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At least 433 records · Page 24

Powered Explicit Guidance Modifications and Enhancements for Space Launch System Block-1 and Block-1B Vehicles

NASA is currently building the Space Launch System (SLS) Block-1 launch vehicle for the Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1) test flight. NASA is also currently designing the next evolution of SLS, the Block-1B. The Block-1 and Block-1B vehicles will use the Powered Explicit Guidance (PEG) algorithm (of Space Shuttle heritage) for closed loop guidance. To accommodate vehicle capabilities and design for future evolutions of SLS, modifications were made to PEG for Block-1 to handle multi-phase burns, provide PEG updated propulsion information, and react to a core stage engine out. In addition, due to the relatively low thrust-to-weight ratio of the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) and EUS carrying out Lunar Vicinity and Earth Escape missions, certain enhancements to the Block-1 PEG algorithm are needed to perform Block-1B missions to account for long burn arcs and target translunar and hyperbolic orbits. This paper describes the design and implementation of modifications to the Block-1 PEG algorithm as compared to Space Shuttle. Furthermore, this paper illustrates challenges posed by the Block-1B vehicle and the required PEG enhancements. These improvements make PEG capable for use on the SLS Block-1B vehicle as part of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) System.

Von der Porten, Paul↗

Framework for X-ray mirror surface shape fitting

For accurate characterization of grazing-incidence X-ray mirrors, we present a comprehensive framework to fit measured surface shapes (either slope or height) of X-ray mirrors used in synchrotron radiation and free-electron laser facilities. We summarize the closed-form expressions of some typical surface shapes of X-ray mirrors including elliptic cylinders, hyperbolic cylinders, ellipsoids, hyperboloids, and diaboloids. This framework is composed of four layers: definition of standard shapes with closed-form expressions, generation of theoretical surface with pose parameters (six degrees of freedom defining an object's position and orientation relative to a coordinate system), parameter optimization with the ability to select which parameters are fit and which are held constant, and the development of user-friendly fitting function wrappers for particular fitting tasks. A few practical fitting examples are demonstrated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed fitting framework. We discuss the physical meanings of the fitting parameters, and provide several examples using the elliptic cylinder and ellipsoid shapes to highlight some features of the framework. Moreover, we provide the presented framework as open-source codes (MATLAB and Python codes available at https://github.com/nsls2omf/xmf) to the community to encourage academic collaboration and further improvements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dynamical evolution of the Oort cometary cloud

The dynamical evolution of comets in the Oort cloud under the influence of stellar perturbations has been modeled using Monte Carlo techniques. It is shown that the cloud has been depleted over the history of the solar system. Comets are lost from the cloud by direct ejection due to close stellar encounters, diffusion of aphelia to distances beyond the sun's sphere of influence, or diffusion of perihelia into the planetary region where Jupiter and Saturn perturbations either eject them on hyperbolic trajectories or capture them to short-period orbits. The population of the cloud is estimated to be 1.0 - 1.5 x 10 to the 12th comets and the total mass is on the order of 1.9 earth masses. In addition to random passing stars, less frequent encounters with giant molecular clouds may play a significant role in randomizing the orbits of comets in the cloud and reducing the effective radius of the sun's sphere of influence.

Weissman, P. R.↗

TIGGERC: Turbomachinery interactive grid generator energy distributor and restart code

A two dimensional multi-block grid generator was developed for a new design and analysis system for studying multi-blade row turbomachinery problems with an axisymmetric viscous/inviscid 'average passage' through flow code. TIGGERC is a mouse driven, fully interactive grid generation program which can be used to modify boundary coordinates and grid packing. TIGGERC generates grids using a hyperbolic tangent or algebraic distribution of grid points on the block boundaries and the interior points of each block grid are distributed using a transfinite interpolation approach. TIGGERC generates a blocked axisymmetric H grid, C grid, I grid, or O grid for studying turbomachinery flow problems. TIGGERC was developed for operation on small high speed graphic workstations.

