Application of the graphic flight path design program /FPDP/ for fast interactive trajectory design.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Mukhopadhyay, A. K.↗
SEARCH · Search NASA
Results for “Design to Flight”
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.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Digital flight control design using implicit model following.
A design procedure for determining the control gains of a discrete-time ('digital') control system is presented. The method is separable into four distinct steps: (1) the definition of closed-loop response criteria, (2) the choice of a discrete-time model which provides the desired response, (3) the determination of control gains which implicitly force the actual system to follow the desired response, and (4) the reduction of the measurement state by the introduction of an 'observer' (a form of integral-differential compensation). It is shown that a single desired response does not completely define the 'ideal' system. The response criterion generally leaves some parameters of the model unspecified, allowing two courses for improving the model: (1) definition of additional response criteria, or (2) redefinition of the discrete-time model for improved implicit model-following with the actual closed-loop system.
Stengel, R. F.↗
Digital adaptive flight control design using single stage model following indices
Simple mechanical linkages are often unable to cope with many control problems associated with high-performance aircraft. This has led to the development of digital fly-by-wire control systems and in particular digital adaptive controllers that can be efficiently adjusted during system operation. To this effect, a control law has been derived based upon the minimization of a single-stage weighted combination of control energy and the squared error between the states of a linear plant and model. This control logic is interfaced with an on-line weighted least-squares estimator and a Kalman state filter. The utility of the resultant control system is illustrated by its application to the linearized dynamics of a typical fighter aircraft.
Alag, G.↗
Third Conference on Fibrous Composites in Flight Vehicle Design, part 2
For abstract, see N78-18133.
Source record↗
An implementable digital adaptive flight controller designed using stabilized single-stage algorithms
An explicit adaptive controller, which makes direct use of on-line parameter identification, has been developed and applied to both the linearized and nonlinear equations of motion for the F-8 aircraft. This controller is composed of an on-line weighted least squares parameter identifier, a Kalman state filter, and a real model following control law designed using single-stage performance indices. The corresponding control gains are readily adjustable in accordance with parameter changes to ensure asymptotic stability if the conditions of perfect model following are satisfied, and stability in the sense of boundedness otherwise. Simulation experiments with realistic measurement noise indicate that the controller was effective in compensating for parameter variations and capable of rapid recovery from a set of erroneous initial parameter estimates which defined a set of destabilizing gains.
Alag, G.↗
Aircraft energy efficiency laminar flow control glove flight conceptual design study
A laminar flow control glove applied to the wing of a short to medium range jet transport with aft mounted engines was designed. A slotted aluminum glove concept and a woven stainless steel mesh porous glove concept suction surfaces were studied. The laminar flow control glove and a dummy glove with a modified supercritical airfoil, ducting, modified wing leading and trailing edges, modified flaps, and an LFC trim tab were applied to the wing after slot spacing suction parameters, and compression power were determined. The results show that a laminar flow control glove can be applied to the wing of a jet transport with an appropriate suction system installed.
Wright, A. S.↗
Flying qualities - A costly lapse in flight-control design
Generic problems in advanced aircraft with advanced control systems which suffer from control sensitivity, sluggish response, and pilot-induced oscillation tendencies are examined, with a view to improving techniques for eliminating the problems in the design phase. Results of two NASA and NASA/AIAA workshops reached a consensus that flying qualities criteria do not match control system development, control system designers are not relying on past experience in their field, ground-based simulation is relied on too heavily, and communications between flying qualities and control systems engineers need improvement. A summation is offered in that hardware and software have outstripped the pilot's capacity to use the capabilities which new aircraft offer. The flying qualities data base is stressed to be dynamic, and continually redefining the man/machine relationships.
Berry, D. T.↗
Flight path design issues for the TOPEX mission
The proposed Ocean Topography Experiment (TOPEX) is an earth satellite mission currently under consideration by NASA. The primary purpose of the experiment is to determine the general circulation of the oceans and its variability. High precision, space based altimeter measurements will be combined with surface measurements and ocean models to accomplish the mission objectives. The paper will discuss mission requirements on orbit design, orbit selection space, derived requirements on navigation and satellite design issues which impact orbit selection. Unique aspects of the TOPEX orbit design are highlighted, such as high precision repeating orbits, 'frozen orbit' values of eccentricity and periapses, precise maneuver and orbit determination requirements and insuring crossing arcs over a calibration-site.
Frautnick, J. C.↗
Effect of creep in titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V at elevated temperature on aircraft design and flight test
Short-term compressive creep tests were conducted on three titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V coupons at three different stress levels at a temperature of 714 K (825 F). The test data were compared to several creep laws developed from tensile creep tests of available literature. The short-term creep test data did not correlate well with any of the creep laws obtained from available literature. The creep laws themselves did not correlate well with each other. Short-term creep does not appear to be very predictable for titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V. Aircraft events that result in extreme, but short-term temperature and stress excursions for this alloy should be approached cautiously. Extrapolations of test data and creep laws suggest a convergence toward predictability in the longer-term situation.
