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At least 181 records · Page 10

Wake Vortex Inverse Model User's Guide

NorthWest Research Associates (NWRA) has developed an inverse model for inverting landing aircraft vortex data. The data used for the inversion are the time evolution of the lateral transport position and vertical position of both the port and starboard vortices. The inverse model performs iterative forward model runs using various estimates of vortex parameters, vertical crosswind profiles, and vortex circulation as a function of wake age. Forward model predictions of lateral transport and altitude are then compared with the observed data. Differences between the data and model predictions guide the choice of vortex parameter values, crosswind profile and circulation evolution in the next iteration. Iterations are performed until a user-defined criterion is satisfied. Currently, the inverse model is set to stop when the improvement in the rms deviation between the data and model predictions is less than 1 percent for two consecutive iterations. The forward model used in this inverse model is a modified version of the Shear-APA model. A detailed description of this forward model, the inverse model, and its validation are presented in a different report (Lai, Mellman, Robins, and Delisi, 2007). This document is a User's Guide for the Wake Vortex Inverse Model. Section 2 presents an overview of the inverse model program. Execution of the inverse model is described in Section 3. When executing the inverse model, a user is requested to provide the name of an input file which contains the inverse model parameters, the various datasets, and directories needed for the inversion. A detailed description of the list of parameters in the inversion input file is presented in Section 4. A user has an option to save the inversion results of each lidar track in a mat-file (a condensed data file in Matlab format). These saved mat-files can be used for post-inversion analysis. A description of the contents of the saved files is given in Section 5. An example of an inversion input file, with preferred parameters values, is given in Appendix A. An example of the plot generated at a normal completion of the inversion is shown in Appendix B.

Lai, David

Considerations in the design and development of a space station scale model

Preliminary work at Langley Research Center (LaRC) related to the design, analysis and testing of a space station scale model is reviewed. Included are some rationale for focusing the scale model program on space station and the utilization of the model to achieve the program objectives. In addition, some considerations involved in designing a dynamics scale model, such as ground test facilities, sub-scale component fabrication and model replication vs. simulation are presented. Finally, some related research areas currently ongoing at LaRC in support of scale model development are discussed.

Mcgowan, Paul E.

A determination of the external forces required to move the benchmark active controls testing model in pure plunge and pure pitch

In view of the strong need for a well-documented set of experimental data which is suitable for the validation and/or calibration of modern Computational Fluid Dynamics codes, the Benchmark Models Program was initiated by the Structural Dynamics Division of the NASA Langley Research Center. One of the models in the program, the Benchmark Active Controls Testing Model, consists of a rigid wing of rectangular planform with a NACA 0012 profile and three control surfaces (a trailing-edge control surface, a lower-surface spoiler, and an upper-surface spoiler). The model is affixed to a flexible mount system which allows only plunging and/or pitching motion. An approximate analytical determination of the forces required to move this model, with its control surfaces fixed, in pure plunge and pure pitch at a number of test conditions is included. This provides a good indication of the type of actuator system required to generate the aerodynamic data resulting from pure plunging and pure pitching motion, in which much interest was expressed. The analysis makes use of previously obtained numerical results.

Dcruz, Jonathan

Theoretical studies of solar lasers and converters

The research described consisted of developing and refining the continuous flow laser model program including the creation of a working model. The mathematical development of a two pass amplifier for an iodine laser is summarized. A computer program for the amplifier's simulation is included with output from the simulation model.

Heinbockel, John H.

Hyper-X Model Testing with Animation

Live footage shows the Hyper-X program modeling at NASA Langley Research Center. The Hyper-X craft is shown on top of a Pegasus booster in a 20" Mach 6 Wind Tunnel. Visualization data runs are performed in the wind tunnel. Also seen is a brief interview with Vincent Rausch the Hyper-X Program Manager. Animation includes the flight model of the Hyper-X vehicle.

Source record

Subscale Beryllium Mirrors Demonstrator (SBMD) Program Summary and Ball Modeling

The SBMD Program was to design, fabricate, and test a 0.5-m beryllium lightweighted mirror applicable to space deployable systems with demanding optical and areal density requirements. This presentation summarizes the program's objectives and the mirror's tested technical performance along with lessons learned. In addition, test results are compared to modeling predictions. The SBMD Program was funded by NASA MSFC.

Kendrick, Stephen

Isoparametric 3-D Finite Element Mesh Generation Using Interactive Computer Graphics

An isoparametric 3-D finite element mesh generator was developed with direct interface to an interactive geometric modeler program called POLYGON. POLYGON defines the model geometry in terms of boundaries and mesh regions for the mesh generator. The mesh generator controls the mesh flow through the 2-dimensional spans of regions by using the topological data and defines the connectivity between regions. The program is menu driven and the user has a control of element density and biasing through the spans and can also apply boundary conditions, loads interactively.

