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DOE OSTI2020

Assessment of Near-Term Fuel Screening and Qualification Needs for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Systems

Nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) is an in-space propulsion technology capable of both high specific impulse (850–1000 s) and thrust (44–1112 kN), which can help reduce trip times for crewed missions beyond low Earth orbit. NTP technology has been demonstrated during historic programs. Over 20 ground test reactor experiments were performed, which demonstrated the prototypic reactor operations, during the Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA)/Rover program (1955–1972). Although historical programs have shown that NTP is a viable in-space propulsion technology, developing NTP in modern programs is contingent on the development and qualification of ultrahigh-temperature nuclear fuel technologies that can withstand engine operating conditions. In historical NTP development programs such as NERVA/Rover, prototypic reactor/engine schemes were ground tested to assess the overall system feasibility and to qualify the reactor fuel forms for eventual flight systems. Although this approach is effective to verify fuel performance under prototypic conditions, relying solely on full-scale NTP reactor tests as the pathway for verifying or qualifying fuel is inefficient and cost prohibitive today. Additionally, modern nuclear licensing requirements state that before test reactor approval, reactor components and fuel elements should be qualified via non-nuclear (out-of-pile) and nuclear (in-pile) testing under representative operating conditions. Using this methodology, fuel matures as production scale fabrication methods are established, and as produced fuel performance is demonstrated. Here, this paper provides an overview of historical approaches to NTP fuel performance maturation, including fuel screening and qualification needs, and provides insight for establishing an efficient testing paradigm that can be implemented to rapidly and affordably develop NTP fuel forms for eventual qualification.

42 ENGINEERING↗

NASA NTRS2008

Semi-Automated Diagnosis, Repair, and Rework of Spacecraft Electronics

NASA's Constellation Program for Exploration of the Moon and Mars places human crews in extreme isolation in resource scarce environments. Near Earth, the discontinuation of Space Shuttle flights after 2010 will alter the up- and down-mass capacity for the International Space Station (ISS). NASA is considering new options for logistics support strategies for future missions. Aerospace systems are often composed of replaceable modular blocks that minimize the need for complex service operations in the field. Such a strategy however, implies a robust and responsive logistics infrastructure with relatively low transportation costs. The modular Orbital Replacement Units (ORU) used for ISS requires relatively large blocks of replacement hardware even though the actual failed component may really be three orders of magnitude smaller. The ability to perform in-situ repair of electronics circuits at the component level can dramatically reduce the scale of spares and related logistics cost. This ability also reduces mission risk, increases crew independence and improves the overall supportability of the program. The Component-Level Electronics Assembly Repair (CLEAR) task under the NASA Supportability program was established to demonstrate the practicality of repair by first investigating widely used soldering materials and processes (M&P) performed by modest manual means. The work will result in program guidelines for performing manual repairs along with design guidance for circuit reparability. The next phase of CLEAR recognizes that manual repair has its limitations and some highly integrated devices are extremely difficult to handle and demand semi-automated equipment. Further, electronics repairs require a broad range of diagnostic capability to isolate the faulty components. Finally repairs must pass functional tests to determine that the repairs are successful and the circuit can be returned to service. To prevent equipment demands from exceeding spacecraft volume capacity and skill demands from exceeding crew time and training limits, the CLEAR project is examining options provided by non-real time tele-operations, robotics, and a new generation of diagnostic equipment. This paper outlines a strategy to create an effective repair environment where, with the support of ground based engineers, crewmembers can diagnose, repair and test flight electronics in-situ. This paper also discusses the implications of successful tele-robotic repairs when expanded to rework and reconfiguration of used flight assets for building Constellation infrastructure elements.

Struk, Peter M.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Comparison of Hover/Ground-Effect Characteristics for a Joint Strike Fighter Configuration

