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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 91 records · Page 5

Shuttle tethered operations: The effect on orbital trajectory and inertial navigation

The first full scale test of a large tethered satellite system is planned. The Orbiter will be linked to a 500 kg payload by a 20 km tether, an action with a profound effect on the trajectory of the Orbiter. For the first time in the history of the Shuttle program, the vehicle will conduct prolonged operations with the center of mass of the orbiting system a significant distance from the center of mass of the Space Shuttle Orbiter, a violation of the fundamental assumption made in both the Orbiter ground-based and onboard navigation software. Inertial navigation of tethered operations with the Shuttle is further complicated by the presence of non-conservative forces in the system: Reaction Control System (RCS) translational effects, atmospheric drag, and electro-magnetic dynamics. These can couple with the conservative tether dynamics effects, and degrade the navigation software performance. The primary effects are examined on the Orbiter's trajectory, coupling by conservative forces during tethered operations, and the impact of both on the ability to meet inertial navigation constraints. The impact of electrodynamics, different RCS control modes, commanded attitudes, and attitude deadbands are presented. Operational guidelines which optimize successful mission navigation, and necessary navigation constraints are discussed.

Lardas, Mark N.↗

Vibration effects of the space shuttle main engine high pressure oxidizer turbopump bellows

A welded metal bellows was subjected to a series of vibration tests in a 400 psi oxygen environment to evaluate the effects of the bellows convolutes rubbing on the damper ring in the high pressure oxidizer turbopump of the space shuttle main engine. The bellows was subjected to approximately 2 million cycles at 0.007 in. double amplitude displacement during this series of tests, at a frequency of 400 Hz. Intrumentation of the test specimen revealed no significant heat buildup caused by the rubbing of the bellows convolutes on the damper ring. A final destruct test was made to determine if a fire would result if the bellows ruptured in the 400 psi oxygen environment, thus exposing a fresh metal surface. The vibration input was changed to 0.8 in. double amplitude displacement at 20 Hz to intentionally rupture the bellows. Failure occurred after 2.5 sec; no fire or heat buildup was encountered.

Harp, J. A.↗

Space shuttle: Stability and control effectiveness of the MDAC parametric delta canard booster at Mach 0.38. Volume 1: Canard parametric variations

A 0.015 scale model of a modified version of the MDAC space shuttle booster was tested in the Naval Ship Research and Development Center 7 x 10 foot transonic wind tunnel, to obtain force, static stability, and control effectiveness data. Data were obtained for a cruise Mach Number of 0.38, altitude of 10,000 ft, and Reynolds Number per foot of approximately 2 x one million. The model was tested through an angle of attack range of -4 deg to 15 deg at zero degree angle of sideslip, and at an angle of sideslip range of -6 deg to 6 deg at fixed angles of attack of 0 deg, 6 deg, and 15 deg. Other test variables were elevon deflections, canard deflections, aileron deflections, rudder deflections, wing dihedral angle, canard incidence angle, wing incidence angle, canard position, wing position, wing and canard control flap size and dorsal fin size.

Bradley, D.↗

Space shuttle: Static stability characteristics and control surface effectiveness of the Boeing .00435 scale model space shuttle booster H-32

Experimental aerodynamic investigations were made in the Grumman 36-inch hypersonic wind tunnel on a .00435 scale model of the H-32 reusable space shuttle booster. The objectives of the test were to determine the static stability characteristics and control surface effectiveness at hypersonic speeds. Data were taken at M = 8.12 over a range of angles of attack between -5 and 85 deg at beta = 0 deg and over a range of side slip angles between -10 and 10 deg at alpha = 0 and 70 deg. Six component balance data and base-cavity pressure data were recorded.

Houser, J. F.↗

Evaluation philosophy for shuttle launched payloads

Some approaches to space-shuttle payload evaluation are examined. Issues considered include subsystem replacement in low-cost modular spacecraft (LCMS), validation of spacelab payloads, the use of standard components in shuttle-era spacecraft, effects of shuttle-induced environments on payloads, and crew safety. The LCMS is described, and goals are discussed for its evaluation program. Concepts regarding how the evaluation should proceed are considered.

Heuser, R. E.↗

Analytical and experimental study of the effects of wing-body aerodynamic interaction on space shuttle subsonic flutter

The effects on flutter of the aerodynamic interaction between the space shuttle bodies and wing, 1/80th-scale semispan models of the orbiter wing, the complete shuttle and intermediate component combinations were tested in the NASA Langley Research Center 26-inch Transonic Blowdown Wind Tunnel. Using the double lattice method combined with slender body theory to calculate unsteady aerodynamic forces, subsonic flutter speeds were computed for comparison. Using calculated complete vehicle modes, flutter speed trends were computed for the full scale vehicle at an altitude of 15,200 meters and a Mach number of 0.6. Consistent with findings of the model studies, analysis shows the shuttle to have the same flutter speed as an isolated cantilevered wing.

