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At least 343 records · Page 19

Determination of the stability and control derivatives of the NASA F/A-18 HARV using flight data

This report documents the research conducted for the NASA-Ames Cooperative Agreement No. NCC 2-759 with West Virginia University. A complete set of the stability and control derivatives for varying angles of attack from 10 deg to 60 deg were estimated from flight data of the NASA F/A-18 HARV. The data were analyzed with the use of the pEst software which implements the output-error method of parameter estimation. Discussions of the aircraft equations of motion, parameter estimation process, design of flight test maneuvers, and formulation of the mathematical model are presented. The added effects of the thrust vectoring and single surface excitation systems are also addressed. The results of the longitudinal and lateral directional derivative estimates at varying angles of attack are presented and compared to results from previous analyses. The results indicate a significant improvement due to the independent control surface deflections induced by the single surface excitation system, and at the same time, a need for additional flight data especially at higher angles of attack.

Napolitano, Marcello R.↗

Input Shaping to Reduce Solar Array Structural Vibrations

Structural vibrations induced by actuators can be minimized using input shaping. Input shaping is a feedforward method in which actuator commands are convolved with shaping functions to yield a shaped set of commands. These commands are designed to perform the maneuver while minimizing the residual structural vibration. In this report, input shaping is extended to stepper motor actuators. As a demonstration, an input-shaping technique based on pole-zero cancellation was used to modify the Solar Array Drive Assembly (SADA) actuator commands for the Lewis satellite. A series of impulses were calculated as the ideal SADA output for vibration control. These impulses were then discretized for use by the SADA stepper motor actuator and simulated actuator outputs were used to calculate the structural response. The effectiveness of input shaping is limited by the accuracy of the knowledge of the modal frequencies. Assuming perfect knowledge resulted in significant vibration reduction. Errors of 10% in the modal frequencies caused notably higher levels of vibration. Controller robustness was improved by incorporating additional zeros in the shaping function. The additional zeros did not require increased performance from the actuator. Despite the identification errors, the resulting feedforward controller reduced residual vibrations to the level of the exactly modeled input shaper and well below the baseline cases. These results could be easily applied to many other vibration-sensitive applications involving stepper motor actuators.

Doherty, Michael J.↗

Virtual Shaping of a Two-dimensional NACA 0015 Airfoil Using Synthetic Jet Actuator

The Aircraft Morphing Program at NASA Langley envisions an aircraft without conventional control surfaces. Instead of moving control surfaces, the vehicle control systems may be implemented with a combination of propulsive forces, micro surface effectors, and fluidic devices dynamically operated by an intelligent flight control system to provide aircraft maneuverability over each mission segment. As a part of this program, a two-dimensional NACA 0015 airfoil model was designed to test mild maneuvering capability of synthetic jets in a subsonic wind tunnel. The objective of the experiments is to assess the applicability of using unsteady suction and blowing to alter the aerodynamic shape of an airfoil with a purpose to enhance lift and/or to reduce drag. Synthetic jet actuation at different chordwise locations, different forcing frequencies and amplitudes, under different freestream velocities are investigated. The effect of virtual shape change is indicated by a localized increase of surface pressure in the neighborhood of synthetic jet actuation. That causes a negative lift to the airfoil with an upper surface actuation. When actuation is applied near the airfoil leading edge, it appears that the stagnation line is shifted inducing an effect similar to that caused by a small angle of attack to produce an overall lift change.