Hover and ground-effect tests were conducted with the Lockheed-Martin Large Scale Powered Model (LSPM) during June-November 1995 at the NASA Ames Research Center's Outdoor Aerodynamics Research Facility (OARF). This was done in support of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program being lead by the Department of Defense. The program was previously metered to as the Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) Program. The tests at the OARF included: engine thrust calibrations out of ground effect, measurements of individual nozzle jet pressure decay characteristics, and jet-induced hover force and moment measurements in and out of ground effect. The engine calibrations provide data correlating propulsion system throttle and nozzle settings to thrust forces and moments for the bare fuselage with the wings, canards, and tails removed. This provides propulsive forces and moments while minimizing any of the effects due to the presence of the airframe. The engine calibrations were used later to determine thrust for hover testing at the OARF and for transition testing which took place in the NASA Ames 80 by 120 foot Wind Tunnel. The jet decay characteristics reflect the jet entrainment properties and are related to the aircraft suckdown characteristics. The JSF program provided the opportunity to obtain model scale effects using two models; one at small scale and one at large scale. Examples of data from these tests will be presented out of ground effect which will demonstrate the effect of scale. For one JSF configuration, two small-scale models and one large-scale model were tested and obtained different values for the lift loss out of ground effect. These differences were examined and are found to be largely dependent on the jet efflux characteristics. The jet-induced hover forces and moments are presented in and out of ground effect. For the hover testing the model is methodically built up from the bare fuselage, to include the wings, canards, and vertical tails, to determine the effects of each. Other components such as weapons bay doors, landing gear doors, and other lift improvement devices and their effect on the jet-induced forces and moments are examined.

Hange, Craig↗

NASA NTRS2015

Oxide_Oxide Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) Exhaust Mixer Development in the NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project

LibertyWorks®, a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Corporation, first studied CMC (ceramic matrix composite) exhaust mixers for potential weight benefits in 2008. Oxide CMC potentially offered weight reduction, higher temperature capability, and the ability to fabricate complex-shapes for increased mixing and noise suppression. In 2010, NASA was pursuing the reduction of NOx emissions, fuel burn, and noise from turbine engines in Phase I of the Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project (within the Integrated Systems Research Program). ERA subtasks, including those focused on CMC components, were being formulated with the goal of maturing technology from Proof of Concept Validation (Technology Readiness Level 3 (TRL 3)) to System/Subsystem or Prototype Demonstration in a Relevant Environment (TRL 6). LibertyWorks®, a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Corporation, first studied CMC (ceramic matrix composite) exhaust mixers for potential weight benefits in 2008. Oxide CMC potentially offered weight reduction, higher temperature capability, and the ability to fabricate complex-shapes for increased mixing and noise suppression. In 2010, NASA was pursuing the reduction of NOx emissions, fuel burn, and noise from turbine engines in Phase I of the Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project (within the Integrated Systems Research Program). ERA subtasks, including those focused on CMC components, were being formulated with the goal of maturing technology from Proof of Concept Validation (Technology Readiness Level 3 (TRL 3)) to System/Subsystem or Prototype Demonstration in a Relevant Environment (TRL 6). Oxide CMC component at both room and elevated temperatures. A TRL≈5 (Component Validation in a Relevant Environment) was attained and the CMC mixer was cleared for ground testing on a Rolls-Royce AE3007 engine for performance evaluation to achieve TRL 6.

propulsion↗

NASA NTRS1987

Analytical investigation of the dynamics of tethered constellations in Earth orbit (phase 2)

Simulation of two short distance crawling maneuvers of the elevator both with and without environmental perturbations acting upon the system is discussed. These simulation runs were performed in order to provide results useful for the interpretation of the data from the tests, on the ground, of a scaled down engineering model of the elevator. In these simulation runs the elevator crawls along the tether in accordance to the developed mirror image motion control law (MIMCL). Results from the simulation of the 4 km long maneuver run were compared to those obtained by adopting the modified hyperbolic tangent control law (MHTCL). A preprocessor was developed for setting up the initial conditions of a tethered system with L platforms, M longitudinal dampers, and N lumped masses (platforms plus tether beads). A short test run of the 4-platform system with 3 longitudinal dampers and 10 lumper mass without any perturbation acting upon the system is illustrated. In support of the Tether Applications Working Group, SAO is preparing a catalog of tether simulations, has prepared a set of simulator test cases, obtained results from SKYHOOK, and solicited results from simulators at other institutions, and prepared a paper on a specific analytic solution.

