Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “AERODYNAMIC DRAG”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8

Viscous flow simulations of internal store carriage and separation

The internal carriage of stores by the military aircraft is an option for possible reductions in the aerodynamic drag and the observability. Trade studies of this option require considering the aircraft and the stores together. In an effort to develop a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code for such studies, an investigation was conducted from 1986 to 1990. The study was divided into five building-block steps. First, a full Navier-Stokes code was developed to simulate the unsteady, three-dimensional cavity flow. As the second step, this code was then used to simulate the flows past various missile configurations at angles of attack up to 44 deg. The effects of incidence as well as the turbulence on the leeside flows were computationally captured. The objective of this study has involved the interference flows of rather complex configurations with multiple, joint or disjoint, components of nonsimilar geometries. Hence, a hybrid domain decomposition (HDD) method was developed as the third step of the investigation. The strengths of the multiblock, zonal, and overlapped grids were judiciously combined and employed for the present problem. In the fourth step, the interference flow past a missile near a flat-plate wing was simulated using the HDD method. Finally, the fifth step involved the simulation of the internal store carriage and separation. Four different cases for two different configurations were simulated. The computational results of all five steps were successfully compared with the available wind tunnel test data. The unsteady aerodynamic forces on the separating store were computationally predicted. The CFD code developed for this project is called Viscous Internal Store Carriage Code (VISCC).

Baysal, Oktay↗

Mars 2020 Entry, Descent and Landing Instrumentation (MEDLI2)

This paper will introduce Mars Entry Descent and Landing Instrumentation (MEDLI2) on NASA's Mars2020 mission. Mars2020 is a flagship NASA mission with science and technology objectives to help answer questions about possibility of life on Mars as well as to demonstrate technologies for future human expedition. Mars2020 is scheduled for launch in 2020. MEDLI2 is a suite of instruments embedded in the heatshield and backshell thermal protection systems of Mars2020 entry vehicle. The objectives of MEDLI2 are to gather critical aerodynamics, aerothermodynamics and TPS performance data during EDL phase of the mission. MEDLI2 builds up the success of MEDLI flight instrumentation on Mars Science Laboratory mission in 2012. MEDLI instrumentation suite measured surface pressure and TPS temperature on the heatshield during MSL entry into Mars. MEDLI data has since been used for unprecedented reconstruction of aerodynamic drag, vehicle attitude, in-situ atmospheric density, aerothermal heating, transition to turbulence, in-depth TPS performance and TPS ablation. [1,2] In addition to validating predictive models, MEDLI data has highlighted extra margin available in the MSL forebody TPS, which can potentially be used to reduce vehicle parasitic mass. MEDLI2 expands the scope of instrumentation by focusing on quantities of interest not addressed in MEDLI suite. The type the sensors are expanded and their layout on the TPS modified to meet these new objectives. The paper will provide key motivation and governing requirements that drive the choice and the implementation of the new sensor suite. The implementation considerations of sensor selection, qualification, and demonstration of minimal risk to the host mission will be described. The additional challenges associated with mechanical accommodation, electrical impact, data storage and retrieval for MEDLI2 system, which extends sensors to backshell will also be described.

Thermal Protection System↗

Compressible Turbulent Boundary Layers

Compressibility of turbulent boundary layers - skin friction, heat transfer, flow velocity, temperature distribution, pressure gradients, and aerodynamic drag prediction methods

Source record↗

NASA-tricot - A lightweight radar reflective, knitted fabric

Fabric knitted on conventional knitting machines uses commercially available yarns, has high aerodynamic drag capability, and is relatively inexpensive. The two yarn components used are 15-denier nylon monofilament and aluminized Mylar tape.

Matthews, F. R.↗

Computer program for investigating effects of nonlinear suspension-system elastic properties on parachute inflation loads and motions

A computer program is presented by which the effects of nonlinear suspension-system elastic characteristics on parachute inflation loads and motions can be investigated. A mathematical elastic model of suspension-system geometry is coupled to the planar equations of motion of a general vehicle and canopy. Canopy geometry and aerodynamic drag characteristics and suspension-system elastic properties are tabular inputs. The equations of motion are numerically integrated by use of an equivalent fifth-order Runge-Kutta technique.

Poole, L. R.↗

Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference, 2nd, Palo Alto and Moffett Field, Calif., September 11-13, 1972, Informal Papers.

Limitations in the acquisition of nonlinear aerodynamic coefficients from free-oscillation data by means of the Chapman-Kirk technique, SAM-D control test vehicle trajectory plannning and flight test analysis, and determination of aerodynamic drag from radar data are among the topics covered in papers concerned with atmospheric flight mechanics. Other areas covered include fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, ordnance and reentry vehicles, and analysis and measurement techniques. Individual items are announced in this issue.

