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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

Evaluation of the Uncertainty in JP-7 Kinetics Models Applied to Scramjets

One of the challenges of designing and flying a scramjet-powered vehicle is the difficulty of preflight testing. Ground tests at realistic flight conditions introduce several sources of uncertainty to the flow that must be addressed. For example, the scales of the available facilities limit the size of vehicles that can be tested and so performance metrics for larger flight vehicles must be extrapolated from ground tests at smaller scales. To create the correct flow enthalpy for higher Mach number flows, most tunnels use a heater that introduces vitiates into the flow. At these conditions, the effects of the vitiates on the combustion process is of particular interest to the engine designer, where the ground test results must be extrapolated to flight conditions. In this paper, the uncertainty of the cracked JP-7 chemical kinetics used in the modeling of a hydrocarbon-fueled scramjet was investigated. The factors that were identified as contributing to uncertainty in the combustion process were the level of flow vitiation, the uncertainty of the kinetic model coefficients and the variation of flow properties between ground testing and flight. The method employed was to run simulations of small, unit problems and identify which variables were the principal sources of uncertainty for the mixture temperature. Then using this resulting subset of all the variables, the effects of the uncertainty caused by the chemical kinetics on a representative scramjet flow-path for both vitiated (ground) and nonvitiated (flight) flows were investigated. The simulations showed that only a few of the kinetic rate equations contribute to the uncertainty in the unit problem results, and when applied to the representative scramjet flowpath, the resulting temperature variability was on the order of 100 K. Both the vitiated and clean air results showed very similar levels of uncertainty, and the difference between the mean properties were generally within the range of uncertainty predicted.

Norris, A. T.↗

Technical Interchange Meeting Guidelines Breakout

Along with concept developers, the Systems Evaluation and Assessment (SEA) sub-element of VAMS will develop those scenarios and metrics required for testing the new concepts that reside within the System-Level Integrated Concepts (SLIC) sub-element in the VAMS project. These concepts will come from the NRA process, space act agreements, a university group, and other NASA researchers. The emphasis of those concepts is to increase capacity while at least maintaining the current safety level. The concept providers will initially develop their own scenarios and metrics for self-evaluation. In about a year, the SEA sub-element will become responsible for conducting initial evaluations of the concepts using a common scenario and metric set. This set may derive many components from the scenarios and metrics used by the concept providers. Ultimately, the common scenario\metric set will be used to help determine the most feasible and beneficial concepts. A set of 15 questions and issues, discussed below, pertaining to the scenario and metric set, and its use for assessing concepts, was submitted by the SEA sub-element for consideration during the breakout session. The questions were divided among the three breakout groups. Each breakout group deliberated on its set of questions and provided a report on its discussion.

Fong, Rob↗

Scalable learning of potentials to predict time-dependent Hartree–Fock dynamics

We propose a framework to learn the time-dependent Hartree–Fock (TDHF) inter-electronic potential of a molecule from its electron density dynamics. Although the entire TDHF Hamiltonian, including the inter-electronic potential, can be computed from first principles, we use this problem as a testbed to develop strategies that can be applied to learn a priori unknown terms that arise in other methods/approaches to quantum dynamics, e.g., emerging problems such as learning exchange–correlation potentials for time-dependent density functional theory. We develop, train, and test three models of the TDHF inter-electronic potential, each parameterized by a four-index tensor of size up to 60 × 60 × 60 × 60. Two of the models preserve Hermitian symmetry, while one model preserves an eight-fold permutation symmetry that implies Hermitian symmetry. Across seven different molecular systems, we find that accounting for the deeper eight-fold symmetry leads to the best-performing model across three metrics: training efficiency, test set predictive power, and direct comparison of true and learned inter-electronic potentials. All three models, when trained on ensembles of field-free trajectories, generate accurate electron dynamics predictions even in a field-on regime that lies outside the training set. To enable our models to scale to large molecular systems, we derive expressions for Jacobian-vector products that enable iterative, matrix-free training.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

A Geometric Approach to Modeling Microstructurally Small Fatigue Crack Formation: Simulation and Prediction of Crack Nucleation in AA 7075-T651 - 2