Lorenzini, Enrico C.↗

NASA NTRS2024

X-57 Cruise Motor GVT Using Fixed-Base Correction Technique

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) completed a modal survey of the X-57 Maxwell aircraft cruise motor system to help inform cruise motor redesign efforts. X-57 Maxwell was an electric propulsion demonstrator aircraft developed by NASA to inform airworthiness standards for electrified-aircraft. The cruise motor system modal survey was completed in spring of 2023 utilizing the fixed-base correction (FBC) ground vibration test (GVT) technique developed by ATA Engineering, to decouple the motor modes from the aircraft modes. Previously during the full aircraft GVT, a detailed modal assessment of the cruise motors was not performed. Owing to the X-57 project’s phase in the aircraft development cycle when the motor redesign effort occurred, the cruise motor GVT could only be performed with the cruise motor system installed on the aircraft, with most of its installation hardware (wiring, baffling, sensors, etc.) attached. An impact hammer was used to provide excitation input at various locations within the tight confines of the cruise motor installation. To better support motor redesign efforts, the FBC methodology was utilized to fix, separate and de-couple the cruise motor modes from aircraft modal response. During the GVT, this required additional impact tap tests on candidate fixed-boundary points for each degree of freedom (DOF) to be fixed. Additional triaxial accelerometers installed at the candidate points were used to compute frequency response functions (FRFs) in X, Y, and Z directions to enable those DOFs to be numerically fixed. Test data was acquired using Hottinger Brüel & Kjær’s LAN-XI data acquisition hardware and BK Connect software. FBC post-test processing was performed using the Structural Modification Using Frequency Response Functions (SMURF) technique with ATA Engineering’s Interface between MATLAB, Analysis, Test (IMAT) software. Utilizing the FBC technique relieved test engineers from having to instrument the entire aircraft to identify and separate aircraft response from cruise motor modes of interest. The FBC technique also permitted structural analysis engineers to omit secondary components from their finite element model (FEM) of the cruise motor system. This FBC modal survey was successful, and the first time NASA AFRC utilized the FBC method on an aircraft rather than a test fixture, and also using an impact hammer rather than multiple shakers allowing significant project schedule and cost savings

Modal Survey↗

NASA NTRS2008

The Interim: Until You Achieve an Operationally Responsive Ground System

Everyone wants to achieve a 'Responsive' Ground Data System (GDS), but that takes time. What do you do in the interim? Our group, called the Integration, Test and Deployment Team (ITD), is a group of responsive engineers whose primary focus is to assist JPL projects to successfully adapt, test, integrate and deploy their ground data system. The team configures and adapts the GDS for a project, so that analysts, engineers and scientist do not need to be experts in the GDS to operate it. The team has developed a human interface to accommodate all types of users. It provides Graphical User Interfaces (GUI's) for those that want GUI's, command line interfaces for those that want control, and selection button interfaces for other users. The cornerstone of a responsive Ground Data System is responsive people. Without individuals who can be aware of a project's changing needs and requirements, how can the GDS become responsive?.

Ground Data System (GDS)↗

NASA NTRS2008

The Interim : until you achieve an operationally responsive ground system

ground data system (GDS)↗

NASA NTRS2002

Aeroheating Predictions for the X-43 Cowl-Closed Configuration at Mach 7 and 10

A pre-flight analysis was conducted for the Mach 7 and Mach 10 X-43 cowl-closed configurations to evaluate three-dimensional flow-field effects on localized heating in the vicinity of the closed cowl flap and sidewall. First, engineering-level analyses based on documented laminar and turbulent surface heating database were used to estimate localized heating amplification factors to account for turbulent flow effects, corner flow effects and the presence of forebody boundary layer trip devices. These estimated factors were applied to 2-D computational predictions to develop surface heat loads. Second, thin-film gauge surface heating data were obtained for a Mach 10 cowl-closed configuration in a reflected shock tunnel at simulated flight conditions. Third, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) flow-field predictions were obtained at Mach 10 ground test conditions to provide comparisons with the engineering database predictions and experimental measurements. Similarly, a CFD solution was also obtained at Mach 7 flight conditions to provide qualitative comparisons with engineering predictions. The Mach 10 CFD predictions compare favorably with the experimental measurements and the engineering estimates for surface heating amplification on the closed cowl. However, experimental measurements were not of sufficient quantity on the sidewall surface to capture the highest localized heating rates, and also the Mach 10 CFD predictions suggest higher peak heating on the sidewall compared to the engineering estimates. Also, the Mach 7 CFD predictions indicate qualitative agreement with the database estimates in terms of flow-field structure and peak heating locations on the closed-cowl flap and sidewall surfaces.