Miller, David P.↗

Robust control of systems with real parameter uncertainty and unmodelled dynamics

Two significant contributions have been made during this research period in the research 'Robust Control of Systems with Real Parameter Uncertainty and Unmodelled Dynamics' under NASA Research Grant NAG-1-1102. They are: (1) a fast algorithm for computing the optimal H(sub infinity) norm for the four-block, the two block, or the one-block optimal H(sub infinity) optimization problem; and (2) a construction of an optimal H infinity controller without numerical difficulty. In using GD (Glover and Doyle) or DGKF (Doyle, Glover, Khargonekar, and Francis) approach to solve the standard H infinity norm which required bisection search. In this research period, we developed a very fast iterative algorithm for this computation. Our algorithm was developed based on hyperbolic interpolations which is much faster than any existing algorithm. The lower bound of the parameter, gamma, in the H infinity Riccati equation for solution existence is shown to be the square root of the supremum over all frequencies of the maximum eigenvalue of a given transfer matrix which can be computed easily. The lower band of gamma such that the H infinity Riccati equation has positive semidefinite solution can be also obtained by hyperbolic interpolation search. Another significant result in this research period is the elimination of the numerical difficulties arising in the construction of an optimal H infinity controller by directly applying the Glover and Doyle's state-space formulas. With the fast iterative algorithm for the computation of the optimal H infinity norm and the reliable construction of an optimal H infinity controller, we are ready to apply these tools in the design of robust controllers for the systems with unmodelled uncertainties. These tools will be also very useful when we consider systems with structured uncertainties.

Chang, Bor-Chin↗

Three dimensional flows around airfoils with shocks

The present work describes a mathematical model and numerical scheme for the computer-aided calculation of two- and three-dimensional transonic flow over an isolated yawed wing with oblique shock waves and a trailing vortex sheet. The flow is modeled by the potential equation for irrotational flow which is hyperbolic at supersonic points and elliptic at subsonic points. A coordinate-invariant difference scheme is used in which retarded difference formulas are constructed to conform with the local flow direction. The resulting 'rotated' difference scheme allows complete flexibility in the choice of a coordinate system. Shock waves are located automatically in the form of compression bands spread over a few mesh widths. The scheme has proven to be stable and convergent throughout the transonic range. Calculations have been performed for Mach number up to 1.2 and yaw angles up to 60 deg, the likely operating range of a yawed-wing transport designed to fly at supersonic speeds. Calculations becomes less accurate towards upper end of range, because the difference scheme is first-order accurate in the supersonic range.

Jameson, A.↗

Finite element algorithms for compressible flow computation on a supercomputer

Methods of applying computational fluid dynamics techniques to engineering problems are discussed. The linking factors between theoretical and applied research are the shape and weight functions which produce the Galerkin finite element schemes. The flow is unsteady, viscous, heat conducting and compressible, and steady-state flows are the asymptotic limit of unsteady flows. All flows are described by the time-averaged Navier-Stokes equations (NSE) with mass and energy conservation. Local curvilinear intrinsic coordinates are applied to discretize the NSE in arbitrary geometric domains. A modified weighted residuals approach defines the discrete analogs of the physical systems modeled and a general interpolants method is used to derive families of numerical models, both implicit and explicit, finite difference and finite elemnt, from a single point of departure. Time-dependent element approximations are achieved with a progressive assembly of generalized elements method. Hyperbolic steady-state Euler algorithms and quasi-parabolic are spatial marching algorithms for solving the discretized equations. Application of the techniques is illustrated through calculation of the compressible flow around a hypersonic flight vehicle at 100,000 ft at zero angle of attack at speeds of Mach 4-10.

