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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 289 records · Page 16

Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment NASA Electra Boundary Layer Flights Data Report

The objective of this research was to obtain high resolution measurements of the height of the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer (MABL) during cold air outbreaks using an Airborne Lidar System. The research was coordinated with other investigators participating in the Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment (GALE). An objective computerized scheme was developed to obtain the Boundary Layer Height from the Lidar Data. The algorithm was used on each of the four flight days producing a high resolution data set of the MABL height over the GALE experiment area. Plots of the retrieved MABL height as well as tabular data summaries are presented.

Palm, Stephen P.↗

Aeroheating Analysis for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter with Comparison to Flight Data

The aeroheating environment of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has been analyzed using the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo and free-molecular techniques. The results of these analyses were used to develop an aeroheating database to be used for the pre-flight planning and the in-flight operations support for the aerobraking phase of the MRO mission. The aeroheating predictions calculated for the MRO include the heat transfer coefficient (C(H)) over a range of angles-of-attack, side-slip angles, and number densities. The effects of flow chemistry were also investigated. Flight heat flux data deduced from surface temperature sensors have been compared to pre-flight predictions and agree favorably.

Liechty, Derek S.↗

Preliminary analysis of STS-4 entry flight data

A preliminary analysis of the data obtained during entry of the STS-4 Flight was completed. Planned maneuvers were flown during this flight to increase the quality of stability and control analysis, similar to the techniques used during STS-3. The derivatives obtained from STS-4 agreed fairly well with the derivatives obtained on previous flights. The dependence of aileron effectiveness on a elevon position above a Mach number of 10 seen on STS-3 was conclusively verified on STS-4. CSS Mode was engaged to fly the heading alignment circle. After engagement, several cycles of a low amplitude pilot induced oscillation (1 deg/sec) at about 0.3 hertz can be seen. No PIO suppressor activity was seen between preflare and touchdown. This approach demonstrates the advantage of the shallow final glideslope approach. In this type of approach, the pilot is not required to make accurate altitude judgments since an acceptable landing can be made without performing the final flare.

Source record↗

Controlled impact demonstration flight data recorders/cockpit voice recorders

It was found that the sampling rates from flight recorders on a remotely piloted transport aircraft that crashed into the ground were too low, although they were higher than those required now by regulations. For example, the sampling rate for roll angle was one per second. The sampling rate for normal acceleration was also fairly low. Existing regulations require only 4 samples per second; researchers had 16 samples per second. Some data was lost during the initial impact. The frequency response data was adequate.

Garodz, L. J.↗

Validation of the Integrated Medical Model Using Historical Space Flight Data

The Integrated Medical Model (IMM) utilizes Monte Carlo methodologies to predict the occurrence of medical events, utilization of resources, and clinical outcomes during space flight. Real-world data may be used to demonstrate the accuracy of the model. For this analysis, IMM predictions were compared to data from historical shuttle missions, not yet included as model source input. Initial goodness of fit test-ing on International Space Station data suggests that the IMM may overestimate the number of occurrences for three of the 83 medical conditions in the model. The IMM did not underestimate the occurrence of any medical condition. Initial comparisons with shuttle data demonstrate the importance of understanding crew preference (i.e., preferred analgesic) for accurately predicting the utilization of re-sources. The initial analysis demonstrates the validity of the IMM for its intended use and highlights areas for improvement.

Kerstman, Eric L.↗

Real-time comparison of X-29A flight data and simulation data

This paper presents a technique for comparing, in real time, the flight test time histories for X-29A aircraft with time histories computed from linearized mathematical models. Such a comparison allows the flight test personnel to verify that the aircraft is performing as predicted, to determine regions of nonlinear behavior, and to increase the rate of envelope expansion. The types of mathematical modeling and equipment required, the procedure used, and actual flight test results are discussed.

Gera, Joseph↗

Loran-C flight data base

Loran-C time-difference data were collected on January 9, 1979 during a flight from Athens, Ohio to Madison VOR in Connecticut, thence to Millville VOR in New Jersey, and a landing at Atlantic City NAFEC. Portions of the return trip to Athens, Ohio were also recorded. Loran-C GRI data frames were recorded using the 99600 U. S. Northeast Loran chain stations Seneca/Nantucket (TDA) and Seneca/Carolina Beach (TDB). The GRI sequence number TDA and TDB were recorded as integer numbers, with the TD's in integer microseconds. Actual time-of-day can be determined from the data start time, plus the time per GRI and the sequence number. The low cost Loran-C receiver was used to obtain the time-difference data for each GRI. Data was recorded on digital magnetic tape and post-processed into latitude and longitude using an IBM system/370 computer.

