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At least 847 records · Page 47

AH-1G flight vibration correlation using NASTRAN and the C81 rotor/airframe coupled analysis

Analytical results are presented bearing on the accuracy of state-of-the-art NASTRAN FEM modeling techniques and rotor/airframe coupling methods for the prediction of flight vibrations; these results have been studied by NASA and industry experts in order to ensure scientific control of the analysis/correlation exercise. The rotor loads predicted by the dynamically coupled rotor/airframe analysis showed good agreement between calculated and experimental blade loads, as did the predominant excitation frequency vibration levels predicted by NASTRAN.

Dompka, R. V.↗

Advanced Turboprop Transport Aircraft Modeling for the Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration Project

The objective of this study is to establish models for state of the art, representative regional non-electrified turboprop configurations in the 19-50 passenger capability range and assess performance impacts from advanced aircraft technologies. Two of these models will serve as reference baseline configurations for comparison to electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) demonstrator concepts for the Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project. The other two non-electrified configurations will primarily assess the impacts of advanced technologies on fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. This paper details an aircraft synthesis and performance analysis approach using the General Aviation Synthesis Program (GASP) which is used to establish baseline performance capabilities, calibrate airplane and engine models using published manufacturer data and conduct technology sensitivity studies. Advanced technologies are selected from the categories of propulsion, aerodynamics, and flight systems. Performance assessments use Monte Carlo method coupled with GASP simulations to obtain performance distributions of the expected fuel burn, propulsive, aerodynamic, and weight benefits on the representative turboprop configurations from the application of advanced technologies. The final paper will present the impact of the advanced technologies on fuel burn and CO₂ emissions.

aircraft performance↗

Manned space flight

An overview of manned space flight is given. This describes the key goals and achievements of the space programs of the United States and of the Soviet Union. The importance of the 'Man' in manned space flight is emphasized. Human factors are shown to have played an ever increasing role in the design of manned spacecraft.

Woolford, Barbara J.↗

Advanced Turboprop Transport Aircraft Modeling for the Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration Project

The objective of this study is to establish models for state of the art, representative regional non-electrified turboprop configurations in the 19 to 50 passenger capability range and assess performance impacts from advanced aircraft technologies. Two of these models will serve as reference baseline configurations for comparison to electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) demonstrator concepts for the Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project. The other two non-electrified configurations will primarily assess the impacts of advanced technologies on fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. This paper details an aircraft synthesis and performance analysis approach using the General Aviation Synthesis Program (GASP) which is used to establish baseline performance capabilities, calibrate airplane and engine models using published manufacturer data and conduct technology sensitivity studies. Advanced technologies are selected from the categories of propulsion, aerodynamics, and flight systems. A GASP-Monte Carlo simulation framework for uncertainty propagation is used to obtain performance distributions of the expected fuel burn, weight reduction and CO₂ emissions reductions from advanced aircraft technologies. Significant fuel burn savings from application of aerodynamics and propulsion technologies was observed.

Dahlia D.V. Pham↗

State and model error estimation for distributed parameter systems

In-flight estimation of large structure model errors in order to detect inevitable deficiencies in large structure controller/estimator models is discussed. Such an estimation process is particularly applicable in the area of shape control system design required to maintain a prescribed static structural shape and, in addition, suppress dynamic disturbances due to the vehicle vibrational modes. The paper outlines a solution to the problem of static shape estimation where the vehicle shape must be reconstructed from a set of measurements discretely located throughout the structure. The estimation process is based on the principle of least-squares that inherently contains the definition and explicit computation of model error estimates that are optimal in some sense. Consequently, a solution is provided for the problem of estimation of static model errors (e.g., external loads). A generalized formulation applicable to distributed parameters systems is first worked out and then applied to a one-dimensional beam-like structural configuration.

