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Comparative vibration environments of transportation vehicles

Measured vibration data are presented for a number of air and surface vehicles. Consideration is given to the importance of direction effects; of vehicle operating modes such as takeoff, cruise, and landing; and of measurement location on the level and frequency of the measurements. Various physical measurement units or descriptors are used to quantify and compare the data. Results suggest the range of vibration associated with a particular mode of transportation and illustrate the comparative levels in terms of each of the descriptors. Collectively, the results form a data base which may be useful in assessing the ride of existing or future systems relative to vehicles in current operation. In addition, subjective response data obtained from vibration simulator studies are presented to illustrate human response characteristics as well as to indicate a laboratory approach for the development of ride-quality criteria.

Stephens, D. G.

The Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle.

After listing the basic requirements such as operational demands and lunar environmental conditions, characteristic design data of the roving vehicle are given with special attention to the four wheel drive and its control system, the steering system, and the navigational instrumentation. The overall system is optimized in view of total mass, range, mobility, load carrying capability, safety, highest reliability through redundancy, and last but not least, cost and development time. Optimization of the drive and power system has first been evaluated by mathematical models and computational simulation of the vehicle hardware, the wheel/soil interaction, and the lunar terrain profile. The next step to refine optimization and evaluation of the drive, steering, and power system including man/machine interaction has been carried out by the use of a six-degree-of-freedom simulator subjecting the astronauts in their space suits to simulated vehicle motions while driving over a simulated terrain, observable on a cathode ray tube display.

Haeussermann, W.

General Purpose Data-Driven Monitoring for Space Operations

As modern space propulsion and exploration systems improve in capability and efficiency, their designs are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex. Determining the health state of these systems, using traditional parameter limit checking, model-based, or rule-based methods, is becoming more difficult as the number of sensors and component interactions grow. Data-driven monitoring techniques have been developed to address these issues by analyzing system operations data to automatically characterize normal system behavior. System health can be monitored by comparing real-time operating data with these nominal characterizations, providing detection of anomalous data signatures indicative of system faults or failures. Data-driven techniques have a number of advantages over other methods for monitoring complex space vehicles. Unlike model-based systems, the developer does not need to understand or encode the internal operation of the system. The knowledge required to monitor the system is automatically derived from archived data from system operation. Unlike rule-based systems, data-driven systems do not require system analysts to define nominal relationships among sensors. Analysts can and often do determine these relationships for a system with few sensors; it is more difficult to analytically determine the nominal relationship among a large number of sensors. Data-driven techniques are not limited to low-dimensional spaces and work as effectively with dozens of parameters as they do with a few. Knowledge bases formed by data-driven techniques are also easy to update. As the operating envelope of the monitored system is expanded, data-driven techniques can be quickly retrained to incorporate the new behavior into the knowledge base. The expertise and time-consuming process of updating a model or rule base to maintain consistency with the new operation is not required. The Inductive Monitoring System (IMS) is a data-driven system health monitoring software tool that has been successfully applied to several aerospace applications. IMS uses a data mining technique called clustering to analyze archived system data and characterize normal interactions between parameters. This characterization, or model, of nominal operation is stored in a knowledge base that can be used for real-time system monitoring or analysis of archived events. System data is compared with the nominal IMS model to produce a measure of how well current system behavior matches the normal behavior defined by the training data. Significant deviations from the nominal system model can provide alerts to system malfunctions or precursors of significant failures. The scope of IMS based data-driven monitoring applications continues to expand with current development activities. Successful IMS deployment in the International Space Station (ISS) flight control room to monitor ISS attitude control systems has led to applications in other ISS flight control disciplines, such as thermal control. It has also generated interest in data-driven monitoring capability for Constellation, NASA's program to replace the Space Shuttle with new launch vehicles and spacecraft capable of returning astronauts to the moon, and then on to Mars. Several projects are currently underway to evaluate and mature the IMS technology and complementary tools for use in the Constellation program. These include an experiment on board the Air Force TacSat-3 satellite, and ground systems monitoring for NASA's Ares I-X and Ares I launch vehicles. The TacSat-3 Vehicle System Management (TVSM) project is a software experiment to integrate fault and anomaly detection algorithms and diagnosis tools with executive and adaptive planning functions contained in the flight software on-board the Air Force Research Laboratory TacSat-3 satellite. The TVSM software package will be uploaded after launch to monitor spacecraft subsystems such as power and guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C). It will analyze data in real-time to demonstrate detection of faults and unusual conditions, diagnose problems, and react to threats to spacecraft health and mission goals. The experiment will demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of integrated system health management (ISHM) technologies with both ground and on-board experiments. Initially, the TVSM software will run open loop, providing system health information and recommendations to ground operators, without automatically performing fault-mitigating corrective actions. After the end of the satellite's mission, closed loop tests combining TVSM monitoring and diagnosis with reactive capabilities by the flight software will be performed. In addition to monitoring for long periods of actual operation, the experiment will include fault injection into TacSat-3 data as well as commanded operations to test and evaluate automatic ISHM monitoring and recovery under controlled conditions.