Lilley, R. W.↗

Preliminary analysis of STS-2 entry flight data

A preliminary analysis of the data obtained during the entry of the STS-2 flight was completed. The stability and control derivatives from STS-2 were examined. Questions still remain throughout the flight envelope and the area below Mach 3 needs more study. With three controls operating in a high gain feedback system, it is difficult to separate the individual effects of each of the controls. Analysis of the aerothermal data shows that wing structural-temperature measurements are generally repeatable and consistent with the trajectories. The measured wing upper surface temperatures are in reasonable agreement with Dryden predictions but wing lower surface temperatures are higher than Dryden predictions. Heating and heat transfer models will be adjusted to improve the temperature prediction capability for future trajectories.

Source record↗

Synthesizing a New Launch Vehicle Failure Probability Based on Historical Flight Data

New launch vehicles have historically had significantly higher failure probabilities in early flights than what has been predicted using Probabilistic Risk Assessment. Work on a new methodology originally started with ARES I-X and the Common Standards Working Group (CSWG) for range safety applications. CSWG consists of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Air Force, and NASA. Historical launch vehicle data was viewed as the best predictor of success/failure for launches of new vehicles. A launch vehicle database was developed that includes all launches from 1980-2017 (both US and foreign). Entries to the database include: Vehicle by model type; Launch dates; Failure description; Failure Result (Loss Of Vehicle (LOV)/Loss Of Mission (LOM); Failure cause (when available); Vehicle designs (stages/engines/etc.)

Early flight risk↗

One year of flight data from the PASP-Plus experiment

The PASP-Plus (Photovoltaic Array Space Power Plus Diagnostics) program is a photovoltaic experiment which is flying on the Air Force satellite APEX (Advanced Photovoltaic and Electronics Experiments). The satellite was launched on August 3, 1994 with a Pegasus low-cost launch vehicle. There are two other small experiments on APEX, however PASP-Plus is the largest, uses the most power, and accounts for the largest portion of the data requirements. The satellite is in an elliptical orbit with an apogee of 2552 km and a perigee of 363 km. The inclination is 70 degrees. The PASP-Plus experiment consists of twelve photovoltaic panels containing a total of sixteen separate cell modules. Two of the modules are concentrator modules, while the rest are planar. There are several different solar cell types flying on PASP-Plus including silicon, GaAs on germanium substrates, InP, amorphous silicon, and three multi-bandgap cells. The purpose of this paper is to present some of the data from the first year of the PASP-Plus flight. Cell performance and module thermal performance will be discussed as well as other relevant data.

Curtis, Henry↗

Aeroheating Analysis for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter with Comparison to Flight Data

The aeroheating environment of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has been analyzed using the direct simulation Monte Carlo and free-molecular techniques. The results of these analyses were used to develop an aeroheating database to be used for the preflight planning and the in-flight operations support for the aerobraking phase of the MRO mission. The aeroheating predictions calculated for the MRO include the heat transfer coefficient (CH) over a range of angles-of-attack, sideslip angles, and number densities. The effects of flow chemistry, surface temperature, and surface grid resolution were also investigated to determine the aeroheating database uncertainties. Flight heat flux data has been calculated from surface temperature sensor data returned to Earth from the MRO in orbit around Mars during the aerobraking phase of its mission. The heat flux data have been compared to the aeroheating database and agree favorably.

Liechty, Derek S.↗

ATD-1 Avionics Phase 2: Post-Flight Data Analysis Report

This report aims to satisfy Air Traffic Management Technology Demonstration - 1 (ATD-1) Statement of Work (SOW) 3.6.19 and serves as the delivery mechanism for the analysis described in Annex C of the Flight Test Plan. The report describes the data collected and derived as well as the analysis methodology and associated results extracted from the data set collected during the ATD-1 Flight Test. All analyses described in the SOW were performed and are covered in this report except for the analysis of Final Approach Speed and its effect on performance. This analysis was de-prioritized and, at the time of this report, is not considered feasible in the schedule and costs remaining.