The objective of this paper is to develop further a framework for computationally modeling microstructurally small fatigue crack growth in AA 7075-T651 [1]. The focus is on the nucleation event, when a crack extends from within a second-phase particle into a surrounding grain, since this has been observed to be an initiating mechanism for fatigue crack growth in this alloy. It is hypothesized that nucleation can be predicted by computing a non-local nucleation metric near the crack front. The hypothesis is tested by employing a combination of experimentation and nite element modeling in which various slip-based and energy-based nucleation metrics are tested for validity, where each metric is derived from a continuum crystal plasticity formulation. To investigate each metric, a non-local procedure is developed for the calculation of nucleation metrics in the neighborhood of a crack front. Initially, an idealized baseline model consisting of a single grain containing a semi-ellipsoidal surface particle is studied to investigate the dependence of each nucleation metric on lattice orientation, number of load cycles, and non-local regularization method. This is followed by a comparison of experimental observations and computational results for microstructural models constructed by replicating the observed microstructural geometry near second-phase particles in fatigue specimens. It is found that orientation strongly influences the direction of slip localization and, as a result, in uences the nucleation mechanism. Also, the baseline models, replication models, and past experimental observation consistently suggest that a set of particular grain orientations is most likely to nucleate fatigue cracks. It is found that a continuum crystal plasticity model and a non-local nucleation metric can be used to predict the nucleation event in AA 7075-T651. However, nucleation metric threshold values that correspond to various nucleation governing mechanisms must be calibrated.

Hochhalter, Jake D.↗

Practical Aspects of Real-Time Modeling for the Learn-To-Fly Concept

Practical aspects of autonomous onboard real-time modeling for the NASA Learn-to-Fly concept are examined using flight data from two subscale test aircraft. A practical real-time global nonlinear aerodynamic modeling method is developed and explained, along with the multiple-input excitation needed for effective real-time modeling. Critical issues for integrating real-time global nonlinear aerodynamic modeling and local linear modeling with the real-time learning adaptive control and guidance elements of the Learn-to-Fly algorithm are identified and discussed. Real-time modeling results from NASA Learn-to-Fly flight demonstrations are presented and evaluated using model fit metrics and prediction tests.

Morelli, Eugene A.↗

Cumulative Noise Metric Design Considerations for the Nasa Quesst Community Test Campaign With the X-59 Aircraft

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans to collect X-59 aircraft dose-response data to inform international regulators in their efforts to establish acceptable noise standards to replace the current ban on overland supersonic commercial flight. For this upcoming community test campaign, the sound level from a supersonic overflight of the X-59 constitutes a single-event dose, and an end-of-day survey after multiple flight events constitutes a cumulative response. This study considers how X-59 community tests could be designed to explore the relationship between multiple single events and cumulative annoyance response. Presently, a day-night level summation of single-event doses formulates the cumulative dose; however, a generalization method may improve the understanding of the linkage between multiple single events and cumulative response. This work utilizes an analysis method that employs a parameter to vary the cumulative dose metric such that it can represent the loudest single event, remain as the day-night level summation, or be more responsive to the number of events. The analysis is demonstrated on simulated dose-response datasets derived from previous NASA field studies and from expectations of X-59 community tests. Results demonstrate that certain dose designs are more efficient than others in determining the analysis parameter.

dose-response modeling↗

Cumulative Noise Metric Design Considerations for the NASA Quesst Community Test Campaign With the X-59 Aircraft

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans to collect X-59 aircraft dose-response data to inform international regulators in their efforts to establish acceptable noise standards to replace the current ban on overland supersonic commercial flight. For this upcoming community test campaign, the sound level from a supersonic overflight of the X-59 constitutes a single-event dose, and an end-of-day survey after multiple flight events constitutes a cumulative response. This study considers how X-59 community tests could be designed to explore the relationship between multiple single events and cumulative annoyance response. Presently, a day-night level summation of single-event doses formulates the cumulative dose; however, a generalization method may improve the understanding of the linkage between multiple single events and cumulative response. This work utilizes an analysis method that employs a parameter to vary the cumulative dose metric such that it can represent the loudest single event, remain as the day-night level summation, or be more responsive to the number of events. The analysis is demonstrated on simulated dose-response datasets derived from previous NASA field studies and from expectations of X-59 community tests. Results demonstrate that certain dose designs are more efficient than others in determining the analysis parameter.

dose-response modeling↗

Optimization of Regression Models of Experimental Data Using Confirmation Points

A new search metric is discussed that may be used to better assess the predictive capability of different math term combinations during the optimization of a regression model of experimental data. The new search metric can be determined for each tested math term combination if the given experimental data set is split into two subsets. The first subset consists of data points that are only used to determine the coefficients of the regression model. The second subset consists of confirmation points that are exclusively used to test the regression model. The new search metric value is assigned after comparing two values that describe the quality of the fit of each subset. The first value is the standard deviation of the PRESS residuals of the data points. The second value is the standard deviation of the response residuals of the confirmation points. The greater of the two values is used as the new search metric value. This choice guarantees that both standard deviations are always less or equal to the value that is used during the optimization. Experimental data from the calibration of a wind tunnel strain-gage balance is used to illustrate the application of the new search metric. The new search metric ultimately generates an optimized regression model that was already tested at regression model independent confirmation points before it is ever used to predict an unknown response from a set of regressors.