Cockrell, Charles E., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Intelligent Launch and Range Operations Virtual Test Bed (ILRO-VTB)

Intelligent Launch and Range Operations Virtual Test Bed (ILRO-VTB) is a real-time web-based command and control, communication, and intelligent simulation environment of ground-vehicle, launch and range operation activities. ILRO-VTB consists of a variety of simulation models combined with commercial and indigenous software developments (NASA Ames). It creates a hybrid software/hardware environment suitable for testing various integrated control system components of launch and range. The dynamic interactions of the integrated simulated control systems are not well understood. Insight into such systems can only be achieved through simulation/emulation. For that reason, NASA has established a VTB where we can learn the actual control and dynamics of designs for future space programs, including testing and performance evaluation. The current implementation of the VTB simulates the operations of a sub-orbital vehicle of mission, control, ground-vehicle engineering, launch and range operations. The present development of the test bed simulates the operations of Space Shuttle Vehicle (SSV) at NASA Kennedy Space Center. The test bed supports a wide variety of shuttle missions with ancillary modeling capabilities like weather forecasting, lightning tracker, toxic gas dispersion model, debris dispersion model, telemetry, trajectory modeling, ground operations, payload models and etc. To achieve the simulations, all models are linked using Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA). The test bed provides opportunities for government, universities, researchers and industries to do a real time of shuttle launch in cyber space.

Bardina, Jorge↗

NASA NTRS2014

Current Ground Test Options for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP)

About 20 different NTP engines/ reactors were tested from 1959 to 1972 as part of the Rover and Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA) program. Most were tested in open air at test cell A or test cell C, at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). Even after serious engine breakdowns of the reactor (e.g., Phoebus 1A), the test cells were cleaned up for other engine tests. The engine test stand (ETS) was made for high altitude (approximately 1 psia) testing of an NTP engine with a flight configuration, but still had the exhaust released to open air. The Rover/NERVA program became aware of new environmental regulations which would prohibit the release of any significant quantity of radioactive particulates and noble gases into the open air. The nuclear furnace (NF-1) was the last reactor tested before the program was cancelled in 1973, but successfully demonstrated a scrubber concept on how to filter the NTP exhaust. The NF-1 was demonstrated in the summer of 1972. The NF-1 used a 44MW reactor and operated each run for approximately 90 minutes. The system cooled the hot hydrogen exhaust from the engine with a water spray before entering a particle filter. The exhaust then passed through a series of heat exchangers and water separators to help remove water from the exhaust and further reduce the exhaust temperatures. The exhaust was next prepared for the charcoal trap by passing through a dryer and effluent cooler to bring exhaust temperatures close to liquid nitrogen. At those low temperatures, most of the noble gases (e.g., Xe and Kr made from fission products) get captured in the charcoal trap. The filtered hydrogen is finally passed through a flare stack and released to the air. The concept was overall successful but did show a La plating on some surfaces and had multiple recommendations for improvement. The most recent detailed study on the NTP scrubber concept was performed by the ARES Corporation in 2006. The concept is based on a 50,000 lbf thrust engine (approximately 1 GW) with a maximum burn time of 1 hour. The concept utilized lessons learned from NF-1. The strategy breaks down the exhaust into parallel paths to allow flexibility with engine size and mass flow of exhaust. Similar to NF-1, the exhaust is slowed down, cooled, filtered of particulates, filtered of noble gases, and then the clean hydrogen is flared to open air. Another concept proposed by Steve Howe (currently Director of the Center for Space Nuclear Research) to simplify the NTP exhaust filtering is to run the hydrogen exhaust into boreholes underground to filter the exhaust. The two borehole site locations proposed are at the NTS and at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). At NTS, the boreholes are 8' diameter and 1200' deep. The permeability of hydrogen through the soil and its buoyancy will allow it to rise up through the soil and allow the filtering of noble gases and radioactive particulates. The exhaust needs to be cooled to 600C before entering the borehole to avoid soil glazing. Preliminary analysis shows a small buildup of back pressure with time which depends on permeability. Noble gases entering the borehole walls deep can take a long time before reaching the surface. Other factors affecting permeability include borehole pressure, water saturation, and turbulence. Also, a possible need to pump out contaminated water collected at the bottom of the borehole. At INL, the borehole concept is slightly different. The underground borehole has openings to the soil at special depths which have impermeable interbeds above the water table and below the surface to allow the exhaust to travel horizontal between the impermeable layers. Preliminary results indicate better permeability than at NTS. The last option is total containment of the exhaust during the test run. The concept involves slowing down the flow to subsonic in a water cooled diffuser. The hydrogen is burned off in an oxygen rich afterburner with the only products being steam, oxygen, and some noble gases. A heat exchanger and water spray pulls heat from the steam and lowers the temperature for condensation. The optimum ratio between the two is being investigated, with a goal to minimize the total volume of the water hold tanks. A water tank farm collects the contaminated water. The amount of water produced from burning the hydrogen is approximately 100,000 gallons (not including cooling water) for a 25k lbf engine operating for 50 minutes. Residual gases (e.g., oxygen and some noble gases) can be captured at cryogenic levels with a liquid nitrogen cooled dewar. After a few weeks post-test, the radiation levels can drop to more favorable levels before slowly draining each capture tank and using existing filters. With today's environmental regulations, the NTP exhaust is filtered to meet 10 mrem/year exposure to the general public (at a DOE site) or 100 mrem/year (via NRC when tested elsewhere), when natural background radiation exposure to the general public is 300- 600 mrem per year. The current society feels more comfortable with filtering even lower to as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).