Rodriguez, G.↗

Subsonic flight test evaluation of a propulsion system parameter estimation process for the F100 engine

An adaptive-performance-seeking control system which optimizes the quasi-steady-state performance of the F-15 propulsion system is discussed. This paper presents flight- and ground-test evaluations of the propulsion system parameter-estimation process used by the performance seeking control system. The estimator consists of a compact propulsion system model and an extended Kalman filter. The extended Kalman filter estimates five engine component deviation parameters from measured inputs. The compact model uses measurements and Kalman-filter estimates as inputs to predict unmeasured propulsion parameters such as net propulsive force and fan stall margin. The ability to track trends and estimate absolute values of propulsion system parameters was demonstrated. For example, thrust stand results show a good correlation especially in trends between the performance seeking control estimated and measured thrust.

Orme, John S.↗

Kennedy Space Center: Apollo to Multi-User Spaceport

NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) was established as the gateway to exploring beyond earth. Since the establishment of KSC in December 1963, the Center has been critical in the execution of the United States of Americas bold mission to send astronauts beyond the grasp of the terra firma. On May 25, 1961, a few weeks after a Soviet cosmonaut became the first person to fly in space, President John F. Kennedy laid out the ambitious goal of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth by the end of the decade. The resultant Apollo program was massive endeavor, driven by the Cold War Space Race, and supported with a robust budget. The Apollo program consisted of 18 launches from newly developed infrastructure, including 12 manned missions and six lunar landings, ending with Apollo 17 that launched on December 7, 1972. Continuing to use this infrastructure, the Skylab program launched four missions. During the Skylab program, KSC infrastructure was redesigned to meet the needs of the Space Shuttle program, which launched its first vehicle (STS-1) on April 12, 1981. The Space Shuttle required significant modifications to the Apollo launch pads and assembly facilities, as well as new infrastructure, such as Orbiter and Payload Processing Facilities, as well as the Shuttle Landing Facility. The Space Shuttle was a workhorse that supported many satellite deployments, but was key for the construction and maintenance of the International Space Station, which required additional facilities at KSC to support processing of the flight hardware. After reaching the new Millennium, United States policymakers searched for new ways to reduce the cost of space exploration. The Constellation Program was initiated in 2005 with a goal of providing a crewed lunar landing with a much smaller budget. The very successful Space Shuttle made its last launch on July 8, 2011, after 135 missions. In the subsequent years, KSC continues to evolve, and this paper will address past and future efforts of the transformation of the KSC Apollo and Space Shuttle heritage infrastructure into a more versatile, multi-user spaceport. The paper will also discuss the US Congressional and NASA initiatives for developing and supporting multiple commercial partners, while simultaneously supporting NASAs human exploration initiative, consisting of Space Launch System (SLS), Orion spacecraft and associated ground launch systems. In addition, the paper explains the approach with examples for NASA KSC to leverage new technologies and innovative capabilities developed to reduce the cost to individual users.

launchpad↗

Identification of hazardous awareness states in monitoring environments

A state identification procedure and a model for predicting aerospace crew/system combinations that interact to produce hazardous states are described. This procedure in conjunction with the model provide a capability for evaluating the design of advanced flight deck automation concepts based on the pilot's ability to maintain effective states of awareness. The model describes individual and situational factors that affect the likelihood that persons in operational settings will experience hazardous states of awareness.

Pope, Alan T.↗

Pan and Tilt Platform for a Thermal Vacuum Video Camera

The purpose of the Space Simulation Test Engineering (SSTE) Section at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is "to provide full service test support, engineering expertise, and state-of-the-art facilities to perform simulated space and thermal cycle testing of Earth orbit and deep space flight hardware"(ref. 1). During the Integration & Testing phase of space flight projects, flight hardware must successfully demonstrate its functionality under conditions similar to the actual environment experienced in space. When testing hardware with mechanical components, such as antenna extensions, door openings, or solar panel deployments, visual observation would allow test personnel to verify mechanical operations in real-time. A video camera can supply data that the usual sensors inside a TV chamber cannot provide. Since mechanical functional testing could affect multiple regions of a test item, a camera with a fixed position may not be able to monitor and record the performance of different components of a mechanism, especially for large test items. By mounting the camera to a Pan and Tilt Platform, the camera can cover a larger area and its field-of-view (FOV) will increase significantly. This paper details the design process for the Pan and Tilt Platform.