Chipman, R. R.↗

The effect of surface temperature and Reynolds number on the leeward heat-transfer for a shuttle orbiter

The effect of windward surface temperature on the heat transfer to the leeward surface of the shuttle orbiter was investigated. Heat-transfer distributions, surface-pressure distributions, and schlieren photographs were obtained for an 0.01-scale model of the 37-0 shuttle orbiter at angles-of-attack of 30 deg and of 40 deg. Similar data were obtained for a fuselage-only configuration at angles-of-attack of 30 deg and of 90 deg. Data were obtained for various Mach numbers, Reynolds numbers, and surface temperatures.

Bertin, J. J.↗

Further observations of Space Shuttle plasma-electrodynamic effects from OSS-1/STS-3

Recent analyses of ion measurements obtained from the Differential Ion Flux Probe (DIFP) on the deployed Plasma Diagnostics Package (PDP) during the OSS-1/STS-3 mission have provided an additional insight into the plasma-electrodynamics of the Space Shuttle Orbiter: (1) Measured ion flow directions and energies suggest that the disturbance created in the ionospheric plasma by the Shuttle Orbiter may be confined to an interaction region that extends on the order of 10 m in the forward direction and has a boundary thickness of about 2 m. (2) A correlation between the DIFP and pressure gauge measurements indicates a direct, local proportionality between the neutral gas and ion densities. (3) Preliminary results from a theoretical model of the possible interaction between measured secondary, high inclination ion streams and the ambient plasma indicate the generation of broad-band electrostatic noise such as that observed by wave instruments on the PDP.

Stone, N. H.↗

Reaction control system plume flow field interaction effects on the Space Shuttle orbiter

This paper presents an analysis of data obtained from wind tunnel tests of the aerodynamic interference induced by the reaction control system jets on Space Shuttle orbiter configurations. The test data was obtained using cold gas simulation techniques with nozzles scaled to match jet exit momentum ratio as the primary parameter at Mach numbers from 2.5 to 10. Significant induced effects have been found that degrade the performance of the pitch and roll reaction controls and that induce cross-coupling effects for yaw reaction control. Analysis of the induced data shows good correlation with jet exit momentum ratio.

Rausch, J. R.↗

Prediction of space shuttle fluctuating pressure environments, including rocket plume effects

Preliminary estimates of space shuttle fluctuating pressure environments have been made based on prediction techniques developed by Wyle Laboratories. Particular emphasis has been given to the transonic speed regime during launch of a parallel-burn space shuttle configuration. A baseline configuration consisting of a lightweight orbiter and monolithic SRB, together with a typical flight trajectory, have been used as models for the predictions. Critical fluctuating pressure environments are predicted at transonic Mach numbers. Comparisons between predicted environments and wind tunnel test results, in general, showed good agreement. Predicted one-third octave band spectra for the above environments were generally one of three types: (1) attached turbulent boundary layer spectra (typically high frequencies); (2) homogeneous separated flow and shock-free interference flow spectra (typically intermediate frequencies); and (3) shock-oscillation and shock-induced interference flow spectra (typically low frequencies). Predictions of plume induced separated flow environments were made. Only the SRB plumes are important, with fluctuating levels comparable to compression-corner induced separated flow shock oscillation.

Plotkin, K. J.↗

Plume/flowfield jet interaction effects on the Space Shuttle Orbiter during entry

A comparison of wind tunnel test results with actual flight test data from the performance of the Orbiter Reaction Control System during the STS-1 and -2 flights is presented. Jet interaction phenomena were modeled analytically and a decision was made to develop a jet interaction scaling parameter from empirical measurements wherever possible. A number of different scaling parameters resulted, and errors bounds were determined for tunnel-to-tunnel differences, model to tunnel differences, balance accuracy, real gas effects, varying nozzle configurations, and angle of sideslip. Flight test data has concentrated on the lateral/directional jet interaction of the aft yaw jets, which operate almost continuously from entry down to Mach 1 conditions. A discussion of rolling moments, side forces, and results of usage of the aft pitch and roll jets indicates an underprediction of the side force and yawing moment and overprediction of pitch and roll jet effects.

Kanipe, D. B.↗

The effect of nose geometry on the aerothermodynamic environment of shuttle entry configurations

The effect was studied of nose geometry on the transition criteria for the windward boundary layer, on the extent of separation, on the heat transfer perturbation due to the canopy, and on the surface pressure and the heat transfer in the separated region. The data for each of these problems is analyzed. A literature review that concentrates on separation and the leeward flow-field is presented.

Bertin, J. J.↗

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.↗

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.↗