Chen, Fang-Jenq↗

Comanche Helmet-Mounted Display Heading-Tape Simulation

The Aeroflightdynamics Directorate (AMRDEC) conducted a simulation to assess the performance associated with a Contact Analog, world-referenced heading tape as implemented on the Comanche Helmet Integrated Display Sight System (HIDSS) when compared with a Compressed heading tape similar to that specified by the former Military Standard (MIL-STD) 1295. Six experienced pilots flew three modified Aeronautical Design Standards (ADS)-33 maneuvers (Hover Turn, Bob-up, Transient Turn) and a precision traffic pattern in the NASA Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS). Analysis of the pilot objective performance data and subjective handling qualities ratings (HQRs) showed the following: Compressed symbology in the Velocity Stabilization (VelStab) flight mode generally produced the most precise performances over Contact Analog symbology with respect to the heading, altitude, position, and time criteria specified for the maneuvers tested. VelStab outperformed the Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) on all maneuvers achieving desired performance on most maneuvers for both symbol sets. Performance in the AFCS mode was generally desirable to adequate for heading and altitude and did not meet adequate standards for hover position and time for the Hover Turn and Bob-up maneuvers. VelStab and AFCS performance were nearly the same for the Transient Turn. Pilot comments concerning the Contact Analog heading-tape implementation were generally unfavorable in spite of the achieved levels of performance. HQRs showed Compressed symbology in the VelStab flight mode produced the lowest mean HQR, encompassing mixed ratings of satisfactory handling and needing improvement. All other symbology/flight-mode combinations yielded higher HQRs, which characterized opinions that deficiencies in aircraft handling due to HMD symbology would need improvement. Contact Analog heading tape and other symbology require improvement, especially when operating in the AFCS mode. NASA-TLX rated Compressed symbology in the VelStab flight mode as the least demanding on resources, closely followed by ratings for Contact Analog in the VelStab mode. In a similar pattern, TLX ratings for maneuvers completed in the AFCS mode yielded a higher level of resource demand with even slighter differences between Contact Analog and Compressed symbology sets. Further research should be conducted where objective data and subjective HQR ratings indicate a need for improvement. The areas requiring attention are those where the symbology implementation, the flight control system, or a combination of both caused workload to reach an objectionable level where adequate performance was either difficult to achieve or unachievable. These areas are clearly identified in this report. Symbology that received negative HQR comments by a majority of pilots should also be examined. The summary of pilot comments can be found in appendix A. Additional simulation trials should be considered to address the identified issues.

Turpin, Terry↗

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Navigation Strategy for Dual Support of Insight and ExoMars Entry, Descent and Landing Demonstrator Module in 2016

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) will support NASA's InSight Mission and ESA's ExoMars Entry, Descent and Landing Demonstrator Module (EDM) in the fall of 2016 when both landers arrive at Mars. MRO provided relay support during the Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) sequences of Mars Phoenix Lander in 2008 and the Mars Science Laboratory in 2012. Unlike these missions, MRO will coordinate between two EDL events separated by only three weeks: InSight on September 28, 2016 and EDM on October 19, 2016. This paper describes MRO Navigation's maneuver strategy to move MRO's ascending node to meet the In- Sight EDL phasing requirement and support EDM.

EDM↗

Navier-Stokes Equations Based Aeroelasticity of Supersonic Transport Including Short Period Oscillations

There is renewed interest in developing new supersonic transports after the discontinuation of the Concorde supersonic jet, which was mostly limited for flights over trans-oceanic routes due to the severe noise of the sonic boom. In order to avoid the sonic boom, more slender configurations, such as the Low Boom Flight Demonstrator (LBFD) configuration, are being considered. The aeroelastic characteristics of these new supersonic transports can significantly differ from conventional aircraft. Both rigid and flexible body modes can play a significant role in aeroelastic stability. For unconventional configurations, such as aircraft with forward swept wings, the short period oscillation (SPO) has been found to significantly impact the aeroelastic response. SPO can occur due to unanticipated events such as gusts, abrupt maneuvering, etc. During the design of the Concorde, the effects of SPO was considered in detail, though its impact is not publically disclosed. Assuring stability of supersonic aircraft, particularly during descent from the supersonic Mach regime to the transonic regime, is critical. An aircraft can deviate from its normal descent trajectory due to coupling between flows and body motions. The effect of SPO needs to be considered in aeroelastic responses. Preliminary studies using quasi-steady aerodynamics show that the presence of SPO can lead to unstable response. The well-established Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, which are computationally feasible with current supercomputers, have been in use for aeroelastic computations for the last three decades. Recently, such efforts have begun to include trajectory motions; for instance, the effect of phugoid motion on stability is studied in Ref. 9 using the RANS equations. In this paper, the effect of SPO on aeroelastic responses of a typical supersonic transport is studied.

Guruswamy, Guru↗

Control design challenges of large space systems and spacecraft control laboratory experiment (SCOLE)

The quick suppression of the structural vibrations excited by bang-bang (BB) type time-optional slew maneuvers via modal-dashpot design of velocity output feedback control was investigated. Simulation studies were conducted, and modal dashpots were designed for the SCOLE flexible body dynamics. A two-stage approach was proposed for rapid slewing and precision pointing/retargeting of large, flexible space systems: (1) slew the whole system like a rigid body in a minimum time under specified limits on the control moments and forces, and (2) damp out the excited structural vibrations afterwards. This approach was found promising. High-power modal/dashpots can suppress very large vibrations, and can add a desirable amount of active damping to modeled modes. Unmodeled modes can also receive some concomitant active damping, as a benefit of spillover. Results also show that not all BB type rapid pointing maneuvers will excite large structural vibrations. When properly selected small forces (e.g., vernier thrusters) are used to complete the specified slew maneuver in the shortest time, even BB-type maneuvers will excite only small vibrations (e.g., 0.3 ft peak deflection for a 130 ft beam).