Kayrak, C.

Hard Real-Time: C++ Versus RTSJ

In the domain of hard real-time systems, which language is better: C++ or the Real-Time Specification for Java (RTSJ)? Although ordinary Java provides a more productive programming environment than C++ due to its automatic memory management, that benefit does not apply to RTSJ when using NoHeapRealtimeThread and non-heap memory areas. As a result, RTSJ programmers must manage non-heap memory explicitly. While that's not a deterrent for veteran real-time programmers-where explicit memory management is common-the lack of certain language features in RTSJ (and Java) makes that manual memory management harder to accomplish safely than in C++. This paper illustrates the problem for practitioners in the context of moving data and managing memory in a real-time producer/consumer pattern. The relative ease of implementation and safety of the C++ programming model suggests that RTSJ has a struggle ahead in the domain of hard real-time applications, despite its other attractive features.

programming model

A NASTRAN/TREETOPS solution to a flexible, multi-body dynamics and controls problem on a UNIX workstation

Demands for nonlinear time history simulations of large, flexible multibody dynamic systems has created a need for efficient interfaces between finite-element modeling programs and time-history simulations. One such interface, TREEFLX, an interface between NASTRAN and TREETOPS, a nonlinear dynamics and controls time history simulation for multibody structures, is presented and demonstrated via example using the proposed Space Station Mobile Remote Manipulator System (MRMS). The ability to run all three programs (NASTRAN, TREEFLX and TREETOPS), in addition to other programs used for controller design and model reduction (such as DMATLAB and TREESEL, both described), under a UNIX Workstation environment demonstrates the flexibility engineers now have in designing, developing and testing control systems for dynamically complex systems.

Benavente, Javier E.

A status report on a model for Benchmark active controls testing

This 'work-in-progress' paper presents a status report on an active controls flutter model which is currently in the design and fabrication phase. This model is a part of the Benchmark Models Program (BMP). The BMP is a NASA LaRC program that includes a series of models which will be used to study different aeroelastic phenomena and to validate aeroelastic methods. The objective of Benchmark Active Controls testing is to validate active control design tools. Flutter testing will be conducted with a pressure-instrumented rigid model attached to a flexible pitch and plunge mount system. Unsteady pressure distributions and transonic flutter boundaries will be measured with and without active control system engaged.

Durham, Michael H.

Nanotechnology Infrared Optics for Astronomy Missions

The program "Nanotechnology Infrared Optics for Astronomy Missions" will design and develop new, nanotechnology techniques for infrared optical devices suitable for use in NASA space missions. The proposal combines expertise from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the Naval Research Laboratory, the Goddard Space Flight Center, and the Physics Department at the Queen Mary and Westfield College in London, now relocated to the University of Cardiff, Cardiff, Wales. The method uses individually tailored metal grids, and layered stacks of metal mesh grids, both inductive (free-standing) and capacitive (substrate-mounted), to produce various kinds of filters. The program has the following goals: (1) Model FIR filter properties using electric-circuit analogs, and near-field, EM diffraction calculations; (2) Prototype fabrication of meshes on various substrates, with various materials, and of various dimensions; (3) Test of filter prototypes, and iterate with the modeling programs; (4) Travel to related sites, including trips to Washington, D.C. (location of NRL and GSFC), London (location of QMW), Cardiff, Wales, and Rome (location of ISO PMS project headquarters); (5) Produce ancillary science, including publication of both testing on mesh performance and infrared astronomical science.

Smith, Howard A.

Nanotechnology Infrared Optics for Astronomy Missions

The program "Nanotechnology Infrared Optics for Astronomy Missions" will design and develop new, nanotechnology techniques for infrared optical devices suitable for use in NASA space missions. The proposal combines expertise from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the Naval Research Laboratory, the Goddard Space Flight Center, and the Physics Department at the Queen Mary and Westfield College in London, now relocated to the University of Cardiff, Cardiff, Wales. The method uses individually tailored metal grids and layered stacks of metal mesh grids, both inductive (freestanding) and capacitive (substrate-mounted), to produce various kinds of filters. The program has the following goals: 1) Model FIR filter properties using electric-circuit analogs and near-field, EM diffraction calculations. 2) Prototype fabrication of meshes on various substrates, with various materials, and of various dimensions. 3) Test filter prototypes and iterate with the modeling programs. 4) Travel to related sites, including trips to Washington, D.C. (location of NRL and GSFC), London (location of QMW), Cardiff, Wales, and Rome (location of ISO PMS project headquarters). 5) Produce ancillary science, including both publication of testing on mesh performance and infrared astronomical science.

Smith, Howard A.

