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Next Steps: Laying the Groundwork for Bundle Protocol v7

Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) is a networking model and protocol suite that extends the terrestrial internet to the challenging communication environments of space. These environments are typically subject to frequent disruptions, which can cause delays or errors. DTN protects data transmission by wrapping data into bundles (similar to Internet Protocol packets), storing them until a connection can be established between two nodes (similar to terrestrial routers or computers), and forwarding them to their destinations. Bundle Protocol (BP) is responsible for generating those bundles and creates the transport layer of DTN, much like how Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) create the transport layer of the Internet Protocol. BPv6 is the current, accepted version of the Bundle Protocol standard. However, recent missions and test implementations have revealed missing components and areas for improvement in the standard. Using lessons learned from NASA missions and gathering inspiration from the Internet Protocol, BPv7 is intended to be a more robust Bundle Protocol that improves upon its predecessor and increases the technology readiness level of the DTN architecture. The DTN Standard Interface Design team, a sub-team of the DTN Infusion Project at the Goddard Space Flight Center, worked to create a dictionary of terms for bundle components and functional decomposition of the protocol. These efforts aided in the standardization of BP interfaces, something missing from BPv6, and supported parallel network management and configuration work. This standardization will ultimately contribute to LunaNet (a lunar communications and navigation architecture that will bring networking, positioning, navigation, timing and science services to the Moon), the Solar System Internet (SSI), and expand crewed and uncrewed space exploration opportunities.

DTN↗

Next Steps: Laying the Groundwork for Bundle Protocol v7

Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) is a networking model and protocol suite that extends the terrestrial internet to the challenging communication environments of space. These environments are typically subject to frequent disruptions, which can cause delays or errors. DTN protects data transmission by wrapping data into bundles (similar to Internet Protocol packets), storing them until a connection can be established between two nodes (similar to terrestrial routers or computers), and forwarding them to their destinations. Bundle Protocol (BP) is responsible for generating those bundles and creates the transport layer of DTN, much like how Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) create the transport layer of the Internet Protocol. BPv6 is the current, accepted version of the Bundle Protocol standard. However, recent missions and test implementations have revealed missing components and areas for improvement in the standard. Using lessons learned from NASA missions and gathering inspiration from the Internet Protocol, BPv7 is intended to be a more robust Bundle Protocol that improves upon its predecessor and increases the technology readiness level of the DTN architecture. The DTN Standard Interface Design team, a sub-team of the DTN Infusion Project at the Goddard Space Flight Center, worked to create a dictionary of terms for bundle components and functional decomposition of the protocol. These efforts aided in the standardization of BP interfaces, something missing from BPv6, and supported parallel network management and configuration work. This standardization will ultimately contribute to LunaNet (a lunar communications and navigation architecture that will bring networking, positioning, navigation, timing and science services to the Moon), the Solar System Internet (SSI), and expand crewed and uncrewed space exploration opportunities.

dtn↗

Laying The Foundations for FAIR-ER Science: ISA And LSDA Data Submission Process in NASA’s Evolving Data Management Environment

The Life Sciences Data Archive (LSDA) archives data resulting from research on the effects of spaceflight on humans and the development of countermeasures to mitigate spaceflight hazards. Archivists work with researchers to ensure that unique and high value data products and their metadata are preserved and managed to support current and future research. Currently, LSDA is updating its procedures and data submission requirements in response to the evolving data preservation environment at NASA. LSDA is implementing best practices for research data management through the establishment of clear data submission guidelines, integration of the FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reusability) principles, and use of the ISA (Investigation, Study, Assay) research metadata framework for data discoverability and transparency into the data management processes. These changes directly impact LSDA’s requirements for research data submissions. The newly revised Research Data Submission Agreement (RDSA), formerly the Data Submission Agreement (DSA), introduces ISA-compatible metadata collection standards to LSDA’s process. Adherence to LSDA’s data submission guidelines enhances the FAIR-ness of the repository’s collections for future users. This presentation will discuss (1) how submission of research data and associated metadata are impacted by current data management policies, (2) benefits of the adoption of FAIR principles and the ISA metadata framework for retrospective studies utilizing existing LSDA datasets and historic data collections, and (3) the support LSDA will provide to researchers during this transition.