Gerrish, Harold P., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Space shuttle booster multi-engine base flow analysis

A comprehensive review of currently available techniques pertinent to several prominent aspects of the base thermal problem of the space shuttle booster is given along with a brief review of experimental results. A tractable engineering analysis, capable of predicting the power-on base pressure, base heating, and other base thermal environmental conditions, such as base gas temperature, is presented and used for an analysis of various space shuttle booster configurations. The analysis consists of a rational combination of theoretical treatments of the prominent flow interaction phenomena in the base region. These theories consider jet mixing, plume flow, axisymmetric flow effects, base injection, recirculating flow dynamics, and various modes of heat transfer. Such effects as initial boundary layer expansion at the nozzle lip, reattachment, recompression, choked vent flow, and nonisoenergetic mixing processes are included in the analysis. A unified method was developed and programmed to numerically obtain compatible solutions for the various flow field components in both flight and ground test conditions. Preliminary prediction for a 12-engine space shuttle booster base thermal environment was obtained for a typical trajectory history. Theoretical predictions were also obtained for some clustered-engine experimental conditions. Results indicate good agreement between the data and theoretical predicitons.

Tang, H. H.↗

NASA NTRS2008

The Mars Climate Sounder In-Flight Positioning Anomaly

The paper discusses the Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) instrument s in-flight positioning errors and presents background material about it. A short overview of the instrument s science objectives and data acquisition techniques is provided. The brief mechanical description familiarizes the reader with the MCS instrument. Several key items of the flight qualification program, which had a rigorous joint drive test program but some limitations in overall system testing, are discussed. Implications this might have had for the flight anomaly, which began after several months of flawless space operation, are mentioned. The detection, interpretation, and instrument response to the errors is discussed. The anomaly prompted engineering reviews, renewed ground, and some in-flight testing. A summary of these events, including a timeline, is included. Several items of concern were uncovered during the anomaly investigation, the root cause, however, was never found. The instrument is now used with two operational constraints that work around the anomaly. It continues science gathering at an only slightly diminished pace that will yield approximately 90% of the originally intended science.

Jau, Bruno M.↗

NASA NTRS2008

The Mars climate sounder in-flight positioning anomaly

The paper discusses the Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) instrument’s in-flight positioning errors and presents background material about it. A short overview of the instrument’s science objectives and data acquisition techniques is provided. The brief mechanical description familiarizes the reader with the MCS instrument. Several key items of the flight qualification program, which had a rigorous joint drive test program but some limitations in overall system testing, are discussed. Implications this might have had for the flight anomaly, which began after several months of flawless space operation, are mentioned. The detection, interpretation, and instrument response to the errors is discussed. The anomaly prompted engineering reviews, renewed ground, and some in-flight testing. A summary of these events, including a timeline, is included. Several items of concern were uncovered during the anomaly investigation, the root cause, however, was never found. The instrument is now used with two operational constraints that work around the anomaly. It continues science gathering at an only slightly diminished pace that will yield approximately 90% of the originally intended science.