Spradley, L. W.↗

Aerocapture Technology Development for Planetary Science - Update

Within NASA's Science Mission Directorate is a technological program dedicated to improving the cost, mass, and trip time of future scientific missions throughout the Solar System. The In-Space Propulsion Technology (ISPT) Program, established in 2001, is charged with advancing propulsion systems used in space from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 to TRL6, and with planning activities leading to flight readiness. The program's content has changed considerably since inception, as the program has refocused its priorities. One of the technologies that has remained in the ISPT portfolio through these changes is Aerocapture. Aerocapture is the use of a planetary body's atmosphere to slow a vehicle from hyperbolic velocity to a low-energy orbit suitable for science. Prospective use of this technology has repeatedly shown huge mass savings for missions of interest in planetary exploration, at Titan, Neptune, Venus, and Mars. With launch vehicle costs rising, these savings could be the key to mission viability. This paper provides an update on the current state of the Aerocapture technology development effort, summarizes some recent key findings, and highlights hardware developments that are ready for application to Aerocapture vehicles and entry probes alike. Description of Investments: The Aerocapture technology area within the ISPT program has utilized the expertise around NASA to perform Phase A-level studies of future missions, to identify technology gaps that need to be filled to achieve flight readiness. A 2002 study of the Titan Explorer mission concept showed that the combination of Aerocapture and a Solar Electric Propulsion system could deliver a lander and orbiter to Titan in half the time and on a smaller, less expensive launch vehicle, compared to a mission using chemical propulsion for the interplanetary injection and orbit insertion. The study also identified no component technology breakthroughs necessary to implement Aerocapture on such a mission. Similar studies of Aerocapture applications at Neptune, Venus, and Mars were studied in 2003 through 2005. All showed significant performance improvements for the missions studied. Findings from these studies were used to guide the technology development tasks originally solicited in a 2002 NASA ROSS Research Announcement. The tasks are now in their final year and have provided numerous improvements in modeling and hardware, for use in proposals or new mission starts. Major Accomplishments: Since validation of the Aerocapture maneuver requires a space flight, ground developments have focused on modeling and environment prediction, materials, and sensors. Lockheed Martin has designed and built a 2-meter Carbon-Carbon aeroshell "hot structure." The article utilizes co-cured stiffening ribs and advanced insulation to achieve large scale, and up to a 40% reduction in areal density over the Genesis probe construction. This concept would be an efficient solution for probes that experience heat rates near 800-1000 W/cm(exp 2), such as at Venus and Earth. Applied Research Associates has extensively tested a family of efficient ablative TPS materials that provide solutions for a range of heating conditions. These materials are being applied to high-temperature structures built by ATK Space Systems, led by Langley Research Center. One-meter aeroshells will be thermally tested to validate construction and demonstrate higher bondline temperatures, which can lead to mass savings of up to 30% over traditional heatshields. Ames Research Center has developed aeroshell instrumentation that could measure environmental conditions and material performance during atmospheric entry. Instruments to measure TPS recession, heat flux, and catalycity could be combined with traditional sensors to provide a "plug-and-play" system for minimal mass and power, that would acquire flight data for model improvement and risk reduction on future missions. Improved atmospheric and aerothermodynamic models ha also been a major focus of the program. Next Steps: Aerocapture is one of five technologies in competition for a flight validation opportunity through the New Millennium Program. If selected, a fully autonomous vehicle will perform an Aerocapture at Earth in 2010, and flight data will be used to validate the guidance system and the TPS material for science mission infusion.

Munk, Michelle M.↗

Multigrid Reduction in Time for Chaotic and Hyperbolic Problems (Final Report)