Data submission↗

Laying the Foundations for FAIR-er Science: ISA and the LSDA Data Submission Process in NASA's Evolving Data Management Environment

The Life Sciences Data Archive (LSDA) archives data resulting from research on the effects of spaceflight on humans and the development of countermeasures to mitigate spaceflight hazards. Archivists work with researchers to ensure that unique and high value data products and their metadata are preserved and managed to support current and future research. Currently, LSDA is updating its procedures and data submission requirements in response to the evolving data preservation environment at NASA. LSDA is implementing best practices for research data management through the establishment of clear data submission guidelines, integration of the FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reusability) principles, and use of the ISA (Investigation, Study, Assay) research metadata framework for data discoverability and transparency into the data management processes. These changes directly impact LSDA’s requirements for research data submissions. The newly revised Research Data Submission Agreement (RDSA), formerly the Data Submission Agreement (DSA), introduces ISA-compatible metadata collection standards to LSDA’s process. Adherence to LSDA’s data submission guidelines enhances the FAIR-ness of the repository’s collections for future users. This presentation will discuss (1) how submission of research data and associated metadata are impacted by current data management policies, (2) benefits of the adoption of FAIR principles and the ISA metadata framework for retrospective studies utilizing existing LSDA datasets and historic data collections, and (3) the support LSDA will provide to researchers during this transition.

LSDA↗

Successful First Flight of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) Super Heavy-Lift Rocket Lays Groundwork for U. S.’s Most Ambitious Missions

In late 2022, NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) super heavy-lift rocket launched for the first time. Artemis I sent an uncrewed Orion spacecraft on a 25.5-day round-trip mission to lunar orbit. The near-perfect performance laid the groundwork for the next flights and for NASA’s return of humans to the Moon. The SLS team is now preparing for the launch of Artemis II, which will be the first launch of astronauts to cislunar space since Apollo 17 in December 1972. In addition to preparations on the Artemis II launch vehicle, significant progress is being made on the hardware and software for future flights. Artemis II will include a test of a new military-grade GPS system, which will be fully utilized on Artemis III. Progress is also being made on the exploration upper stage (EUS) for the Block 1B SLS variant, which will debut on Artemis IV. New production RS-25 liquid-propellant engines will be used beginning with Artemis V. These new engines, which are in a final qualification test firing program at the time of writing, realize a cost savings of at least 30 percent and reduced production time due to streamlined manufacturing and advances in technology, including additive manufacturing. The evolved solid rocket boosters, which will debut on Artemis IX as part of the Block 2 variant, are in development now. In addition to propulsion updates, each variant of SLS maintains payload configuration flexibility and can fly crew-only, cargo-only, and crew-cargo combinations. This adaptability ensures that SLS, with its significant mass and volume capability – including the ability to launch large co-manifested payloads with Orion directly to trans-lunar injection (TLI) – can support the country’s most ambitious missions. Results from the Artemis I mission, as well as progress to the next flights and SLS variants, will be covered in the paper and presentation.

Bruce R. Askins↗

Successful First Flight of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) Super Heavy-Lift Rocket: Laying Groundwork for U. S.’s Most Ambitious Missions

In late 2022, NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) super heavy-lift rocket launched for the first time. Artemis I sent an uncrewed Orion spacecraft on a 25.5-day round-trip mission to lunar orbit. The near-perfect performance laid the groundwork for the next flights and for NASA’s return of humans to the Moon. The SLS team is now preparing for the launch of Artemis II, which will be the first launch of astronauts to cislunar space since Apollo 17 in December 1972. In addition to preparations on the Artemis II launch vehicle, significant progress is being made on the hardware and software for future flights. Artemis II will include a test of a new military-grade GPS system, which will be fully utilized on Artemis III. Progress is also being made on the exploration upper stage (EUS) for the Block 1B SLS variant, which will debut on Artemis IV. New production RS-25 liquid-propellant engines will be used beginning with Artemis V. These new engines, which are in a final qualification test firing program at the time of writing, realize a cost savings of at least 30 percent and reduced production time due to streamlined manufacturing and advances in technology, including additive manufacturing. The evolved solid rocket boosters, which will debut on Artemis IX as part of the Block 2 variant, are in development now. In addition to propulsion updates, each variant of SLS maintains payload configuration flexibility and can fly crew-only, cargo-only, and crew-cargo combinations. This adaptability ensures that SLS, with its significant mass and volume capability – including the ability to launch large co-manifested payloads with Orion directly to trans-lunar injection (TLI) – can support the country’s most ambitious missions. Results from the Artemis I mission, as well as progress to the next flights and SLS variants, will be covered in the paper and presentation.

