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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 343 records · Page 19
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

Analysis of SRB reentry acoustic environments

Space shuttle solid rocket booster reentry aeroacoustic environments were estimated. Particular emphasis was given to the aft skirt/exit plane region for the Mach number regime 0.6 = or greater than M infinity = or less than 3.5. The analysis is based on the evaluation of wind tunnel model results in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulation of trajectory parameters. The experimental approach is described as well as the evaluation process utilized. Predicted environments are presented in terms of one-third octave band spectra representing space averaged values for critical regions on the solid rocket booster.

Coffin, T.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Thermal protection of reentry vehicles by actively cooled nosetips

Analytical modeling efforts and clear-air ground test results of a transportation-cooled nosetips (TCNT) design are presented. The discrete water injection platelet TCNT described was conceived and created to achieve the performance requirements for severe reentry vehicle trajectories. Thermal performance computer modeling techniques, combing both local heat blockage and boundary layer recovery enthalpy reduction are outlined.

Walker, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Heatshield material selection for advanced ballistic reentry vehicles

The Performance of staple rayon fiber and AVTEX continuous rayon fiber was evaluated as precursor materials for heatshields. The materials studied were referenced to the IRC FM5055A heatshield materials flown during the past decade. Three different arc jet facilities were used to simulate portions of the reentry environment. The IRC FM5055A and the AVTEX FM5055G, both continuous rayon fiber woven materials having the phenolic impregnant filled with carbon particles were compared. The AVTEX continuous fiber, unfilled material FM5822A was also examined to a limited extent. Test results show that the AVTEX FM5055G material provided a close substitute for the IRC FM5055A material both in terms of thermal protection and roll torque performance.

Legendre, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Phugoid oscillations in optimal reentry trajectories

A major problem with operations of lifting reentry vehicle having and aft center-of-gravity location due to large engine mass at the rear is the required hypersonic trim to fight the desired trajectory. This condition is most severe for lifting maneuvers. As a first step toward analyzing this problem, this paper considers the lift requirement for some basic maneuvers in the plane of a great circle. Considerations are given to optimal lift control for achieving the maximization of either the final altitude, speed or range. For the maximum-range problem, phugoid oscillation along an optimal trajectory is less severe as compared to a glide with maximum lift-to-drag ratio. An explicit formula for the number of oscillations for an entry from orbital speed is proposed.

Vinh, N. X.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Reentry heating analysis of space shuttle with comparison of flight data

Surface heating rates and surface temperatures for a space shuttle reentry profile were calculated for two wing cross sections and one fuselage cross section. Heating rates and temperatures at 12 locations on the wing and 6 locations on the fuselage are presented. The heating on the lower wing was most severe, with peak temperatures reaching values of 1240 C for turbulent flow and 900 C for laminar flow. For the fuselage, the most severe heating occured on the lower glove surface where peak temperatures of 910 C and 700 C were calculated for turbulent flow and laminar flow, respectively. Aluminum structural temperatures were calculated using a finite difference thermal analyzer computer program, and the predicted temperatures are compared to measured flight data. Skin temperatures measured on the lower surface of the wing and bay 1 of the upper surface of the wing agreed best with temperatures calculated assuming laminar flow. The measured temperatures at bays two and four on the upper surface of the wing were in quite good agreement with the temperatures calculated assuming separated flow. The measured temperatures on the lower forward spar cap of bay four were in good agreement with values predicted assuming laminar flow.

Gong, L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Reentry heat transfer analysis of the space shuttle orbiter

A structural performance and resizing finite element thermal analysis computer program was used in the reentry heat transfer analysis of the space shuttle. Two typical wing cross sections and a midfuselage cross section were selected for the analysis. The surface heat inputs to the thermal models were obtained from aerodynamic heating analyses, which assumed a purely turbulent boundary layer, a purely laminar boundary layer, separated flow, and transition from laminar to turbulent flow. The effect of internal radiation was found to be quite significant. With the effect of the internal radiation considered, the wing lower skin temperature became about 39 C (70 F) lower. The results were compared with fight data for space transportation system, trajectory 1. The calculated and measured temperatures compared well for the wing if laminar flow was assumed for the lower surface and bay one upper surface and if separated flow was assumed for the upper surfaces of bays other than bay one. For the fuselage, good agreement between the calculated and measured data was obtained if laminar flow was assumed for the bottom surface. The structural temperatures were found to reach their peak values shortly before touchdown. In addition, the finite element solutions were compared with those obtained from the conventional finite difference solutions.