The coming massive parallelism of exascale computing presents a pressing challenge for the many DOE simulations of time-dependent partial differential equations (PDEs), which typically use traditional sequential time stepping methods. Since this traditional approach is inherently serial, it presents a sequential bottleneck when moving to exascale computing, because future performance gains will come through greater concurrency, not faster clock speeds. Thus, the goal of this work is to research parallelism in time, i.e., methods that compute multiple time values simultaneously, not sequentially. The focus will be on hyperbolic and chaotic problems of interest to DOE, with the goal of enabling scalable simulations of time-dependent hyperbolic and chaotic problems on future architectures. The chosen methodology for solving these problems parallel-in-time is multigrid, because multigrid (when it works) is a powerful, optimal, and scalable solver for discretized PDEs. Multigrid is already commonly used in many DOE simulations for scalably and optimally solving space-only PDE problems. The areas of hyperbolic and chaotic problems are chosen because of their relevance to problems of programmatic interest to DOE. However, these problems are also well-known to be difficult for parallelin-time methods, with the most common method, parareal, diverging in many cases. The current state-of-the-art for parallel-in-time at LLNL is the multigrid reduction in time (MGRIT) XBraid package, which also struggles for such problems, while still showing some improvement over parareal. In summary, new methods are needed for an efficient parallel-in-time scheme for hyperbolic and chaotic problems, and this work shall research promising new multigrid methods in this area. In particular, this work shall continue researching the directions from the current collaboration with Dr. Falgout, which are laid out in the work Toward Parallel in Time for Chaotic Dynamical Systems and showed the first known results of a parallel-in-time speedup for a chaotic problem. This work outlines two key improvements to XBraid for chaotic problems, the so-called “theta” and “delta-correction” methods. Here, these two improvements will be implemented in a high-performance but general way in XBraid and explored for more complicated problems. We will additionally research, as time allows, improvements to these techniques, as well as multigrid relaxation techniques based on Least Squares Shadowing (LSS by Wang) and a nonintrusive block tridiagonal solver based on MGRIT, called TriMGRIT.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Multigrid Reduction in Time for Chaotic and Hyperbolic Problems (Final Report)

The coming massive parallelism of exascale computing presents a pressing challenge for the many DOE simulations of time-dependent partial differential equations (PDEs), which typically use traditional sequential time stepping methods. Since this traditional approach is inherently serial, it presents a sequential bottleneck when moving to exascale computing, because future performance gains will come through greater concurrency, not faster clock speeds. Thus, the goal of this work is to research parallelism in time, i.e., methods that compute multiple time values simultaneously, not sequentially. The focus will be on hyperbolic and chaotic problems of interest to DOE, with the goal of enabling scalable simulations of time-dependent hyperbolic and chaotic problems on future architectures. The chosen methodology for solving these problems parallel-in-time is multigrid, because multigrid (when it works) is a powerful, optimal, and scalable solver for discretized PDEs. Multigrid is already commonly used in many DOE simulations for scalably and optimally solving space-only PDE problems. The areas of hyperbolic and chaotic problems are chosen because of their relevance to problems of programmatic interest to DOE. However, these problems are also well-known to be difficult for parallel-in-time methods, with the most common method, parareal, diverging in many cases. The current state of-the-art for parallel-in-time at LLNL is the multigrid reduction in time (MGRIT) XBraid package, which also struggles for such problems, while still showing some improvement over parareal. In summary, new methods are needed for an efficient parallel-in-time scheme for hyperbolic and chaotic problems, and this work shall research promising new multigrid methods in this area. In particular, this work shall continue researching the directions from the current collaboration with Dr. Falgout, which are laid out in the work Toward Parallel in Time for Chaotic Dynamical Systems and showed the first known results of a parallel-in-time speedup for a chaotic problem. This work outlines two key improvements to XBraid for chaotic problems, the so-called “theta” and “delta-correction” methods. Here, these two improvements will be further researched and improved (including with a new relaxation method inspired by on Least Squares Shadowing (LSS)) and explored for more complicated problems.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Study of multi-kilowatt solar arrays for Earth orbit applications

A miniaturized Cassegrainian concentrator (MCC) solar array concept is being developed with the objective of significantly reducing the recurring cost of multikilowatt solar arrays. The desired cost reduction is obtained as a result of using very small high efficiency solar cells in conjuction with low cost optics. The MCC single element concept incident slar radiation is reflected rom a primary parabolic reflector to a secondary hyperbolic reflector and finally to a 4 millimeter diameter solar cell. A light catcher cone is used to improve off axis performance. The solar cell is mounted to a heat fin. An element is approximately 13 millimeters thick which permits efficient launch stowage of the concentrator system panels without complex optical component deployments or retractions. The MCC elements are packed in bays within graphite epoxy frames and are electrically connected into appropriate series-parallel circuits. A MCC sngle element with a 21 sq cm entrance aperture and a 20 efficient, 0.25 sq cm gallium arsenide solar cell has the same power output as 30 sq cm of 11-percent efficiency (at 68 C) silicon solar cells.

