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Arrington, J. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Arrington, J. P..

16 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Results of studies on advanced winged space transportation systems

Various winged spaceplane concepts which appear viable as the post-Shuttle generation of launch vehicles are reviewed. The designs all yield improvements in size and mass compared to the STS, provided certain emerging technologies are successfully applied. Single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicles would burn LOX/LH fuels in SSME-derived engines with two position nozzles. SSTO could be realized in either vertical or horizontal take-off configurations, but all would have 29,500 kg payload capacities and horizontal landing capabilities. Consideration is given to alternative fuels, the effects of adding air-breathing engines, various ways of attaching and deploying payloads, containing the fuels and providing thermal protection during reentry. It is found that similar technology advances are needed for all the concepts.

Arrington, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Second-generation Space Shuttle

This is a review of an in-house study at the Langley Research Center to identify the technology requirements that are necessary to develop a second-generation Space Shuttle in the post 2000 time period. The study, Future Space Transportation System Study, had two main objectives: (1) to define the launch-vehicle concepts which best meet the needs and opportunities for improved space transportation economics and capabilities for a Space Shuttle replacement and (2) to extend the level of technology assessments with respect to previous advanced system studies, especially in the areas of stuctures, propellant tankage, thermal protection systems, aerodynamics, and operations.

Arrington, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Performance assessment of aero-assisted orbital transfer vehicles

Aero-assisted orbital transfer vehicles are analyzed. The aerodynamic characteristics over the flight profile and three- and six-degree-of-freedom performance analyses were determined. The important results, to date, are: (1) the aerodynamic preliminary analysis system, an interactive computer program, used to predict the aerodynamics (performance, stability, and control) for these vehicles; (2) the performance capability, e.g., maximum inclination change, maximum heating rate, and maximum sensed acceleration, can be determined using continuum aerodynamics only; (3) guidance schemes can be developed that allow for errors in atmospheric density prediction, mispredicted trim angle of attack, and off-nominal atmospheric interface conditions, even for vehicles with a low lift-to-drag ratio; and (4) multiple pass trajectories can be used to reduce the maximum heating rate.

Powell, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Performance aerodynamics of aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles

A method for predicting the performance aerodynamics of aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles was developed based on techniques that were used in the aerodynamic databook of the Space Shuttle orbiter and theories from the Hypersonic Arbitrary Body Program. The method spans the entire flight profile of the aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles from the extreme high altitude non-continuum regime to the highly viscous continuum regime. Results from this method are compared with flight data from the Shuttle orbiter, Apollo Capsule, and the Viking Aeroshell. Finally, performance aerodynamics are estimated for three aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles that range from low to high lift-to-drag ratio configurations.

Wilhite, A. W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A review of preflight estimates of real-gas effects on space shuttle aerodynamic characteristics

Preflight estimates of the hypersonic aerodynamic characteristics of the Shuttle orbiter were based on a diverse series of research studies using state of the art techniques developed by basic research in the 60's and 70's. Real-gas viscous calculations on simple shapes that were used to evaluate correlation parameters indicated that real-gas effects reduce aerodynamic forces and moments. Inviscid calculations on winged lifting shapes indicated reduced forces and a slight nose-up pitch resulted because of real-gas effects. Analysis of the extensive wind tunnel data base indicated viscous correlation parameters provided the most appropriate extrapolation technique for estimating flight aerodynamics. Variations because of changes in the ratio of specific heats, which was the only available experimental tool for evaluating real-gas effects, indicated that reduced loads and nose-up pitching moments would occur at high altitudes and Mach numbers but that the values would not exceed the tolerances and variations established about the aerodynamic design data book values derived from viscous correlations. During STS-1, nose-up pitching moments exceeded the established variations.

Woods, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Shuttle Performance: Lessons Learned, Part 2

Several areas of Space Shuttle technology were addressed including aerothermal environment, thermal protection, measurement and analysis, Shuttle carrier aerodynamics, entry analysis of the STS-3, and an overview of each section.

Arrington, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Aerodynamic and flow-visualization studies of two delta-wing entry vehicles at a Mach number of 20.3

The longitudinal, lateral, and directional aerodynamic characteristics of two space shuttle concepts have been obtained in helium for operational flight Reynolds numbers at angles of attack from minus 10 to 55 deg. Included are elevon control deflections, roll control due to ailerons, and the effects of a nose modification. Selected results were compared with those derived from tangent-cone and Newtonian theories. Also included are results of a flow-visualization study consisting of electron-beam-illuminated flow and surface oil-flow patterns.

