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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 541 records · Page 30
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

Effects of the six engine air breathing propulsion system on space shuttle orbiter subsonic stability and control characteristics

Experimental aerodynamic investigations were conducted on a 0.0405 scale representation of the -89B space shuttle orbiter in the 7.75 x 11.00 foot low speed wind tunnel during the time period September 4 - 14, 1973. The primary test objective was to optimize the air breathing propulsion system nacelle cowl-inlet design and to determine the aerodynamic effects of this design on the orbiter stability and control characteristics. Nacelle cowl-inlet optimization was determined from total pressure - static pressure measurements obtained from pressure rakes located in the left hand nacelle pod at the engine face station. After the optimum cow-inlet design, consisting of a 7 deg cowl lip angle, short cowl, 7 deg short diverter, and a nacelle toe-in angle of 5 deg was selected, the aerodynamic effects of various locations of this design were investigated. The 3 pod - 6 Nacelle configuration was tested both underwing and overwing in three different longitudinal locations. Orbiter control effectiveness, both with and without Nacelles, was investigated at elevon deflections of 0 deg, -10 deg and +15 deg and at aileron deflections of 0 deg and +10 deg about 0 deg elevon.

Mennell, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Maximum likelihood identification of aircraft stability and control derivatives

Application of a generalized identification method to flight test data analysis. The method is based on the maximum likelihood (ML) criterion and includes output error and equation error methods as special cases. Both the linear and nonlinear models with and without process noise are considered. The flight test data from lateral maneuvers of HL-10 and M2/F3 lifting bodies are processed to determine the lateral stability and control derivatives, instrumentation accuracies, and biases. A comparison is made between the results of the output error method and the ML method for M2/F3 data containing gusts. It is shown that better fits to time histories are obtained by using the ML method. The nonlinear model considered corresponds to the longitudinal equations of the X-22 VTOL aircraft. The data are obtained from a computer simulation and contain both process and measurement noise. The applicability of the ML method to nonlinear models with both process and measurement noise is demonstrated.

Mehra, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1947

Stability and control characteristics of an airplane model having a 45.1 degree swept-back wing with aspect ratio 2.50 and taper ratio 0.42 and a 42.8 degree swept-back horizontal tail with aspect ratio 3.87 and taper ratio 0.49

Tests were made of an airplane model having a 45.1 degree swept-back wing with aspect ratio 2.50 and taper ratio 0.42 and a 42.8 degree swept-back horizontal tail with aspect ratio 3.87 and taper ratio 0.49 to determine its low-speed stability and control characteristics. The test Reynolds number was 2.87 x 10(6) based on a mean aerodynamic chord of 2.47 feet except for some of the aileron tests which were made at a Reynolds number of 2.05 x 10(6). With the horizontal tail located near the fuselage juncture on the vertical tail, model results indicated static longitudinal instability above a lift coefficient that was 0.15 below the lift coefficient at which stall occurred. Static longitudinal stability, however, was manifested throughout the life range with the horizontal tail located near the top of the vertical tail. The use of 10 degrees negative dihedral on the wing had little effect on the static longitudinal stability characteristics. Preliminary tests of the complete model revealed an undesirable flat spot in the yawing-moment curves at low angles of attack, the directional stability being neutral for yaw angles of plus-or-minus 2 degrees. This undesirable characteristic was improved by replacing the thick original vertical tail with a thin vertical tail and by flattening the top of the dorsal fairing.

Schuldenfrei, Marvin↗
NASA NTRS1974

Stability and control characteristics for the inner mold line configuration of the space shuttle orbiter (OA110)

Experimental aerodynamic investigations were conducted on a sting mounted 0.0405-scale representation of the -140A/B inner mold line (IML) space shuttle orbiter in 7.75 x 11 foot low speed wind tunnel, during the time period from 18 March 1974 to 20 March 1974. The primary test objectives were to establish basic longitudinal and lateral-directional stability and control characteristics for the IML orbiter. Additional configurations investigated were sealed elevon hingeline gaps, sealed rudder split line and hingeline gaps, larger radius leading edge on the vertical tail, and sealed speedbrake base. Aerodynamic force and moment data for the orbiter were measured in the body-axis system by an internally mounted, six-component strain gage balance. The model was sting mounted with the center of rotation located at approximately the wing trailing edge. The nominal angle of attack range was from -4 to +30 degrees. Yaw polars were recorded over a nominal yaw angle range from -14 to +14 degrees at constant angles of attack of 0, + or - 5, 10, 15 and 20 degrees.