Lin, Jiguan Gene↗

CEV Trajectory Design Considerations for Lunar Missions

The Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) translational maneuver Delta-V budget must support both the successful completion of a nominal lunar mission and an "anytime" emergency crew return with the potential for much more demanding orbital maneuvers. This translational Delta-V budget accounts for Earth-based LEO rendezvous with the lunar surface access module (LSAM)/Earth departure stage (EDS) stack, orbit maintenance during the lunar surface stay, an on-orbit plane change to align the CEV orbit for an in-plane LSAM ascent, and the Moon-to-Earth trans-Earth injection (TEI) maneuver sequence as well as post-TEI TCMs. Additionally, the CEV will have to execute TEI maneuver sequences while observing Earth atmospheric entry interface objectives for lunar high-latitude to equatorial sortie missions as well as near-polar sortie and long duration missions. The combination of these objectives places a premium on appropriately designed trajectories both to and from the Moon to accurately size the translational V and associated propellant mass in the CEV reference configuration and to demonstrate the feasibility of anytime Earth return for all lunar missions. This report examines the design of the primary CEV translational maneuvers (or maneuver sequences) including associated mission design philosophy, associated assumptions, and methodology for lunar sortie missions with up to a 7-day surface stay and with global lunar landing site access as well as for long duration (outpost) missions with up to a 210-day surface stay at or near the polar regions. The analyses presented in this report supports the Constellation Program and CEV project requirement for nominal and anytime abort (early return) by providing for minimum wedge angles, lunar orbit maintenance maneuvers, phasing orbit inclination changes, and lunar departure maneuvers for a CEV supporting an LSAM launch and subsequent CEV TEI to Earth return, anytime during the lunar surface stay.

Condon, Gerald L.↗

Analysis of Effect of Rolling Pull-Outs on Wing and Aileron Loads of a Fighter Airplane

An analysis was made to determine the effect of rolling pull-out maneuvers on the wing and aileron loads of a typical fighter airplane, the P-47B. The results obtained indicate that higher loads are imposed upon wings and ailerons because of the rolling pull-out maneuver, than would be obtained by application of the loading requirements to which the airplane was designed. An increase of 102 lb or 15 percent of wing weight would be required if the wing were designed for rolling pull-out maneuver. It was also determined that the requirements by which the aileron was originally designed were inadequate.

AIRFOILS - NACA 65-410 - ORDINATES LOW-DRAG (BLOWE↗

Space shuttle orbital maneuvering system failure detection and identification software requirements (uncontrolled)

Candidate designs and their software implementation are presented for the Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) Failure Detection and Identification (FDI) algorithms in the Redundance Management (RM) module of the Space Shuttle Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) software. The OMS engine FDI algorithm monitors OMS engine thrust performance, and the OMS actuator FDI algorithm monitors OMS gimbal actuator performance. The software functional requirements of the algorithms are described along with the objective of each algorithm. A list of the assumptions which have governed its design, input/output requirements, a functional description of the algorithm (including a functional block diagram), and input interface requirements are given. The HAL (the language of the space shuttle flight computer) software formulation of the algorithms is considered including structured flowcharts of the procedures, estimates of flight computer core storage and CPU time, and processing requirements. A glossary of the symbols used to define the software requirements and formulations is included.

Damario, L. A.↗

The design of a precision pointing contol system for the Space Infrared Telescope Facility

The design and performance simulation of the Space Infrared Telescope Facility pointing and control system are described. The system design is constrained by such considerations as image stability, maneuver capability, cryogen lifetime, and structural flexibility. The primary design driver is the requirement to rapidly execute small angle reorientations of the telescope's optical axis. The flexibility of the spacecraft was simulated using a simplified multibody model which provided an approximation of the primary bending modes. The rather conventional attitude control system design of PID type with a 0.5 Hz bandwidth was enhanced to meet the small angle maneuver requirements by the use of three techniques: (1) a feedforward loop to improve the time response; (2) torque shaping to minimize structural excitation; and (3) active image stabilization to remove residual pointing error and jitter. Simulation results indicate that the system has the desired performance and can be designed using techniques and hardware well within the state-of-the-art.