Bruce Askins↗

Instrument Display Visual Angles for Conventional Aircraft and the MQ-9 Ground Control Station

Aircraft instrument panels should be designed such that primary displays are in optimal viewing location to minimize pilot perception and response time. Human Factors engineers define three zones (i.e. "cones") of visual location: 1) "Easy Eye Movement" (foveal vision); 2) "Maximum Eye Movement" (peripheral vision with saccades), and 3) "Head Movement" (head movement required). Instrument display visual angles were measured to determine how well conventional aircraft (T-34, T-38, F- 15B, F-16XL, F/A-18A, U-2D, ER-2, King Air, G-III, B-52H, DC-10, B747-SCA) and the MQ-9 ground control station (GCS) complied with these standards, and how they compared with each other. Methods: Selected instrument parameters included: attitude, pitch, bank, power, airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, heading, turn rate, slip/skid, AOA, flight path, latitude, longitude, course, bearing, range and time. Vertical and horizontal visual angles for each component were measured from the pilot s eye position in each system. Results: The vertical visual angles of displays in conventional aircraft lay within the cone of "Easy Eye Movement" for all but three of the parameters measured, and almost all of the horizontal visual angles fell within this range. All conventional vertical and horizontal visual angles lay within the cone of "Maximum Eye Movement". However, most instrument vertical visual angles of the MQ-9 GCS lay outside the cone of "Easy Eye Movement", though all were within the cone of "Maximum Eye Movement". All the horizontal visual angles for the MQ-9 GCS were within the cone of "Easy Eye Movement". Discussion: Most instrument displays in conventional aircraft lay within the cone of "Easy Eye Movement", though mission-critical instruments sometimes displaced less important instruments outside this area. Many of the MQ-9 GCS systems lay outside this area. Specific training for MQ-9 pilots may be needed to avoid increased response time and potential error during flight.

Bendrick, Gregg A.↗

Instrument Display Visual Angles for Conventional Aircraft and the MQ-9 Ground Control Station

Aircraft instrument panels should be designed such that primary displays are in optimal viewing location to minimize pilot perception and response time. Human Factors engineers define three zones (i.e. cones ) of visual location: 1) "Easy Eye Movement" (foveal vision); 2) "Maximum Eye Movement" (peripheral vision with saccades), and 3) "Head Movement (head movement required). Instrument display visual angles were measured to determine how well conventional aircraft (T-34, T-38, F- 15B, F-16XL, F/A-18A, U-2D, ER-2, King Air, G-III, B-52H, DC-10, B747-SCA) and the MQ-9 ground control station (GCS) complied with these standards, and how they compared with each other. Selected instrument parameters included: attitude, pitch, bank, power, airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, heading, turn rate, slip/skid, AOA, flight path, latitude, longitude, course, bearing, range and time. Vertical and horizontal visual angles for each component were measured from the pilot s eye position in each system. The vertical visual angles of displays in conventional aircraft lay within the cone of "Easy Eye Movement" for all but three of the parameters measured, and almost all of the horizontal visual angles fell within this range. All conventional vertical and horizontal visual angles lay within the cone of Maximum Eye Movement. However, most instrument vertical visual angles of the MQ-9 GCS lay outside the cone of Easy Eye Movement, though all were within the cone of Maximum Eye Movement. All the horizontal visual angles for the MQ-9 GCS were within the cone of "Easy Eye Movement". Most instrument displays in conventional aircraft lay within the cone of Easy Eye Movement, though mission-critical instruments sometimes displaced less important instruments outside this area. Many of the MQ-9 GCS systems lay outside this area. Specific training for MQ-9 pilots may be needed to avoid increased response time and potential error during flight. The learning objectives include: 1) Know three physiologic cones of eye/head movement; 2) Understand how instrument displays comply with these design principles in conventional aircraft and an uninhabited aerial vehicle system. Which of the following is NOT a recognized physiologic principle of instrument display design? Cone of Easy Eye Movement 2) Cone of Binocular Eye Movement 3) Cone of Maximum Eye Movement 4) Cone of Head Movement 5) None of the above. Answer: # 2) Cone of Binocular Eye Movement