Arrington, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Effect of configuration modification on the hypersonic aerodynamic characteristics of a blended delta wing-body entry vehicle

The longitudinal, lateral, and directional aerodynamic characteristics of a delta-wing configuration were obtained experimentally at Mach 20 in helium with Reynolds numbers, based on model length, of 1.5 million and 2.9 million and at a Mach number of 6 in air with a Reynolds number, based on model length, of 4.8 million. The angles of attack varied from 0 deg to 55 deg for two sideslip angles. The effects of the addition of dorsal fins, the removal of wing tip fins, an increase in elevon span, and changes in elevon hinge-line sweep angle are discussed. The unmodified vehicle had a maximum lift-drag ratio of 2.1 at Mach 19 and of 2.4 at Mach 6 with about the same lateral and directional stability level at both Mach numbers. As the Mach number increased from 6 to 20, the longitudinal center of pressure moved forward and more positive elevon deflection was therefore required to maintain a given trim angle. The removal of wing tip fins increased the maximum lift-drag ratio and had a negligible effect on longitudinal stability, but caused directional instability that was not corrected by the dorsal fins examined. The shape of the wing and elevon hinge-line sweep had a large influence on the induced yawing moment due to roll control.

Arrington, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Electron-beam flow visualization - Applications in the definition of configuration aerothermal characteristics.

Comparisons between flow visualization systems using electron-beam fluorescence, schlieren, and shadowgraph techniques illustrate the advantages associated with the electron beam. Specific applications of this method as an aid in defining the origin of erosion on a heat-transfer model are cited. Results of combined electron-beam oil-flow studies on configurations illustrate that the simultaneous definition of the external flow field and its surface flow can be obtained. Comparisons between the electron-beam oil-flow visualization method and phase-change coating heat-transfer tests on a shuttle ascent configuration indicate the complementary nature of these two testing techniques. Potential methods for improving the electron-beam technique are included.

Woods, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Hypersonic aerodynamics and entry-maneuver: Aerothermodynamic interactions for two lifting entry vehicles

The longitudinal, directional, and lateral static stability and control characteristics of a delta lifting body and a delta-wing body were obtained at a Mach number of 20 in helium for operational Reynolds numbers over an angle-of-attack range of -4 deg to 55 deg. The aerodynamic characteristics of the wing body were then evaluated in an entry study to examine the effects of vehicle performance on the aerothermodynamic parameters associated with constant and variable angle-of-attack modes for a 1500-n. mi. cross range. The experimental results indicated that the vehicles were stable, except for neutral directional stability for the wing-body shape, and could be trimmed over the operational angle-of-attack range; however, the wing-body vehicle had adverse yaw due to roll control. This roll-yaw coupling was not examined for the lifting body. The trajectory analysis indicated that a 17-percent decrease in performance required little change in the constant angle-of-attack entry mode and, in turn, resulted in a small decrease in the total heat load. For the pitch-modulated entry, the performance decrease required the pitch maneuver to begin earlier during entry and to last longer in order to meet the 1500-n. mi. cross range without a major heating penalty. The performance reduction also had little effect on the maximum laminar radiation equilibrium temperature over a major portion of the lower surface of the wing-body vehicle regardless of the entry mode.

Arrington, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Aerodynamic studies of delta-wing shuttle orbiters. Part 2: Hypersonics

An early version of an external hydrogen-oxygen tank orbiter was used as a baseline vehicle to experimentally evaluate: (1) nose shape and canopy effects on longitudinal, lateral, and directional stability and trim, and (2) yaw due to aerodynamic roll control at hypersonic speeds. Nose alterations were examined since that part of the vehicle may be subject to modifications because of internal packaging requirements, alleviation of potential high heating areas, and/or possible improvements in aerodynamic stability and control. There was also some concern about the effect of the rather high profile canopy on the aerodynamics; therefore its removal was examined. In addition, roll-yaw coupling was investigated because of its impact on the RCS fuel requirements for entry maneuvers.

Stone, H. W.↗