Ko, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Numerical simulation of reentry flow around the Shuttle Orbiter including real gas effects

The flight environment of a reentry vehicle is predicted from the numerical solution of fluid dynamics equations for the region between the blunt nose and the swept wings. The inviscid portion of the shock layer is modeled by the Euler equations, but the laminar viscous flow adjacent to the wall is modeled by the approximate parabolic Navier-Stokes equations. The approximations made to the axial gradients of pressure and diffusive fluxes enable the coupled inviscid and viscous equations to be solved efficiently along the body axis. The equilibrium air aftbody code contains significant improvements over its predecessor which only considers a perfect gas model and noncircular configurations. The inclusion of numerical damping either explicitly or implicitly has extended its capabilities for predicting flow field around a winged configuration at higher Machs and greater angles of attack. The results are obtained on the cylindrical coordinates and satisfactory for the Shuttle Orbiter at a free-stream Mach number of 22 and an angle of attack of 40 deg. Also discussed are the inviscid formulation and its application for wind-tunnel conditions.

Li, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Orbiter TPS development and certification testing at the NASA/JSC 10 MW Atmospheric Reentry Materials and Structures Evaluation Facility

Thermal performance of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Thermal Protection System (TPS) has been verified by extensive ground testing at the NASA/JSC 10 MW Atmospheric Reentry Materials and Structures Evaluation Facility (ARMSEF). Major test programs have included current TPS materials (RSI, RCC and ablators) and advanced TPS materials (AFRSI and FRCI-12). Testing by electrically heating a gas mixture simulating air and expanding it (supersonically or hypersonically) through channel or conical nozzles has produced simulated thermal and pressure environments on models representative of the Orbiter TPS acreage and penetration regions. Tests have established Orbiter TPS thermal design requirements, verified Orbiter TPS thermal performance, and supported Orbiter TPS flight anomaly investigations and resolutions.

Rochelle, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Reconstruction of the shuttle reentry air data parameters using a linearized Kalman filter

This paper presents the reconstruction of the space shuttle's wind-relative reentry trajectory for the orbital flights. The technique uses a linearized Kalman filter (LKF) to merge highand low-frequency inertial and wind-relative data to obtain enhanced high-frequency results that closely follow expected mean levels. Two verifications are presented. First, wind trajectories resulting from the reconstruction are compared with analytically predicted values. There is close comparison. Second, the frequency characteristics are investigated using system identification techniques. The stability and control model generated using the LKF trajectory shows good agreement between measured and predicted spacecraft response for both high and low frequencies.

Whitmore, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

AFFTC overview of orbiter-reentry flight-test results

The Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) has been participating in the flight testing of the Space Shuttle since 1976. An independent assessment of the reentry and landing capabilities of the Orbiter was conducted with respect to Department of Defense (DOD) missions. This activity is on-going and reports have been published after each flight. AFFTC participation in this conference is not directly related to the DOD assessment activity, however, and the views presented by myself and other AFFTC authors discuss the technical aspects of testing and the technology emanating from these tests.

Hoey, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Thermal response of Space Shuttle wing during reentry heating

A structural performance and resizing (SPAR) finite element thermal analysis computer program was used in the heat transfer analysis of the space shuttle orbiter that was subjected to reentry aerodynamic heatings. One wing segment of the right wing (WS 240) and the whole left wing were selected for the thermal analysis. Results showed that the predicted thermal protection system (TPS) temperatures were in good agreement with the space transportation system, trajectory 5 (STS-5) flight-measured temperatures. In addition, calculated aluminum structural temperatures were in fairly good agreement with the flight data up to the point of touchdown. Results also showed that the internal free convection had a considerable effect on the change of structural temperatures after touchdown.

