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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 55 records · Page 3

Development and validation of the V/STOL aerodynamics and stability and control manual

A V/STOL Aerodynamics and Stability and Control Manual was developed to provide prediction methods which are applicable to a wide range of V/STOL configurations in hover and transition flight, in and out of ground effect. Propulsion-induced effects have been combined with unpowered aerodynamics in a buildup of total forces and moments for the jet-lift concept, so that total aerodynamics can be used to predict aircraft stability, control, and flying qualities characteristics. Results of longitudinal aerodynamic predictions have been compared with test data, and indicate that the methods are fast, inexpensive, and within the desired accuracy for the objective preliminary design stage.

Henderson, C.↗

STS-77 Flight Day 4

On this fourth day of the STS-77 mission, the flight crew, Cmdr. John H. Casper, Pilot Curtis L. Brown, Jr., and Mission Specialists Andrew S.W. Thomas, Ph.D., Daniel W. Bursch, Mario Runco, Jr., and Marc Garneau, Ph.D., turned their attention to the deployment of a small technology demonstration satellite known as PAMS. The Passive Aerodynamically Stabilized Magnetically-damped Satellite uses aerodynamic stabilization to orient itself properly and demonstrates a technique that could prolong the lifetime of a satellite by reducing or eliminating the requirement for attitude control propellants. After Mission Specialist Mario Runco deploys the satellite from a canister in the rear of Endeavour's payload bay, it drifts away from the orbiter in a rotating, unstable attitude by design to evaluate how quickly and effectively the spacecraft can stabilize itself using the aerodynamic stabilization method rather than by thrusters. Later in the day, the crew is seen being interviewed by Canadian Television.

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An Introduction to Rockets - or - Never Leave Geeks Unsupervised

An introduction to rockets along with a brief history Newton's third law is presented. The contents include: 1) What is a Rocket?; 2) A Brief History; 3) Newton's Third Law; 4) A Brief History; 5) Mission Requirements; 6) Some Orbital Measurements; 7) Self Eating Watermelon; 8) Orbital Inclinations; 9) 28.5 Equatorial Orbit; 10) 51.6 Orbit (ISS); 11) Polar Orbit; 12) Geostationary Orbit; 13) Liquid Rocket; 13) Liquids vs. Solids; 14) Liquids; 15) Systems Integration; 16) Integration (NFL!); 17) Guidance Systems; 18) Vectored Thrust; 19) Spin Stabilization; 20) Aerodynamic Stability (Fire Arrows); and 21) Center of Gravity & Center of Pressure.

Mellett, Kevin↗

A Simplified Method for Predicting the Stability of Aerodynamically Excited Turbomachinery

A method is presented for the quick and accurate prediction of the stability of aerodynamically excited turbomachinery using real eigenvalue/eigenvector data obtained from a rotordynamics model. An expression is presented which uses the modal data and the transmitted torque to provide a numerical value of the relative stability of the system. This approach provides a powerful design tool to quickly ascertain the effects of squeeze-film damper bearings, bearing location, and support changes on system stability.

Storace, Albert F.↗

On the nonlinear aerodynamic and stability characteristics of a generic chine-forebody slender-wing fighter configuration

An exploratory investigation was conducted of the nonlinear aerodynamic and stability characteristics of a tailless generic fighter configuration featuring a chine-shaped forebody coupled to a slender cropped delta wing in the NASA Langley Research Center's 12-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel. Forebody and wing vortex flow mechanisms were identified through off-body flow visualizations to explain the trends in the longitudinal and lateral-directional characteristics at extreme attitudes (angles of attack and sideslip). The interactions of the vortical motions with centerline and wing-mounted vertical tail surfaces were studied and the flow phenomena were correlated with the configuration forces and moments. Single degree of freedom, free-to-roll tests were used to study the wing rock susceptibility of the generic fighter model. Modifications to the nose region of the chine forebody were examined and fluid mechanisms were established to account for their ineffectiveness in modulating the highly interactive forebody and wing vortex systems.

