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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

The Nature of Air Flow About the Tail of an Airplane in a Spin

Air flow about the fuselage and empennage during a high-angle-of-attack spin was made visible in flight by means of titanium-tetrachloride smoke and was photographed with a motion-picture camera. The angular relation of the direction of the smoke streamer to the airplane axes was computed and compared with the angular direction of the motion in space derived from instrument measurement of the spin of the airplane for a nearly identical mass distribution. The results showed that the fin and upper part of the rudder were almost completely surrounded by dead air, which would render them inoperative; that the flow around the lower portion of the rudder and the fuselage was nonturbulent; and that air flowing past the cockpit in a high-angle-of-attack spin could not subsequently flow around control surfaces.

SPINNING (LMAL)↗

Simulations of Resonant Intraband and Interband Tunneling Spin Filters

This viewgraph presentation reviews resonant intraband and interband tunneling spin filters It explores the possibility of building a zero-magnetic-field spin polarizer using nonmagnetic III-V semiconductor heterostructures. It reviews the extensive simulations of quantum transport in asymmetric InAs/GaSb/AlSb resonant tunneling structures with Rashba spin splitting and proposes a. new device concept: side-gated asymmetric Resonant Interband Tunneling Diode (a-RITD).

resonant tunneling↗

Earth Reflected Solar Radiation Incident upon an Arbitrarily Oriented Spinning Flat Plate

A general derivation is given for the earth reflected solar radiation input to a flat plate--a solar cell paddle, for example--which is spinning about an axis coincident with the axis of symmetry of the satellite to which it is affixed. The resulting equations are written for the general case so that arbitrary orientations of the spin axis with respect to the earth-satellite line and arbitrary orientations of the normal to the plate with respect to the spin axis can be treated. No attempt is made to perform the resulting integrations because of the complexity of the equations; nor is there any attempt to delineate the integration limits for the general case. However, the equations governing these limits are given. The appendixes contain: the results, in graphical form, of two representative examples; the general computer program for the calculation is given in Fortran notation; and the results of a calculation of the distribution of albedo energy on the proposed Echo II satellite. The value of the mean solar constant used is 1.395 times 10 (sup 4) ergs per centimeters-squared per second; the mean albedo of the earth is assumed to be 0.34; and the earth is assumed to be a diffuse reflector.

SOLAR RADIATION↗

Investigation of an automatic spin prevention system for fighter airplanes

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an automatic spin-prevention system for current fighter airplanes as a first step in determining the feasibility of such a system. The concept makes use of the components of the conventional flight-control system with the addition of control logic to monitor angle of attack, yaw rate, and normal acceleration. Analytical techniques were used to study the system concept applied to three representative fighter configurations, and model flight tests were employed to evaluate a prototype system on a representative fighter configuration. Emphasis was placed on the development of the control logic required. A discussion of possible implementations of the system concept is presented. Results of the investigation indicated that a relatively simple system (with full control authority) was effective in preventing the developed spins of the fighter configurations considered and that the system design is dependent on the stall and spin characteristics of the particular airplane.

Gilbert, W. P.↗

Effect of multiple spin species on spherical shell neutron transmission analysis

A series of Monte Carlo calculations were performed in order to evaluate the effect of separated against merged spin statistics on the analysis of spherical shell neutron transmission experiments for gold. It is shown that the use of separated spin statistics results in larger average capture cross sections of gold at 24 KeV. This effect is explained by stronger windows in the total cross section caused by the interference between potential and J(+) resonances and by J(+) and J(-) resonance overlap allowed by the use of separated spin statistics.

Semler, T. T.↗

Attitude stability of spinning flexible spacecraft

The stability of spinning flexible satellites in a force-free environment was analyzed. The satellite was modeled as a rigid core having attached to it a flexible appendage idealized as a collection of particles (point masses) interconnected by springs. Both Liapunov and Routh-Hurwitz stability procedures are used. In the former, the Hamiltonian of the system, constrained through the angular momentum integral so as to admit complete damping, is used as a testing function. Equations of motion are written using the hybrid coordinate formulation, which readily accepts a modal coordinate transformation ultimately allowing truncation to a level amenable to literal stability analysis. Closed form stability criteria are generated for the first mode of a restricted appendage model lying in a plane containing the system center of mass and orthogonal to the spin axis. The effects of spin on flexible bodies are discussed by considering a very elementary particle model. Control of passively unstable spacecraft is briefly considered.

Likins, P. W.↗

Simulation of a flexible spinning vehicle

Results are presented of experimental investigation of the controlled and uncontrolled dynamical behavior of a rotating or artificial gravity space station including flexible body effects. A dynamically scaled model was supported by a spherical air bearing which provided a nearly moment free environment. Reaction jet system were provided for spin-up and spin-down and for damping of wobble motion. Two single-gimbal gyros were arranged as a control moment gyro wobble damping system. Remotely controllable movable masses were provided to simulate mass shift disturbances such as arise from crew motions. An active mass balance wobble damping system which acted to minimize the wobble motions induced by crew motions was also installed. Flexible body effects were provided by a pair of inertia augmentation booms. Inertia augmentation booms are contemplated for use on rotating space stations to cause the spin axis moment of inertia to be the largest of the three moments of inertia as is necessary to assure gyroscopic stability. Test runs were made with each of the control systems with the booms locked (rigid body) and unlocked (flexible body).

Baudry, W. A.↗

An approach to attitude determination for a spin-stabilized spacecraft (IMP 1)

The analysis and the FORTRAN program are presented for the determination of attitude of a spin-stabilized spacecraft. The use of telemetry data that provide information about two reference vectors and their relation to the spin is outlined. A technique for the determination of the spin-axis orientation that employs only simple calculations is described.