Patterson, R. E.↗

Curvature-controlled geometrical lensing behavior in self-propelled colloidal particle systems

In many biological systems, the curvature of the surfaces cells live on influences their collective properties. Curvature should likewise influence the behavior of active colloidal particles. We show using molecular simulation of self-propelled active particles on surfaces of Gaussian curvature (both positive and negative) how curvature sign and magnitude can alter the system's collective behavior. Curvature acts as a geometrical lens and shifts the critical density of motility-induced phase separation (MIPS) to lower values for positive curvature and higher values for negative curvature, which we explain theoretically by the nature of parallel lines in spherical and hyperbolic space. Curvature also fluidizes dense MIPS clusters due to the emergence of defect patterns disrupting the crystalline order inside the clusters. Using our findings, we engineer three confining surfaces that strategically combine regions of different curvature to produce a host of novel dynamical behaviors, including cyclic MIPS on spherocylinders, directionally biased cyclic MIPS on spherocones, and position dependent cluster fluctuations on metaballs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Adaptive Deployable Entry Placement Technology (ADEPT) Development for Small Sat Class Venus Missions

The Adaptable, Deployable Entry and Placement Technology (ADEPT) is a novel approach for entry vehicle design. Similar to an umbrella, it is stowed during launch and deployed prior to entry. ADEPT employs a high performance, 3-D woven, carbon fabric to serve as the primary surface of the mechanically deployed system. The successful ADEPT sounding rocket flight test matured the 1-meter Class ADEPT in the areas of deployment and structural integrity, and provided aerodynamic flight characteristics of the ADEPT open-back configuration from Mach 3 to Mach 0.3. Aerocapture uses the aerodynamic drag from a single hyperbolic atmospheric pass to provide the delta-V needed for orbit insertion. Studies suggest that, compared to propulsive orbit insertion, aerocapture could increase delivered payload by 70 percent at Venus. Drag modulation aerocapture, which shows promise of being simpler and more cost-effective than the more-often studied lift modulation methods, uses in-flight transformations of an entry vehicle's drag area to control the amount of deceleration produced during an atmospheric pass. In single-event drag modulation, a drag device is jettisoned after the appropriate deceleration. ADEPT, due to its unique ability to fold and unfold, is being considered for this SmallSat class payload mission applications.

Cassell, Alan M.↗

Time domain convergence properties of Lyapunov stable penalty methods

Linear hyperbolic partial differential equations are analyzed using standard techniques to show that a sequence of solutions generated by the Liapunov stable penalty equations approaches the solution of the differential-algebraic equations governing the dynamics of multibody problems arising in linear vibrations. The analysis does not require that the system be conservative and does not impose any specific integration scheme. Variational statements are derived which bound the error in approximation by the norm of the constraint violation obtained in the approximate solutions.

Kurdila, A. J.↗

High-Order Hyperbolic Residual-Distribution Schemes on Arbitrary Triangular Grids

In this paper, we construct high-order hyperbolic residual-distribution schemes for general advection-diffusion problems on arbitrary triangular grids. We demonstrate that the second-order accuracy of the hyperbolic schemes can be greatly improved by requiring the scheme to preserve exact quadratic solutions. We also show that the improved second-order scheme can be easily extended to third-order by further requiring the exactness for cubic solutions. We construct these schemes based on the LDA and the SUPG methodology formulated in the framework of the residual-distribution method. For both second- and third-order-schemes, we construct a fully implicit solver by the exact residual Jacobian of the second-order scheme, and demonstrate rapid convergence of 10-15 iterations to reduce the residuals by 10 orders of magnitude. We demonstrate also that these schemes can be constructed based on a separate treatment of the advective and diffusive terms, which paves the way for the construction of hyperbolic residual-distribution schemes for the compressible Navier-Stokes equations. Numerical results show that these schemes produce exceptionally accurate and smooth solution gradients on highly skewed and anisotropic triangular grids, including curved boundary problems, using linear elements. We also present Fourier analysis performed on the constructed linear system and show that an under-relaxation parameter is needed for stabilization of Gauss-Seidel relaxation.