Ulbrich, N.↗

Analytical methodology for determination of helicopter IFR precision approach requirements

A systematic analytical approach to the determination of helicopter IFR precision approach requirements is formulated. The approach is based upon the hypothesis that pilot acceptance level or opinion rating of a given system is inversely related to the degree of pilot involvement in the control task. A nonlinear simulation of the helicopter approach to landing task incorporating appropriate models for UH-1H aircraft, the environmental disturbances and the human pilot was developed as a tool for evaluating the pilot acceptance hypothesis. The simulated pilot model is generic in nature and includes analytical representation of the human information acquisition, processing, and control strategies. Simulation analyses in the flight director mode indicate that the pilot model used is reasonable. Results of the simulation are used to identify candidate pilot workload metrics and to test the well known performance-work-load relationship. A pilot acceptance analytical methodology is formulated as a basis for further investigation, development and validation.

Phatak, A. V.↗

The use of the wavelet cluster analysis for asteroid family determination

The asteroid family determination has been analysis method dependent for a longtime. A new cluster analysis based on the wavelet transform has allowed an automatic definition of families with a degree of significance versus randomness. Actually this method is rather general and can be applied to any kind of structural analysis. We will rather concentrate on the main features of the method. The analysis has been performed on the set of 4100 asteroid proper elements computed by Milani and Knezevic (see Milani and Knezevic 1990). Twenty one families have been found and influence of the chosen metric has been tested. The results have beem compared to Zappala et al.'s ones (see Zappala et al 1990) obtained by the use of a completely different method applied to the same set of data. For the first time, a good overlapping has been found between both method results, not only for the big well known families but also for the smallest ones.

Benjoya, Phillippe↗

Peer-to-Peer Human-Robot Interaction for Space Exploration

NASA has embarked on a long-term program to develop human-robot systems for sustained, affordable space exploration. To support this mission, we are working to improve human-robot interaction and performance on planetary surfaces. Rather than building robots that function as glorified tools, our focus is to enable humans and robots to work as partners and peers. In this paper. we describe our approach, which includes contextual dialogue, cognitive modeling, and metrics-based field testing.

Fong, Terrence↗

Machine Learning Approaches to Increasing Value of Spaceflight Omics Databases

The number of spaceflight bioscience mission opportunities is too small to allow all relevant biological and environmental parameters to be experimentally identified. Simulated spaceflight experiments in ground-based facilities (GBFs), such as clinostats, are each suitable only for particular investigations -- a rotating-wall vessel may be 'simulated microgravity' for cell differentiation (hours), but not DNA repair (seconds) -- and introduce confounding stimuli, such as motor vibration and fluid shear effects. This uncertainty over which biological mechanisms respond to a given form of simulated space radiation or gravity, as well as its side effects, limits our ability to baseline spaceflight data and validate mission science. Machine learning techniques autonomously identify relevant and interdependent factors in a data set given the set of desired metrics to be evaluated: to automatically identify related studies, compare data from related studies, or determine linkages between types of data in the same study. System-of-systems (SoS) machine learning models have the ability to deal with both sparse and heterogeneous data, such as that provided by the small and diverse number of space biosciences flight missions; however, they require appropriate user-defined metrics for any given data set. Although machine learning in bioinformatics is rapidly expanding, the need to combine spaceflight/GBF mission parameters with omics data is unique. This work characterizes the basic requirements for implementing the SoS approach through the System Map (SM) technique, a composite of a dynamic Bayesian network and Gaussian mixture model, in real-world repositories such as the GeneLab Data System and Life Sciences Data Archive. The three primary steps are metadata management for experimental description using open-source ontologies, defining similarity and consistency metrics, and generating testing and validation data sets. Such approaches to spaceflight and GBF omics data may soon enable unique insight into which measured phenomena correlate to biological mechanisms that are truly affected by spaceflight conditions; which are most likely to be confounded by other variables; and which are insufficiently characterized, significantly increasing existing and future science return from ISS and spaceflight missions.

Gentry, Diana↗

Damage Mechanisms in Tapered Composite Structures Under Static and Fatigue Loading

In this work an integrated computational/experimental approach was developed to validate the predictive capabilities of State-of-the-Art (SoA) Progressive Damage Analysis (PDA) methods and tools. Specifically, a tapered composite structure incorporating ply-drops typical in the aerospace industry to spatially vary structural thickness was tested under static tension and cyclic tension fatigue loads. The data acquired from these tests included quantitative metrics such as pre-peak stiffness, peak load, location of delamination damage onset, and growth of delaminations as functions of applied static and fatigue loads. It was shown that the PDA tools were able to predict the pre-peak stiffness and peak load within ±10% of experimental average, thereby meeting and exceeding the pre-defined success criteria. Additionally, it was shown that the PDA tools were able to accurately predict the location of delamination onset and satisfactorily predict delamination growth under static tension loading. Overall, good correlations were achieved between modeling and experiments.