Hughes, T.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Space Shuttle stability and control flight test techniques

A unique approach for obtaining vehicle aerodynamic characteristics during entry has been developed for the Space Shuttle. This is due to the high cost of Shuttle testing, the need to open constraints for operational flights, and the fact that all flight regimes are flown starting with the first flight. Because of uncertainties associated with predicted aerodynamic coefficients, nine flight conditions have been identified at which control problems could occur. A detailed test plan has been developed for testing at these conditions and is presented. Due to limited testing, precise computer initiated maneuvers are implemented. These maneuvers are designed to optimize the vehicle motion for determining aerodynamic coefficients. Special sensors and atmospheric measurements are required to provide stability and control flight data during an entire entry. The techniques employed in data reduction are proven programs developed and used at NASA/DFRC.

Cooke, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A generalized method for the identification of aircraft stability and control derivatives from flight test data.

This paper discusses the application of a generalized identification method for flight test data analysis. The method is based on the maximum likelihood (ML) criterion and includes output error and equation error methods as special cases. Both the linear and nonlinear models with and without process noise are considered. The flight test data from lateral maneuvers of HL-10 and M2/F3 lifting bodies are processed to determine the lateral stability and control derivatives, instrumentation accuracies and biases. A comparison is made between the results of the output error method and the generalized ML method for M2/F3 data containing gusts. It is shown that better fits to time histories are obtained by using the generalized ML method.

Mehra, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Space shuttle: Stability and control effectiveness at high and low angles of attack and effects of variations in engine shround, fin, and drag petal configurations for the Boeing 0.008899-scale pressure-fed ballistic recoverable booster, model 979-160

Experimental aerodynamic investigations were carried out in the Boeing transonic and supersonic wind tunnels on a 0.008899-scale model of a proposed pressure-fed ballistic recoverable booster (BRB) configuration. The purpose of the test program was to determine the stability and control effectiveness of the basic configuration at high and low angles of attack, and to conduct parametric studies of various engine shroud, fin, and drag petal configurations. Six-component force data and base pressure data were obtained over a Mach number range of 0.35 to 4.0 at angles of attack of -5 to 25 and 55 to 85 at zero degrees sideslip and over a sideslip range of -10 to +10 at angles of attack ranging from -10 to 72.5. Two-component force data were also obtained with a fin balance on selected runs.

Hanson, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Power Effects on High Lift, Stability and Control Characteristics of the TCA Model Tested in the LaRC 14 x 22 Ft Wind Tunnel

The TCA-2 wind-tunnel test was the second in a series of planned tests utilizing the 5% Technology Concept Airplane (TCA) model. Each of the tests was planned to utilize the unique capabilities of the NASA Langley 14'x22' and the NASA Ames 12' test facilities, in order to assess specific aspects of the high lift and stability and control characteristics of the TCA configuration. However, shortly after the completion of the TCA-1 test, an early projection of the Technology Configuration (TC) identified the need for several significant changes to the baseline TCA configuration. These changes were necessary in order to meet more stringent noise certification levels, as well as, to provide a means to control dynamic structural modes. The projected changes included a change to the outboard wing (increased aspect ratio and lower sweep) and a reconfiguration of the longitudinal control surfaces to include a medium size canard and a reduced horizontal tail. The impact of these proposed changes did not affect the TCA-2 test, because it was specifically planned to address power effects on the empennage and a smaller horizontal tail was in the plan to be tested. However, the focus of future tests was reevaluated and the emphasis was shifted away from assessment of TCA specific configurations to a more general assessment of configurations that encompass the projected design space for the TC.

