Lunar excursion module RCS engine vacuum chamber contamination study
Plume deposits of reaction control system in lunar excursion model engine vacuum chamber and contamination of test beds
Arnett, G. M.↗
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Minimization of SM RCS fuel for Skylab attitude maneuvers
Minimization of SM reaction control system for Skylab attitude maneuvers
Hough, W. W.↗
CSM programs SM RCS propellant quantity gaging systems program
Computer program calculates actual and useable remaining propellant quantities as required in positive expulsion rocket engine propellant feed system. Program establishes relationship between helium system pressures and temperatures and propellant weight remaining in tanks. Program is written in FORTRAN 4 for IBM-360 computer.
Cox, G. R.↗
Apollo RCS positive expulsion tankage product improvement program - Solution of command module and service module bladder repositioning problems, task E Final report, Jul. 1967 - Sep. 1969
Solution of command module and service module expulsion bladder repositioning problems
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Performance of the CSM RCS during the AS 506/CSM 107/LM 5 mission (Apollo 11)
The Apollo 11 service module and the command module (CM) reaction control system performed satisfactorily throughout the mission. Two anomalies which occurred were an inadvertent isolation valve closure during command and service module/Saturn S4B/lunar module separation and a failure of a CM thruster to respond to automatic commands. The isolation valves were later opened by the crew and remained open during the remainder of the mission. The cause of the closure was determined to be the shock loads generated during separation. The CM engine malfunction was caused by a faulty terminal board connector. All system parameters were normal during the mission, and all mission requirements were satisfied.
Lingle, W. N.↗
Space shuttle auxiliary propulsion system design study. Phase B report: Candidate RCS concept comparisons
The competing auxiliary propulsion concepts for the reusable space shuttle vehicle are defined. The concepts are compared on the basis of selection criteria such as weight, reliability, and technology requirements. Propulsion systems using both cryogenic oxygen-hydrogen and earth storable propellants were considered. Three high value oxygen-hydrogen reaction control system concepts were evaluated. The final comparisons demonstrate that all three concepts are viable design approaches. The flexibility and growth potential of the parallel concept are considered to provide an advantage over the series concept.
Orton, G. F.↗
Space shuttle auxiliary propulsion system design study. Phase D report: Oxygen-hydrogen special RCS studies
Two alternate oxygen-hydrogen auxiliary propulsion system concepts for use with the space shuttle vehicle were evaluated. The two concepts considered were: (1) gaseous oxygen-hydrogen systems with electric or hydraulic motor driven pumps to provide system pressure and (2) liquid oxygen-hydrogen systems which delivered propellants to the engines in a liquid state without the need for pumps. The various means of implementing each of the concepts are compared on the basis of weight, technology requirements, and operational considerations. It was determined that the liquid oxygen-hydrogen system concepts have the potential to produce substantial weight reductions in the space shuttle orbiter total impulse range.
Baumann, T. L.↗
Exhaust plume and contamination characteristics of a bipropellant (MMH/N2O4) RCS thruster
Results are presented for three recent tests in a series of thruster contamination experiments made in liquid helium-cooled environmental facility. The contaminating effects encountered on various materials, surfaces, and components, due to the exhaust products from a 5-pound thrust, bipropellant (MMH/N2O4) thruster are investigated. The angular distribution of plume effects around the periphery of the thruster established by transmittance changes of quartz samples over the wavelength range from 0.2 to 2.0 micrometer is studied, along with mass deposition rates at a specific location measured with a quartz crystal microbalance for three different experiments. Quadrupole mass spectrometer measurements of the exhaust products over the mass number range from 12 to 75; infrared transmittance measurements of contaminated samples for the wavelength range from 2.5 to 15 microns; and infrared transmittance measurements of residue from the thruster nozzle are also considered.
Spisz, E. W.↗
Space Shuttle bipropellant RCS engine.