Rao, Prabhakar M.↗

TPSAS-NF1676L-35855-DND

UAM Noise Exploratory Meeting (April ’18): there is positive interest in forming a focused working group to define and address noise goals for UAM vehicles. Participants should include stakeholders across industry, government agencies, academia, and community groups; focus efforts on reducing or eliminating the barriers associated with community noise. Key topics of interest include: Tools & Technologies Ground & Flight Testing Human Response & Metrics Regulation & Community Outreach

Stephen A Rizzi↗

Mars Exploration Rover (MER) project environmental assurance program

This paper presents a comprehensive summary of the environmental assurance program for the MER project. A series of test and analysis metrics are generated. Selections of the numerous lessons that have been learned from implementation of the MER environmental assurance program are documented in this paper. They include both technical and programmatic lessons that would be helpful in improving implementation of the environmental program for future projects.

Hoffman, Alan R↗

Commercial Supersonic Fan Noise Modeling

This presentation describes the development of an empirical noise model for a two-stage fan designed for a supersonic commercial aircraft. The existing fan noise models are reviewed and compared with noise data from a wind tunnel experiment where a model scale two-stage fan was tested. An error metric was developed to quantify how well the measurements and empirical model match. This error metric was then used to determine new coefficients and parameters for a version of the fan model that is a good match for the experimental data.

supersonics, acoustics, turbofan↗

The International Space Station, Optical Communications, and Delay Tolerant Networking: Towards A Solar System Internet Architecture

As Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN) matures as a software product its use cases have extended to infrastructural and architectural studies, bringing DTN closer to a widespread, operational technology. While it is known that a DTN can be configured, given complete information about a system of nodes, to provision a system with a complete network capability, what remains is to tackle practical considerations such as scalability, networking best practices, and how to establish service providers. In this paper, we document progress towards a scalable DTN architecture that was tested across multiple organizational and project boundaries; our approach was tested across nodes flying on the International Space Station (ISS) connected to a ground network. The network consists of four main network areas: the ISS, the White Sands Complex (WSC), the Mission Cloud Platform (MCP), and NASA’s Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC). The connections on the ground (WSC, MCP, and HOSC) are straightforward technically, but represent administrative and non-technical challenges that had to be overcome. The connection from the ISS to WSC was realized through a hybrid optical/RF means. In particular, NASA’s Integrated Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) can form a relay from lowEarth-orbit (LEO) to the Earth, and was used in conjunction with the LCRD LEO User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T) on the ISS to form a link to one of three geographically diverse ground stations. A major goal was to achieve communications while keeping the ISS nodes unaware of ground station choices and scheduling. These disparate links were networked using High-rate DTN (HDTN), which enabled the desired architecture. The network architecture, tests, HDTN performance metrics, and general observations made are all discussed in detail, including a discussion on the successful utilization of the DTN security standard known as DTN Bundle Protocol Security (BPSec). We conclude with suggestions for next steps, and in particular focus on extending this architecture to the Near Space Network (NSN) and the upcoming LunaNet.

Alan Hylton↗

Rapid Aero Modeling for Urban Air Mobility Aircraft in Computational Experiments

Rapid Aero Modeling (RAM) applied to computational testing, RAM-C, is an approach to efficiently and automatically obtain aerodynamic models during computational investigations. RAM-C is designed to estimate models appropriate for flight dynamics studies and simulations. The approach responds to a demand for experimental efficiency and model fidelity that has increased with growing aircraft complexity and aerodynamic nonlinearities associated with hybrid and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. In an Urban Air Mobility (UAM) transportation system, it is expected that aircraft will embrace many features from both airplanes and rotorcraft. These vehicles present many more factors than conventional aircraft which can lead to increased computational costs and missed key factor interactions when applying traditional testing and modeling methods. RAM-C provides feedback loops around computational codes to rapidly guide testing toward aerodynamic models meeting user-defined fidelity goals. It combines and extends concepts from design of experiment theory and aircraft system identification theory that allow the user the freedom to choose, in advance of the test, a specific level of fidelity in terms of prediction error. RAM-C only collects enough data required to meet the user-specified prediction error requirements thus saving computational time and resources. The overall achievable fidelity of the final model also depends on the accuracy of the test facility, or in this case, the computational modeling approach. Previous studies to support development of the RAM-T process were conducted in wind tunnel tests to assess potential metrics, algorithms, and procedures. This paper presents results from the next steps taken and tests conducted for the development of RAM-C technology and highlights some of the unique features of RAM applied eVTOL configurations in a computational study.

Aerodynamics↗