Kamine, Tovy Haber↗

Fracture toughness of fibrous composite materials

Laminates with various proportions of 0 deg, 45 deg, and 90 deg plies were fabricated from T300/5208 and T300/BP-907 graphite/epoxy prepreg tape material. The fracture toughness of each laminate orientation or lay-up was determined by testing center-cracked specimens, and it was also predicted with the general fracture-toughness parameter. The predictions were good except when crack-tip splitting was large, at which time the toughness and strengths tended to be underpredicted. By using predictions, a parametric study was also made of factors that influence fracture toughness. Fiber and matrix properties as well as lay-up were investigated. Without crack-tip splitting, fracture toughness increases in proportion to fiber strength and fiber volume fraction, increases linearly with E(22)/E(11), is largest when the modulus for non-0 deg fibers is greater than that of 0 deg fibers, and is smallest for 0(m)/90(p)(s) lay-ups. (The E(11) and E(22) are Young's moduli of the lamina parallel to and normal to the direction of the fibers, respectively). For a given proportion of 0 deg plies, the most notch-sensitive lay-ups are 0(m)/90(p)(s) and the least sensitive are 0(m)/45(n)(s) and alpha(s). Notch sensitivity increases with the proportion of 0 deg plies and decreases with alpha. Strong, tough matrix materials, which inhibit crack-tip splitting, generally lead to minimum fracture toughness.

Poe, C. C., Jr.↗

International Reference Ionosphere: Plasma densities - Status 1988

An account is given of the changes proposed in 1988 for the International Reference Ionosphere electron density profile, as well as the status of their implementation. The fully analytical profile function under development for the entire ionosphere can be achieved with a linear combination of several LAY functions. Although four LAY functions are required to describe the density features of the middle ionosphere, three LAY functions suffice to reproduce electron densities in both the topside ionosphere and lower ionosphere. Attention is given to the way in which the LAY parameters are computationally derivable from characteristic profile points.

Rawer, K.↗

Automated Fiber Placement Manufactured Composites for Science Applications

Science instruments with large collecting areas that maintain dimensional stability, such as James Webb Space Telescope and Wide Field Space Telescope, help achieve next generation science advancements. Composite materials often used for science applications include high modulus fibers in cyanate ester matrices to result in dimensionally stable structures with low contamination. Hand lay-up fabrication is the most common approach for science instrument structures. Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) using intermediate modulus fibers is commonplace in aircraft production reducing manufacturing time and increasing quality and consistency. AFP manufacturing for future large science instruments can similarly reduce costs and increase reliability. However, high modulus fibers are more prone to damage than intermediate modulus fibers. This study investigates the manufacturing viability of M55J/RS3C (Tencate) slit tape material using AFP processing. Tencate provides slit tape materials. NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) manufactured hand layup and AFP lay-up laminates under room temperature for initial trials, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) manufactured AFP laminates under room temperature and elevated temperature conditions to evaluate processing affects. Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) tests and evaluates tension and Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) properties by hand lay-up and AFP slit tape automated manufacturing for large science applications. These results show processing material warm reduces process induced fiber fracture; leading to stiffness and CTE properties consistent with hand lay-up, while observing a slight degradation in tensile strength.

Segal, Kenneth N.↗

Reproductive adaptation in Drosophila exposed to oxygen-enriched atmospheres

Ten successive generations of a Drosophila melanogaster population were exposed to an atmospheric mix of 50% oxygen/50% nitrogen at standard pressure. This atmospheric mix has been shown to be toxic to this species and causes significantly shortened life span. By the fifth generation, survivorship and life span for the first 25-30 days were identical to control populations and total life span was shorter by only a few days. Egg-laying rates were stable in the experimental populations but below those of the controls. Hatching success was identical between experimental and control populations. Even though the egg-laying rates were lower in 50% oxygen, it was concluded that the population had adapted and could maintain a stable population in these conditions. The near-normal life spans, normal hatching rates, and overall population stability, exhibited following five generations of adaptation, were considered sufficient to allow continued reproduction in spite of a reduced egg-laying rate.