Erickson, Gary E.↗

On the nonlinear aerodynamic and stability characteristics of a generic chine-forebody slender-wing fighter configuration

An exploratory investigation was conducted of the nonlinear aerodynamic and stability characteristics of a tailless generic fighter configuration featuring a chine-shaped forebody coupled to a slender cropped delta wing in the NASA Langley Research Center's 12-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel. Forebody and wing vortex flow mechanisms were identified through off-body flow visualizations to explain the trends in the longitudinal and lateral-directional characteristics at extreme attitudes (angles of attack and sideslip). The interactins of the vortical motions with centerline and wing-mounted vertical tail surfaces were studied and the flow phenomena were correlated with the configuration forces and moments. Single degree-of-freedom, free-to-roll tests were used to study the wing rock susceptibility of the generic fighter model. Modifications to the nose region of the chine forebody were examined and fluid mechanisms were established to account for their ineffectiveness in modulating the highly interactive forebody and wing vortex systems.

Erickson, Gary E.↗

Aerodynamic static stability and control effectiveness of a parametric shuttle launch configuration

Experimental aerodynamic investigations were conducted in the NASA/MSFC 14-inch Trisonic Wind Tunnel on a 0.004-scale model of the NR ATP baseline Shuttle launch configuration. The test model consisted of the NR ATP baseline orbiter, external tank, and SRB's with nozzles. Six component aerodynamic force and moment data were recorded over an angle of attack range from minus 10 deg to 10 deg at zero degrees sideslip and angle of sideslip range of minus 10 deg to 10 deg at zero angle of attack for a Mach range of 0.6 to 4.96. Rudder flare was constant at 10 deg during the entire test. The purpose of the test was to define the performance, stability, and control characteristics of the launch configuration as well as to investigate the buildup effect of two geometrical parameters.

Ramsey, P. E.↗

Stabilization of aerodynamically excited turbomachinery with hydrodynamic journal bearings and supports

A method of analyzing the first mode stability and unbalance response of multimass flexible rotors is presented whereby the multimass system is modeled as an equivalent single mass modal model including the effects of rotor flexibility, general linearized hydrodynamic journal bearings, squeeze film bearing supports and rotor aerodynamic cross coupling. Expressions for optimum bearing and support damping are presented for both stability and unbalance response. The method is intended to be used as a preliminary design tool to quickly ascertain the effects of bearing and support changes on rotor-bearing system performance.

Barrett, L. E.↗

Aerodynamic static stability characteristics of the MSFC 33-foot pump fed booster at high angles of attack

Experimental aerodynamic investigations were conducted in the 14-inch trisonic wind tunnel during early February 1972 on a 0.00340 scale model of the 33-foot diameter space shuttle pump fed booster configuration. The basic configuration tested was a 40-deg cone/cylinder. Six component aerodynamic force and moment data were recorded over a Mach number range from 0.6 to 5.0, angles-of-attack from 50 to 90 deg at 0 deg sideslip and over a sideslip range from -10 to +10 deg at 60 and 80 deg angles-of-attack. Primary configuration variables were fin area and body cutout size.

Hamilton, T.↗

Effect of winglets on a first-generation jet transport wing. 5: Stability characteristics of a full-span wing with a generalized fuselage at high subsonic speeds

The effects of winglets on the static aerodynamic stability characteristics of a KC-135A jet transport model at high subsonic speeds are presented. The investigation was conducted in the Langley 8 foot transonic pressure tunnel using 0.035-scale wing panels mounted on a generalized research fuselage. Data were taken over a Mach number range from 0.50 to 0.95 at angles of attack ranging from -12 deg to 20 deg and sideslip angles of 0 deg, 5 deg, and -5 deg. The model was tested at two Reynolds number ranges to achieve a wide angle of attack range and to determine the effect of Reynolds number on stability. Results indicate that adding the winglets to the basic wing configuration produces small increases in both lateral and longitudinal aerodynamic stability and that the model stability increases slightly with Reynolds number. The winglets do increase the wing bending moments slightly, but the buffet onset characteristics of the model are not affected by the winglets.

