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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 703 records · Page 39

Low-thrust solar electric propulsion navigation simulation program

An interplanetary low-thrust, solar electric propulsion mission simulation program suitable for navigation studies is presented. The mathematical models for trajectory simulation, error compensation, and tracking motion are described. The languages, input-output procedures, and subroutines are included.

Hagar, H. J.↗

NBODY - a multipurpose trajectory optimization computer program

Documentation of the NBODY trajectory optimization program is presented in the form of a mathematical development plus a user's manual. Optimal multistage-launch ascent trajectories may be determined by variational thrust steering during the upper phase. Optimal low-thrust interplanetary spacecraft trajectories may also be calculated with solar power or constant power, all-propulsion or embedded coast arcs, fixed or optimal thrust angles, and a variety of terminal end conditions. A hybrid iteration scheme solves the boundary-value problem, while either transversality conditions or a univariate search scheme optimize vehicle or trajectory parameters.

Strack, W. C.↗

Earth and ocean dynamics satellites and systems

An overview is presented of the present state of satellite and ground systems which are used for studies concerning the dynamics of the solid earth and the oceans. It is pointed out that very good progress has been made in the area of earth and ocean dynamics since the described program was initiated in 1969. Construction of the mathematical models needed for data interpretation and analyses for earth dynamics phenomena and for ocean dynamics are in progress.

Vonbun, F. O.↗

Electrodynamics of long conducting tethers in the near-earth environment

An analytical approach was developed to evaluate the electrodynamic interactions affecting a thin, bare metallic wire moving in the ionosphere. The wire's diameter was smaller than the Debye length; therefore, the plasma sheath around the wire was taken into account in computing inducing drag force and torque. Computer programs were prepared for the numerical evaluation of mathematical functions that were required to compute the distribution of the potential along the wire and of the current in the wire. Numerical calculations based on this software are shown.

Dobrowolny, M.↗

An Analytical Satellite Orbit Predictor (ASOP)

The documentation and user's guide for the Analytical Satellite Orbit Predictor (ASOP) computer program is presented. The ASOP is based on mathematical methods that represent a new state-of-the-art for rapid orbit computation techniques. It is intended to be used for computation of near-earth orbits including those of the shuttle/orbiter and its payloads.

Starke, S. E.↗

Improved dynamic modeling of a Space-Shuttle Turbo-Pump

The dynamic response of turbo-pumps has traditionally been modeled mathematically using electrical networks. A recently developed computer program is used herein to adjust the model parameters (L - inductance, R - resistance, C - capacitance, etc.) of the electrical network in an attempt to bring the analytical response of the network into closer agreement with newly-available experimental results. Results are presented for a fully-wetted (noncavitating) test of a Space-Shuttle Turbo-Pump and a significant improvement in the dynamic model is achieved.

Evensen, D. A.↗

TDRSS performance evaluation for TDRSS services using analytical simulation

An analytical simulation package which can predict bit error rate and tracking performance for nonlinear, bandlimited satellite links was developed for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). It is based on analytical simulation, i.e., a combination of simulation techniques and analytical performance evaluation. This allows the use of a more realistic signal format than is possible with a purely analytical approach and maintains the advantage of short computation time on bandlimited, nonlinear channels with a noisy uplink. The link models and the main features of the program are described and an overview of the mathematical approach is given. Sample results of computer runs are provided for current power budgets and system design parameters for both forward and return links.

Braun, W. R.↗

Automated Rotating-Machinery Analysis

Computer-controlled automatic system processes accelerometer data from rotating machines, producing mathematical description and graphical display of shaft motion. Program saves processing time, readily identifies type of motion (circular, looped, or elliptical), provides annotated assessments to assist in failure analysis, alerts user to look for distinctive characteristics of machinery, and creates informative plots.

Clark, J.↗

Verification Of Tooling For Robotic Welding

Computer simulations, robotic inspections, and visual inspections performed to detect discrepancies. Method for verification of tooling for robotic welding involves combination of computer simulations and visual inspections. Verification process ensures accuracy of mathematical model representing tooling in off-line programming system that numerically simulates operation of robotic welding system. Process helps prevent damaging collisions between welding equipment and workpiece, ensures tooling positioned and oriented properly with respect to workpiece, and/or determines whether tooling to be modified or adjusted to achieve foregoing objectives.

Osterloh, Mark R.↗

Updated SINDA '85/FLUINT

SINDA '85/FLUINT system enables analysis of mutual influences of thermal and fluid aspects of physical systems. Program enables simulation of nonuniform heating and facilitates mathematical modeling of thin-walled heat exchangers. Written in FORTRAN.

Cullimore, Brent↗

PATSTAGS: PATRAN-To-STAGSC-1 Translator

PATSTAGS computer program translates data from PATRAN finite-element mathematical model into STAGS input records used for engineering analysis. Reads data from PATRAN neutral file and writes STAGS input records into STAGS input file and UPRESS data file. Supports translations of nodal constraints, and of nodal, element, force, and pressure data. Written in FORTRAN 77.

Otte, Neil↗

Cumulative index to NASA Tech Briefs, 1986-1990, volumes 10-14

Tech Briefs are short announcements of new technology derived from the R&D activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. These briefs emphasize information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. This cumulative index of Tech Briefs contains abstracts and four indexes (subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief number) and covers the period 1986 to 1990. The abstract section is organized by the following subject categories: electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, computer programs, life sciences, mechanics, machinery, fabrication technology, and mathematics and information sciences.

Source record↗

Predicting Tail Buffet Loads of a Fighter Airplane

Buffet loads on aft aerodynamic surfaces pose a recurring problem on most twin-tailed fighter airplanes: During maneuvers at high angles of attack, vortices emanating from various surfaces on the forward parts of such an airplane (engine inlets, wings, or other fuselage appendages) often burst, immersing the tails in their wakes. Although these vortices increase lift, the frequency contents of the burst vortices become so low as to cause the aft surfaces to vibrate destructively. Now, there exists a new analysis capability for predicting buffet loads during the earliest design phase of a fighter-aircraft program. In effect, buffet pressures are applied to mathematical models in the framework of a finite-element code, complete with aeroelastic properties and working knowledge of the spatiality of the buffet pressures for all flight conditions. The results of analysis performed by use of this capability illustrate those vibratory modes of a tail fin that are most likely to be affected by buffet loads. Hence, the results help in identifying the flight conditions during which to expect problems. Using this capability, an aircraft designer can make adjustments to the airframe and possibly the aerodynamics, leading to a more robust design.

Moses, Robert W.↗

NASA Tech Briefs, April 2000

Topics covered include: Imaging/Video/Display Technology; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Bio-Medical; Test and Measurement; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Books and Reports.

Source record↗

Implementation of a First-Order Quadratic Program Solver in C

This paper details a translation of a first order quadratic program (QP) solver from MATLAB to C. NASA could use this QP solver to generate online flight path trajectories for powered descent vehicles during landing. Over 12 weeks, the team designed, implemented, and tested two iterations of the QP solver for accuracy and runtime on 104 benchmark QP tests. The final iteration was 541.07% faster than the first, handling most tests in under one second. Additionally, it solved four more QP tests for N≥1383, and all outputs for cost and D_x matched the MATLAB reference values.

Optimization↗