Source record↗

Integrated engine-generator for aircraft secondary power.

The integrated engine-generator concept consists of an electric generator located inside a turbojet or turbofan engine and both concentric with and driven by one of the main engine shafts. The electric power-conversion equipment and generator controls are conveniently located in the aircraft. When properly rated, the generator serves as an engine starter as well as a source of electric power. The available generating capacity permits use of electrically driven engine accessories. This reduces or eliminates the need for an external gearbox on the engine, thereby simplifying the engine and nacelle assembly and increasing aircraft design flexibility. The nacelle diameter can then be decreased, resulting in less aerodynamic drag and reduced takeoff gross weight.

Secunde, R. R.↗

An aerodynamic study of scramjet fuel injectors

The aerodynamic drag and fuel distribution patterns of injectors designed for a supersonic combustion ramjet were measured at Mach numbers of 2, 2.5, and 3. The most significant parameter effecting the drag was found to be the injector thickness ratio. A two-fold reduction in the thickness ratio caused a 65 percent decrease in drag. Changing the injector sweep angle a factor of 2 resulted in only a small change in drag. A reversal of injector sweep, from sweepback to sweepforward, did not change the measured drag. Helium gas was injected through the struts to simulate the penetration and spreading patterns of hydrogen. Sampling measurements were made at approximately 2 duct heights downstream of the combustor. The spacing required between fuel injectors was found to be about 10 jet diameters. The effect of gas injection on the measured drag was found to be minor.

Povinelli, L. A.↗

Interactive design of large end rings on stiffened conical shells using composites

Design study methods and results for a composite reinforced base ring for the conical aeroshell structure of the planetary lander vehicle for Project Viking, an unmanned mission to Mars, are presented. The aeroshell is a ring and stringer-stiffened conical shell structure having a half angle of 70 degrees with a large base ring mounted at the outer edge of the cone and a large pay-load ring in the interior with many smaller rings spaced along the inside shell surface. The purpose of the structure is to develop the aerodynamic drag required to decelerate the lander in the Mars atmosphere to facilitiate a soft landing. The design of a shell structure of this complexity requires the use of the latest technology available in a large general-purpose shell buckling program. The large general-purpose non-linear shell buckling program (BOSOR 2) which was used for this purpose is described.

Davis, R. C.↗

An aerodynamic study of scramjet fuel injectors

The aerodynamic drag and fuel distribution patterns of injectors designed for a supersonic combustion ramjet were measured at Mach numbers of 2, 2.5, and 3. The most significant parameter effecting the drag was found to be the injector thickness ratio. A twofold reduction in the thickness ratio caused a 65% decrease in drag. Changing the injector sweep angle by a factor of 2 resulted in only a small change in drag. A reversal of injector sweep, from sweepback to sweepforward, did not change the measured drag. Helium gas was injected through the struts to simulate the penetration and spreading patterns of hydrogen. Sampling measurements were made at approximately two duct heights downstream of the combustor. The spacing required between fuel injectors was found to be about 10 jet diameters. The effect of gas injection on the measured drag was found to be minor.

Povinelli, L. A.↗

Accelerations experienced during low-G flight of Black Brant VC (NAS 21.015) on 4 October 1974

This investigation was to determine whether a Black Brant VC (BBVC) sounding rocket equipped with the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) rate control system (RCS) would produce g-levels which are satisfactory for space processing. Accelerations measured by the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) low-g accelerometer system (LGAS) were compared with accelerations calculated from measured payload RCS gyro data during a low-g flight of BBVC NAS 21.015 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., on October 4, 1974. Accelerations of up to 0.0002 g existed at the LGAS accelerometers from 70 through 420 sec (5.8 min), with the exception of a spike at 101 sec of 0.0004 g which occurred when the RCS was activated the second time. Accelerations of 0.0001 g existed from 140 through 400 sec (4.3 min). Accelerations of 0.0002 g along the roll axis up to 150 sec and of 0.0015 g in the lateral plane at about 135 sec are being investigated by GSFC. They may be associated with leaking thruster valves or a leak in one of the heat pipe experiments. The vehicle rate buildup each time after the RCS nulls out are also being investigated by GSFC. This rate caused most of the 0.0001 g acceleration experienced after 150 sec into the flight. Aerodynamic drag produced no significant accelerations after about 80 sec. The principal conclusion was that the BBVC with the GSFC RCS produces g-levels satisfactory for space processing.

Kissel, R.↗