Engineering topics

Woodis, W. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Woodis, W. R..

5 records

NASA NTRS1986

Design and development of high strength parachutes for recovery of Filament Wound Case Space Shuttle solid rocket boosters

The Filament Wound Case (FWC) solid rocket boosters, developed for Space Shuttle launches from the West coast, are substantially lighter than their steel case counterparts, but present unique recovery system challenges due to their aft center of gravity location. This causes them to re-enter in a tail-first attitude, rather than broadside like the steel case boosters, resulting in much higher dynamic pressure at deployment. This paper outlines the differences in recovery conditions, and describes the design, development, and testing of new parachutes to meet this challenging new requirement.

Corwin, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Benefits of tether momentum transfer to Space Station operations

A full solar cycle (1994-2004) is analyzed to study tether and nontether Space Station operations. The Space Station yearly altitude variation for the two approaches are investigated; it is observed that the optimum tether approach provides greater benefits that the nontether approach due to the cargon weight gain associated with the preferred low altitudes of the optimum variable altitude tether approach. The advantages provided by the combining a variable altitude/OTV launch approach are discussed. The baseline and tethered Shuttle deployments are compared and the design and capabilities of the deployer system are examined.

Woodis, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Vent modification of large ribbon parachutes to enhance cluster performance

Due to uneven load sharing and lagging inflation rates, the design of the Large Main Parachute (LMP) cluster, used to recover the Space Shuttle steel case Solid Rocket Boosters, had to be modified. The cause of the problem was excessive variation in effective porosity in the crown area of the LMP during first stage inflation. The design modification consisted of adding horizontal ribbons above the existing vent band to reduce the vent porosity and better control the position and attitude of the vent lines. Performance of modified LMP's since introduction indicates that the load sharing between the clustered chutes has been significantly improved.

Kolega, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Structural and mechanical design challenges of space shuttle solid rocket boosters separation and recovery subsystems

The design of the space shuttle solid rocket booster (SRB) subsystems for reuse posed some unique and challenging design considerations. The separation of the SRBs from the cluster (orbiter and external tank) at 150,000 ft when the orbiter engines are running at full thrust meant the two SRBs had to have positive separation forces pushing them away. At the same instant, the large attachments that had reacted launch loads of 7.5 million pounds thrust had to be servered. These design considerations dictated the design requirements for the pyrotechnics and separation rocket motors. The recovery and reuse of the two SRBs meant they had to be safely lowered to the ocean, remain afloat, and be owed back to shore. In general, both the pyrotechnic and recovery subsystems have met or exceeded design requirements. In twelve vehicles, there has only been one instance where the pyrotechnic system has failed to function properly.

Woodis, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster Decelerator Subsystem Drop Test 3 - Anatomy of a failure

A test failure dramatically points out a design weakness or the limits of the material in the test article. In a low budget test program, with a very limited number of tests, a test failure sparks supreme efforts to investigate, analyze, and/or explain the anomaly and to improve the design such that the failure will not recur. The third air drop of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster Recovery System experienced such a dramatic failure. On air drop 3, the 54-ft drogue parachute was totally destroyed 0.7 sec after deployment. The parachute failure investigation, based on analysis of drop test data and supporting ground element test results is presented. Drogue design modifications are also discussed.

Runkle, R. E.↗