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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

Static Longitudinal Stability of a Rocket Vehicle Having a Rear-Facing Step Ahead of the Stabilizing Fins

Tests were conducted at Mach numbers of 3.96 and 4.65 in the Langley Unitary Plan wind tunnel to determine the static longitudinal stability characteristics of a fin-stabilized rocket-vehicle configuration which had a rearward facing step located upstream of the fins. Two fin sizes and planforms, a delta and a clipped delta, were tested. The angle of attack was varied from 6 deg to -6 deg and the Reynolds number based on model 6 length was about 10 x 10. The configuration with the larger fins (clipped delta) had a center of pressure slightly rearward of and an initial normal-force-curve slope slightly higher than that of the configuration with the smaller fins (delta) as would be expected. Calculations of the stability parameters gave a slightly lower initial slope of the normal-force curve than measured data, probably because of boundary-layer separation ahead of the step. The calculated center of pressure agreed well with the measured data. Measured and calculated increments in the initial slope of the normal-force curve and in the center of pressure, due to changing fins, were in excellent agreement indicating that separated flow downstream of the step did not influence flow over the fins. This result was consistent with data from schlieren photographs.

Keynton, Robert J.↗
NASA NTRS1999

On the Stability of Three-Dimensional Boundary Layers: Linear and Nonlinear Stability - Part 1

The primary stability of incompressible three-dimensional boundary layers is investigated using the Parabolized Stability Equations (PSE). We compute the evolution of stationary and traveling disturbances in the linear and nonlinear region prior to transition. As model problems, we choose Swept Hiemenz Flow and the DLR Transition Experiment. The primary stability results for Swept Hiemenz Flow agree very well with computations by Malik et al. For the DLR Experiment, the mean flow profiles are obtained by solving the boundary layer equations for the measured pressure distribution. Both linear and nonlinear results show very good agreement with the experiment.

Janke, Erik↗
NASA NTRS1961

Flight Investigation using Variable-Stability Airplanes of Minimum Stability Requirements for High-Speed, High-Altitude Vehicles

The pilot opinion of the flying qualities of vehicles covering a wide range of longitudinal dynamic characteristics has been determined by the use of a variable-stability airplane. Particular emphasis has been placed on determining the minimum level of stability and control characteristics that the pilot can cope with. There was considerable pilot learning associated with operation in the regions of poor stability characteristics. In the statically stable region the maximum acceptable value of time to damp to half amplitude of the longitudinal mode for normal operation was about 1 second. For emergency conditions the damping could be reduced to zero over most of the frequency range. The extreme lim it of controllability corresponded to a time to double amplitude of the oscillation of about 1 - 1/2 seconds. In the statically unstable region somewhat shorter times to double amplitude were acceptable to the pilots. The boundary for emergency operation corresponded roughly to time to double amplitude of about 2/3 second and the limit of controllability of about l/3 second.

McFadden, Norman M.↗
NASA NTRS1947

Flight-Test Evaluation of the Longitudinal Stability and Control Characteristics of 0.5-Scale Models of the Fairchild Lark Pilotless-Aircraft Configuration. Static Longitudinal Stability of Models with Wing Flap Deflections of 0 Deg and 15 Deg, TED No. NACA 2387

From flight tests of 0.5-scale models of the Fairchild Lark pilotless aircraft conducted at the flight test station of the Pilotless Aircraft Research Division at Wallops Island, Va., some evaluations of the static longitudinal stability were obtained by analysis of the short-period oscillations induced by the abrupt movement of the rudder elevators. The analysis shows that for the Lark configuration with wing flap deflections of 0 degrees and 15 degrees the static longitudinal stability decreases slightly up to the critical Mach number and than as the Mach number increases further the stability increases greatly.

Stone, David G.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Matlab Stability and Control Toolbox: Trim and Static Stability Module

This paper presents the technical background of the Trim and Static module of the Matlab Stability and Control Toolbox. This module performs a low-fidelity stability and control assessment of an aircraft model for a set of flight critical conditions. This is attained by determining if the control authority available for trim is sufficient and if the static stability characteristics are adequate. These conditions can be selected from a prescribed set or can be specified to meet particular requirements. The prescribed set of conditions includes horizontal flight, take-off rotation, landing flare, steady roll, steady turn and pull-up/ push-over flight, for which several operating conditions can be specified. A mathematical model was developed allowing for six-dimensional trim, adjustable inertial properties, asymmetric vehicle layouts, arbitrary number of engines, multi-axial thrust vectoring, engine(s)-out conditions, crosswind and gyroscopic effects.

Crespo, Luis G.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Estimation of Aerodynamic Stability Derivatives for Space Launch System and Impact on Stability Margins

This paper describes the techniques involved in determining the aerodynamic stability derivatives for the frequency domain analysis of the Space Launch System (SLS) vehicle. Generally for launch vehicles, determination of the derivatives is fairly straightforward since the aerodynamic data is usually linear through a moderate range of angle of attack. However, if the wind tunnel data lacks proper corrections then nonlinearities and asymmetric behavior may appear in the aerodynamic database coefficients. In this case, computing the derivatives becomes a non-trivial task. Errors in computing the nominal derivatives could lead to improper interpretation regarding the natural stability of the system and tuning of the controller parameters, which would impact both stability and performance. The aerodynamic derivatives are also provided at off nominal operating conditions used for dispersed frequency domain Monte Carlo analysis. Finally, results are shown to illustrate that the effects of aerodynamic cross axis coupling can be neglected for the SLS configuration studied

Pei, Jing↗
NASA NTRS1972

Motion simulator study of longitudinal stability requirements for large delta wing transport airplanes during approach and landing with stability augmentation systems failed

A ground-based simulator investigation was conducted in preparation for and correlation with an-flight simulator program. The objective of these studies was to define minimum acceptable levels of static longitudinal stability for landing approach following stability augmentation systems failures. The airworthiness authorities are presently attempting to establish the requirements for civil transports with only the backup flight control system operating. Using a baseline configuration representative of a large delta wing transport, 20 different configurations, many representing negative static margins, were assessed by three research test pilots in 33 hours of piloted operation. Verification of the baseline model to be used in the TIFS experiment was provided by computed and piloted comparisons with a well-validated reference airplane simulation. Pilot comments and ratings are included, as well as preliminary tracking performance and workload data.

Snyder, C. T.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Effect of inertia properties on attitude stability of nonrigid spin-stabilized spacecraft

The phenomenon of energy dissipation in spinning spacecraft is discussed with particular reference to its dependence on spacecraft inertia properties. Specific dissipation mechanisms are identified. The effect of external environmental factors on spin stability is also discussed. Generalized curves are presented relating system stability to the principal inertia ratio for various forms of energy dissipation. Dual-spin systems and the effect of lateral inertia asymmetry are also reviewed.

Lang, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Stability and control of flexible satellites. I - Stability

This investigation has two distinct parts. In this first part the environmental and control torques experienced by a satellite are assumed to be random so as to account for the inherent errors in the control systems and the lack of exact models of the environmental torques. It has been shown that under this assumption the required stability criteria of a satellite is quite different from that obtained by a deterministic approach. It has also been shown that a flexible three-axes stabilized satellite can be made almost certainly asymptotically stable, while the same is not true for a flexible spinning satellite.

Huang, T. C.↗