Sridhar, B.↗

Chapter 12: Materials for Liquid Propulsion Systems

Earth to orbit launch vehicles are propelled by rocket engines and motors, both liquid and solid. This chapter will discuss liquid engines. The heart of a launch vehicle is its engine. The remainder of the vehicle (with the notable exceptions of the payload and guidance system) is an aero structure to support the propellant tanks which provide the fuel and oxidizer to feed the engine or engines. The basic principle behind a rocket engine is straightforward. The engine is a means to convert potential thermochemical energy of one or more propellants into exhaust jet kinetic energy. Fuel and oxidizer are burned in a combustion chamber where they create hot gases under high pressure. These hot gases are allowed to expand through a nozzle. The molecules of hot gas are first constricted by the throat of the nozzle (de-Laval nozzle) which forces them to accelerate; then as the nozzle flares outwards, they expand and further accelerate. It is the mass of the combustion gases times their velocity, reacting against the walls of the combustion chamber and nozzle, which produce thrust according to Newton's third law: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Solid rocket motors are cheaper to manufacture and offer good values for their cost. Liquid propellant engines offer higher performance, that is, they deliver greater thrust per unit weight of propellant burned. They also have a considerably higher thrust to weigh ratio. Since liquid rocket engines can be tested several times before flight, they have the capability to be more reliable, and their ability to shut down once started provides an extra margin of safety. Liquid propellant engines also can be designed with restart capability to provide orbital maneuvering capability. In some instances, liquid engines also can be designed to be reusable. On the solid side, hybrid solid motors also have been developed with the capability to stop and restart. Solid motors are covered in detail in chapter 11. Liquid rocket engine operational factors can be described in terms of extremes: temperatures ranging from that of liquid hydrogen (-423 F) to 6000 F hot gases; enormous thermal shock (7000 F/sec); large temperature differentials between contiguous components; reactive propellants; extreme acoustic environments; high rotational speeds for turbo machinery and extreme power densities. These factors place great demands on materials selection and each must be dealt with while maintaining an engine of the lightest possible weight. This chapter will describe the design considerations for the materials used in the various components of liquid rocket engines and provide examples of usage and experiences in each.

Halchak, John A.↗

Interactive orbital proximity operations planning system

An interactive graphical proximity operations planning system was developed, which allows on-site design of efficient, complex, multiburn maneuvers in a dynamic multispacecraft environment. Maneuvering takes place in and out of the orbital plane. The difficulty in planning such missions results from the unusual and counterintuitive character of orbital dynamics and complex time-varying operational constraints. This difficulty is greatly overcome by visualizing the relative trajectories and the relevant constraints in an easily interpretable graphical format, which provides the operator with immediate feedback on design actions. The display shows a perspective bird's-eye view of a Space Station and co-orbiting spacecraft on the background of the Station's orbital plane. The operator has control over the two modes of operation: a viewing system mode, which enables the exporation of the spatial situation about the Space Station and thus the ability to choose and zoom in on areas of interest; and a trajectory design mode, which allows the interactive editing of a series of way points and maneuvering burns to obtain a trajectory that complies with all operational constraints. A first version of this display was completed. An experimental program is planned in which operators will carry out a series of design missions which vary in complexity and constraints.

Grunwald, Arthur J.↗

Interactive orbital proximity operations planning system

An interactive, graphical proximity operations planning system was developed which allows on-site design of efficient, complex, multiburn maneuvers in the dynamic multispacecraft environment about the space station. Maneuvering takes place in, as well as out of, the orbital plane. The difficulty in planning such missions results from the unusual and counterintuitive character of relative orbital motion trajectories and complex operational constraints, which are both time varying and highly dependent on the mission scenario. This difficulty is greatly overcome by visualizing the relative trajectories and the relative constraints in an easily interpretable, graphical format, which provides the operator with immediate feedback on design actions. The display shows a perspective bird's-eye view of the space station and co-orbiting spacecraft on the background of the station's orbital plane. The operator has control over two modes of operation: (1) a viewing system mode, which enables him or her to explore the spatial situation about the space station and thus choose and frame in on areas of interest; and (2) a trajectory design mode, which allows the interactive editing of a series of way-points and maneuvering burns to obtain a trajectory which complies with all operational constraints. Through a graphical interactive process, the operator will continue to modify the trajectory design until all operational constraints are met. The effectiveness of this display format in complex trajectory design is presently being evaluated in an ongoing experimental program.