Satellites

Viking mission operations

The Viking Flight Team and ground system must operate in an integrated manner with the two orbiters and two landers to acquire the scientific data that will significantly increase our knowledge of Mars. Viking mission requires an adaptive mode of flight operations which permits reflection of the knowledge gained as the mission progresses into subsequent data acquisition operations. This includes reflection of both the knowledge gained about Mars and knowledge as to how well each of the four vehicles and the ground data system are performing. The requirement for adaptive mission operations has imposed special considerations in the Viking mission design, landing site selection, organization of the Flight Team and in the design and development of the operational tools required by this team. A mission operations strategy has been developed which governs the multivehicle adaptive mission operations.

Young, A. T.

Mariner Mars 1971: Press kit

The news release describes the 1971 launches of Mariner 8 and 9 which were to be the first attempt by NASA to orbit another planet, Mars. Described are: (1) mission capsule; (2) planetary missions; (3) aiming zones; (4) the spacecraft; (5) scientific experiments to be performed; (6) Atlas Centaur launch vehicle; (7) launch operations; (8) tracking and data system and mission operations; and (9) Mariner Mars 71 team and subcontractors.

Mittauer, R. T.

Titan/Centaur D-1TTC-5 Helios B flight data report

The fourth operational flight of the newest NASA unmanned launch vehicle is reported. The spacecraft was the Helios B, the second of two solar probes designed and built by the Federal Republic of Germany. The primary mission objective, to place the Helios spacecraft on a heliocentric orbit in the ecliptic plane with a perihelion distance of 0.29 AU, was successfully accomplished. After successful injection of the Helios spacecraft, a series of experiments were performed with the Centaur stage to demonstrate its operational capabilities. All objectives of the extended mission phase were successfully met. This report presents the analysis of the launch vehicle flight data for the primary mission phase of the TC-5 flight.

Adams, K. A.

JSC thunderstorm experiment results

To gain more insight into the various effects of lightning and thunderstorms on future shuttle vehicle launch and landing operations, an experiment was conducted to obtain data on the nature of electric fields in the vicinity of thunderstorms and particularly in the region of cumulonimbus cloud anvils during their various stages of build-up, maturity, and dissipation. These data supplement the airborne electric field data collected during the summer of 1975 in support of the Apollo Soyuz Test Project and the Viking launches. A Learjet aircraft was outfitted with four special electric field meters for collecting data. The onboard aircraft radar was also used to investigate cells embedded in large thunderstorm systems such as those found in frontal and squall line activities. Data were collected from 33 storm cells and used to establish a launch criteria to preclude triggering lightning during shuttle vehicle operations in close proximity to thunderstorms.

Source record

Aerodynamic studies of delta-wing shuttle orbiters. Part 1: Low speed

Numerous wind tunnel tests conducted on the evolving delta-wing orbiters have generated a fairly large aerodynamic data base over the entire entry operation range of these vehicles. A limited assessment is made of some of the aerodynamics of the current HO type orbiters, and several specific problem areas selected from the broad data base are discussed. These include, from a subsonic viewpoint, discussions of trim drag effect; effects of the installation of main rocket engine nozzles, OMS and RCS packages, Reynolds number effects, lateral-directional stability characteristics, and landing characteristics.

Freeman, D. C., Jr.

