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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 109 records · Page 6

Comparison of Taxi Time Prediction Performance Using Different Taxi Speed Decision Trees

In the STBO modeler and tactical surface scheduler for ATD-2 project, taxi speed decision trees are used to calculate the unimpeded taxi times of flights taxiing on the airport surface. The initial taxi speed values in these decision trees did not show good prediction accuracy of taxi times. Using the more recent, reliable surveillance data, new taxi speed values in ramp area and movement area were computed. Before integrating these values into the STBO system, we performed test runs using live data from Charlotte airport, with different taxi speed settings: 1) initial taxi speed values and 2) new ones. Taxi time prediction performance was evaluated by comparing various metrics. The results show that the new taxi speed decision trees can calculate the unimpeded taxi-out times more accurately.

taxi time prediction↗

The Space Shuttle Orbiter approach and landing tests - A correlation of flight and predicted performance data

This paper represents the results of a program in which a flight test vehicle was flown for a limited number of flights. The vehicle was the Space Shuttle Orbiter. The total free flight time for the entire flight test program was less than half an hour. The flight regime tested represented only the approach and landing phase of the vehicle's planned flight capability. The program relied heavily on an extensive wind tunnel test program to predict the aerodynamic performance data over the complete flight range, as well as to predict data tolerances. During the flight test program, short maneuvers performed were to provide flight motion data. A data extraction program was developed to produce flight derived aerodynamic performance data in coefficient form from the motion data. The resultant flight test data was correlated with the predicted data and fell within the predicted data tolerances for all phases of the subsonic flight test regime, including ground effects.

Romere, P. O.↗

Status and Predicted Performance for the AstroPIC Integrated Photonic Coronagraph

Integrated photonics is a promising coronagraph technology option for exoplanet-imaging missions like NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory flagship. It is theoretically capable of achieving better performance than traditional bulk-optic coronagraphs because arrays of integrated interferometers can be combined to implement any linear operator. However, photonic coronagraphs require significant maturation to be ready for a space telescope mission. The AstroPIC project is advancing this technology by developing a proof-of-concept integrated photonic coronagraph based on silicon photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technology. Specifically, the AstroPIC program is investigating the impact of a PIC coronagraph on the predicted scientific yield of the upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) mission concept. In this talk, we will present the current status of the AstroPIC design, including the layout of the most recent PIC. We will also present on the status of simulations that predict the performance of the instrument and feed into scientific yield estimations for HWO Exoploratory Analytic Cases (EACs) 1-3. Finally, we will present the status of the development of a PIC testbed at NASA Ames and results from preliminary PIC laboratory testing at Stanford.

Photonics↗

Outdoor flat-plate collector performance prediction from solar simulator test data

This paper describes how collector performance obtained from test data with a simulator can be modified for real-life conditions. The approach taken is to correct the performance data obtained with the simulator for the variable conditions of ambient temperature, wind, incident angle, flow rate, etc., that are encountered in outdoor conditions. Modification of simulator data is accomplished by combining experiment with theory. The technique is demonstrated by application to a spectrally selective and a nonselective type of collector. This kind of modified simulator collector performance data should be valuable in solar systems analyses and for collector performance ranking based on all-day calculated conditions.

Simon, F. F.↗

Space diversity performance prediction for earth-satellite paths using radar modeling techniques

Space diversity performance is examined on the basis of radar modeling techniques. Radar-derived joint probability distributions are calculated for determining path attenuation and statistical formulation. The computational aspects of the model are discussed in terms of the data base, determining path length and converting statistics to other path angles. The results are presented in terms of prediction accuracy, predicted joint probability distributions, diversity gain, and the autocorrection function. When compared to other models, this model's rain-derived relative diversity gain shows good agreement.

Goldhirsh, J.↗

Predicted Performance Effects of Blade Elasticity on Testing of Rotors for Mars

The Rotor Optimization for the Advancement of Mars Exploration project (ROAMX) has designed and manufactured a set of rotor blades optimized for hover on Mars. These blades will soon be tested for hover performance in the NASA Ames Research Center Planetary Aeolian Laboratory, a large vacuum chamber capable of rotor testing at reduced pressures. To match the tip Mach numbers during this testing with the tip Mach numbers that would be experienced in the Martian atmosphere, the rotor will be spun faster in the vacuum chamber than it would be spun on Mars. While this accomplishes the goal of simulating the tip Mach numbers of Mars operations, the elevated RPM may have undesired consequences for performance, due to elastic deflections of the blades. The purpose of this paper is to use CAMRAD II, a rotorcraft comprehensive analysis code, to predict the effect on performance of blade elasticity at elevated RPM in the vacuum chamber environment. Results are presented for different thrust conditions and different rotor speeds, and comparisons are made between rigid and elastic blade predictions. Overall, the CAMRAD II analysis suggests that blade elasticity does influence rotor performance in the operating conditions of interest, although the effect is moderate enough to conclude that the PAL testing will be a good simulation of Mars operation.

Blade elasticity↗

SRB-3D Solid Rocket Booster performance prediction program. Volume 1: Engineering description/users information manual

The modified Solid Rocket Booster Performance Evaluation Model (SRB-3D) was developed as an extension to the internal ballistics module of the SRB-2 performance program. This manual contains the engineering description of SRB-3D which describes the approach used to develop the 3D concept and an explanation of the modifications which were necessary to implement these concepts.