Lui, Yan↗

Formation of Triplet Positron-helium Bound State by Stripping of Positronium Atoms in Collision with Ground State Helium

Formation of triplet positron-helium bound state by stripping of positronium atoms in collision with ground state helium JOSEPH DI RlENZI, College of Notre Dame of Maryland, RICHARD J. DRACHMAN, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center - The system consisting of a positron and a helium atom in the triplet state e(+)He(S-3)(sup e) was conjectured long ago to be stable [1]. Its stability has recently been established rigorously [2], and the values of the energies of dissociation into the ground states of Ps and He(+) have also been reported [3] and [4]. We have evaluated the cross-section for this system formed by radiative attachment of a positron in triplet He state and found it to be small [5]. The mechanism of production suggested here should result in a larger cross-section (of atomic size) which we are determining using the Born approximation with simplified initial and final wave functions.

Drachman, Richard J.↗

Evaluation of high-voltage, high-power, solid-state remote power controllers for amps

The Electrical Power Branch at Marshall Space Flight Center has a Power System Development Facility where various power circuit breadboards are tested and evaluated. This project relates to the evaluation of a particular remote power controller (RPC) energizing high power loads. The Facility equipment permits the thorough testing and evaluation of high-voltage, high-power solid-state remote power controllers. The purpose is to evaluate a Type E, 30 Ampere, 200 V dc remote power controller. Three phases of the RPC evaluation are presented. The RPC is evaluated within a low-voltage, low-power circuit to check its operational capability. The RPC is then evaluated while performing switch/circuit breaker functions within a 200 V dc, 30 Ampere power circuit. The final effort of the project relates to the recommended procedures for installing these RPC's into the existing Autonomously Managed Power System (AMPS) breadboard/test facility at MSFC.

Callis, Charles P.↗

Application of flight data to Space Shuttle CCD star tracker catalog design

The new Shuttle Solid-State Tracker (SSST) is an improved but transparent replacement for the analog version which has flown on every Shuttle mission. This paper will examine the data collected from four Shuttle flights to establish parameters for selection of acceptable navigation stars, and apply those parameters to establish a star catalog which will be sufficient to ensure the ability of the SSST to perform attitude updates while docked to the Space Station.

Barry, Karen↗

Study of an aircraft decoupled longitudinal control system for approach and landing

A series of ground-based and in-flight simulation studies of the application of steady-state decoupled longitudinal controls to a short take-off and landing (STOL) transport have been made. The externally blown flap STOL was selected for study because it was considered to be a worst-case situation from the control viewpoint. The decoupled longitudinal control system used constant prefilter and feedback gains to provide independent control of flight-path angle, pitch angle, and forward velocity during landing approach. The decoupled controls were compared to a more conventional stability augmentation system. The pilots were enthusiastic about the decoupled controls; the pilot workload was reduced and the landing performance significantly improved. The benefit of the decoupled controls was more dramatic during in-flight simulation using a variable stability airplane than was the case with either fixed- or moving-base, ground-based simulators.

Miller, G. K., Jr.↗

Crystal growth of selected II-VI semiconducting alloys by directional solidification

A Hg(0.84)Zn(0.16)Te alloy crystal was back-melted and partially resolidified during the first United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML-1) mission in the Marshall Space Flight Center's Crystal Growth Furnace. The experiment was inadvertently terminated at about 30% of planned completion. Nonetheless, it was successfully demonstrated that HgZnTe alloy ingots partially grown and quenched on the ground can be back-melted and regrown in space under nearly steady state growth conditions. An identical 'ground-truth' experiment was performed following the mission. Preliminary results are presented for both crystals, as well as for a series of other crystals grown prior to the mission for the purposes of optimizing in-flight growth conditions.