Scharl, Julien↗

Synthesizing a New Launch Vehicle Failure Probability Based on Historical Flight Data

New launch vehicles have historically had significantly higher failure rates in early flights than what has been predicted using Probabilistic Risk Assessment - PRA. This is because PRAs typically model a mature vehicle where a significant portion of the early failure probability contributors have been eliminated due to testing and improvements after actual field operation. To capture a more accurate early flight failure probability estimate, this paper develops a method that estimates ascent failure probability starting with the first flight based on historical launch vehicle records. With new launch vehicles being developed, such as the Space Launch System - SLS, a PRA model must be extended to cover early flight failure probability contributions that are either not covered in the mature-vehicle PRA or are underestimated. These failure probability contributions include design errors, quality control deficiencies, installation errors, and environmental impacts. There are also failure dependencies due to systemic errors that still exist due to limited entire-system testing.

Cross, Robert B.↗

Development of a Heterogeneous sUAS High-Accuracy Positional Flight Data Acquisition System

Recently, a heterogeneous FDAS, consisting of a diverse range of instruments was developed to support acoustic flight research programs at NASA Langley Research Center. In addition to a conventional GPS to measure latitude, longitude and altitude, the FDAS also utilizes a small, light-weight, low-cost DGPS system to obtain centimeter accuracy to measure the distance traveled by sound from a sUAS vehicle to a microphone on the ground. Acoustic flight testing using the FDAS installed on several different sUAS platforms has been conducted in support of the NASA CAS DELIVER and ERA ITD projects (Reference 1). The first FDAS prototype was assembled and implemented in the acoustic/flight measurement system in December 2014 to support DELIVER acoustic flight tests. Evaluation of the system performance and results from the data analyses were used to further test, develop and enhance the FDAS over a six-month period to support acoustic flight research for the ERA.

McSwain, Robert G.↗

Physiological Observations and Omics to Develop Personalized Sensormotor Adaptability Countermeasures Using Bed Rest and Space Flight Data

Astronauts experience sensorimotor disturbances during the initial exposure to microgravity and during the re-adapation phase following a return to an earth-gravitational environment. These alterations may disrupt the ability to perform mission critical functional tasks requiring ambulation, manual control and gaze stability. Interestingly, astronauts who return from space flight show substantial differences in their abilities to readapt to a gravitational environment. The ability to predict the manner and degree to which individual astronauts would be affected would improve the effectiveness of countermeasure training programs designed to enhance sensorimotor adaptability. For such an approach to succeed, we must develop predictive measures of sensorimotor adaptability that will allow us to foresee, before actual space flight, which crewmembers are likely to experience the greatest challenges to their adaptive capacities. The goals of this project are to identify and characterize this set of predictive measures that include: 1) behavioral tests to assess sensory bias and adaptability quantified using both strategic and plastic-adaptive responses; 2) imaging to determine individual brain morphological and functional features using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging, resting state functional connectivity MRI, and sensorimotor adaptation task-related functional brain activation; 3) genotype markers for genetic polymorphisms in Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase, Dopamine Receptor D2, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and genetic polymorphism of alpha2-adrenergic receptor that play a role in the neural pathways underlying sensorimotor adaptation. We anticipate these predictive measures will be significantly correlated with individual differences in sensorimotor adaptability after long-duration space flight and an analog bed rest environment. We will be conducting a retrospective study leveraging data already collected from relevant ongoing/completed bed rest and space flight studies. These data will be combined with predictor metrics that will be collected prospectively - behavioral, brain imaging and genomic measures; from these returning subjects to build models for predicting post-mission (bed rest - non-astronauts or space flight - astronauts) adaptive capability as manifested in their outcome measures. Comparisons of model performance will allow us to better design and implement sensorimotor adaptability training countermeasures that are customized for each crewmember's sensory biases, adaptive capacity, brain structure and functional capacities, and genetic predispositions against decrements in post-mission adaptive capability. This ability will allow more efficient use of crew time during training and will optimize training prescriptions for astronauts to ensure expected outcomes.

Mulavara, A. P.↗

Determination of aerodynamic parameters of a fighter airplane from flight data at high angles of attack

A procedure for the estimation of airplane model structure and parameters is applied to data from a modern fighter airplane operating within an angle of attack range of 5 to 60 deg. The paper briefly describes the airplane, flight and wind tunnel data available, and the estimation method. The results presented contain basic longitudinal characteristics of the airplane and the estimates of aerodynamic parameters in the yawing-moment equations. These estimates are obtained from small and large amplitude maneuvers. Because the latter set of data was not suitable for airplane identification, some of the large amplitude maneuvers were joined together and then partitioned into subsets according to the values of angle of attack. Each subset was then analyzed as a separate data set. Most of the estimated parameters and functions are in good agreement with the wind tunnel measurements. The estimated lateral parameters in the model equations also demonstrate good prediction capabilities.

Klein, V.↗