Jenkins, J. M.↗
Design and flight test of a Kevlar acoustic liner
Previously cited in issue 10, p. 1378, Accession no. A83-25963
Lester, H. C.↗
Access flight hardware design and development
Several items were found to be of immense value in the design and development of the Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structures (ACCESS) hardware. The early availability of mock-up and engineering test hardware helped to develop the concept and prove the feasibility of the experiment. The extensive neutral buoyancy testing was invaluable in developing the procedures and timelines, proving that the hardware functioned as intended, and effectively trained the astronauts. The early involvement of the crew systems/astronaut personnel was extremely beneficial in shaping the design to meet the EVA compatibility requirements. Also, the early definition of coupled loads and on-orbit dynamic responses can not be overemphasized due to the relative uncertainty in the magnitude of these loads and their impact on the design.
Rogers, John F.↗
Design and flight test of a differential GPS/inertial navigation system for approach/landing guidance
NASA-Langley has conducted a flight test program evaluating a differential GPS/inertial navigation system's (DGPS/INS) utility as an approach/landing aid. The DGPS/INS airborne and ground components are based on off-the-shelf transport aircraft avionics, namely a global positioning/inertial reference unit (GPIRU) and two GPS sensor units (GPSSUs). Systematic GPS errors are measured by the ground GPSSU and transmitted to the aircraft GPIRU, allowing the errors to be eliminated or greatly reduced in the airborne equipment. Over 120 landings were flown; 36 of these were fully automatic DGPS/INS landings.
Vallot, Lawrence↗
An framework for robust flight control design using constrained optimization
An analytical framework is described for the design of feedback control systems to meet specified performance criteria in the presence of structured and unstructured uncertainty. Attention is focused upon the linear time invariant, single-input, single-output problem for the purposes of exposition. The framework provides for control of the degree of the stabilizing compensator or controller.
Palazoglu, A.↗
MASTRE trajectory code update to automate flight trajectory design, performance predictions, and vehicle sizing for support of shuttle and shuttle derived vehicles: Programmers manual
The information required by a programmer using the Minimum Hamiltonian AScent Trajectory Evaluation (MASTRE) Program is provided. This document enables the programmer to either modify the program or convert the program to computers other than the VAX computer. Documentation for each subroutine or function based on providing the definitions of the variables and a source listing are included. Questions concerning the equations, techniques, or input requirements should be answered by either the Engineering or User's manuals. Three appendices are also included which provide a listing of the Root-Sum-Square (RSS) program, a listing of subroutine names and definitions used in the MASTRE User Friendly Interface Program, and listing of the subroutine names and definitions used in the Mass Properties Program. The RSS Program is used to aid in the performance of dispersion analyses. The RSS program reads a file generated by the MASTRE Program, calculates dispersion parameters, and generates output tables and output plot files. UFI Program provides a screen user interface to aid the user in providing input to the model. The Mass Properties Program defines the mass properties data for the MASTRE program through the use of user interface software.
Source record↗
Minimum Hamiltonian ascent trajectory evaluation (MASTRE) program (update to automatic flight trajectory design, performance prediction, and vehicle sizing for support of shuttle and shuttle derived vehicles) users manual
Documentation for the User Interface Program for the Minimum Hamiltonian Ascent Trajectory Evaluation (MASTRE) is provided. The User Interface Program is a separate software package designed to ease the user input requirements when using the MASTRE Trajectory Program. This document supplements documentation on the MASTRE Program that consists of the MASTRE Engineering Manual and the MASTRE Programmers Guide. The User Interface Program provides a series of menus and tables using the VAX Screen Management Guideline (SMG) software. These menus and tables allow the user to modify the MASTRE Program input without the need for learning the various program dependent mnemonics. In addition, the User Interface Program allows the user to modify and/or review additional input Namelist and data files, to build and review command files, to formulate and calculate mass properties related data, and to have a plotting capability.
Lyons, J. T.↗
Thermal Property Parameter Estimation of TPS Materials
Accurate knowledge of the thermophysical properties of TPS (thermal protection system) materials is necessary for pre-flight design and post-flight data analysis. Thermal properties, such as thermal conductivity and the volumetric specific heat, can be estimated from transient temperature measurements using non-linear parameter estimation methods. Property values are derived by minimizing a functional of the differences between measured and calculated temperatures. High temperature thermal response testing of TPS materials is usually done in arc-jet or radiant heating facilities which provide a quasi one-dimensional heating environment. Last year, under the NASA-ASEE-Stanford Fellowship Program, my work focused on developing a radiant heating apparatus. This year, I have worked on increasing the fidelity of the experimental measurements, optimizing the experimental procedures and interpreting the data.
Maddren, Jesse↗
A Low-Cost Design and Flight Test of the T-38 Inlet
An inlet redesign of the T-38 was completed and flight tested by NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), Houston Texas. The redesign will allow full gross weight takeoffs from high altitude airports such as El Paso, Texas (ELP) with runway temperatures up to 99 degrees F, an increase of 9 degrees F over the current performance. This project was completed in-house using innovative test techniques. The static thrust of the T-38 was increased 20% with this new inlet.
Johnson, Greg↗
Design and flight qualification of paraffin-actuated heat switch for Mars surface applications
Missions to the surface of Mars pose unique thermal control challenges to rover and lander systems.
thermal control thermal management Mars Rover Mars↗