Fang, A. C.↗

The mass-zero spin-two field and gravitational theory.

Demonstration that the conventional theory of the mass-zero spin-two field with sources introduces extraneous nonspin-two field components in source regions and fails to be covariant under the full or restricted conformal group. A modified theory is given, expressed in terms of the physical components of mass-zero spin-two field rather than in terms of 'potentials,' which has no extraneous components inside or outside sources, and which is covariant under the full conformal group. For a proper choice of source term, this modified theory has the correct Newtonian limit and automatically implies that a symmetric second-rank source tensor has zero divergence. It is shown that possibly a generally covariant form of the spin-two theory derived here can be constructed to agree with general relativity in all currently accessible experimental situations.

Coulter, C. A.↗

Attitude perturbations of a spinning Jupiter Orbiter spacecraft.

A Pioneer-class spinning spacecraft, serving as an orbiter of the planet Jupiter, depends on close-tolerance pointing of the spin axis toward earth for communications, and on a uniform spacecraft spin rate for control and correlation of scientific measurements. However, these attitude characteristics are subject to perturbations due to the gravity gradient and the magnetic field associated with Jupiter. The mechanisms of these perturbing effects are identified, and their magnitudes are estimated in parametric analyses. The conditions which can lead to perturbations which are significant to the mission and the means of alleviating these conditions are indicated.

Dixon, W. J.↗

Analytic prediction of airplane equilibrium spin characteristics

The nonlinear equations of motion are solved algebraically for conditions for which an airplane is in an equilibrium spin. Constrained minimization techniques are employed in obtaining the solution. Linear characteristics of the airplane about the equilibrium points are also presented and their significance in identifying the stability characteristics of the equilibrium points is discussed. Computer time requirements are small making the method appear potentially applicable in airplane design. Results are obtained for several configurations and are compared with other analytic-numerical methods employed in spin prediction. Correlation with experimental results is discussed for one configuration for which a rather extensive data base was available. A need is indicated for higher Reynolds number data taken under conditions which more accurately simulate a spin.

Adams, W. M., Jr.↗

Spin scan imaging at Jupiter

The general feasibility of spin scan imaging from spinning platforms in outer planet orbiters was investigated. The study was limited to consideration of a typical orbiter mission to Jupiter with an orbit designed to provide repetitive close approaches to the Galilean satellites. Discussed are: (1) data requirements for imaging experiments at Jupiter and its satellites; (2) spin scan camera and baseline camera selection; and (3) operational considerations bearing on imager performance. A physical camera model including relationships identifying the supporting requirements was developed and used to determine the characteristics of the baseline camera.

Sinclair, K. F.↗

Periodic attitude control of a slowly spinning spacecraft.

A periodic attitude control system is presented which permits control of secular errors of a slowly spinning spacecraft operating in a high disturbance environment. Attitude errors of the spin-axis are detected by sun sensors (or rate gyros) and are controlled by a periodic control law which modulates external control torques generated by mass expulsion torquers. Attitude stability during the uncontrolled periods is obtained passively via the vehicle spin momentum. Equations of motion, a system block diagram, and design parameters are presented for a typical spacecraft application. Simulation results are included which demonstrate the feasibility of the novel control concept. Salient features of the periodic control approach are implementation simplicity, excellent response, and a propellant utilization efficiency greater than 75 percent.

Todosiev, E. P.↗

Free vibration analysis of spinning structural systems.

This article presents an efficient digital computer procedure, along with the complete listing of the associated computer program, which may be conveniently utilized for the accurate solution of a wide range of practical eigenvalue problems. Important applications of the present work are envisaged in the natural frequency analysis of spinning structures discretized by the finite element technique, and in the determination of transfer functions associated with the dynamic blocks of control systems of spacecraft utilizing gas jets or reaction wheels for attitude control, as well as of spin-stabilized and dual-spin-stabilized satellites. The validity of the Sturm sequence property is first established for the related matrix formulation involving Hermitian and real symmetric, positive-definite matrices, both being usually of highly banded configuration. A numerically stable algorithm based on the Sturm sequence method is then developed which fully exploits the banded form of the associated matrices.

Gupta, K. K.↗

Effect of inertia properties on attitude stability of nonrigid spin-stabilized spacecraft

The phenomenon of energy dissipation in spinning spacecraft is discussed with particular reference to its dependence on spacecraft inertia properties. Specific dissipation mechanisms are identified. The effect of external environmental factors on spin stability is also discussed. Generalized curves are presented relating system stability to the principal inertia ratio for various forms of energy dissipation. Dual-spin systems and the effect of lateral inertia asymmetry are also reviewed.

Lang, W. E.↗

Study of spin-scan imaging for outer planets missions: Executive summary

The development and characteristics of spin-scan imagers for interplanetary exploration are discussed. The spin-scan imaging photopolarimeter instruments of Pioneer 10 and 11 are described. In addition to the imaging function, the instruments are also used in a faint-light mode to take sky maps in both radiance and polarization. The performance of a visible-infrared spin-scan radiometer (VISSR), which operates in both visible and infrared wavelengths, is reported.

Russell, E. E.↗

Deployable flexible ventral fins for use as an emergency spin recovery device in aircraft

A flexible fin device for mounting on an aircraft to effect spin recovery is described. The device may be selectively deployed to provide a triangular planform of flexible material to provide spin recovery, and retracted for compact storage during non-use. A single flexible fin may be deflected in a specific direction depending on direction of spin rotation, or two flexible fins forming an inverted V configuration may be used. The device is mounted on the underbody of the aircraft.

Burk, S. M., Jr.↗