Gong, L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Direct simulation of transitional flow for hypersonic reentry conditions

This paper presents results of flowfield calculations for typical hypersonic reentry conditions encountered by the nose region of the Space Shuttle Orbiter. Most of the transitional flow regime is covered by the altitude range of 150 to 92 km. Calculations were made with the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method that accounts for translational, rotational, vibrational, and chemical nonequilibrium effects. Comparison of the DSMC heating results with both Shuttle flight data and continuum predictions showed good agreement at the lowest altitude considered. However, as the altitude increased, the continuum predictions, which did not include slip effects, departed rapidly from the DSMC results by overpredicting both heating and drag. The results demonstrate the effects of rarefaction on the shock and the shock layer, along with the extent of the slip and temperature jump at the surface. Also, the sensitivity of the flow structure to the gas-surface interaction model, thermal accommodation, and surface catalysis are studied.

Moss, J. N.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Thermal response of Space Shuttle wing during reentry heating

A structural performance and resizing (SPAR) finite element thermal analysis computer program was used in the heat transfer analysis of the Space Shuttle Orbiter that was subjected to reentry aerodynamic heatings. One wing segment of the right wing (WS 240) and the whole left wing were selected for the thermal analysis. Results showed that the predicted thermal protection system (TPS) temperatures were in good agreement with the space transportation system, trajectory 5 (STS-5) flight-measured temperatures. In addition, calculated aluminum structural temperatures were in fairly good agreement with flight data up to the point of touchdown. Results also showed that the internal free convection has a considerable effect on the change of structural temperatures after touchdown.

Gong, L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Aerodynamic characteristics of some lifting reentry concepts applicable to transatmospheric vehicle design studies

The aerodynamic characteristics of some lifting reentry concepts are examined with a view to the applicability of such concepts to the design of possible transatmospheric vehicles (TAV). A considerable amount of research has been done in past years with vehicle concepts suitable for manned atmospheric-entry, atmospheric flight, and landing. Some of the features of these concepts that permit flight in or out of the atmosphere with maneuver capability should be useful in the mission requirements of TAV's. The concepts illustrated include some hypersonic-body shapes with and without variable geometry surfaces, and a blunt lifting-body configuration. The merits of these concepts relative to the aerodynamic behavior of a TAV are discussed.

Spearman, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Aerodynamic characteristics of some lifting reentry concepts applicable to transatmospheric vehicle design studies

The aerodynamic characteristics of some lifting reentry concepts are examined with a view to the applicability of such concepts to the design of possible transatmospheric vehicles (TAV). A considerable amount of research has been done in past years with vehicle concepts suitable for manned atmospheric-entry, atmospheric flight, and landing. Some of the features of these concepts that permit flight in or out of the atmosphere with maneuver capability should be useful in the mission requirements of TAV's. The concepts illustrated include some hypersonic-body shapes with and without variable geometry surfaces, and a blunt lifting-body configuration. The merits of these concepts relative to the aerodynamic behavior of a TAV are discussed.

Spearman, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Correlation of predicted and measured sonic boom characteristics from the reentry of STS-1 orbiter

Characteristics from sonic boom pressure signatures recorded at 11 locations during reentry of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia are correlated with characteristics of wind tunnel signatures extrapolated from flight altitudes for Mach numbers ranging from 1.23 to 5.87. The flight pressure signature were recorded by microphones positioned at two levels near the descent groundtrack along the California corridor. The wind tunnel signatures used in theoretical predictions were measured using a 0.0041-scale model Orbiter. The mean difference between all measured and predicted overpressures is 12 percent from measured levels. With one exception, the flight signatures are very similar to theoretical n-waves.

Garcia, F., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Direct simulation of stagnation streamline flow for hypersonic reentry

The direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method is applied to simulate one-dimensional flow along the stagnation streamline. The freestream conditions considered are those encountered by the nose region of the Space Shuttle Orbiter during the hypersonic reentry. The range of altitudes (75 to 92 km) considered in the present calculations covers continuum to the less rarefied portion of the transition flow regime. The calculations account for thermal as well as the chemical nonequilibrium effects. The attention is focused on the flow structure along the stagnation streamline for different specified shock locations at a given altitude. The effect of shock location on the stagnation-point gas composition and heat transfer is analyzed for specific altitude; consequently, these results are appropriate for hemispherical bodies with different nose radii. Finally, comparison is made between the present DSMC results and the viscous shock-layer calculations, which show good agreement at the lowest altitude.

Dogra, Virendra K.↗