Jacobs, P. F.↗

Selected Flight Test Results for Online Learning Neural Network-Based Flight Control System

The NASA F-15 Intelligent Flight Control System project team developed a series of flight control concepts designed to demonstrate neural network-based adaptive controller benefits, with the objective to develop and flight-test control systems using neural network technology to optimize aircraft performance under nominal conditions and stabilize the aircraft under failure conditions. This report presents flight-test results for an adaptive controller using stability and control derivative values from an online learning neural network. A dynamic cell structure neural network is used in conjunction with a real-time parameter identification algorithm to estimate aerodynamic stability and control derivative increments to baseline aerodynamic derivatives in flight. This open-loop flight test set was performed in preparation for a future phase in which the learning neural network and parameter identification algorithm output would provide the flight controller with aerodynamic stability and control derivative updates in near real time. Two flight maneuvers are analyzed - pitch frequency sweep and automated flight-test maneuver designed to optimally excite the parameter identification algorithm in all axes. Frequency responses generated from flight data are compared to those obtained from nonlinear simulation runs. Flight data examination shows that addition of flight-identified aerodynamic derivative increments into the simulation improved aircraft pitch handling qualities.

Williams-Hayes, Peggy S.↗

Aerodynamic static stability characteristics, fin effectiveness, and fin location of the MSFC 33-foot pressure fed booster at high angles of attack

Experimental aerodynamic investigations were conducted in the NASA/MSFC 14 x 14 inch trisonic wind tunnel during early February 1972 on a 0.00280 scale model of the MSFC 33-foot diameter space shuttle pressure fed booster configuration. The basic configuration tested was a 40 deg cone/cylinder/7 deg frustrum designated the MSFC 33 foot pressure fed booster. Six component aerodynamic force and moment data were recorded over a Mach number range from 0.9 to 5.0 at angles of attack from +20 to +90 at 0 deg sideslip and over a sideslip range from -10 to +10 deg at 30, 50, 60 and 80 deg angles of attack. Primary configuration variables were fin deflection angle and vertical position on the frustrum.

Hamilton, T.↗

Selected Flight Test Results for Online Learning Neural Network-Based Flight Control System

The NASA F-15 Intelligent Flight Control System project team has developed a series of flight control concepts designed to demonstrate the benefits of a neural network-based adaptive controller. The objective of the team is to develop and flight-test control systems that use neural network technology to optimize the performance of the aircraft under nominal conditions as well as stabilize the aircraft under failure conditions. Failure conditions include locked or failed control surfaces as well as unforeseen damage that might occur to the aircraft in flight. This report presents flight-test results for an adaptive controller using stability and control derivative values from an online learning neural network. A dynamic cell structure neural network is used in conjunction with a real-time parameter identification algorithm to estimate aerodynamic stability and control derivative increments to the baseline aerodynamic derivatives in flight. This set of open-loop flight tests was performed in preparation for a future phase of flights in which the learning neural network and parameter identification algorithm output would provide the flight controller with aerodynamic stability and control derivative updates in near real time. Two flight maneuvers are analyzed a pitch frequency sweep and an automated flight-test maneuver designed to optimally excite the parameter identification algorithm in all axes. Frequency responses generated from flight data are compared to those obtained from nonlinear simulation runs. An examination of flight data shows that addition of the flight-identified aerodynamic derivative increments into the simulation improved the pitch handling qualities of the aircraft.

Williams, Peggy S.↗

STS-77 Flight Day 9

On this ninth day of the STS-77 mission, the flight crew, Cmdr. John H. Casper, Pilot Curtis L. Brown, Jr., and Mission Specialists Andrew S.W. Thomas, Ph.D., Daniel W. Bursch, Mario Runco, Jr., and Marc Garneau, Ph.D., make the third rendezvous with the small aerodynamically stabilized satellite. Commander John Casper and Pilot Curt Brown guided Endeavour to just under 2,000 feet from the cylindrically shaped Passive Aerodynamically Stabilized Magnetically Damped Satellite Satellite Test Unit (PMS-STU). It was deployed from a small canister in Endeavour's payload bay earlier in the mission in an unstable, slightly tumbling attitude to observe how or whether it could stabilize itself without using satellite lifetime-limiting propellants. Casper was scheduled to take time out during the final phase of the rendezvous to talk to fellow astronaut Shannon Lucid and her two cosmonaut crewmates aboard the Russian Space Station Mir. Various views of the Earth can be seen.

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