Winkler, J. C.↗

Aerodynamic performance prediction of horizontal axis wind turbines

A new method for calculating the aerodynamic performance of horizontal axis wind turbines is described. The method, entitled the helical vortex method, directly calculates the local induced velocity due to helical vortices that originate at the rotor blade. Furthermore, the method does not require a specified circulation distribution. Results of the method are compared to similar results obtained from Wilson PROP code methods as well as to existing experimental data taken from a Mod-O wind turbine. It is shown that results of the proposed method agree well with experimental values of the power output both near cut-in and at rated wind speeds. Further, it is found that the method does not experience some of the numerical difficulties encountered by the PROP code when run at low wind velocities.

Jeng, D. R.↗

Tank System Integrated Model: A Cryogenic Tank Performance Prediction Program

Accurate predictions of the thermodynamic state of the cryogenic propellants, pressurization rate, and performance of pressure control techniques in cryogenic tanks are required for development of cryogenic fluid long-duration storage technology and planning for future space exploration missions. This Technical Memorandum (TM) presents the analytical tool, Tank System Integrated Model (TankSIM), which can be used for modeling pressure control and predicting the behavior of cryogenic propellant for long-term storage for future space missions. Utilizing TankSIM, the following processes can be modeled: tank self-pressurization, boiloff, ullage venting, mixing, and condensation on the tank wall. This TM also includes comparisons of TankSIM program predictions with the test data andexamples of multiphase mission calculations.

Bolshinskiy, L. G.↗

InSight Entry, Descent and Landing Pre-Flight Performance Predictions

On November 26, 2018, the Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) lander successfully touched down on the surface of Mars. Over its seven-plus year development, NASA Langley Research Center’s (LaRC) Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories II (POST2) was used to assess the mission’s Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) vehicle system performance against related requirements across the full range of possible environmental and spacecraft conditions. Much of the simulation code was derived from the Phoenix mission, for which this vehicle is very similar. The InSight six degree-of-freedom simulation included models for Mars atmosphere, gravity and digital elevation maps of the landing location. Additionally, vehicle specific aerodynamic, parachute, engine, navigation sensor, flight software and landing radar models were also included. A set of dispersions for each model, as well as for additional simulation input parameters, were also included in order to provide a statistical, Monte Carlo prediction of the EDL system performance. An overview of the pre-flight performance assessments completed, including the various simulation campaigns used, will be provided. Ultimately, this work was critical in the assessment of readiness for InSight launch. A brief description of the use of this simulation in support of flight operations is also discussed.

Robert W Maddock↗

Optical Performance Prediction of the Thirty Meter Telescope after Initial Alignment Using Optical Modeling

We present an estimate of the optical performance of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) after execution of the full telescope alignment plan. The TMT alignment is performed by the Global Metrology System (GMS) and the Alignment and Phasing System (APS). The GMS first measures the locations of the telescope optics and instruments as a function of elevation angle. These initial measurements will be used to adjust the optics positions and build initial elevation look-up tables. Then the telescope is aligned using starlight as the input for the APS at multiple elevation angles. APS measurements are used to refine the telescope alignment to build elevation and temperature dependent look-up tables. Due to the number of degrees of freedom in the telescope (over 10,000), the ability of the primary mirror to correct aberrations on other optics, the tight optical performance requirements and the multiple instrument locations, it is challenging to develop, test and validate these alignment procedures. In this paper, we consider several GMS and APS operational scenarios. We apply the alignment procedures to the model-generated TMT, which consists of various quasi-static errors such as polishing errors, passive supports errors, thermal and gravity deformations and installation position errors. Using an integrated optical model and Monte-Carlo framework, we evaluate the TMT’s aligned states using optical performance metrics at multiple instrument and field of view locations. The optical performance metrics include the Normalized Point Source Sensitivity (PSSN), RMS wavefront error before and after Adaptive Optics (AO) correction, pupil position change, and plate scale distortion.

Rogers, John↗

Predicted performance benefits of an adaptive digital engine control system of an F-15 airplane

The highly integrated digital electronic control (HIDEC) program will demonstrate and evaluate the improvements in performance and mission effectiveness that result from integrating engine-airframe control systems. Currently this is accomplished on the NASA Ames Research Center's F-15 airplane. The two control modes used to implement the systems are an integrated flightpath management mode and in integrated adaptive engine control system (ADECS) mode. The ADECS mode is a highly integrated mode in which the airplane flight conditions, the resulting inlet distortion, and the available engine stall margin are continually computed. The excess stall margin is traded for thrust. The predicted increase in engine performance due to the ADECS mode is presented in this report.

Burcham, F. W., Jr.↗

Predicted performance benefits of an adaptive digital engine control system on an F-15 airplane

The highly integrated digital electronic control (HIDEC) program will demonstrate and evaluate the improvements in performance and mission effectiveness that result from integrating engine-airframe control systems. Currently this is accomplished on the NASA Ames Research Center's F-15 airplane. The two control modes used to implement the systems are an integrated flightpath management mode and an integrated adaptive engine control system (ADECS) mode. The ADECS mode is a highly integrated mode in which the airplane flight conditions, the resulting inlet distortion, and the available engine stall margin are continually computed. The excess stall margin is traded for thrust. The predicted increase in engine performance due to the ADECS mode is presented in this report.

Burcham, F. W., Jr.↗

Performance predictions for spaceborne, long-lifetime helium dewars containing large-aperture telescopes

The evolution of design approaches for high-performance superfluid helium dewars containing large-aperture telescopes are discussed. Particular attention is given to thermal-math modeling for the IRAS and the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) dewars. Correlation of the recent COBE flight data with the dewar thermal-math model is presented, and apparent predictive deficiencies of the model are discussed.

Hopkins, Richard A.↗