour was represented with effective flight paths ranging from 0.6deg to 11.6deg. Landings were made with both fixed trim and free-to-trim mounting of the float over a trim range of -15deg to 12deg into smooth water and into waves having equivalent full-scale length. of 120 feet and heights ranging from 1 to 4 feet. All data and results presented in this report are given in terms of equivalent full-scale values. Summary tables and illustrative plots are used in presenting the material. The following maximum values of load and pressure are those which are apropos for effective flight paths less than 6.5deg which was the maximum value obtained in tests with the XJL-1 hull model representing full-scale landings with vertical velocity of 4.5 feet per second into 4-foot waves. The maximum local pressure on the flat portion of the bottom is 130 pounds per square inch which was measured on a 2-inch-diameter circular area near the step. The maximum local pressure obtained in the curved area near the chines is 200 pounds per square inch. This pressure was also measured near the step.

Steiner, Margaret F.↗
NASA NTRS1958

Land-gear design and development testing

The X-15 airplane performance and operational requirements define a landing-gear system that will be subjected to high temperatures and high landing speeds and that will expend a minimum of airplane space and weight. This paper is concerned primarily with the landing-gear design configuration concept, the reporting of several unique design features that were incorporated, and description of the developmental testing of the subject system. (author)

Rhodes, L L↗
NASA NTRS2012

Flight Dynamics Modeling and Simulation of a Damaged Transport Aircraft

A study was undertaken at NASA Langley Research Center to establish, demonstrate, and apply methodology for modeling and implementing the aerodynamic effects of MANPADS damage to a transport aircraft into real-time flight simulation, and to demonstrate a preliminary capability of using such a simulation to conduct an assessment of aircraft survivability. Key findings from this study include: superpositioning of incremental aerodynamic characteristics to the baseline simulation aerodynamic model proved to be a simple and effective way of modeling damage effects; the primary effect of wing damage rolling moment asymmetry may limit minimum airspeed for adequate controllability, but this can be mitigated by the use of sideslip; combined effects of aerodynamics, control degradation, and thrust loss can result in significantly degraded controllability for a safe landing; and high landing speeds may be required to maintain adequate control if large excursions from the nominal approach path are allowed, but high-gain pilot control during landing can mitigate this risk.

Shah, Gautam H.↗
NASA NTRS1961

A Wind-Tunnel Investigation of a Transonic-Transport Configuration Utilizing Drag-Reducing Devices at Mach Numbers from 0.20 to 1.03

The static longitudinal stability and control and lateral characteristics of a transonic-transport model, incorporating recent drag-reducing devices, has been investigated in the Langley 8-foot transonic pressure tunnel. The wing was cambered, had a thickened root and a taper ratio of 0.3. Wing sweepback angles of 45 degrees and 40 degrees were investigated with corresponding aspect ratios of 7 and 8, respectively. Modifications to the model for reducing the drag were: a forward fuselage addition and special bodies (four big enough to house jet engines) added to the upper surface of the wing. Other components and changes investigated included an empennage, a wing-tip body, wing fences, wing trailing-edge flaps, horizontal-tail settings, and wing dihedral angle. The investigation covered the Mach number range from 0.20 to 1.03 for the angle-of-attack range from -5 degrees to 15.4 degrees, and a sideslip angle of -5 degrees, in the Reynolds number range from 0.52 times 10(exp 6) to 1.94 times 10(exp 6) based on the wing mean aerodynamic chord. The various fuselage and wing additions delayed the drag-rise Mach number and greatly reduced the drag beyond the drag rise. The wing bodies markedly alleviated unstable pitch tendencies throughout the test Mach number range. At low landing speeds, the wing bodies exhibited little interference with the ability of trailing-edge flaps to increase the lift near maximum lift coefficient; and the use of fences greatly reduced the severe longitudinal instability trend at landing attitudes. The model with a 6 degree dihedral angle exhibited positive lateral and directional stability characteristics in the presence of the fuselage and wing additions. An increase in drag-rise Mach number associated with the fuselage and wing additions on the 40 degree sweptback wing combination was similar to that for the comparable 45 degree combination. These additions did, however, reduce the drag of the 40 degree sweptback configurations more than the 45 degree configurations in the transonic speed range.

Loving, Donald L.↗
NASA NTRS1933

A simple method for increasing the lift of airplane wings by means of flaps

Aerodynamic considerations led us, not long ago, to investigate a device which seemed to promise a contribution to the problem of reducing the landing speed of an airplane. We have subsequently learned that similar devices had already been proposed and investigated by others, but it seems advisable, nevertheless, to report our results. The problem is to create, in landing, a region of turbulence on the lower side of the wing near the trailing edge by some obstacle to the air flow. The devices tested by us consisted of flaps of varying chord and position, the chord s being equal to the distance of the pivot from the trailing edge.

Gruschwitz, Eugen↗
NASA NTRS1973

Experimental performance of cascade thrust reversers at forward velocity

A series of static and wind tunnel tests were performed on four cowl cascade thrust reverser configurations which had various reversed jet emission patterns applicable to an externally blown flap STOL aircraft. The work was performed using a model fan which was 14.0 cm in diameter and passed a fan mass flow of 2.49 kg/sec at an approximate fan pressure ratio of 1.22 and fan corrected rotational speed of 35,800 rpm. The tests demonstrated that the reingestion of fan flow significantly reduced the reverser efficiency and that the thrust reverser efficiency was improved by reducing the reversed jet azimuthal emmission angle. The reverser efficiency at STOL landing speeds was as high as 0.95; however, configurations with lateral emission were adversely affected by yawing the nacelle at forward velocity. Measurements of the internal static pressure at the stator exit showed significant increases in the local static pressure for configurations with reduced jet emission angles.

Dietrich, D. A.↗