The Benchmark Active Controls Technology Model Aerodynamic Data

The Benchmark Active Controls Technology (BACT) model is a part of the Benchmark Models Program (BMP). The BMP is a NASA Langley Research Center program that includes a series of models which were used to study different aeroelastic phenomena and to validate computational fluid dynamics codes. The primary objective of BACT testing was to obtain steady and unsteady loads, accelerations, and aerodynamic pressures due to control surface activity in order to calibrate unsteady CFD codes and active control design tools. Three wind-tunnel tests in the Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT) have been completed. The first and parts of the second and third tests focused on collecting open-loop data to define the model's aeroservoelastic characteristics, including the flutter boundary across the Mach range. It is this data that is being presented in this paper. An extensive database of over 3000 data sets was obtained. This database includes steady and unsteady control surface effectiveness data, including pressure distributions, control surface hinge moments, and overall model loads due to deflections of a trailing edge control surface and upper and lower surface

Scott, Robert C.

A Perfect View of Vesta: Creating Pointing Observations for the Dawn Spacecraft on Asteroid 4 Vesta

The Dawn spacecraft has a timely and clever assignment in store. It will take a close look at two intact survivors from the dawn of the solar system (asteroids 4 Vesta and 1 Ceres) to understand more about solar system origin and evolution. To optimize science return, Dawn must make carefully designed observations on approach and in survey orbit, high altitude mapping orbit, and low altitude mapping orbit at each body. In this report, observations outlined in the science plan are modeled using the science opportunity analyzer program for the Vesta encounter. Specifically, I encoded Dawn's flight rules into the program, modeled pointing profiles of the optical instruments (framing camera, visible infrared spectrometer) and mapped their fields of view onto Vesta's surface. Visualization of coverage will provide the science team with information necessary to assess feasibility of alternative observation plans. Dawn launches in summer 2006 and ends its journey in 2016. Instrument observations on Vesta in 2011 will supply detailed information about Vesta's surface and internal structure. These data will be used to analyze the formation and history of the protoplanet and, therefore, complete an important step in understanding the development of our solar system.

Hay, Katrina M.

Cost estimation model for advanced planetary programs, fourth edition

The development of the planetary program cost model is discussed. The Model was updated to incorporate cost data from the most recent US planetary flight projects and extensively revised to more accurately capture the information in the historical cost data base. This data base is comprised of the historical cost data for 13 unmanned lunar and planetary flight programs. The revision was made with a two fold objective: to increase the flexibility of the model in its ability to deal with the broad scope of scenarios under consideration for future missions, and to maintain and possibly improve upon the confidence in the model's capabilities with an expected accuracy of 20%. The Model development included a labor/cost proxy analysis, selection of the functional forms of the estimating relationships, and test statistics. An analysis of the Model is discussed and two sample applications of the cost model are presented.

Spadoni, D. J.

Model Checking JAVA Programs Using Java Pathfinder

This paper describes a translator called JAVA PATHFINDER from JAVA to PROMELA, the "programming language" of the SPIN model checker. The purpose is to establish a framework for verification and debugging of JAVA programs based on model checking. This work should be seen in a broader attempt to make formal methods applicable "in the loop" of programming within NASA's areas such as space, aviation, and robotics. Our main goal is to create automated formal methods such that programmers themselves can apply these in their daily work (in the loop) without the need for specialists to manually reformulate a program into a different notation in order to analyze the program. This work is a continuation of an effort to formally verify, using SPIN, a multi-threaded operating system programmed in Lisp for the Deep-Space 1 spacecraft, and of previous work in applying existing model checkers and theorem provers to real applications.

Havelund, Klaus

Manual of phosphoric acid fuel cell stack three-dimensional model and computer program

A detailed distributed mathematical model of phosphoric acid fuel cell stack have been developed, with the FORTRAN computer program, for analyzing the temperature distribution in the stack and the associated current density distribution on the cell plates. Energy, mass, and electrochemical analyses in the stack were combined to develop the model. Several reasonable assumptions were made to solve this mathematical model by means of the finite differences numerical method.

Lu, C. Y.

Study of tethered satellite active attitude control

Existing software was adapted for the study of tethered subsatellite rotational dynamics, an analytic solution for a stable configuration of a tethered subsatellite was developed, the analytic and numerical integrator (computer) solutions for this "test case' was compared in a two mass tether model program (DUMBEL), the existing multiple mass tether model (SKYHOOK) was modified to include subsatellite rotational dynamics, the analytic "test case,' was verified, and the use of the SKYHOOK rotational dynamics capability with a computer run showing the effect of a single off axis thruster on the behavior of the subsatellite was demonstrated. Subroutines for specific attitude control systems are developed and applied to the study of the behavior of the tethered subsatellite under realistic on orbit conditions. The effect of all tether "inputs,' including pendular oscillations, air drag, and electrodynamic interactions, on the dynamic behavior of the tether are included.

Colombo, G.