The requirements of the Space Shuttle bipropellant reaction control system engine technology contract and the scheduled contract effort are presented herein. The requirements included an engine concept scalable from 400 to 1100 lbf, with a 100 mission life employing N2O4/MMH propellants. Emphasis is placed on reusability and minimum post-flight servicing. The engine components are reviewed and their selection is supported by tradeoff analyses, thrust chamber firing test data, materials test data, and metallurgical evaluations. The materials test data indicate that the proposed silicide coated columbium chamber and uncoated columbium injector have the potential of meeting the mission life requirements. The engine valve trade studies resulted in the selection of a torque motor operated bipropellant valve configuration. Fuel vortex film cooling of the insulated chamber is described together with the fuel vortex film cooling scaling parameter and its verification by test data to a thrust level of 5500 lbf.
Sanscrainte, W.↗
CSM/LM Spacecraft Operational Data Book. Volume II LM Data Book: Subsystem Performance Data-RCS
The complete Spacecraft Operational Data Book for the manned missions consists of five separate volumes. Volume II presents operational information on the capabilities and limitations of the spacecraft.
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Plume mass flow and optical damage distributions for an MMH/N2O4 RCS thruster
The data obtained from two recent experiments conducted in a continuing series of experiments at the Lewis Research Center into the contamination characteristics of a 5-pound thrust MMH/N2O4 engine are presented. The primary objectives of these experiments were to establish the angular distribution of condensible exhaust products within the plume and the corresponding optical damage angular distribution of transmitting optical elements attributable to this contaminant. The plume mass flow distribution was measured by five quartz crystal microbalances (QCM's) located at the engine axis evaluation. The fifth QCM was located above the engine and 15 deg behind the nozzle exit plane. The optical damage was determined by ex-situ transmittance measurements for the wavelength range from 0.2 to 0.6 microns on 2.54 cm diameter fused silica discs also located at engine centerline elevation. Both the mass deposition and optical damage angular distributions followed the expected trend of decreasing deposition and damage as the angle between sensor or sample and the nozzle axis increased. A simple plume gas flow equation predicted the deposition distribution reasonably well for angles of up to 55 degrees. The optical damage measurements also indicated significant effects at large angles.
Spisz, E. W.↗
Skylab 2 post-launch report (RCS 76-0000-00048)
The launch vehicle stages for SL-2, the CSM experiments, and their associated support equipment are reported. The performance of KSC systems in support of processing and launch of the SL-2 are described along with major processing events for each launch vehicle stage, the spacecraft, and the general experiments of the SL-2 S/V. The final countdown and hold times are noted and a summary of the launch vehicle is included. The weather conditions at launch time and the range support activities are given.
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RCS jet-flow field interaction effects on the aerodynamics of the space shuttle orbiter
A study was conducted to determine the external effects caused by operation of the reaction control system during entry of the space shuttle orbiter. The effects of jet plume-external flow interactions were emphasized. Force data were obtained for the basic airframe characteristics plus induced effects when the reaction control system is operating. Resulting control amplification and/or coupling were derived and their effects on the aerodynamic stability and control of the orbiter and the reaction control system thrust were determined.
Rausch, J. R.↗
RCS propulsion functional path analysis for performance monitoring fault detection and annunciation
The operational flight instrumentation required for performance monitoring and fault detection are presented. Measurements by the burn through monitors are presented along with manifold and helium source pressures.
Keesler, E. L.↗
Space Shuttle bipropellant RCS engine
A 'Reaction Control System' rocket engine is described which meets the Space Shuttle requirements. These include high performance/reliability and minimum weight with 100-mission life, with emphasis on reusability and minimum maintenance/servicing. The columbium fuel-vortex-cooled flight-type engine has a performance of 295 seconds vacuum specific impulse at 600 lbf thrust and a chamber pressure of 200 psia with maximum insulated-wall temperature below 2100 F. The engine has successfully demonstrated 9900 seconds operation including 6300 firing cycles without the need for maintenance.
Chazen, M. L.↗