Kass, David↗

NASA NTRS1999

Development of a 12-Thrust Chamber Kerosene /Oxygen Primary Rocket Sub-System for an Early (1964) Air-Augmented Rocket Ground-Test System

Airbreathing/Rocket combined-cycle, and specifically rocket-based combined- cycle (RBCC), propulsion systems, typically employ an internal engine flow-path installed primary rocket subsystem. To achieve acceptably short mixing lengths in effecting the "air augmentation" process, a large rocket-exhaust/air interfacial mixing surface is needed. This leads, in some engine design concepts, to a "cluster" of small rocket units, suitably arrayed in the flowpath. To support an early (1964) subscale ground-test of a specific RBCC concept, such a 12-rocket cluster was developed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The small primary rockets used in the cluster assembly were modified versions of an existing small kerosene/oxygen water-cooled rocket engine unit routinely tested at MSFC. Following individual thrust-chamber tests and overall subsystem qualification testing, the cluster assembly was installed at the U. S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) for RBCC systems testing. (The results of the special air-augmented rocket testing are not covered here.) While this project was eventually successfully completed, a number of hardware integration problems were met, leading to catastrophic thrust chamber failures. The principal "lessons learned" in conducting this early primary rocket subsystem experimental effort are documented here as a basic knowledge-base contribution for the benefit of today's RBCC research and development community.

Pryor, D.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Comparison of several inflow control devices for flight simulation of fan tone noise using a JT15D-1 engine

To enable accurate simulation of in-flight fan tone noise during ground static tests, four devices intended to reduce inflow disturbances and turbulence were tested with a JT15D-1 turbofan engine. These inflow control devices (ICD's) consisted of honeycomb/screen structures mounted over the engine inlet. The ICD's ranged from 1.6 to 4 fan diameters in size, and differed in shape and fabrication method. All the ICD's significantly reduced the BPF tone in the far-field directivity patterns, but the smallest ICD's apparently introduced propagating modes which could be recognized by additional lobes in the speeds; at supersonic fan tip speed the smallest ICD's had some measurable loss, but the largest had no loss. Data from a typical transducer show that the unsteady inflow distortion modes (turbulence) were eliminated or significantly reduced when either of the ICD's was installed. However, some steady inflow distortion modes remained.

Mcardle, J. G.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Overview of Plume-Surface Interaction Data from Subscale Inert Gas Testing at NASA MSFC Test Stand 300 Vacuum Facilities

Maturation and validation of predictive modeling capabilities for plume-surface interaction, and the effects caused by the impingement of rocket engine exhaust on surface regolith, require relevant, highly characterized ground test data. The multi-phase nature of this problem poses challenges to ground testing across physical scaling, test environments and techniques, and diagnostics. NASA has developed a Physics Focused Ground Test (PFGT) of plume-surface interaction to address this need. The PFGT is a subscale, inert-gas experiment at Mars- and Lunar-relevant ambient pressure conditions that will provide critical data for model validation of cratering, ejecta, and plume physics. In this test, the ambient pressure in a vacuum chamber will be varied, along with the height of a supersonic nozzle above a surface, and the mass flow rate through the nozzle. Testing will be performed on a range of regolith simulants of varying composition and will also include instrumented impingement plate tests in place of regolith simulant to characterize gas-only plume physics. Novel high-speed visual diagnostics will capture temporal data on crater formation and ejecta dynamics, and planar laser-induced fluorescence diagnostics will capture plume structure and behavior. This paper will present an overview of the data collected during this test – for both the cratering and ejecta testing and the gas-only plume physics testing. Emphasis will be placed on trends, effects, and interactions observed in the data across the test parameter space.

Chad J. Eberhart↗

NASA NTRS1998

X-33 Linear Aerospike Engine

In July of 1999 two linear aerospike rocket engines will power the first flight of NASA's X-33 advanced technology demonstrator. A successful X-33 flight test program will validate the aerospike nozzle concept, a key technical feature of Lockheed Martin's VentureStar(trademark) reusable launch vehicle. The aerospike received serious consideration for NASA's current space shuttle, but was eventually rejected in 1969 in favor of high chamber pressure bell engines, in part because of perceived technical risk. The aerospike engine (discussed below) has several performance advantages over conventional bell engines. However, these performance advantages are difficult to validate by ground test. The space shuttle, a multibillion dollar program intended to provide all of NASA's future space lift could not afford the gamble of choosing a potentially superior though unproven aerospike engine over a conventional bell engine. The X-33 demonstrator provides an opportunity to prove the aerospike's performance advantage in flight before commiting to an operational vehicle.

Vinson, John↗