Oldson, J. C. | Search NASA

NASA NTRS2006

Dynamics Simulation Model for Space Tethers

This document describes the development of an accurate model for the dynamics of the Momentum Exchange Electrodynamic Reboost (MXER) system. The MXER is a rotating tether about 100-km long in elliptical Earth orbit designed to catch payloads in low Earth orbit and throw them to geosynchronous orbit or to Earth escape. To ensure successful rendezvous between the MXER tip catcher and a payload, a high-fidelity model of the system dynamics is required. The model developed here quantifies the major environmental perturbations, and can predict the MXER tip position to within meters over one orbit.

Levin, E. M.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Pulsed single-blow regenerator testing

A pulsed single-blow method has been developed for testing of Stirling regenerator materials performance. The method uses a tubular flow arrangement with a steady gas flow passing through a regenerator matrix sample that packs the flow channel for a short distance. A wire grid heater spanning the gas flow channel is used to heat a plug of gas by approximately 2 K for approximately 350 ms. Foil thermocouples monitor the gas temperature entering and leaving the sample. Data analysis based on a 1D incompressible-flow thermal model allows the extraction of Stanton number. A figure of merit involving heat transfer and pressure drop is used to present results for steel screens and steel felt. The observations show a lower figure of merit for the materials tested than is expected based on correlations obtained by other methods.

Oldson, J. C.↗