Grunwald, Arthur J.↗

Design and Implementation of the Automated Rendezvous Targeting Algorithms for Orion

The Orion vehicle will be designed to perform several rendezvous missions: rendezvous with the ISS in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), rendezvous with the EDS/Altair in LEO, a contingency rendezvous with the ascent stage of the Altair in Low Lunar Orbit (LLO) and a contingency rendezvous in LLO with the ascent and descent stage in the case of an aborted lunar landing. Therefore, it is not difficult to realize that each of these scenarios imposes different operational, timing, and performance constraints on the GNC system. To this end, a suite of on-board guidance and targeting algorithms have been designed to meet the requirement to perform the rendezvous independent of communications with the ground. This capability is particularly relevant for the lunar missions, some of which may occur on the far side of the moon. This paper will describe these algorithms which are designed to be structured and arranged in such a way so as to be flexible and able to safely perform a wide variety of rendezvous trajectories. The goal of the algorithms is not to merely fly one specific type of canned rendezvous profile. Conversely, it was designed from the start to be general enough such that any type of trajectory profile can be flown.(i.e. a coelliptic profile, a stable orbit rendezvous profile, and a expedited LLO rendezvous profile, etc) all using the same rendezvous suite of algorithms. Each of these profiles makes use of maneuver types which have been designed with dual goals of robustness and performance. They are designed to converge quickly under dispersed conditions and they are designed to perform many of the functions performed on the ground today. The targeting algorithms consist of a phasing maneuver (NC), an altitude adjust maneuver (NH), and plane change maneuver (NPC), a coelliptic maneuver (NSR), a Lambert targeted maneuver, and several multiple-burn targeted maneuvers which combine one of more of these algorithms. The derivation and implementation of each of these algorithms will be discussed in detail, as well and the Rendezvous Targeting "wrapper" which will sequentially tie them all together into a single onboard targeting tool which can produce a final integrated rendezvous trajectory. In a similar fashion, the various guidance modes available for flying out each of these maneuvers will be discussed as well. This paradigm of having the onboard guidance & targeting capability described above is different than the way the Space Shuttle has operated thus far. As a result, a discussion of these differences in terms of operations and ground and crew intervention will also be discussed. However, the general framework of how the mission designers on the ground first perform all mission design and planning functions, and then uplink that burn plan to the vehicle ensures that the ground will be involved to ensure safety and reliability. The only real difference is which of these functions will be done onboard vs. on the ground as done currently. Finally, this paper will describe the performance of each of these algorithms individually as well as the entire suite of algorithms as applied to the Orion ISS and EDS/Altair rendezvous missions in LEO. These algorithms have been incorporated in both a Linear Covariance environment and a Monte Carlo environment and the results of these dispersion analyses will be presented in the paper as well.

DSouza, Christopher↗

Aerodynamic design for improved manueverability by use of three-dimensional transonic theory

Improvements in transonic maneuver performance by the use of three-dimensional transonic theory and a transonic design procedure were examined. The FLO-27 code of Jameson and Caughey was used to design a new wing for a fighter configuration with lower drag at transonic maneuver conditions. The wing airfoil sections were altered to reduce the upper-surface shock strength by means of a design procedure which is based on the iterative application of the FLO-27 code. The plan form of the fighter configuration was fixed and had a leading edge sweep of 45 deg and an aspect ratio of 3.28. Wind-tunnel tests were conducted on this configuration at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 0.95 and angles of attack from -2 deg to 17 deg. The transonic maneuver performance of this configuration was evaluated by comparison with a wing designed by empirical methods and a wing designed primarily by two-dimensional transonic theory. The configuration designed by the use of FLO-27 had the same or lower drag than the empirical wing and, for some conditions, lower drag than the two-dimensional design. From some maneuver conditions, the drag of the two-dimensional design was somewhat lower.

Mann, M. J.↗

JWST REAL-TIME MID-COURSE CORRECTION MANEUVER MONITORING CONTINGENCY PREPARATION

The NASA James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) mission successfully launched on Dec 25, 2021, at 12:20 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). During the 30-day transfer to the second Sun-Earth-Moon (SEM) libration point (L2), JWST executed three mid-course correction (MCC) maneuvers to insert into a quasi-halo orbit about L2. This paper covers the design and modeling for these three maneuvers with a focus on the timeline around the execution of each MCC maneuver. It will summarize the actual on-board events as well as the contingency preparation done for maneuver planning, monitoring, and final post-burn reconstruction of all three MCC maneuvers.

Wayne Yu↗