Mazaheri, Alireza↗

Recent developments in finite element analysis for transonic airfoils

The prediction of aerodynamic forces in the transonic regime generally requires a flow field calculation to solve the governing non-linear mixed elliptic-hyperbolic partial differential equations. Finite difference techniques were developed to the point that design and analysis application are routine, and continual improvements are being made by various research groups. The principal limitation in extending finite difference methods to complex three-dimensional geometries is the construction of a suitable mesh system. Finite element techniques are attractive since their application to other problems have permitted irregular mesh elements to be employed. The purpose of this paper is to review the recent developments in the application of finite element methods to transonic flow problems and to report some recent results.

Hafez, M. M.↗

A least-squares finite element method based on the Helmholtz decomposition for hyperbolic balance laws

In this paper, a least-squares finite element method for scalar nonlinear hyperbolic balance laws is proposed and studied. The approach is based on a formulation that utilizes an appropriate Helmholtz decomposition of the flux vector and is related to the standard notion of a weak solution. This relationship, together with a corresponding connection to negative-norm least-squares, is described in detail. As a consequence, an important numerical conservation theorem is obtained, similar to the famous Lax–Wendroff theorem. The numerical conservation properties of the method in this paper do not fall precisely in the framework introduced by Lax and Wendroff, but they are similar in spirit as they guarantee that when L 2 convergence holds, the resulting approximations approach a weak solution to the hyperbolic problem. The least-squares functional is continuous and coercive in an H -1 -type norm, but not L 2 -coercive. Nevertheless, the L 2 convergence properties of the method are discussed. Convergence can be obtained either by an explicit regularization of the functional, that provides control of the L 2 norm, or by properly choosing the finite element spaces, providing implicit control of the L 2 norm. Numerical results for the inviscid Burgers equation with discontinuous source terms are shown, demonstrating the L 2 convergence of the obtained approximations to the physically admissible solution. The numerical method utilizes a least-squares functional, minimized on finite element spaces, and a Gauss–Newton technique with nested iteration. Finally, we believe that the linear systems encountered with this formulation are amenable to multigrid techniques and combining the method with adaptive mesh refinement would make this approach an efficient tool for solving balance laws (this is the focus of a future study).

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Lagrangian conditional statistics and flow topology in edge plasma turbulence

Lagrangian statistics and particle transport in edge plasma turbulence are investigated using the Hasegawa–Wakatani model and its modified version. The latter shows the emergence of pronounced zonal flows. Different values of the adiabaticity parameter are considered. The main goal is to characterize the role of coherent structures, i.e., vortices and zonal flows, and their impact on the Lagrangian statistics of particles. Computationally intensive long time simulations following ensembles of test particles over hundreds of eddy turnover times are considered in statistically stationary turbulent flows. The flow topology is characterized using the Lagrangian Okubo–Weiss criterion in order to split the flow into topologically different domains. In elliptic and hyperbolic regions, the probability density functions (PDFs) of the residence time have self-similar algebraic decaying tails. However, in the intermediate regions, the PDFs exhibit exponentially decaying tails. Topologically conditioned PDFs of the Lagrangian velocity, and acceleration and density fluctuations are likewise computed. The differences between the classical Hasegawa–Wakatani system and its modified version are assessed, and the role of zonal flows is highlighted. Here, the density flux spectrum, which characterizes the contributions of different length scales, is studied, and its inertial scaling is found to be in agreement with predictions based on dimensional arguments. Analyzing the angular change of particle tracers at different time scales, corresponding to coarse grained curvature, completes the study, and these multiscale geometric statistics quantify the directional properties of the particle motion in different flow regimes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