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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1960

Aerodynamic and Landing Measurements Obtained During the First Powered Flight of the North American X-15 Research Airplane

During the first powered flight of the North American X-15 research airplane on September 17, 1959, a Mach number of 2.1 and an altitude of 52,000 feet were attained. Static and dynamic maneuvers were performed to evaluate the characteristics of the airplane at subsonic and supersonic speeds. Data from these maneuvers as well as from the launch and landing phases are presented, discussed, and compared with predicted values. The rate of separation of the X-15 from the B-52 carrier airplane at launch was less than that predicted by wind-tunnel studies and was less rapid than in the lightweight condition of the initial glide flight. In addition, the angular motions and bank angle attained following the launch were of lesser magnitude than in the glide flight. Stable longitudinal-stability trends were apparent during the acceleration to maximum speed, and the pilot reported experiencing little or no transonic trim excursions. An inexplicable high-frequency vibration, which occurred at Mach numbers above 1.4, is being investigated further. Essentially linear lift and stability characteristics were indicated within the limited ranges of angle of attack and angle of sideslip investigated. The dynamic longitudinal and lateral-directional stability and control-effectiveness characteristics appeared satisfactory to the pilot. Although the longitudinal- and lateral-directional-damping ratios showed no significant change from subsonic to supersonic speeds, on the basis of time to damp, the damping characteristics at supersonic speeds appeared to the pilot to be somewhat improved over those at subsonic speeds.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1976

Advanced Supersonic Technology Study: Engine Program Summary. Supersonic Propulsion: 1971 to 1976

Sustained supersonic cruise propulsion systems for military applications are studied. The J79-5 in the Mach 2 B-58; YJ93 in the Mach 3.0 B-70 and the current F101 in the B-1, are all examples of military propulsion systems and airplanes operated at sustained supersonic cruise speeds. The Mach 2.7 B2707 transport powered by GE4 turbojet engines was the only non-military, sustained supersonic cruise vehicle intended for commercial passenger service.

Krebs, J. N.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Economic study of multipurpose advanced high-speed transport configurations

A nondimensional economic examination of a parametrically-derived set of supersonic transport aircraft was conducted. The measure of economic value was surcharged relative to subsonic airplane tourist-class yield. Ten airplanes were defined according to size, payload, and speed. The price, range capability, fuel burned, and block time were determined for each configuration, then operating costs and surcharges were calculated. The parameter with the most noticeable influence on nominal surcharge was found to be real (constant dollars) fuel price increase. A change in SST design Mach number from 2.4 to Mach 2.7 showed a very small surcharge advantage (on the order of 1 percent for the faster aircraft). Configuration design compromises required for an airplane to operate overland at supersonic speeds without causing sonic boom annoyance result in severe performance penalties and require high (more than 100 percent) surcharges.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2007

Aerodynamic Effects of a 24-Foot, Multisegmented Telescoping Nose Boom on an F-15B Airplane

An experimental multisegmented telescoping nose boom has been installed on an F-15B airplane to be tested in a flight environment. The experimental nose boom is representative of one that could be used to tailor the sonic boom signature of an airplane such as a supersonic business jet. The nose boom consists of multiple sections and could be extended during flight to a length of 24 ft. The preliminary analyses indicated that the addition of the experimental nose boom could adversely affect vehicle flight characteristics and air data systems. Before the boom was added, a series of flights was flown to update the aerodynamic model and characterize the air data systems of the baseline airplane. The baseline results have been used in conjunction with estimates of the nose boom s influence to prepare for a series of research flights conducted with the nose boom installed. Data from these flights indicate that the presence of the experimental boom reduced the static pitch and yaw stability of the airplane. The boom also adversely affected the static-position error of the airplane but did not significantly affect angle-of-attack or angle-of-sideslip measurements. The research flight series has been successfully completed.

Cumming, Stephen B.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Aerodynamic Effects of a 24-foot Multisegmented Telescoping Nose Boom on an F-15B Airplane

An experimental multisegmented telescoping nose boom has been installed on an F-15B airplane to be tested in a flight environment. The experimental nose boom is representative of one that could be used to tailor the sonic boom signature of an airplane such as a supersonic business jet. The nose boom consists of multiple sections and could be extended during flight to a length of 24 ft. The preliminary analyses indicate that the addition of the experimental nose boom could adversely affect vehicle flight characteristics and air data systems. Before the boom was added, a series of flights was conducted to update the aerodynamic model and characterize the air data systems of the baseline airplane. The baseline results have been used in conjunction with estimates of the nose boom's influence to prepare for a series of research flights conducted with the nose boom installed. Data from these flights indicate that the presence of the experimental boom reduced the static pitch and yaw stability of the airplane. The boom also adversely affected the static-position error of the airplane but did not significantly affect angle-of-attack or angle-of-sideslip measurements. The research flight series has been successfully completed.

Cumming, Stephen B.↗
NASA NTRS1954

On the determination of certain basic types of supersonic flow fields

A discussion is given of the application of Fourier series techniques to the problems of linearized supersonic flow. The formulation presented is an extension of the doublet type of "fundamental solution" to higher order types of singularity. The equations developed have application to wing theory but are primarily of importance in wing-body interaction problems. A specific example of a wing-body interference problem is discussed in light of the presented methods.

BODIES - AERODYNAMIC THEORY↗
NASA NTRS1976

Economy of flight at supersonic speeds

Prandtl's theory is used to determine the airflow over bodies and wings adapted to supersonic flight. By making use of these results, and by incorporating in them an allowance for the probable skin friction, some estimates of expected lift-drag ratios are made for various flight speeds with the best configuration. At each speed a slender body and wings having the best angle of sweepback are considered. For the range of supersonic speeds shown an airplane of normal density and loading would be required to operate at an altitude of the order of 60,000 feet. The limiting value of 1-1/2 times the speed of sound corresponds to a flight speed of 1000 miles per hour. At this speed about 1.5 miles per gallon of fuel are expected. It is interesting to note that this value corresponds to a value of more than 15 miles per gallon when the weight is reduced to correspond to that of an ordinary automobile.

Jones, R. T.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Schlieren Imaging Of An Aircraft In Flight

Technique for making schlieren images of airplanes and missiles in supersonic flight devised to help understand physics of compressible aerodynamic flows about complicated aircraft shapes. Technique also used to study far-field sonic booms. Data obtained from schlieren images useful in optimizing designs of prototype aircraft. Technique incorporates elements of focusing schlieren photography, astronomical photography, and streak photography. Using sun or moon as source of light, apparatus forms image revealing gradients of density in air flow.

Weinstein, Leonard M.↗