Glessner, Paul T.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Stability and Control Properties of an Aeroelastic Fixed Wing Micro Aerial Vehicle

Micro aerial vehicles have been the subject of considerable interest and development over the last several years. The majority of current vehicle concepts rely on rigid fixed wings or rotors. An alternate design based on an aeroelastic membrane wing concept has also been developed that has exhibited desired characteristics in flight test demonstrations and competition. This paper presents results from a wind tunnel investigation that sought to quantify stability and control properties for a family of vehicles using the aeroelastic design. The results indicate that the membrane wing does exhibit potential benefits that could be exploited to enhance the design of future flight vehicles.

Waszak, Martin R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Introduction to the arcopter arc wing and the Bertelsen effect for positive pitch stability and control

A brief report, offered on a wing design, new in geometry, construction, and flight characteristics. Preliminary wind tunnel data on a three-dimensional model was well as some full-scale man-carrying test results are included. There are photos of all phases of the experiments and some figures which serve to illustrate the Bertelsen Effect, a unique focus of aerodynamic forces in the arc wing system which allows the attainment of high lift coefficients with the maintenance of pitch stability and control.

Bertelsen, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Results of an experimental aerodynamic investigation to obtain static stability and control characteristics of the SSV configurations: The 2A(VL70-000089B) model 1 and 3(VL70-000139B) model 2 orbiter at Mach numbers of 2.5, 3.9 and 4.6 in the NASA LaRC 4 X 4-foot UPWT (OA44)

Investigation of space shuttle orbiter configurations 2A(VL70-000089B) and 3(VL70-000139B) was performed at the Langley Research Center Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT) from June 1, 1973, to June 15, 1973, for 60 test hours. The primary test objectives were to obtain stability and control characteristics for Configurations 2A and 3 and an alternate forebody used with Configuration 3. In addition, hinge moments were measured on the elevons and rudder for Configuration 2A only. The configurations were tested at Mach numbers 2.5, 3.9 and 4.6. Pitch runs were made at angles of attack from -4 to 44 deg and sideslip angles from -4 to +6. Static pressures were measured at the fuselage base for use in force data correction.

Esparza, V.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Low-Speed Stability-and-Control and Ground-Effects Measurements on the Industry Reference High Speed Civil Transport

As a part of a national effort to develop an economically feasible High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT), a single configuration has been accepted as the testing baseline by the organizations working in the High Speed Research (HSR) program. The configuration is based on a design developed by the Boeing Company and is referred to as the Reference H (Ref H). The data contained in this report are low-speed stability-and-control and ground-effect measurements obtained on a 0.06 scale model of the Ref H in a subsonic tunnel.

Kemmerly, Guy T.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Rotorcraft system identification techniques for handling qualities and stability and control evaluation

An integrated approach to rotorcraft system identification is described. This approach consists of sequential application of (1) data filtering to estimate states of the system and sensor errors, (2) model structure estimation to isolate significant model effects, and (3) parameter identification to quantify the coefficient of the model. An input design algorithm is described which can be used to design control inputs which maximize parameter estimation accuracy. Details of each aspect of the rotorcraft identification approach are given. Examples of both simulated and actual flight data processing are given to illustrate each phase of processing. The procedure is shown to provide means of calibrating sensor errors in flight data, quantifying high order state variable models from the flight data, and consequently computing related stability and control design models.

Hall, W. E., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1959

Force-Test Investigation of the Stability and Control Characteristics of a 1/4-Scale Model of a Tilt-Wing Vertical-Take-Off-and-Landing Aircraft

A wind-tunnel investigation has been made to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of a 1/4-scale model of a tilt-wing vertical-take-off-and-landing aircraft. The model had two 3-blade single-rotation propellers with hinged (flapping) blades mounted on the wing, which could be tilted from an incidence of 4 deg for forward flight to 86 deg for hovering flight. The investigation included measurements of both the longitudinal and lateral stability and control characteristics in both the normal forward flight and the transition ranges. Tests in the forward-flight condition were made for several values of thrust coefficient, and tests in the transition condition were made at several values of wing incidence with the power varied to cover a range of flight conditions from forward-acceleration (or climb) conditions to deceleration (or descent) conditions The control effectiveness of the all-movable horizontal tail, the ailerons and the differential propeller pitch control was also determined. The data are presented without analysis.

Newsom, William A., Jr.↗