Kloek, G.↗

Fatigue behavior of continuous fiber silicon-carbide-aluminum composites

Four lay-ups of continuous fiber silicon carbide (SCS2) fiber/aluminum matrix composites were tested to assess fatigue mechanisms including stiffness loss when cycled below their respective fatigue limits. The lay-ups were 0 (sub 8), 0(sub 2)/ + or - 45 (sub 2s), 0/90 (sub 2s),and 0/ + or 45/90 (subs). The data were compared with predictions from the author's previously published shakedown model which predicts fatigue-induced stiffness loss in metal matrix composites. A fifth lay-up, + or - 45 (sub 2s), was tested to compare shakedown and fatigue limits. The particular batch of silicon-carbide fibers tested in this program had a somewhat lower modulus (340 GPa) than expected and displayed poor bonding to the aluminum matrix. Good agreement was obtained between the stiffness loss model and the test data. The fatigue damage below the fatigue limit was primarily in the form of matrix cracking. The fatigue limit corresponded to the laminate shakedown for the + or - 45 (sub 2s) laminate.

Johnson, W. S.↗

Fatigue behavior of continuous-fiber silicon carbide/aluminum composites

Four lay-ups of continuous fiber silicon carbide (SCS2) fiber/aluminum matrix composites were tested to assess fatigue mechanisms including stiffness loss when cycled below their respective fatigue limits. The lay-ups were 0 (sub 8), 0(sub 2)/ + or - 45 (sub 2s), 0/90 (sub 2s), and 0/ + or - 45/90 (subs). The data were compared with predictions from the author's previously published shakedown model which predicts fatigue-induced stiffness loss in metal matrix composites. A fifth lay-up, + or - 45 (sub 2s), was tested to compare shakedown and fatigue limits. The particular batch of silicon-carbide fibers tested in this program had a somewhat lower modulus (340 GPa) than expected and displayed poor bonding to the aluminum matrix. Good agreement was obtained between the stiffness loss model and the test data. The fatigue damage below the fatigue limit was primarily in the form of matrix cracking. The fatigue limit corresponded to the laminate shakedown for the + or - 45 (sub 2s) laminate.

Johnson, W. S.↗

Aeroelastic airfoil smart spar

Aircraft wings and rotor-blades are subject to undesirable bending and twisting excursions that arise from unsteady aerodynamic forces during high speed flight, abrupt maneuvers, or hard landings. These bending excursions can range in amplitude from wing-tip flutter to failure. A continuous-filament construction 'smart' laminated composite box-beam spar is described which corrects itself when subject to undesirable bending excursions or flutter. The load-bearing spar is constructed so that any tendency for the wing or rotor-blade to bend from its normal position is met by opposite twisting of the spar to restore the wing to its normal position. Experimental and theoretical characterization of these spars was made to evaluate the torsion-flexure coupling associated with symmetric lay-ups. The materials used were uniweave AS-4 graphite and a matrix comprised of Shell 8132 resin and U-40 hardener. Experimental tests were conducted on five spars to determine spar twist and bend as a function of load for 0, 17, 30, 45 and 60 deg fiber angle lay-ups. Symmetric fiber lay-ups do exhibit torsion-flexure couplings. Predictions of the twist and bend versus load were made for different fiber orientations in laminated spars using a spline function structural analysis. The analytical results were compared with experimental results for validation. Excellent correlation between experimental and analytical values was found.

Greenhalgh, Skott↗

Fatigue Debonding Characterization in Composite Skin/Stringer Configurations

The objective of this work was to investigate the fatigue damage mechanisms and to identify the influence of skin stacking sequence in carbon epoxy composite bonded skin/stringer constructions. A simple 4-point-bending test fixture originally designed for previously performed monotonic tests was used to evaluate the fatigue debonding mechanisms between the skin and the bonded frame when the dominant loading in the skin is flexure along the edge of the frame. The specimens consisted of a tapered flange, representing the stringer, bonded onto a skin. Based on the results of previous monotonic tests two different skin lay-ups in combination with one flange lay-up were investigated. The tests were performed at load levels corresponding to 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, and 80% of the monotonic fracture loads. Microscopic investigations of the specimen edges were used to document the onset of matrix cracking and delamination, and subsequent fatigue delamination growth. Typical damage patterns for both specimen configurations were identified. The observations showed that failure initiated near the tip of the flange in the form of matrix cracks at one of two locations, one in the skin and one in the flange. The location of the 90 deg flange and skin plies relative to the bondline was identified as the dominant lay-up feature that controlled the location and onset of matrix cracking and subsequent delamination. The fatigue delamination growth experiments yielded matrix cracking and delamination onset as a function of fatigue cycles as well as delamination length as a function of the number of cycles.