Lehoczky, Sandor L.↗

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Command and Data Handling Flight Electronics Subsystem

A document describes a high-performance, modular, and state-of-the-art Command and Data Handling (C&DH) system developed for use on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission. This system implements a complete hardware C&DH subsystem in a single chassis enclosure that includes a processor card, 48 Gbytes of solid-state recorder memory, data buses including MIL-STD-1553B, custom RS-422, SpaceWire, analog collection, switched power services, and interfaces to the Ka-Band and S-Band RF communications systems. The C&DH team capitalized on extensive experience with hardware and software with PCI bus design, SpaceWire networking, Actel FPGA design, digital flight design techniques, and the use of VxWorks for the real-time operating system. The resulting hardware architecture was implemented to meet the LRO mission requirements. The C&DH comprises an enclosure, a backplane, a low-voltage power converter, a single-board computer, a communications interface board, four data storage boards, a housekeeping and digital input/output board, and an analog data acquisition board. The interfaces between the C&DH and the instruments and avionics are connected through a SpaceWire network, a MIL-STD-1553 bus, and a combination of synchronous and asynchronous serial data transfers over RS-422 and LVDS (low-voltage differential-signaling) electrical interfaces. The C&DH acts as the spacecraft data system with an instrument data manager providing all software and internal bus scheduling, ingestion of science data, distribution of commands, and performing science operations in real time.

Nguyen, Quang↗

Multivariable control altitude demonstration on the F100 turbofan engine

The control system designed under the Multivariable Control Synthesis (MVCS) program for the F100 turbofan engine is described. The MVCS program, applied the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) synthesis methods in the design of a multivariable engine control system to obtain enhanced performance from cross-coupled controls, maximum use of engine variable geometry, and a systematic design procedure that can be applied efficiently to new engine systems. Basic components of the control system, a reference value generator for deriving a desired equilibrium state and an approximate control vector, a transition model to produce compatible reference point trajectories during gross transients, gain schedules for producing feedback terms appropriate to the flight condition, and integral switching logic to produce acceptable steady-state performance without engine operating limit exceedance are described and the details of the F100 implementation presented. The engine altitude test phase of the MVCS program, and engine responses in a variety of test operating points and power transitions are presented.

Lehtinen, B.↗

Solid state neutron dosimeter for space applications

One of the most important contributions to the radiation exposure of astronauts engaged in space flight is the significant flux of high energy neutrons arising from both primary and secondary sources of ionizing radiation. Under NASA sponsorship, we are developing a solid state neutron sensor capable of being incorporated into a very compact, flight instrument to provide high quality real time measurement of this important radiation flux. The dosimeter uses a special, high neutron sensitivity, PIN diode that is insensitive to the other forms of ionizing radiation. The dosimeter will have the ability to measure and record neutron dose over a range of 50 microgray to tens of milligrays (5 millirads to several rads) over a flight of up to 30 days. The performance characteristics of the PIN diode with a detailed description of the overall dosimeter is presented.

Nagarkar, V.↗

Effect of weightlessness conditions on the somatic embryogenesis in the culture of carrot cells

A carrot cell culture seeded in Petri dishes in the United States and transported to the USSR was subjected to weightlessness for 20 days during the flight of Kosmos 782. The controls were cultures placed on a centrifuge (1 g) inside the satellite and cultures left on ground in the U.S.S.R. and the United States. A count of structures in the dishes after the flight showed that the number of developing embryonic structures and the extent of their differentiation in weightlessness did not reliably differ from the number and extent of differentiation in structures developed on the ground. Structures with long roots developed in weightlessness. Analysis of the root zones showed that these roots differed by the increased size of the zone of differentiated cells. The increased size of the zones of differentiated cells can indicate earlier development of embryonic structures.

Butenko, R. G.↗