Review of measured vibration and noise environments experienced by passengers in aircraft and in ground transportation systems

Measured vibration and interior noise data are presented for a number of air and surface vehicles. Consideration is given to the importance of direction effects; of vehicle operations such as take-off, cruise, and landing; and of measurement location on the level and frequency of the measurements. Various physical measurement units or descriptors are used to quantify and compare the data. Results suggest the range of vibration and noise associated with a particular mode of transportation and illustrate the comparative levels in terms of each of the descriptors. Collectively, the results form a data base which may be useful in assessing the ride of existing or future systems relative to vehicles in current operation.

Stephens, D. G.

Surveyor I design and performance.

Surveyor 1 design and performance, discussing launch vehicle configuration, spacecraft tracking, data acquisition and mission operations system

Parks, R. J.

Mission analysis and performance specification studies report, appendix A

The Near Term Hybrid Passenger Vehicle Development Program tasks included defining missions, developing distributions of daily travel and composite driving cycles for these missions, providing information necessary to estimate the potential replacement of the existing fleet by hybrids, and estimating acceleration/gradeability performance requirements for safe operation. The data was then utilized to develop mission specifications, define reference vehicles, develop hybrid vehicle performance specifications, and make fuel consumption estimates for the vehicles. The major assumptions which underlie the approach taken to the mission analysis and development of performance specifications are the following: the daily operating range of a hybrid vehicle should not be limited by the stored energy capacity and the performance of such a vehicle should not be strongly dependent on the battery state of charge.

Source record

An investigation of the landing characteristics of the NASA-MSC August 1969 baseline orbiter configuration in ground effect

A 0.05 scale model of the NASA-MSC August 1969 baseline shuttle craft was tested in Texas A&M University's 7- x 10-foot low speed wind tunnel facility. The purpose of the test was to determine the landing aerodynamic characteristics of the shuttle craft vehicle in ground effect and to evaluate control surface hinge moments experienced in the cruise and landing operational phases of flight. Analysis of the final data will allow evaluation of vehicle flight stability in ground effect and estimation of vehicle control surface power system requirements.

Chambliss, E. B.

Gemini Program Mission Planning Report

This report defines the Gemini Program objectives and presents guidelines for the individual Gemini missions. It provides general space vehicle configuration data, and descriptions of planned missions. Contingency mission requirements and extravehicular operations to be performed during specific missions are described in the last two sections of the basic document. Data on spacecraft weights and Gemini Launch Vehicle performance capabilities are provided in Appendix A, while Appendix B provides descriptions of onboard experiments to be conducted during Gemini missions.

Source record

Humidity

The glossary contains atmospheric and ground vapor concentration data on the various NASA space vehicle development and operation sites for consideration by the vehicle design engineer.

Daniels, G. E.

Uranus Orbiter and Probe: Mission Challenges and Concept Updates Since the Origins, Worlds, and Life Decadal Survey

Origins, Worlds, and Life: Planetary Science and Astrobiology in the Next Decade identified a Uranus Orbiter and Probe as the highest-priority strategic mission for the decade 2023–2032, as it enables broad cross-disciplinary science in the largely unexplored Uranian system. The mission architecture evaluated by the Decadal Survey was a singular proof of concept demonstrating that a moderately instrumented mission could deliver Decadal-priority science with a reduced cost and risk posture by leveraging existing technologies to the maximum extent possible. With revised assumptions since the Decadal, we have explored a large trade space including launch vehicles, propulsion options, cruise trajectories, available power sources, viable concept of operations, and science data return for later launch dates without a Jupiter gravity assist. The most repeatable trajectory solutions employ either a commercially derived solar electric propulsion (SEP) transfer stage or the availability of a more capable launch vehicle under development, such as the SpaceX Starship. Orbit insertion has been moved farther from Uranus to acknowledge the remaining uncertainty in Uranian ring structure. A streamlined, SEP-adaptable, orbiter design was developed using two Next Gen Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators, and the probe design was matured, reducing the entry gravitational acceleration, and assuming the largest Decadal-recommended payload to provide margin for future instrument selections. With this updated design, we also constructed a detailed concept of operations for three representative science cases, returning 13–15 Gbit of science data and spacecraft telemetry per ∼34 day orbit.

Amy A Simon