Cvitkovich, Michael K.↗

Fabrication of Polyimide-Matrix/Carbon and Boron-Fiber Tape

The term HYCARB denotes a hybrid composite of polyimide matrices reinforced with carbon and boron fibers. HYCARB and an improved process for fabricating dry HYCARB tapes have been invented in a continuing effort to develop lightweight, strong composite materials for aerospace vehicles. Like other composite tapes in this line of development, HYCARB tapes are intended to be used to build up laminated structures having possibly complex shapes by means of automated tow placement (ATP) - a process in which a computer-controlled multiaxis machine lays down prepreg tape or tows. The special significance of the present process for making dry HYCARB for ATP is that it contributes to the reduction of the overall cost of manufacturing boron-reinforced composite-material structures while making it possible to realize increased compression strengths. The present process for making HYCARB tapes incorporates a "wet to dry" process developed previously at Langley Research Center. In the "wet to dry" process, a flattened bundle of carbon fiber tows, pulled along a continuous production line between pairs of rollers, is impregnated with a solution of a poly(amide acid) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), then most of the NMP is removed by evaporation in hot air. In the present case, the polyamide acid is, more specifically, that of LaRC. IAX (or equivalent) thermoplastic polyimide, and the fibers are, more specifically, Manganite IM7 (or equivalent) polyacrylonitrile- based carbon filaments that have a diameter of 5.2 m and are supplied in 12,000-filament tows. The present process stands in contrast to a prior process in which HYCARB tape was made by pressing boron fibers into the face of a wet carbon-fiber/ poly(amide acid) prepreg tape . that is, a prepreg tape from which the NMP solvent had not been removed. In the present process, one or more layer(s) of side-by-side boron fibers are pressed between dry prepreg tapes that have been prepared by the aforementioned gwet to dry h process. The multilayer tape is then heated to imidize the matrix material and remove most of the remaining solvent, and is pressed to consolidate the multiple layers into a dense tape. For tests, specimens of HYCARB tapes and laminated composite panels made from HYCARB tape were prepared as follows: HYCARB tapes were fabricated as described above. Each panel was made by laying down ten layers of tape, containing, variously, one, two, or three boron-fiber plies and the remainder carbon- fiber-only plies (see figure). Each panel was made by laying down ten layers of tape. Each panel was then cured by heating to a temperature of 225 C for 15 minutes, then pressing at 200 psi (A1.4 MPa) while heating to 371 C, holding at 371 C for 1 hour, then continuing to hold pressure during cooling. Control specimens that were otherwise identical except that they did not contain boron fibers also were prepared. In room-temperature flexural tests, the HYCARB specimens performed comparably to the control specimens; in room-temperature, open-hole compression tests, the HYCARB specimens performed slightly better, by amounts that increased with boron content.

Belvin, Harry L.↗

The Effect of Impact Damage Next to Holes on the Bearing Strength of Carbon Fiber Laminates

This study was undertaken as a follow-on to a previous study that examined the effect of hole quality in the bearing strength of carbon fiber laminates. After the author of that previous study had established that hole quality had little effect on the ultimate bearing strength for carbon fiber laminates, the question was raised as to the effects of impact damage next to a hole on the bearing strength of that hole. While this is an unlikely scenario, it is still possible that this may occur on a launch vehicle structure and thus warranted study. After a literature review, results of a few studies on the hole-impact interaction with respect to resulting damage for carbon fiber laminates were found, but none that specifically addressed the resulting bearing strength. In reference 2, it was found that the holes and impact could interact to develop matrix splits. However, the lay-ups used in this study consisted of clumped plies [04/904]S, which are much more prone to matrix splitting than a laminate that would actually be used in practice (such as a lay-up of [0/90]4S). This study also focused on the analytical aspects of the problem rather than the experimental results. Reference 3 also used [04/904]S laminates (clumped plies) and examined the damage morphology, determining that, as the impact damage neared the hole, the damage zone became more asymmetrical. The effect this would have on bearing strength was not addressed. The experimental work presented in this study was to develop empirical data relating holeimpact damage effects on the resulting bearing strength of a commonly used (quasi-isotropic) lay-up of carbon fiber laminate. The emphasis was not on the morphology of the resulting damage, as it was in references 2 and 3, but rather on the practical aspects of how this damage affected the bearing strength and how this compared to the companion study1 on the effect of hole quality on the bearing strength of the laminate.

Nettles, A. T.↗