Engineering topics

Randall, J. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Randall, J. L..

14 records

NASA NTRS1980

Design aspects of a laser gravitational wave detector in space

Certain optical and mechanical aspects of a proposed laser gravitational wave antenna in space are briefly discussed. The proposed concept consists of a free-mass antenna with the test masses separated by a distance of 1,000,000 km. A laser heterodyne technique is employed to measure the distance change between test masses resulting from gravitational wave interaction. The proposed scheme is considered to offer the necessary sensitivity to detect gravitational radiation from binary stars predicted by General Relativity Theory.

Decher, R.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Computer program to calculate three-dimensional boundary layer flows over wings with wall mass transfer

A system of computer programs for calculating three dimensional transonic flow over wings, including details of the three dimensional viscous boundary layer flow, was developed. The flow is calculated in two overlapping regions: an outer potential flow region, and a boundary layer region in which the first order, three dimensional boundary layer equations are numerically solved. A consistent matching of the two solutions is achieved iteratively, thus taking into account viscous-inviscid interaction. For the inviscid outer flow calculations, the Jameson-Caughey transonic wing program FLO 27 is used, and the boundary layer calculations are performed by a finite difference boundary layer prediction program. Interface programs provide communication between the two basic flow analysis programs. Computed results are presented for the NASA F8 research wing, both with and without distributed surface suction.

Mclean, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Airborne visible laser optical communication experiment.

A series of optical communication experiments between a high altitude aircraft at 18.3 km (60,000 ft) and a ground station are planned by NASA in the summer of 1972. The basic concept is that an optical tracker and transmitter will be located in each terminal. The aircraft transceiver consists of a 5-mW HeNe laser transmitter with a 30-megabit modulator. The ground station beacon is an argon laser operating at 488 nm. A separate pulsed laser radar is used for initial acquisition. The objective of the experiment is to obtain engineering data on the precision tracking and communication system performance at both terminals. Atmospheric effects on the system performance are of prime importance.

Randall, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1970